Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-12-20

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek FM satisfied with EU-Turkey pact; cites Ankara's obligation to sign customs union protocol

[02] Ecumenical Patriarch hails EU decision for future 'European Turkey'

[03] Parliament commences debate on 2005 draft budget

[04] Coalition leader says his party will not 'lend legitimacy' to election of new president

[05] State Dept. praise for bus hijacking resolution; US Olympic counter-terrorism training cited

[06] Top Greek diplomat in FYROM to assume new post

[07] Thessaloniki to vie for 2013 Mediterranean Games

[08] Christodoulos details Church's opposition to abortion

[09] Papandreou speaks to immigrant groups, cites PASOK proposal for voting rights

[10] Prosecutor orders probe into theft of 400,000 from armored car

[11] Papadopoulos says vetoing Turkey not good for Cyprus problem

[12] US discussing Cyprus with EU; UN plan still on table

[01] Greek FM satisfied with EU-Turkey pact; cites Ankara's obligation to sign customs union protocol

Athens, 20/12/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at the Greek foreign ministry in Athens, Molyviatis told reporters that Turkey's promise to sign - instead of simply initialing - a Protocol expanding a customs union with the 10 most recent EU members, especially the Republic of Cyprus, was absolutely positive. He reminded that Turkey made the commitment to sign the Protocol before Oct. 3, 2005, the crucial date foreseen as the start of EU-Turkey accession negotiations.

"If the Protocol is not signed, then negotiations do not begin," he pointedly said, adding that the development marked an important turning point for the Turkish side and was necessary for reversing Ankara's 30-year policy on Cyprus.

Turkish troops continue to occupy roughly one-third of the east Mediterranean island republic's territory in violation of various UN resolutions, whereas Ankara has propped up a Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state on the occupied territory since 1983. Only Turkey recognizes the T/C pseudo-state, whereas the internationally recognized and prosperous Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in its latest wave of expansion.

Moreover, the veteran Greek diplomat also pointed to a "categorical commitment" by the neighboring EU hopeful for good-neighborly relations, a direct reference to ties with EU member-state Greece.

In article 19 of the agreement, ironed out throughout much of Friday, it states that the "European Council, while underlining the need for unequivocal commitment to good neighborly relations welcomed the improvements in Turkey's relations with its neighbors and its readiness to continue to work with the concerned Member States towards resolution of outstanding border disputes in conformity with the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter ... In this connection it (European Council) reaffirmed its view that unresolved disputes having repercussions on the accession process, should if necessary be brought to the International Court of Justice for settlement. The European Council will be kept informed of progress achieved which it will review as appropriate."

Molyviatis said the term "border disputes" carried over from a milestone Helsinki Summit in late 1999 that outlined much of the criteria for Turkey ahead of any date for accession talks, although a subsequent reference to "related issues" was dropped, something he said pleased Athens.

Other points cited by the Greek FM were the mention of a referral to the International Court of Justice "if necessary". Molyviatis said this point was significant because "we want to have control over the time and place of a possible recourse to The Hague (International Court), as the Court is undoubtedly a good medium for resolving an international dispute, but it is not a cure-all".

Additionally, he said the point about a continuous and not "one-time only" briefing of the European Council on the course of sensitive Greek-Turkish relations was also positive.

Asked about initiatives for the solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem that may be initiated by Ankara during the period leading up to Oct. 3, 2005, Molyviatis said that after yesterday's (Friday) decision efforts to find a solution will be stepped up, "because this will be to the benefit of all interested parties..."

"I cannot tell you under what conditions this will occur; I cannot exactly predict this, but I believe that the Annan (peace) plan will comprise its (initiative) basis, while it should also be taken into consideration that Cyprus is now a member of the European Union".

In answer to question regarding the possibility of specific issues of Greek interest being included in an upcoming revision of the EU-Turkey Association Agreement, and whether the decision will require a simple majority or unanimity, Molyviatis said the Greek and Cypriot contribution in drawing up the text "will be as significant as possible". He also said a decision will be taken on the principle of unanimity.

In response to late-night opposition criticism from within Greece that the Brussels agreement backpedaled from the Helsinki criteria and also gave Turkey a negotiation date without conditions or something in return, Molyviatis merely noted that "it's up to the opposition to exercise its duties in a consistent manner, something that public opinion will judge."

He did counter, nevertheless, that "serious concessions" were provided, ones that will serve as guarantees for the Greek government during upcoming negotiations.

"Turkey was forced to change course vis-a-vis Cyprus, whereas Greek-Turkish relations are now under the European Union's constant supervision. An interpretation of Helsinki purporting that Greek-Turkish relations were transformed into Euro-Turkish relations was popular only in Greece. No one in the EU or Turkey shares this view. The Helsinki text requests from Greece and Turkey to proceed into negotiations for border disputes and bilateral issues and, if no agreement is reached, to take recourse to The Hague," he said, adding:

"In this entire process I fail to see any involvement by the European Union. Let me remind you that in September 1999 the then Greek government said that Greece should be the 'locomotive' of Turkey's European course, and a few days afterwards it (the then Greek government) noted that the Greek gesture was unilateral and did not necessitate any gesture or reply by Ankara."

In statements aimed directly at the main opposition PASOK and its leader, former foreign minister George Papandreou, Molyviatis asked why no substantive step was taken to exploit an end-of-2004 deadline in the five years since Helsinki.

Finally, asked if Athens will table Turkey's provocative and standing threat of war (casus belli) in case EU member Greece exercises its right to extend its territorial waters, he reiterated that since Helsinki Greek-Turkish differences do not constitute EU-Turkey differences.

"That is why all these years this issue (casus belli) was not tabled by any Greek government. For us the only issue with Turkey is the (Aegean's) continental shelf, a matter that has been pending for 30 years," he concluded.

PM briefs president over EU decision on Turkey: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Sunday briefed President Kostis Stephanopoulos on the landmark European Union summit that concluded late this past week, and especially over a decision by the 25-nation bloc to give Turkey a date for starting accession negotiations.

In statements to reporters afterwards, Karamanlis noted that all of Athens' goals were fulfilled, particularly a written framework governing good neighborly relations that Turkey must adhere to if it wants to continue its course towards the European family.

Moreover, he pointed directly to the Turkish government's pledge that it will sign a customs union protocol with the Union's 10 new members - including the Republic of Cyprus - ahead of the beginning of accession negotiations.

"For the first time in the history of the European Union the obligations of a third country are included, word for word," he said.

Moreover, the Greek premier noted that Turkey is exclusively responsible for its European course, warning that the EU will closely monitor Ankara's progress, behavior and its harmonization with the Union's acquis communautaire.

Finally, Karamanlis expressed the Greek government's satisfaction over the fact that decisions were taken on the European Union prospects of Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia.

Stephanopoulos criticism of EU: A day earlier, Greek President Stephanopoulos sharply criticized the European Union's policy vis-a-vis Turkey's long-coveted goal of beginning EU accession negotiations, in the aftermath of the Union's decision to give the predominately Muslim country a conditional "green light" to begin entry talks in early October 2005.

In a terse statement while on a tour of central Greece, the out-going Greek president said that "European leaders stayed up all night the day before last (Thursday) to negotiate every possible detail with the Turkish prime minister instead of saying to Turkey: 'Gentlemen, these are our conditions, you either accept them or not, that is your business.' Europe should not bargain, it has its principles, which it must impose everywhere".

The outspoken Stephanopoulos also criticized Washington's role in furiously pushing for Turkey's admittance into the European family, noting that if the bloc wanted to play the role it deserves on the international stage it "must change strategy and policy".

"It (Europe) must stand on the same level as other major powers, especially the United States. We have absolutely no quarrel with the United States, we seek cooperation, but on the same level and without backtracking," emphasized.

Conversely, he said he agreed with the policy followed by the current and former Greek governments regarding Turkey's accession prospects.

Papandreou steps up attacks on gov't foreign policy: Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Saturday continued his attacks against the government's foreign policy, a day after European Union leaders agreed to give Turkey a start date for EU negotiations while at the same time receiving a firm pledge by Turkish leadership that it will sign a custom union protocol that essentially recognizes the Republic of Cyprus.

Speaking to PASOK's parliament group, Papandreou said results of Thursday and Friday's European Council showed that "we are dangerously maneuvering in foreign policy" and that the government "removed" from developments.

He also charged that the prime minister is "hiding" because he (the premier) is "trying, with a communications policy, to hide reality".

Regarding the Cyprus issue, he said the government was not able to achieve the self-evident, namely, recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, or even have the customs union signed.

[02] Ecumenical Patriarch hails EU decision for future 'European Turkey'

Athens, 20/12/2004 (ANA)

Vartholomeos, primus inter pares of Orthodox Christian Patriarchs and the head of a dwindling community of Orthodox Christian faithful in Turkey, said the development pleased the Church.

"A European Turkey, fully integrated into the large European family, will serve as a guarantee for the respect of human rights ... for the respect of minority rights, and for the observance of religious freedom; all of these things mean a bright future for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and for the ethnic Greek community affiliated with it; a community that has been tried and treated unfairly over past decades," he said during an ecclesiastical service in one of the Bosporus metropolis' ancient cathedrals.

"We all know that there have been difficulties and that difficulties will continue. What we hope for is that the road is now open," he added.

[03] Parliament commences debate on 2005 draft budget

Athens, 20/12/2004 (ANA)

"... an economic policy that is based on an effort to strengthen peripheral economic development, a complete exploitation of private sector opportunities, promoting reforms and freeing up the economy from the burdens of the past," ND deputy Theodoros Skrekas said.

Conversely, former finance minister George Floridis, main opposition PASOK's primary speaker, referred to an unreliable and problem-plagued budget, while claiming that a high-profile fiscal audit ordered by the government to calculate the deficit "disgraced the country".

He also charged that most of the burden for state revenues would fall on wage-earners and pensioners.

In a response, Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis said it was "extremely disappointing that PASOK insists on practices and views condemned by the Greek people ... Instead of doing its own self-criticism for the fiscal derailment in which it led the country, its (PASOK) rapporteur attempted to throw the blame on ND ... Responsibility for the fiscal derailment belongs to you, entirely."

On his part, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy said the 2005 draft budget outlines ND's strategic choices, namely, "better management of state coffers for the benefit of big capital…"

Coalition of the Left deputy Yiannis Dragasakis attacked both major parties for what he called their "anti-popular policy".

"This budget is a continuation of previous ones and doesn't ensure the meeting of its targets," he said.

Debate will continue throughout the week until a vote.

[04] Coalition leader says his party will not 'lend legitimacy' to election of new president

Athens, 20/12/2004 (ANA)

The presidential election is due for next March and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis early December proposed as his government and party's presidential candidate Karolos Papoulias, a former PASOK foreign minister and close collaborator of the late prime minister Andreas Papandreou. Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou welcomed favorably Karamanlis proposal.

Alavanos, who was addressing the first meeting of the newly elected central committee, also criticized the government's handlings during the December 16-17 EU Summit.

[05] State Dept. praise for bus hijacking resolution; US Olympic counter-terrorism training cited

WASHINGTON 20/12/2004 (ANA)

It also highlighted the assistance provided by Washington ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games and the fact that the incident was the third time since 1999 that Albanian gunmen had seized an inter-city bus in Greece.

In its Internet article the State Department states:

"The anti-terrorism training Greek security forces received for the 2004 summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, paid off December 16 when an 18-hour bus hijacking incident ended with no shots being fired and the peaceful surrender of the hostage takers.

"The Anti-terrorism Assistance (ATA) program, operated by the U.S. Department of State, had a role in providing that training, including drills using the scenario of a hijacked bus.

"In the early morning of December 15, two Albanian men armed with rifles and falsely claiming to have explosives held 23 hostages on a commuter bus and demanded $1 million (sic) and safe passage out of the country.

"This marked the third time in the past five years that Albanian gunmen have hijacked buses in Greece. The first time, in 1999, Greek police, surrounded by members of the media, handed a hijacker ransom money through the window of the bus, which they then allowed to cross over into Albania. There the hijacker and a passenger were killed when Albanian security forces intervened. Several months later, Greek police killed an Albanian who hijacked another bus ... This time, everything went differently."

The State Department then details the sequence of events and police actions to resolve the crisis. The bus driver's Olympics-related training is also highlighted.

"At the Athens games, the first summer Olympics after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, security was a top priority. ATA was invited to participate based on its record of success in assessing vulnerabilities and teaching skills to combat terrorism. Its courses are tailored to meet the needs of the country and the specific event to be secured, and include consideration of broad values involved in security work," the article reads, adding:

"In the two years prior to the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, we invested nearly $12 million in anti-terrorism training and equipment in Greece," John Rendeiro, director of ATA, is quoted as saying.

"The hard work of the Hellenic (Greek) National Police paid off -- not only in providing a secure and well-organized Olympics, but in a vastly improved police capability overall. Their handling of this hostage situation demonstrates the ongoing benefits of that training ... We are proud of our colleagues in Greek law enforcement and gratified that we had an opportunity to help," Rendeiro stressed.

[06] Top Greek diplomat in FYROM to assume new post

SKOPJE 20/12/2004 (ANA)

Both sides' satisfaction with the level of booming economic ties was expressed during the meeting, while the FYROM minister expressed her country's readiness to resume UN-sponsored talks to resolve the "name issue".

Contacts and negotiations since 1995 to resolve that specific issue, the only outstanding difference between the two neighbors, have produced no results or progress so far.

[07] Thessaloniki to vie for 2013 Mediterranean Games

Athens, 20/12/2004 (ANA)

Thessaloniki, along with Trieste, lost out to Zaragoza, Spain this past week during a vote in Paris over which city would host the world's largest trade and technology exhibition.

Deputy Culture Minister in charge of sports George Orfanos, who is elected from a Thessaloniki precinct, made the statement during a trade show in the northern city.

[08] Christodoulos details Church's opposition to abortion

Athens, 20/12/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at the annual conference of the Greek Obstetrics and Gynecology Society, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece reiterated that the "sanctity of life" is superior on all occasions.

"Not recognizing the sanctity of life leads to unpleasant situations, because self-centeredness and the logic of the 'powerful' dominates," the authoritative ecclesiastical leader said, adding:

" ... For us Christians, a human being begins life at conception in the mother's womb. The couple and future parents at that point become co-creators, along with God; they assume the responsibility for that child."

Although Christodoulos has reiterated his opposition to abortion on numerous occasions before, he has not officially called for its banning in the predominately Orthodox Christian nation of 11 million.

Past estimates put Greece at near the international lead in terms of annual abortions per overall population, although no exact figures exist because private doctors' offices, clinics and hospitals rarely, if ever, provide statistics on the procedure, whereas public institutions provide spotty figures at best.

Christodoulos also charged that the Church does not accept the notion of dividing an embryo's life into periods, saying this concept is "opportunistic", and only serves business or other interests.

"This is done to legally promote the murder of embryos, either through means of abortion or experiments," he said.

[09] Papandreou speaks to immigrant groups, cites PASOK proposal for voting rights

Athens, 20/12/2004 (ANA)

Among others, he referred to a PASOK proposal for "immigrant committees" to be created in every municipality, as well as the right of immigrants to stand for office and vote in municipal and local government elections. Moreover, he called for a simplification of the process for granting citizenship to migrants.

Papandreou also recounted how he felt as an immigrant and laborer while living in Sweden.

Estimates of the number of non-European Union foreigners in Greece range from 600,000 to one million out of a total population of roughly 11 million residents in the east Mediterranean nation. Most migrants slipped into Greece during the 1990s as illegal immigrants, with the largest number from neighboring Albania.

On his part, PASOK deputy and former minister Miltiades Papaioannou said his party recorded "spectacular results" for immigrants while in office, whereas the main opposition is now "opening a dialogue, even for immigrants' political rights".

[10] Prosecutor orders probe into theft of 400,000 from armored car

Athens, 20/12/2004 (ANA)

The theft was discovered last week, while the two employees are expected to appear before an investigative magistrate on Monday.

[11] Papadopoulos says vetoing Turkey not good for Cyprus problem

NICOSIA 20/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

In a statement Sunday morning, President Papadopoulos said he was on the whole satisfied with the result, noting that ''we made a significant, positive first step.''

He added that the December European Council, which gave Turkey a date to commence accession negotiations with the EU, was not the end but the beginning of a huge challenge and a course with possibilities and opportunities, in which the Republic of Cyprus had a say and a role to play.

President Papadopoulos said ''we supported Turkey's European prospect, according to our longstanding policy, as long as Turkey fully met its obligations towards the EU and Cyprus.''

He added that the fulfillment of Turkey's obligations towards the EU and the Republic of Cyprus emerged from the Copenhagen criteria and ''is neither a new political term imposed on Turkey nor has it to do directly with bilateral issues.''

The president noted that Cyprus' positions and strategy had been discussed and agreed on with the Greek government, and thanked the Greek Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the government in general for their support.

He also thanked the Cypriot political party leaders for promoting the Republic's positions abroad, through European political groups.

''I am on the whole satisfied with the result. We made a significant, positive first step. Of course we were pursuing more but we achieved what we could under the circumstances,'' President Papadopoulos said.

He noted that the European Council decision incorporates Turkey's commitment to sign the protocol to extend its customs union, so that it applies to the Republic of Cyprus as well, before October 3rd, 2005,'' when Turkey is set to commence accession negotiations with the EU.

The president said that during the ''intensive deliberations'', which preceded the European Council decision, he made clear that if Turkey did not sign and implement the protocol by October 3rd, 2005, the Republic of Cyprus would have the right not to concede to the commencement of Turkey's accession negotiations with the EU.

President Papadopoulos said ''the fight Turkey put up in order to avoid this commitment indicates its significance.''

He added that the European Council conclusions include a number of ''important provisions'' on Turkey's obligation to respect human rights and maintain good relations with its neighbors.

The conclusions also provide for all EU members to be able to monitor Turkey's European course. ''In the anxious hours we went through, in all these long deliberations on the final text, I did not rule out the possibility of exercising the right to veto and discussed the issue with the Greek Prime Minister and Cypriot political leaders. Exercising the veto was an option. However, I judged that, since our final aim is to reach an agreed functional solution of the Cyprus problem, exercising the veto would not promote the solution of the Cyprus problem but in the end would give Turkey the guise to continue its policy to consolidate the results of the invasion and occupation'', the president pointed out.

He said that in making his decisions, the president took solely into account the interests of Cyprus and its people.

''December 17th is not the end but the beginning of a huge challenge and a course with possibilities and opportunities, in which the Republic of Cyprus has a say and a role to play. Turkey's European prospect will be judged along with our decision,'' he added.

The president said ''we are ready and determined to live up to this huge challenge, to exploit the possibilities and make good use of the opportunities.''

''With unity and solidarity we can achieve our goals, utilize the European Council decisions in order to achieve all the aims we have set,'' he concluded.

[12] US discussing Cyprus with EU; UN plan still on table

WASHINGTON 20/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Furthermore, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said the Cyprus problem comes up in conversations Secretary of State Colin Powell has with European leaders, ''because it is one of the issues that is being discussed in Europe,'' noting that ''obviously the United States has an interest in that, Turkey has had an interest in that, and I think we will continue to work together, along with others, to try to help resolve that.''

Commenting on the European Council's decision to grant Turkey a date to open accession negotiations for EU membership, McClellan welcomed the decision and said ''Turkey's full integration into the European Union will be good for Europe and the world.''

Powell's statement, which was read out to the press by Boucher, was along the same lines. ''The United States welcomes the decision by the EU to begin accession negotiations with Turkey on October 3rd, 2005. We congratulate both the EU and Turkey on this historic day,'' Powell says.

Replying to questions at his press briefing, Boucher said ''the Europeans and the Turkish government have worked on the issues involved in Turkish entry'' to the EU and ''we have also all worked on trying to solve the Cyprus problem.''

''There were certain matters related to Cyprus that the EU and Turkey appear to have moved, have worked out. Not questions of settlement or even questions of recognition, just some questions about how it is handled in the accession process. We are glad that they have done that,'' Boucher said.

He noted that ''it is not a question of reviewing the entire Cyprus issue,'' adding that ''we know that the United States worked hard over the years to try to bring about a settlement.''

''We had the Annan plan. We had a positive vote among the Turkish Cypriots and a negative vote among the Greek Cypriots. That is where we remain. We are trying to open up some space with the Turkish Cypriots and keep their interest in a settlement. But at this point, we will just have to see what happens in Cyprus,'' he added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. A fifth version of a solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was put to the two communities on the island at separate simultaneous referenda in April 2004.

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