Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Public works minister Souflias, in Ioannina, outlines timetables for Ionia Way and Egnatia Way motorways

[02] President Papoulias stresses geopolitical, economic and diplomatic importance of Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline

[03] Papoulias attends events on Hios marking 1822 massacre

[04] PM Karamanlis in Warsaw for CoE summit

[05] Samaras predicts eventual victory for gov't in 'primary shareholder' talks

[06] Sources say King Abdallah of Jordan has ratified deposal of Jerusalem Patriarch Irineos

[07] SAE president Athens addresses new letter to Georgia president on violation of human rights of Greeks in Tsalka

[08] SYN leader Alavanos visits Xanthi

[09] Conference on Hydra focuses on European Constitution

[10] Development minister opens trade exhibition in Ioannina

[11] Larissa prosecutors' office issues European arrest warrant for fugitive Vavylis, in custody in Italy

[12] NATO ships' crewmembers on off-duty passes cause incidents in Hania

[13] Annual peace march from Marathon to Athens held

[14] Seminar to focus on various aspects of Auschwitz's liberation

[15] Cyprus protests strongly to US

[16] Cyprus President to attend CoE Warsaw Summit

[17] Cyprus Foreign Minister leaves on official visit to Israel

[01] Public works minister Souflias, in Ioannina, outlines timetables for Ionia Way and Egnatia Way motorways

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

The Egnatia Way motorway, the most complex road-building project to be undertaken in Greece to date, is a modern closed motorway 680 kilometers long and 24.5 meters wide over the greatest part of its length, running northeast to northwest across Epirus and Northern Greece, from Igoumenitsa to Evros. The project, which was tendered in 1999, is due to be completed in 2008, while construction of the north-south Ionia Way motorway running along the country's west will begin in April 2006, with completion slated approximately 6 years after the commencement of work on the highway, environment, town planning and public works minister George Souflias announced on Saturday, speaking in Ioannina.

Souflias conferred with the Epirus region authorities, accompanied by his deputy minister Stavros Kaloyannis and ministry secretary general George Tryfonidis.

Souflias said that apart from the stretches of Egnatia Way currently under construction, the tendering procedures for the remaining works on the motorway, budgeted at 250 million euro, would be completed by September this year.

As for the Ionia Way, the companies that will undertake its construction, under the system of self-financing, would set up shop between late March to early April 2006, the minister said.

He explained that all the interested consortia had been provided last month with the studies and draft contract, so as to submit their tenders by September. The evaluation process would take place in December to select the companies that would construct the Ionia Way from Antirrio in western Greece to the Egnatia hub in Ioannina.

[02] President Papoulias stresses geopolitical, economic and diplomatic importance of Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

Greece, Bulgaria and Russia signed a political agreement for the cross-border pipeline, budgeted at approximately 700 million euros, on April 13 in Thessaloniki. The 285-kilometre pipeline to carry Russian oil from Burgas in Bulgaria to Alexandroupolis in northern Greece has an estimated investment cost of 750-800 million US dollars with an annual capacity of 35 million tones of oil. It will supplement a sea route through the Bosporus for transportation of the product in the region. It is anticipated that the pipeline will forge a new outlet for Russian oil and for oil from the Caspian Sea to Europe and America.

Papoulias said that the signing of the memorandum by the governments of Greece, Bulgaria and Russia on April 13 declaring their firm intention for the construction and backing of the pipeline sent a message of cooperation, stability, development and peace to the entire region.

Papoulias, a former foreign minister, was presented with the Gold Medal of the city, in acknowledgement of his long contribution to the consolidation of the democratic institutions, national unity, and boosting the country's standing internationally.

[03] Papoulias attends events on Hios marking 1822 massacre

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

In comments to local residents and officials, the one-time foreign minister cited a need for greater regional development throughout the country's provinces in order to reverse what he called a country of "two speeds".

Some 42,000 people, combatants and civilians, were killed during the eastern Aegean island's siege and subsequent sacking by Ottoman forces in 1822.

[04] PM Karamanlis in Warsaw for CoE summit

WARSAW 16/5/2005 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

The summit begins on Monday.

Karamanlis is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis, Greece's representative to the CoE, Constantinos Gerokostopoulos as well as other diplomats.

On the summit's sidelines, the Greek premier is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and the prime ministers of Slovenia, Janez Jansa, as well as Portugal's Jose Socrates. Following the summit, Karamanlis will give a press conference to Greek reporters.

Previous CoE summits were held in Vienna (1996) and Strasbourg (1997).

The significance of Warsaw as the summit's host city lies in this month's commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.

[05] Samaras predicts eventual victory for gov't in 'primary shareholder' talks

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

He stressed that negotiations will bring about a result that ensures the government's high-profile policy of transparency and its campaign to curb state contractors' influence in the broadcast media sector.

The former foreign minister spoke at an event in the central Greek city of Lamia.

[06] Sources say King Abdallah of Jordan has ratified deposal of Jerusalem Patriarch Irineos

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

The sources told ANA that Abdallah upheld the deposal of Irineos, which was decided three days earlier by the Jordanian Cabinet.

It has not yet been made known whether the Act would be made public on Saturday, or on Sunday morning, as expected.

[07] SAE president Athens addresses new letter to Georgia president on violation of human rights of Greeks in Tsalka

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

In his letter, Mr. Athens mentions that the incidents of violence against our fellow Hellenes continue to take place, while despite the personal commitment of the Georgian Prime Minister, Zourab Nogaideli during his meeting with SAE President on April 20 in Tbilisi, and the interest shown by the Georgian Minister of Refugees and National Minorities, Ms. Astemirova, no measures have been taken for the protection of the local Hellenic community.

A distinctive example of the situation is the fact that just before Easter the Filipova sisters, ages 70 & 65 were brutally beaten by three armed young men in Keriaki village. On May 10 & 11 three more violent acts by armed men against Hellenes took place in Trialeti, Besaseni and Hantiki villages near Tsalka.

"Our fellow Hellenes in Tsalka have been living under conditions of terror, especially for the last two years, resulting from the activities of gangs that murder them, destroy and trespass their properties. The eight murders of Hellenes, among them this of a 19 year old young man, have not been punished encouraging in this way violence exclusively against Georgian citizens of Hellenic descent in Tsalka", Mr. Athens mentions in his letter. "Following the successful visit of President Bush in Georgia I believe that such acts blot the picture of a country that wishes to develop further its democratic processes to the benefit of its citizens with the support of the western world."

The SAE President also states the given interest of Diaspora Hellenes for Hellenes and their neighbors in Georgia. Through SAE's Medical Program funded by the US and Greece, more than one million medical services and humanitarian aid have offered to Hellenes and their neighbors regardless of their nationality and/ or religion.

"I am hoping for your immediate intervention in order to ensure effective police protection for the citizens of the Hellenic Community in the area of Tsalka and to finalize the procedures for the formation of a committee with the participation of representatives of the Federation of Hellenic Communities of Georgia that will examine the cases of the 2000 properties that have been illegally occupied. We are at your disposal to contribute to any effort to this direction", states Mr. Athens.

[08] SYN leader Alavanos visits Xanthi

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

Alavanos said the area had a tradition in "labor potential in all sectors of the economy, particularly farming and processing", but added that "due to the inability" of the government, and the state in general, to set specific developmental targets, "the ship is sailing in a stormy sea, without a compass, and is in danger of ramming into shoals".

He stressed the need for local development plans and, referring to the areas long tradition as tobacco-growing, said that it was not possible that "in the name of supposed protection of the public health" that the circulation of European tobaccos was being averted while at the same time the circulation of American tobaccos and cigarettes was allowed.

Alavanos further stressed the need for construction of a vertical road axes linking Xanthi and all of Thrace with Bulgaria, and advocated "mild interventions" in areas protected by environmental agreements, given the necessity of protecting the natural wealth.

He further described the Moslem minority in the area as a "stabilizing factor" that could contribute to the formulation of a good climate with the neighboring countries, adding that he had himself ascertained that the relations between Christians and Muslims in Xanthi were "very good".

Alavanos tours remote villages of Xanthi prefecture: Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) President Alekos Alavanos over the weekend toured the rugged northern portion of Xanthi prefecture, northeast Greece, where he visited several villages populated mainly by ethnic Pomaks.

During his visit, Alavanos promised local residents to promote solutions to the problem of dwindling subsidies for tobacco -- the region's primary cash crop -- better road access to neighboring Bulgaria and measures to curb urban pollution in the area's rivers and streams.

Alavanos also attended a religious festival in the village of Sminthi.

[09] Conference on Hydra focuses on European Constitution

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

Speakers included ND Eurodeputy George Papastamkos, PASOK Eurodeputy Stavros Lambrinidis, ND deputy Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Synaspismos cadre Panos Trigazis.

[10] Development minister opens trade exhibition in Ioannina

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

In terms of the province's developmental prospects, Sioufas mostly centered on an envisioned natural gas pipeline linking Greece with Italy, noting that the Epirus region's gas needs will be covered by the project as well.

[11] Larissa prosecutors' office issues European arrest warrant for fugitive Vavylis, in custody in Italy

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

The relevant documents were signed by appeal prosecutors' office director Evangelos Katsis, and will be forwarded via the Greek justice ministry to the Italian justice ministry.

Vavylis, who is linked with a Church corruption and influence-peddling scandal, was arrested in Bologna on April 22 after a tip-off from the Greek police, and in cooperation with the Italian security authorities. Vavylis was located by the electronic traces of his portable computer, through which he sent frequent electronic mail to persons in Greece and other countries via Internet from his hideout in Italy.

Shortly after his arrest, Greece official petitioned the Italian authorities for the fugitive's extradition to Greece.

According to judicial sources, provided the Italian authorities' reply to the arrest warrant is affirmative, Vavylis should be in Greece some time in June, at which time he will be transferred to Larissa to face the charges of drug trafficking.

Vavylis faces multiple charges of drug trafficking, while he is also pending trial in the Larissa three-member criminal appeals court which had been originally scheduled to take place in October 1994, but his case was separated from those of his three co-defendants when he failed to show up in court.

The witness for the prosecution in the above cases is retired Greek Police senior officer Ioannis Triantafyllakis.

According to reliable sources, a similar European arrest warrant for Vavylis was issued recently by the Athens appeal prosecutors' office for later drug cases. Vavylis is sought under at least 7 aliases in the Athens warrant.

Upon acceptance of the Greek petition and Vavylis' extradition to Greece, the Larissa case, which is the earlier of the two and considered the most important of the two, will be tried first.

[12] NATO ships' crewmembers on off-duty passes cause incidents in Hania

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

The first incident broke out between a group of three Spanish sailors and local residents in Hania, after the locals asked the Spaniards to stop their rude behavior. One of the Spanish sailors stabbed a young man from Hania, who was taken to hospital but fortunately had suffered only a superficial wound, while the two other sailors also lightly injured another Hania man with a knife.

The central port authority of Hania later announced the arrest of the three Spaniards.

The incident was condemned by the Union of Prefectural Self-Administrations of Greece, which issued a relevant resolution, while Hania prefect George Katsavenakis called the incident an "incident of barbarity by NATO staff".

The second incident involved two American sailors who threatened a taxi driver with a knife. A complaint was lodged with the police department of Souda, while, according to sources, the US Souda base administration was investigating the issue.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday after the taxi driver picked up the two Americans, who were drunk, to take them to the base at Mouzouras village. According to the driver, after reaching the village, one of the two Americans suddenly took out a knife and threatened him. The driver said that he immediately stopped his taxi, and fortunately for him another car approached with two local residents who worked at the base, ending the incident.

[13] Annual peace march from Marathon to Athens held

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

[14] Seminar to focus on various aspects of Auschwitz's liberation

Athens, 16/5/2005 (ANA)

The seminar aims to examine the historical, social, psychoanalytical and political aspects of the Holocaust.

[15] Cyprus protests strongly to US

NICOSIA 16/5/2005 (CNA/ANA)

The Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Ambassador Sotos Zakhaios has asked that Congressmen review their decision to enter Cyprus through an illegal port of entry. He also asked that they use the ports or airports in the southern government-controlled part of the island, where the internationally recognized government of the Republic exercises its jurisdiction.

Zakhaios told the charge d'Affaires of the US embassy here Ed Nolan that ''this kind of visit violates Security Council resolutions, provokes public sentiment of the people of Cyprus and follows a series of other unacceptable moves by the US that aim at upgrading the status of the illegal Turkish Cypriot occupation regime.''

Ambassador Zakhaios said it is ''unacceptable to sacrifice international law and small states for the sake of political expediency.''

He called on members of the US Congress to review their position and visit Cyprus through legal ports of entry so that, apart from safeguarding law and order, they will also have the chance to be briefed by government officials.

''No government or state official of the Republic will accept the US Congress delegation if it arrives through the occupied areas, in violation of Security Council resolutions and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus,'' an official press release said.

Since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the government has declared illegal ports of entry all points of entry into the country in the northern part of the country, where the legal authorities of the state are prevented from exercising their jurisdiction due to the continuing occupation.

[16] Cyprus President to attend CoE Warsaw Summit

WARSAW 16/5/2005 (CNA/ANA)

He was due to leave for the Polish capital Sunday evening and will return on Wednesday afternoon.

The Summit of European Unity will be attended by heads of state and government from 46 member states of the Council of Europe.

The Summit will reaffirm the core values on which Europe is built, define the political mandate of the Council of Europe and chart its action for the coming years.

During the Summit, to be held at the Royal Castle, there will be three major debates, on ''European unity, European values'', ''Challenges for European society'' and ''European architecture''.

President Papadopoulos will be accompanied by Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the Council of Europe Marios Lysiotis and Ambassador of Cyprus to Poland Nausika Krousti.

[17] Cyprus Foreign Minister leaves on official visit to Israel

NICOSIA 16/5/2005 (CNA/ANA)

He is to have talks with the Israeli government as well as leaders of the Palestinian Authority.

Iacovou's visit takes place as part of Cyprus' policy to act as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. Among the issues to be discussed will be the Cyprus problem, bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual concern.

On Monday he will hold talks with his Israeli counterpart, followed by a press conference.

Earlier he will lay a wreath at the Martyrs' and Heroes' memorial of the holocaust.

On Monday afternoon Iacovou will hold separate meetings at the Knesset with Head of the opposition party Yosef Lapid, the Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Ehud Olmer and Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Later on he will meet President of the state of Israel Moshe Katsav.

On Tuesday Iacovou will leave for Ramallah to meet Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei and Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council Rawhi Fatooh. He returns home Wednesday morning.

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