Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-06-18

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU leaders fail to clinch long-term 2007-2013 budget deal at EU summit

[02] FYROM FM claims Copenhagen criteria do not cite solution to 'name issue'

[03] Deputy FM meets with Moldovan, Cypriot ambassadors

[04] Greek Tourism Minister meets Cyprus House of Representatives president

[05] Jerusalem Patriarchate refuses entry to Israeli guard of ex-patriarch

[06] Gov't tables provisions for OTE, banking sector reforms

[07] General strike called by GSEE on June 24

[08] Athens Public Transport Organization to launch tourist bus service in August

[09] Intransigence of few highly-paid dockers incompatible with their privileges, merchant marine ministry says

[10] Greek shipping quality reaffirmed by Paris MOU

[11] Greek-German Meetings Centre to be built in Gytheio

[12] Stocks drop in short-term profit-taking

[13] Emergency traffic measures for upcoming long weekend

[14] Public prosecutor OKs arrests to ensure 'unobstructed operation' of Ano Liossia landfill

[15] Archbishop Christodoulos sends message ahead of World Refugee Day

[16] Public prosecutor launches probe into imports of contaminated turkey last Christmas

[17] Costas Iordanidis wins journalism award

[18] Greek-American leaders call for withdrawal of Turkish troops

[01] EU leaders fail to clinch long-term 2007-2013 budget deal at EU summit

BRUSSELS 18/6/2005 (ANA/A. Panagopoulos)

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, speaking at a press conference he gave at the close of the summit after midnight, said that the climate prevailing in consultations was unfavorable and complicated and said that Greece voted for a compromise proposal tabled by the Luxembourg EU presidency.

Karamanlis said that no agreement was reached and that was not decided a new summit during the Luxembourg presidency which ends at the end of the month. He said that Greece, after coordinated efforts and tough negotiations, had succeeded "to guarantee funds exceeding 20 billion euros."

Referring to the ratification process of the European Constitution, the premier underlined that during the summit it was decided to have the process going on after a period of reflection, because, as he said, there was an overall assessment that there cannot be a continuation as if nothing had happened after the French and Dutch referendums.

The maintenance of the deadline of November 2006 for the completion of the ratification of the Constitution is not feasible, Karamanlis underlined.

The Greek prime minister said that five countries opposed the proposed budget and these were Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, Britain and Sweden, noting that there was no common point in their disagreement. Karamanlis noted that the compromise was at 1.06 per cent of the Union's GDP, saying that a great majority of the member-states supported the current Common Agricultural Policy and that it was too late to predict any changes to it.

He concluded by saying that Greece had no problem in obtaining funds and underlined that the country's objective was for the discussion to reopen to achieve desired results.

The failure was due to deep and serious differences over Britain's EU rebate and French farm subsidies which eventually dashed a compromise deal. Britain rejected a number of proposals to cap its annual refund from EU coffers and the country insisted that any reduction must be connected to a pledge to reform the Common Agricultural Policy. The outcome now threatens the bloc with financial paralysis.

Original 15 EU member states should not suffer economically due to enlargement, PM says: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis emphasized that enlargement should not burden Greece and other more economically vulnerable EU member states of the original 15, diplomatic sources here said on Friday.

Speaking shortly before a break was called during the second and final day of the EU Summit held in Brussels, Karamanlis said that since all EU member states agreed to enlargement, its cost should not burden some member states more than others.

Presently, the EU's Luxembourg presidency is working on a revised proposal regarding the EU budget for the period 2007-2013. However, there are not enough indications that agreement will be reached.

Communist party on EU budget: The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) described the debate regarding the EU budget, currently in progress in Brussels, as "a conflict among plutocracies fighting for a larger piece of the pie," in a statement released on Friday.

"People's problems will not be addressed regardless of what amount of money the New Democracy government secures [at the EU Summit]," the statement said.

Furthermore, KKE said that EU subsidies were not aimed at helping the average farmer, but rather to facilitate concentration of land and production in fewer hands.

"Contrasts between EU member-states are intensifying," KKE said, adding that "the referendums in France and the Nether-lands played a role in this. However, the main cause of conflict is the fight among the leading, imperialist powers to prevail and the effort of smaller countries to consolidate their position."

[02] FYROM FM claims Copenhagen criteria do not cite solution to 'name issue'

WASHINGTON 18/6/2005 (ANA)

Greece, an EU member-state since 1980, has repeatedly warned its northern neighbor that failure to find a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue constitutes an unsurpassable obstacle to FYROM's future EU accession.

Speaking at the Woodrow Wilson Foundation in Washington D.C., FYROM FM Ilinka Mitreva claimed that the Copenhagen criteria for potential candidate-states do not include a provision for solving the specific difference between Athens and Skopje. On an even more optimistic note, Mitreva predicted that negotiations with the Union will begin in 2006.

The bulk of her address was devoted to the FYROM's government's efforts at fulfilling the 2001 Ochrid agreement's pro-visions as well as other reforms in the one-time Yugoslav state.

Although Athens and Skopje have achieved remarkable progress in bilateral relations, especially in trade and investments, since signing a UN-mediated "interim agreement" nearly 10 years ago, the "name issue" continues to block a full normalization of ties.

Athens strenuously opposes FYROM's use of the name "Macedonia", citing historical and political reasons. Moreover, Greece's largest province, which shares borders with FYROM, is called Macedonia, the same geographical region that more-or-less corresponds with the ancient kingdom of Macedonia.

[03] Deputy FM meets with Moldovan, Cypriot ambassadors

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

Talks with the Moldovan envoy reportedly focused on bilateral trade relations, while the Greek side noted its interest in including Moldova as one of the countries set to benefit from Greek development aid. Another topic touched on the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) organization, whose presidency was rotated from Greece to Moldova last month.

Greece-Cyprus economic and political links dominated the later meeting with the Cypriot minister.

[04] Greek Tourism Minister meets Cyprus House of Representatives president

NICOSIA 18/6/2005 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Afterwards, Christofias said they had discussed tourism and globalization, as well as bilateral relations between Greece and Cyprus and ways of further development tourism and cooperation in this area.

Avramopoulos was accompanied by Cyprus Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister George Lillikas.

The Greek minister said the talks with Christofias had "given a deeper content" to the issue of tourism, with philosophical dimensions and the "hallmarks of a modern viewpoint that runs through the policies that we have jointly decided to follow with Cyprus in the particularly tough and competitive international environment".

Avramopoulos is visiting Cyprus as the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart Lillikas, with whom he earlier had talks on cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in the tourist sector.

[05] Jerusalem Patriarchate refuses entry to Israeli guard of ex-patriarch

JERUSALEM 18/6/2005 (ANA - P. Haritou)

Associates of Irineos who are not directly connected with the Patriarchate were also denied entry by monks guarding each entrance, by order of the locum tenens Cornelius.

Tension was also running high in Ramallah, where an Arab former archimandrite called Meletios, who has also been demoted to the rank of monk, was carrying out a service in the church of Ramallah that has been declared illegal by the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Jerusalem Patriarchate, assisted by two Arab clerics and attended by 200 members of the congregation.

The service was followed by a march and demonstration to protest over the archimandrite's demotion outside the Palestinian Authority prime minister's office, which called for an end to Greek ownership of the Patriarchate's property and for the start of an intifada against the Greeks.

The gathering was also addressed by the deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Gazi Hanania, who said he would no longer allow others to control the property of the Palestinian people and to prevent Arab clerics from participating in public affairs.

According to analysts, several Palestinian Authority officials are trying to present events at the Jerusalem Patriarchate as having an anti-Arab dimension that arises both from the Greek side and from members of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre.

Irineos was ousted as Patriarch last month after his name was embroiled in a scandal involving the sale of Patriarchate property - including a landmark Palestinian hotel near the gates of the old city of Jerusalem - to unnamed Israeli interests.

[06] Gov't tables provisions for OTE, banking sector reforms

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

According to a closely watched joint announcement by the economy ministry and the labor and social security ministry, provisions of the two plans were finalized after "exhaustive dialogue" with all parties involved, "based on the public good, the constitution and the laws and regulations of the social security system and the competition rules of the European Union".

Additionally, the government again reiterated -- amid high-pitched criticism by the labor unions and industrial actions in the banking sector -- that the taxpayers will not be burdened by the agreements, while employees hired before Jan. 1, 1993 will not be affected.

As far as post-Jan. 1, 1993 hirings are concerned, their labor and pension rights will be harmonized with the rest of the private sector.

Finally, the government stressed that without the unprecedented pension reform package two major state-run banks, Emporiki and ATEbank, would collapse.

PASOK deputy, Coalition party official criticize government's legislative arrangement on banks' social security issue: Main opposition PASOK party Deputy and Political Council Employment, Social Policy and Health sector chief Evangelos Venizelos and Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party Political Bureau member P. Lafazanis on Friday criticized the government's legislative arrangement concerning the banks' social security issue.

"The arrangements which, although Parliament is closed and during a three-day holiday, the government is promoting on the banks' social security issue and on voluntary withdrawal from the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) show the absolutely contradictory and authoritarian way with which the government is moving, calling 'reforms' and 'structural changes' simple settlements of economic interests and the closing of holes which it is attempting to do in an offhand and, for this reason, inapplicable way," Venizelos said.

"The arrangement for OTE is socially provocative, counter-productive, unconstitutional and opposed to European Union law," he further said, adding that "the government is promoting an arrangement of an absolutely contrary logic for the banks' social security issue, claiming falsely that it is supposedly implementing law 3029/2002."

"The legislative arrangement which, despite generalized reactions, the government tabled in Parliament on the banks' social security issue butchers social security rights achieved by pensioners and employees in banks, particularly for the new ones. It gives away billions of euros to bankers and dumps burdens on the shoulders of the IKA-ETAM and IKA-ETEAM social security funds," he said.

"Arrangements for banks and the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), if they are implemented, will pave the way for the generalized implementation of similar anti-insurance and anti-labor measures in all public utilities and will constitute the first step for the overall demolition of the social security rights of all working people. These unacceptable and unconstitutional government arrangements will not pass and will be lead to deadlock," Lafazanis added.

[07] General strike called by GSEE on June 24

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

GSEE's leadership will also hold a meeting on June 30 to assess the results of the unions' struggle against government policy on the bank pension system and planned labor law reforms.

Next Friday's strike is being held in support of union objections over pension reforms and IKA, the undermining of collective agreements, the abolition of the eight-hour day and the weakening of labor relations, the liberation of shop opening hours, increasing unemployment, increased lay-offs, higher taxes and the privatization of public-sector companies.

[08] Athens Public Transport Organization to launch tourist bus service in August

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, OASA president Simos Simopoulos, said creation of a Single Transport Agency would be announced in the next few days which would include all public transport means in Attica, with the task of coordinating public transport and impose sanctions. OASA will operate mainly as a supervisory agency, Simopoulos said.

Commenting on future increases in transport fares, Simopoulos said he could not make any predictions over government policy next year but stressed that increasing oil prices have added around 20 percent to the organization's operating expenses. He acknowledged that OASA would continue showing deficits and stressed the existence of a 50 million euros additional shortfall, resulting from operations during the Athens Olympic Games. Simopoulos said the organization should raise fare prices to 1.15 euros to balance its deficits and noted that current fare prices covered only 38 percent of operating expenses. Passenger traffic raised 13-14 percent during the last 12 months. OASA expects delivery of 120 new buses, operating with natural gas, and will hold an international tender next week for the supply of 520 diesel engine buses. The organization will also hire 500-600 new drivers.

OASA also announced the launch of tourist buses in August. The bus service is schedule to make 24 stops in archaeological sites and other sightseeing areas, with a tour guide in each bus.

[09] Intransigence of few highly-paid dockers incompatible with their privileges, merchant marine ministry says

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

It added that "the Greek people are aware of reality, they feel the extent of the provocation and they do not bow to blackmail."

The announcement further stressed that "society demands dialogue and not extreme actions which have no social support and which are incompatible with the Greek citizens' common feeling of justice."

[10] Greek shipping quality reaffirmed by Paris MOU

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

A ministry announcement said a total of 21 national flags - five less compared with the previous period - were included in Black Lists, and 31 flags in White Lists - two more over the same period.

Brazil and Taiwan were downgraded from Grey to Black Lists, while Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, India, Iran and Morocco improved their positions to Grey Lists. The Philippines, Malaysia, Barbados and Cayman Islands were included in White Lists for the first time ever.

[11] Greek-German Meetings Centre to be built in Gytheio

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

The ceremony will be attended by Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Panayiotis Skandalakis, the member of the Federal lower House Rolf Stockel, Germany embassy charge d'affaires Franz Josef Kremp and main opposition PASOK party Deputy Leonidas Grigorakos, as well as by Mr. Dunisch from the Unna Youth Assistance Society.

The Greek-German Meetings Centre is the result of close cooperation existing between the Gytheio and Unna societies for over 20 years.

[12] Stocks drop in short-term profit-taking

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 3,086.09 points, marking a decline of 0.39%. Turnover was 182.5 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.50% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.15% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.18% up.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 126 to 112 with 95 remaining unchanged.

The market will be closed on Monday for a public holiday.

[13] Emergency traffic measures for upcoming long weekend

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

Over 300,000 cars are expected to use the national highway network heading for the countryside, while traffic police have taken emergency measures to avoid accidents, such as banning all heavy goods vehicles from using the national highways between 16:00-23:00.

Measures have also been taken at the entrance toward Athens on the Athens-Lamia highway due to road works being carried out at Malakasa.

Sources said that outbound traffic was also higher at inter-city KTEL bus stations, railway stations and at the ports of Piraeus and Rafina, as well as Athens airport.

The management of transport organizations said additional routes had been laid on to serve the public, while the KTEL buses reported a 15 per cent rise in demand, while passengers at Piraeus and Rafina have risen by over 25 per cent.

[14] Public prosecutor OKs arrests to ensure 'unobstructed operation' of Ano Liossia landfill

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

The order followed a press release issued by the mayor of Ano Liossia, also sent to the public prosecutors' office, which justifies the municipality's refusal to accept sewage sludge from Psyttaleia at the landfill on the grounds that the proposed method is not scientifically proven and that the landfill does not have an operating license.

The mayor also notes that the terms of a ministerial for the transfer of the sludge to Ano Liossia are not being adhered to.

[15] Archbishop Christodoulos sends message ahead of World Refugee Day

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

"Our Church shows particular sensitivity, caring and love towards foreigners, Christodoulos said, because in the face of every man the Church recognizes Jesus Christ, who lived his life on earth as a refugee and foreigner.

He also noted that the Church is implementing a number of programs whose objective is to provide support to foreigners and refugees living in Greece.

[16] Public prosecutor launches probe into imports of contaminated turkey last Christmas

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

The case has been assigned to public prosecutor Ada Economou, who will investigate whether any automatically prosecutable acts have been committed and by whom.

According to the file delivered to the public prosecutor by Athens Prefect Yiannis Sgouros, the quantities of salmonella-infected turkey had been imported into Greece in November.

The prefect holds the head of the Athens prefecture veterinary service primarily responsible for the affair, on the grounds that he failed to promptly inform his superiors about the results of a test on the imported meat carried out by the Piraeus Port veterinary service.

[17] Costas Iordanidis wins journalism award

Athens, 18/6/2005 (ANA)

Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki will be presenting Iordanidis with the award.

The "Eleni Vlachou" Award, an initiative of the German Embassy in Greece, is given in recognition and in honor of exceptional journalism in European and international issues.

Aside from the distinction, a trip to Germany and a ¬ 2,000 cash prize will also be given to Iordanidis.

[18] Greek-American leaders call for withdrawal of Turkish troops

WASHINGTON 18/6/2005 (ANA/T. Ellis/CNA)

In his speech, Menendez expressed concern that following talks between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President George Bush, the UN Secretary-General intends to table again before the UN Security Council his report issued after the Cyprus referenda in April 2004, aiming at its endorsement by the Council.

"A plan that is considered unacceptable by 76% of the Greek Cypriots is not a plan for success and cannot be considered viable by the US," said Menendez, who will soon contest a seat for the Senate.

He also described as illegal direct flights to the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus and condemned a recent trip of three US Congressmen to the occupied areas through the illegal airport at Tympou.

He also referred to the amendment submitted to the House and approved by the International Relations Committee for external assistance and concerning violation of the religious and property rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

NY Democratic representative Nita Lowey also referred to the violation of rights of the Patriarchate.

FL Republican Congressman Michael Bilirakis, presenting a letter by the leaders of the Turkish caucus in an effort to justify their trip to the occupied areas, blamed the bureaucracy of the State Department for the incident.

NY Democratric Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney criticized the double standards policy of the Bush administration, noting that just as the US has asked for the withdrawal of Syrian forces from The Lebanon so they should ask for the removal of Turkish forces from Cyprus.

She also called on Greek Cypriots living in the US who have property in the Turkish occupied areas, to seek their property through lawsuits in American courts.

RI Democratic congressman Jim Langevin said that if Turkey wants to improve its international profile, it will have to work in earnest to solve the Cyprus problem.

WI Congressman David Obey said he does "not regard Turkey as a European country. It does not belong to the EU."

Many members of Congress described as unjust and not productive efforts to punish Greek Cypriots because they rejected the Annan Plan.

FL Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ross Lehtinen said that the Annan plan "fell very short of its mission and rightfully it was voted down."

NJ Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone welcomed efforts to revive negotiations for a Cyprus settlement, noting that "the Annan Plan is dead and it would be better for the UN to start something fresh."

Congressman Jim Colby, chairman of the House Operations Appropriations Subcommittee said that the divided island of Cyprus should be reunited, stressing that "any plan should do better in order to be acceptable by the people."

"Everyone wants to see the end of the division. We want the right solution but the one proposed by Annan wasn't the right one," said NY Democratic Congressman Elliot Engel.

Members of Congress encouraged Greek American and Cypriot American leaders to continue efforts to inform politicians in Washington.

NJ Congressman Donald Payne said the only way to succeed is to continue the pressure.

Andreas Komodromos, representative of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) said their presence is necessary in Washington to promote the Cyprus problem and agreed with the proposal for a Greek Action Committee.

Meanwhile, in a banquet on Thursday night, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Frances Fragos Townsed as well as NV Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, member of the House International Relations Committee and Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, member of the Europe

Subcommittee, were honored for their contribution to national issues.

Receiving the Livanos Award, Townsed, who is of Greek descent, referred to the common values which she shares with the organizers of the conference.

She said she was proud of her duties, noting that they are working for a safer future for our children.

The Frizis award was presented to Berkley who paid tribute to her ancestors who escaped to the US from the Nazi tyranny, as well as to the Greeks who saved a number of Jews.

McCotter, who is being elected in the constituent where the father of Costas Kasapis, the first missing person from Cyprus, of US descent whose identity was established through DNA testing, said it is his obligation to fight for the relief of those who are suffering.

Senator Paul Sarbanes criticized all those who are trying to punish the Greek Cypriots for rejecting the Annan Plan.

He also reminded that when Turkey rejected all efforts for a solution, everyone had called on the Greek Cypriots to approach Turkey but now want to punish them.

Sarbanes also said that efforts to undermine the Republic of Cyprus do not contribute to moves to solve the Cyprus problem.

PSEKA (International Coordinating Committee-Justice for Cyprus) chairman Philip Christopher said that Greek Cypriots were very courageous to reject the Annan Plan.

"As a refugee from Kerynia, I could not go to my town, but an Italian could," he told delegates.

Noting that Turkey is a valuable ally to the US, he said it does not befit allies to occupy through force other countries.

Representing the Greek Parliament, chairman of the Joint Interparty Committee for overseas Greeks, Evgenios Haitides, congratulated Greek Americans for their insistence in struggle.

SAE President Andrew Athens said that they still have a long road ahead and a lot of work to do.

Cyprus' Ambassador in Washington Euripides Evriviades told Greek American leaders that their struggle makes the difference for Cyprus.

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article