Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-06-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Nana Mouskouri performance in Komotini as part of campaign to combat global poverty

[02] Reactions by PASOK, KKE and SYN on the outcome of the EU summit

[03] PASOK leader Papandreou to attend PES council in Vienna next weekend

[04] Cyprus President Papadopoulos to visit Athens soon

[05] EDP Leaders discuss Cyprus problem, Turkey's EU prospect

[06] Greece was and will be strategic partner of Albania, Albanian PM says

[07] China's deputy public security ministry head concludes Olympics-related visit to Greece

[08] Former Greek defense minister Tsohatzopoulos attends memorial service in Nicosia for Andreas Papandreou

[09] Salagoudis says projects like the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline contribute to peace and prosperity

[10] Regouzas speaks on objective values of real estate and Evert about the Stock Exchange

[11] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos speaks of collective negotiations with ADEDY

[12] Meimarakis on permanency of public sector employees and social insurance

[13] European Commission accepts Athens' plan on carbon dioxide emission rights

[14] Traffic police take special measures to facilitate holidaymakers' return

[15] Athens police arrest three persons for selling 300,000 packets of contraband cigarettes

[16] Police disrupt gang of traffickers of illegal immigrants

[17] 26 illegals intercepted off Samos

[18] Police discover hashish plantation in Crete

[19] National Theatre burgled, culprits take safe containing money and documents

[20] Athens signs memorandum of cooperation with IAAF for int'l museum of classical sport in Greece

[21] President Papadopoulos: Turkey has no excuse not to sign EU protocol

[01] Nana Mouskouri performance in Komotini as part of campaign to combat global poverty

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

On his part, Deputy Foreign Minister Evripides Stylianidis noted that the concert aimed to highlight Greece's contribution towards eradicating poverty.

He said the government's goal was to build Greece's image as an international humanitarian contributor, while also promoting Athens' efforts towards eradicating poverty and hunger around the world, the first of the UN's 'Millennium Targets'.

Mouskouri cited what she called her "pride and gratitude" for the cooperation vis-a-vis the ministry's developmental work, noting that Greece was among the world's "have-nots" when she had began her career some 40 years ago.

[02] Reactions by PASOK, KKE and SYN on the outcome of the EU summit

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

He said: "Europe is entering a difficult period. A period where many discussions will be needed with moderation and consensus, to again approach those objectives which render Europe more accessible to its citizens, which creates a sphere of security and confidence for all the peoples of the European Union."

Papoutsis charged: "The Greek government presented itself in these negotiations without a specific plan, without a clear negotiating framework. Nobody knows which, exactly, the objectives were, and what exactly it wished to achieve."

"We in PASOK, from the first moment clarified that we wish for the best, that we are ready to support the negotiations to achieve the best possible objectives. However, the government preferred the methodology of Lucerne, that is, it squeezed Greece into a corner, in a framework which we never learnt exactly what it sought, Papoutsis said.

He went on to say: "However, what we want to stress is that since yesterday the European Union, in its entirety, needs a long period of reflection and substantial discussion. And particularly in our country, Greece, we must re-determine our objectives regarding the European Union."

Papoutsis added that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' "responsibility is great," noting that the prime minister himself "chose a policy without transparency and without seeking the consensus of the Greek political forces, particularly on issues concerning the farmers."

Papoutsis said that despite repeated questions by journalists, he did not proceed in making a new commitment regarding the Greek position on the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Communist of Greece (KKE), commenting on the outcome of the European Council summit which ended in Brussels just after midnight on Friday, said in an announcement on Saturday morning that one conclusion can be drawn from this summit, that "its member-states, the bourgeois classes of the European Union, are united regarding the attack against labor and popular rights."

The announcement added that "differentiated at the same time is the distribution of the booty, where each plutocracy seeks to gain the greater share and strengthen its position in the imperialist system."

The KKE said that the ruling New Democracy Party (ND) and the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) "share in this anti-popular attack," noting that "their quarrels move in this framework."

The decision of the 25-member states "to freeze the procedure of the ratification of the 'Euro-constitution', even though it was rejected by popular vote, shows their distain to the popular verdict and shows the effort to safeguard the dictatorship of capital, treading underfoot even the principles they themselves have institutionalized," the KKE said.

As for the fiscal funds for 2007-2013, "it is not revealed that they concern the implementation of the 'Euro-constitution', which promotes the anti-popular Lisbon strategy and the militaristic policy of the European Union," the announcement said.

"The EU cannot become 'social'. Such views constitute an obstacle to the popular struggle, and it must brush them aside," the KKE concluded.

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) Political Secretariat member responsible for European Policy, Michalis Sambatakakis, on his part, said on Saturday morning that the European leaders were "inferior of the circumstances." He said "the people of Europe seek a united and social Europe which will protect them" and stressed that such a thing necessitates a strong EU budget. "Instead of this, the leaders negotiated the exact point of nailing it down and they failed in this."

[03] PASOK leader Papandreou to attend PES council in Vienna next weekend

VIENNA, 21/06/2005 (ANA/ D. Dimitrakoudis)

Among the participants scheduled to attend are Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, Hungarian Prime Minister Ference Gyurcsany, British Deputy Premier John Prescot, European Parliament President Josep Borrell, European Com-missioners Guenter Verheugen, Margot Wallstrom and Vladimir Spidla, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, as well as top PES executives.

One of the priorities will focus on bridging relations between the European Union and its citizens after the failure of the referendums for the European constitution in France and The Netherlands.

The conference comes on the heels of an invitation by the leader of Austria's social democrats, Alfred Gusenbauer.

[04] Cyprus President Papadopoulos to visit Athens soon

NICOSIA, 21/06/2005 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

In a broadcast from Brussels, following the end of the European Council summit in the early hours of Saturday, RIK said that President Papadopoulos and Prime Minister Karamanlis agreed during their meeting on the sidelines of the European Council meeting in the Belgian capital to meet again soon in Athens, to discuss the Cyprus issue and Turkey's European course, in the light of developments in European issues.

During Friday's meeting in Brussels, which lasted for half an hour, the Cypriot president and the Greek prime minister agreed to continue their talks in Athens.

Discussed during their meeting, apart from the Cyprus issue, under the prism of the visit to the region by UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Sir Kieran Prendergast, were bilateral issues and matters concerning the European Union and Turkey's European cause.

[05] EDP Leaders discuss Cyprus problem, Turkey's EU prospect

NICOSIA, 21/06/2005 (ANA/G. Leonidas/CNA)

Bayrou is participating with other European leaders as well as Members of the European Parliament at the deliberations of the European Democratic Party's Conference which take place in the southeastern town of Larnaca.

Main issues of discussion at the Conference are the developments in Europe after the rejection of the European Convention by France and The Netherlands, as well as the Cyprus problem.

Co-President of EDP and President of the Italian Party Margarita Francesco Rutelli also referred to the need of promoting the European aspiration through the participation of the European citizen and the reinforcement of European Union in the world political site.

''We need a shock for a new beginning, to get away from the deadlock which the two referenda have caused," she said.

Vice President of EDP Nikos Koutsou referred to the need of a European solution on the Cyprus problem.

He expressed his disagreement for a solution based on the Annan Plan explaining that this kind of solution will lead to separations and ethnic antagonism while the European aspiration is exactly the opposite.

Host of the Conference is the Cypriot New Horizons Party, member of the European Democratic Party.

[06] Greece was and will be strategic partner of Albania, Albanian PM says

GJYROKASTER, 21/06/2005 (ANA - P. Barkas)

"Greece was and will be the strategic partner of Albania on the path without return towards its accession to Europe," the Albanian prime minister said and termed relations between the two countries and between himself personally and his Greek counterpart as being excellent.

Nano assessed that the contribution of the ethnic Greek minority is considerable for the progress of Albania, relations with Greece and for Albania's approach to Europe.

He also stressed that respect for the fundamental rights of the ethnic Greek minority remains his government's primary commitment.

[07] China's deputy public security ministry head concludes Olympics-related visit to Greece

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

The high-ranking Chinese official's visit focused on bilateral cooperation ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

During his stay, Sun Mingshan met with Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis, Deputy Public Order Minister Christos Markoyiannakis and other senior ministry officials.

Talks focused on the transfer of know-how acquired by Greek authorities during the successful Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Also discussed was an extension of cooperation in other sectors, such as the fight against organized crime and drug smuggling as well as an exchange of information on security matters at the experts' level.

While in Greece, the Chinese deputy ministry head toured various 2004 Olympic venues as well as law enforcement headquarters.

[08] Former Greek defense minister Tsohatzopoulos attends memorial service in Nicosia for Andreas Papandreou

NICOSIA, 21/06/2005 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

In a speech, Tsohatzopoulos said "we are proud because today Cyprus, through the sacrifices of its people and the contribution of Greece, not only is it completely defended militarily, not only can it confront any attack, but because it achieved the basic objective which was the accession to the European Union, and in general the strengthening of the Republic of Cyprus."

Referring to the Cyprus issue, he said that "a stable and steadfast course is required of the national front, dedication to the national objectives, complete unity of the political leaderships and most of all of the governments with the undertaking of responsibilities and initiatives for a solution" of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the work of the late Andreas Papandreou, Tsohatzopoulos said that the former Greek prime minister "was loved by the people and was called by his first name."

[09] Salagoudis says projects like the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline contribute to peace and prosperity

SOFIA, 21/06/2005 (ANA/Borisov)

Salagoudis told his interlocutors that it is a strategic plan which has gone beyond the stage of studies and has reached the stage of implementation, following the recent signing of the memorandum for the support of the pipeline by Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and his counterparts from Bulgaria and Russia.

The Greek deputy minister underlined that the pipeline will secure an alternative route of the flow of oil from Russia and the Caspian Sea to the international markets, thus contributing to the smooth and safe operation of the sea passageways.

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, speaking at the conference, said that the best investment in the European future of the Balkans is investment in infrastructure.

[10] Regouzas speaks on objective values of real estate and Evert about the Stock Exchange

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

The issues of the Athens Stock Exchange but also of the social insurance of banks were referred to by former New Democracy (ND) party president Miltiades Evert in an interview he gave to the "Proto Thema" newspaper.

Regouzas said: «The so-called objective values of real estate are far off of those of the market and it is time for them to converge. Until now, they are adjusted every two years and this year it is the fourth year without adjustments, which henceforth constitutes a necessity." He noted that the procedure for the reform of the objective values is already in progress "with particular attention and increased social sensitivity."

Referring to the effort to combat the illegal trade of fuel, the economy deputy minister said that the positive result "is secured with the completion of the implementation, as soon as possible, of all the procedures which have to do with new technology." He added that the Secretariat of Information Systems is working in this direction and at a very fast pace." Regouzas noted that "with the cross-checking of the data and of the results, we are optimistic in restricting initially the plague of fake invoices and on the other hand, to restrict the evasion of Value Added Tax of the imported products and to confront the big problem of illegal trade."

On his part, Evert clarified that he moved "against those who through their acts and oversights damaged the Greek state and those who encouraged and induced the small investors, resulting in them losing their property and particularly against the then finance ministers of PASOK who on the eve of the elections in 2000 induced more than 1,300,000 of our citizens to economic destruction."

Evert, regarding developments in the social insurance of banks, excluded the eventuality for private interests to be burdened with responsibilities, because then there is a danger for damage to be created to the "our man social insurance foundation."

Evert said "the government of New Democracy respects the sweat of the Greek people and it does not intend to repeat what happened in the past."

[11] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos speaks of collective negotiations with ADEDY

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

Pavlopoulos referred to a draft law which will tabled in the immediate future in Parliament and will provide legislative adjustments for public administration, transparency in the distribution of adjustments, the transparency and effectiveness of their effectiveness, but also the creation of a special central service which will control the quality of the adjustments and will be under the auspices of the prime minister.

Regarding the new salary scale of civil servants, the interior minister noted that the relative dialogue will begin in July while the subsidy policy will also be reviewed.

[12] Meimarakis on permanency of public sector employees and social insurance

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

"Permanency in the close public sector is constitutionally safeguarded and consequently, only during the period of the review of the Constitution can such a thing be discussed, but we all agree that the situation, as has been transformed, must change." He added: «We are not alarmed and we are not deceiving anybody, because we raised all these before the elections and they were approved. Any thoughts in the public sector concern the newly employed persons and not those that are already serving."

Meimarakis stressed that the adjustments announced regarding the social insurance of banks "are in favor of the social whole and compatible with EU law." He added that "the government is sincere with its commitments and the Greek citizens know well that structural changes are needed for the general good and they support us."

[13] European Commission accepts Athens' plan on carbon dioxide emission rights

BRUSSELS, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

The allocation plan covers 141 installations which fulfill preconditions necessary for inclusion in the trade system.

According to the plan, companies have the right either to sell or buy carbon dioxide emission rights in accordance with their financial interests.

European Union Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, who made the announcement, expressed his satisfaction over the acceptance of the allocation plan.

[14] Traffic police take special measures to facilitate holidaymakers' return

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

With the purpose of increasing safe motoring on the two national motorways, the traffic police also announced that trucks having a payload of over 1.5 tons will be forbidden from using lanes leading to Athens from 4 in the afternoon to 11 at night.

Special measures have also been taken near Malakasa due to road works under way in the region.

[15] Athens police arrest three persons for selling 300,000 packets of contraband cigarettes

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

It was ascertained that the supplier of the gang was one of the two men who transported the cigarettes with his own truck which was impounded.

Found in possession of the members of the gang were 3,500 euros which were confiscated as they were earned from the sale of the contraband cigarettes. It is estimated that the loss of dues for the state amounts to at least 35,000 euros.

The arrested were led before the public prosecutor, while investigations are continuing to establish whether there is another hidden stash of contraband cigarettes, but also whether other persons are involved in the case.

[16] Police disrupt gang of traffickers of illegal immigrants

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

As ascertained by the police, the culprits gave little food and water to the captive foreigners, while, through the use of physical force, they tried through them to compel their relatives to pay the sum of 3,000 euros so as to set them free.

The culprits were led before the public prosecutor, while investigations are continuing for the detection of the remaining members of the gang.

[17] 26 illegals intercepted off Samos

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

According to their statements, 10 slipped into Greek territory from the adjacent Turkish coast aboard a dinghy skippered by a 24-year-old Turkish migrant trafficker, who was also arrested.

The other 16 individuals were also landed on the islet of Kasonisi from Turkey aboard an unidentified vessel.

All 26 of the illegal immigrants were taken to a detention centre on Samos.

The Turkish national is expected to be led before a public prosecutor.

[18] Police discover hashish plantation in Crete

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

The hashish trees, having a height of 0.7-1.5 meters, were uprooted but their cultivators are still unknown.

[19] National Theatre burgled, culprits take safe containing money and documents

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

The culprits forced open the window behind the side of the National Theatre, entered the interior where they found the safe and carried it off with them.

The theft of the safe was revealed on Sunday afternoon and according to press reports, it contained 800 euros and documents.

Police have launched a search to find the culprits.

[20] Athens signs memorandum of cooperation with IAAF for int'l museum of classical sport in Greece

Athens, 21/06/2005 (ANA)

She presented IAAF with a plan for the establishment and operation of the new museum, expected to be housed at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) at Maroussi in northern Athens.

Palli-Petralia noted that "the signing of the memorandum is of particular importance to Greece, giving us the possibility to found a museum of classical sport..."

[21] President Papadopoulos: Turkey has no excuse not to sign EU protocol

NICOSIA, 21/06/2005 (CNA/ANA)

He also said that the EU would appreciate the ratification of the European Constitution by the Cyprus House of Representatives, as planned at the end of June, pointing out that Cyprus has nothing to gain from postponing or suspending the ratification process.

Speaking on his return from Brussels, where he participated in the European Council, he said Turkey has for some time now in its possession all the documents relating to extension of its customs union agreement.

"There is no longer any excuse on the part of Turkey not to sign the agreement, thereby adapting the Ankara Agreement to apply to Cyprus.

All the pretexts have been removed. Turkey has an obligation towards Europe to sign," he said.

Responding to questions, he said signing the protocol does not, in itself, signify that Ankara recognizes the Republic of Cyprus, whose northern areas are occupied by Turkish troops since they invaded in 1974.

"The signature however would be a big step" towards recognition, he added, noting that recognition of a state does not emerge from a single act but from a series of statements and moves.

In his remarks to the press, on his return Saturday night from Brussels, Papadopoulos also said that "Cyprus has no reason to either postpone or suspend the process of ratification," as set out through a debate before the House on 29 and 30 June.

"On the contrary, I believe we have nothing to gain from such a decision," he said and explained that the Constitution is certainly a lot better for the people of Europe, especially small countries, than the existing situation, with the Treaty of Nice in effect.

Papadopoulos expressed regret and disappointment at the absence of an agreement on the EU budget but said that the Union has reiterated its faith in the Constitution and the need to ratify it.

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