Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-06-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Capital market bill ratified in principle

[02] Turkey's road to EU accession long and difficult, Commission says

[03] Foreign ministry on the start of EU accession negotiations with Turkey on October 3

[04] Athens says Turkish-Cypriot leadership might be jeopardizing EU aid for Turkish Cypriots

[05] Foreign ministry spokesman criticizes FYROM foreign ministry's website map containing parts of Greek Macedonia

[06] Greece supports greater role for UN Human Rights Commission

[07] Foreign ministry on upcoming Albanian elections

[08] Gov't strenuously denies involvement by Greek troops in 1955 Srebrenica massacre

[09] Alogoskoufis says IT, 'e-government' a strategic priority for reforming public sector

[10] Public administration reforms, structuring via 'e-governance', IT the focus of int'l forum in Athens

[11] PM Karamanlis to visit London, meet Tony Blair on Thursday

[12] PM meets Saudi Arabia's minister of state

[13] Parliamentary Public Administration Committee begins discussion on immigration draft law

[14] Centre for protection of human rights criticizes immigration bill

[15] Coalition party leader Alekos Alavanos visits Lamia

[16] Joint action by leftist forces of France against European constitution produced results, Coalition party leader says

[17] Greek missile boat to participate in Black Sea exercise

[18] State budget suffers 2.0 bln-euro in losses annually from fuel smuggling and fraud

[19] Greek gov't proceeds with implementation of new CAP

[20] Economy and Finance ministry dismisses reports on raising retirement age

[21] Greece, China agree to promote cooperation in farm production

[22] Greece, China seek closer shipping cooperation

[23] Greece, Turkey seek closer tourism cooperation

[24] Financial services ombudsman to begin operating Friday

[25] Greek stocks resume downward trend

[26] Exhibition of British art at Goulandris Modern Art Museum on Andros

[27] Cyprus House adjourns vote on resolution on British Bases

[28] Cyprus regrets near loss of EU funds for Turkish Cypriots

[01] Capital market bill ratified in principle

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

In reference to pension reform in the banking sector, Labor and Social Protection Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos said that it was necessary due to the rapid changes under way in the international banking system, such as growing competition and the introduction of accounting standards.

The reform was also necessary since the government wanted to safeguard employees' pension rights, the smooth pay-out of benefits and jobs in the state-run Agrotiki and Emporiki banks, among other reasons, he said.

Regarding OTE's voluntary retirement scheme, Panagiotopoulos said that it will contribute to the organization's restructuring and modernization.

The debate in parliament will continue on Wednesday evening, during which time it will focus on the capital market segment of the bill.

On Thursday, pension reform in the banking sector and OTE's voluntary retirement scheme will be voted on in essence.

PASOK party spokesman criticizes government over banks' social security issue: Main opposition PASOK party spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said on Wednesday that with the arrangements it is promoting on the banks' social security issue the government is serving the interests of banks and businesses.

Athanassakis further said the 'middle-of-the-road' theory is collapsing and the New Democracy party is revealing its true face on a daily basis, which is that of the authoritarian right, since it is proceeding without social consensus and without telling the truth to citizens.

The spokesman went on to say that the Karamanlis government is ruling in an authoritarian fashion, without dialogue, without transparency, because this is the culture and mentality of the right through time.

[02] Turkey's road to EU accession long and difficult, Commission says

BRUSSELS, 30/06/2005 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

"The opening of the accession negotiations is recognition of the reforms already achieved in Turkey," EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said during his presentation of the framework.

"It gives this country a chance to demonstrate, through a fair and rigorous negotiation process, whether it is able to meet fully all the criteria required to join the EU. But we all know that it will be a long and difficult journey and we have to take into account the concerns of citizens," he added.

According to Rehn, the negotiating framework that the Commission is proposing to the European Council, is the most rigorous to date.

He reiterated that for talks to begin on October 3, Turkey must have brought into effect six pieces of legislation and must have signed the protocol extending the Ankara Agreement to the 10, new member states including Cyprus. Turkey has fulfilled the former requirement but the latter is still pending.

The Commissioner also emphasized the importance that Turkey's relations with Cyprus and commitment to good neighborly relations in general, will bear on the country's EU accession talks.

Furthermore, Rehn stressed the fact that negotiations are open-ended and do not guarantee accession, adding that if Turkey does not fully adopt EU principles then a 'special relationship' between the EU and Turkey is a possibility.

He also stressed that negotiations can be suspended at any time and that the European Commission or one-third of the EU member states may request suspension of talks.

"Turkey will have to adopt the rights and obligations of the European Union, and apply them by the time of accession, unless transitional arrangements are agreed. Long transitional measures, derogations, specific arrangements and permanently available safeguard clauses may also be considered," the Commission said in a press release.

[03] Foreign ministry on the start of EU accession negotiations with Turkey on October 3

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said that, according to the latest information held by Athens, the not-yet-finalized EU report on Turkey will clearly state that the negotiations beginning in October will ultimately aim at the country's EU accession. The prevailing view at present, he added, was that October 3 would mark the start of a screening process to compare Turkey's legislation with the EU's 'acquis communautaire'.

Regarding recent statements by Turkish officials about the School of Theology on the island of Halki and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, the spokesman avoided adopting media views that plan to reopen the school or recognize the Patriarchate as ecumenical had been abandoned after referenda in France and the Netherlands that rejected the EU Constitution.

"Our own position on Turkey's EU prospects and the start of accession negotiations remains the same and there are no official indications leading to another position. Provided Ankara signs the Protocol for the extension of Customs Union with the new member-states, accession negotiations will begin on October 3," Koumoutsakos stressed.

He noted, however, that respect for religious freedoms and the rights of minorities were a fundamental reference and value of the EU and would be among the criteria for the accession process for any candidate country.

The spokesman also pointed out that Greece participated in the drafting of texts concerning Turkey's accession in the framework of the EU.

[04] Athens says Turkish-Cypriot leadership might be jeopardizing EU aid for Turkish Cypriots

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said that funds earmarked for Turkish Cypriots under the Financial Regulation had to be released immediately, perhaps as early as July, but were currently frozen because they were linked to the regulation for direct trade.

Koumoutsakos said that the two regulations were originally envisaged to follow a solution of the political problem on the island. After the effort for reunification failed, the Greek and Cyprus governments had agreed that the money to economically assist Turkish Cypriots should be given anyway.

According to the spokesman, the Council of Permanent EU Representatives (COREPER) had tried to separate the two regulations in order to release the funds but Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat had sent a letter demanding that they remain linked.

"The insistence on this link, which may well lead to Turkish Cypriots being denied economic assistance, shows that the main concern is not so much to support the economic effort and development of Turkish Cypriots as to send a political message or further a political end," Koumoutsakos said.

Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops occupied the north of the island in 1974, setting up an illegal regime that is recognized only by Turkey. Following the failure of efforts to reunite the two communities in April 2004, the entire island is considered to have joined the EU with the accession of the Cyprus Republic in May that year but EU rules and regulations, the acquis communautaire, is suspended in the occupied north until the European Council unanimously decides otherwise.

[05] Foreign ministry spokesman criticizes FYROM foreign ministry's website map containing parts of Greek Macedonia

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

"The fact that through the official website of the foreign ministry of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia such positions and views are conveyed which are extremely provocative towards two neighboring countries of Skopje causes amazement to say the least. Towards Greece and towards Bulgaria. Two countries of which one is already an old member of the European Union and the other will become one soon. Amazement is even greater because this is taking place during a period in which, as you know, there is intense skepticism in Europe over the future of enlargement," Koumoutsakos said.

[06] Greece supports greater role for UN Human Rights Commission

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

He said the Human Rights Council proposed as a replacement to the Human Rights Commission "could be the right solution".

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed the establishment of the Human Rights Council in March 2005 in his report on "In Larger Freedom: Toward Development, Security, and Human Rights for All", stressing that the upgrading of the Commission into a full-fledged Council would raise human rights to the priority accorded to it in the UN charter. According to the Annan proposal, such a structure would offer architectural and conceptual clarity, as the United Nations already has Councils the deal with to other main purposes, Security and Development.

"Greece supports proposals for upgrading the mechanisms to promote and protect human rights in the UN system, as presented in the UN Secretary-General's 'In larger Freedom' report on reforming the United Nations and in the draft conclusions for the UN Summit in September 2005," Koumoutsakos said.

The spokesman said that both the report and the draft conclusions rightly gave human rights a central position and said that this should be equal to those of security and development.

"We believed that there cannot be development without security, and that neither of these benefits can exist without the simultaneous promotion and effective protection of human rights," Koumoutsakos said.

He said that the Human Rights Council should be an independent and autonomous body that cooperated directly with the UN General Assembly, retaining all the privileges of the Human Rights Commission - such as open communication with NGOs and the society of citizens - and having wider powers to deal effectively with all human rights issues.

Asked about the number of members on the new body and the way these should be elected, Koumoutsakos said Greece supported "the greatest possible effectiveness in combination with the widest possible legitimization".

[07] Foreign ministry on upcoming Albanian elections

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

He said that measures would be taken to facilitate the problem-free return of Albanians living in Greece to their country to vote.

[08] Gov't strenuously denies involvement by Greek troops in 1955 Srebrenica massacre

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos also underlined that both the Greek government and people strongly condemned any involvement by Greek citizens in the activity of paramilitary organizations, should allegations that Greeks were involved prove true.

"Only Greek justice, which is already looking into this matter, can make a judgment on this," he added.

The spokesman was referring to an investigation launched by the First-Instance Court Public Prosecutors' department early in June, following reports in the press and a question raised in Parliament by MP Andreas Andrianopoulos, concerning the suspected involvement of Greek paramilitary forces in the executions of thousands of Muslim civilians by Serbs in Srebrenica.

The issue first arose after the early June screening of a video showing Serb paramilitary troops executing Moslems, during the trial of Serbia's former 'strongman' president Slobodan Milosevic before a war crimes tribunal at The Hague.

The case has been assigned to First-Instance Court Public Prosecutor Athina Theodoropoulou, who has been instructed to investigate the evidence and determine if Greek citizens were in any way involved in the slaughter of civilians. The next steps will be determined by the findings of her investigation, which is expected to last a considerable time. If sufficient evidence to implicate Greek citizens is found, the extent of their involvement and penal liability must be determined and a decision must be made whether they will be tried by Greek justice or referred to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Koumoutsakos clarified, however, that authorities investigating the Bosnia massacre have not yet applied for the cooperation of Greek courts in this matter.

In recent statements before Parliament, Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras revealed there was a possibility that Greeks might have been involved in the massacre but ruled out all possibility that they might have belonged to the Greek armed forces. In a press conference a few days ago, the minister also referred to the ongoing investigation and said that MP Andreas Andrianopoulos might be called to give evidence.

[09] Alogoskoufis says IT, 'e-government' a strategic priority for reforming public sector

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

Alogoskoufis, speaking during the midst of a crucial week with the tabling and expected vote on a ground-breaking amendment to unify and reform the bank sector pension system, addressed delegates during the 3rd E-Government Forum, entitled "Government of the Future", an event sponsored by the "Economist" group.

"In Greece, unfortunately, the concepts of a Society of Information and e-government, because of a lack of consistent planning during the first three years of the 3rd Community Support Framework's implementation, were considered as a jumbled sum of IT projects in the public sector, which by some magical manner were expected to ensure an improvement in the state's productivity, simply transforming 'wooden' stamps into electronic ones," the minister said.

In pointing to a consistent theme enunciated by ruling New Democracy (ND) prior to the March 2004 elections and repeatedly cited afterwards by the Karamanlis government's ministers, Alogoskoufis emphasized that new technologies also comprise a "primary tool for adopting more transparent procedures to curb corruption".

While indirectly criticizing the previous PASOK government for what he called oversights in implementing information technology in the public sector, the minister said his government has doubled the number of related contracts for IT projects in the past few months and reached up to 60 percent higher EU funding absorption rates compared to the 2000-03 period.

"... the government, via the IT committee, will unveil a new 'digital strategy' for the country during the next planning period, 2007-2013 ... The new digital strategy will place the citizen, whether he or she is a businessperson, student, employee or whatever, at the centre of the Society of Information program," he said.

The government's top economic planner cited a new investment law, existing operational programs and an envisioned law laying down the groundwork for public/private partnerships as the tools necessary to boost development.

"Greece, despite the fact that it lost valuable time over the past decade in terms of exploiting information technology and e-government, can now find its pace. In order to achieve this it must exploit every possible tool within the framework of a digital strategy being prepared by the government," he concluded.

Comment on high-profile Evert proposal: Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at the downtown Athens hotel where the event was being held, Alogoskoufis stressed that "all of the banks with special supplementary (employee pension) funds did not list these (funds') deficits in their balance sheets by Dec. 31, 2004. They (banks) all waited for the completion of this resolution. I don't know why Mr. Evert continues to insist (on his position)," the minister said in reference to a proposed amendment by the former ND leader and top deputy regarding the government's banking sector pension reform.

Evert has called for specific actuarial studies to calculate what, if any, burden will fall on state coffers from the plan to shift bank employees to the primary state-run social security foundation (IKA) and to unify individual supplementary bank employees' funds into one main fund.

The government, conversely, has dismissed such concerns and vocal opposition criticism, reiterating that nary a euro will be provided by taxpayers for the plan.

[10] Public administration reforms, structuring via 'e-governance', IT the focus of int'l forum in Athens

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

Pavlopoulos, a constitutional law expert by training and a high-ranking ruling New Democracy (ND) deputy, was among the keynote speakers at the forum, entitled "Government of the Future: Reform and Restructure of the Greek Public Sector", an event sponsored by the "Economist" Group.

"The first reason why we need administrative reform in Greece is because we've lagged far behind in terms of such reforms. It is well-known that Greece lost significant opportunities in terms of making state activities more effective vis-a-vis (the country's) development prospects due to the obsoleteness and bureaucratic inflexibility that typify the state's system, especially public administration," Pavlopoulos, whose portfolio also includes the title "decentralization", stressed.

He also cited two strategic reasons that make IT-fuelled restructuring of the public sector imperative, namely, the fact that administrative reforms are a never-ending process in today's fluid economy and society, as well as the effort to converge and harmonies all of the EU member-states' public administrations in specific fields.

Focusing on the "Politia" program being eagerly promoted by the government, Pavlopoulos said the initiative firstly aims serve citizens and businesses.

On his part, former PASOK government interior minister Costas Skandalidis cited a handful of ground-breaking reforms due to the implementation of IT applications in the wider public sector, including Internet-based transactions with the tax bureau (TaxisNet), with the Social Security Foundation (IKA) and especially the wholly successful Citizens' Service Centers -- computerized one-stop multi-government offices that issue and accept a myriad of certificates, licenses, verifications and other official documents, thereby bypassing normal and often cumbersome bureaucracies of ministries, agencies and local government entities.

Among the most high-profile speakers at the event was Paul Timmers, the head of the European Commission's E-government unit.

[11] PM Karamanlis to visit London, meet Tony Blair on Thursday

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

At 18:30 on Thursday, Karamanlis is scheduled to speak at City University in London on "Greece's prospects after the Olympic Games".

[12] PM meets Saudi Arabia's minister of state

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

No statements were made after the meeting.

[13] Parliamentary Public Administration Committee begins discussion on immigration draft law

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

With this draft law, the interior ministry aims at establishing a "modern, long-term and socially fair immigration policy."

During the discussion in principle on the draft law, deputies of the ruling party praised the interior ministry as well as Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, who was present, for a series of measures which are being taken, but stressed that the draft law does not cover the problem of immigrants entering the country secretly.

This is the reason, among others, that the opposition parties stated that they will oppose the bill.

[14] Centre for protection of human rights criticizes immigration bill

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

While hailing a number of positive elements in the bill, it also pointed to problems - such as the lack of any reference to an estimated 500,000 immigrants that were already in the country without legal papers, restrictions on the free movement and offer of services by foreigners and various other problems that impinge on human rights issues.

[15] Coalition party leader Alekos Alavanos visits Lamia

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

Alavanos did not conceal his concern over the region's de-industrialization and accused the president of the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB), Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, of acting as a teacher for political parties with impermissible, unacceptable and arrogant proposals.

The Coalition party leader also commented on the debate on public administration which took place in Parliament on Tuesday, saying that "we saw play-station type cowboy acts yesterday which were distant from the problems of public administration, contract workers and the problems of citizens to which they are showing strong contempt."

[16] Joint action by leftist forces of France against European constitution produced results, Coalition party leader says

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

"The Coalition party welcomes this spirit of cooperation and hopes that it will find fertile ground in Greece as well. We shall contribute to this, to the struggle for the great changes in Greece and Europe. The members of the Coalition party proved that they can sit at the same table with socialists when they are struggling for a social Europe," Alavanos added.

The Coalition party leader also said that "two battles were won, but the war lies ahead. There are two traps which we must face. The one is the utilization of the result of the referendums against the citizens of Europe, which Tony Blair is trying to do, and the second trap is the splitting of forces which are opposed to the European constitution, according to which geographical area they come from."

[17] Greek missile boat to participate in Black Sea exercise

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

This was announced by the defense ministry on Wednesday, which revealed that 20 warships and escort vessels of the Bulgarian, Turkish and Spanish navies, as well as a U.S. navy aircraft, will also be participating in the exercise.

The exercise will focus on increasing operational compatibility and coordination in the event of a crisis and will be under the command of Bulgarian vice admiral Minko Kavalziev.

[18] State budget suffers 2.0 bln-euro in losses annually from fuel smuggling and fraud

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference, representatives of the club said fraud in fuel was also causing significant damage to the environment. Mixing diesel oil with heating oil raises emissions of dangerous substances responsible for heart and respiratory problems, even deaths in high concentrations. Mixing unleaded oil with other hydro-carbons leads to the emission of more dangerous cancer substances, while at the same time create problems to vehicle catalysators.

An Athens Polytechnic School study, for the period 2003-2004, showed that fraud in petrol was around 7.0 percent, for diesel oil around 12 percent and for heating oil around 40 percent.

Development ministry's agencies imposed penalties, worth 4.5 million euros, to 82 petrol stations in Attica and Thessaloniki in February 2003 for distributing fraudulous fuel.

[19] Greek gov't proceeds with implementation of new CAP

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters a day after an inner Cabinet meeting approved a plan to fully disconnect Community subsidies from domestic farm production, Basiakos said the ministry would begin notifying all interested parties of their rights beginning July until the end of the year. Private rights (subsidy payments) will be introduced from April 2006.

The Greek minister also announced the beginning of a regional survey around the country on farming prospects. "We will never tell anyone to cultivate specific products or not. These surveys will offer farmers the necessary preconditions to decide for themselves," he added.

Basiakos noted that according to OECD estimates, farm product prices were expected to fall to the benefit of consumers, while he also said he expected a slight decline in farm production in the country.

[20] Economy and Finance ministry dismisses reports on raising retirement age

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

A ministry announcement said Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis never said or implied that he would seek raising retirement ages or lowering pension payments. "The minister was clear on the government's intention to adhere to its pre-election pledges and on the need to start a nation-wide and long-term dialogue over the country's pension system," the announcement said.

[21] Greece, China agree to promote cooperation in farm production

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

The meeting was held in a very good climate and the two sides agreed that Greece would contribute in offering know-how in farm production and China to absorb larger quantities of Greek farm products.

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, the Greek minister said: "We had a very interesting meeting with a group of Chinese deputies and discussed ways to promote bilateral relations in exchanging know-how and commerce. We stressed that exports of Greek farm products to China accounted only 10 percent of Chinese farm exports to Greece, while some farm products, such as tomato paste, are imported from China at very low levels hitting domestic farm production. We agreed to continue talks with China's ambassador and trade attache in Athens, while a Greek delegation will soon visit China for further consultations".

The Greek minister said China was showing great interest in the production and import of olive oil and masticha.

[22] Greece, China seek closer shipping cooperation

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Kefaloyiannis said talks with Chinese officials, during his recent trip to Beijing and Shanghai, focused on ways to promote bilateral trade and to use local ports for Chinese exports arriving in Europe as well as European exports towards China.

The Greek minister expressed his full satisfaction over talks in China.

Commenting on domestic coastal shipping fares, Kefaloyiannis categorically dismissed any new fare increases this year. He also said the ministry, in cooperation with European Investment Bank, has drafted a final text for an agreement aiming at a three-billion-euro loan. The money will be used to fund improvements in Greek ports.

[23] Greece, Turkey seek closer tourism cooperation

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

This year's forum is the first to be held at a ministerial level, with Greek Tourism Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and his Turkish counterpart Atilla Koc in attendance.

The two ministers signed a Greek-Turkish declaration while TURSAB and HATTA, the two countries' associations of travel enterprises, also signed a bilateral agreement of cooperation envisaging the promotion of joint tourism packages for long-distance tourists (mainly from the Far East).

The Greek minister proposed that the next forum in 2006 to be held on the isle of Kastellorizo and adjacent Kas, a proposal accepted by the Turkish side. A Joint Greek-Turkish commission, a body founded in the framework of the forum, will meet in Turkey in early September.

Addressing the event, the Greek minister stressed that cooperation was aimed to facilitate policies for the creation of an area of stability, safety, friendship, understanding and cooperation in the region. "Travellers do not choose destinations with friction, problems and crises. They want to meet our culture, our beautiful natural environment, to travel freely. And that's what our tourist cooperation aims to," Avramopoulos said.

The Greek minister stressed that Greece does not consider Turkey as a competitor in tourism and added that tourism policies could converge up to some extent.

Koc said that if Greece and Turkey joined their forces in tourism and culture it would serve the two peoples' common interests. He added he was willing to welcome any initiative that would contribute in boosting tourist traffic between the two countries.

[24] Financial services ombudsman to begin operating Friday

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

The new service resulted from the merger between the bank ombudsman and the capital market ombudsman.

Fotis Panagiotopoulos, who has served as bank ombudsman since 1999, will head the new agency.

The agency's role is to settle disputes between banks and consumers, whether they are private individuals, self-employed professionals, small businesses or private investors.

[25] Greek stocks resume downward trend

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

The composite index fell 0.72 percent to end at 3,037.27 points, with turnover a huge 290 million euros, boosted by block trades during the session.

Banks (2.64 pct), Insurance (1.95 pct), Publications (1.64 pct) and Investment (1.43 pct) indices suffered the heaviest percentage losses, while the Textile (1.15 pct), Telecoms (0.59 pct), Food-Beverage (0.39 pct) and Constructions (0.22 pct), indices scored gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 1.31 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.69 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.26 percent lower.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 154 to 103 with another 75 issues unchanged.

[26] Exhibition of British art at Goulandris Modern Art Museum on Andros

Athens, 30/06/2005 (ANA)

The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the British Council and the Calouste Goulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, was inaugurated last Saturday and will run until September 25. It consists of 61 works of art using oils, acrylics, etchings, sculpture, reliefs and mixed techniques that are considered representative of the various trends that marked the British art scene during the tumultuous '60s.

[27] Cyprus House adjourns vote on resolution on British Bases

NICOSIA. 30/60/2005 (CNA/ANA)

During the last part of a debate, the overwhelming view outlined by party representatives was that the presence of the Bases has become untenable and it is high time the demand for their withdrawal is put forward for discussion.

Cypriot parliamentarians were very critical of British policy on Cyprus with regard to efforts to find a negotiated settlement of the island's division (as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion), to London's backing of Turkish positions on Cyprus and Europe and to the violation by Britain of the 1960 Treaties of Guarantee and Establishment.

House President Demetris Christofias said a proposed amendment by Vasos Lyssarides, who proposed the House debate on the legal status of the Bases, could not be discussed at present and called on the MPs to vote on any amended text at tomorrow's House session.

The amendment proposed that it should be noted that the Bases, as part of the Republic of Cyprus, are in fact European Union territory. The resolution refers to Cyprus' Accession Treaty that notes that the Bases remain non EU territory.

Zaharias Koulias, speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party (DIKO), said the House debate on the Bases was not seeking a confrontation with London and added that the issue if the political and legal aspects of the presence of the British Bases was correctly raised by Lyssarides.

He said the Bases are not a state, nor a colony and London cannot act as if they were and advocated implementation of the EU acquis communautaire on the Bases and for the implementation of the European Convention of Human Rights in the Bases territory that is not used for military purposes.

''Our wish is to see these Bases withdraw from Cyprus,'' he added.

Leader of the Social Democrats Movement EDEK Yiannakis Omirou said the Bases are not British sovereign territory, adding that being ''civil and mere observers of British foreign policy against us has led from bad to worse.''

He said London must pay the government of the Republic its dues, as this is provided in the 1960 Treaties, which he estimated it amounted to ''several hundreds of millions of pounds.''

''The British government must receive the message that it cannot behave in an arbitrary manner nor can it act from a position of power towards a country which it has an obligation to protect,'' he said, adding that if this policy continues, then the Cyprus government must take measures, not withstanding an appeal to international courts.

Christos Klerides, of New Horizons party, said London has violated the 1960 Treaties of Establishment and Guarantee, that call for British safeguards for the Republic's independence, territorial integrity and security, all of which, he said, were violated during the 1974 Turkish invasion and continuing occupation of Cyprus' northern areas.

''We have a common goal; we all want to see the Bases leave. This debate can be likened to a referendum on the presence of the Bases,'' he said, adding that it would be wrong to suggest that a political settlement must precede a debate on the status and future of the Bases. ''This kind of position is music to British ears,'' he concluded.

Prodromos Prodromou, leader of the European Democracy party, said the Bases were not sovereign and called on the Cyprus government to claim what it rightfully belongs to it.

He referred to two approaches, one that says that this is not the time to open another front with Britain by raising such an issue and a second one saying that all things taken into account, this matter must be raised with Britain.

''The Bases are part of the question of Cyprus,'' he concluded and urged the House to consider holding a referendum on the future of the Bases.

Dinos Michaelides, leader of the Struggling Democratic Movement (ADIK), said that Britain undermines the Republic of Cyprus and added ''it is unheard of to see Britain, a member of the European family to which Cyprus belongs, continue to behave towards the Republic in such an unacceptable manner.''

He called on Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos to raise the issue of the British Bases with Prime Minister Tony Blair at their meeting next month in London and demand respect, sincere disposition for cooperation and good faith from Britain.

Michaelides was critical of British policy towards Cyprus, especially in relation to EU matters that affect Turkey's EU accession course.

George Perdikis, General Secretary of the Environmentalists Movement, put forward six proposals on the issue under discussion: to return to the government of Cyprus all territory not used by Britain for military purposes, to have the government appoint a civil governor for the Bases to ensure implementation of European law and to see the acquis communautaire apply throughout the Bases.

Representatives from other political parties spoke during previous House sessions.

He also said there must be a timeframe for the withdrawal of the Bases, a referendum must be held on their future among the Cypriots and London must pay us its due to Nicosia, amounting to more than one billion pounds, according to him.

At the conclusion of the debate, Lyssarides said his proposed resolution was getting a unanimous approval by the House and put forward an amendment saying that the Bases are part of the Republic and as such are EU territory, whereas Britain has managed to exclude them from the EU when it joined the Union.

Lyssarides also proposed that the resolution, once approved, should be sent to the EU.

House President referred the vote on the proposed resolution and any possible amendments to Thursday.

[28] Cyprus regrets near loss of EU funds for Turkish Cypriots

NICOSIA, 30/06/2005 (CNA/ANA)

He said the current EU presidency, Luxembourg, had secured Turkish Cypriot approval to allocate the funds but Ankara's direct interference had led Tuesday's negotiations to failure.

''We regret this development because it was us who had proposed that these funds be allocated to the Turkish Cypriots and for various political reasons several countries have essentially refused to approve the economic assistance,'' he said.

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