Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-03-02

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] BENEFITS' DISCUSSION

[02] BAD WEATHER DURING ELECTIONS

[03] US SAY GREECE IS A "GATEWAY" FOR DRUGS

[04] PAPANDREOU ON THE SOCIETY OF CITIZENS AND KNOWLEDGE

[05] KARAMANLIS: NO TO DIVISION AND FANATICISM

[06] PAPANDREOU'S INTERVIEW WITH "KATHIMERINI" NEWSPAPER

[07] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

[08] EU INTERVENTION ASKED IN SAILORS' CASE

[09] DISCUSSIONS IN ATHENS AND ANKARA

[10] ALERTNESS IN KALAMATA

[11] GIANNITSIS OPTIMISTIC AFTER MEETING WITH WESTON

[01] BENEFITS' DISCUSSION

The benefits announced by President of PASOK Giorgos Papandreou for farmers and pensioners are the main focus of the pre-election confrontations during the last week of the pre-election period, while both major parties are preparing for their major rallies in Athens. ND's political planning Secretary Giorgos Souflias spoke for his party and characterized the announcements as sketchy and unfounded. Secretary General of the KKE Aleka Papariga characterized them as fraud, during her speech in Thessaloniki, while President of the Coalition of the Radical Left Nikos Constantopoulos announced benefits for the undecided, during his speech in Patra. President of DIKKI Dimitris Tsovolas spoke of unrealistic announcements.

[02] BAD WEATHER DURING ELECTIONS

The Ministry of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization has set all its services on standby after the forecast of the National Weather Service (EMY) that a wave of bad weather is expected to strike Greece during the elections' weekend. The Ministry's goal is for the state mechanism to deal with problems that may arise from the bad weather, to help voters who have to travel to get to their electoral districts reach their destinations safely and without delays, and to concentrate the ballots in the courthouses for counting without problems.

To that end, the Ministry's services are in constant contact with both prefectures and peripheries, as well as with EMY's central services, so that the mobilization has immediate results and there is a clear image of the state of the weather.

[03] US SAY GREECE IS A "GATEWAY" FOR DRUGS

Greece is considered a gateway for drugs going to Western Europe according to a State Department report published for the battle against drugs. According to this report, Greece holds second place in Europe as far as deaths from drugs are concerned, while Greece's geographic position, the borders and the long coastline all contribute to drug-trafficking. The drugs come from neighboring countries such as FYROM and Bulgaria, while there is no information indicating that drugs from Greece are reaching the US.

[04] PAPANDREOU ON THE SOCIETY OF CITIZENS AND KNOWLEDGE

Information and Internet technologies are not only a basic tool for the Greek economy's new model of competitive development but a crucial propellant force for the democratic reform of society in all sectors as well. Those who will form a network of autonomous, independent and effective institutions in the area between the state and the private sector will be supported. This network will form the society citizens.

This is the central message of a multifaceted policy aimed at conquering the society of knowledge, outlined by governing Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou in a speech he delivered at Evgenidion Institute in Athens today.

The goal of this policy, explained Mr. Papandreou, is for society as a whole to have access to information and Internet technologies, while individual dexterities will be promoted. Mr. Papandreou stressed that the goal is for 60% of the population to be able to exploit these technologies by the year 2008.

Mr. Papandreou described a new model of governance where non-governmental organizations will be backed through television promotion and tax reductions in order to contribute to the development of the society of citizens.

Public administration will turn to modern man-centered public agencies and by 2008 the contact between the citizens and administration will be made through Citizens' Service Centers for over 200 state agencies, said Mr. Papandreou.

[05] KARAMANLIS: NO TO DIVISION AND FANATICISM

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis stated that he and his party feel proud because they have fulfilled their pledge for a campaign characterized by ethical standards, a sense of responsibility and seriousness. He said that New Democracy has presented proposals that meet the expectations of all Greeks and did not resort to polarization and division.

Mr. Karamanlis accused PASOK of resorting to ways of the past, addressing tens of people gathered at his party's central election office in Athens earlier today.

Mr. Karamanlis referred indirectly to governing Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou message for political change, saying that simply speaking about the new is not enough to bring political change.

[06] PAPANDREOU'S INTERVIEW WITH "KATHIMERINI" NEWSPAPER

PASOK governing Socialist Party leader Giorgos Papandreou in an interview with the Athens newspaper Kathimerini answered to criticism that while he speaks about consensus he has resorted to strong attacks against the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy.

Mr. Papandreou pledged that he will seek major post-election consensus but at the present phase it is necessary to highlight party differences and the effects of a change in power without guarantees for stability and an understanding for the needs of the new era.

Referring to the phenomenon of corruption, the leader of PASOK underlined that the issue is not to freeze the market but to force it operate with transparency. Evaluating the characteristics of the governing party, he pointed out that there is no room for set attitudes in the period of 2004-2008.

Mr. Papandreou denied that he enjoys excessive promotion and support by strong mass media and presented his positions on the economy. He also stated about the change in his stance regarding the terms of the televised debate that it was an effort he made to lift the deadlock discovered through his moves even though there is no such a thing as a deadlock.

[07] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

Marginal gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.04% at 2447.16 points, while the volume of transactions was at 149.3 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 111 had gains and 174 had losses, while the value of 105 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] EU INTERVENTION ASKED IN SAILORS' CASE

The intervention of European Commission President Romano Prodi towards the Pakistani government for the release of the five Greek sailors being held in Karachi, was requested by Greek Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis, in a letter he sent to Mr. Prodi.

Mr. Giannitsis' letter to the President of the European Commission was a continuation of his intervention at the Council of EU Foreign Ministers (February 16), where the issue of the Greek sailors being held was discussed extensively.

An intervention had already taken place by the community troika and Commissioner Chris Patten towards the Pakistani authorities on the issue of the sailors of the Tasman Spirit, which had caused pollution after an accident outside the port of Karachi.

[09] DISCUSSIONS IN ATHENS AND ANKARA

Developments in the Cyprus issue and mainly the talks between President of the Cypriot Republic, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, and leader of the Turkish Cypriots Mr. Rauf Denktash, will be the main point of discussion in Athens today, during the meeting of Foreign Minister Mr. Tassos Giannitsis with US State Department Special Coordinator on the Cyprus issue, Mr. Thomas Weston. The new leading duo of the Turkish Cypriots, Prime Minister of occupied Cyprus Mehment Ali Talat and so-called Foreign Minister Serdar Dentkash will travel to Ankara. Negotiations are continuing in Cyprus.

[10] ALERTNESS IN KALAMATA

Seismologists are still reserved regarding the 5.4 R earthquake that struck Kalamata a few hours after midnight yesterday. The residents are still worried as they do not know if a stronger earthquake or aftershocks are to follow. The Director of the Athens Geodynamic Institute, Mr. Giorgos Stavrakis, supported that after the first 48 hours have passed, scientists will have a lot more information on what is to follow.

[11] GIANNITSIS OPTIMISTIC AFTER MEETING WITH WESTON

Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis appeared to be optimistic as far as the resolving of the Cyprus issue is concerned, following his meeting in Athens with US State Department Special Coordinator on the Cyprus issue Thomas Weston.

There are now sound hopes of reaching a solution on the Cyprus problem, although we have a difficult puzzle ahead of us, stated Mr. Giannitsis characteristically, while on his side, the US diplomat made mention of encouragement with which he left Cyprus this morning.

However, Mr. Giannitsis and Mr. Weston avoided commenting on the specifics of their discussions, as UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had asked all sides not to make statements during this sensitive period of the discussions.

Mr. Giannitsis stressed that there was a detailed discussion on all aspects of the Cyprus issue, but at the present statements will not help. He did, however, stress the need for a solution, which will be compatible with community acquis, a solution which will allow Cyprus to function effectively in the framework of the EU.

He also stressed that we do not want a referendum for its own sake, we want the solution to be embraced by all of the Cypriot people, who will then respect it.

The Foreign Minister also noted that Greece and Turkey will soon sit at the negotiation table and discuss the issues of security and guarantees on the island. However, it remains to be seen what other pending issues will be left after March 21.

Mr. Giannitsis also expressed his hope that the solution will coincide with the expression of the US initiative for the establishment of security, peace and democracy in the Middle East and Cyprus can be the first tangible example in the region, as a success such as this could set an important precedent to overcoming such problems.

On his side, Mr. Weston thanked the Greek Foreign Minister on their conclusive discussion, and mentioned that he left Cyprus this morning with a sense of encouragement, that everything is coming along positively.

In response to a journalist question on the outcome of the referendum, Mr. Weston pointed out that the decision the referendum leads to will be a decision of the Cypriot people, and nobody else. The right to decide about its future belongs to the Cypriot people, he stated.

Mr. Giannitsis stressed that the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides both want to reach a solution and are doing everything they can to be led to it. On the same issue, Mr. Weston stated that the US have showed the necessary political will to help in the direction of a just solution and that is what they will aim at in the future.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash characterized Mr. Weston's statements yesterday that whichever side responds negatively to the referendum will bear an incredibly negative and heavy load as regards to the future of Cyprus as unacceptable pressure and a threat towards both communities. Yesterday, the Greek Cypriot side had also expressed its discomfort with Mr. Weston's statements, and President of the Cypriot Republic Tassos Papadopoulos was quoted saying, I do not know what Mr. De Soto or Mr. Weston say, and they are not going to point out to me how negotiations will be carried out.

Contacts on the Cyprus issue today are also being carried out off the island, with the talks between President of the Cypriot Republic, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, and leader of the Turkish Cypriots Mr. Rauf Denktash, as the main point of discussion in Athens today, during the meeting of Foreign Minister Mr. Tassos Giannitsis with Mr. Weston. The new leading duo of the Turkish Cypriots, Prime Minister of occupied Cyprus Mehment Ali Talat and so-called Foreign Minister Serdar Dentkash will travel to Ankara.

Today's discussions on the Cyprus issue, in the 7th meeting between Mr. Papadopoulos and Mr. Denktash, were a continuation of talks on issues that began yesterday.

Alternate Secretary General of the UN Sir Kieran Prendergast will arrive in Cyprus this afternoon, where he will be briefed on the progress of the discussions for the solution of the Cyprus issue by the Special Consultant of the UN Secretary General Mr. Alvaro de Soto. He will also have meetings with Mr. Papadopoulos and Mr. Denktash.

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