Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-03-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] SEVEN CHANGES IN THE PLAN

[02] "17 NOVEMBER" IN LARISA PRISON

[03] BUSH-KARAMANLIS TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION

[04] THE MINISTER OF FINANCE ON THE 2003 FISCAL DEFICIT

[05] STRENGTHENING OF RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND MOLDAVIA

[06] GAINS IN THE ASE

[07] US PRESIDENT BUSH LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER KARAMANLIS

[08] RUSSIAN REACTION TO KALAMARIA CEMETERY

[09] RECOMMENDATIONS ON COMPETITIVENESS

[10] CONSTANTOPOULOS MET WITH RF AMBASSADOR

[11] KARAMANLIS-VERHEUGEN MEETING

[12] GREECE CONFIRMED ITS SUPPORT TO THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT

[13] ALLEGED US SUPPORT TO TURKEY ON CYPRUS ISSUE

[14] GREECE ACTIVELY PRESENT

[01] SEVEN CHANGES IN THE PLAN

The plan for the solution of the Cyprus issue, which is 9000 pages long with an appendix of 150 pages with the points where changes have been proposed, will be turned in today by representative of the Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Alvaro de Soto. According to information, it contains seven changes in the institutional functions of the new state. As far as the security and guarantees issue is concerned which is being discussed by the Greek and Turkish delegations - the same sources stressed that there are completely opposite views to a great degree, which result in lack of grounds for a solution. PM C. Karamanlis will meet with Foreign Minister P. Molyviatis and Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis for an overview of developments so far. We are going to Switzerland with good will, stated Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prior to his departure for Switzerland. An appeal for political will and a disposition for negotiation was made to all sides by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

[02] "17 NOVEMBER" IN LARISA PRISON

The transportation of the convicted members of and participants in the 17 November terrorist group to the special wing of the Larisa prison is expected to begin in May, according to the Eleftherotypia newspaper. The cost of construction of the special wing that consists of 9 double cells, one solitary confinement cell, and a small completely controlled courtyard area, came to 1.5 million euro and various means for electronic surveillance of the prisoners are foreseen.

[03] BUSH-KARAMANLIS TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION

US President George Bush had a telephone communication this afternoon with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, who is in Switzerland, in an effort to intensify Washington's efforts for an agreement that will lead to a solution of the Cyprus problem by May 1.

According to information, the discussion between the two leaders was held in a very warm atmosphere and in a spirit of cooperation to fully exploit the window of opportunity opened for a solution that will allow a reunited Cyprus to become a member of the EU on May 1.

Mr. Bush pointed out to the Greek Prime Minister the fact that the Cyprus problem is at a crucial turning point and there is a need for coordination and close cooperation among all interested parties to reach an agreement

US sources stated, that the telephone call was not an effort to exert pressure, stressing that Mr. Bush wanted to display this way his personal interest in the solution of the Cyprus problem.

A similar contact will take place between the US President and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while US Secretary of State Colin Powell will be actively involved toward the same direction during the day.

[04] THE MINISTER OF FINANCE ON THE 2003 FISCAL DEFICIT

The estimation that fiscal deficit reached if not exceeded the 2.7% of the GDP last year, was reiterated by Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis conveying this way European Commissioner Solbes' concern over the fact that deficit is close to the 3% limit.

In a press conference, Mr. Alogoskoufis stated that efforts are being made to keep deficit under 3% and underlined that initiatives are being promoted to restrain the primary spending increase rate, limit spending as well as, fee and tax evasion.

The head of the government's economic staff gave the assurance that the fiscal problem will be faced and the deviations from the 2004 budget will be dealt with as much as possible laying the foundations for a healthy budget after 2005.

[05] STRENGTHENING OF RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND MOLDAVIA

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos, who is on a formal visit to Moldavia, signed today two agreements that will contribute to the further strengthening of relations between Greece and Moldavia in the sectors of trade and economy.

An agreement was signed to avoid double taxation, as well as an air transportation agreement and a protocol of cooperation on issues of social security and protection.

Mr. Stephanopoulos, who is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stilianidis and a delegation of Greek businessmen active or intending to become active in the region, arrived in Moldavia at noon today.

The Greek President had a meeting with his counterpart Vladimir Vorodin and among others they also discussed the major Balkan problems, as well as European problems and the Cyprus issue.

[06] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.92% at 2376.95 points, while the volume of transactions was at 119.90 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 286 had gains and 43 had losses, while the value of 68 stocks remained unchanged.

[07] US PRESIDENT BUSH LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER KARAMANLIS

US President George Bush addressed a letter to Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, according to Greek government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos.

Mr. Rousopoulos clarified that the contents of the letter concern issues like terrorism and there is no reference to the Cyprus issue. He also stated that the letter will be given to publicity.

[08] RUSSIAN REACTION TO KALAMARIA CEMETERY

A harsh report, both in its language and imagery, was carried out by Russian state television on the reform being carried out on the Kalamaria cemetery, where there are graves of Russian soldiers and officers who fought in World War I.

Specifically, the report made mention of vandalism, supporting that dozens of graves of Russian soldiers who died for Greece have been destroyed.

In statements to the Russian channel, the Mayor of Kalamaria, Christodoulos Economidis, supported that they are reform works for an area that had been left uncared for, a claim that was indirectly questioned by the channel's reporter, who insinuated that the reform concerns the creation of new plots for construction.

According to information, reactions are expected within the next few days from the Russian State and Church.

In statements to the Macedonian Press Agency, the Mayor of Kalamaria supported that, cleaning works were carried out in 1999 on abandoned graves of Russian refugees. The issue is being promoted by Russian television because they are claiming room in the cemetery.

Mr. Economidis added: The issue was raised again because the newly formed Russian community in Thessaloniki is claiming a plot of land to be created in the area of the cemetery, and in view of the court date set for April 30. They are avoiding dialogue and are resorting to publications and presentations of the problem on television.

In ending the Mayor underlined: Instead of that, the Municipality of Kalamaria proposed that all graves baring Cyrillic inscriptions and which are in good condition be kept, and that a monument be built for all other bodies buried there (as many Russian graves have been abandoned and are uncared for) in cooperation with the Russian community. This is the proposal of the Municipality of Kalamaria with respect to the dead and history.

[09] RECOMMENDATIONS ON COMPETITIVENESS

The recommendations of the Governor of the Bank of Greece Mr. N. Garganas in the report on the progress of the Greek economy submitted to President of the Parliament Anna Psarouda Benaki, concentrate on three fields, those of fiscal dimensions, competitiveness and inflation, according to information. Mr. Garganas allegedly supported that for competitiveness to increase, an effort must be made to gradually close the 1.5% gap between Greece's inflation and the Eurozone average, and that wages increases must not exceed the corresponding increase in productivity.

[10] CONSTANTOPOULOS MET WITH RF AMBASSADOR

President of the Coalition of the Radical Left, Mr. Nikos Constantopoulos, met with Russian Ambassador Andrey Valentinovich Vdovin. Mr. Constantopoulos wished him a good term in Athens, and in statements to the press he pointed out:

Russia and Greece can defend their common interests in the Balkans and the Middle East. Our ties are historical and cultural. These ties can support the common position of our two countries on the upgrading of the UN and international law in dealing with humanities' problems, for the just resolving of problems such as those of the Middle East and of Cyprus.

It is also necessary in the financial relations of our two countries to boost Greece within the EU in order for it to decisively contribute so that there are just changes in Russian issues concerning Russian speaking populations in Europe and the resolving of communication, transportation and movement problems.

This is a period of historic significance for the entire human race and Russia can play an important role in a multicentral system of stability along with Europe, by forming a strategy for peace and development with a human face throughout the world.

[11] KARAMANLIS-VERHEUGEN MEETING

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis met with European Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, responsible for EU enlargement issues in Buergenstock, Switzerland.

Mr. Karamanlis and Mr. Verheugen discussed issues concerning compatibility with the European standards and principles.

The Greek Prime Minister raised the issues of incompatibility in the Annan plan and the European Commissioner stated that is going to examine the issue.

[12] GREECE CONFIRMED ITS SUPPORT TO THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis expressed to Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos Greece's support to the efforts made by the Cypriot government for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He made the statement in the meeting they had in Switzerland this morning on the sidelines of the negotiations on Cyprus.

Greek government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos stated that Mr. Karamanlis reiterated Greece's position supporting a solution in compliance with the UN resolutions and compatible with the European standards. He also stressed that the final decision belongs to the Cypriot people.

Mr. Karamanlis will have meetings in the afternoon with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and European Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, responsible for EU enlargement issues.

The Greek Prime Minister also received a letter by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who congratulated him on the assumption of his duties and called on him to contribute to the efforts for a solution to the Cyprus issue.

[13] ALLEGED US SUPPORT TO TURKEY ON CYPRUS ISSUE

It seems that Turkey has secured US support in the negotiations for the resolving of the Cyprus issue, according to the correspondence of Germany's ARD state television channel from Lucerne, Switzerland.

While UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is expected to begin the presentation of the revised plan for the solution of the Cyprus issue at the quadrilateral meeting at 11:00 today, ARD transmitted that US Secretary of State Colin Powell had a telephone communication with his Turkish counterpart last night and characterized Turkey's demands as very reasonable.

According to the German television station, Powel was mainly referring to the issue raised by the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides regarding a permanent digression from community acquis, in an attempt to avert an en masse return of Greek Cypriots, driven out of their homes during the occupation, to their homeland.

According to the information, Colin Powell reassured Abdullah Gul that the US will support Turkey's demand in the framework of the UN.

In statements he made before leaving for Lucerne, according to ARD, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he would try to come into contact with US President George Bush, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French Presiden Jacques Chirac, stressing that his country will show flexibility.

In contrast, and with the deadline for the Cyprus issue closing in this Wednesday, sources in the Greek Cypriot delegation told the ARD that negotiations have shown no progress.

[14] GREECE ACTIVELY PRESENT

We are here to help find a solution in accordance with community acquis but the final decision is up to the Cypriot people, said Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, addressing the National Council of Cyprus, which convened in his presence. The plan for the solution was given to the interested parties and according to information, it contains seven changes regarding the institutional functions of the new state. As far as the aspects of security and guarantees is concerned, which is being discussed by Greece and Turkey, Greek sources mentioned that there are extremely opposed views to a great degree, thereby resulting in no common grounds for an agreement. We are going to Switzerland with good will, stated Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prior to his departure for Switzerland. An appeal for political will and a disposition for negotiation was made to all sides by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

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