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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-05-31

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

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

May 31, 2001

CONTENTS

  • [01] Government denies crisis over 'Piri Reis' survey in Aegean
  • [02] Government denies crisis over 'Piri Reis' survey in Aegean
  • [03] DM says scientific research should abide by international law
  • [04] New Democracy reaction
  • [05] Greek foreign minister comments on "Piri Reis" press reports
  • [06] PM to maintain policy of economic and social stability
  • [07] Papantoniou urges steady economic progress
  • [08] ND leader says Greece unprepared for euro
  • [09] Industry union says government lacks bold initiatives
  • [10] 'Long road' of talks between Gov't, unions timidly begins over social security reform
  • [11] Gov't, PASOK commitments
  • [12] Greek Defense minister meets US envoy in Athens
  • [13] Greece calls for condemnation of extremist Albanian claims against Greece
  • [14] Laliotis parries ND accusations of poor performance on public works
  • [15] Interior minister chairs open meeting on foreigners' Documentation process
  • [16] Communist leader urges resistance to new world order
  • [17] Constantopoulos meets Swedish envoy over Turkish prisons issue
  • [18] Extension of bidding deadline in OA sale tender
  • [19] European Commission adopts draft directive to ban tobacco advertising
  • [20] OTE shows rise in profit, revenue in first quarter
  • [21] Datamedia reports 27 percent increase in first quarter
  • [22] State trade fair organizer destined for Athens bourse
  • [23] Agricultural Bank of Greece shows Q1 profit rise
  • [24] Probe on whether company's sale harms investors
  • [25] Petrol prices slashed, diesel up
  • [26] Greece to spend 681.1 billion drachmas on employment programs
  • [27] Cyprus telecom awards deal to European Dynamics
  • [28] Hellenic Stock Markets shows Dr 2.4 bln profit in first quarter
  • [29] Hellenic Petroleum shows profit decline in first quarter
  • [30] OECD report on Greece's public sector unveiled
  • [31] Europolis informational campaign at Zappion
  • [32] European Commission adopts directive regulating stock exchanges
  • [33] Greek stocks continue moving lower, market disappointed
  • [34] Equity futures end lower
  • [35] Bond prices drop in light trade
  • [36] Amnesty International publicizes annual report
  • [37] PM says computer, informatics training paramount to upgrading education system
  • [38] European support extra measures to aid the handicapped
  • [39] Bulgarian national killed during fire on Thessaloniki farm
  • [40] Missing group of 17 tourists turn up safe and well after getting lost
  • [41] Suspected migrant smuggling vessel shadowed by coast guard
  • [42] Smugglers arrested on charges of transporting undocumented immigrants
  • [43] Attica traffic police announce measures for Pentecost long weekend
  • [44] Government responds to Turkey's NSC decisions on Cyprus
  • [45] US reiterates support for UN efforts
  • [46] President Clerides to attend Gothenburg EU Summit

  • [01] Government denies crisis over 'Piri Reis' survey in Aegean

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The Greek government said on Wednesday that there had been no confirmation of press reports that the Turkish ship "Piri Reis" - formerly used for oil exploration at sea - would be carrying out irregular seismological research in the Aegean.

    The story had appeared in the Athens daily 'KATHMERINI,' which claimed that a crisis was developing in Greek-Turkish relations after Ankara informed Athens that the Turkish oceanographic vessel "Piri Reis" would be carrying out research in the Aegean on June 4. The article also said that the Piri Reis' exploration would coincide with a Turkish air and sea maneuver in international waters in the Aegean, and that the government was trying to settle the issue through diplomatic consultations between Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the Turkish side had clarified that the ship, which belongs to Izmir University's Oceanographic Institute, would be carrying out research on the surface of the sea only and not on the sea bed - in accordance with international maritime law, which allows studies of the sea bed in a country's territorial waters but not in international waters.

    According to Reppas, the issue had created an opportunity for talks with Ankara, which said that the "Piri Reis" research program in no way compromised Greek territorial rights in the Aegean, nor did it affect the way that the continental shelf between Greece and Turkey might be delineated.

    The spokesman added, however, that Greece was not afraid of a "hot incident" with Turkey and must remain alert to defend the interests of the country.

    According to an ANA report from Istanbul, meanwhile, Turkish authorities have dismissed the Greek press reports as "absolutely inaccurate" and claim that the "Piri Reis" is not equipped to search for oil.

    They stressed that the ship had been carrying out research on the surface of the sea related to marine pollution and fishing.

    According to the Turkish side, the vessels research program had been discussed by the diplomatic services of the two countries during the customary general briefing process and not through an official announcement of the Turkish military to Greek authorities, as reports had claimed.

    [02] Government denies crisis over 'Piri Reis' survey in Aegean

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Well-informed sources, meanwhile, have said that Izmir University plans to call off the "Piri Reis" expedition after being apprised of its diplomatically delicate aspects.

    Academic circles in Istanbul told ANA that since the "Piri Reis" is not a military vessel but belonged to Izmir University, its movements were not decided by the Turkish military general staff. The vessel lacks the equipment required to carry out serious exploration for undersea oil deposits or serious seismic-related studies, according to professors at the Turkish foundation for scientific research.

    If the "Piri Reis" planned to carry out research outside Turkish territorial waters, the international scientific committee based in Paris would have been informed, and such is not the case, according to several of the foundation's professors, who are members of the international committee.

    Commenting on the issue from Budapest, where he is attending a NATO foreign ministers meeting, Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis denied that a crisis was developing in Greek-Turkish relations over the "Piri Reis".

    Beglitis said that information had recently reached the foreign ministry that the research vessel "Koca Piri Reis" would carry out studies in the wider sea region of the eastern Mediterranean.

    He said that the "issue was clarified" following contact between Greek and Turkish ministry officials, adding that "after this positive outcome, the references to a developing crisis in Greek-Turkish relations are totally inaccurate".

    According to Beglitis, Athens had asked Ankara for information on the "Piri Reis" research program after receiving a signal from the Greek Navy, which was tracking the ship's movements.

    The Turkish foreign ministry initially denied all knowledge and later reported that the ship was carrying out sea and under-sea research on behalf of Izmir University in collaboration with Canadian universities.

    Beglitis said Athens expressed intense concern over the scientific nature of the research in the particular region (south of Rhodes and Kastellorizo and just outside Cyprus waters), which was conveyed by Papandreou to his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem during a meeting on Tuesday.

    Cem apparently gave assurances that the research in question would not be carried out at those specific coordinates between June 4 and 28.

    According to Beglitis, Greece considers that the meeting confirmed the good climate in bilateral relations with Turkey since the further escalation of tension was avoided.

    He also clarified that Greece is not opposed to seismological research in the Aegean in principle and had signed a special memorandum with Turkey last year for cooperation in dealing with natural disasters.

    Speaking in Turkey, meanwhile, Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hussein Dirioz said that Greek and Turkish authorities were working together so that the Izmir University Oceanographic Institute could carry out its scientific research.

    "The situation has been clarified during contacts between Greece and Turkey," he said, adding that the vessel's research mission was being organized for September 9.

    [03] DM says scientific research should abide by international law

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, referring to a report in the Athens daily "Kathimerini" that the Turkish oceanographic vessel "Piri Reis" will be entering the southeastern Aegean soon, warned on Wednesday that scientific research has to be conducted in accordance with international law to avoid complications and misunderstandings.

    Tsohatzopoulos said the Turkish side notified that it is a question of marine scientific observations of a superficial nature. He clarified that cooperation on earthquakes and seismic observations is one thing and seismographic research concerning the seabed and having a different aim is another. He further said the agreement exists for earthquakes and not the subsoil.

    Tsohatzopoulos reiterated that research in the area of the continental shelf, and indeed of a seismic nature, cannot possibly be conducted. He revealed that the region announced lies in principle in Turkey's territorial waters and in international space. Replying to a questioner on whether or not the "Piri Reis" will emerge, Tsohatzopoulos said "this does not concern us. We have the responsibility and obligation to watch what is happening because acts which would possibly not be in accordance with international law or would not be part of existing practice for scientific research in the region should be avoided because they will cause a reaction."

    [04] New Democracy reaction

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The issue was also commented on in Athens by main opposition New Democracy, which took a fairly low-key tone.

    Responding to questions, ND leader Costas Karamanlis said his party had long since pointed out that a policy of one-sided concessions and appeasement leads nowhere and that his party would ask to be officially briefed on the issue.

    Foreign affairs section-head Dora Bakoyianni said she would ask to be briefed on the issue by the defense and foreign ministers, while noting that Turkey followed a policy of exacerbating tensions in order to create obstacles to Cyprus' EU accession.

    [05] Greek foreign minister comments on "Piri Reis" press reports

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The establishment of communication channels between Greece and Turkey averted the possibility of rising tensions, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said on Wednesday, in a press release commenting on reports of a Turkish research vessel's activities in the Aegean.

    Press reports indicated that the Turkish ship "Piri Reis" - formerly used for oil exploration at sea - would be carrying out irregular seismological research in the Aegean.

    Turkish authorities, however, have dismissed the Greek press reports as "absolutely inaccurate" and claim that the "Piri Reis" is not equipped to search for oil.

    Commenting on the issue, Papandreou said "I believe that this latest incident provides us with a useful experience and we can extract an important conclusion, that the two countries, Greece and Turkey, may have important issues to resolve - such as the Cyprus problem - meanwhile, however, through dialogue, through systematic contact, the establishment of channels of cooperation and information exchange we can clarify issues immediately and avert - where necessary- tension, escalation and conflict".

    "This is exactly what happened, we received an immediate clarification for this incident, so as something that in the past could have created escalation and tension ... now is - I believe - proof of a serious effort by both sides to avoid tension. I hope that we will continue in this manner," he added.

    "I would like to stress that we do all this while securing our national interests, our territorial integrity, the sovereign rights of our country. All the while, we do this with special coolness and I believe that this is also an important conclusion - coolness and sobriety along with decisiveness is the best way to confront any incident," Papandreou said.

    "For these reasons I believe that to become hostages of our own panic or insecurity would be a mistake. I believe that the well documented, decisive and prudent, as well as sober confrontation (of the issue) always yields the best fruit," he concluded.

    [06] PM to maintain policy of economic and social stability

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Wednesday that he would keep intact the government's policy of ensuring economic and social stability, channeling the benefits of growth throughout society.

    "We want the results of growth to be diffused through all the layers of society," Simitis told the annual general assembly of the Association of Greek Industries.

    "The social state is the cornerstone of our policy. Our vision is that of a Greece with greater social equity, with no social exclusion or discrimination," the prime minister said.

    The government aims to boost employment, continuously upgrade the quality of health and education services, and, overall, improve services for the public, including a network of assistance for the elderly and needy, he told industrialists at the meeting.

    "For us, there is no contradiction between growth and social justice. The tripartite goal of competitiveness, employment and social protection at which we are aiming not only contains the component of social equity, but is also financially effective," Simitis said.

    Social justice also increased productive synergies in the economy, in turn leading to higher rates of growth. Conversely, the retention and diffusion of inequality in the economy and in society served to undermine the foundations of the growth process, he added.

    In addition, Greece's euro-zone entry on January 1, 2001 had placed Greece on the same track as some of the most powerful economies in the world, but work was still needed to ensure economic and social alignment, accompanied by prosperity, security and justice.

    The stabilization of the economy that Greece had achieved meant that the economy's downward trend had been reversed, creating a base for future growth, Simitis said.

    According to the World Economic Forum, Greece had risen to 36th place from 48th place in the last three years. In addition, the Institute of Management Development has ranked Greece 30th from 40th a few years ago, overtaking other European Union countries including Italy and Portugal, he added.

    [07] Papantoniou urges steady economic progress

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said on Wednesday that Greece needed to carry out steady fiscal revitalization and structural reforms combined with moves to attain social cohesion.

    "As we won the convergence bet, bucking forecasts to the contrary, we will also win the growth bet," Papantoniou told the annual general assembly of the Association of Greek Industries.

    Despite adverse international developments, the Greek economy continued to show dynamism in investments and growth, coupled with stability.

    In 2001, Greece would show growth of more than 4.5 percent although the global economy was caught in a slowdown. The country was also the only member of the European Union this year to post an acceleration in growth, the minister said.

    In addition, 2001 was the sixth consecutive year in which Greece's rate of growth was higher than the eurozone average, he added.

    Inflation was running at the lowest levels in 35 years, despite pressure from oil prices. At the end of the year, it was forecast to be lower than that of a number of other European countries, nearing the eurozone average, Papantoniou said.

    Finally, the budget showed a surplus for the first time in 35 years while the remaining eurozone countries, on average, were showing a deficit. The rate of increase of investments was nearly 12 percent, due to the EU's Third Community Framework package of funds, and mainly to private investment, Papantoniou said.

    [08] ND leader says Greece unprepared for euro

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday said the Greek economy was not prepared for the euro currency and urged for measures to boost competitiveness, to promote a fundamental tax reform and to seek deep structural changes.

    Addressing an annual meeting of the Greek Industries' Union (SEB), Karamanlis said he opposed the imposition of new taxes and stressed that his party would win the government "tomorrow".

    "A permanent solution to the social security problem lies in speeding up growth, higher employment, higher number of insured people, combating "black" labor market and implementing a strong policy to deal with the country's demographic problem," Karamanlis said.

    He urged for a full implementation of a social security reform, agreed in 1990-92, an operational and management restructuring of agencies, a gradual integration of relative pension funds, a more efficient use of assets, a restructuring of the country's healthcare system, combating contribution-evasion and the use of new technology in social security funds. Karamanlis said the state should ensure the public nature of social security, a tripartite funding and respecting worker's pension age.

    He urged for a re-establishment of the country's civil service, through combating corruption and bureaucracy, promoting transparency and strengthening local authorities' powers.

    ND party's main priorities were education, research and technology, breaking-up monopolies in higher education and linking education with the country's labor market.

    Karamanlis noted that the Greek economy needed immediately a positive transformation shock therapy with the use of a generous tax reform, simplifying a system on reducing tax scales to strengthen competitiveness, production and growth rates. He said that a new-era challenge facing Greece was the concept "competition".

    "We need measures to cut production costs, implement structural reforms with a new privatization policy, ending state monopolies, opening of new markets to competition, ending state interventions and creating healthy competition conditions," Karamanlis stressed.

    He urged for a transparent and efficient use of EU funds, a serious preparation for the Olympic Games, a new hostile agriculture policy, integrated regional interventions and creating regional development organizations in the country.

    He attacked the government's fiscal policy saying that a few months before the introduction of the euro currency the budget's main forecasts have been disputed.

    Karamanlis said the government faced a fiscal dead-end, a stagnant Stock Exchange and a widespread black economy, a development he attributed to a complex tax system and to public services' corruption.

    "New Democracy wants not only the success of the business community but also the social acknowledgement of its work," Karamanlis said.

    [09] Industry union says government lacks bold initiatives

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) board President Odysseus Kyriakopoulos called Greece's accession to the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) a historic milestone for the country.

    Kyriakopoulos, speaking at SEB's open annual assembly meeting attended by President Kostis Stephanopoulos on Wednesday, also said that the EMU creates favorable conditions providing the country with the possibility to make many necessary structural changes, which it could not do in the past.

    "However, with growth rates only exceeding the average growth rate of European Union countries by 2 percent, and if we manage to maintain all these rates after the Olympic Games and the 3rd Community Support Framework, real convergence will be accomplished in 20 years," he said.

    Kyriakopoulos said that, despite announcements and efforts to modernize public administration, it does not yet appear adequate to achieve the transition to the market economy with the effectiveness necessitated by the Greek economy's entry to the global economy.

    He further said that delays in the privatization of Olympic Airways and the Skaramangas Shipyards alone have continued to burden the state budget with at least 100 billion drachmas over the past 12 months.

    On his part, SEB President Lefteris Antonakopoulos said the tax system should be reformed and the burden of businesses and working people should be decreased, parallel to the enlargement of the tax base.

    He added that the state and public administration should be reorganized to have obstacles which aggravate the development of enterprise, burden competitiveness and primarily prevent foreign investments lifted.

    Antonakopoulos said the government made considerable positive settlements. However, there were interventions which SEB considers to be negative. There was a lack of clear and bold initiatives.

    The result of these omissions was a worsening of the climate in past months which contrasts with the course of the economy which remains healthy.

    Antonakopoulos went on to say that if the climate is not reversed in time, there is a great possibility of it starting to have a negative effect on the real economy as well with serious repercussions for long-term growth prospects.

    He added that what is necessary is the implementation of an economic policy which will convince that the Greek economy is entering the path of real convergence.

    [10] 'Long road' of talks between Gov't, unions timidly begins over social security reform

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    No signs of a burgeoning "social dialogue" were apparent on Wednesday, following the first of several highly anticipated meetings between the labor ministry and the top labor union grouping -- and only days after the prime minister and the ruling PASOK party offered guarantees prior to any talks over social security reform.

    The government was represented by Labor Minister Tassos Yiannitsis, who met with a General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) delegation that was headed by its president Christos Polyzogopoulos.

    The labor leader told reporters that GSEE presented its demands regarding social security reform, while stressing that "the conditions for the start of a structured social dialogue, even after the last government clarifications, aren't ripe."

    On his part, the labor minister referred to a "long road" of negotiations. He also emphasized that the government has not set a deadline for talks with the unions.

    "The government guarantees additional resources, the levels of the lowest pensions, the social nature of the system and that farmers, as well as other groups, won't be affected," Yiannitsis said.

    The minister added that a joint experts' group would outline differences by each side as well as the social security system's economic parameters.

    "When this procedure is completed there will be another round of meetings, where we can attempt to confer on another level," he added.

    Meanwhile, the GSEE president added that there was no agreement on the issue of establishing a joint committee of experts to delineate the extent of the social security system's long-term solvency problems, as the "ministry is responsible for overseeing the system."

    However, he added that GSEE's experts are at the ministry's disposal for offer any clarification over a study commissioned by the labor unions as well as their relevant positions on social security reform.

    Wide-spread and heated opposition by trade unions, the opposition parties and even many PASOK deputies last month led to the quick "freezing" of a set of controversial labor ministry's measures to reform the country's bloated social security and pensions sector.

    [11] Gov't, PASOK commitments

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Ruling PASOK party's Executive Bureau met on Monday to discuss the controversial social security reform issue during a session chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    The final decisions taken during that meeting, mostly outlined by Simitis that evening, were officially presented in a report a day later by PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis.

    Among others, guarantees were offered for minimum pension levels for all wage-earners, while the report constitutes the framework for dialogue, set to take place at a PASOK central committee meeting on Friday and Saturday.

    According to the Executive Bureau report, the system's public and social character and its "tripartite funding" will be safeguarded, while the state should secure necessary additional funds to fund the system.

    Moreover, funds to be used to finance the social security system will be derived from a crackdown on the "black economy" and "undocumented labor", social security contributions from migrants and a decrease in unemployment.

    Asked whether the finance ministry agrees with these positions, Skandalidis said PM Simitis attended Monday's Executive Bureau meeting as both PASOK leader and prime minister. It is evident, he added, "that positions resulting from discussions held in party and government bodies are government positions."

    Papazoi discusses bilateral trade, investment relations in Uzbekistan

    TASHKENT 31/05/2001 (ANA - D. Constantakopoulos)

    Greece's deputy foreign minister Elisavet Papazoi wound up a two-day visit to Uzbekistan with a meeting Wednesday with prime minister Utkir Sultanov.

    During her visit, which took her to Tashkent and Buhara, Papazoi discussed prospects for the development of bilateral trade, economic and investment relations, while the Uzbek side expressed strong interest in more efficient advancement of its relations with the European Union.

    Papazoi affirmed Greece's desire to support Uzbekistan's cooperation with the European Union, which commenced with the signing of a Partnership Relation protocol in June 1999. She also stressed the crucial role played by Uzbekistan for stability and peace in central Asia.

    The Greek official further expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan's position on the Cyprus issue, noting that any further improvement in Greek-Turkish and

    The two sides also agreed to advance, in the framework of the EU, joint initiatives to combat organized crime, drug trafficking, smuggling, and the destabilizing activity of extremist elements.

    Uzbekishtan also expressed strong interest in the development of bilateral cultural and tourist cooperation.

    [12] Greek Defense minister meets US envoy in Athens

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos met with US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns on Wednesday.

    The meeting was scheduled to prepare for next week's meeting of defense ministers from Southeast European Multinational Brigade member-states in Thessaloniki, on the sidelines of which there will be a meeting between the Tsohatzopoulos and his US counterpart.

    According to sources, Tsohatzopoulos and the US envoy discussed bilateral issues and relations between Greece and Turkey, including recent press reports on the Turkish oceanographic vessel "Piri Reis" and its research expedition in the southeast Aegean.

    The issue was resolved after the Greek foreign ministry asked for clarifications from Turkey on the nature of the research.

    FM supports Bulgaria's accession to Euro-Atlantic institutions

    SOFIA 31/05/2001 (ANA - B. Borisov)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou said on Wednesday support for Bulgaria's accession course to Euro-Atlantic institutions is a steadfast policy of Greece.

    Papandreou was speaking to Bulgarian State Television (BNT) on the sidelines of the NATO and candidate countries' foreign ministers' summit in Budapest, Hungary.

    Papandreou said that in talks with his U.S. counterpart Colin Powell and other American officials, during his recent visit to the United States, he had the opportunity of reiterating Greece's active support for accelerating the accession to the alliance of Bulgaria and other candidate Balkan countries.

    [13] Greece calls for condemnation of extremist Albanian claims against Greece

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Panagiotis Beglitis on Wednesday evening called on the international community to condemn extremist Albanian claims against Greece made earlier in the day by a self-styled representative of Albanians.

    According to press reports, earlier in the day a self-styled representative introduced an Albanian terrorist organization he called "Tsamouria Liberation Army", announcing its establishment and activation in northwestern Greece.

    The man who identified himself as "Mehmeti", while speaking on a radio broadcast aired in Australia said that he was representing the so-called "Liberation Army" active in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

    Beglitis stressed that "the sick imagination of certain terrorist elements, who attempt to present non-existent issues, seems to have no bounds. Reaction against them by the international community should be equally without bounds".

    "The forces of UCK with their terrorist activities in FYROM and Kosovo, continue to be a destabilizing factor in the Balkans. For this reason they should be condemned and isolated by all countries," Beglitis concluded.

    The Tsami Albanians allied with the fascist Italian and German forces during World War II. Following the liberation of Greece from the Axis forces in 1944 this small group of Albanians were drawn out of the country

    [14] Laliotis parries ND accusations of poor performance on public works

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Tempers flared during a meeting of Parliament's Economic Affairs Committee on Wednesday when a main opposition New Democracy MP accused the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works ministry of having "dismal, below average results" in its public works program, and talked about "delays, exceeding budgets and bad quality construction."

    Environment Minister Costas Laliotis responded by blaming delays and other problems on bad initial planning when New Democracy was in power in 1990-1993 or to Council of State rulings and local opposition that blocked necessary works.

    Specifically, he said that delays in completing the Egnatia Highway - which his ministry had initially hoped to complete within 2000 - were due to constant cases being brought before the CoS by ecological groups, while he also blamed poor preparatory work by New Democracy which prevented the project getting off to a good start in 1994.

    He similarly blamed ND for delays in building the Rio-Antirrio bridge, saying it had not carried out any environmental impact studies, and said the project would be completed by 2004.

    He also blamed ND's last government for a series of faults in other public works projects around Greece, and the Athens municipality and CoS for the lack of parking lots serving the Athens Metro.

    Delays in a Tripoli-Kalamata highway, finally, were blamed by the minister on landslides.

    ND parliamentary deputy Vassilis Korkolopoulos had slammed the minister for delays in building a Patras-Thessaloniki highway, overspending by the Land Registry project, failure to provide parking space in Athens and the slow progress of the Thessaloniki Metro.

    [15] Interior minister chairs open meeting on foreigners' Documentation process

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The smooth implementation of a new law that provides legal status for undocumented immigrants was the focus of a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou.

    Representatives of foreigners who reside in Greece, consular authorities of several countries, non-governmental organizations and representatives of Greece's municipal authorities participated in the meeting that took place in a downtown Athens hotel. Papandreou stressed that the government's motive was to provide undocumented foreign workers in Greece with the necessary legal status, equal rights and obligations with Greek citizens and to reconstitute the balance between foreign and Greek workers, so as to avoid phenomena of racism and xenophobia in the future.

    She clarified that none of the foreigners now residing in Greece would be deported before the first phase of the law's implementation is complete, which practically means that no one would be deported before if they have acquired the temporary permit, with which they could also travel abroad and legally return to Greece.

    Papandreou also said that those who do not apply or are not granted the temporary permit would indeed by deported, once the first phase has been concluded. Interior Ministry Secretary General P. Vassiliou called on participants in the meeting to convince their fellow countrymen to apply for legal status in accordance with the law. According to data announced during the meeting there are foreigners in Greece from 120 countries, but their majority stems from neighboring countries. Vassiliou defended the 50,000-drachma application fee to be paid to municipal authorities, as they have undertaken to process the papers of all foreign nationals in Greece, adding that municipalities around the country have set up 1,133 offices to accept applications for legal immigration around the country.

    Relation between Greek expatriates and Greek Parliament examined

    MONTREAL, 31/05/2001 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

    Absentee ballots for Greek expatriates may become a reality as there are no Constitutional problems, but the necessary formula for the representation of Greeks abroad has not yet been worked out, Greek Parliament deputy Panagiotis Geranidis said during a press conference on the sidelines of the Greek-Canadian Congress, here. Geranidis, chairman of the Greek Parliament's committee on expatriate affairs, said that there were delays in the process of the dialogue between Hellenism's metropolitan centre - Greece - and expatriates around the world. He added that the recent Constitutional amendments aim at utilizing the Greek expatriate communities "so as Hellenism may gain its historical course and speed".

    [16] Communist leader urges resistance to new world order

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Ccommunist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga said on Wednesday Greek foreign policy should contain the spirit of real resistance to whatever refers to the new world order and imperialist aggression.

    Papariga was outlining her party's positions on foreign policy at an event organized by the Panteios University's International Relations Institute.

    She said Greek foreign policy at present actively supports the policy of the so-called new world order, which KKE considers to be an imperialist policy.

    Papariga further said that Greece does not play a decisive leading role in international relations, but assists decisively in whatever negative is currently occurring in the region from the Balkans to the Euphrates.

    Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, Papariga said the fact that rapprochement with Turkey is unwieldy, at a time when the basic nucleus of the problem is not being touched, is evident by certain events such as concern over the Turkish oceanographic vessel Piri Reis, the interception of Greek aircraft participating in NATO exercises and the publication of documents on an incident in Cyprus and the Aegean in light of the island republic's European Union accession.

    [17] Constantopoulos meets Swedish envoy over Turkish prisons issue

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos met with Sweden's Ambassador to Athens Bjorn Elmer on Wednesday to discuss the issue of human rights violations in Turkish prisons.

    Sweden currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

    In statements afterward, Constantopoulos said that Europe was not just about markets and a common currency but the historic conquests of democracy and civilization, rights, freedoms and the protection of minorities and citizens.

    In its course toward Europe, Constantopoulos added, Turkey ought to realize that there were no margins for such flagrant, brutal provocations in issues of culture, democracy and freedom.

    Simeon-led coalition in Bulgaria comments on relations with Athens

    SOFIA, 31/05/2001 (ANA - B. Borisov)

    A coalition led by Bulgaria's former king Simeon II, an apparent frontrunner for next month's general election, unveiled several foreign policy statements on Wednesday, including references to the situation in the Balkans and ties with Greece. In terms of relations with other Balkan states, the head of the Simeon-led coalition said:

    "It's difficult to say that 'this Balkan country is closer to us in comparison with another', but if we take into consideration our basic priorities in foreign policy, it's natural that Greece and Turkey are the object of our maximum attention.

    "... Because it's well known that Turkey is a significant factor in NATO, and furthermore, it has enacted a law committing the Turkish government to support Bulgaria and Romania's NATO accession.

    "Greece, on the other hand, is judged as a very significant ally within the North Atlantic alliance and, concurrently, it is also the only European Union member-state in our region," the coalition's election chairman, Sax Koburgota, said.

    The twin goals of Bulgaria's accession into the European Union and NATO were repeatedly touted as driving force for the country's future course.

    Simeon, the first former monarch in post-communist eastern Europe to enter politics in his homeland, is not personally running in the June 17 election. Instead, his list of candidates includes TV stars, bankers and lawyers, but no mainstream politicians.

    He was exiled from Bulgaria as a child after a rigged referendum abolished the monarchy in 1946, launching his "National Movement for Simeon II" in April and leading opinion polls ahead of the ruling Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) and the opposition Socialists.

    [18] Extension of bidding deadline in OA sale tender

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The government has extended the deadline for bids in the privatization of national carrier Olympic Airways, tender consultant Credit Suisse First Boston said on Wednesday. The new deadline is June 18 for the four bidders - Axon Airlines SA, Golden Aviation Services (the Restis shipping group), Integrated Airline Solutions and Cyprus Airways, Credit Suisse said in a statement. Integrated Airline Solutions, which had pulled out of the tender as it could not meet the original deadline, is now back in the tender due to the extension. Credit Suisse said that the bids should meet the following criteria set by the government:

  • Olympic Airways should operate mainly as an airline after its privatization; retain its logo for a specified period of time; and use the Eleftherios Venizelos airport as the main base for its aircraft

  • The privatized firm should have the financial strength and administrative capacity to post growth as a financially viable company with long-term prospects

  • Risks and commitments for the state and for companies that remain part of the Olympic Airways Group should be minimized after restructuring

  • The transaction should ensure the greatest possible financial benefit for the state When bids are submitted, the government will begin talks with the interim winner of the tender, Credit Suisse First Boston said. Cheques in drachmas invalid after 31/12/2001. The Union of Greek Banks (EET) announced on Wednesday that, according to European Union and Greek law, Cheques in drachmas issued after December 31, 2001 will not be valid and people should obtain Cheques books in euros. As of January 1, 2002, legal acts, including contracts and securities (such as Cheques) should be converted into euros, it was added. As of January 1, 2002, coins and banknotes in euros will be in circulation. From this date and until February 28, 2002, coins and banknotes in drachmas will also be in circulation at the same time, but will be withdrawn when the two-month period expires.

    [19] European Commission adopts draft directive to ban tobacco advertising

    BRUSSELS, 31/052001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

    The European Commission on Wednesday adopted a draft directive banning advertising of tobacco products in European Union member-states.

    This new directive's legal basis stands on the protection of public health and not on "operation of the EU internal market" as was the case with a previous one that was adopted in 1998 and was nullified last October.

    Tobacco products' advertising has been banned in Greece in both television and radio, but it is still legal in cinemas, newspapers, magazines and other printed materials on condition that a warning is printed on the face of the advertisement to warn consumers of tobacco's health hazards.

    [20] OTE shows rise in profit, revenue in first quarter

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), a heavily traded stock on the Athens Stock Exchange, said on Wednesday that its pre-tax profits rose by 25 percent to 82 billion drachmas in the first quarter, in comparison with the same period of last year.

    Revenue in the first quarter totaled 322 billion drachmas, up 15.1 percent on same-period 2000, OTE said in a statement.

    Growth of the company's mobile phone subsidiary, Cosmote, maintained a brisk pace with a 164.6 percent rise in profits; 64.4 percent increase in turnover; 87.3 percent rise in its customer base; and 22.3 percent increase in new services (ISDN, Data, Internet etc) the statement said.

    OTE's president and managing director, Nikos Manasis, said first-quarter results demonstrated that management's policy was correct of pursuing business in the mobile phone market and developing new services.

    [21] Datamedia reports 27 percent increase in first quarter

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Datamedia on Wednesday reported a 27 percent increase in its 1st quarter sales to 1.3 billion drachmas, compared with the same period last year. Operating earnings before interest, tax and amortization (EBITDA) totaled 60 million drachmas, up 567 percent from the same period in 2000.

    Financial profits showed a loss of 62 million drachmas in the January-March period, reflecting bad conditions in the stock market in the recent months. Operating pre-tax results showed a 65 million drachmas loss from a loss of 275 million drachmas the same period in 2000.

    Group sales totaled 2.4 billion drachmas in the first quarter, from 1.7 billion last year, an increase of 41 percent. Consolidated EBITDA was a loss of 33 million drachmas from a loss of 28 million last year.

    [22] State trade fair organizer destined for Athens bourse

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Helexpo SA, a state-owned trade fair organizer, is to seek listing on the Athens Stock Exchange in the wake of two failed attempts to sell a 30 percent stake in the company and its management to a strategic investor.

    The national economy ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that it would pursue a roughly 25 percent float for Helexpo on the Athens bourse in the near future.

    In the meantime, the company would continue its trade fair activities in Athens, the statement added.

    [23] Agricultural Bank of Greece shows Q1 profit rise

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    State-owned Agricultural Bank of Greece on Wednesday announced that its first-quarter net pre-tax profits rose to 16.5 billion drachmas from 11.6 billion drachmas in the same period a year ago, up 42.24 percent.

    The Agricultural group's consolidated pre-tax earnings after minorities were 10.4 billion drachmas, roughly the same as in 2000, the bank said in a statement.

    Organic profits rose to 24.8 billion drachmas in the first quarter from 18.0 billion drachmas a year earlier as a result of an increase in net revenue from interest (41.67 percent) and commissions (24.7 percent), the statement said.

    [24] Probe on whether company's sale harms investors

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    An Athens prosecutor on Wednesday ordered a preliminary enquiry into the sale of the "Interamerican" company in the wake of press reports on the company's forthcoming course at the Athens Stock Exchange.

    The purpose of the enquiry is to ascertain whether the insurance company's buyout harms the investing public.

    Eureko BV, on Tuesday acquired 54.38 pct stake in Interamerican Life.

    In a related development, Athens Stock Exchange President Panayiotis Alexakis said on Wednesday "Interamerican's agreement with Eureko is a particularly positive event for the stock exchange market."

    ASE's board is expecting, in the next few days, an official briefing by Interamerican on the agreement, in order to decide on a solution to certain technical problems which might arise, primarily from Eureko's obligation to go ahead with a public bid to obtain 20.62 percent of Interamerican's shares which are in the investing public's possession.

    [25] Petrol prices slashed, diesel up

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Suggested weekly retail petrol prices were cut on Wednesday for the second straight week following a little more than two months of record-setting increases. Conversely, diesel prices continued to rise.

    Specifically, super gasoline was cut by 4.3 drachmas per liter, 4.4 for unleaded. Diesel prices, however, again rose - this time by two drachmas per liter, whereas out-of-season heating oil rose by 2.7 drachmas per liter.

    In the greater Athens area and Thessaloniki prefecture, indicative prices for super were set at 276.8 drachmas (?0.81) per liter; 263.6 drachmas (?0.77) for unleaded; 214.9 (?0.63) for diesel and 205.5 drachmas per liter for heating oil (?0.60).

    The government announces indicative prices every Wednesday, effective for one week, although deviations in actual market prices sometimes vary from five to 15 drachmas per liter. (The fixed exchange rate for drachmas/euros is 340.750 drachmas per euro)

    [26] Greece to spend 681.1 billion drachmas on employment programs

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The Greek government will spend 681.1 billion drachmas to implement an "Employment and Vocational Training" program in the period 2000-2006, Labor and Social Security Minister Tassos Yiannitsis said on Wednesday.

    Addressing a conference on employment, Yiannitsis said that EU funds would cover 480 billion drachmas of the program's budget and that more than 500,000 unemployed people were expected to benefit in the next five years. The program aims to create new job positions in social infrastructure, training unemployed, to support existing jobs in the primary sector and combating digital illiteracy.

    [27] Cyprus telecom awards deal to European Dynamics

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The Cyprus Telecommunications Authority has awarded a contract to European Dynamics to upgrade and expand its digital network for 4.6 million euros (1.5 billion drachmas), the Greek firm said in a statement on Wednesday.

    European Dynamics is to undertake the design, implementation and technical support for the network, which will offer asynchronous transfer mode and frame relay services, the statement said.

    [28] Hellenic Stock Markets shows Dr 2.4 bln profit in first quarter

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Hellenic Stock Markets SA, an Athens-quoted bourse holding company, on Wednesday reported consolidated net pre-tax earnings after minorities of 2.4 billion drachmas in the first quarter of the year.

    Consolidated turnover in the first quarter was 6.5 billion drachmas. Pre-tax profit including minorities totaled 2.8 billion drachmas, and gross earnings 4.1 billion drachmas, Hellenic Stock Exchanges said in a statement.

    Liquidity in the group was high at 104 billion drachmas, representing 55 percent of current capitalization and 79 percent of consolidated assets, the statement said.

    [29] Hellenic Petroleum shows profit decline in first quarter

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Hellenic Petroleum, an Athens-quoted energy company, on Wednesday reported pre-tax profits of 4.8 billion drachmas in the first quarter of the year from 16.2 billion drachmas in the same period of 2000, down by 70 percent. The drop was due to decline in world refinery margins and lower sales, especially heating oil, in the domestic market. The same factors also had a negative impact on the group's commercial subsidiaries, Hellenic Petroleum said in a statement. "An improvement from April in the above factors is expected to keep the company's profitability, and that of the group, at satisfactory levels in 2001 also. The objective is to achieve returns in line with those of 2000," the statement said. The Hellenic Petroleum Group's consolidated pre-tax profits fell to 5.0 billion drachmas from 17.0 billion drachmas in the first quarter of 2000, marking a 70.5 percent decline, it added. State-owned Hellenic Petroleum is a heavily traded stock quoted on the Athens Stock Exchange.

    [30] OECD report on Greece's public sector unveiled

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The government on Wednesday unveiled an OECD report dealing with the Greek economy and the country's crucial but often bloated public sector, with a reduction of bureaucracy, better efficiency and simplification of procedures highlighted as the positives aspects of the report. The report was presented by Interior and Public Administration Minister Vasso Papandreou and OECD Deputy Secretary-General Sally Shelton-Colby during a joint press conference in Athens.

    On her part, Papandreou said the OECD has measured progress over the past few years in Greece's public administration, while emphasizing that public sector reforms and better coordination of public services must be accelerated. Among others, she said the idea of instituting "quality checks and monitoring" in the state's wide-ranging regulatory responsibilities - besides simply certifying the constitutionality and legality of actions - along with gauging repercussions on the state budget will be included in a new framework governing the public sector.

    According to the OECD deputy secretary-general, the international organization's program that included Greece in its survey is voluntary, albeit crucial for the development of participating countries. Finally, she stressed that implementation of a well-designed public sector reform program is an "effective tool" in any government's attempts to improve its citizens' quality of life.

    [31] Europolis informational campaign at Zappion

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Athenians will be able to familiarize themselves with use of the euro at the "Europolis" set up at the Zappion Hall in downtown Athens and take part in a contest to win a free trip to Brussels.

    At the initiative of the national economy ministry as part of its informational campaign on the euro, which will formally start circulating in Greece at the beginning of next year, gradually phasing out the Greek drachma by March 1, 2002, a "Europolis" has been set up where visitors can make virtual purchases of products in the euro currency.

    They can also sign up for a draw in which a free trip to Brussels will be given away.

    [32] European Commission adopts directive regulating stock exchanges

    BRUSSELS, 31/05/2001 (ANA - V. Demiris)

    The European Commission on Wednesday adopted a draft directive as part of wider measures to regulate information use, related to stock exchange transactions throughout Europe. This directive is part of measures aimed at establishing a unified European capitals market by 2003 and to build investor confidence in stock exchanges throughout the Union. The directive mandates the establishment, in every EU member-state, of a regulatory authority, which will establish regulations in the event of distortion of capital markets. These authorities will be obliged to cooperate with each other on a Union level, in light of the increased cross border stock exchange transactions.

    [33] Greek stocks continue moving lower, market disappointed

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Equity prices continued moving lower for the third consecutive session on the Athens Stock Exchange on Wednesday contradicting even the most pessimistic investors. Traders said losses in blue chip stocks, like National Bank (-2.40%) and Alpha Bank (-2.34%) pushed the market to the 3,100 support level. They attributed the decline to liquidation by foreign emerging markets' institutional funds.

    The market largely ignored the news of Interamerican's takeover by Eureko BV, although the Greek insurance company's share price hit the day's limit up with outstanding buy orders exceeding one million shares by the close. Vovos, a Greek construction firm, saw its share price ease slightly on its debut in the market. The general index ended 0.95 percent lower at 3,102.71 points, off the day's lows of 3,098.47 points, with turnover an improved 276.74 million euros, or 94.3 billion drachmas. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.22 percent lower at 1,819.89 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index eased 0.33 percent to 345.17 points.

    [34] Equity futures end lower

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Wednesday. The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.22 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.33 percent lower. Traded were 6,556 contracts on turnover of 55.0 million euros.

    [35] Bond prices drop in light trade

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished lower in light trade with players focusing on 10-year paper. The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.58 percent from 5.60 percent a day earlier. The yield spread over German bunds was 44 basis points, the same as in the session before. Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 653 million euros (222.5 billion drachmas) from 580 million euros (197.6 billion drachmas) a trading day earlier. Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

    [36] Amnesty International publicizes annual report

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The human rights watch group Amnesty International published its annual report for 2000 on Wednesday, reporting extra-judicial executions in 61 countries, the disappearance of citizens in 30 and torture and ill-treatment by security forces in 125.

    The "2001 Report" containing data collected during 2000, noted that there were prisoners detained for their ideas in 63 countries, arbitrary arrests were conducted in 72, 1,457 executions and 3,058 capital punishment convictions in 65, as well as serious human rights violations by armed opposition groups in many others.

    Amnesty International Greek Chapter President Costas Papaioannou and Secretary General Ava Bambili told a press conference "the human rights movement has developed in strength and number and consciousness of them is greater than ever."

    In a message on the annual report Amnesty International Secretary General Pierre Chanet says "new audiences will be housed in a multiform mass movement for human rights and we shall meet challenges together. The forces deployed against us might be tremendous, however indignation over injustice which led to the Amnesty International's establishment is continuing to inspire and mobilize millions of people who are determined to build a better world."

    Referring to Europe, the report says that torture and ill-treatment by the police continued to constitute the most widespread violation of human rights in 2000.

    Victims, primarily belonging to minorities, reported that in many cases violation of their rights was accompanied by racist expressions. Cases of racist ill-treatment by officials entrusted with law enforcement were reported in Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Slovakia, Albania, Belarus and Russia.

    [37] PM says computer, informatics training paramount to upgrading education system

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis met with the education ministry's leadership on Wednesday to focus on upgrading the country's education system amid an ever-changing "cyber-age" society and new technologically driven sectors.

    Simitis cited what he called "four initiatives" for better adapting Greek schools and students to the "information society".

    In attempting to close the gap between Greek schools and their EU counterparts in the informatics sector, he said the government has set a 2002 deadline for connecting all secondary schools with the Internet, while an ambitious computer training program for around 75,000 teachers nationwide will be enacted as well.

    Additionally, he said the hiring of more computer science teachers for secondary schools is envisioned.

    Improving computer skills of college graduates was another area the prime minister emphasized, saying the number of higher education slots for computer majors in both universities and technical vocation schools would continue to increase on a yearly basis, along with more funding for such programs. Finally, computer and new technology training will be expanded to graduates and professionals in other fields as well. Simitis stressed that during past centuries Greece "missed the train of industrial revolution ... We must, and we will participate in this information age revolution."

    Initial funding estimates call for around 120 billion drachmas from EU and national coffers between 2001 and 2006 for the programs. (One euro equals 340.750 drachmas)

    [38] European support extra measures to aid the handicapped

    BRUSSELS 31/05/2001(ANA - B. Demiris)

    The overwhelming majority of European Union citizens are in support of additional measures aiming to incorporate handicapped persons to society, according to a report published by Eurobarometer, a European Union agency collecting statistical data.

    The report was based on a poll conducted by Eurobarometer on a sample of 16,000 European Union citizens, concluding that 97 per cent of them were in support of more programs toward the social incorporation of the estimated 38 million handicapped Europeans.

    The poll was conducted following a decision of European leaders at the Nice summit, which was followed by the European Commission's decision to declare 2003 as European year for people with special needs.

    Greek European Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou said that the initiative aimed to sensitize the public on the rights of people with handicaps.

    [39] Bulgarian national killed during fire on Thessaloniki farm

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    The charred remains of a Bulgarian national whose identity remains unknown was found at dawn on Wednesday in a animal shed on a farm in Lagada.

    According to reports, the unlucky man was working on the farm in question as a shepherd.

    An inquiry into the causes of the fire is being carried out by the Thessaloniki Fire Department.

    [40] Missing group of 17 tourists turn up safe and well after getting lost

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Seventeen British and American tourists who had gone missing while hiking in northwestern Greece turned up safe and well at the Ioannina village of Distratos on Wednesday morning, from where they notified authorities to stop searching for them.

    The group said they had lost their way while trekking across the Mount Smolika with their Greek guide Ioannis Tsoumanis and had been forced to spend the night huddled outside in the open. Nighttime temperatures for the area were recorded at around 15 C. The 17 tourists and the guide had set off from the village of Palioseli, near the northwestern town of Konitsa, 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the Albanian border, early Tuesday. After the night passed they were able to make their way to the village of Distrato, high in the Pindos mountains and a few kilometers from Palioseli, while early on Wednesday morning they were able to contact authorities on their mobile telephones.

    [41] Suspected migrant smuggling vessel shadowed by coast guard

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Greek coast guard vessels are continuing at press time to shadow a Turkish trawler suspected of carrying more than 200 would-be migrants, after the vessel was first spotted at dawn Wednesday trying to approach Greek territory.

    The 30-metre trawler, identified as the "Nuri Reis", was detected off the island of Kythira in the southwest Aegean before the coast guard radioed its skipper to head for the port of Hania, on the island of Crete.

    A call from a mobile phone by an unknown woman pleading for help alerted authorities to the vessel's location, reports state.

    [42] Smugglers arrested on charges of transporting undocumented immigrants

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Police arrested three smugglers in two separate incidents on Wednesday on charges of transporting undocumented immigrants from Turkey to Greece.

    Turkish national Gair Hasan, 46, was arrested while entering the Evros River delta region, northeastern Greece, from Turkey in efforts to evade authorities and deliver 19 Iranians and Iraqis to an unidentified person who would transport them to Athens by truck.

    In a separate incident police arrested Iranian nationals Latif Nauzad, 30 and Ali Omar - both legal residents of Turkey - for smuggling 44 undocumented immigrants to Greece on Monday night. All three were arraigned.

    [43] Attica traffic police announce measures for Pentecost long weekend

    Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

    Attica traffic police announced a series of measures on Wednesday to ensure easier and safer flow of traffic over the coming long weekend, when the Pentecost holiday will be celebrated. Anticipating a large exodus, traffic police are giving over an extra lane on the Athens-Corinth highway to outgoing traffic that will extend to the Elefsina toll posts between Friday and Saturday afternoon.

    Between Sunday evening and Monday night, meanwhile, an extra lane will be given to traffic coming into Athens between the Elefsina toll posts and the Dafni junction.

    They also announced various traffic measures at crucial junctions, especially along the Athens-Lamia highway, and where roadworks are being carried out, while warning that the Stavros junction flyover in Agia Paraskevi will be made one-way depending on traffic load.

    An extra lane will be given to outgoing traffic on Vari-Koropi avenue between Kalymnos Road and the Vari church, and the reverse as holiday-makers return.

    [44] Government responds to Turkey's NSC decisions on Cyprus

    NICOSIA, 31/05/2001 (CNA/ANA)

    The Cyprus government considers Tuesday's Turkish National Security Council (NSC) decisions as an affirmation of the intransigent Turkish stance on the Cyprus problem and, as government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said on Wednesday, the decisions contradict resolutions issued by the UN and other international organizations.

    Papapetrou expressed the Cyprus government's strong reaction to the NSC approach and statements by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit about a "velvet divorce" in Cyprus, in the Czechoslovakia model, and said that the government would intensify its multi-faceted international activity in all directions, to make clear Turkish intentions regarding Cyprus. He said the NSC decisions were "a reaffirmation of Turkey's intransigence and unacceptable approach to the Cyprus problem", stressing that "it is in direct contradiction with all relevant decisions of the UN, the European Union and other international fora".

    Speaking after a Council of Ministers meeting, Papapetrou said Ecevit's statement indicates that Turkish intentions "are revealed more clearly day-by-day and in reality it is revealed that Turkey came to Cyprus as a conqueror, and as a conqueror wishes to tear away a part of Cyprus".

    "The government expresses its strong reaction to the approaches of Mr. Ecevit and the NSC decision", Papapetrou said, adding that these approaches will give another opportunity to intensify "multi-faceted international activity in all directions to dissolve the most recent illusions, which anyone can have regarding the real Turkish intentions in Cyprus".

    Replying to questions, Papapetrou said his reaction to Turkish statements was not an alteration of the government's positions, adding that "of course the Cyprus problem is one of invasion and occupation, but at the same time there are issues that must be settled between the two communities through talks". He reminded that UN resolutions right from the beginning defined the Cyprus problem as one of invasion and occupation, called for the withdrawal of foreign troops, and noted that talks between the two communities was the means to solve the Cyprus problem. Asked if the government believes that after Ankara's decision the Turkish Cypriot side has abandoned any intention to return to Cyprus peace talks, Papapetrou said that "as long as Cyprus' European Union accession course proceeds and as long as Cyprus will be closer to its accession, Turkish reactions will increase and Denktash's hysteria about accession will escalate". He added that "our course must remain stable and the policy that utilizes the Helsinki decision", which stated that Cyprus' accession to the EU will proceed irrespectively of a solution or not to the Cyprus problem, "makes it difficult for the Turkish side, and if it does not return to the negotiating table, and indications so far are that it will not, then the cost for Turkish diplomacy will increase".

    Asked if the leadership should go to Athens for talks, Papapetrou said the two governments were in contact on a daily basis. The Turkish NSC on Tuesday reiterated the unacceptable demand that a solution in Cyprus could be found only on the basis of the acknowledgement of the illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974. It also supported that Cyprus' accession to the EU would deepen the division on the island and leave peace and stability "facing uncertainties".

    [45] US reiterates support for UN efforts

    NICOSIA, 31/05/2001 (CNA/ANA)

    The US continues to support in earnest UN efforts to find a comprehensive settlement of the protracted Cyprus question and believes the ongoing UN process of negotiations, interrupted by the Turkish side, is in the interests of all Cypriots.

    "Although Mr. Denktash (Turkish Cypriot leader) withdrew from the talks last November, we continue to work with the UN and other interested parties to put the process back on track," Daniel Fried, Special Assistant to President George Bush and Senior Director for European and Eurasian Affairs, said in a reply letter to two councilors of the Barnet Borough in London. The US, he said, believes that "continuing the process is in the interests of all Cypriots" and "to support strongly and actively the UN Secretary General's efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus."

    This message, he adds, was conveyed to Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem at their separate recent meetings with Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. The two Barnet councilors had urged President Bush to put the Cyprus issue on the top of his agenda and bring an end by amicable means to the illegal occupation of Cyprus. UN-led proximity talks came to an abrupt end last year when Denktash, backed by Turkey, refused to return to the negotiating table and demanded recognition of his self-styled regime in the Turkish- occupied part of Cyprus before a resumption of talks.

    Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

    [46] President Clerides to attend Gothenburg EU Summit

    NICOSIA, 31/05/2001(CNA/ANA)

    President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides will attend the European Council Summit to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from June 15 to 16, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said here Wednesday, during his daily briefing. One of the main topics of the summit in Gothenburg is sustainable development, that is about taking into consideration the fact that the number of people of working age is declining and what this entails for pensions and the possibility of maintaining reasonable welfare levels.

    The Commission will also draw up a strategy proposal for economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development. Sweden holds the EU rotating Presidency for the first six months of 2001 and will pass it on to Belgium next month. Cyprus opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998 and is considered to be leading in the harmonization process among the six countries comprising the first wave of states, to accede to the Union during its next enlargement.


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