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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-10-18Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>October 18, 2002CONTENTS
[01] ND leader tells EPP congress that without Cyprus no EU enlargement can be consideredLISBON 18/10/2002 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday addressed the European Peoples' Party (EPP) congress taking place in Estoril, Portugal, focusing on the Cyprus issue, the European Union's enlargement and the EPP's progress in Europe.''We must complete the historic step of reuniting our continent and to end once and for all the terrible divisions of the past century,'' Karamanlis said, calling on the leaders of the center-right to commit themselves that the first 10 candidate member-states, among them Cyprus, ''fulfill the criteria according to the European Commission and for this reason we should tell them the final 'yes' in Copenhagen''. He stressed that the complete and final decisions should be taken at the Copenhagen Summit in December ''without additional terms and last minute extortion, warning that without Cyprus no enlargement can be considered''. Karamanlis said that the EU gave its promise to those countries and that promise should be kept, underlining that ''we want a Europe with stars and not one with asterisks. A Europe with footnotes cannot be and nor will it be''. He assessed that Bulgaria and Romania will blaze the trail for the countries of the Western Balkans, filling the void of what he called the ''Balkan hole'' of enlargement, while he stressed that the Balkan nations need the continued support of the EPP. The Greek main opposition leader reintroduced his proposal for the establishment of a ''European cooperative'' with third countries, which cannot or would not undertake the weight of the full accession to the EU, a cooperative aiming to find common ground. ''We should make sure that we are not creating an EU of the few and powerful and disregarding the interests and the will of the medium and smaller countries in this new EU of 25 members,'' Karamanlis said. ''If our political unification is delayed from an even greater tendency for differentiation and our failure to achieve agreement, then we should promote closer political bonds between those states that are truly loyal to all the aspects of unification,'' he added. ''All those that have adopted the euro and are discussing closely for a common political and defense and immigration policy are by default the engine of a more powerful political Europe, which at the same time will be open to those who are more hesitant,'' Karamanlis clarified. Later in the day, the EPP Congress is expected to re-elect Wilfried Martens as party president, as he is the only candidate for the post. ND leader meets with European premiers on the sidelines of EPP Congress: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis here on Thursday had separate meetings with Austria's Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso. In his meetings with the Spanish and Portuguese prime ministers, the ND leader discussed the prospects for alliances to be forged among Mediterranean countries in the light of the revision of the EU Joint Agricultural Policy (JAP) and stressed the importance of coordinated efforts and policies among countries that share common problems in the European south. ''Because of government mistakes, the Greek farmers are in a terrible position'', Karamanlis said, adding ''we lost the battle on all products; a new aggressive policy is needed, one that will serve the interests of Greek farmers''. The ND leader told his interlocutors that there could not be an EU enlargement without Cyprus, stressing in his statements that his party was in support of a legislative reform in the EU and of expediting the integration policy, placing high priority on joint foreign and defense policies. Karamanlis is on a visit here to participate in Thursday's European Democratic Union's conference focusing on ''The future role of Europe in the world'' as well as in the European People's Party (EPP) Congress taking place in Estoril on Thursday and Friday. On his way to the conference, the ND leader said that discussions would focus on the future of Europe with main priority to the enlargement and more particularly, on the Greek side, on Cyprus' accession to the European Union (EU). Once again a candidate to the EPP's vice-presidency Karamanlis is expected to present the conference with his report on the EPP's initiative for the democratization of the Balkans. He is expected to stress that the EU's commitment for the gradual incorporation of the Balkan countries is a key to the actual reunification of Europe, while hard work is required not only on the part of the EU but also by the countries themselves to deal with the problems stemming from unemployment, economic instability, organized crime, insufficient infrastructure and low living standards. Including the premiers of Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, France, Austria and possibly the Netherlands, approximately 60 leaders of EPP member-parties participate in the Congress that will also provide the venue for revealing the EPP's political platform titled ''A Constitution for a strong Europe''. Russian FM signs Olympic Truce appeal MOSCOW 18/10/2002 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos) Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov signed the Olympic Truce appeal on Thursday, characterizing it a very important contribution by the Hellenic Republic not only to the Olympic movement but to world peace as well. Foreign Minister George Papandreou, attending the ceremony, underlined the significance of his Russian counterpart's signature in view of Moscow's great tradition in sport and the relation between sport and peace. Ivanov and Papandreou held talks here on bilateral relations, the European Union's Greek presidency in the first half of 2003 and international issues. Special importance was placed on plans for cooperation between the two sides in light of the Greek presidency and, in particular, the Saint Petersburg summit, to take place in the first half of 2003, also on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the establishment of the capital of Peter the Great. Ivanov said the level of Greek-Russian relations is very high and mentioned a great degree of coincidence of views on crucial international issues such as Iraq, the Middle East, Afghanistan and the drug trade from this country and the Balkans. Moscow and Athens agreed to cooperate on these issues in the future. Referring to the situation in the Balkans, Ivanov termed it alarming and underlined that political and economic measures are necessary for stabilization in the region. Speaking at a joint press conference with Papandreou, Ivanov said U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell briefed him by telephone on Wednesday night that the United States and Britain intend to table a new draft plan on Iraq at the Security Council. Ivanov said Powell insisted that the plan would take Russian views into consideration and would aim at unity among the Security Council's five permanent members. He added that the plan is being awaited for examination and reminded that the majority of countries that participated in the discussion at the Security Council expressed support for a political settlement to the problem of Iraq. Ivanov also said Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet U.S. President George W. Bush in Mexico next week. [02] US envoy highlights dramatic changes in Greece since '85Athens, 18/10/2002 (ANA)The US ambassador to Athens on Thursday again praised the government and local authorities for the more than three-month-old operation to eradicate a notorious local urban terrorist group, during an address where he mainly highlighted what he called significant progress in Greece’s economic and political sectors since 1985.Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the British-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, US envoy Thomas Miller told an audience of mostly local entrepreneurs and business executives that he was symbolically removing a pin given to him recently by the son of noted publisher assassinated by the “November 17” terrorist group in the mid 1980s. In referring directly to the fact that 17 alleged “N17” suspects are currently jailed pending trial, Miller said he swore to wear the pin – depicting an open palm stressing the anti-terrorism message of “enough is enough” – until the group’s members were “behind bars”. Referring to ‘euro zone’ accession criteria and Greece’s prospects for meeting them back in 1985, Miller said he would not have been “too optimistic” 17 years ago, as he cited double-digit inflation and major deficits at that time. Greece did, in fact, join another 11 EU member-states in introducing the euro currency on Jan. 1, 2002. Moreover, he called both economic and political changes in the ensuing 17 years “remarkable”. In citing the top issues he would like to see progress on during his tenure in Greece – his third assignment and first as US ambassador in the east Mediterranean country – Miller referred to Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue as important challenges. Additionally, he said a major issue before his posting in Athens was terrorism. In concluding his comments on the high-profile issue of terrorism, he said statutes of limitation for the accused “N17” suspects are not of concern, “it’s not important whether someone is convicted for this or that crime, it’s important that they go to jail,” he said, adding: “it’s also very important to allow the trial process to unfold.” Miller again praised the three-year thaw in Greek-Turkish relations, saying relations between the two neighbors and NATO members were “strained” in 1985 and that some difficulties still exist today. However, he stressed that the current rapprochement allows for Athens and Ankara to directly talk to each other, “which is much more helpful than bringing in any third party”. He also noted that Euro-Turkish relations are important for Europe. In mentioning the title of his brief address, “Greek-American Relations – Then (1985) and Now”, Miller said 1985 refers to the year of his first posting as a staff-member at the US embassy, something he termed as a “reference point”. “It’s important for us Americans to have a longer term perspective. If you look at the period of 1985 to 2001 (in Greece) the contrasts are startling,” he said in opening his address. In response to charges by a TVX mining representative that legal challenges are threatening his company’s massive investment in a northern Greece gold mining and processing unit, Miller noted: “The TVX story is out there … you have to come up with a system that protects citizens but also doesn’t penalize investors that play by the rules … Investors are here for one reason, to make money, they are not social workers,” he stressed. EU troika discusses EU-Russia relations MOSCOW 18/10/2002 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos) Relations between the European Union and Russia, in light of the Europe-Russia summit in Copenhagen on November 11, were discussed in talks held on Thursday between the EU's ''troika'', accompanied by commissioners Patten and Solana, and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. Both sides pointed out that the enlargement of the EU's cooperation with Russia is in line with the interests of international stability and is very important for both sides. The controversial issue of communication between the inhabitants of Kaliningrad with mainland Russia, given that EU candidate Lithuania lies between the city and the rest of Russia, was examined during the talks between Europe and Russia. Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller said a solution should be found in a spirit of cooperation and with respect for Lithuania's sovereignty, the effectiveness of the Schengen Pact and the Russians' interests. His Russian counterpart underlined on his part that the positions of the two sides on the issue approached each other during the talks. However, neither European nor Russian officials wanted to give details on where contacts and talks on the issue have reached, which is extremely sensitive for the Russian government since for the first time citizens of this country will have to obtain visas from a third country for travel within the Russian federation. The Danish foreign minister was accompanied to Moscow by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, as a member of the ''troika'', but not Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio. [03] Alternate FM arrives in Lisbon for talks in light of Greek EU presidencyLISBON 18/10/2002 (ANA - E. Boukaouri)Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis arrived here on Thursday afternoon for talks with his Portuguese counterpart Costa Neves.The two men will discuss bilateral issues in light of Greece's EU presidency. They will also discuss institutional issues for the future of Europe, enlargement and fiscal issues, as well as the common policy on agricultural and fisheries issues. On Friday, Yiannitsis will meet with Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz. In statements to ANA, Yiannitsis said that Greece considers the completion of the enlargement process its basic priority for its upcoming EU presidency , both in relation to the 10 candidate member-states, for which the accession was approved, and for Bulgaria and Romania who are following for accession negotiations. [04] LAOS leader not supporting ND candidate for supraprefectureAthens, 18/10/2002 (ANA)Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party leader George Karatzaferis, speaking at the Ioannis Vellidis convention center in Thessaloniki, said on Thursday his party will not be supporting the main opposition New Democracy party's candidate for the Athens-Piraeus supraprefecture Yiannis Tzannetakos in Sunday's runoff election.Tzannetakos will be facing the ruling PASOK party's candidate Fofi Gennimata in the runoff election for the Athens-Piraeus supraprefecture. Referring to the runoff election for the Athens municipality, Karatzaferis said his party will support ND's candidate Dora Bakoyianni and in the municipality of Piraeus ND's candidate Christos Agrapidis. During last Sunday's first round of elections, Karatzaferis had polled a surprising 13.6 percent of the vote and had come in third behind Gennimata and Tzannetakos. [05] EU Commission proposes compensation for terrorism and crime victimsBRUSSELS 18/10/2002 (ANA)The European Commission on Thursday proposed that all persons that fell victim to terrorist actions or premeditated crimes in the European Union should be compensated.The proposal for this new directive obliges member-states to pay compensation to victims of premeditated crimes or terrorist actions that took place in their territory. Also, compensation would have to be paid to relatives of victims, that is to first blood relatives and to members of the victims' family that were under his or her guardianship. The Commission's proposal mandated that victims or their relatives would have to submit a request for compensation from the culprits, before any payment can be made by the states. According to the proposal, if a citizen of a member-state falls victim to crime or terrorism in another member-state, he would have the right to request the necessary aid from the authorities of the member-state of his residence. This directive, the Commission said, would secure the rights of tourists, employees and citizens that move freely within the European Union. [06] Alleged ''N 17'' terrorist member denies charges of murderAthens, 18/10/2002 (ANA)Alleged ''November 17'' terrorist group member Angeliki Sotiropoulou on Thursday evening gave her statement to appellate court prosecutor Leonidas Zervobeakos, who visited the only female alleged member of the terrorist group to be arrested to date.Sotiropoulou was charged for her alleged participation in the murders of British Brigadier Gen. Stephen Saunders and the murder of Thanos Axarlian, a university student that was passing by the street where the terrorist group was attempting to murder former minister Yiannis Paleokrassas, as well as the explosion of a bomb in Piraeus last June. According to reports, Sotiropoulou denied all charges and furthermore denied her participation in the murderous terrorist group, while she is said to have expressed her anger for the supplementary charges that were filed against her. [07] ECOFIN minister Christodoulakis leaves for BarcelonaAthens, 18/10/2002 (ANA)Greece's national economy and finance minister Nikos Christodoulakis leaves later Thursday for Barcelona, to attend the European Investment Bank's (EIB) Political Dialogue and Coordination Committee's meeting on "Financial facilitation in the framework of the Euro-Med partnership relationship and investment activity", to be held Friday.The EU summit in Barcelona in mid-March authorized the EIB to establish a new financing facilitation for the Euro-Med partnership relationship and investment activity. A Finance ministry announcement said the EIB place priority on the funding of investments falling under the targets of the Euro-Med Partnership Relationship, which was initiated in November 1995 in Barcelona. [08] OTE shareholders criticize management salaries, Romania projectAthens, 18/10/2002 (ANA)Shareholders of Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), a heavily traded stock on the Athens bourse, on Thursday criticized management for poor investment returns from a Romanian project, and high salaries awarded to OTE executives.The company's chairman and chief executive officer, Eleftherios Antonakopoulos, conceded that although Romtelecom in the Balkan country had reported profits in 2001 and 2002, returns on investment were low. Needed was a capital injection of 450 million US dollars in Romtelecom. OTE had 200 million dollars ready, and the remaining 250 million were being sought through a syndicated loan. ''For this investment to be implemented, OTE is awaiting a reply from the Romanian government. If a reply is not given within a specified time period, then OTE will look into alternative arrangements to meet the crisis,'' Antonakopoulos told shareholders. At the same time, investments in the Balkans were essential due to competition evolving at home after recent liberalization of the fixed-line market, although returns would not be immediate, he added. Complaining of high salaries for top OTE executives, shareholders singled out the general settlements director, Lazaros Angelou, although they endorsed his appointment by majority vote. Antonakopoulos said OTE executives' salaries lay within an average range compared with other companies, some smaller that OTE. He added that the firm ranked third in Europe on the basis of profitability among other telecom groups; and ranked top in credit ratings. [09] ASE follows international markets recoveryAthens, 18/10/2002 (ANA)Greek stocks resumed their recovery trend on Thursday as a positive climate in international markets boosted sentiment in the Athens Stock Exchange and supported buying in blue chip stocks.The general index rose 1.41 percent to end at 1,826.69 points, with turnover a low 73.6 million euros. The Insurance, Holding and Bank sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (3.64 percent, 3.12 percent and 2.81 percent, respectively), while the Industrials and IT sectors scored the smallest percentage gains (0.27 percent and 0.17 percent, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 2.02 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.38 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 1.61 percent. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 250 to 72 with another 37 issues unchanged. The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Sex Form, Football Pools Organization, Coca Cola HBC and National Bank of Greece. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 94.7 mln euros Thursday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Day's Market Turnover: 94.7 mln euros Bond Market Close: Buyers outstrip sellers on Thursday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond [10] Chirac, Venizelos discuss Athens 2004 Olympic GamesAthens, 18/10/2002 (ANA)French President Jacques Chirac, speaking with Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos in Alexandria on Thursday, said that France has a completely positive image of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.The French president repeated what he had told Athens Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki on Tuesday. Chirac asked of Venizelos to also convey to Prime Minister Costas Simitis his satisfaction, noting in particular two aspects: firstly, the European character of the Olympic Games which is being hosted by a European Union member-country and secondly, the emphasis which Greece gives to the Paralympic Games. [11] Vartholomeos says ''we support the ethics of human solidarity''DOHA 18/10/2002 (ANA – A. Kourkoulas)Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on an official visit here on Thursday said that the Ecumenical Patriarchate does not get involved with politics, however, “we must support the ethics of human solidarity”.In an interview to Qatar-based satellite TV station Al-Jajeera, the prelate of the Orthodox Church referred to the intimacy exhibited by Islam toward the Orthodox world and stressed the importance of the intra-religion dialogue that the Patriarch has been promoting. Vartholomeos already met with Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Qatari foreign minister and Dr. Yusef al-Qaradawi, a prominent religious leader. This is the Patriarch’s third official visit in an Islamic country preceded by a visit in Bahrain in September 2000 and in Teheran in 2001, after accepting an invitation by the Iranian religious and political leadership. [12] Greek composer gives concert at Alexandria libraryALEXANDRIA 18/10/2002 (ANA - M. Psyllos)Events marking the impressive library of Alexandria's inauguration ended on Thursday night with a concert by Greek composer Dimitris Papadimitriou.Participating in the concert were the singers Eleftheria Arvanitali, Alkinoos Ioannidis, Tassos Apostolou, Fotini Dara and Thodoris Vouzikakos, who sang verses by Alexandrian poet Constantine Kavafi. The Greek Radio and Television's (ERT) symphonic orchestra also participated and was conducted by Andreas Pylarinos. Hundreds of local inhabitants, as well as the Greek community in its entirety, attended the concert. Earlier, the statue of Alexander the Great was unveiled near the Greek community's sector. The bronze statue, the work of sculptor Constantine Paleologos, weighs two tones and is four meters high and 3.5 meters wide. Alexandria's governor arranged for a square in the city's center to be remodeled, named after Alexander the Great and have the statue placed there. The statue was unveiled by the president of Alexandria's Greek community Haralambos Katsimbris. [13] Greek-language edition of 'Terrorism: Unholy Wars' unveiledAthens, 18/10/2002 (ANA)Noted American historian, journalist and Mideast analyst John K. Cooley spoke during a book release Thursday evening in downtown Athens, where the Greek-language edition of his timely work “Terrorism: Unholy Wars” was presented.Cooley was the “Christian Science Monitor’s” Beirut-based Mideast correspondent from 1965 to 1978, whereas he now – in semi-retirement -- occasionally appears, from Athens no less, for ABC-News as an analyst on the Middle East. The Greek-language edition is published in the country by “Ellinika Grammata”. Cooley was bestowed the “George Polk Award” by Long Island University in 1995. [14] President Clerides says UN direct talks to resume after November 15LARNACA 18/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)President Glafcos Clerides has said that the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto, did not convey anything new to him from his discussions in Ankara, adding that due to health problems Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is facing, the UN-led direct talks are unlikely to resume before November 15.In statements before his departure to Athens on Thursday for talks with the Greek leadership, Clerides said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has not yet decided whether he would put forward a solution plan to the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides. ''Judging by what I have heard from Mr. de Soto, it is unlikely that direct talks will resume before November 15,'' he said, after a half hour meeting with de Soto at Larnaca airport, after the latter's return from Turkey and prior to the President's departure for Athens. Replying to questions, President Clerides said de Soto informed him that the Turkish Cypriot side will appoint its representatives to the two ad hoc technical committees, to work in the context of the peace talks, and after that, the committees will start work. The Greek Cypriot side has already appointed its representatives to the two committees. Clerides, Denktash and Annan decided to set up these committees at their meetings earlier this month in New York. On the possibility of Annan submitting a solution plan before the December Copenhagen European Council, Clerides stressed that the Secretary General has not yet decided whether he would make such a move or not. The president said de Soto informed him that he would be in Athens for talks with the Greek government early next week. Regarding Denktash's state of health, after open-heart surgery, the President said de Soto informed him that the Turkish Cypriot leader is facing some ''complications which are only natural to expect.'' Denktash will go to Turkey once he is discharged from hospital in New York and remain there for 15 days before returning to Cyprus. The president dismissed press suggestions that the government has been under pressure to change its plans with regard to the annual military exercises Nikiforos and Toxotis. ''The exercises will take place as planned,'' he said. The president, who is already in Athens, returns home on Saturday. [15] There is time for a settlement by December, says Alvaro de SotoLARNACA 18/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, believes that there is little time left but just enough to reach a political settlement in Cyprus by December.Speaking to reporters on Thursday on his return from Ankara, de Soto said he had useful and lengthy meetings and would be going to Athens early next week for consultations with Greek government officials. He expressed hope that the work of two ad hoc technical committees in the context of the UN-led direct talks could begin really soon. The committees were agreed to be formed during meetings the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had in New York earlier this month with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. ''I had a lengthy and useful meeting in Ankara and I will be going to Athens early next week,'' de Soto told the press. He said that he had been in touch with Denktash's staff in New York and hoped that the work of the committees can begin really soon. ''The work continues, there is a lot to be done, there is little time left, but there is just enough time so that a settlement can be pulled up'', he said. Asked if he thinks there will be a settlement before December, de Soto replied, ''very soon, I hope, yes''. Invited to say if the Secretary General intends to present the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides with a solution plan, he said he could not anticipate what the Secretary-General would do next. ''I am continuing consultations with Greece and Turkey and the Secretary-General is counting on the continued support for this effort,'' he said. Referring to Denktash's state of health, following open-heart surgery he has undergone, de Soto said that he is recovering quite well and the operation went well and the prognosis is a good one. ''There may be slight complications but I understand they are peripheral'', he said. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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