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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-10-25

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

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

October 25, 2002

CONTENTS

  • [01] Danish presidency summit draft conclusions close to EU Commission's
  • [02] PM, FM and EU defense official discuss European army
  • [03] ND leader says EU in final stretch to enlargement
  • [04] R&D cooperation initiatives planned during Greek EU presidency
  • [05] Change of climate in favor of Greece, public order minister ascertains in
  • [06] Deputy FM visits Albanian regions populated by ethnic Greeks
  • [07] Gov't comments on minor Imia incident last week
  • [08] General staff chief says Prague summit landmark for
  • [09] Interior minister on local gov't developments
  • [10] Main opposition holds reception for ND-backed Attica mayors
  • [11] More charges slapped on 'N17' suspect Koufodinas
  • [12] Former Irish president speaks in Athens about human rights
  • [13] Commission's Regional Policy Director General, Guy Crauser, in Athens talks
  • [14] Eurostat scrutinizes Greek budget for 2003
  • [15] Tourism sector stable at 2001 levels, Tsohatzopoulos says
  • [16] Romania okays share cap rise for Romtelecom, sources say
  • [17] OA flight attendants to strike over termination of flights to Australia
  • [18] Greek EU Commissioner to visit Bulgaria on Tuesday
  • [19] Greece seeks long-term export strategy
  • [20] Greek stocks rebound on Thursday
  • [21] ANA, Sportline unveil multi-faceted service focusing on Olympics coverage
  • [22] Greenpeace bureau: 2004 Games 'a lost opportunity' for local environment
  • [23] ATHOC president holds press conference in London
  • [24] US ambassador Miller named recipient of 2003 Frizis Award
  • [25] Black Sea Greeks conference clouded by controversy
  • [26] EU targets for technology in schools exceeded, minister says
  • [27] President issues pardon to mark October 28 national holiday
  • [28] Prodi hopeful for accession talks to be concluded
  • [29] UN plan for Cyprus settlement in place, says Solana
  • [30] British envoy arrives in Cyprus
  • [31] Cyprus president's message to Annan on 57th UN anniversary

  • [01] Danish presidency summit draft conclusions close to EU Commission's

    BRUSSELS 25/10/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

    The Danish European Union presidency's summit draft conclusions on the EU's enlargement process includes for the most part the proposals of the European Commission for the candidate member-states.

    The draft proposes an ''opening'' to Turkey, concerning its request for the setting of a date for the initiation of negotiations for accession during the Copenhagen Summit in December.

    Meanwhile, the draft calls for a ''new opportunity'' and a ''road map'' to accession for Bulgaria and Romania, which failed to satisfy the criteria for accession along with the other 10 candidate member-states, which made the cut.

    As for the 10 candidate members, that include Cyprus, the draft notes that they fulfill criteria for accession and can respond to the obligations of full membership beginning in 2004.

    The same draft stressed that the EU reaffirms its decisiveness to conclude negotiations with those 10 candidate members in Copenhagen during the Summit, proposing that they sign the accession treaty in Athens in April 2003.

    The draft also expresses its preference for the accession of a united Cyprus, with a total resolution of its political problem and calls on the leaders of the two communities to take advantage of the opportunity before them and to arrive at an agreement by the end of the year.

    It is stressed, however, that in the event that there is no resolution of the Cyprus problem by December, the Helsinki decision stands, thus the resolution of the problem is not a precondition for accession.

    [02] PM, FM and EU defense official discuss European army

    BRUSSELS 25/10/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou and the European Union's security and defense policy high representative Javier Solana held talks on the pending issue regarding the so-called European army here on Thursday night.

    The meeting, held on the sidelines of the informal summit taking place in the Belgian capital was of a ''preparatory character'' in light of Friday's discussion on relations between the EU and NATO at the European Council.

    The issue concerns the disengagement of the European Rapid Reaction Force from the decisive opinion sought on European defense by NATO member-states, such as Turkey, which are not EU member-states.

    [03] ND leader says EU in final stretch to enlargement

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, referring on Thursday to the European Council's meeting in Brussels, said the European Union is now in the final stretch to its enlargement.

    Karamanlis said the decision on enlargement should be finalized in Brussels now and at the Copenhagen summit at the latest, with the accession of all of Cyprus to the EU ''regardless of a solution to the political problem, a solution which we are continuing to pursue, of course, based on UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire.''

    He reminded that at the European Peoples Party's recent conference in Lisbon a consensus was ascertained on the unimpeded accession of Cyprus ''without the imposition of additional conditions and last-minute extortion.''

    [04] R&D cooperation initiatives planned during Greek EU presidency

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    The Greek development ministry is working on programs to promote cooperation in research and development among Mediterranean and Balkans countries when Greece takes over the rotating EU presidency in the first half of 2003, sources revealed on Thursday.

    Specifically, the development ministry's Research and Technology General Secretariat is currently processing an EU-West Balkans action plan and special activities among EU candidate states Bulgaria and Romania.

    The west Balkans is comprised of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

    According to the ministry sources, the projects are now in the planning stage, while the final proposal will be prepared at a meeting of high-ranking officials in January and officially adopted at a ministerial meeting in June during the Greek EU presidency.

    Greece is also in charge of organizing the 9th meeting of a committee for cooperation in research and technological development taking place within the framework of Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation, in which EU member-states and 12 non-EU Mediterranean countries participate. Apart from the member-states, the meeting will also include representatives of the European Commission's Research and External Affairs directorates.

    In both initiatives, the Greek side will try to steer meetings toward those sectors in which Greece has the most interest, such as energy and the environment, biotechnology and electronic networks and possibly cultural heritage.

    [05] Change of climate in favor of Greece, public order minister ascertains in

    US WASHINGTON 25/10/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    Greece's public order minister Michalis Chrysohoidis on Thursday ascertained a general change in climate in favor of Greece, speaking to reporters at the conclusion of a three-day visit to the US capital.

    Speaking to the press after talks with the number two man at the Department of Justice, Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson, and the director of the Office of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Advisor Tom Ridge, Chrysohoidis said that Greek-US relations were currently at their best point in recent years, since all the outstanding bilateral matters had been resolved.

    On his talks in Washington, Chrysohoidis said that particular emphasis was placed on security at the 2004 Olympic Games to be staged in Athens, adding that the US was strongly interested in the success of those Games.

    He said the two sides had also agreed to continue the training of Greek officers in the US and for further advancement of their cooperation in the security sector at both bilateral and multilateral level.

    Chrysohoidis underlined the protagonistic role Greece could play in the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean, putting emphasis on tackling illegal migration, which he noted would be a "high priority" during Greece's EU presidency in the first half of 2003, noting that Washington had welcomed this information, given that it linked illegal immigration and organized crime with the financing of terrorism.

    Asked whether the US had displayed interest in the upcoming trials of suspected members of the notorious 'November 17' terrorist organization, Chrysohoidis said that the US was indeed interested in developments concerning the trials, due to the interest of the families of the group's American victims, who had designated their own lawyers.

    "Justice is doing its job in Greece," the minister said, adding that the warm climate with which the Greek delegation was greeted in Washington was "impressive" and "radically different from that some 2-3 years ago".

    He added that the US officials had congratulated Greece on its ongoing efforts to eradicate terrorism, but "we did not stand at all on this issue...we proceeded to a series of matters of common interest".

    Chrysohoidis said that the US displayed strong interest in the success of the Athens Olympic Games overall, and not only with respect to security, since they considered the Games "a very big event".

    On the Games security issue, he said that the discussions focused on determining ways in which the cooperation between the two countries could be made more systematic.

    A second matter discussed, he said, was the Greek EU presidency's priorities in the security sector. "A top priority for us is to advance the EU plans and decisions on combatting illegal migration," he explained.

    Questioned on the climate in Greek-American relations, Chrysohoidis said that "there are no clouds in our relations with the US...the horizon is clear", adding that this was due to the efforts made by both governments in recent years to resolve all outstanding matters.

    [06] Deputy FM visits Albanian regions populated by ethnic Greeks

    GJIROKASTER 25/10/2002 (ANA - P. Barkas)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis toured villages in Albania populated by the ethnic Greek minority on Thursday.

    During his visit to the village of Vouliarati, in the prefecture of Gjirokaster, Magriotis attended a memorial service at the cemetery for Greek soldiers killed during the war between Greece and Italy in 1940.

    Magriotis also met with ethnic Greek minority officials in the village of Aliko and was briefed on its problems. He said Greece would intensify its efforts to support the members of the ethnic Greek minority in the region and the improvement of their living standards.

    Magriotis arrived in Tirana in the afternoon, where he will be attending the session of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact foreign ministers on Friday.

    During his stay in the Albanian capital, Magriotis will be meeting Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Foreign Minister Ilir Meta and Albanian Parliament President Servet Pelubi.

    [07] Gov't comments on minor Imia incident last week

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    The government spokesman on Thursday confirmed that Greek authorities spotted a Turkish coast guard inflatable craft approaching the tiny islet of Imia, off Kalymnos, last week.

    Responding to questions citing a same-day banner story in an Athens tabloid newspaper about the incident last Friday, acting spokesman and Deputy Press Minister Telemachos Hytiris said Greek authorities motioned the vessel’s skipper to keep clear of the rocky outcrop, before the inflatable craft returned to Turkish waters without incident.

    Speaking at his regular press briefing, the spokesman added that such incidents occur from time to time in the eastern Aegean.

    Finally, asked if an annual Greece-Cyprus joint military exercise has been cancelled or postponed, Hytiris said no final decision has been made that warrants an announcement.

    The small islet of Imia was thrust onto the international limelight in late January 1996 when the Tansu Ciller government in Ankara unexpectedly contested the outcrop and even the surrounding sea region’s status as Greek territory, causing the most serious Greek-Turkish crisis since 1976.

    [08] General staff chief says Prague summit landmark for

    NATO SOFIA 25/10/2002 (ANA - B. Borisov)

    National Defense General Staff Chief George Antonakopoulos said on Thursday the Prague summit will be a landmark for NATO's enlargement.

    Antonakopoulos was speaking at a joint press conference at the end of the first meeting between national defense general staff chiefs from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

    ''The decision on enlargement will be a political one. However, the countries wanting and being in a position to contribute to security and stability in the Euroatlantic region should have our support at a military level as well. In this framework, Greece is making efforts for NATO and the European Union's enlargement to southeastern Europe, and the Balkans in particular, for the consolidation of peace, stability and security in our region which form a precondition for the economic development and prosperity of our peoples,'' he said.

    Antonakopoulos also reminded that since 1997 the Greek government has officially and repeatedly expressed support for a balanced enlargement towards southeastern Europe, including Bulgaria and Romania as countries having completed the necessary stages of preparation and adjustment.

    Armed forces chiefs' meeting in Sofia expresses concern for Moscow hostages: A meeting of armed Forces chiefs from Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey expressed concern over the fate of hostages being held in Moscow in a joint announcement issued here on Thursday.

    The announcement also reaffirmed the four Balkan countries' desire to further develop cooperation between their armed forces in order to "consolidate security and stability in Southeastern Europe and deal with the new challenges and threats to security and defense, including terrorism."

    Finally, the gathered military chiefs expressed support for Bulgaria's and Romania's NATO entry at the Alliance summit in Prague.

    Greece was represented at the meeting by Armed Forces General Staff chief Gen. George Antonakopoulos

    [09] Interior minister on local gov't developments

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis on Thursday said legislation for a new local government code will be tabled in the first half of 2003 following work by a bipartisan committee and representatives from the Union of Greek Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE) and Union of Prefectural Associations of Greece (ENAE).

    He said the committee’s deliberations will revolve around the issues of upgraded local administration for metropolitan regions, completion of the second phase of local government restructuring and finding more resources for municipalities and prefectures.

    [10] Main opposition holds reception for ND-backed Attica mayors

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday hosted a reception for Attica mayors elected on an ND-backed ticket in last week's local government elections.

    Karamanlis did not make a speech or statements at the gathering, during which he shook hands and had his photograph taken with each newly elected mayor.

    Among those present were several "wild cat" candidates who were not officially backed by the party but originated from within its ranks.

    The main opposition leader will hold a similar meeting with ND-supported mayors elected in the Thessaloniki area on Saturday.

    [11] More charges slapped on 'N17' suspect Koufodinas

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    The man accused as one of “November 17’s” top recruiters and assassins, and the last male suspect arrested in the ongoing terrorism investigation, provided additional testimony on Thursday after prosecutors this week added another 13 attempted homicide charges to his lengthy indictment.

    According to reports, Dimitris Koufodinas again assumed “political responsibility” for the notorious urban terror band’s actions, similar to his first and lengthy deposition to a specially appointed appellate-level investigating magistrate.

    However, he reportedly refused to offer more details, protesting what he claimed were restrictions placed by prison authorities on his meetings with his attorney.

    Koufodinas, 43, a self-styled beekeeper who often introduced himself to acquaintances as a math tutor, surrendered to police in early September. He remained the only “N17” fugitive throughout the summer, as some 15 other terror suspects were arrested and jailed. His long-time companion, Angeliki Sotiropoulou, was the 17th “N17” suspect arrested.

    All 17 suspects remain jailed at Korydallos prison pending trial.

    The man accused as one of “November 17’s” top recruiters and assassins, and the last male suspect arrested in the ongoing terrorism investigation, provided additional testimony on Thursday after prosecutors this week added another 13 attempted homicide charges to his lengthy indictment.

    According to reports, Dimitris Koufodinas again assumed “political responsibility” for the notorious urban terror band’s actions, similar to his first and lengthy deposition to a specially appointed appellate-level investigating magistrate.

    However, he reportedly refused to offer more details, protesting what he claimed were restrictions placed by prison authorities on his meetings with his attorney.

    Koufodinas, 43, a self-styled beekeeper who often introduced himself to acquaintances as a math tutor, surrendered to police in early September. He remained the only “N17” fugitive throughout the summer, as some 15 other terror suspects were arrested and jailed. His long-time companion, Angeliki Sotiropoulou, was the 17th “N17” suspect arrested.

    All 17 suspects remain jailed at Korydallos prison pending trial.

    Defense counsel for 'N17' terrorist suspect resigns: The lawyer defending suspected ''November 17'' terrorist Dimitris Georgiadis, Alexandros Karamanolis, announced that he would be dropping the case on Thursday and hinted that he disagreed with his client's decision to follow the strategy adopted by the Xiros brothers, both of whom are charged with more numerous and more serious offences.

    In his latest testimony before Special Examining Magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakos, the appeals court justice assigned to the case, Georgiadis followed the Xiros brothers' lead in retracting several of his earlier statements and denied all the charges against him.

    [12] Former Irish president speaks in Athens about human rights

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    Former Irish President Mary Robinson on Thursday spoke on "The role of the Society of Citizens in Strengthening Human Rights", in Athens University' main auditorium, in an event organized by the Greek Union for Human Rights, the Greek Chapter of Amnesty International and the Center for the Defense of Human Rights.

    The former president, who also served in the past as United Nations' high commissioner for human rights, undertook at present a program on ethical globalization, utilizing the experience she gained overtime in her previous positions.

    "There is no human dignity in conditions of absolute poverty," Robinson stressed, adding that absolute poverty was the gravest problem in the effort to protect human rights.

    According to Robinson developing countries are not receiving the necessary attention and aid and is the place where, more than anywhere else, human rights are violated.

    The greatest problem in the defense of human rights in Europe, she said, is immigration, stressing "you here in Greece have one tenth of your population that was not born in Greece".

    "The presence of different ethnic groups, here as in other places, is a wealth that adds new dynamic and liveliness," she said, brining up the example of Canada.

    Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos and representatives of Greek human rights organizations were present at the event.

    [13] Commission's Regional Policy Director General, Guy Crauser, in Athens talks

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    The European Commission's Director General for Regional Policy, Guy Crauser, arrives in Athens on Thursday for a two-day informational visit on matters concerning the Third Community Support Framework (2000-2006) and the future of the EU's Structural Funds.

    Crauser's agenda concerns the execution of the current Community Support Framework (CSF) as well as the next CSF.

    More specifically, according to reliable sources, the items for discussion with Greek officials, include the course of the Third CSF, which is nearing its mid-way review date (2003), as well as the views of the national authorities and the Commission on the new CSF to be drafted. More specifically, the issue of the Structural Funds following the completion of the current CSF will be one of the focus issues in Crauser's Athens talks with the authorities responsible for materialization of the CSF.

    Crauser was due Thursday to attend a meeting at the Economy and Finance minister with minister Nikos Christodoulakis, deputy minister Christos Pachtas, who holds the CSF portfolio, and the ministry secretary general. He will later be briefed on specific issues by ministry officials.

    Crauser will further speak on "The Structural Funds after 2006" at an event in central Athens organized by the finance ministry and the Commission.

    On Friday, the head of the Commission's Regional Policy Directorate-General will visit Thrace to be briefed on the execution of the Operational Program for the region and application of the Interreg program. His agenda includes a meeting with officials of Greece and the bordering countries to discuss inter-border cooperation, and a visit to the Alexandroupolis Hospital.

    [14] Eurostat scrutinizes Greek budget for 2003

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    Officials from Eurostat, the European Union's statistics agency, on Thursday examined the government's draft budget for 2003, which is destined for parliament in the middle of November.

    Under scrutiny were state funding categories to see whether any should be included under budgetary spending in order to determine whether a general government deficit or surplus would emerge.

    Included in the review was the state's participation in share capital increases of state-owned utility companies, which have not traditionally been recorded in the general government calculation.

    Other EU members have also been subjected to similar reviews.

    Another Eurostat examination recently led to an upward revision of the Greek public debt as a proportion of gross domestic product.

    Alogoskoufis: Eurostat affair vindicates main opposition claims about budget: The main opposition's arguments that the budget surplus presented by the government had been achieved by 'tweaking' the figures was confirmed by the latest developments, New Democracy's economic affairs coordinator George Alogoskoufis claimed on Thursday.

    He was commenting on press reports that Eurostat had called for adjustments to certain economic indices in the Greek budget.

    ''This vindicates our position that public debt cannot be reduced by 'conjuring tricks' such as selling advance rights to shares in privatizations,'' ND's finance chief said.

    According to Alogoskoufis, public debt figures for 2001 had been revised upward to 105.1 per cent of GDP from 99.6 per cent after Eurostat intervened.

    He also noted that the borrowing requirements of central government had reached 4 per cent of GDP in 2001 and were continuing to rise, with borrowing needs for 2002 estimated at

    3.6 per cent of GDP, while he did not rule out further Eurostat surprises where these figures were concerned as well.

    He urged the government to ''abandon 'creative accounting' and revenue-raising raids on small-scale business and the stock exchange," and to "get serious and restrict wasteful spending in the public sector".

    [15] Tourism sector stable at 2001 levels, Tsohatzopoulos says

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    Greece's tourism sector will remain flat at last year's levels in 2002, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Thursday.

    Speaking to reporters, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos noted that this was the view shared both by the Bank of Greece and tourism agencies.

    The Greek minister said that official figures for this year's tourism sector would be available early next year.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that a total of around 1,300 tourist enterprises were expected to receive funds worth 250 million euros from a Third Community Support Framework and that a total of 20 major tourism investments were currently implemented in the country.

    The Greek minister said that Greece was expected to take a number of initiatives to promote a pan-European tourism policy, focusing on new forms of tourism and achieving lower air transport fares in Europe.

    Tsohatzopoulos also said that a procedure to set up a tourism marketing company, that would take over Greek tourism marketing in international markets, was entering its final stage.

    [16] Romania okays share cap rise for Romtelecom, sources say

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    Romania's government on Thursday approved a share capital increase of 200 million US dollars for Romtelecom, Greek sources said.

    The increase was sought by Athens-quoted Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), which wants to raise its stake in the Romanian telecom, the sources said.

    At the same time, the sources were unable to say whether the endorsement would allow OTE to acquire the 51 percent stake it is seeking.

    [17] OA flight attendants to strike over termination of flights to Australia

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    Flight attendants of Olympic Airways said on Thursday that they will stage strikes over the termination of flights to Australia by the national carrier.

    The strike schedule will be announced next week, with the route due to be abolished on November 1, the Union of Olympic Airways Flight Attendants said in a statement.

    ''This is an unacceptable policy and management choice that acts against the interests of one million ethnic Greeks (in Australia), and against the interests of the airline itself, especially ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympics,'' the statement said.

    The union rejected claims by management that terminating the route was due to a 10 billion drachma shortfall it generated annually, saying the deficit was due to an unprofitable lease on four Airbus 340s used for the flights; and to a cut in weekly flights that had lowered revenue while expenses remained the same.

    On Wednesday, pilots of Olympic Airways indicated that they too may strike over the end to flights to Australia.

    ''We will continue to react against the move, with facts documenting our action,'' the Union of Civil Aviation Pilots said in a statement.

    Management, which had announced its decision earlier in the day, planned gradually to reduce the ailing airline's long-haul flight network, also reducing OA's value, the statement said.

    Pilots also opposed management's decision to withdraw 11 Boeing 737-200s from service, shrinking Olympic's fleet.

    [18] Greek EU Commissioner to visit Bulgaria on Tuesday

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    Greek EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou will visit Sofia, Bulgaria on Tuesday, at the invitation of Labor and Social Policy Minister Lydia Shuleva, to sign a common evaluation of Bulgaria's priorities in the employment sector.

    During her visit in Bulgaria, Diamantopoulou will also meet with the country's President Georgi Purvanov, Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Parliament President Oguyan Guerdjikov, while she is scheduled to meet with Bulgarian non-governmental organizations.

    [19] Greece seeks long-term export strategy

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) and the Greek Export Promotion Organization (OPE) on Thursday discussed ways to draft a long-term action plan aimed to boost the country's export activity.

    The meeting, attended by representatives of several chamber officials, said that the main problem behind a declining export trend in the country was lack of strategic and specific actions to support export activity towards specific geographical areas or countries and products.

    EBEA's chairman, Drakoulis Fountoukakos, expressed his satisfaction over a close cooperation with OPE and stressed the need to creating a coordinating agency that would study the complex problem of exports and would recommend the necessary economic diplomacy strategies to penetrate foreign markets.

    [20] Greek stocks rebound on Thursday

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    A wave of buying interest in the last half hour of trading helped Greek stocks to end in positive territory in the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday.

    The general index ended 0.21 percent up at 1,777.27 points, with turnover an extremely low 51.6 million euros.

    The Textile, Retail, Holding and Investment sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (3.26 percent, 2.71 percent, 1.96 percent and 0.62 percent, respectively), while the Insurance, Telecommunications and Publication sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.85 percent, 0.28 percent and 0.26 percent).

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks raised 0.23 percet, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.37 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.67 percent up. The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks fell 0.19 percent.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 168 to 120 with another 69 issues unchanged.

    The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Technical Olympic, Informatics, Coca Cola HBC, and Intracom.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 45.9 mln euros Thursday

    Equity Index Futures:

  • FTSE/ASE-20 (high cap): At discount

  • Underlying Index: +0.23 percent

  • FTSE/ASE-40 (medium cap): At discount

  • Underlying Index: +0.37 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): National Bank of Greece (139)

    Day's Market Turnover: 45.9 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Sellers outstrip buyers on Thursday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.94 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 29 bps

  • Day's Market Turnover: 2.9 bln euros

  • Most Active Bond: 5-yr, (345 mln euros)

    [21] ANA, Sportline unveil multi-faceted service focusing on Olympics coverage

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    The Athens News Agency (ANA) unveiled its new multi-faceted sports service, focusing on the upcoming 2004 Olympic Games, in Athens on Thursday -- an initiative in partnership with the local Sportline firm.

    The new service includes news and information about the Athens Games that's not only tailored for the media, but is also geared towards sports federations, individual athletes, sponsors, and anyone interested in specialized information regarding Olympic competitions and sports, rules and regulations, biographies of athletes, as well as topics ranging from Greek mythology to a history of the Olympic Games, among others.

    ANA General Director Andreas Christodoulides emphasized that Greece’s largest and oldest news agency is in close cooperation with the Athens 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC) and the Hellenic Olympic Committee (EOE), while a memorandum of cooperation has been finalized with ATHOC and is expected to be signed soon.

    On his part, Sport.gr representative Costas Kamaras said the initiative aims to develop a new website, live Internet coverage (statistics, real audio and video), digital newsletters, SMS and MMS service, a photo archive and promotion via the ANA’s extensive network.

    Olympic weightlifting champion Pyrros Dimas briefly spoke at the presentation ceremony, held at the Foreign Press Association’s (FPA) building in downtown Athens before a packed hall of media and advertising professionals.

    Press and mass ministry general secretary Dimitra Spiliopoulou as well as the ministry’s information general secretary Dimitris Gerou also briefly addressed the event.

    [22] Greenpeace bureau: 2004 Games 'a lost opportunity' for local environment

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    The all-important environmental aspect of the upcoming Athens 2004 Games, to be hosted in one of the most congested European capitals, came under the scrutiny of the Greek chapter of “Greenpeace” on Thursday.

    According to the local head of the well-known international environmental advocacy group, the Athens Games are in danger of turning into “the Games of lost opportunities for the environment”.

    Greenpeace’s local director, Nikos Haralambidis, noted that despite the stepped up efforts by Sydney 2000 organizers to improve and protect the Australian city’s environment, the mostly verdant metropolis received only a grade of five out of maximum scale of 10.

    “Based on that, Athens is completely failing to pass its exams,” he told a press conference in Athens.

    Haralambidis focused most of his criticism on the ongoing “Olympic Village” project in northwest Athens, saying preliminary studies envisioning numerous “green technologies” for the complex were never included in the final specifications tabled by the Workers' Housing Organization (OEK) more than a year and a half ago.

    He also charged that local contractors are building the 2004 projects with the most commonplace technology and practices available, instead of employing cutting-edge technology and materials.

    OEK announced last March that it would spend 165 million euros in 2002 for the construction of the Olympic Village site and another 130 million euros to build 3,390 new residences for wage-earners eligible for OEK-subsidized housing.

    Olympic Games General Secretariat replies to Greenpeace: The Olympic Games General Secretariat in an announcement on Thursday said that within the framework of the Olympic Games action program and the decisions of the Ministerial Committee, a multitude of projects are underway to improve the environment of Athens.

    The Secretariat was responding to a statement earlier in the day by the director of the Greek chapter of ''Greenpeace'', Nikos Haralambidis, that the Athens 2004 Olympic Games are in danger of turning into “the Games of lost opportunities for the environment”.

    The Olympic Games General Secretariat announcement said that for the construction of the Olympic projects, there was adherence to the strict demands of legislation on the environment, while the presidential decrees for the complete development of the Olympic cities were approved by the Council of State.

    The announcement further stressed that the Environment Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed its satisfaction over the measures taken to protect the environment which are incorporated in the Olympic Action Program.

    [23] ATHOC president holds press conference in London

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA) LONDON (ANA - D. Kalambakas)

    Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki on Thursday held a press conference at an event organized by the Foreign Press Association in London for the Athens Olympics at the 'Victoria and Albert' Museum.

    ''The Olympic Games of Athens are a unique opportunity for Greece to promote its modern image all over the world. It is an opportunity Greece could not have in any other way,'' she said.

    Angelopoulos-Daskalaki spoke to about 150 correspondents, stressing security issues, the organizing aspects of the Games and London's bid to host the Games in 2012.

    ''Security is our first priority. In cooperation with experts from 22 countries, with a program budgeted at 600 million dollars and a force of 45,000 professionals, we are committed to hosting secure Olympic Games,'' she concluded.

    [24] US ambassador Miller named recipient of 2003 Frizis Award

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    US ambassador in Athens Thomas Miller has been named as the 2003 recipient of the annual Frizis Award, the Washington-based National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) announced Thursday, the day after the remains of Colonel Mordechai Frizis, the first hing-ranking Greek military officer killed in the war against the Axis powers, were returned to Greece.

    The award, named after Jewish Greek hero Mardohaios (Mordechai) Frizis, who was "the first high-ranking Greek military officer to give his life in defense of freedom against the Axis powers", is presented annually and contains soil from Greece, Israel and the United States.

    "The Frizis Award, conceived and developed by CEH, is reserved for only the highest-level, most consequential Jewish leaders in the US government who have also made significant contributions to Hellenic issues," CEH said in a statement.

    "The remains of...Colonel Mardohaios Frizis will soon find their final resting place. We are proud to be a part of these ceremonies honoring Colonel Frizis and proud to continue to honor his name each year with the presentation of the Frizis Award in Washington, D.C.," CEH said.

    Colonel Frizia's remains, which were recently found and identified in Albania, arrived Wednesday inn his homeland of Thessaloniki, and would be buried Thursday with full military honors during a ceremony at the Jewish cemetery of Thessaloniki.

    Previous recipients of this award, first presented in 1993, include Undersecretary of State Marc Grossman 2002, then-National Security Council Director Sandy Berger 1997, former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke 1996, and Honorary President of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Maynard Wishner 1993 (the first recipient).

    There are two statues of Colonel Frizis in Greece -- one at the War Museum in Thessaloniki and one at the War Museum in Athens. During the war of 1940-41, 12,898 Jewish Greeks were drafted, 343 became officers, 513 were killed, and 3,743 were wounded. Col. Frizis was killed while fighting in Premeti on December 5, 1941.

    [25] Black Sea Greeks conference clouded by controversy

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    The 5th International Conference of Black Sea Greeks is to take place in Thessaloniki over the weekend to discuss a number of issues concerning Greeks originating from the shores of the Black Sea.

    The conference will begin under a cloud of controversy when it opens on Saturday, however, since a large section of the international community of Black Sea Greeks is fighting to have it postponed.

    A press conference was held in the city on Thursday by a group calling for its cancellation, which said it represented 200 Black Sea Greek societies in Greece and four federations abroad.

    Among the issues to be discussed at the conference are those concerning the new refugees, the problems of ethnic Greeks still living in former Soviet states, efforts to have the massacre of Black Sea Greeks recognized as genocide and presentations of new evidence about the history of Black Sea Greeks from French, Austrian and Russian files.

    The conference will be held on October 26-28 and the organizers said it is taking place under the aegis of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos though it was not certain whether he would be able to attend the opening ceremony.

    [26] EU targets for technology in schools exceeded, minister says

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    The government had exceeded EU targets for introducing new technology to schools, Education Minister Petros Efthymiou said on Thursday in Parliament, in response to questions from the opposition.

    The EU ratio of one computer for every 15 students by 2004 had already been exceeded in secondary education, where there was one computer for every 14 students in middle school, one computer for every 13 students in technical schools and one computer for every 12 students in lyceums.

    He pledged that the ratio would also have been met for primary schools by the end of 2003.

    In addition to the hardware, the retraining of Greek teachers in the use of computers was proceeding rapidly. The first round of training courses for 75,000 teachers was due to end on June 2003, Efthymiou noted, whereupon a second program for another 75,000 teachers would immediately commence.

    [27] President issues pardon to mark October 28 national holiday

    Athens, 25/10/2002 (ANA)

    President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Thursday issued a general pardon for all disciplinary offences within the military and the security forces, to mark the October 28 national holiday and the anniversary of Thessaloniki's liberation.

    All officers and servicemen will be let off the remainder of any outstanding disciplinary penalties imposed before October 26, 2002.

    [28] Prodi hopeful for accession talks to be concluded

    BRUSSELS 25/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    EU Commission President Romano Prodi said here on Thursday that the Brussels summit which opened on Thursday evening should give the Commission a ''reference framework'' on the budgetary issues of enlargement, so that it could conclude accession negotiations with the ten candidate countries before the European Council meeting in Copenhagen mid-December.

    ''We want a clear framework from the 15 member states so we can have flexibility for negotiations with the candidate countries. We do not want them to face a take it or leave it situation,'' Prodi said at a pre-summit press briefing here.

    The best guarantee for success is that we have plenty of room for discussion, he added.

    Prodi predicted it would still be possible to wrap up accession negotiations with ten countries - including Cyprus - at Copenhagen even if the Brussels summit failed to provide the framework he wanted and specific figures for outstanding budgetary issues, but noted it would be more difficult.

    ''We want decisions on the political level at Brussels so that we can proceed with the technical issues. We don't want to leave both jobs for Copenhagen,'' he said.

    Prodi said the Brussels Council was ''a much targeted one'' and had a simple agenda. Singling out enlargement, which is the main issue on the agenda for the two-day summit of the leaders of the 15 member states, he was hopeful they would endorse the Commission's proposal to conclude accession negotiations with the ten candidate countries before the Copenhagen summit, with the aim of signing the accession treaty in Athens next April.

    He was also hopeful that the Brussels summit would reach decisions regarding what he called ''the trickiest issue'' of direct support to farmers in the new member states, describing the Commission's proposals as ''balanced and fair.'' He reiterated that these proposals were in line with the decisions of the 1999 Berlin summit.

    The financial issues were to be discussed at the working dinner on Thursday evening for the heads of state or government of the 15 members of the EU. The dinner will be preceded by a meeting with the chairman of the Convention on the future of Europe, former president of France Valery Giscard d' Estaing.

    [29] UN plan for Cyprus settlement in place, says Solana

    BRUSSELS 25/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana confirmed on Thursday that the UN has put together a plan for a settlement to the Cyprus problem.

    Asked by CNA about prospects for a Cyprus solution before the EU proclaimed Cyprus and nine more European countries ''under accession'' at the Copenhagen summit in December, Solana said he had been in touch with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan ''in the last days'' about Cyprus.

    ''Mr. Annan will make every effort to get a solution before December,'' Solana said. He noted however that this was ''very difficult.''

    Asked if he was aware of a UN plan that had already been prepared on Cyprus, he answered: ''You want me to say... I will say yes.''

    ''One must not forget that Cyprus is a candidate country. If a solution to the Cyprus problem is not achieved, then Cyprus will be named a country 'under accession' to the EU at the summit in Copenhagen this December, together with the other candidate countries,'' he said.

    [30] British envoy arrives in Cyprus

    NICOSIA 25/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    British Envoy for Cyprus, Lord David Hannay, arrived on the island on Thursday afternoon for a new round of contacts in an effort to find a Cyprus settlement before the Copenhagen European Council.

    The British diplomat did not make any statements on arrival. However he had a brief meeting with Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, who was on his way to Bern, Switzerland.

    CNA has learned that the purpose of de Soto's visit to Switzerland is to participate in a UN committee meeting, and has nothing to do with the Cyprus problem.

    Lord Hannay will have a working breakfast with President Glafcos Clerides on Friday morning and also meet Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

    He will also confer with political leaders from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities and see Mumtaz Soysal, legal adviser of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to the UN-led direct talks.

    [31] Cyprus president's message to Annan on 57th UN anniversary

    NICOSIA 25/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides assured UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan of Cyprus' firm commitment in attaining the lofty principles of the UN.

    In a message here Thursday to Kofi Annan on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the UN, Clerides thanked the international organization’s efforts and the Secretary-General's personal involvement within the mission of his good offices, towards a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the relevant UN resolutions.

    ''Rising from the ashes of a destructive world war, the UN has unquestionably succeeded where the previous noble effort of the League of Nations did not'', said President Clerides.

    Stressing that ''we are living at a time in which the UN is being constantly called upon to address much more than its traditional challenges'', the president said at the turn of the new millennium the UN is a ''force for unity not only in the efforts aiming at systematically reducing poverty, eradicating disease, preventing war or building peace, but moreover, in adequately confronting international terrorism, HIV/AIDS, the digital divide and the various aspects of globalization''.

    The permanent objective of the organization remains, as it should, the ''preservation of world peace and security'', Clerides said.

    ''As humanity is already traversing a new Millennium, the noble vision so aptly expounded in the Millennium Declaration, should guide us all to the attainment of the lofty principles of the UN...I would like to assure you of Cyprus' firm commitment in this endeavor'', the president added.

    Furthermore, he expressed deep appreciation for the organization’s efforts and Annan's ''personal involvement within the mission of your good offices, towards a just, viable and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem, based on the implementation of the relevant resolutions of the Organization'


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