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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-10Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>January 10, 2003CONTENTS
[01] EU Commission arrives in Athens, welcomed by G. PapandreouAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Greece's Foreign Minister and current President of the EU Council of Ministers George Papandreou on Thursday welcomed the members of the European Commission, headed by Com-mission President Romano Prodi, on their arrival at Athens International Airport at 18.20 on a special flight from Brussels, essentially inaugurating the Greek EU presidency.Foreign Minister George Papandreou was at hand at the airport to welcome the Commission in Greece, which was then taken to the Plaza Hotel in Central Athens under heavy security measures. Later in the evening the members of the European Commission were due to attend a performance by the European Youth Orchestra at the Athens Megaron Concert Hall, marking the commencement of the Greek EU presidency, while at 10 pm the EU commissioners will attend a reception hosted in their honor by Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the Athens Concert Hall. On Friday, 10 January, Simitis will meet with Commission President Prodi, while parallel meetings will be held between the EU commissioners and the respective Greek government ministers at the Zappeion Mansion. Simitis and Prodi are expected to give a joint press conference at noon. [02] Greek EU presidency inaugurated with performance by European Youth OrchestraAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)The fourth Greek EU presidency was inaugurated on Thursday evening with a performance by the European Youth Orchestra at the Athens Megaron Concert Hall.Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou, accompanied by their wives, received the 20 European Commissioners, headed by Commission President Romano Prodi. The performance was attended by ministers, deputies, diplomats, main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis, Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and many other officials. In written messages, both Simitis and Prodi praised the orchestra, stating that it was proof of inter-cultural cooperation between the youth of Europe. Simitis said that the Europe of citizens passes necessarily through the Europe of youth, while Prodi said that music has the ability of overcoming barriers and borders. Prodi noted that the European Youth Orchestra ''can be proud that it is in the vanguard of the course for the historic enlarge-ment towards the east of the EU, and this, because it was always open to the great composers and maestros of Eastern Europe.'' [03] Greek EU presidency: emphasis on environmental, social policiesAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)The Greek presidency will work towards promoting policies combining growth with environmental protection, through initiatives on environmental aspects bearing an immediate impact on industries, EU Employment Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou said in a statement on Thursday.Within that framework, said the Commissioner, the Greek presidency will intensify discussions on the need to continue the efforts in the fields of viable use of natural resources, waste management, the development of new legislation on chemicals, the promotion of innovation and European standardization, the establishment of indicators to monitor the integration of environmental protection to the policies of industries and the promotion of voluntary instruments based on the market. Special emphasis will also be given to the areas of Community social policy, based on the resolutions of the Lisbon Summit. Diamantopoulou said ''it is imperative that Community policy and views on employment get away from the logic that wants this to be solely a concern of the labor market''. ''Within that framework'', Diamantopoulou added, ''at the European Council in Brussels, both the European Commission and the Greek EU Presidency want it to become clear that the economic policy and the employment policy are two distinct policies, and of equal weight to the degree that this is possible, and that employment does not constitute a sub-sector of economic policy''. Sources from Brussels have nevertheless emphasized that the good intentions of the Greek presidency are accompanied by negative circumstances, including not only an increase in the group of conservative parties throughout Europe, which traditionally have not been favoring European initiatives on social policy, but also negative economic circumstances which are expected to worsen in the event of a war on Iraq. At the informal Social Affairs Council to take place on 24 January in the Greek southern Peloponnese town of Nafplion, the Greek presidency intends to promote a proposal prepared by the Commission for integration into a common ''hat'' of sectors pertaining to the social field, which will be implemented through an open cooperation. In that manner, an indicator for ''Elderly living conditions'' will be added to the existing indicators for poverty and social exclusion. Another challenge for the Greek EU presidency will be to obtain a compromise at the Social Affairs Council for the Directive on temporary-employment agencies, an institution not particularly spread in Greece, however, with a significance presence in a number of European countries. The official institutionalization of the 'social forum', with the participation of representatives from employers, employees, the European Commission and the EU Council, presents a third challenge to the Greek presidency. Such a forum has already been scheduled for a time preceding this Spring's European Council; nevertheless, the goal of the Greek presidency is that the Forum is fully established as a community procedure. [04] EU representation chief: Greek EU presidency has high degree of preparednessAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)The head of the EU Commission Representation in Greece, George Markopouliotis, on Thursday stressed that there would be close cooperation between the Commission and the Greek government during the first half of 2003, the period when Athens assumes the European Union's rotating presidency.In an interview with the Athens News Agency (ANA), published on the same day as EU Commission President Romano Prodi's arrival here and his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Markopouliotis said the EU Commission Representation in Greece has developed close ties with Greek officials toward establishing the best possible conditions for serving the goals of the Greek EU Presidency and the Union. ''The Greek presidency shows a high degree of preparedness and adjustment to demands and developments on a national, European and international level'', Markopouliotis said, adding: ''The fourth Greek EU presidency since Greece's accession to the EU finds the country with excellent relations with the EU's institutional bodies, particularly with the Commission; this will aid the Greek presidency toward achieving its goals''. ''Greece's role in the EU foreign relations field will be particularly significant in the next six months'', he said, while citing Greece's traditional close ties with Russia. "(These ties) render our country a basic player for further rapprochement between the EU and that country towards promoting issues of common interest''. Regarding the promotion of Cyprus' EU integration, Markopouliotis said that based on the Copenhagen Summit resolutions, it is expected that the Greek Presidency will use its influence for a smooth and rapid completion of the integration process, in tandem with rapprochement with Turkey. [05] Socialist group supports Diamantouros for European ombudsmanAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA) BRUSSELS (ANA - G. Daratos)The European Parliament's socialist group, following an audition for all candidates for the post of European ombudsman, unequivocally supports the Greek candidate professor Nikiforos Diamantouros, according to an announcement by its President Enrique Baron on Thursday. The election of the European Union's new ombudsman will be carried out by a European Parliament plenum in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Baron said the socialist group will support the candidate who has the capabilities and the experience to achieve success. ''It is evident for every objective observer that professor Diamantouros fully meets all the preconditions required by the post of the European ombudsman and I am ascertaining with satisfaction that his candidacy is also supported by Eurodeputies belonging to other groups, apart from the socialist one,'' Baron said. [06] Cabinet discusses EU presidency arrangements, Ocalan trialAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Thursday's regular cabinet meeting focused mainly on last-minute arrangements for the Greek EU presidency and the specific duties of each ministry and council of ministers, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said.Addressing his cabinet, Prime Minister Costas Simitis underlined that the EU presidency was not simply just another job to be carried out but a "broad-ranging national and European mission". "During our term we must take both Europe and our own position within Europe further forward," he said. According to the spokesman, Simitis also referred to the decision to indefinitely postpone the trial of rebel Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan for illegal entry into Greece by an Athens court. In his opening remarks, the premier categorically denied press reports that the government was seeking to have all the trials related to the Ocalan case postponed, stressing that the trials were politically and socially significant and had to proceed normally. Another issue discussed was the prominence given to everyday, run-of-the-mill problems by the media, Protopapas said. Here the premier noted that the government's side had to be heard every time and he warned ministers not to underestimate the importance of such problems nor the impressions they created. He called for immediate and clear answers to every issue raised and an effort to highlight positive elements and the work being done by the government. [07] Gov't: Greece would like to see Cyprus proceed without guarantor powersAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)The Greek government would be happy if there was an agreement that Cyprus could go its own way without guarantor powers, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Thursday.He was responding to questions regarding Greece's role as a guarantor power under the plan proposed by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. If this was not possible, Athens would like the military presence on the island reduced to a bare minimum, Protopapas added. [08] Greek Ambassador: Greece would back UN plan on CyprusNICOSIA, 10/01/2003 (ANA/G.Leonidas)Greece's ambassador to Nicosia Christos Panagopoulos said on Thursday that Greece, as the current holder of the EU Presidency, "will obviously back by all possible means the UN initiative to resolve the Cyprus dispute."Speaking during a press conference here, Panagopoulos said that the political will of the Turkish-Cypriot side was crucial for procedures to move forward and achieve an on principle agreement by Feb. 28 on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a resolution of the Cyprus issue. Panagopoulos said that Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who is to visit Ankara on Jan. 31 in his capacity as President of the EU Foreign Ministers Council, would have the chance to discuss the Cyprus problem in addition to Turkey's European prospects. [09] Foreign minister to visit Albania with EU troika delegationAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Foreign Minister George Papandreou is due in Tirana next Monday for a visit by an EU troika delegation to the Albanian capital, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis announced on Thursday.On the sidelines of the visit, the Greek foreign minister will have talks with his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta and Albanian premier Fatos Nano, the spokesman said. Outlining the foreign minister's program for the rest of the coming week, Beglitis said that Papandreou was due to visit Sarajevo on Wednesday to attend a ceremony establishing a European police force in the Bosnian capital. On the following day, the foreign minister is to return to Athens in time for a visit by NATO Secretary-General Lord George Robertson, EU High Commissioner for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and UN special envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto. The visiting officials will meet Papandreou and Prime Minister Costas Simitis. On Friday, the EU troika delegation will meet in Athens with Indian Minister for External Affairs Yashwant Sinha, while on the following day, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer will visit Athens at Papandreou's invitation for talks focusing on the future of Europe and institutional reforms within the Community. Beglitis said that the dates for a tour by Papandreou to Arab countries would be finalized through diplomatic channels next week, while he again stressed that the visit was taking place within an EU framework, as part of the foreign policy initiatives undertaken by all EU presidencies. [10] FM says in a newspaper interview war in Iraq not inevitableROME, 10/01/2003 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)Foreign Minister George Papandreou, in an interview with the Italian newspaper ''Repubblica'', believes war is not inevitable in Iraq and it is a mistake to continue speaking only of war.The interview was titled ''Europe on a peace mission'' on the front page and ''I want to convince Saddam to exorcise war'' in an inside page. Papandreou announced a diplomatic mission by the European Union in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Israel and Palestinian territory and claimed that peace is still possible. ''No. War is not inevitable. It is a mistake for us to go on talking only of war because there would be the danger of it becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, a prophecy which would come true. All are preparing for war and are not thinking of other possible solutions. And yet the United Nations gave Saddam Hussein the opportunity to adjust. This is the important message which must reach the Iraqis: they have a substantial possibility of avoiding war. But they must accept the decisions,'' he said. ''We, in principle, desire a diplomatic solution and for this reason we shall visit the countries in the region with Solana. And a diplomatic solution is still possible if decisions taken by the UN are honored and if Saddam cooperates with the UN. We shall see on January 27, when the inspectors will present their report. It will be an important moment for the assessment of two issues. Firstly, if indeed weapons of mass destruction do exist and in what quantity. Secondly, if there was cooperation with the inspectors. Regarding the next step. If there are forbidden weapons they must be destroyed. And cooperation by Iraq will be of basic importance here,'' he added. The foreign minister further said the international community wants respect for decisions taken by the UN and is not calling for war, adding that ''on the contrary, I would say the international community would like to avoid a war and will do it if the UN's decisions are honored.'' Papandreou also said U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell reiterated in talks with him that the target is not war but respect for the UN's decisions. On the question of whether he believes the United States government is divided on this point, Papandreou said a very intense internal dialogue is taking place in the United States, but the strategy chosen in the end is to go through the UN. ''Contrary to the picture formed by many, Europe is united on the issue of Iraq. The claim to have the problem go to the UN is a claim of Europe's which was born through a joint position of the European Union. I believe that this position was of decisive importance in having President Bush persuaded as well,'' he said. Papandreou went on to comment on relations with Turkey, saying that over 15 bilateral agreements were signed with Turkey over the past two years, when for 40 years not even one had been signed. ''We support Turkey's accession to the EU not for Cyprus, but because we believe that it is of great importance for Turkey itself, for us and for Europe,'' Papandreou said, adding that ''with a democratic Turkey and with a Turkey having European values the problem of Cyprus cannot but be solved. For the simple reason that there can no longer be walls in Europe.'' [11] Iraq cooperating with UN, no need for war, Iranian FM tells EUAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Iranian foreign minister Dr. Kamal Kharazi on Thursday told the EU that Iraq was cooperating with the United Nations Security Council and therefore there was no reason for war.Kharazi, on an official visit to Athens where he met with Greece's foreign minister George Papandreou, who currently chairs the EU Council of Ministers as Greece holds the rotating EU presidency for the first half of 2003, added that Iran shared the EU view that war should not take place. In his capacity as chairman of the EU Council of Ministers, Papandreou met Thursday in Athens with his visiting Iranian counterpart Dr. Kamal Kharazi and expressed hope that their meeting comprise a good omen for EU-Iran cooperation. Papandreou clarified that this cooperation chiefly concerned the EU-Iran trade agreement and the dialogue on human rights. The two foreign ministers also discussed the situation in the Middle East, with the focus on developments in Iraq, and Papandreou reiterated the European Union's clear-cut position on Iraq regarding the need for Iraq to respect the UN decisions. "If this occurs, we will avoid war and gain peace," Papandreou said. Asked by reporters how concerned he was of the prospect of war and its repercussions on Iran, Kharazi said he was "particularly uneasy", since Iran was a bordering country. Kharazi said that, in the event of war, there would be serious repercussions for his country, including waves of refugees, population displacement, and the effects from the use of chemical weapons. "All this indicates that our opinion should be sought on the developments," the Iranian official said, adding that he was convinced that "Iraq is cooperating with the UN Security Council, and there is no reason for there to be a war". Kharazi said his country shared the EU position that there should be no war. Papandreou added, on his part, that consultations with the countries neighboring Iraq on the developments in that country would be held during the Greek EU presidency. [12] Israeli envoy on possible Iraq war; latest EU presidency statementAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Israel's ambassador to Athens on Thursday said he personally believes a US-led war against Iraq is imminent, while citing Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein's "personality" as the biggest reason for any such confrontation."My personal view is that there will be a war ... US actions are necessary because they (United States) are convinced Saddam is lying, and that Saddam is hiding weapons of mass destruction," Ambassador David Sasson told reporters in the Greek capital on Thursday, less than three weeks before a crucial general election in his country. In response to a related press question, he also answered in the affirmative when asked if only a "regime change" will prevent a war in Iraq. Along those lines, he cited several offers, as he said, by Arab states and third countries to host an exiled Saddam - offers that he stressed that have been spurned. Reaction to EU presidency statement Meanwhile, Sasson also urged for a "more balanced" approach by the EU presidency, as he put it, following a statement on Wednesday calling on Israel to lift its ban on the movement of Palestinian officials, a statement warning that such actions do not contribute to international efforts aimed at ending violence in the Middle East. "We expect the European Union presidency to have a more balanced message, to acknowledge the fact that there are terrorist activities and violence in Israel," he said, adding: "Israel does not operate in a vacuum in the area". In a statement issued here by the Greek presidency on Wednesday - as Athens currently holds the rotating six-month EU presidency -- the Union criticized an Israeli government decision to block the departure of senior Palestinian officials for a London conference next week focusing on the issue of Palestinian reform. Finally, Sasson cited the holding in Athens this week of the first-ever "Greek-Israeli Strategic Dialogue", which brought together academics, foreign policy experts and personalities from both countries, noting that "this is another indication of growing ties between Greece and Israel. Such a dialogue can only be held between friends," he stressed. [13] Ambassador Miller says U.S.-Greece relations at best ever levelWASHINGTON, 10/01/2003 (ANA/T. Ellis)U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller said here on Thursday that Greek-U.S. relations were at the best level ever and hailed the role of Greece in the Balkans.At a speech he gave at the American-Hellenic Institute in Washington, he hailed Greece's role in the Balkans, stressing that the country has developed into a ''world player'' and is not restricted to the geographic region of southeastern Europe. With regards to developments in the dismantling of the ''November 17'' terrorist group, Miller spoke of a ''very great development'' which he said constitutes a Greek success ''which is due to the Greek government and the brave public order minister.'' Stressing that the American side was observing with great interest developments in the issue and has also employed a legal adviser, Miller noted it was a ''Greek trial.'' On Greek-Turkish relations, the ambassador said that their momentum has changed these past few years and that the two countries are speaking without mediators. He made particular reference to the EU summit in Copenhagen, noting the importance of the Greek support to the promotion of strengthening European-Turkish relations. On the Cyprus issue, the ambassador underlined that an important opportunity was presenting itself this period, although nobody can be sure that a solution will finally be achieved. He assessed that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan can succeed if the two sides want it. In this context, he noted that the new Turkish government is confronting the problem with a different approach, increasing the chances for the reaching of a settlement. He termed the Athens 2004 Olympic Games as a ''vehicle'' for the further modernization of the country and the narrowing of the distance which separates Greece from the other EU countries. Referring to the Greek EU presidency, Miller stressed that it has all the possibilities of being very successful, noting that the Greek government is concerned of the danger that the issue of Iraq, on which there is very good cooperation between Athens and Washington, as well as on other major international problems, will overshadow its other priorities. [14] Turkish general says acceptance of Annan plan would encircle Turkey in AnatoliaISTANBUL, 10/01/2003 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Hilmi Ozkok, has expressed the ''importance which Cyprus has for the security of Turkey'', noting that if the terms of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the political problem of Cyprus are accepted, then ''the procedure for the encirclement of Turkey in Anatolia will be completed.''In a speech at a reception held by the General Staff's general secretariat, Ozkok claimed that the security needs are also important for the Turkish Cypriot community. General Ozkok noted that the Cyprus problem, the European Union and Iraq, issues which decisively influence the develop-ment of Turkey, have important security dimensions which the only the Turkish Armed Forces are competent of dealing with. ''The Turkish Armed Forces are the protagonists of the modernization of Turkey,'' the general said, adding that ''accession to the EU will be the most important means for the completion of the modernization.'' ''The Turkish army is already in Europe through NATO for the past 50 years,'' he said, and termed as ''unfair'' claims that the Turkish Armed Forces is opposed to accession to the EU. Concluding, Ozkok said he does not want accession to the EU to take place under any terms but in conditions of equality and protecting national and geographic sovereignty. [15] EU commissioner Wallstrom addresses NGOs in AthensAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Greece assumes the Presidency of the European Union at a critical moment in Europe's construction, European Commissioner on environmental issues Margot Wallstrom said on Thursday in Athens, during an address to non-governmental organization representatives.''Greece assumed the Presidency right after the EU's historic enlargement,'' stressed Wallstrom, noting the ''political groundwork to be done by Greece, reconnecting EU to its Citizens''. She stressed that the Thessaloniki Summit in June will be a special moment during which the leaders of the European Union will discuss in depth the future of Europe, ''based on the output of the Convention''. ''Greek authorities,'' she said, ''in common with governments around Europe, have declared their intention to improve the quality of life of citizens, including their health (as the) environment has a crucial role to play here''. [16] Gov't rules out search for assets taken abroad by former king ConstantineAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Thursday ruled out the prospect of seeking out assets taken abroad by Greece's former king Constantine or of ''deducting'' their value from the 13.7 million euros awarded to the former monarch by a European Human Rights Court as compensation for former royal estates impounded by the Greek government.Yiannitsis was responded to a question by a PASOK MP in Parliament. The minister said that there was no provision for reducing the amount awarded by factoring in other demands or in any other way, either within the body of laws governing the court nor in the practice followed by the Council of Europe ministers' council responsible for ensuring that the court's decision was correctly applied. [17] Greek president extends condolences over air crash in TurkeyAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)President Kostis Stephanopoulos on Thursday sent a telegram to his Turkish Counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer, extending his condolences to the relatives of victims of the plane crash in Diyarbakir province.Likewise, Foreign Minister George Papandreou sent a similar message to his Turkish counterpart Yasar Yakis expressing the sorrow of the Greek people over the tragic accident. "It is with great grief that I have received the news of the tragic air crash that took place near the city of Diyarbakir, which caused the loss of so many human lives," Papandreou's letter to Yakis read. "On behalf of Greek people, as well as on my personal behalf, I would like to convey to you my sincere condolences and profound sympathy," the Greek FM added. [18] Marina Zeas SA signs 16.6 mln euro contract with ETAAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Marina Zeas SA on Thursday announced the signing of a contract with Hellenic Tourist Real Estate SA (ETA), worth 16.6 million euros.Under the contract, Marina Zeas SA - a consortium including Empedos SA, Prometheus Gas SA, Kyriakoulis Mediterranean Cruises SA, Commercial Real Estate and Athina AETB - will take over the management of marina Zeas in Pireaus for a period of 40 years. The consortium will begin works to expand the capacity of the marina to 667 boats, from 566 currently, and to improve facilities and the surrounding areas in the marina. The works are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2004. Finance ministry auditors clear Red Cross hospital of operating for profit In a turn-up in the ongoing case against Red Cross president Andreas Martinis over the 'Errikos Dynan' hospital, a team of finance ministry auditors on Thursday concluded that the Errikos Dynan Foundation operated as a non-profit organization that did not violate the original goals under which it was founded by the Greek chapter of the Red Cross. The auditors said the treatment of 938 patients without means free of charge and the treatment of 21,229 patients solely on the basis of their social insurance coverage showed that the hospital did not operate solely on profit-making criteria. Martinis, who is also president of the Errikos Dynan, welcomed the auditors' findings as vindication for both himself and the hospital, which he said was operating successfully, and attributed charges that the hospital was operating as a regular profit-making business to a bid for control of the health-care sector by the Apostolopoulos group. The Apostolopoulos group, which owns the Medical Centre chain of hospitals, has filed a suit against the Errikos Dynan at an Athens primary court in which it seeks control of the hospital and compensation of 6.3 million euros. According to Martinis, "the masks had fallen" after the suit filed by Apostolopoulos and the mud-slinging "would backfire against the slanderers and their backers". [19] Govt announces measures to upgrade spa tourismAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Deputy Development Minister Dimitris Georgakopoulos on Thursday unveiled a package of measures aimed at modernizing tourism services in Greece.Under the plan, the ministry would create an inspection system to certify the standards of all tourist enterprises in the country. Mr Georgakopoulos stressed that the inspection was primarily of preventing nature and to deal with problems facing the industry and not a penalty procedure. The Greek minister also presented a draft bill aimed to modernize the country's legislation on spas and mineral water springs. Mr Georgakopoulos said that the draft bill was offering preconditions and incentives to attract investments for the creation of high quality infrastructure and services in the spa industry. Commenting on the bankruptcy of Manos Travel, Mr Georgakopoulos stressed that there was not threat of an "epidemic" in the tourist sector. Ministry sources said that the government has agreed to a long-time demand by car race enthusiasts for building a car race track in the prefect of Achaia and that developments were expected soon. [20] National Bank holds leading position in state bond marketAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)National Bank of Greece maintained its leadership in the domestic market of primary dealers, based on its activity in the state securities market both in December and for the whole year, the Bank of Greece said on Thursday.[21] ELBO in 17.6 mln euro contract with Greek Fire BrigadeAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)The Hellenic Vehicles Industry (ELBO) on Thursday announced its return to the firefighting vehicles industry for the first time since 1995 following signing of a contract, worth 17.6 million euros, for the supply of 113 vehicles to the Greek Fire Brigade.Delivery of the vehicles is expected to be completed this year. ELBO is expected to report its results for 2002. The company expects a significant increase in profits despite a fall in its turnover following drastic cuts in defense orders by the Greek Defense Ministry. [22] ND says EU approved updated stability program a criticism for gov'tAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)The evaluation of Greece's updated stability and development program for the 2002-2006 period, approved by the European Union on Wednesday, constituted criticism for the government, main opposition New Democracy party deputy George Alogoskoufis claimed on Thursday.According to Alogoskoufis, the Commission's report openly disputed the government's assessments for the future course of the public deficit and the social security issue. Alogoskoufis said the government's political weakness has a great cost for the economy and pointed out that a solution would be the speeding up of political developments in order, as he said, to confront the problems of the economy and society. [23] Medicon company to merge with subsidiary Medicon CosmeticsAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Decisions taken by the boards of the listed company Medicon Hellas S.A. and its 100 per cent subsidiary Medicon Cosmetics AEE, by which the start to their merger procedures through the latter being absorbed by the former, have been entered in the development ministry's register of S.A. companies.The date for the preparation of the transformation balance sheet has been set for December 31, 2002. As of January 1, 2003, all acts carried out by the company absorbed will be considered as being conducted on behalf of the listed absorbing company. The final decision on the merger will be taken by the merging companies' boards, while new shares will not be issued due to the fact all of the subsidiary's shares belong to the listed company. [24] Diekat wins contract in Romanian ecological projectAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Diekat, an Athens Stock Exchange listed construction firm, on Thursday announced it won a 4.6-million-euro contract in Romania for the ecological reconstruction of the Teleajen River valley.Diekat holds 51 per cent of the contract, while Romanian Indserv holds the remaining 49 per cent. The project will be co-funded by the European Union. [25] Govt seeks price transparency with new labeling lawAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Greece's development ministry on Thursday announced changes in price labeling of all products and services from January 20 in an move aimed to boost transparency in the domestic market.Under the plan, all prices will be shown in whole numbers (euros and cents). A ministry announcement said that all offenders of the new regulations will be prosecuted according to market code law provisions. [26] Greek stocks remain under pressure on ThursdayAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks ended Thursday's session slightly lower unable to recover from the previous day's sharp drop as investors remained worried over the prospects of the Athens Stock Exchange.The general index eased 0.25 percent to end at 1,721.94 points, with turnover an improved 87.8 million euros. The Telecommunications sector was the only one to score gains (up 0.42 percent), while the Food-Beverage (2.28 percent), Cement (2.03 percent), Holding (1.64 percent and Wholesale (1.60 percent) sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.74 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.67 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 1.09 percent and the FTSE/ASE 140 index eased 0.76 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 222 to 83 with another 50 issues unchanged. Sector indices ended on Thursday as follows: Banks: -1.43% Telecoms: +0.42% Insurance: -1.11% Investment: -0.01% Construction: -0.59% Textiles: -1.57% Industrials: -0.73% Holding: -1.64% Base metals: -0.08% Minerals: -2.03% Publishing: -0.46% Retailing: -0.79% Information Technology: -0.41% IT solutions: -0.16% Wholesale: -1.60% Food & Beverages: -2.28% Refineries: -0.48% Real Estate Management: -0.38% Parallel Market for smaller cap stocks: -0.84% Selected shares from the MSCI index closed in euros as follows: Alpha Bank: 11.14 Coca Cola: 12.98 EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 10.94 Vodafone: 5.52 Aluminium de Grece: 18.00 Public Power Corp: 14.02 National Bank of Greece: 12.84 Hellenic Petroleum: 5.40 Commercial Bank of Greece: 14.70 Intracom: 4.18 Hellenic Telecommunications Organization: 10.56 Titan Cement Company (common): 35.88 Motor Oil: 6.28 The most heavily traded stocks in value were Public Power Corporation, Cosmote, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, OPAP and Teletypos. Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Day's Market Turnover: 64.01 mln euros [27] EU Commissioner Wallstrom tours Schinias 2004 siteAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Visiting EU Commissioner Margot Wallstrom on Thursday toured the Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre, east of Athens, expressing her satisfaction with entire surrounding area's inclusion in the ?U's Natura environmental protection program.Wallstrom was accompanied at the site by Greek Environment and Town Planning Minister Vasso Papandreou and Athens 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelo-poulou-Daskalaki. "It was very important for me to see with my own eyes the progress of this project, which shows what you can accomplish when you work together," she said. On her part, Papandreou noted: "From a degraded area Schinias is slowly being transformed into an excellent wetlands. And those that had objections are beginning to be persuaded that the plan to upgrade the area on account of the Olympic Games was to the region's benefit, as well as the entire country." The rowing, canoe/kayak flat water racing events will be held at the site, northeast of Athens and the modern-day town of Marathon, which is near the eponymous ancient battlefield. [28] Foreign consultant brought in to avoid further subsidence in metro worksAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Metro contractors 'Attiko Metro' on Thursday announced that a foreign consultant specializing in tunnel-building would be brought in from Canada in order to avoid further problems such as the subsidence on Tuesday in works to extend the Athens metro system.Prof. Evert Hook, an expert in geotechnics at the universities of Imperial and Toronto, is due to arrive in Athens next week to participate in meetings on safety issues. He had also acted as consultant in the construction of the metro in Porto, Portugal and had been brought in to assist with problems arising in the section of the Athens metro beneath Monastiraki in 1996. Meanwhile, Attiko Metro announced that the section of Doukissis Plakentias road in Halandri where the extensive subsidence occurred would remain closed to traffic for at least a month. They also reiterated that the owners of homes on nearby Filis Road that were damaged as a result of the subsidence would be fully compensated and did not rule out the possibility that the two houses would be expropriated and knocked down. Also closed until 19 January will be the Piraeus-bound lanes of Kifissos Avenue at the junction with Piraeus Road because of works to build access ramps to the two metal bridges recently placed across the river. Lanes in both directions will be closed on Saturday and traffic will be rerouted through side-roads. The environment ministry's town planning department, mean-while, on Thursday continued to knock down buildings and structures along the Helidonous stream that are in the primary protection zone of the Kifissos River. [29] Another alleged 'N17' terrorist member arrestedAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Authorities announced the latest arrest a of suspected "November 17" terrorist on Thursday - the 19th -- apprehending a 40-year-old bank employee in northern Greece and later flying him to Athens aboard a police helicopter.Counter-terrorism squad officers arrested Anestis Papanastasiou in the port city of Thessaloniki on Thursday morning as he was leaving his home for work at a foreign bank branch. Papanastasiou is a cousin of suspected "N17" terrorist Nikos Papanastasiou, who is currently jailed at an Athens-area prison pending trial for various terrorism-related felonies. According to reports, although Anestis Papanastasiou -- married and the father of one -- is believed to be involved with N17, he is not considered one of the deadly group's assassins. Authorities said he worked at a local HSBC branch in the city for the past 12 years. Public order ministry sources said Papanastasiou was arrested after his fingerprints were found in one of two N17 hideouts in Athens. However, authorities did not clarify whether his fingerprints were found on movable objects in the hideout or on stationary spots, such as a wall, a pertinent element in substantiating any indictment against him. Nikos Papanastasiou, 50, was arrested in Athens last July and charged with complicity in the November 1983 assassination of US Navy officer George Tsantes and his driver Nikos Veloutsos, among others. Authorities have identified Nikos Papanastasiou in an indictment as the "N17" member with the alias of "Nikitas", one of the terrorist gang's founding members and among its top lieutenants. [30] Surveillance of suspected migrant-smuggling vessel continuesAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Greek Navy and coast guard vessels on Thursday continued surveillance of a suspected migrant-smuggling ship sailing in international waters west of Crete.The Syrian-flagged motorship "Antradouc 1" was spotted late on Wednesday night while sailing with its night navigation lights off in waters off Akra Kourmali in Lakonia. It disobeyed repeated calls by a coast guard naval rescue vessel to reduce speed and submit to an inspection. Instead, the motor ship changed course and escaped into international waters to the south, where coast guard vessels have no jurisdiction. Coast guard officers strongly suspect it had planned to offload illegal immigrants on the coast of Crete or the Peloponnese. [31] Gov't amendment seeks to extend residence permits until JulyAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis on Thursday tabled an amendment in Parliament extending the residence permits of foreign nationals in Greece until June 30.The amendment was added to a government bill transferring responsibility for the issue of passports to the police. Under the amendment, all residence permits issued to foreign nationals throughout Greece that expire before June 30 are automatically extended until that date, without any additional verification. The measure also covers residence permits issued through an act of verification by regional general secretaries under law 3013/2002. [32] EU Commissioner lauds archaeological unification projectAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)European Commissioner for the environment Margot Wallstrom on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the use of Community funds for the unification of archaeological sites around the centre of Athens, during a visit to the Acropolis in the morning.She was accompanied on a tour of Dionysis Areopagitou street, one of the pedestrianized roads forming part of the archeological unification on which work was recently completed, by a high-ranking environment ministry official and the president of the company in charge of the works, who briefed her on the details of the project. [33] New Athens Academy president takes up his postAthens, 10/01/2003 (ANA)The Athens Academy's new president, professor and surgeon Grigoris Skalkeas, was installed at his post during a public meeting of the Academy on Thursday night, attended by President Kostis Stephanopoulos.In his address titled ''The challenge of old age in the 21st century'', Skalkeas said gerontologists and genetics experts believe that genes will be identified over the next decade whose biological apparatuses are linked to longevity. He added that the direct result of this discovery will be the neutralization of many processes causing old age and people may break the 120-year barrier in the future. Skalkeas, a regular Academy member since 1989, was born in Areopolis in the prefecture of Laconia, in the Peloponnese. He studied medicine in Athens and received additional training at foreign universities. During his career he performed the first kidney and pancreas transplant in Athens. [34] Schwimmer: consensus between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties for Cyprus solutionNICOSIA, 1001/2003 (CNA/ANA)Council of Europe Secretary-General, Walter Schwimmer, said on Thursday he saw a very broad consensus among Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot politicians to solve the Cyprus problem based on the UN Secretary-General's plan. Schwimmer, who took part in a bicommunal meeting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties at the Ledra Palace hotel in the buffer zone, said, ''there is no alternative to solution of the Cyprus issue by reunification of the island.'' On his part, House President Demetris Christofias said ''everyone's wish to find a solution to the Cyprus problem the soonest was once again reiterated.'' Schwimmer described the meeting with the leaders of the parties from both sides of the green line ''as very important,'' noting he was ''very glad to see a very broad consensus.'' ''No solution can be imposed,'' Schwimmer remarked, adding ''the Kofi Annan plan is a very good basis for negotiations,'' and that the final result must be a result achieved by Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Christofias said they talked about violations of international law, human rights, issues concerning the presence of settlers in the occupied areas, and which are raised in the Annan plan. General Secretary of the Turkish Cypriot United Cyprus Party, Izet Izcan, said time is running out for a solution, adding that ''we missed the first train in Copenhagen and we would like to catch it on February 28.'' He said he asked Schwimmer and the CoE ''to have their eyes on Cyprus'' and positively help towards a solution to the Cyprus problem. He said the Turkish Cypriot community could do a lot, such as take a decisive stand, and increase its campaign in the occupied north by organizing more demonstrations soon. ''We have made it known to the world that we are not recognising Denktash as a representative of Turkish Cypriots because he is not supporting our interests'' and called on the Greek Cypriot community ''to help not the Turkish Cypriots but Cyprus'' towards reunification and supporting the Annan plan, and be ''flexible and constructive,'' as it is the only way to bring a solution. Republican Turkish Party leader, Mehmet Ali Talat said messages coming from Turkey are not clear but they show the compelling necessity of the rectification of the Turkish policy for Cyprus. He expressed hope there will be a ''good and real rectification of the Turkish foreign policy for Cyprus'' because Turkish Cypriots are not confident about their future and that is why they are demonstrating and want a viable solution based on Annan's plan and are demanding the resignation of Rauf Denktash because he does not represent the interests of the Turkish Cypriot community. Talat announced next Tuesday the Turkish Cypriots would demonstrate again for their opinions regarding the Cyprus problem and give an important and powerful signal to the world, to Turkey and to Denktash that they want a solution in Cyprus. Schwimmer, completed his visit to the island with a visit to the ceasefire line in Nicosia, dividing the Turkish occupied north from the free areas of the Republic. Signing the book at the observation point located at Ledra Street, one of the main commercial streets in Nicosia, which ends abruptly halfway because of the dividing line, Schwimmer wished ''for a Europe without dividing lines. This righteous wish of the CoE should be implemented in this beautiful island and capital of Nicosia.'' He said he is quite optimistic that this historic chance will be used and that the Cyprus issue will be solved and appealed to the leaders from both sides of the divide to unite the island and bring the two people together again. In a speech Wednesday night at the University of Cyprus entitled ''The CoE, the Protection of Human Rights and the future European Architecture'', Schwimmer said, ''a divided Cyprus may also remain weak within the reformed structure of the European Union.'' The Ssecretary-General said the CoE has not forgotten ''the citizens (the Turkish Cypriots) of Europe that are living beyond the Green Line and my hope and the hope of millions of other Europeans is to see them soon joining our family.'' He said given Cyprus' geographic position and history, the CoE is counting ''very much on the Cypriot input to develop'' the Mediterranean dimension of Europe as well as inter-religious and intercultural dialogue. UN-led talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are set to continue next week when Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto returns to the island. The Secretary-General has said an opportunity remains particularly until February 28 to resolve the Cyprus problem and achieve a comprehensive settlement which will allow a re-united Cyprus to get in the European Union. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory. [35] De Soto meets UN Secretary-General AnnanUNITED NATIONS, 10/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, met Wednesday with Kofi Annan and was expected to depart New York Thursday for Turkey, the first stop of his tour to Ankara, Athens and Nicosia.Asked by CNA, de Soto confirmed his meeting with the Secretary-General, which took place at the latter's residence, but did not want to go into details. The UN diplomat also met UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs Sir Kieran Prendergast. A UN spokeswoman said she had no information on de Soto's contacts. UN sources said a review of developments, based on the positions of all relevant parties was examined, as well as the Turkish government's stance and the forthcoming presidential elections in Cyprus. De Soto arrives in Cyprus on January 13, and will meet the leaders of the two sides. Although negotiations are expected to resume on the 15th it is still uncertain whether they will be conducted in the form of direct or proximity talks. [36] US still believes Cyprus agreement feasible by end of FebruaryWASHINGTON, 10/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher has indicated that there is still a chance to reach a negotiated settlement in Cyprus by February 28, a target date set by the UN, in the context of the European Union.Boucher also said the US continues to work towards this direction with the parties in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey as well as Europe in a bid to support the UN Secretary General's efforts in every way possible. ''We still believe that there is an opportunity, that February 28 presents another opportunity for the parties to get together,'' Boucher said when asked if the Cyprus question could be solved by end of February. The spokesman noted that there have been some more technical talks, some kind of discussions between the Cypriot parties and added that Washington has remained in close touch with various players. He said the US has been in touch with the Europeans, the Cypriots, the Greek and Turkish governments ''to keep working on this and to try to support the Secretary General's efforts in every way we can.'' ''We continue to make the point that there is an opportunity here for Cypriots as well as for people in the neighborhood, to solve a long standing question and to do that in the context of the EU,'' Boucher added. Asked if the presidential elections in Cyprus pose an obstacle to the peace process, he said he did not think that democracy is an obstacle to anything. ''So, no I won't get into anything involving the elections,'' he said. [37] Middle East Council of Churches meeting opensNICOSIA, 1/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)Over 20 delegates from countries of the Middle East have gathered in Limassol, Cyprus, for a two-day meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) to discuss preparations for the November MECC General Assembly and other issues, MECC Secretary General Riad Jar Jour told CNA on Thursday.He said changes to the MECC constitution, church unity, Christian-Moslem dialogue are on the agenda of the meeting, which will also look into the possibility of moving the Middle East desk of the World Council of Churches from Geneva to a regional country. Riad said that there will be a report on the situation in Palestine and Iraq and the role of the MECC on these two issues. He said a total of 24 delegates, from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and other countries are participating in the meeting. Replying to questions, he said Giorgio Lomopoulos, deputy Secretary General of the World Council of Churches will arrive in Cyprus Friday to address the meeting. On Saturday, the inauguration of the Coptic Church in the southern coastal town of Limassol will take place, followed by the inauguration of the Coptic Church in the capital Nicosia on Sunday. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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