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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-02-01Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>February 1, 2003CONTENTS
[01] PM does not rule out emergency EU summit over IraqAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis, head of the rotating EU presidency, on Friday said he had not ruled out the possibility of an emergency European summit to discuss the Iraq crisis following the letter on the issue signed by eight European countries just three days after the EU General Affairs Council had reached a common position.The letter, which urged support for US efforts to ensure Iraq's compliance with Security Council resolutions, was signed by EU member-states Britain, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Denmark and by candidate states Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. Speaking after a meeting with a delegation from the ETUC, a European trade union confederation, Simitis said that the Greek presidency would not call a summit over the letter per se but only if crucial decisions about further developments had to be made. He underlined, however, that the letter was an act that created problems because it had been sent out without any prior notice. ''It is, however, an expression of opinion, which member-states are free to make,'' he added. It was the presidency's obligation, duty and aim to organize dialogue for a common EU position on the issue, he said. ''We have agreed that we must try to have a common foreign policy. This must be our goal. Therefore, it is good if the EU member-states communicate with one another. For this reason we must try to overcome our differences,'' he said. The way in which the letter on Iraq was sent out by the 'eight', Simitis added, demonstrated a lack of communication. ''We do not help Europe acquire a strong voice within the global system in this way,'' he concluded. According to government spokesman Christos Protopapas earlier on Friday, Simitis had ordered his diplomatic attache Theodoros Sotiropoulos to get in touch with Simitis' EU counterparts on Thursday and brief them on the action of the 'eight' and the reaction of the Greek presidency. The nine EU member-states that had not signed the letter had declared absolute support for the positions of the Greek presidency, as this was expressed in a statement by Simitis, the spokesman said. The five co-signatories said that they signed the letter as an expression of support for the United States and that they continued to support the decision of the EU General Affairs Council on Monday. Representatives of the five countries also recognized that their action had caused a problem for the EU, regardless of their intentions, and they agreed that all necessary measures should be taken to achieve an alignment of views in order to avoid a major rift within the Union. The statement by the 'Eight' undoubtedly put the EU in a negative light and all must now focus on the problem of achieving a ''common EU stance in the direction of a political solution in Iraq,'' the spokesman stressed. Protopapas noted that similar 'selective alliances' had occurred within the EU before, while in the case of Afghanistan the Community had totally failed to achieve the common stance achieved the previous Monday. He said the prime minister and Foreign Minister George Papandreou would meet on Saturday morning to assess the situation and decide what new initiatives the Greek presidency would undertake. During his meeting with the leadership of the ETUC on Friday, the prime minister again expressed concern over the prospects of a coming war in Iraq and the possible repercussions on the economy. The meeting also focused on European Employment Strategy, immigration and the prospects of a 'social Europe' that will be raised at the EU summit in Thessaloniki during the Greek presidency. The trade unionists were also briefed on the issues discussed at the EU's ECOFIN council by Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, while they welcomed the positions of British and US trade unions against a war in Iraq. [02] Iraq crisis dominates FM Papandreou's talks in TurkeyANKARA 01/02/2003 (ANA - A Podimata)The Iraq crisis dominated visiting Greek foreign minister George Papandreou's meetings in Ankara on Thursday night with Turkish President Ahmed Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan (head of the ruling Justice and Development party).Diplomatic sources said that at his meeting with Papandreou the Turkish President reiterated his country's support for the role and the procedure of the UN Security Council and that he was particularly concerned over possible destabilizing consequences that prospective military operations in Iraq might entail for the Turkish economy. Papandreou, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, briefed Sezer on the outcome of the EU foreign ministers' General Affairs Council on 27 January and the common stance of the European Union's 15, the sources said. In responding to an inquiry by Sezer whether the EU supported the adoption of a second UN Security Council resolution on Iraq, the sources said that Papandreou informed him that views on that issue were divergent. In separate meetings with Gul and Erdogan, Papandreou informed them of the Greek EU presidency's intention to take specific initiatives for a diplomatic solution to the Iraq crisis and that it was considering calling a meeting of the foreign ministers of the 15 EU member-states, the ten countries recently approved for membership, and the three candidate states Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, aimed at averting war in Iraq. Such a meeting, he said, could take place early February. Both Gul and Erdogan found the proposal very interesting, the sources said. In a similar spirit, Turkey recently hosted a meeting in Istanbul of the foreign ministers of the countries bordering with Iraq in a bid to seek a peaceful outlet to the Iraq crisis. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Iran, Saudi Arabia (all bordering with Iraq) and close neighbor Egypt. [03] EU troika discusses Turkey's European prospects, Iraq in AnkaraANKARA 01/02/2003 (ANA/A. Podimata)Ministers making up an EU troika delegation to Ankara reiterated their support for Turkey's European prospects on Friday, in a joint press conference after their meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis.Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini for the next EU presidency and EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen took part in talks covering a review of the EU-Turkey association agreement, negotiations for a new package of EU funds for Turkey and the reforms being carried out by the Turkish government to satisfy the Copenhagen criteria, as well as the Cyprus issue and Turkey's bilateral problems with Greece and the Iraq crisis. Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou underlined that the Greek EU presidency supported Turkey's efforts to join the Community and said that a joint program ''with a horizon at the end of 2003'' had been worked out in cooperation with Italy, which would next take over the EU presidency. His Italian counterpart Franco Frattini similarly underlined his country's strong support for Turkey's course toward accession. Papandreou also stressed that a solution of the Cyprus issue and better relations with Greece would not only benefit both countries but also Turkey's European prospects. Yakis said that he would reply to an invitation from his Greek counterpart to begin negotiations on the security aspects of the Annan plan when internal deliberations within Turkey were completed. Troika and Turkey on Iraq crisis: Referring to the crisis in Iraq, the Greek minister said the troika's talks with the Turkish government had been useful and he stressed the need to ''send a strong message to the Iraqi government'' to conform to the decisions of the UN Security Council. He said the Greek presidency would continue efforts for a common stance by European countries and said that he would be cooperating closely with Turkey, also, on this issue. Frattini said they had ''confirmed the goal of finding a peaceful solution for Iraq's disarmament under the supervision of the United Nations'' while he stressed that the credibility of the Security Council was at stake. The Italian minister denied that a statement signed by eight European countries on the Iraq crisis, in which they called on Europe to support US efforts to ensure Iraq's compliance with Security Council resolutions, was in conflict with the joint position released by the 15 EU foreign ministers on Monday. Frattini, whose country was among those that signed the statement, fully confirmed his country's support for the joint position adopted by the EU General Affairs Council and said that the statement aimed ''to further unify our position'' and recognized the need to exert strong international pressure on Iraq. Papandreou praised his Italian counterpart's statement and his assurances that the statement by the eight did not intend to come into conflict with the joint EU position. According to Yakis, meanwhile, Turkey's position on Iraq was very close to that of the EU. Responding to questions about the talks to activate article 5 in the NATO treaty - to provide a NATO country with military support in the case of an attack by a third country - Yakis said that the preparations being made did not necessarily mean a war would take place. ''Our first hope is that Saddam Hussein will get the message and conform to the decisions of the Security Council,'' he said. On the same issue, Papandreou said that Greece had always been in favor of the application of article 5. He also noted that France and Germany did not object to the request in principle but only to the timing. [04] Parliament speaker speaks out against war in IraqAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis on Friday spoke out strongly against a possible war in Iraq, during a ceremony to cut a cake for the New Year at the European Parliament's offices in Athens.Kaklamanis stressed the dangers for international peace and Europe from such a war and emphasized that this new war was a move to undermine Europe and its future course. He also referred to a letter by eight European countries in support of the US on the Iraq crisis, and he compared the new situation and the 'so-called war against terrorism' to an inoperable cancer that spread to the entire organism as soon as it was operated on. [05] EU Treaty of Nice entering into force on February 1, 2003BRUSSELS 01/02/2003 (ANA-V.Demiris)The abolition of unanimity and the partial extension of the qualified majority in a number of fields to facilitate decision-making in the Council of Ministers, are the basic features of the Treaty of Nice which goes into effect on Saturday, February 1, 2003.Referring to the Treaty of Nice, EU Commission President Romano Prodi stated: ''The Treaty of Nice makes the necessary changes to prepare the European institutions for enlargement. It paves the way for the first peaceful unification of the European continent. Nice will also allow Europe to act more effectively because it scraps the national veto right in some areas''. The institutional changes foreseen by Nice will take concrete effect in 2004, the year when enlargement will happen. The new European Parliament, which will be elected in June 2004, will have 732 members. This is the new maximum number defined in the Nice Treaty, which also contains a new division of seats per Member State. The next European Commission, which will take office in November 2004, will have 25 members (one per Member State). This means that the bigger Member States will no longer appoint a second Commissioner. Once the EU reaches 27 members, the number of Commissioners will be lower than the number of Member States. Also from 1 November onwards, a new weighting of votes will apply in the Council of Ministers. In addition to meeting the threshold for a qualified majority vote, Nice stipulates that a vote in the Council will need the support of a majority of Member States, and that a Member State can request verification of whether the majority vote represents at least 62% of the population. The Treaty of Nice will also facilitate decision-making in the Council of Ministers. It contains 27 provisions, which move from the unanimity rule to a vote with qualified majority. For instance, measures to encourage actions that counter discrimination, specific support measures in the industrial policy field, the statute and regulations governing political parties at European level, and judicial cooperation in civil proceedings having cross-border implications all move away from unanimity. These and other cases also become part of the co-decision procedure, which means that the European Parliament will legislate on an equal footing with the Council. The negotiation and conclusion of international agreements on services and commercial aspects of intellectual property from now on fall under the qualified majority rule, with some exceptions. Finally, the future appointment of key figures, such as the President and Members of the European Commission, the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, special representatives, and the deputy Secretary-general of the Council, will no longer require a unanimous decision in the Council. The President of the European Commission receives increased powers. He or she can decide on the internal organization of the Commission; will allocate portfolios to Commissioners and if necessary reassign them during the term of office; will appoint a number of vice-presidents, after collective approval of the College; and may request a Commissioner to resign subject to approval by the College. The Nice Treaty introduces a new procedure to detect a potential serious breach of fundamental rights by a Member State. If this new prevention mechanism failed to address the situation, the European Council could declare the actual existence of such a breach and suspend certain rights of the country concerned, for instance the right to vote in the Council. The treaty allows for a major reform of the Union's judicial system in order to tackle the problem of case overload and speed up the delivery of judgments. It provides for the possibility of setting up internal chambers in the Court of First Instance to deal with certain proceedings. The possibility for more decentralization in the handling of cases within the Court of Justice is foreseen. The approval by the Council of the rules of procedures of both Courts will happen by qualified majority instead of unanimity. In foreseeing this reform, the Nice Treaty ensures the coherence of jurisprudence. Commissioner Barnier, who was negotiator for the European Commission of the Nice Treaty, declared: ''Our immediate challenge is to manage the first stage of enlargement, for which the Treaty of Nice is indispensable. But the Treaty does not give fully adequate solutions to make an enlarged Union work effectively. The Convention on the Future of the Union should help the next Intergovernmental Conference to find the political will, which was sometimes lacking during the Nice negotiations''. [06] PM: a bigger EU must be more effective and more democraticWASHINGTON 01/02/2003 (ANA - T. Ellis)Prime Minister Costas Simitis, in his article published in the latest edition of ''European Affairs'', a publication of the Washington DC based European Institute, outlined the five basic priorities of the Greek European Union presidency and his vision about the EU.In an eight-column article titled ''A bigger EU must be more effective and more democratic'' published in the journal’s edition of ''Winter 2003'', Simitis stressed that Greece envisaged a larger European Union, enlarged with ten new members, stronger, more influential on world affairs and closer to its citizens at home, a vast region of stability, democracy and prosperity, international cooperation, justice and sustainable development. The European Institute is a Washington DC based public policy forum on transatlantic relations. [07] Meeting at Athens office of EuroparliamentAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)The Greek Presidency of the European Union in the first semester of the current year, as well as the EU Presidency in general, were the focus of an event held on Friday at the Athens offices of the European Parliament.Referring to problems facing all rotating EU Presidencies, George Kasimatis, Director of the Europarliament’s Athens offices said EU enlargement, dialogue on the new constitution and issues relating to immigration and illegal immigration were the main priorities of the Europarliament for the first six months of 2003. He added, through special editions and meetings with the press, the Europarliament was making its best to facilitate dialogue on EU matters. George Markopouliotis, Director of the European Commission’s representation in Athens spoke about the role of the Presidency, stressing that it is a hard job for the president and ministers who have been assigned EU-Presidency related duties to promote national positions. Director of the Foreign Ministry’s EU Presidency office Stavroula Vavalea, who has worked in the same post in two of the past three Greek EU presidencies, referred to difficulties in carrying out such duties, as well as to their importance and positive outcomes. She expressed hopes for the success of the current ‘fourth’ time of Greece’s presidency of the Union, and noted it offered an opportunity for projects and improvements also in areas such as health and telecommunications. [08] Reports say terrorist suspects may be arrested in coming hoursAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)Reports said on Friday arrests of the terrorist Popular Revolutionary Struggle's (ELA) members may take place in coming hours, probably even on Saturday, adding that two or three people are expected to be arrested initially, including a woman. The suspects' fingerprints had been found on proclamations sent by the organization in the past.The reports said that arrests will not take place on a wide scale, but will probably be limited. About 10 people are expected to be rounded up and five or six of them will probably be detained, while it is doubtful whether the rest will be brought before justice. However, the reports said that the anti-terrorist service is aware of the participation of over 100 people in ELA's ''hit groups'' over the period between 1975-1995, but lacks substantiated evidence capable of supporting charges. The file of proceedings to be prepared on the case, apart from those to be arrested, will also contain the names of quite a few people and, according to existing evidence, the judicial authorities will decide whether arrest warrants will be issued for them as well. [09] Greek economic weekly reviewAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)Greek Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis ruled out any permanent consequences on the Greek and European economies from a possible war in Iraq and stressed that the European Union was working to minimize any likely impact.Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis during the week, Mr Christodoulakis who also chairs ECOFIN meetings in the first six months of 2003, noted that the Greek economy was not immune to international crisis, although he stressed that domestic economy was largely based on internal factors. The Greek minister reiterated the government's goal of achieving growth rates of 3.8 percent this year. ''This goal is absolutely realistic,'' he said. In other headline news this week, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos described 2002 as a successful year for tourism and noted that tourism revenues rose 1.0 percent from the previous year despite a 1.0 percent fall in tourist arrivals over the same period. Mr Tsohatzopoulos stressed that charter flights fell 1.5 percent in 2002 while arrivals in Greek tourist harbors rose 8.5 percent over the same period. The Greek minister said that developments in Iraq would determine this year's tourist season and refrained from making any predictions. Greek equity mutual funds are returning -6.0 percent so far this year further burdening investors who have placed their money to this category of assets. Combined equity mutual funds are also yielding negative results in January (-5.0 percent). Economy and Finance Minister Christos Pahtas said that talks on drafting a new regional policy in the European Union would begin during the Greek EU presidency, in the first six months of 2003. Mr Pahtas said he would begin a tour of EU member-states and candidate countries to discuss the issue. Insurance companies and the country's public hospitals are discussing ways to forge a strategic cooperation aimed to upgrade healthcare services and reduce expenses in healthcare costs. [10] Gov't says Greek Balkan reconstruction plan going wellAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)The government said on Friday that the country's economic reconstruction plan for the Balkans was progressing well.Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos and Deputy Finance Minister Christos Pahtas said on the sidelines of a meeting of the plan's monitoring committee in the northern port city of Thessaloniki that allocation had been set of funds for private productive investments. Of a total of 107 million euros, or 20 percent of the 550 million euro reconstruction plan, Albania would receive 10 million euros, Bulgaria 11 million euros, Yugoslavia (Serbia, Monte-negro and Kosovo) 53 million euros, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 15 million euros, Romania 14 million euros, and Bosnia Herzegovina 4.0 million euros. In addition, 13 project proposals had been submitted, which would be evaluated in the middle of February. The projects were eight for Yugoslavia, three for Albania, and one each for Montenegro and Bosnia, the officials said. [11] Balkan economies to have common prospects, Drys saysAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)Greek Agriculture Minister George Drys urged Balkan states to be actively present in developments under way in European Union level and stressed that Balkan economies "must have common denominators and create common prospects".Speaking to reporters, in a news conference in the framework of Agrotica trade fair in Thessaloniki, Mr Drys stressed that "it is our wish to systemize and speed up the work of joint committees set up to promote agricultural issues between Balkan states". The new conference was held to welcome his counterparts from Bulgaria, Romania, FYROM and Turkey. The Greek minister called for strong bilateral relations with other Balkan states to promote trade in farm products. [12] Anomeritis, Committee discuss Greek shipping sectorAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)"2002 was an exceptional year for Greek shipping, with the Greek flag currently at the white zone of the Paris MOU, the Greek shipping register totalling 1,529 vessels with a capacity of 28,678,240 gross tons and 62 percent of tankers, under the Greek flag, having a double haul," Greek Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis said on Friday.Addressing a meeting with the presidency of the Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee in London, a meeting held to discuss the Prestige tanker sinking off the coast of Spain and to cut the New Year's cake of the committee, Mr Anomeritis stressed that decisions taken last year were aimed to equally strengthen the sector's competitiveness and prestige and that the Greek shipping sector was aided by a strong state. "We are the only EU member-state to have a ministry for merchant shipping and a strong harbor police to perform its duties," the Greek minister said. Mr Anomeritis stressed that he implemented into actions and law everything he had pledged a year ago during his meeting with the Committee and added: "In an international level, and in particular IMO's operations, we participate actively to all procedures and support its decisions, according to Greek shipping's interests and the view of the international community. Greece will not accept any move to undermine IMO's credibility, the Sea Law and all International Agreements in the name of bad junctures or political maneuvers. We will be very happy to see the current deputy secretary-general of the Greek Harbor Police, Mr Efthimios Mitropoulos, becoming IMO's new secretary-general in June." Mr Anomeritis stressed that the Greek EU presidency's goal was to "adopt initiatives or proposals to promote quality shipping, with quality vessels and cheaper shipping fares." He criticized, however, a decision by Spain and France to forbid single-haul tankers to use the two countries' ports and urged for a full examination of conditions that led to the shinking of "Prestige". The London Committee representatives urged the Greek state to support the shipping sector and to examine all the financial parameters of speeding up procedures to retire single-haul tankers. [13] Greek stocks end week 2.17 percent lowerAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks ended the last trading session of the week with moderate gains pushing the general index nearer the 1,700 level.Traders said buying interest for blue chip stocks in the last hour of trading led to the recovery of the Athens bourse. The general index rose 0.75 percent to end at 1,683.59 points, with turnover a low 75.5 million euros. The Retail, Industrial and Bank sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.03 percent, 0.81 percent and 0.79 percent, respectively), while the Textile, Food-Beverage and Publication sectors suffered the heaviest losses (3.25 percent, 1.60 percent and 1.41 percent). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.87 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.10 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.59 percent lower. The wider FTSE/ASE 140 index rose 0.56 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 198 to 107 with another 52 issues unchanged. The general index ended the week with a net loss of 2.17 percent. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 56.0 mln euros Friday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Day's Market Turnover: 56.0 mln euros Bond Market Close: Sellers match buyers on Friday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond [14] Culture minister and Athens mayor discuss 2004 OlympicsAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni had a lengthy meeting on Friday to discuss preparations by the city for the Athens Olympics in 2004, in the presence of staff from the ministry and the municipality.''There are many issues that must be addressed if Athens is to succeed as host-city,'' Bakoyianni said after the meeting. She said she had presented Venizelos, whose ministry is in charge of coordinating Olympics preparations, with a detailed outline and cost estimates for the things the municipality would need in order to succeed in its task and provide hospitality for the many thousand visitors expected during the Games. Venizelos stressed that the mayor's office would receive funds to carry these out as quickly as possible. He said that a third and final meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis to discuss the Olympics budget would take place on Monday, which would finalize the budget for the state and the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC). ''Therefore, we will soon be in a position to transfer the maxi-mum funds possible to local government,'' he added. [15] Culture minister announces 54 architects' awards as part of Cultural OlympiadAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos announced 54 awards for an equal number of architects, professionals and students, at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens on Friday, where works will be on display until February 28.Later, they will be taken to the Royal Institute of British Architecture in London. The works will remain in the British capital between April 22 and May 24. The purpose of the international architecture competition, held in the framework of the Cultural Olympiad and completed on Friday is, as the minister said, the reformulation in the form of structures to be produced by architects from all over the world of concepts concerning the modern cities of the 21st century. The competition was proclaimed in 2002 and, according to relevant data, 470 plans were submitted to the international architectural committee, while 29 of the 54 works selected belong to the professional category. [16] Seminars on globalization by European Commission on Monday & TuesdayBRUSSELS 01/02/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)The European Commission, at the initiative of Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou is organizing in Brussels a seminar on the social dimension of globalization on Monday and Tuesday.The initiative aims at contributing to the work of the International Committee for the Social Dimension of Globalization, which was established in February 2002, by the International Labor Organization. Diamantopoulou will inaugurate the conference, which will include addresses from Greek Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas and the President of Finland Tarja Halonen, who also serves as co-chairman of the International Committee. ''Globalization should not lead to the attitude of 'businesses'' on one side and 'social issues' on the other side,'' Diamantopoulou said, in announcing the seminar, here on Friday. [17] Conference on equal remuneration for men and women organized by Equality CentreAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)The conference on equal remuneration for men and women, organized by the Research Centre on Equality Issues, went into its second day on Friday, focusing on the fact that equal pay with men for working women is a leading claim in an era in which the European dimension and impetus is constantly gaining ground.The women's movement was what brought to light inequalities facing women in paid labor as well, just as in every other sector of their lives,'' said Research Centre board member Fotini Sianou. Issues discussed concerned collective negotiations for working people's pay and equality in remuneration, inequality reigning in selected sectors and professions in Greece, such as tourism, banks, health and retail trade, as well as the issue of employed women immigrants and their pay. It was stressed that women's rights in salaried labor are currently safeguarded, but what is important is that institutions should function and be active and not fall into disuse. The basic precondition for institutions to function is for every woman to know her rights and demand their implementation. [18] Greek peacekeepers to receive medals from FranceAthens, 01/02/2003 (ANA)Greek officers and petty officers that served as peacekeepers in Kosovo, specifically those serving with a Greek battalion deployed in the French sector of Mitrovica, are to receive medals in recognition of their "professionalism and ability in maintaining and establishing peace in the region".The 38 officers are to be awarded the "Medaille de la Defense Nationale" and the "Medaille Commemorative Francaise ex Yugoslavie" for their services in former Yugoslavia, depending on their rank and position. The award ceremony will take place at the French Embassy on February 2. [19] Greek Cypriot side submits its reply to Turkish Cypriot positionsNICOSIA 01/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)The Greek Cypriot side, during Friday's meeting between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in the context of the UN-led peace talks, submitted a non-paper, by which it replies to the positions of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on a UN peace plan.A source close to the talks told CNA that during Friday's meeting, which lasted for about two hours and fifteen minutes, Clerides concluded its comments on the Turkish Cypriot side's remarks on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s peace plan. ''During the next meeting on Monday the two sides are expected to start a discussion aiming to bridge their different positions,'' the source told CNA. The talks on the Cyprus problem are held in the presence of the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto. The UN-led direct talks between Clerides and Denktash resumed this month as part of the effort by the UN to reach a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of February, based on Annan's revised plan submitted on December 10 last year. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. [20] Government believes UN are considering alternative ways forwardNICOSIA 01/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)The UN are trying to find ways to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of this month, and are even considering alternative ways forward, Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said here Friday.At the same time, the Greek Cypriot side believes that a solution to the Cyprus problem is not possible by the end of the month, despite its readiness to contribute to this, Cyprus government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said. Papapetrou told reporters ''our view is that a solution is unlikely until February 28, despite our readiness, because of (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash's stance.'' Commenting on statements made by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis about the possibility of the submission of a new solution plan by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Papapetrou said that Simitis believes there is a mobility in which developments should be anticipated, but also gave a kind of warning to the Greek Cypriot side. ''Mr. Simitis had said that if we are asking to change many things (in the plan), virtually changing the substance and philosophy of the Annan plan, it is possible a new plan or an amendment might be against us,'' Papapetrou explained. Referring to Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou's contacts in Turkey, the spokesman described them as ''very important,'' hoping that these will make evident Ankara's stance for a solution. On his part, Foreign Minister Kasoulides said it is ''not a matter for the Greek Cypriot side to say whether it supports or not a third version of the Annan plan for the simple reason that the UN will decide what to do'' eventually. He said the UN are trying to find ways to achieve a result, according to their timeframe,'' adding that the UN ''surely can see that at the moment, from the way the discussions are going, they cannot achieve a result, therefore they are examining alternative ways to achieve a result. It is their business, however, how they will go about this.'' He said diplomatic reports indicate that the diplomatic efforts will intensify, with an aim to maintain the timeframe of February 28. Invited to comment on Simitis' statement regarding the possibility of the submission of a third Annan plan, Kasoulides said that ''every plan, surely, obliges our part to act in a preventive manner, and always bear in mind that it might contain issues which if we cannot accept, then we will not accept them.'' Regarding Denktash's stance, Kasoulides expressed the view that the Turkish Cypriot leader ''will not be the person who will agree to a Cyprus solution because he is trapped in the past.'' He said that only if the new Turkish government manages to impose itself on the Turkish establishment, then either Denktash would be unable to resist Ankara's call and proceed to a solution or resign and let someone else take over. [21] Verheugen says Cyprus will join the EU May 2004ISTANBUL 01/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus will join the European Union on May 2004 and nothing is going to change that, EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen said in Ankara and called on the Turkish Cypriot leadership to listen to the Turkish Cypriots.Verheugen expressed the belief that the UN Secretary General's plan for Cyprus is the best ever submitted and pointed out that there will not be a better plan. He called on the Turkish government to use its influence so that a solution to the Cyprus question is found based on the Annan plan. The Cyprus question can be solved the soonest possible if there is good will, Verheugen noted. He added that Cyprus will enter the EU on May 2004 and this cannot change. The pending issue, he added, is whether a united Cyprus will enter or not. Verheugen called on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to listen to the voices of the Turkish Cypriots for a united Cyprus, member of the European Union. ''His (Denktash's) effort to win time will not yield results. He will not achieve anything,'' Verheugen said speaking to the Turkish NTV television network. ''I suggest he takes into consideration (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan's and the UN Secretary-General's recommendations. Both suggested to Mr. Denktash not to ignore the voice of the people, he must listen to it,'' Verheugen said. ''The people's opinion and their demands for the future are for a united Cyprus, member of the EU. That is clear,'' Verheugen added. He insisted on the February 28 timeframe and said if an agreement is achieved for a solution after this date, then the northern part of Cyprus will enter without special negotiation. Verheugen said if both Cyprus leaders want to take part in the ceremony of the signing of the Accession Treaty, then they must find a solution. He described the Turkish government's stance on Cyprus as ''extremely constructive.'' [22] PACE report indicates violations of enclaved people's human rightsNICOSIA 01/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in a draft report, expresses serious concern that the island of Cyprus continues to be rigorously and arbitrarily divided and that the Greek Cypriot and Maronite enclaved communities suffer serious human rights violations.The report, entitled ''Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the northern part of Cyprus'', notes that a general settlement of the Cyprus conflict ''should never be at the expense of the communities that have opted to continue to live there where they have always resided.'' The PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights approved the draft report, prepared by Rapporteur Dick Marty. It expresses ''serious concern'' over the island's division and agrees with the opinion expressed by the European Court of Human Rights in its judgment of May 10, 2001 in the case of Cyprus vs. Turkey that Turkey's responsibility under the Convention also extends to actions of the Turkish Cypriot administration. In that decision, Turkey was held guilty for 14 violations of the European Convention of Human Rights and was considered responsible for the actions of the illegal regime in the occupied areas. The draft resolution, which will be approved by the plenary of the PACE in April in Strasbourg, notes that the Assembly ''is particularly shocked by the imposed division of families, the prohibition on young people returning to their homes, the arbitrary confiscations and expropriations and the general climate of apprehension and uncertainty, even fear, to which members of these communities are deliberately subjected.'' It insists that the Turkish Cypriot administration controlling the northern part of Cyprus, as well as Turkey, which assumes de facto legal co-responsibility in this part of the island, ''cease all humiliation of the Greek and Maronite communities and put an end to the climate of intimidation.'' They should also ''end the dispossessions affecting members of these communities by returning to the members of these communities the property and possessions of which they have been arbitrarily dispossessed, ensure freedom of education and worship for Orthodox Christians and Maronites, end the restriction on movement across the demarcation line, grant all inhabitants the right to an effective remedy and ensure access to equal medical care.'' In his explanatory memorandum, Marty said the testimony gathered on the spot during his visit lead him to conclude that members of the Maronite and Greek Cypriot communities enclaved in the northern part of Cyprus ''do indeed suffer human rights violations which are serious.'' It further says that the discrimination suffered by these people is ''unacceptable and incompatible with the European Convention on Hu Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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