Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-04-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government voices sorrow over killing of journalists in Baghdad

[02] FM expresses Greek EU presidency's solidarity to journalists working in Baghdad

[03] ESHEA condemns attack on journalists in Baghdad

[04] Bulgarian president has talks with Greek government during working visit

[05] Visiting Ukrainian premier meets PM, culture minister

[06] European Commission president and four commissioners in Athens on 15 April

[07] EU presidency confirms inviting Russian president to April EU summit

[08] FM discusses future of Europe with European Assembly vice president

[09] Former Belgian PM Dehaene outlines Convention of Europe's goals

[10] CEH warns reminds U.S. lawmakers Turkey's track record

[11] Informal meeting of Balkan FMs held in Belgrade

[12] Gov't spokesman sees gov't faring better in opinion polls

[13] FinMin optimistic over 3.8 pct economic growth in 2003

[14] EU sees Greek growth staying strong in 2003

[15] Greece treads carefully in adverse economic climate

[16] Balkan companies agree on natural gas pipeline project

[17] Greek inflation slows to 4.1 percent in March

[18] EU report ascertains relatively low employment percentage in Greece

[19] Foreign investors continue raising their share in Greek equities

[20] Foreign investors raise share in Greek shares

[21] EU farm ministers discuss technical aspects of policy reform

[22] Central bank chief sounds out business leaders on economy

[23] Greek stocks end 0.81 pct down on profit taking

[24] IOC's Oswald: We're pressing for best Olympics ever

[25] Visiting Ukrainian prime minister meets ATHOC president

[26] 'Athens-scape' exhibition to open in London on April 23

[27] EU EQUAL Program in Greece focuses on immigrants & refugees

[28] N17 trial - Koufodinas says N17 could have killed more police if it wanted to

[29] Suspected '1st May' terrorist released on bail

[30] Police intercept 26 Pakistani illegal immigrants at Igoumenitsa port

[31] Firebomb at PASOK local org. office in Thessaloniki

[32] Press ministry bill anticipates merger between Athens News Agency and MNA

[33] Commission refers Greece, 7 others, to Eurocourt over 'end-of-life vehicles'

[34] EU Commission may take Greece to court over landfills

[35] Kofi Annan expresses 'profound regret' over missed opportunity

[36] Big five at Security Council consult on Cyprus

[37] Government working in view of Security Council resolution

[38] FM Iacovou says UN resolution to be product of compromise

[01] Government voices sorrow over killing of journalists in Baghdad

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

Two journalists were reportedly killed and four more wounded when a U.S. tank was said to have fired a round at the hotel. A U.S. commander said the tank had been responding to small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from the building but reporters denied seeing any outgoing fire. A total of five journalists were reported killed in Baghdad in the last 24 hours alone.

Greek government spokesman and Media Minister Christos Protopapas said that Foreign Minister George Papandreou, current head of the EU ministers' council, had been in touch with EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Defense Policy Javier Solana and that the two men had agreed to jointly make a representation to the United States regarding the protection of the lives of Europeans.

Protopapas also noted that he had taken measures for the protection of Greek journalists and technicians 10 days ago, urging them to leave the war zone, and stressed that the government was again prepared to take initiatives for their protection.

The spokesman underlined the Greek EU presidency's initiative to raise the issue of the United Nations' role in post-war Iraq at the EU general affairs council in Luxembourg on April 14.

In an announcement on Tuesday, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) condemned the attack on the Palestine Hotel and earlier attacks on the Arab television channels Al Jazeera and Abu Dhabi as ''premeditated criminal actions'' that aimed to force the foreign press out of Iraq so that there was no independent coverage of war crimes by U.S. forces.

KKE said the coalition forces were targeting journalists that were not incorporated in the invaders' military forces and that the British and American forces were using murderous strikes against journalists doing their job where earlier attempts at intimidation had failed.

Finally, KKE expressed its sorrow over the victims of the attacks and support for the journalists still in Baghdad, praising them for not succumbing to pressure from the Greek government and the U.S. embassy to leave Iraq.

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Wednesday sent a message of condolence to the president of Spain's United Left Julio Anguita over the death of his son in Baghdad while reporting for the Spanish newspaper 'El Mundo'.

Julio Anguita Parrado was killed by an Iraqi missile.

In his message, Constantopoulos said the death was a tragedy "that makes more intense our opposition to the illegal and barbaric war in Iraq and increases our obligation to fight for peace".

[02] FM expresses Greek EU presidency's solidarity to journalists working in Baghdad

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

Shortly before leaving for Belgrade, where the summit of southeastern European countries is taking place, Papandreou had a telephone conversation with EU Foreign Policy High Commissioner Javier Solana on the issue of security conditions for correspondents covering U.S. operations in Iraq.

He also contacted U.S. Undersecretary of State Mark Grossman, conveying to him the concern of the EU over the fate of media correspondents in Baghdad.

[03] ESHEA condemns attack on journalists in Baghdad

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

The same press release called the attack ''a new heavy blow against the right of being informed'' and also condemned the ''murderous attack against information and its functionaries''.

It also denounced the '''logic' of collateral casualties as confirmation of the effort being made in every way for suzerainty, control of energy sources and of the planet.''

''The non-imbedded journalists - war correspondents in Iraq, prove that they are not components in the production of 'news products' at the cost of their lives,'' the press release said.

It further said ''the target of this new attack is, through the killing and terrorizing of journalists, to black out the tragedy of the cold-blooded slaughter of non-combatants.''

The ESHEA board reassured those journalists still in the hotel ''Palestine'' that it ''stands at their side with feelings of solidarity, as do all the journalistic world of the country and the Greek people'' and called on Press Minister Christos Protopapas to issue a demarche to the US and British governments.

[04] Bulgarian president has talks with Greek government during working visit

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

In a meeting at noon, Simitis and Parvanov discussed bilateral Greek-Bulgarian relations, developments in Iraq and Bulgaria's EU prospects. Bulgaria is due to join the Union in 2007.

Simitis said it was good that the meeting had taken place in view of the upcoming EU summit next week.

Parvanov next visited Foreign Minister George Papandreou at the Greek foreign ministry, where he signed the Olympic Truce Treaty.

Papandreou noted that Bulgaria had been among the frontrunners in the revival of the Olympic Games, while referring to the good relations between Bulgaria and Greece. He also described Bulgaria's accession to the EU as 'particularly interesting'.

The Bulgarian leader then made his way to the Presidential Mansion, where President Stephanopoulos held a dinner in his honor.

[05] Visiting Ukrainian premier meets PM, culture minister

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

Earlier, Janukovych had met with Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos for talks on bilateral cooperation between Greece and the Ukraine in the arts.

The Ukrainian premier is in Greece at the head of a large Ukrainian delegation that also includes Ukrainian Olympic medalists and sports champions.

Venizelos briefed Janukovych on the progress of preparations for the Olympics and related public works, the route of the Olympic Torch relay and issues of bilateral interest that are affected by the war taking place in Iraq.

The Ukraine is still the home of a large ethnic Greek minority numbering roughly 200,000 people.

[06] European Commission president and four commissioners in Athens on 15 April

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

Prodi and Barnier on the morning of 16 April will participate in discussions on the ''Future of Europe'' chaired by Convention President Valery Giscard d'Estaing.

Moreover, Prodi, Verheugen, Vitorino and Diamantopoulou will ''participate'' within the context of their capacity in the events associated with the signature of the Treaty for the EU accession of the ten new member-states.

[07] EU presidency confirms inviting Russian president to April EU summit

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas noted, however, that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov was likely to come to Athens instead.

He also announced that April 16, the historic day on which Accession accords will be signed by new members of the EU beneath the Acropolis, will be a holiday for civil servants throughout Attica.

[08] FM discusses future of Europe with European Assembly vice president

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou said views were exchanged on the issue of European Union institutions such as the role of the EU's president, the proposal for an EU foreign minister, the Commission's role and the issue of common European defense.

He added that proposals already exist at the Assembly on the future of Europe on strengthened defense cooperation which anticipates the possibility of some countries reaching an understanding between them and constituting a test for common defense for Europe.

Referring to Iraq, Papandreou said the Greek EU presidency will raise the issue of humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Iraq with COREPER on Wednesday, while the discussion will be supplemented at Monday's General Affairs Council meeting with the issue of the UN's role after the war.

[09] Former Belgian PM Dehaene outlines Convention of Europe's goals

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

Dehaene participated in an initiative by the Economic and Social Committee of Greece (OKE), which organized an event here entitled “The Future of the European Union”.

The former Belgian prime minister stressed the significance, as the noted, of citizens participating in a “society of citizens”, especially within the 10 Acceding member-states.

According to Dehaene, the EU must be overcome four main obstacles in the road towards further unification, namely: applying the rule of majority voting at the Council of Ministers’ framework -- except for certain cases -- so that the EU’s operation isn’t paralyzed; outlining the Union’s financial framework so that the Union does not reach an impasse vis-a-vis its hefty subsidies policies; establishing a framework for external actions and a defense policy, and finally, a common foreign policy for the Union.

[10] CEH warns reminds U.S. lawmakers Turkey's track record

The Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) issued a press release on Tuesday here noting to U.S. lawmakers, that withholding funds from Turkey in efforts to pressure that country to cooperate with the U.S. has not worked in the past.

Currently, U.S. lawmakers are charged with adopting the language for the text to accompany the economic aid to Turkey in light of the war in Iraq.

''House-Senate conferees are charged this week with deciding whether to adopt language that would require $1 billion in economic aid for Turkey to be withheld `until the Secretary of State determines and reports to [the U.S. Congress]…that the Government of Turkey is cooperating with the United States in Operation Iraqi Freedom,'' the press release stated.

''Last week the House and Senate passed their versions of the President’s nearly $80 billion supplemental appropriations bill to pay for the war with Iraq. While both allow for $1 billion in economic aid for Turkey, the House bill contains language conditioning the aid to Turkey, while the Senate bill does not,'' it added.

The press release, focusing on Cyprus, underlined that ''for nearly a quarter-of-a-century, the President has been required by law to regularly certify to the U.S. Congress that Turkey is ‘acting in good faith to achieve a …settlement of the Cyprus problem, the return of refugees to their homes, the removal of Turkish military troops from Cyprus and the early serious resumption of the inter-communal talks ’Without such a certification, by law, `all military assistance…to the Government of Turkey shall be suspended.’ For the last 24 years, every other month, the President has reported to Congress that ‘progress was made towards the conclusion of a negotiated solution of the Cyprus problem.’ The facts were just the opposite, in nearly all cases. This approach has been generally applied to all of our policies toward Turkey for decades.”

“Beginning in 1994 with the Ambassadorship to Turkey of Marc Grossman (now Undersecretary of State), then working under Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, American policy toward Turkey in areas other than this Cyprus report to Congress began to slowly change. Instead of inadvertently encouraging backward policies in Turkey by covering up and excusing them, America began showing Turkey the way to the conventions and benefits of the modern world,'' the press release added.

[11] Informal meeting of Balkan FMs held in Belgrade

BELGRADE 09/04/2003 (ANA - N. Pelpas)

Greek Foreign Minister and EU Council of Foreign Ministers President George Papandreou briefed his Balkan counterparts on the efforts Greece is making as EU president for the European integration of the region's states.

Following the end of the sessions, Papandreou told reporters that ''we met here today to prepare the procedure for tomorrow's summit meeting on the process for cooperation in southeastern Europe. Greece always supported and supports this effort.''

[12] Gov't spokesman sees gov't faring better in opinion polls

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

The government's efforts were yielding results that were reflected in opinion polls but the final assessment would take place at the end of its four-year term, when it presented its vision for 2008, he added.

Asked to comment on the state of the Greek economy, Protopapas said that Greece's shortcomings were not a recent phenomenon but the result of many years.

The gap between Greece and its EU partners was now actually smaller, as shown by the European Commission's report, he said.

Ambassadors present credentials to president of the republic

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Tuesday received the new Ambassadors of Japan Toshio Mochizuki, of Pakistan Habibur Rechman, of Kuwait Mounzer Bader Suleiman Al Eisa, of Ethiopia Negash Kibret and of Guatemala Aeisclo Valladarew Molina who presented their credentials to him.

Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis and General Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic Ambassador K. Ailianos were present at the event.

[13] FinMin optimistic over 3.8 pct economic growth in 2003

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Bank of Greece's governor Nikos Garganas to discuss economic developments and the results of an ECOFIN meeting in Athens last weekend, Mr Christodoulakis stressed that possibilities of a quick end in the Iraqi war have risen, "a development that will limit human losses among the Iraqi population."

The Greek minister stressed that such a development would also lift a climate of uncertainty currently prevailing in the world economic environment, resulting to a return in economic recovery.

Mr Christodoulakis said the Greek economy could achieve a 3.8 percent growth rate this year and said that a situation in the country's tourism sector, hit by worries over geopolitical development, was reversible.

Commenting on the inflation rate, Mr Christodoulakis sounded optimistic and predicted a speedier fall in the months ahead as weather conditions were expected to improve and international oil prices to fall further.

[14] EU sees Greek growth staying strong in 2003

BRUSSELS 09/04/2003 (ANA/B.Demiris)

In spring forecasts for the 15-nation bloc, the Commission said that the rate of growth of Greek gross domestic product in 2003 would be 3.6 percent and 3.8 percent in 2004; against 1.3 percent for the EU this year and 2.4 percent in 2004, with 1.0 percent anticipated for the eurozone in 2003 and 2.3 percent in 2004.

Greece's growth rate, which is forecast to be the highest in the EU, will be fuelled by internal demand, mainly private investments, in turn stemming from infrastructure projects for the Athens 2004 Olympics, the Commission said in a report.

Also contributing would be inflows from the EU's structural funds, the Commission's report said.

An anticipated improvement in the global economic environment from 2004 along with lower interest rates were expected to contribute to the maintenance of economic activity at high levels after the Athens Olympics, the report predicted.

At the same time, the Commission urged Greece to ensure the long-term viability of public finances, boost productivity, and reduce structural unemployment.

In general policy guidelines for 2003-2005 adopted on Tuesday, Greece was also urged to accelerate reduction of its public debt, which remained at a high level.

The public debt needed to decline while retaining robust primary surpluses, the Commission said.

[15] Greece treads carefully in adverse economic climate

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

''In this difficult set of circumstances, Greece is moving with prudence,'' Simitis told a general meeting of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises.

''We have to remain cool-headed. We are not pursuing austerity policies, and neither are we taking emergency measures that would reinforce uncertainty for investors and employees,'' he assured.

The prime minister added that Greek tourism had come under pressure from competitors in Mediterranean countries outside the European Union, due to a strong euro, a global economic downturn, and, more recently, uncertainty due to the war.

Due for allocation to help the tourism sector in connection with the war were 8.5 million euros, of which 7.0 million were destined for special publicity for Greece and 1.5 million to back social tourism, Simitis added.

[16] Balkan companies agree on natural gas pipeline project

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

The protocol envisaging drafting of a visibility study and a study to build the pipeline, was signed by Greece's Public Gas Enterprise (DEPA), Turkey's BOTAS, BH-GAS from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mak-Petrol from FYROM, NIS-Gas from Serbia and the Albanian Industry and Energy ministry.

Representatives from Croatian company PlinAcro and Slovenian Geoplin also sent written messages expressing the agreement with the protocol.

All parties expressed the need for further cooperation in the framework of developing a regional energy market and their convergence. They also agreed in setting up a joint commission to immediately begin work on drafting the surveys of the project.

The protocol, signed on the initiative of Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, was drafted by DEPA. The pipeline project is a continuation of a natural gas pipeline project linking Turkey and Greece, currently under construction.

[17] Greek inflation slows to 4.1 percent in March

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

NSS, in its monthly report, said that a slight decline in the inflation rate reflected mainly a fall in international fuel prices, despite a further rise in domestic fresh fruit and vegetable prices due to bad weather conditions in the country.

The report said that the average inflation rate in the 12-month period April 2002-March 2003 rose to 3.6 percent from 3.5 percent in the same period last year.

NSS said the March inflation figure was attributed to an 1.6 percent rise in foodstuff prices, a 17.5 percent increase in clothing and footwear prices, an 1.1 percent rise in housing prices a 3.4 percent increase in household goods and other services, a 0.2 percent decline in transport prices and a 2.0 percent drop in telephone services' prices over the month.

Greece's harmonized consumer price index slowed to 3.9 percent in March, on a year-on-year basis, from 4.4 percent in February 2002, National Statistics Service said on Tuesday.

The harmonized inflation rate rose 2.5 percent in March from the previous month, compared with a 2.9 percent increase in March 2002.

The average harmonized inflation rate in the period from April 2002 to March 2003 was running at 3.8 percent, down from 3.9 percent the same month last year.

[18] EU report ascertains relatively low employment percentage in Greece

BRUSSELS 09/04/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

The report, prepared at the responsibility of relevant Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, interprets the relatively low employment percentage, in part, with the limited implementation of part-time work in the country.

According to the report, unemployment in Greece decreased in 2002 for the third consecutive year, but remains higher than the EU average, while the percentage for women is over two times more than that for men.

It was added that the reorganization of relevant public services, capable of handling long-term unemployment, was postponed once again, while the need is stressed for continuous training and specialization for an increase in productivity to be achieved.

[19] Foreign investors continue raising their share in Greek equities

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

A report by ASE said that foreign investors' ownership in Greek listed shares rose by 36 percent in the 10-month period, while Greek investors' share fell by 9.94 percent. Foreign investors' share rose by 2.7 percent so far this year, while their domestic counterparts' share fell by 1.0 percent over the same period.

Foreign investors' portfolios in blue chip stocks rose by 35 percent, while Greek investors' portfolios eased by 13.3 percent, the report said. Foreign capital inflows in blue chip stocks rose 1.2 percent in the first three months of 2003, while domestic investors reduced their portfolios in blue chip stocks by 0.7 percent over the same period.

[20] Foreign investors raise share in Greek shares

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

Domestic investors owned 62.55 percent of the blue chip index in the market, with the remaining 37.44 percent belonging to foreign investors.

Greek institutional investors' portfolio value totalled 38.68 billion euros, the report said.

Greek investors' share in the domestic market shrank significantly since May 31, 2001, when Morgan Stanley up-graded the Athens Stock Exchange into a mature market.

[21] EU farm ministers discuss technical aspects of policy reform

BRUSSELS 09/04/2003 (ANA/G.Zitouniati)

Greek Farm Minister George Drys told reporters after the meeting in Luxembourg that efforts were being made on a political level to find points of agreement in the proposals.

Greece holds the rotating presidency of the EU until the end of June.

[22] Central bank chief sounds out business leaders on economy

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

According to sources, the consensus among guests was that delays in implementing structural reforms were worrisome, along with a likely downturn in investments after the Athens 2004 Olympics.

In particular, the entrepreneurs said the labor market was inelastic, and reforms to the social insurance system were inadequate.

Central bank officials forecast that average inflation would rise to 3.9 percent in 2003 from 3.4 percent a year earlier, with growth this year of 3.7 percent, down from 4.0 percent in 2002.

The officials said they agreed that the labor market needed to be more flexible, as its current condition contributed to keeping unemployment high.

Members of the monetary policy council are attended the working luncheon.

[23] Greek stocks end 0.81 pct down on profit taking

Athens, 09/04/2003 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.81 percent lower at 1,566.51 points, with turnover a low 86.5 million euros.

The Cement, Wholesale and Food-Beverage sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.79 percent, 1.40 percent and 0.97 percent, respectively), while the IT Solution and IT sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (0.96 percent and 0.59 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 0.82 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.11 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.26 percent down. The wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.64 percent off.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 199 to 110 with another 49 issues unchanged.

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