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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-04-15Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>April 15, 2003CONTENTS
[01] Imathia plunged into mourning as it buries 21 teenagers killed at TempiAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)The final act in the weekend tragedy that cut short the lives of 21 high school students as they were returning home from a three-day school trip reached its climax on Monday as grief-struck Imathia buried its dead.The coach carrying the 49 teenagers, aged 15 to 16, was an hour from home as an oncoming truck swerved out of control on the winding narrow roads near Tempi on Sunday night, spilling its load of particle board onto the side of the coach, virtually slicing off the roof and killing its occupants. As particle board sheets scattered over the road, three more cars smashed into the wreckage and burst into flames, setting the coach on fire. The accident -- the worst on the roads in post-war Greece -- has cast the municipalities of Apostolos Pavlos and Antigonidon in mourning, as all the pupils on the bus were from the 1st Lyceum (high school) of Makryhori, which is attended by the children from some six surrounding villages. Apart from the 21 teenagers killed outright, another 17 were still being treated in hospital on Monday afternoon and at least four of them are considered to be in a serious condition. The entire prefecture of Imathia on Monday announced a three-day period of mourning in which all schools will remain closed and flags will fly at half-mast. The funerals began at around 15:00 and continued until 19:00, while Education Minister Petros Efthymiou, Health Minister Costas Stefanis and Deputy Health Minister Ektoras Nasiokas attended, along with Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis deputies from all parties in Parliament and local government officials. According to Larissa police, the exact causes of the accident have not yet been ascertained, though it is believed that the truck had swung onto the opposite lane. A fact-finding team led by Larissa’s public prosecutor has been put together to conduct a detailed investigation. A team of psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers from all over Greece have arrived in the area, meanwhile, to provide psychological support to the families of the victims and the survivors of the accident over the next few days. A circular issued by the education ministry has asked all schools to observe a minute of silence on Monday and Tuesday in mourning for the tragic accident and flags will fly at half-mast in Greek schools throughout the week. In addition, headmasters and teaching associations have been instructed to devote two hours of the school day on Monday and Tuesday to discussing the accident with school children, providing them with emotional support and paying due homage to the dead school students. Commenting on the accident, government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Monday said this was a ''day of sorrow for Greece, youth and Greek society'' and expressed the government's anguish. He said that Prime Minister Costas Simitis had ordered an in-depth investigation that shed full light on the causes of the accident. Fielding questions regarding the state of the country's road network, Protopapas noted that 80 percent of the Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki motorway had been completed, though the stretch of the road at Tempi was among three that still presented difficulties. According to the spokesman, the terrain at that spot made it impossible to widen the road even temporarily and procedures were underway to build a tunnel at that point. According to the health minister, the response by the ambulance service had been satisfactory and 18 vehicles had arrived on the scene of the accident. The fire brigade, police and volunteer rescue teams worked late into the night to remove the pupils, who were rushed to hospital in the nearby cities of Larissa and Katerini, while Thessaloniki hospitals were also put on alert. According to hospital announcements, 32 persons were injured, including 24 pupils, the three teachers accompanying the students, the coach driver, and four passengers from the cars. The government and opposition parties late Sunday expressed deep grief over the tragedy. Prime minister Costas Simitis, whose education minister and deputy minister Petros Efthymiou and Nikos Gesoulis rushed to the site of the accident Sunday night, pledged that the causes of the accident would be investigated, but added that ''the tragic fact remains'' and expressed ''my grief and compassion...over the unfair loss of so many young people''. Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, also expressed his grief ''over this unspeakable tragedy'' and his condolences to the families of the victims. Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga sent condolences to the families of the victims, while also the Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN) expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic event. Coalition of the Left and Progress party leader Nikos Constantopoulos expressed grief at the accident and stressed that its causes had to be uncovered and corrected. Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece said he was ''crushed'' and ''deeply grieved'' by the tragic accident, and expressed his ''paternal sympathy'' for the parents of the victims. EU Commission, Parliament president express condolences for tragic bus accident: European Commission President Romano Prodi and the members of the European Commission, on being informed of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of so many young people in Greece, expressed their condolences firstly to the families of the victims and also to the Greek government. Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis also stressed during a press conference that ''irrespective of the level of our responsibility, we should all understand our responsibilities, so as to stop this continual bloodletting''. ''At last, not only the state but society should also take measures. In Europe, we are among those countries that come first every weekend in mourning the scores of the dead. The state should, at last, feel the responsibility as well as sensitivity when such events occur,'' Kaklamanis said. Cyprus President Papadopoulos expresses shock over accident in Greece: Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos sent a telegram of condolences to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday morning, regarding Sunday's tragic accident on the Athens-Thessaloniki road. Director of the President's Press Office, Marios Karoyan, said Papadopoulos expresses the ''shock of the government and the people of Cyprus'', as well as condolences to the Greek prime minister, the government and the relatives of the victims. Minister of Education and Culture Pefkios Georgiades has sent a letter of condolences to his Greek counterpart Petros Efthymiou. In his letter, Georgiades says that on Tuesday students all over the island will hold a one-minute silence in memory of the Greek students. ''Yesterday's accident at Tempi, with the tragic toll of 21 Greek students and other seriously and lightly injured, has touched and shaken us all'', he says. Colin Powell extends condolences to Greek gov't over tragic traffic accident: During a telephone conversation on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell extended the condolences of the U.S. government to Foreign Minister George Papandreou over the tragic traffic accident at Tempi on Sunday which cost the lives of 21 teenagers. Patriarch issues condolences: Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Monday expressed both his personal condolences and those of the Ecumenical Orthodox Church to the families of the victims who died in Sunday’s unprecedented bus accident in north-central Greece. Vartholomeos’ telegram was addressed to Education and Religious Affairs Minister Petros Efthymiou. As widely reported, a coach carrying high school students home from an excursion collided with a wayward tractor-trailer truck hauling wood panes in the narrow Tempi gorge on Sunday afternoon. “We wholeheartedly share the national mourning…” the Patriarch said. [02] Transport ministry presents initiative for safer road transportsAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)The Transport and Communication Ministry on Monday presented the initiatives it has undertaken for the safety of the road transport, in light of the tragic accident that took place in Tempi and cost the lives to 21 teenagers.In a press release the ministry stated that it had requested since May 2001 of all prefectures to establish Joint Control Teams that will be responsible for the legality and safety of road transports, vehicles and their load. It also stressed that it had requested that controls should be made during afternoon and evening hours and that the results of the controls should be sent to the ministry. The press release underlined, however, that only 17 prefectures sent the relevant data they conducted in 2002. [03] PM prepares for historic EU accession treaty signings this weekAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis, currently heading the rotating European Union presidency, would be mainly occupied this week with the historic signing of accession treaties by 10 new members of the Community on Wednesday, government spokes-man Christos Protopapas said on Monday.After chairing a cross-ministerial meeting on preparations for the 2004 Olympics on Tuesday morning, the Greek premier is to have successive meetings in the evening with European Commission President Romano Prodi at 19:00, the head of the Convention for the Future of Europe Valery Giscard d'Estaing at 20:00 and a working dinner with EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Defense Policy Javier Solana at 21:00. From 8:30 on Wednesday, Simitis will receive European leaders arriving in Athens for the signing of accession accords by new EU members at a special ceremony beneath the Athens Acropolis in the afternoon. Protopapas said the ceremony would be preceded by a meeting of EU leaders in the morning focusing on the future of Europe, followed by a press conference at noon, and that a second press conference would be held after the accession treaty ceremony at about 18:30. On Thursday, there will be a meeting of the European Council called by Simitis that will be also attended by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and EU officials. On Friday at 11:00, Simitis will have a meeting with Transport Minister Christos Verelis and will depart for a visit to Nicosia in the afternoon that begins his tour of European capitals. He is to visit Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen next week and will return to Athens a week from Wednesday. A scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the heads of Technological Educational Institutes on Monday was cancelled because of a bus accident in Tempi that cost the lives of 21 teenagers, Protopapas announced. Synaspismos leader hails accession of 10 new members to EU: Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Monday stressed that the accession of 10 new member-states to the European Union is a significant step in the course of the United Europe. Speaking during a press conference he held in Athens, Constantopoulos underlined that the accession of Cyprus to the European Union can contribute to the just and viable solution of the political problem of the island republic. He stressed his party's support for the political unification of Europe with democracy, social cohesion and ecological protection, while he defended the need to fund the efforts of the new countries toward integration with the rest of the Union. [04] Greek and German DMs discuss European defenseBERLIN 15/04/2003 (ANA - P. Stangos)Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and his German counter-part Peter Struck agreed in talks here on Monday that the reconstruction of Iraq at the end of the war should be placed under the supervision of the United Nations which should play a main role in shaping the post-war state of affairs.According to statements made by the ministers after their talks, this is the basic precondition for the two countries' participation in providing humanitarian aid and support staff. Speaking during a brief press conference, Papantoniou and Struck stressed the importance attributed by both sides to strengthening European defense. When asked, however, on the controversial ''initiative of the four'' - Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg - on the creation of a European Defense Union which will take on a specific form for the first time when these countries hold a summit in Brussels on April 29, both appeared extremely reserved. Papantoniou termed it ''an initiative which could provide an impetus for strengthening European defense," but let it be understood that Greece will not participate even as an observer and added ''we shall await its outcome.'' Struck attempted to downplay its significance and insisted that ''it is neither a question of separate paths nor separate axes'' but an effort in the framework of the European Security and Defense Policy from which nobody is excluded. Speaking later to Greek reporters accompanying him on his visits to Berlin and Paris, Papantoniou said the Greek EU presidency is watching the ''initiative of the four'' with great interest, both in its presidential and national capacity, "because we are among the strongest supporters" of beefing up European defense. He went on to say that he agreed with Struck that in order to have reliability and strength, the backing of European defense should be supported on the widest possible base and have the widest possible participation. Referring to the crisis in Iraq, Papantoniou ascertained Europe's failure to play the role attributed to it, focusing the main conclusion on the need for speeding up Europe's pace to enable the bolstering of European defense unification. ''So that what happened in Iraq will not be repeated, in which a superpower undertook unilateral initiatives, the European Union and other forces of world policy should cooperate with the United States on the shaping of a new frame of action for handling dangers (concerning terrorism and means of mass destruction) on a multipartite basis and not unilaterally. This discussion must take place and for it to take place in a productive way strengthening Europe's political and defense presence is a precondition. Only then will Europe have the special weight allowing it to influence developments,'' Papantoniou said. He also said he conveyed to Struck certain main points concerning talks he had 10 days ago with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice. Papantoniou and his associates have already left Berlin for Paris where he will be holding similar talks with his French counter-part Michele Alliot-Marie on Tuesday. [05] EU ministers discuss UN role, EU involvement in post-war IraqLUXEMBOURG 15/04/2003 (ANA – V. Demiris)The role of the United Nations and the determination of European Union involvement in post-war Iraq were central to discussions at the EU General Affairs Council that met here on Monday under Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis.In statements he made after the meeting, the Greek minister said it was necessary to clarify the way in which the EU would operate in the provision of assistance on the “day after” within the framework of the UN, and said that measures should be taken in support of the effective distribution of humanitarian aid in Iraq. Yiannitsis said discussions among the EU’s “15” were constructive, and stressed the need for continuing talks since the “situation in Iraq remained fluid due to continuing military operations” in that country. Nevertheless, he clarified that talk about essential decisions on the level of the “15” was still premature, since, as he said, further information was required to enable assessment of the situation in Iraq. He said that more time was needed to clarify the EU’s position before the informal General Affairs Council scheduled for early in May in Olympia, Greece, and he reiterated that pursuant to the resolutions adopted at the EU Summit on 20-21 March, the UN should play a central role in post-war Iraq. Yiannitsis said that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the invitation of the Greek EU presidency would attend Wednesday’s Summit in Athens, which would promote the key role that the UN could play in Iraq. Yiannitsis also said he believed that the initiative taken by France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg for the creation of a “reinforced cooperation” nucleus in the field of common European defense did not wish to exclude any member-state and it did not intend to replace NATO activities. He also said that EU institutional bodies would not be involved in the discussions of the four states on 29 April in Brussels. He said the “15” had discussed weapons of mass destruction and agreed that the political and military aspects of the issue should be reviewed by the “15” so that more concrete proposals can be formulated at the informal general affairs council in May. With regard to the Western Balkans, Yiannitsis said that the EU’s chief diplomat had briefed the “15” on developments in Serbia which he had visited a few days earlier. The Greek alternate foreign minister noted that the “15” supported the efforts made by Serbia and other Western Balkan states with regard to reforms to combat organized crime. Finally, he said that at the council there was an exchange of views with Afghanistan’s transitional Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah vis-a-vis developments and the situation in that country. On his part, EU chief diplomat Javier Solana said that these were the first discussions that the “15” held after the end of military clashes in Iraq, and stressed the need for discussions on the issue with the UN secretary general during his visit in Athens so that a “clearer position on possible EU involvement” can be determined at the upcoming informal general affairs council in May. Solana said that a clear EU position was premature at the time, since, as he explained, the situation was still fluid. The chief diplomat said that the objective of the EU was the most extensive possible UN involvement which should not be restricted to the distribution of humanitarian aid. Also speaking after the meeting, Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen said that “we should not be hasty” and he emphasized the need to forge a common EU position on the “day after” in Iraq. Such position he said was totally depending on whether interested member-states would resolve the issue regarding the formulation of an international legal framework for the functioning of a transitional government, which he said was still unclear at this phase. Verheugen said that a central UN role in post-war Iraq constituted a priority for the European Commission. Referring to the EU-Turkey Association Council to be held on Tuesday in Luxembourg, the enlargement commissioner said that the “15” were expected to express their satisfaction over the course of reforms taking place at the neighboring country and to ask for the continuation of such reforms. Furthermore, he forecasted that the message from the discussions at the council would be “positive and encouraging” for Turkey and said he was confident that Ankara’s further approach with regard to EU-Turkish relations would be “careful and wise”. [06] Papandreou, Powell hold telephone conversation on Middle East, IraqAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, whose country currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, on Monday had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Colin Powell central to developments with the Middle East question in view of the upcoming visit of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to Washington, diplomatic sources said.Papandreou reiterated to his US counterpart the EU position regarding expeditious publication of the “road map”. On his part, the US official requested his mediation to the Palestinian side in order to expedite the new ministerial council under Abu Mazen, the sources said. The two men also discussed recent developments in Iraq with emphasis on the humanitarian issue. Papandreou pointed to his US counterpart the need for action on the US side to permit the flow of humanitarian aid by non-governmental organizations already in Iraq and, prompted by recently reported looting at Baghdad’s museum, he stressed the need for the protection of that country’s cultural legacy. [07] Weston: Some points in Annan plan must be changed in view of EU entryNICOSIA 15/04/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas)US Special Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Weston on Monday expressed his view here that certain points in the Annan peace plan must change, in light of the “new situation” that will be created following the Republic of Cyprus’ EU accession and not the entire east Mediterranean island.Cyprus is among 10 east European and Mediterranean countries set to sign Accession Acts this week in Athens leading to membership in the European Union. However, the internationally recognized Cyprus government controls roughly two-thirds of the island republic, while the remaining northern third remains occupied by Turkish military forces. Following a meeting with Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou, he clarified that the Annan peace plan for Cyprus will not drastically change, while it remains on the negotiating table. He also said he will relay a message to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that the Annan plan is a one-way street, while calling on the former to respond to the UN chief’s and the UN Security Council’s pleas for his cooperation. [08] Cyprus government hopes UN resolution to blame Turkish sideAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros Chrisostomides said the Cyprus government wished to see in the UN resolution on Cyprus, which was expected to be adopted on Monday in New York, the allocation of responsibilities to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the Turkish side in general for the failure of the efforts for a Cyprus settlement, and the continuation of efforts for a Cyprus settlement within the framework of the UN Secretary General's good offices mission on the basis of UN resolutions.Speaking at the Athens’s Foreign Press Centre on Monday, Chrisostomides noted that the draft resolution the Security Council members had agreed on referred to Annan's peace plan for Cyprus as ''a basis for negotiations'' and said that references in certain paragraphs of the plan do not fully satisfy the government. ''Despite the Hague failure, we are continuing efforts for a settlement of the Cyprus issue,'' he said, adding that ''for the first time a report by the UN Secretary-General attributes responsibility to the Turkish Cypriot side.'' Chrisostomides said the Cyprus government was processing ''a batch of measures'' for Turkish Cypriots who are dynamically opposed to Denktash and which the government considers ''allies in the struggle for the termination of the (Turkish) occupation and the settlement of the Cyprus problem.'' The spokesman clarified that these measures will be announced after April 16 and will concern the sectors of movement, employment and the functioning of state institutions. Chrisostomides noted that the signing of the Accession Treaty in Athens on Wednesday creates new factors and within the framework of the European Union ''a European solution will be sought for the European problem and a functional solution to the benefit of all the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.'' The reaction of Turkish Cypriots against Denktash's policies was intensifying, the Cyprus government spokesman said, noting in conclusion that ''the Accession Treaty does not alter in any way the Greek side's desire for a settlement of the Cyprus issue.'' [09] Communist party says Iraq war decided in advanceAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) criticizes the United States over the war in Iraq in assessments made by the party's Central Committee, which convened on April 11.KKE said in announcement on Monday the war in Iraq had been decided in advance with the purpose of redistributing markets in the Middle East, starting with the territory of Iraq, consolidating and widening the global domination of the United States and to enable it to obtain full control of energy sources in the Arab peninsula, where the biggest oil deposits in the world are to be found. It also assessed that the war had a direct relation to the continuing recession of the U.S. economy, adding that war planning does not end with Iraq since the United States is already threatening Syria and Iran. KKE further says the EU wants a role for the UN, the illegal war to be legalized afterwards and distribution to take place under the auspices of the international organization. The Communist party expressed concern over further developments, stressing that the war against Iraq is shaping yet another more dangerous situation for the issue of peace in the region, for the independence and territorial integrity of countries in the region and a new threatening situation for all of mankind. KKE underlines that, for these reasons, what is necessary is organizing a strong struggle front, both on national and international level, against the policy of the United States. [10] EU, US joint declaration on Liberia, Cote d'IvoireAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)The EU's presidency issued a joint declaration on Monday on behalf of the European Union and the United States regarding the humanitarian situation, especially the practice of forced recruitment, in Liberia."The International Community has observed the growing and very disturbing practice of forced recruitment of refugees and other civilians to fuel the civil conflicts in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire. Many civilians have been forcibly recruited by some actors, involved in the conflicts in both Liberia and Cote d' Ivoire, to fight in these civil conflicts. "The United States and the European Union deplore the forced recruitment of refugees and other civilians to fuel these destructive, corrosive and senseless conflicts. The forced recruitment of civilians further complicates and exacerbates the unstable situation both in Liberia and in other conflicts in the region. "Forced recruitment of refugees and other civilians compromises the neutrality, non-combatant status and security of entire communities of refugees and civilians. While many of the recruits may be young men, girls and women also find themselves pressed into servitude. We also note particularly and deplore both forced and voluntary recruitment of children into the conflict. "Forced recruitment also increases the danger to humanitarian workers in the region, a danger that was made all too obvious with the recent killing of three employees of the Adventist Deployment and Relief Agency (ADRA), and of four Ivorian Red Cross volunteers. The United States and the European Union lament these deaths and repudiate the targeting of humanitarian workers. "Any governments and rebel factions who use various types of coercion to recruit refugees and other civilians, including children, are acting in violation of international law. The United States and the European Union: a) condemn those practices, b) call on those parties involved in force recruiting in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire to immediately cease them, and c) underline the penal responsibilities that such actions entail for those responsible. The Acceding Countries -- Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia -- the Associated Countries, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration." [11] Greek current account deficit rises to 2.279 bln euros in Jan-FebAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)Greece's current account balance recorded a 995 million deficit in February, slightly higher (by 42 million euros) than in February 2002, the Bank of Greece said on Monday.In its monthly report, the central bank, said that this increase resulted from the widening of the income account deficit and the narrowing of the transfers surplus. These developments were largely offset by a decrease in the trade deficit and a small rise in the services surplus, the report said. The narrowing of the trade deficit was mainly accounted for by the increase in non-oil export receipts, which more than offset the growth of the non-oil import bill, and by the decline in the net oil import bill. Besides, the small rise in the services surplus stemmed from the increase in net receipts from transport services, while net receipts from travel services decreased and net payments for other services showed a small increase. The income account deficit grew because of the rise in net payments for interest, dividends and profits. Finally, the narrowing of the transfers surplus reflects the fall in net receipts of general government (mainly net receipts from the EU). In January-February 2003 the current account deficit rose by 369 million euros over the same period in 2002 to reach 2.279 billion. The non-oil trade deficit declined by 103 million euros in January-February 2003 as a result of a 26 million euros rise in export receipts and a fall (of 77 million euros) in the import bill. At the same time, the net oil import bill grew by 121 million euros. The income account deficit grew by 146 million euros, mainly owing to an increase in net payments for interest, dividends and profits, as well as to a decline in net receipts from fees and wages. Finally, underlying the narrowing (by 226 million euros) of the transfers balance were mainly a reduction in transfers from the EU and, to a lesser extent, an increase in payments by general government. By contrast, net transfers to the other sectors grew. Financial account balance: In February 2003, both residents' direct investment abroad and non-residents’ investment in Greece were low. Under portfolio investment, a net inflow of 878 million euros was recorded, mainly reflecting non-residents' investment in Greek bonds, and was partly offset by an outflow for purchases of foreign bonds by residents. "Other investments'' recorded a small net outflow of 1.198 billion euros was observed, connected mainly to an outflow for repayment of general government loans. In January-February 2003, a net outflow of 285 million euros was observed under direct investment, mainly associated with residents’ investment abroad in January. During the same period, a considerable net inflow of 2.069 billion euros was recorded under portfolio investment. At end-February 2003, Greece’s reserve assets came to 7.2 billion euros. [12] EU ministers to hold informal meeting on consumers May 8Athens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)European Union ministers handling consumer protection will meet for an informal meeting in Eretria, Evia on May 8, Greece's secretary general for commerce, Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou, said on Monday.On the agenda for debate will be the creation of a database on consumer issues, and proposals being studied by the EU's executive Commission on administrative cooperation for the implementation of laws, and on a draft directive to combat unfair trade practices. Yiannokopoulou was addressing a meeting of the European Economic and Social Committee's single market monitoring agency held in the northern port town of Thessaloniki. Greece is currently the EU's rotating president. [13] Gov’t unveils plan to upgrade Kaiafas thermal springsAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)Development Deputy Minister Dimitris Georgakopoulos on Monday unveiled a plan for the tourist development of the Kaiafas region, through creating preconditions to attract tourist investments.The plan envisages the upgrading of the Kaiafas thermal springs, building two modern spa facilities, two hotels with a total capacity of 600 rooms, an 18-hole golf course, sailing sport facilities and tourist apartments. The plan would significantly contribute to a wider development of the Ilia prefect by investing at least 150 million euros and creating 600-1,200 new jobs in the region. Mr Georgakopoulos said that Hellenic Tourist Real Estate SA would announce an international tender for the plan in May. [14] Greece has lowest proportion of part-time workers in EUAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)Greece has the lowest proportion of part-time workers in the European Union at 4.0 percent, and the trend is a declining one, according to a survey carried out by the state Labor Resources Employment Organization.The European Union average is 17.9 percent, said the report, which was released on Monday. Temporary work in Greece totals 9.0 percent against an EU average of 12.6 percent. Of part-time and temporary workers, 32.7 percent of men find full-time work after a year and 25.5 percent of women, the survey said. The self-employed in Greece total 43.8 percent against a 16.6 percent average in the EU, the report added. [15] Women hardest hit by unemployment, union leader saysAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)Women are harder hit by unemployment in Greece than men, the president of the Confederation of Labor of Greece, Christos Polyzogopoulos, said on Monday.Joblessness among women is currently at 14.6 percent and 6.2 percent for men, against a European Union average of 8.7 percent for female unemployment, Polyzogopoulos told a women trade unionists' meeting in the western port city of Patras. Wages in Greece for women are lower than for men holding the same jobs, reflecting a worldwide problem, Polyzogopoulos said. Greece ranks 20th worldwide in terms of the social position of women and their rights, he added. [16] Greek stocks jump 1.26 percent on MondayAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks scored big gains during the first trading session of a new week in the Athens Stock Exchange, supported by strong buying interest for blue chip stocks, particularly banks and telecommunications.The general index rose 1.26 percent to end at 1,624.05 points, with turnover an improved 126.8 million euros. The Textile, IT Solutions and Wholesale sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (6.75 percent, 4.44 percent, and 3.41 percent, respectively). The Bank sector was the only one to end lower (-0.17 percent), succumbing to early profit taking. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.26 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.89 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index jumped 3.75 percent. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 297 to 38 with another 29 issues unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 88.4 mln euros Monday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Sellers match buyers on Monday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of April 14 2003 Parities in euro For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,082 1,057 [17] Witness recognizing Xiros, Koufodinas in N17 trial challenged as 'unreliable'Athens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)A witness who said she recognized alleged November 17 terrorists Savvas Xiros and Dimitris Koufodinas as the killers of MP Pavlos Bakoyiannis from the shape and of their neck and adam's apple, respectively, was strongly challenged and described her as unreliable by the defense for the two men on Monday.Eleni Tsambarlaki, a resident of Kolonaki where the murder took place, was testifying regarding the Bakoyiannis murder in the ongoing trial of 19 suspected members of the terror group November 17, which for 27 years had been reckoned the most dangerous and elusive urban guerrilla group in Greece. She had witnessed the hit on Bakoyiannis by three men in 1989 from the balcony of her apartment. Another witness testifying about the hit on former minister Ioannis Paleokrassas, however, failed to recognize Koufodinas as the man he had seen at the scene one day before the attack. Georgios Katsos said that he had been approached by a man with a scar on his right hand that had asked him for a cigarette and was with a woman. After examining a scar on Koufodinas' hand, however, the man said it was not the same man nor did he recognized Aggeliki Sotiropoulou - the sole female defendant in the trial - as the woman he had seen on that day. A later witness in the Paleokrassas case, Antonia Stratou, also engendered controversy in the courtroom when she identified N17 suspect Costas Karatsolis as the man she had seen riding away from the attack, thus contradicting her testimony during the examining magistrate's investigation when she had identified Vassilis Tzortzatos from a photograph. Karatsolis faces no charges for the Paleokrassas hit. Fellow-suspect Costas Telios admitted that his job during the rocket attack on Paleokrassas had been to check the getaway motorbikes and said he had been standing near these. He refused, however, to name the people who then took the motorbikes and said he would reveal more details when he addressed the court. Earlier, the Three Member Criminal Appeals Court had heard testimony from lawyer Alexis Borovas, an eye-witness to the murder of newspaper publisher Nikos Momferatos and his driver Panagiotis Rousetis in February 21, 1985. Borovas said that he had been nearby when the murder took place and that he had seen a car with two young men and an older man in his early to mid-40s driving past at great speed on Tsakaloff street just before the shots were heard. He was unable to recognize any of the defendants as the men he had seen in the car on that day, however. [18] Landmark EU Directive on discrimination to be implemented by JulyAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)National Human Rights Committee Vice-President Nikos Fragakis said during a press interview on Monday that Directive 2000/43/EC against discrimination is a landmark in European legislation.Fragakis gave a joint press conference with the director of the EU program Migration Policy Group Isabelle Chopin, after the end of a conference on the basic points of the Directive and the accompanying actions to be undertaken by member-states for appropriate implementation of the Directive. The conference was held in Halkida, 10-12 April, with participation by 55 experts from five EU member-states. The Directive, to be incorporated by all member-states by July 2003, places special emphasis on the sense, range and weight of discrimination, as well as on special agencies promoting equal treatment. Implementation is to expand in both the public and private sectors and agencies and relates to access to employment, participation in trade unions, social protection, including social insurance and welfare, social benefits, education and access to goods and services (e.g. housing). The Directive also allows for defense for rights, where member-states would have to ensure that any person who believes their rights have been violated as a result of failure to observe equal treatment principles, has access to judicial or administrative authorities. [19] Erdogan addresses World News Agencies SummitISTANBUL 15/04/2003 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addressing here on Monday evening the sessions of the World News Agencies Summit, gave particular emphasis to the contribution of the Press and journalists in the maintenance of democratic values in modern societies.The Turkish prime minister referred to the existing inequality in information between developed and developing countries and called on the news agencies and journalists to contribute in the elimination of these differences. Erdogan also referred to the particular bonds he has with Istanbul, where he served as mayor for a series of years, and noted the character of this large city as a meeting point of cultures. Athens News Agency (ANA) General Director and current Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) President Andreas Christodoulides is attending the conference, organized by the Turkish news agency Anadolu and which will conclude its sessions on Wednesday. [20] Greece makes 630 hospital beds available for Iraqi woundedAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)The government is contemplating the transfer and treatment of Iraqis injured during the war in Greek hospitals, Health Minister Costas Stefanis said on Monday.The minister announced that 630 beds in hospitals around the country had been made available for Iraqi civilian wounded, especially children, if necessary. [21] Spanish authorities intercept trawler carrying 2 tons of cocaineAthens, 15/04/2003 (ANA)A Greek-owned fishing trawler allegedly hauling some two tons of cocaine was intercepted by the Spanish coast guard some 600 miles southwest of the Canary Islands over the weekend.Two Greek nationals aboard the 33-metre Togo-flagged “Irene”, meanwhile, were also identified as the owners of the vessel, according to Dutch authorities. Another three individuals, two Russian nationals and an Italian, were also found on board the vessel. The “Irene” had departed from the Netherlands in February and was reportedly being tracked by the Greek merchant marine ministry’s drug interdiction unit. Authorities believe it was headed for another European port. At press time it was being towed to the Canary island port of Las Palmas. The two Greek nationals were identified as Minodoros Vezyrtzis and Sophocles Triantafyllidis, 56. According to reports, the former had been detained in 1999 by Italian authorities aboard a Honduras-flagged cargo ship carrying 20 tons of hashish. The cocaine is worth a street value of 150 million euros, authorities said. [22] Security Council blames Denktash for failed talks in resolutionUNITED NATIONS 15/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)The UN Security Council on Monday, in resolution 1475 approved here unanimously, blamed Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for his negative approach to the talks in The Hague, which resulted with the collapse of the UN Secretary-General's effort for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.At the same time, it notes that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots have been denied the opportunity to decide for themselves on a plan that would have permitted the reunification of Cyprus and as a consequence it will not be possible to achieve a comprehensive settlement before April 16, 2003, when Cyprus signs the EU Accession Treaty. The full text of the Security Council resolution on Cyprus is as follows: The Security Council, Reaffirming all its resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution 1250 (1999) of June 29, 1999 aimed at achieving agreement on a comprehensive Cyprus settlement, Reiterating its strong interest in achieving an overall political settlement on Cyprus which takes full consideration of relevant Security Council resolutions and treaties, Welcoming the report of the Secretary General of April 1, 2003 (S/2003/398) on his mission of good offices in Cyprus, 1. Commends the extraordinary effort made by the Secretary General and his Special Adviser and his team since 1999 in pursuance of his Good Offices mission and within the framework of Security Council Resolution 1250; 2. Further commends the Secretary General for taking the initiative to present to the parties a comprehensive settlement plan aimed at bridging the gaps between them, drawing upon the talks that began in December 1999 under UN auspices and, following negotiations, to revise that plan on December 10, 2002 and February 26, 2003; 3. Regrets that, as described in the Secretary General's report, due to the negative approach of the Turkish Cypriot leader, culminating in the position taken at the March 10-11, 2003 meeting in The Hague, it was not possible to reach agreement to put the plan to simultaneous referenda as suggested by the Secretary General, and thus that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots have been denied the opportunity to decide for themselves on a plan that would have permitted the reunification of Cyprus and as a consequence it will not be possible to achieve a comprehensive settlement before April 16, 2003; 4. Gives its full support to the Secretary-General's carefully balanced plan of February 26, 2003, as a unique basis for further negotiations, and calls on all concerned to negotiate within the framework of the Secretary-General's Good Offices, using the plan to reach a comprehensive settlement as set forth in paragraphs 144-151, of the Secretary-General's report; 5. Stresses its full support for the Secretary General's mission of Good Offices as entrusted to him in resolution 1250 and asks the Secretary General to continue to make available his Good Offices for Cyprus as outlined in his report; 6. Decides to remain actively seized. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. [23] US envoy Weston holds meetings in CyprusNICOSIA 15/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)The UN Security Council resolution on Cyprus, expected to be adopted on Monday, has been improved and is considered ''satisfactory'', Foreign Minister George Iacovou said.At the same time, US State Department Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston, who also met on Monday with House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias, said he is convinced there is nothing in the resolution which is not supportive of the very positive position which President Tassos Papadopoulos has taken, expressing his willingness to continue to finding a way forward in negotiations within the parameters of the Secretary General's peace plan. Speaking after meeting Weston, the foreign minister said that ''the interpretation that the US and other members of the Security Council give is that the plan remains as a basis for negotiation and there is no effort whatsoever for the plan to obtain a new standard, that is to become a basis for a solution.'' The resolution, Iacovou said, clearly blames the Turkish Cypriot leadership for the collapse of the talks but does not blame Turkey, something the government had wished for. The foreign minister said he discussed with Weston the future moves by Nicosia and Washington, in view of the new situation, which is created as regards Cyprus with its accession to the EU. ''I believe there are many issues which need to be re-negotiated'' within the Annan plan, Iacovou said, and gave financial issues as an example. In his statements, Weston said the US ''recognize, as well other members of the Security Council, that the Annan plan was based on a particular constellation of events'' and was based on the idea of actually achieving a settlement before the accession of Cyprus to the EU, that is this Wednesday. ''I think it is recognized that there are elements of the plan that do need to be examined, and should be, in the course of negotiations,'' he said. Weston said about the draft resolution due to be passed on Monday that there is nothing in it ''which is not supportive of the very positive position which the President has taken, expressing his willingness to continue to finding a way forward in negotiations within the parameters of the Secretary General's plan.'' ''Our discussions this morning made it very clear to me that that does offer a way forward'', he said, adding that ''the view of the US is that there are opportunities to go forward within the parameters of that plan.'' He said his meeting with Christofias was ''instrumental in clarifying the coincidence of views on this subject.'' Asked what he would tell Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash when they would meet, Weston said he would express ''the view of the US that there is only one way forward to get a settlement on Cyprus, and that is to adhere and respond to the recommendations of the Secretary General, soon to be endorsed by the Security Council.'' Speaking after meeting Christofias, Weston applauded the ''attention being given of finding ways of providing some of the benefits of EU membership to Turkish Cypriots who are being denied those benefits by one or a very small group of gentlemen in the north''. Christofias said he asked the US, in voting at the Security Council on Monday, to make it clear that negotiations will continue on the basis of the plan, and that the plan will not be considered as the solution to the Cyprus problem. He said he assured Weston that the Greek Cypriot side wants a continuation of the Secretary General's mission of good offices and that the Greek Cypriot side ''recognizes that the Secretary General would have liked to continue the discussion on the Annan plan.'' UN-led peace talks collapsed last month when Denktash refused to put to a referendum Annan's proposal for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus and said he wanted radical changes to it. President Papadopoulos said he would put the plan to a referendum but asked for the legal aspects of the plan to be completed and for sufficient time to be given to inform the people about its contents before they voted on it. [24] Papadopoulos says Greek Cypriot side still willing to talkNICOSIA 15/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos reaffirmed to US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston the position of the Cypriot government that it is ready to enter a process to solve the Cyprus problem in the framework and under the auspices of the UN.Director of the President's Press Office Marios Karoyan told reporters on Monday that if there were to be a new initiative from the UN chief, that would be ''judged and decided on by Kofi Annan and the Security Council.'' Karoyan said the Greek Cypriot side ''has sent the message that it is ready to enter this process whenever deemed necessary by the UN Secretary General and the Security Council, always in the framework and under the auspices of the UN.'' Asked if Weston had asked the president during a meeting on Monday morning when it would be better to commence talks to solve the Cyprus problem, Karoyan said no timeframe has been set, adding that whether or not talks would take place would depend on the procedure the UN chief wanted to follow. ''For the time being there is nothing concrete,'' he said, adding that ''if and when this need arises, our side has considered proper to send the initial message to the UN secretariat, to Thomas Weston and other involved parties.'' Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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