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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-10-11

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

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

October 11, 2003

CONTENTS

  • [01] PASOK National Council adopts resolution backing Social Charter
  • [02] No difference of views between FM, DM on cancellation of exercises
  • [03] Synaspismos' Damanaki resigns Parliament seat, leaves party
  • [04] ND leader meets with Georgian president
  • [05] Romania expects to conclude EU accession negotiations in 2004
  • [06] Chinese delegation visits Crete
  • [07] Alternate FM Yiannitsis received by Bulgarian President Parvanov
  • [08] Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos receives visiting Athens mayor
  • [09] Turkish warplanes infringe Athens FIR, violate national airspace
  • [10] Olympic Airways restarts Athens-Sydney flights with Gulf Air
  • [11] Luxury Athens hotels show slight drop in business
  • [12] ND MP says minister 'misled public' about competition program
  • [13] EIB announces 235 mln euros loan to Cyprus
  • [14] Rolling strikes may shut down archaeological sites next week
  • [15] Stock sale in Piraeus Bank oversold by 1.7 times
  • [16] ASE holds 2,100-point level on Friday
  • [17] PM visits modern Olympic weightlifting centre in Nikea
  • [18] Police force launches internal inquiry into incidents at police protest
  • [19] Greek police and coast guard to be trained in France for Olympic Games
  • [20] Magdi Yacoub at the 7th Olympic World Congress on Sport Sciences
  • [21] President Stephanopoulos attends liberation celebrations in town of Serbia
  • [22] Holy Synod considers Christodoulos-Patriarch meeting
  • [23] Tzortzatos defense completes 4th day of final arguments in N17 trial
  • [24] Wildfire on Mount Athos extinguished early on Friday
  • [25] Italian Embassy in Washington hosts Greek cultural event
  • [26] Spokesman commends Verheugen positions on Cyprus solution
  • [27] International Conference for Ombudsmen crowned with success

  • [01] PASOK National Council adopts resolution backing Social Charter

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Ruling PASOK's National Council ended on Friday by unanimously adopting a resolution that backed the government's social charter and called on all party members to ''fight the good fight'' in the period running up to the next elections.

    According to the resolution, the social charter will help accelerate economic and social convergence with the European Union, while promoting development and prosperity with social cohesion and respect for the environment. It said the charter will be PASOK's policy plan for the 2004-2008 period and allow the country to pull out of the cycle of insecurity and lost opportunities.

    It also noted that the next months will be crucial in the electoral battle and that PASOK had to win the hearts and confidence of the voters, calling on all PASOK officials and ''those who share the same visions'' to join the effort for a ''new Greece'' through dialogue with organizations and society.

    Earlier the national council was addressed for a second time by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who said he was certain that PASOK would win the next elections.

    Commenting on the upcoming polls, Simitis stressed that nothing had been determined yet and all the options were open for PASOK, which still held victory within its grasp. He called for unity and effort by all members and officials of the movement, urging them to ''carry the message'' to all the people in Greece.

    According to the premier, PASOK should become a ''huge force for dialogue and informing others'' that will convey its positions and views on Greece's future to all corners of Greece.

    Simitis also stressed that there were objective criteria that made people feel secure and confident about the future, such as high growth rates, reduction in unemployment and containing inflation, as well as general policies and the work done by the government.

    Simitis took the opportunity to attack main opposition New Democracy as ''an old-style party'' that only sought to help its ''own boys'' and accused it of lacking an integrated program.

    The members and officials within PASOK, the premier stressed, had to first believe themselves and then convince the voters that PASOK was the party that could lead Greece beyond 2004 and carry out the vision of making Greece stand high among European countries.

    Other speakers who addressed PASOK's national council on Friday included PASOK Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis, Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Magriotis and Education Minister Petros Efthymiou.

    The ministers echoed the premier's calls for unity, while Chrysohoidis warned against succumbing to defeatism and the domination of opinion polls, saying this was only suitable for ''bureaucrats and not fighters''.

    [02] No difference of views between FM, DM on cancellation of exercises

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    The government on Friday denied any differences of opinion between Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Defense Minister Yannos Papantoniou regarding the mutual cancellation of military exercises by Greece and Turkey.

    Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Thursday jointly announced the cancellation of the Greek and Cypriot military exercises code-named ''Nikiforos'' and ''Toxotis'', as well as of Turkey's ''Tavros'' and ''Barbarosa'' exercises due to take place in the near future.

    The announcement was made after a meeting between the two foreign ministers in the Turkish city of Antalya, on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Forum conference.

    The two ministers said the decision was taken in the spirit of next year's Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens and of rapprochement between the two countries.

    During a press briefing in Athens on Friday, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said that when Papantoniou had recently said that the Nikiforos-Toxotis exercises were being planned as usual, because there was no reason to cancel them.

    ''Now, there is an important reason (to cancel the exercises) as Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Gul, for the sake of consolidation of security and peace, agreed on cancellation of the exercises'' on both sides.

    Protopapas further said that the government of Cyprus had also agreed to that prospect, adding that there had also been interest on the part of the US, and noting that following the Papandreou-Gul agreement, ''there was no reason for us to insist on the previous option'' of continuing with the exercise.

    On the problem of eliminating the violations of Greek airspace by Turkish jetfighters over the Aegean, Protopapas noted that this was Greece's desire, but also the desire ''of very many forces in Turkey''.

    ''But there are also the generals in Ankara,'' Protopapas said, adding that, in Athens' view, the central strategy should be within the framework of the Papandreou-Gul agreement.

    Earlier, Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesman Panos Beglitis, replying to questions in an interview with the Cyprus Radio Foundation (RIK), said that the decision to cancel the Greek and Cypriot Nikiforos-Toxotis exercises and the Turkish Tavros-Barbarossa exercises had been a Greek initiative, in cooperation with Nicosia, in order to reduce tension.

    He said that the initiative had met with the approval of Cyprus President Tasos Papadopoulos, ''who, with his responsible stance, contributed decisively to the materialization of the initiative''.

    Beglitis denied talk of ''outside interventions and pressure'', stressing that the maneuvers' cancellation was a purely Greek and Cypriot initiative.

    Questioned on the latest violations of Greek national airspace by Turkish warplanes, Beglitis noted that the number and frequency of such violations had been greatly reduced in the past four months.

    He also said that Athens was monitoring the situation and keeping the European Union abreast of Turkey's actions in that respect.

    [03] Synaspismos' Damanaki resigns Parliament seat, leaves party

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Veteran leftist politician Maria Damanaki on Thursday announced that she was resigning her Parliament seat and leaving the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos), the party she helped create in the early 1990s.

    Damanaki cited a “falling out” with Synaspismos’ leadership in the wake of her recent decision not to run for Parliament in the next general elections, expected in the Spring.

    What is going on is an effort to transform my deep political disagreement to the level of a personal confrontation; to a level of petty bargaining for Parliament seats and various positions. I will not allow this,” she said.

    Former two-time deputy Yiannis Dragasakis, the runner-up to Damanaki on Synaspismos’ ticket in Athens’ second election district, the largest in the country, will assume her seat in Parliament.

    [04] ND leader meets with Georgian president

    TIBLISI, 11/10/2003 (ANA/A. Panagopoulos)

    Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday was received by President of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze, with whom he exchanged views concerning the improvement of bilateral relations.

    Shevardnadze briefed Karamanlis on conditions in his country, saying that the two greatest problems are those of the economy and unemployment, while an acute problem is that of immigration of Georgians to other countries in search of work and better living conditions.

    He stressed to Karamanlis that the aim is to restructure the economy of the country, which has chosen a European orientation and on his part Karamanlis expressed his support for Georgia's orientation both for historical and religious reasons, as well as because of the good relations between Georgia and Greece.

    Earlier in the day, Karamanlis met with Patriarch of Georgia Ilias.

    [05] Romania expects to conclude EU accession negotiations in 2004

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Romania expects an upcoming European Union Summit in December to provide a ''framework timetable'' finalizing negotiations for EU accession next year, Romanian

    Ambassador Caius Traian Dragomir said during a press conference here on Friday.

    Having provisionally closed 19 of the 30 chapters, Dragomir said that the country's key goal is ''to conclude negotiations process in 2004, during the mandate of the current European Commission, with a view to full accession in 2007''.

    He also focused on the country's position concerning the debate for the future of Europe, as Romania participates in the inter-governmental conference as an observer.

    He stressed that his country supports the proposal of the Italian EU presidency concerning the agenda of the conference, and ''the political approach to negotiations'', adding that Romania ''considers that the project of the Constitutional Treaty (for Europe) represents a good basis for a European Constitution''.

    The Romanian ambassador, however, noted that clarifications are necessary concerning the mandate of the newly created post of the Union's foreign minister, the relationship of that post with the European Commission and also clarifications concerning the rotational system of EU governance.

    Dragomir strongly stressed, though, that ''we support the adoption of the text without major modifications''.

    The focus of the press conference also turned to the very active process of privatization in Romania, which includes a series of reforms taking the country closer to a ''functioning market economy,'' the ambassador said.

    The actions include the announcement of a date for the privatization of PetRom, the state petrol company; Electrica Banat and Electrica Dobrogea, as well as companies such as Roman that was sold to Pesaka Astana of Indonesia for the symbolic price of a euro and a commitment of the latter to assume debts and unpaid bills amounting to some 45 million euros and a further investment of another four million euros.

    Dragomir also spoke of the very strong Greek presence in the country, with companies investing some 300 million euros there in 2002 alone. Greek companies with presence in Romania include OTE, Eurobank Ergasias, Alpha Bank, Commercial

    Bank, Papastratos, Hellenic Cables and others.

    [06] Chinese delegation visits Crete

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    A five-member official Chinese delegation, headed by China's ambassador to Greece Mr. Tang Zhenqi, visited the island of Crete, October 3-7, invited by the country's National Tourism Organization.

    During the visit, the Chinese delegation met with regional and municipal authorities.

    Mr. Zhenqi expressed his satisfaction over bilateral trade between the two countries and said he was confident that relations would develop further in the future to the benefit of both countries.

    He also stressed that China's rapid economic growth was creating the prospect of a large number of tourists towards Greece.

    [07] Alternate FM Yiannitsis received by Bulgarian President Parvanov

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis, in the framework of his working visit to Bulgaria, was received on Friday by President Georgi Parvanov, according to a press release issued by the foreign ministry.

    Later, he held talks at the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry with European Affairs Minister Meglena Kouneva. After the talks Kouneva gave Yiannitsis an honorary distinction for his contribution to Bulgaria's accession course during the Greek European Union presidency.

    Speaking during the award ceremony, Yiannitsis extended his appreciation for the honor bestowed on him, saying that in this way efforts made by Greece and the present government are recognized ''both for Bulgaria's course towards the European Union and bilateral relations between Greece and Bulgaria, relations which are developing rapidly and in many sectors.''

    [08] Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos receives visiting Athens mayor

    NICOSIA, 11/10/2003 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

    Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, currently on a two-day visit to Cyprus, was received by President Tassos Papadopoulos on Friday morning.

    Speaking after the meeting, Bakoyianni said she delivered an official invitation to President Papadopoulos for the Athens Olympic Games next year and briefed him on the progress of projects regarding the Olympic Games.

    Bakoyianni added that she was also briefed by President Papadopoulos on developments concerning the Cyprus issue.

    Replying to questions from the press, the Athens mayor confirmed that projects are being carried out at a speedy pace and Athens will be ready to welcome the 2004 Olympic Games.

    She further said there is no problem concerning the security of the Olympic Games, adding that Greece has provided for this purpose the biggest amount of money ever provided by a country organizing Olympic Games.

    [09] Turkish warplanes infringe Athens FIR, violate national airspace

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Seven formations of Turkish warplanes infringed on Athens' flight information region (FIR) an equal number of times on Friday and in one occasion they violated Greek national airspace between the islands of Chios and Samos, press reports said.

    In all cases, the Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek jets, while in three cases the interception process developed into a mock engagement.

    It was reported that three of the Turkish warplanes recognized and intercepted were armed.

    [10] Olympic Airways restarts Athens-Sydney flights with Gulf Air

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    One year after suspending the line, Olympic Airways announced its was re-opening the Athens-Sydney flights in cooperation with Gulf Air.

    The announcement was made during a joint press conference by Olympic Airways' chief executive, Mr Dionysis Kalofonos, and its Gulf Air counterpart, James Hogan.

    The two executives said that the Athens-Sydney line would be serviced with daily flights via Bahrein. Olympic Airways will have the flight number while Gulf Air will provide the aircraft (Airbus A320 in the Athens-Bahrein leg and Airbus A340 in the Bahrein-Sydney leg).

    Mr. Hogan stressed that flight attendants would include Greek-speaking personnel. He also pledged that fares would be competitive and after consultation with Greek authorities, although Gulf Air was responsible for pricing policy.

    Both Mr. Kalofonos and his Australian counterpart did not give specific details of the financial part of the deal.

    Mr. Kalofonos stressed that the deal would allow Olympic Airways to enhance its network and to return to Australia, satisfying a demand by the Greek community in the continent.

    On the other hand, the deal would offer to Gulf Air access to new destinations, through its cooperation with Olympic Airways and the new Athens international airport at Spata.

    According to Olympic Airways figures, flights to Australia had a passenger capacity of 80 percent, sometimes even reaching 100 percent.

    Mr. Kalofonos announced that a new national air carrier, to be called Olympic Airlines, would suspend daily flights to Copenhagen and Barcelona.

    [11] Luxury Athens hotels show slight drop in business

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Luxury Athens hotels saw a slight drop in business in August 2003 against the same month a year earlier, the Union of Attica Hoteliers said on Friday.

    Capacity in luxury hotels was at 38.01 percent against 46.29 percent in August 2002, the union said in a statement.

    Hotels classed as A category saw capacity rise to 63.85 percent from 62.66 percent a year earlier, with B category hotels at 64.50 percent from 57.15 percent; and class C units at 39.97 percent from 35.24 percent, the statement said.

    [12] ND MP says minister 'misled public' about competition program

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy MP Aristidis Tsiplakos on Friday accused a government minister of ''misleading public opinion'' about the progress of the Competition Program by using inaccurate figures.

    Tsiplakos, who is president of the Community Support Framework Monitoring Committee, was responding to statements by Deputy Development Minister Alekos Kalafatis and accused the minister of not taking EU recommendations seriously.

    Tsiplakos claimed that the funds paid out to those eligible had only reached 9.1 percent of the total program by September 15, and not 20.1 percent as announced, that absorption of funds for most of the 46 classes of measures was ''hopelessly low'' and that competition programs being handled outside the development ministry on a regional level showed minimal or nil spending.

    [13] EIB announces 235 mln euros loan to Cyprus

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU's investment arm, on Friday announced a loan worth 235 million euros to Cyprus to support investments in the sectors of education, environment and information technology.

    The loan agreement, part of a "pre-accession funding mechanism" will earmark 200 million euros for investments in education projects and 35 million euros for investments in upgrading information technology systems in the public sector of the country.

    The education loan covers the building of 46 schools along with the installation of computer and communication systems for more than 130,000 pupils.

    EIB said in an announcement it would grant 530,000 euros to Cyprus to fund environmental projects in the country.

    [14] Rolling strikes may shut down archaeological sites next week

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    A series of rolling strikes announced on Friday by temporary staff at the Greek Culture Ministry may lead to the closure of major tourist attractions - including the Athens Acropolis, Mycenae, the Minoan palace at Knossos or the ancient theatre at Epidauros - during the coming week.

    The Association of Temporary Employees at the ministry on Friday decided to bar entry to the archaeological sites and museums at the Athens Acropolis, Pella, Dion, Vergina and the Platamona Castle from Monday to Wednesday next week.

    From Wednesday until Thursday, meanwhile, they will close the archaeological sites at Knossos, Mycenae, ancient Corinth, and Epidauros.

    All central services at the Culture Ministry will also be closed for the entire week.

    [15] Stock sale in Piraeus Bank oversold by 1.7 times

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    A stock sale by Piraeus Bank of 11.2 million shares was 1.7 times oversubscribed, management said in a statement on Friday.

    Distribution of the stock was 77 percent to institutional investors from abroad and 23 percent to institutionals at home, the statement said.

    The transfer of stock will be effected on Monday at 8.0 euros per stock, representing a discount of 1.89 percent on the share's average closing price over the past ten days, it added.

    [16] ASE holds 2,100-point level on Friday

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greek stocks ended the last trading session of the week lower in the Athens Stock Exchange as investors took early profits in heavy blue chip stocks like Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank, Emporiki Bank, Hellenic Petroleum, ahead of the weekend.

    The general index ended 0.58 percent lower at 2,108.62 points, after rising to 2,135.22 points early in the session. The index ended the week with a net gain of 0.89 percent. Trading was a low 108.5 million euros.

    The IT Solution and Cement sectors were the only ones to score gains (2.44 percent and 0.81 percent, respectively), while the Food-Beverage, Publication and Telecommunications sectors (1.69 percent, 1.17 percent and 1.14 percent, respectively) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.67 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.18 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.52 percent down.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 211 to 109 with another 45 issues unchanged.

    The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Public Power Corporation, National Bank of Greece and Hellenic Stock Exchanges.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover

    at 99.2 mln euros Friday

    Equity Index Futures:

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

  • Underlying Index: -0.67% percent

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

  • Underlying Index: -0.18 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (394)

  • Total turnover in derivatives market: 99.2 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers

    outstrip sellers on Friday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.34 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 14 bps

  • Most heavily traded paper: 10-yr, expiring May 2013 (930 mln euros)

  • Day's Total Market Turnover: 4.2 bln euros

    FOREIGN EXCHANGE

    Closing rates of October 10 2003

    Parities in euro

    Banknotes

    For. Exchange Buying Selling

    US Dollar 1,188 1,161

    [17] PM visits modern Olympic weightlifting centre in Nikea

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis visited the modern Olympic weightlifting center in Nikea on Friday and said ''it is a project of great qualitative and aesthetic value,'' while underlining that excellent Olympic Games will be organized.

    The prime minister, who was accompanied by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Deputy

    Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris, Deputy Olympic Games Minister Nasos Alevras and Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki, inspected all the parts of the project, which was completed with a budget amounting to 32.5 million euros.

    Venizelos said ''Olympic Games preparation has entered its most pleasant moment. A project will be delivered every week and we are certain that the Olympic Games will be excellent. We are not investing so much money only for the 15 days' duration of the Games, but also for use after the Olympic Games.''

    [18] Police force launches internal inquiry into incidents at police protest

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    The head of the Greek police on Friday ordered an urgent internal inquiry held under oath into the incidents at Syntagma Square during a protest organized by police trade unionists, when MAT riot police had to be deployed against them.

    The investigation will seek to ascertain the conditions during the protest and possible offences committed by police trade unionists and ordinary police officers.

    During a demonstration to press pay demands, protesting police officers in uniform had stormed their way into the finance ministry and had refused to heed public prosecutors, who warned them that their action had been ruled illegal.

    Sources said the inquiry would examine as witnesses the police officers that led the units deployed against their protesting colleagues and private citizens that were eye-witnesses to the events, as well as the reports of public prosecutors that describe the behavior of specific police officers.

    Commenting on the affair, meanwhile, government spokesman Christos Protopapas refuted reports that a public prosecutor had cited a 1971 decree dating from the era of the military junta when he ordered the finance ministry cleared of protesting police officers.

    He said the public prosecutor had based his order on article 11 of the Constitution and presidential decree 141/91.

    [19] Greek police and coast guard to be trained in France for Olympic Games

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    France will train two groups of specialists for the security of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, in its capacity as one of the countries that is participating in the group of nations supporting the security of the Games, a French Embassy press release said on Friday.

    The training program is organized by the French Embassy's international service of police and technical cooperation in Greece (SCTIP) and in its first phase it will include some 15 police officers, who will go to Lyon between Oct. 20 and 24, where the training will take place.

    This phase will include high level training in terrorism combat techniques and will be provided by a team of the French national police (GIPN).

    The second team to be trained will be composed of Greek coast guard divers' team, which will travel to the base of Saint Mandriar on Oct. 13 and will remain there until Oct. 25, to train along with the French Navy ''Hubert'' team commandos.

    In addition programs for the training of Greek firemen were also scheduled.

    [20] Magdi Yacoub at the 7th Olympic World Congress on Sport Sciences

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    The leading heart surgeon, Sir Magdi Yacoub told all the other doctors at the 7th Olympic World Congress on Sport Sciences held in the Athens Hilton Hotel, on Friday, that he hoped he would be seeing them at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

    The distinguished scientist, who has also offered to serve as a volunteer for the Olympic Games in Athens, said: “It is a great honor to be a volunteer for the Olympic Games in Athens 2004. Volunteerism serves the values of humanitarianism and Olympism. In 2004 the Games return to their birthplace and I shall do as much as I can for my part. I hope all doctors will do likewise”.

    Introduced by Professor Argyris Mitsou, President of the Congress Organizing Committee, Sir Magdi Yacoub gave a keynote

    lecture on ‘Athlete’s Heart’. He drew attention inter alia to the fact that the athlete’s heart is a normal heart and is not adversely affected by exercise, as scientists had believed until now. It is completely normal both from a functional and structural point of view, but presents hypertrophy as a result of exercise. In the case of a champion athlete this does not damage the heart as it would for anyone else.

    He also dispelled the myth that a champion athlete is likely to die suddenly. He gave the example of Pheidippides who in 490 BC ran 150 miles from Athens to Sparta, fought for two days in the Battle of Marathon and then covered a distance of 22 miles to Athens in order to pass on the message of victory. Pheidippides’ sudden death was due not to over exercise, but to structural transmutation in his genes. Normal hypertrophy in an athlete’s heart does not mean that the athlete is in danger of dying suddenly from a stroke of other cardiac complications.

    The professor once again supported organ donation and said that heart transplants were the only solution when there was substantial myocardial damage. But, he said: it would be a long time yet before we can turn to animal or artificial heart transplants.

    [21] President Stephanopoulos attends liberation celebrations in town of Serbia

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    President Kostis Stephanopoulos arrived in the town of Serbia, northwestern Greece, on Friday morning and attended celebrations marking the 91st anniversary of the town's liberation from Turkish rule in 1912.

    President Stephanopoulos, speaking on the occasion, underlined the successes of the army, adding that it should continue to be strengthened to enable it to face any challenge.

    ''No one is calling on us to fight and I hope no one will,'' he said and noted that this does not mean that an army of great capabilities should not be maintained.

    ''This is an obligation and, at the same time, a right giving us powerful weapons, not only military ones but political and diplomatic as well to enable us to face the challenges of the times,'' President Stephanopoulos added.

    [22] Holy Synod considers Christodoulos-Patriarch meeting

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    A Holy Synod meeting here on Friday failed to decide where and when a closely watched meeting between Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos and Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos would take place.

    The purpose of any such meeting will undoubtedly be to alleviate the unprecedented tension between the powerful Church of Greece and the influential Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate over the question of administrative control of Orthodox bishoprics in the so-called “New Lands” – northern Greece and the islands of the eastern and northern Aegean annexed after the 1912-13 Balkan Wars.

    Consideration at a Holy Synod session a day earlier of a possible meeting date centered on whether it should come before or after another Holy Synod meeting in November, while the Fanar district headquarters of the Patriarchate, the Mount Athos monastic community or even Switzerland were considered as possible meeting points.

    Another question remaining to be settled is whether the meeting will be considered a personal one or fall within a formal ecclesiastical framework, assuming that a meeting actually is decided.

    According to reports, Christodoulos favors a meeting after November’s Holy Synod session, while he also cited security reasons for ruling out talks in Istanbul.

    The well-known head of the Church of Greece reiterated his opposition this past week to Turkey’s European Union prospects, during an address in Brussels at a European People’s Party conference.

    [23] Tzortzatos defense completes 4th day of final arguments in N17 trial

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    The defense attorney for suspected ''November 17'' terrorist Vassilis Tzortzatos continued to address the Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, presenting his final arguments in the case.

    The court is trying Tzortzatos and another 18 defendants accused as members of the terrorist group.

    Presiding judge Mihalis Margaritis advised attorney Ippokratis Mylonas not to allow himself to ''run on'' or go back over issues that he had already covered.

    Mylonas referred in detail to specific acts attributed to his client, stressing that he had not actively participated in any N17 operation after 1992 and urging the court to recognize his client's later good behavior as a mitigating circumstance.

    He said Tzortzatos had been coerced into confessing to the murder of Alexandros Athanasiadis by police. Mylonas also ruled out that his client was an accomplice to the murder of Dimitris Angelopoulos, noting that both the civil suit attorneys and the deputy prosecutor on the bench had placed Tzortzatos in the getaway car.

    Finally, he said that his client's participation in the Marinopoulos supermarket robbery had not been proved.

    The court adjourned two hours early on Friday so that one of the judges could attend a memorial service for a near relative.

    Mylonas is due to continue his address to the court on Monday.

    [24] Wildfire on Mount Athos extinguished early on Friday

    Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

    Fire-fighting forces on Friday succeeded in putting out a wildfire that broke out in an inaccessible spot on the Mount Athos peninsula, noted for its stunning natural beauty and for being the home of a semi-autonomous monastic community that dates back to the 5th century AD, housed in about a score of medieval-era monasteries.

    The fire had only burned through one hectare of forest and brush before it was put out, while fire-fighting forces remain on hand in case it resurges.

    The blaze broke out on Thursday evening between Petrovouni and the Hilandarion Monastery.

    [25] Italian Embassy in Washington hosts Greek cultural event

    WASHINGTON, 11/10/2003 (ANA/T. Ellis)

    The Italian Ĺmbassy in Washington was flooded on Thursday with people that came to enjoy a cultural event in honor of the Greek speaking people of Southern Italy, the highlight of which was an impressive performance by singer Ellis Paspala.

    The event, which was attended by more than 800 people, was co-organized by the Greek Embassy's Press Office and the cultural section of the Italian Embassy.

    The two countries were represented by their embassies' Deputy Chiefs of Mission, Italian Stephano Stefanini and Greek Eleftherios Angelopoulos, both of them stressing that as the Greek speaking population of Southern Italy are a bridge uniting the two countries, in a similar manner this common event is a bridge between the Greek EU presidency and the Italian EU presidency, as well as an indication of the close ties between Greece and Italy since antiquity.

    The event was inaugurated by Lecce University Professor Isabella Bernardini, who is specializing on the language, songs, history and culture of the Greek speaking people of Southern Italy.

    The Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation, the Society for the Preservation of the Greek Heritage and the Italian Cultural Institute of Washington co-sponsored the event.

    [26] Spokesman commends Verheugen positions on Cyprus solution

    NICOSIA, 11/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides noted on Friday that references to the Cyprus problem in relation to Turkey's EU accession course, are on the increase.

    Chrysostomides was referring to an interview in the 'Financial Times' by EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, which he described it as a ''clear warning to Ankara to change its stance'' and that the Cyprus problem will be an obstacle for Turkey's EU accession course if it is not solved by 1st May 2004, when Cyprus will fully join the EU.

    ''He (Verheugen) believes that there is a window of opportunity and that Turkey holds the key to the Cyprus issue and Turkey's EU accession course. He also notes that after 1st May 2004 with the accession of the ten countries, including Cyprus, the balance of power will be different'', the Cypriot spokesman said.

    In his interview, Verheugen notes that as one of the most important Muslim countries in the region, Turkey, could be an advantage to the EU. ''As ever, though, hanging over a date for starting accession negotiations with Turkey is the question of Cyprus'', Verheugen said.

    ''There is a window of opportunity. There are "elections" in the northern part in December. Either way, Turkey holds the key'', Verheugen added.

    The EU Commissioner added ''Turkey knows how the balance of power will shift after May 1 2004 when the government of the Republic of Cyprus will be here in Brussels. This will be a complete change for Turkey. The Greek Cypriots will set the agenda'', Verheugen said, stressing ''Turkey loses after May 1''.

    The statements of the Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesman Panos Beglitis were on the same level, Chrysostomides noted.

    Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

    [27] International Conference for Ombudsmen crowned with success

    NICOSIA, 11/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The International Conference for Ombudsmen entitled ''The Changing Nature of the Ombudsman Institution in Europe'', wrapped up its deliberations here with success, Cyprus Ombudswoman Eliana Nicolaou told CNA on Friday.

    At the Conference some 45 delegates from 26 European countries, examined the role of the Ombudsman in the protection of social rights, in applying the European Union Charter and in supporting and strengthening the Ombudsman Institution.

    Meanwhile CNA has learnt that European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamantouros, who also participated at the Conference, will visit the island again on March in the framework of his visit to the ten acceding countries.

    During his visit here, Diamantouros will brief the Cypriot Ombudswoman on the work of his Office and will inform her about the ways for cooperation between the EU Ombudsman and his national counterparts.

    ''I am convinced that the conference gave the opportunity to hear how the EU Ombudsman, the national counterparts and various ombudsman institutions in Europe carry out their work and face issues concerning protection of human rights'', Nicolaou told the Conference during her closing remarks.

    She noted that the challenge of the Cypriot Ombudswoman and her aides is to be in line with all contemporary developments in the field of ombudsmanship and thus building a society ''where every citizen is treated fairly and where human rights are protected''.

    Nicolaou added that the Conference gave the opportunity to compare and contrast and learn from each other's experiences as well as to promote public awareness of the work of European ombudsman.


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