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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-10-17Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>October 17, 2003CONTENTS
[01] PM outlines Greek positions at EU Intergovernmental Conference in BrusselsBRUSSELS 17/10/2003 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis-V. Demiris)Prime Minister Costas Simitis outlined Greece's positions at the Intergovernmental Conference of European Union member-states, entrusted with preparing Europe's constitution, while speaking at a press conference at the end of the first session of the EU summit here on Thursday.Simitis said the first signs of convergence exist among the positions of EU member-states, adding that what is necessary is not the preparation of a legal text but speeding up the process towards European integration. Focusing on Greek positions, the prime minister reiterated that the European draft constitution prepared by the Convention on the Future of Europe constitutes a good basis for consultations. Regarding the European Council president, he said Greece supports the appointment of a ''long-term'' president, believing that in this way continuity and consistency in EU activities will be safeguarded. However, Greece believes that the issue of relations between the European Council president and the European Commission president must be examined. As far as the European Commission is concerned, Greece believes that all member-states must be represented on equal terms and with one Commissioner at the Commission, but its president must have an increased margin of powers in relation to the allocation of duties for Commissioners. For the Council of Ministers, Greece supports the rotating assumption of Council presidencies by a group of three countries every year. Concerning the system of ratifying decisions, Greece is of the opinion that what is necessary for a decision to be ratified is that the majority of member-states must agree with it, on condition that they also represent the majority of the EU's population. Simitis said Spain and Poland continue to disagree with this view, who want the population percentage to increase from 51 percent to 66. On the question of European defense, if a group of countries willing to promote reinforced cooperation in the defense sector is finally created Greece will participate. Greece agrees, with regard to constitutional revision, that procedures should be anticipated for the possible revision of the constitution of Europe if this is considered necessary in the future. Referring to other issues on the summit's agenda, Simitis noted the intention of France and Germany to vote at the UN in favor of the new draft resolution submitted by the US on Iraq, despite the fact they consider it to be unsatisfactory and, consequently, they will not contribute from a military point of view. Commenting on the content of his brief talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Simitis said it concerned the upcoming visit to Greece by the Turkish foreign minister and that this visit could contribute to a further improvement in Greek-Turkish relations. Turning his attention to the Middle East question, he said EU High Commissioner Javier Solana is continuing contacts with Israelis and Palestinians, but stressed that the high commissioner termed the situation in the Middle East ''chaotic''. Simitis also mentioned that he raised the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece with his British counterpart Tony Blair on the sidelines of the summit. ''All Greeks want the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece,'' he said, adding that ''we have every interest in having this issue resolved as soon as possible.'' He further said it would be good if this took place before the elections ''which will take place in April or on May 2'' since a period of about six months remains from now until that date, which is a bigger period than the approximately three months separating the elections from the Olympic Games which will begin on August 13. Gov't believes new EU initiative will improve Greek economy's competitiveness: The Greek government believes the new initiative being undertaken by the European Union will facilitate an ''improvement in the long-term competitiveness of the Greek economy, a speedup in investments and in the participation of private initiative.'' Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis indicated that following the relevant decision taken at the Thessaloniki EU summit, the European Council decided that in the framework of European activities for development a series of projects should be included which are expected ''to improve the EU's productivity and competitiveness and will enable the development of SMEs.'' The total of 29 projects include four of particular interest to Greece, but it was noted that all the projects will not begin simultaneously but will be developed in accordance with their maturity, while Simitis stressed that ''this is a problem we often face in Greece where projects delay in maturing.'' Simitis also said during the press conference that the issue of immigration and of border management was examined by the 15 EU leaders on Thursday in the wake of decisions taken at the Thessaloniki summit, some of which are moving forward at a very satisfactory pace. He added that agreements on the readmission of illegal immigrants have been promoted and credits have been secured to finance the relevant fund entrusted with this issue. The 15 leaders will also have to ratify the agreement on the establishment of some new sea and air border control centers, one of which will be headquartered in Greece. Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on his part ''the integration of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) did not produce the desired result. Namely, an increase in competitiveness and speedy growth'', adding that the Stability Pact was criticized ''as being the main culprit for the lack of growth.'' PM meets UK's Blair, Turkish counterpart before EU summit: Shortly before the start of the European Summit here on Thurs-day, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis briefly met his British counterpart Tony Blair to discuss Greek demands for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. Greek diplomatic sources said the prime minister once again raised the issue during talks with Blair. Simitis also had a brief encounter with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the European leaders met to discuss a draft European Constitution, during which they went over the issues that will be covered during an upcoming visit to Athens by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. According to an ANA dispatch from Brussels, the European leaders began their meeting at 11:00 local time. Present at the meeting are the heads of the 15 EU member-states, the 10 enlargement countries due to accede in May 2004 and the three candidate-countries, who have convened on the level of the Intergovernmental Conference in an attempt to bridge their differences regarding the form and content of a future European Constitution. The current Italian presidency of the EU is apparently determined to complete the IGC within its six-month term so that a new ''Treaty of Rome'' can be signed in December, warning that it might call an emergency summit in November for this purpose. At 17:00, EU leaders will reconvene for a meeting also attended by European finance and foreign ministers to discuss plans for boosting the European-wide economy through 29 major infrastructure projects in the transport sector, with an estimated cost of 220 billion euros by 2020. These will include two rail lines passing through Greece, including a line from Athens to Dresden passing via Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic and an 'Ionian-Adriatic' linking Kozani and Kalamata via several cities in western Greece, a road from the Greek-Bulgarian border in Promahonas to Sofia and Budapest and a sea route linking the Ionian, Adriatic and Cyprus. EU leaders are also expected to discuss illegal immigration, the EU's external borders and the repatriation of illegal immigrants over the course of the summit. [02] President Stephanopoulos winds up visit to Serbia and MontenegroBELGRADE 17/10/2003 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)President Kostis Stephanopoulos wound up a three-day official visit to Serbia and Montenegro on Thursday with a meeting earlier in the day with Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic.Stephanopoulos, who has already returned to Athens, in statements said all the contacts he had in Belgrade were of extreme interest and expressed the hope that they would bear fruit. The president further said that in his talks with his Serb and Montenegrin interlocutors, there was a mutual and sincere briefing on what was going on in this country and on Greece's aims, adding that full agreement was ascertained that efforts must continue for the western Balkan countries to approach and finally join the European Union. Stephanopoulos meets Serb, Montenegrin PMs in Belgrade: President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Thursday had successive meetings here with Serb Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and the Patriarch of Serbia Pavlos, during which he discussed bilateral relations with Greece and Balkan affairs. Stephanopoulos arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday night for a three-day official visit, during which he held talks with the leadership of Serbia and Montenegro and addressed a business forum in the city. In an earlier visit to Belgrade's Nebojsa Tower, meanwhile, Stephanopoulos paid tribute to Greek writer and thinker Riga Ferraios - a champion of Greece's fight for freedom and one of the first martyrs in its struggle for independence from Ottoman rule. The Greek president deposited a wreath on the spot where Ferraios and his comrades were killed in June 1798, 23 years before Greece emerged victorious from the 1821 war of independence, before visiting the City Hall. During an address alongside Belgrade's mayor, Stephanopoulos stressed that all Balkan countries that believed in the ideals of the European Union, such as democracy, respect for international law and cooperation between peoples, should become members of the EU. Noting that Europe had suffered from the Cold War climate, he called for an end to dividing lines within Europe, stressing that unification would allow all peoples to cooperate, achieve economic growth and enhance their democratic institutions. Stephanopoulos said that Greece supported the accession of Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey to the EU, as well as the western Balkan states. [03] Deputy defense minister and Czech counterpart meet in AthensAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Deputy Defense Minister Lazaros Lotidis had a meeting on Thursday with his Czech counterpart Jan Vana in Athens, during which they held talks on cooperation between in biochemical and military medicine and the sale of 24 Mirage F1 aircraft being withdrawn by Greece to the Czech Republic.During the three-hour talks, they also discussed military cooperation for the training of Czech officers in Greek military schools and Lotidis informed his counterpart on security issues for the Olympic Games in 2004. [04] Gov't on relations within Church, comments by EvertAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Responding to questions regarding a crisis in relations between the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fanar and the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece, acting government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris on Thursday advised ''cohesion, cooperation and calmness, in a spirit that takes history and Orthodoxy into account''.He called on all sides to make an effort to find ways to deal with the problem within the Church, while cautioning against statements that bred ''polarity and acerbity''. Asked to comment on Wednesday's statements by main opposition New Democracy MP Miltiades Evert, a former leader of his party, Hytiris said the comments of individual MPs were not the issue but rather the official stance adopted by ND, while he urged reporters to direct their questions to ND's headquarters. He also noted that there was no plan to appoint a mediator. Evert, while stressing that he respected and honored the Istanbul-based Patriarchate above all, had argued that "national interests" mandated that the Church of Greece retain administrative control over bishoprics in northern Greece and the eastern and northern Aegean. [05] PM and public works minister discuss unauthorized building issue by telephoneAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou discussed the issue of the demolition of unauthorized buildings in the region of eastern Attica in a telephone conversation on Thursday.They decided to have a work management group created to address the issue of demolitions, composed of officials from the public works and finance ministries, the Public Real Estate Corporation, the Region of Attica and the Prefecture of Eastern Attica. The committee will promote all demolition protocols and open all files concerning coastal trespassing. The group will also examine cases one by one and promote the issuing of final decisions. [06] Gov't on Pangalos statementAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)The government spokesman on Thursday stressed that the government believes in and is defending its work, while also promoting its plans for the upcoming four-year period, in reaction to press questions regarding recent comments by high-ranking PASOK deputy and former minister Theodoros Pangalos.The outspoken Pangalos this week expressed his doubts over whether ruling PASOK will be able to win the next general elections. Acting spokesman Telemahos Hytiris made the comments during a regular press briefing in Athens. [07] Bank of Greece backs a more austere fiscal policyAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)The Greek economy has achieved high grades of macro-economic stability in the last few years, although inflation still surpassed the eurozone average rate, unemployment remained high and the country's current accounts deficit surpassed 6.0 percent of GDP for the fourth consecutive session, a Bank of Greece's interim report on monetary policy said on Thursday.The report, submitted to parliament and to the government cabinet by Bank of Greece's governor Nikos Garganas, said that the country's fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP remained one of the highest in the European Union despite a significant reduction this year. The central bank noted that these problems reflected weakness in the Greek economy and stressed that it would need more efforts towards fiscal restructuring, infrastructural reforms and the contribution of social partners to solve them. The Bank of Greece urged the government to adopt a more austere fiscal policy, noting that fiscal policy loosened this year compared with the government's targets, and stressed that continued efforts to achieve fiscal restructuring could help contain inflationary pressures in the economy. The report stressed that an increase in private savings, if the country's fiscal deficit was reduced, could also help in containing the country's current account deficit. The Bank of Greece said that the government should protect a significant economic progress made since the previous decade and to limit any impact on economic developments from an election of political cycle in the country. The bank also urged for the continuation of efforts to achieve structural reforms to deal with any economic weaknesses and to promote a more effective functioning of domestic markets and competition. The report also called for a ''prudent'' pricing policy and for real incomes' policy, based on productivity gains, to protect workers' purchasing power, to boost economic competitiveness and to reduce unemployment. Greek inflation slowed this year, reducing its distance from the eurozone average, the report said. The Bank of Greece expects the consumer price index and the harmonized inflation to fall to around 3.2 percent in the last quarter of 2003, from 3.6 percent and 3.8 percent, in the last quarter of 2002, respectively, and forecasts an annual average inflation rate of 3.5 percent for the year, slightly down from 3.6 percent in 2002. The report attributed the stubbornly high inflation rate to unsatisfactory competition conditions in certain domestic markets, noting that excess demand led to excessive price increases and to higher operating profit margins in some sectors of business activity, a development recorded in 2003. The central bank said that labor cost per product unit slowed this year but it remained above an acceptable level to support price stability. The report noted that diverging Greek inflation was connected with a process of real economic convergence with the rest of EU, with the fact that Greek economy was currently in a different economic cycle from the rest of the eurozone, less effective operations of domestic markets for product and services and other reasons. The report forecasts that Greek Gross Domestic Product would rise 4.0 percent this year (compared with an anticipated 0.5 percent growth rate in the eurozone), a development likely to bring the country closer to convergence. Employment was rising faster than in 2002 with the unemployment rate steadily falling, it noted. The central bank's report showed that borrowing by businesses and households rose with high growth rates (18.7 percent in August), with credit expansion to Greek businesses growing faster (14.0 percent in August), while credit to households slowing down (27.3 percent in August from 33.1 percent in December 2002), reflecting a slowdown in mortgage and consumer loans. Garganas also welcomed a target of 1.2 percent for the general government deficit in the budget draft for 2004, down from 1.4 percent as a proportion of gross domestic product. Central Bank report: The Greek economy has achieved high grades of macro-economic stability in the last few years, although inflation still surpassed the eurozone average rate, unemployment remained high and the country's current accounts deficit surpassed 6.0 percent of GDP for the fourth consecutive session, a Bank of Greece's interim report on monetary policy said on Thursday. The report, submitted to parliament and to the government cabinet by Bank of Greece's governor Nikos Garganas, said that the country's fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP remained one of the highest in the European Union despite a significant reduction this year. The central bank noted that these problems reflected weakness in the Greek economy and stressed that it would need more efforts towards fiscal restructuring, infrastructural reforms and the contribution of social partners to solve them. The Bank of Greece urged the government to adopt a more austere fiscal policy, noting that fiscal policy loosened this year compared with the government's targets, and stressed that continued efforts to achieve fiscal restructuring could help contain inflationary pressures in the economy. The report stressed that an increase in private savings, if the country's fiscal deficit was reduced, could also help in containing the country's current account deficit. The Bank of Greece said that the government should protect a significant economic progress made since the previous decade and to limit any impact on economic developments from an election of political cycle in the country. The bank also urged for the continuation of efforts to achieve structural reforms to deal with any economic weaknesses and to promote a more effective functioning of domestic markets and competition. The report also called for a "prudent" pricing policy and for real incomes' policy, based on productivity gains, to protect workers' purchasing power, to boost economic competitiveness and to reduce unemployment. Greek inflation slowed this year, reducing its distance from the eurozone average, the report said. The Bank of Greece expects the consumer price index and the harmonized inflation to fall to around 3.2 percent in the last quarter of 2003, from 3.6 percent and 3.8 percent, in the last quarter of 2002, respectively, and forecasts an annual average inflation rate of 3.5 percent for the year, slightly down from 3.6 percent in 2002. The report attributed the stubbornly high inflation rate to unsatisfactory competition conditions in certain domestic markets, noting that excess demand led to excessive price increases and to higher operating profit margins in some sectors of business activity, a development recorded in 2003. The central bank said that labor cost per product unit slowed this year but it remained above an acceptable level to support price stability. The report noted that diverging Greek inflation was connected with a process of real economic convergence with the rest of EU, with the fact that Greek economy was currently in a different economic cycle from the rest of the eurozone, less effective operations of domestic markets for product and services and other reasons. The report forecasts that Greek Gross Domestic Product would rise 4.0 percent this year (compared with an anticipated 0.5 percent growth rate in the eurozone), a development likely to bring the country closer to convergence. Employment was rising faster than in 2002 with the unemployment rate steadily falling, it noted. The central bank's report showed that borrowing by businesses and households rose with high growth rates (18.7 percent in August), with credit expansion to Greek businesses growing faster (14.0 percent in August), while credit to households slowing down (27.3 percent in August from 33.1 percent in December 2002), reflecting a slowdown in mortgage and consumer loans. Opposition: Central bank report implicitly criticizes gov't: Two opposition parties said on Thursday that an interim central bank report released earlier in the day implicitly criticized the government's economic policy. ''Despite the diplomatic language in which the Bank of Greece's report is couched, there is no room for doubt that the country needs a different policy, a different government,'' said George Alogoskoufis, economic spokesman for the main opposition New Democracy party. ''Behind this diplomatic language lurks a massive fiscal problem, a massive deficit in the country's competitiveness, and a lack of substantive deceleration of inflation,'' Alogoskoufis said in a statement. The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology said that despite its ''elegant phrasing'', the Bank of Greece's report demonstrated the failure of the government's economic and social policy. ''Showing deviation of government policy from the ruling party's basic election platform are high inflation and unemployment, fiscal failure in implementing the budget, a high trade deficit due to an erosion of competitiveness, an uncertain outlook for sustainable development, under funding for key sectors of the social state, and major social and regional imbalances,'' the party's economy spokesman, Dimitris Papadimoulis, said in a statement. [08] New Olympic Airways attracts 12 bidders, gov’t saysAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Greece's Economy and Finance ministry on Thursday said that a total of 12 business formations ''submitted non-binding interest'' to buy a New Olympic Airways, the country's national carrier, as part of a government plan to privatize the company.A ministry announcement said that the privatization procedure would enter the next stage of submitting binding bids after the government delivers all information material regarding the airline company. The Greek parliament recently approved a government-sponsored bill envisaging the creation of a new national carrier. Olympic Airlines will replace Olympic Airways and will have exclusively flight operations after the merger between Olympic Airways, Olympic Aviation and Macedonian Airlines. Olympic Airways will be broken into separate autonomous companies scheduled to be privatized, leaving the national carrier with only flight operations. Olympic Airlines will employ 1,850 staff, and would operate with a 45 percent reduced labor cost. Olympic Airlines will have an initial capital of 140 million euros, it will operate a fleet of 44 aircraft and will maintain Olympic Airways' logo. Olympic Airlines could service around five million passengers a year and stressed that maintenance, cargo, ground services would be offered by the Group's other companies for at least three years. They noted that the government would seek a restructuring of all subsidiaries, burdened with deficits exceeding 140 million euros, in order to have the companies ready for privatization. The government later released of the twelve consortiums that expressed interest. The groups are as follows: [09] EU sends Greece to court over safety for fishing vesselsBRUSSELS 17/10/2003 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)The European Union's executive Commission decided on Thursday to take Greece and three other countries to court for violation of EU law on safety for fishing vessels.Along with Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland, Greece will be taken to the European Court for failing to adopt Directive 2000/59/EEC on technical specifications and safety regimes aboard trawlers more than 24 meters long, the Commission said in a statement. The directive should have been incorporated into national law by January 1, 2003, the statement added. [10] Athens and Piraeus hospital doctors announce two more rolling 48-hour strikesAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Athens and Piraeus hospital doctors on Thursday decided to escalate their rolling 48-hour strikes with two more. The first ends on Friday while the other two will be on October 23 and 24 and October 30 and 31.Unless their economic and institutional demands are met, the doctors will continue rolling 48-hour strikes even until the new year and they explained that it is not only their low salaries which are forcing them to claim at least the doubling of their pay with the addition of certain benefits, but the overall climate prevailing in the health sector as well. At a general assembly convened at the Red Cross hospital on Thursday, hospital doctors further decided to abstain from surgeries next week for three days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). [11] Greek stocks ease on ThursdayAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks eased slightly on Thursday in the Athens Stock Exchange with the market suffering from lack of fresh news and incentives.The general index ended 0.34 percent lower at 2,111.24 points, with trade focusing in blue chip stocks like Hellenic Telecoms, Panafon, National Bank, Alpha Bank, EFG Eurobank Ergasias and Emporiki Bank. Turnover was a disappointing low 97.7 million euros. The Telecommunications and Investment sectors were the only ones to score gains (0.25 percent and 0.17 percent, respectively), while the Textile, Publication and Food-Beverage sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.68 percent, 1.22 percent and 1.21 percent, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.19 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.53 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.46 percent down. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 225 to 82 with another 51 issues unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 58.4 mln euros Thursday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: • Total turnover in derivatives market: 58.4 mln euros Bond Market Close: Buyers outpace sellers on Thursday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of October 16 2003 Parities in euro For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,170 1,144 [12] Public order minister assures safe 2004 Athens Olympic GamesAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Public Order Minister George Floridis, Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki and Greek Police chief Fotis Nasiakos offered assurances that the 2004 Athens Olympic Games will be held in an absolutely safe and peaceful environment, while speaking at a press conference organized by the Union of Foreign Correspondents at a downtown Athens hotel on Thursday.Daskalaki said the big bet is safeguarding the great sports and cultural event's festive atmosphere and Olympic Games installations not to be reminiscent of a military zone. Both the minister and the police chief agreed absolutely on the major issue of the Games' success, adding that measures and ways are being examined to enable security forces not to spoil the image of the Games. Floridis and Nasiakos said the security program for the Games is the biggest and most costly and complex ever to be created for Olympic Games. Lieutenant General Vassilios Constantinidis made a brief presentation of security for the Olympic Games. The ''theatre of operations' will extend all over Greece, while planning covers 126 Olympic installations, 28 sports and a host of cultural events. The main axes of planning include the security of Olympic installations, the protection of dignitaries and members of the Olympic family and sports missions, the managing of traffic, the guarding of vital installations and special activities. On the question of terrorism, a special plan exists for the handling of crises, an information network and rapid reaction units for the prevention of possible terrorist acts. Planning also involves the armed forces, particularly in managing consequences and mass losses. A plan has also been prepared to tackle chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats with the assistance of experts from countries of the Olympic advisory group. Human potential to be involved in the Games will be composed of 21,300 people from the Greek Police, 3,300 from the Harbor Corps, 1,400 from the Fire Brigade, 7,000 from Special Forces, 2,800 from private security companies and 5,600 volunteers. [13] Health minister refers to health services concerning 2004 Athens Olympic GamesAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Health Minister Costas Stefanis, addressing the conference of the ''Economist'' in Athens on Thursday, announced that the operational programs of health services covering the 2004 Athens Olympic Games are being carried out at a very satisfactory pace.Stefanis said the total budget for programs amounts to 365 million euros, of which 80 percent has been absorbed to date, while the entire project is being supervised by the Monitoring Committee created with a ministerial decision. Hospital treatment, first stage health care, the handling of emergencies, public health and hygiene and organizing and coordinating services are, according to the minister, the operational program's five main priorities. On the question of hospital treatment, 25 hospitals all over the country, 17 of which are located in the wider Athens area, have been termed ''Olympic'' ones and will have space for emergencies and intensive care units. [14] MPs fear low turnout of Olympics volunteers among overseas GreeksAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)MPs from all parties on Thursday expressed fears that volunteers recruited among overseas Greeks would not exceed one fifth of the originally estimated numbers, during a briefing of Parliament's Committee for Expatriate Hellenism by Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) General Director for Volunteerism Dimitris Tziras.Specifically, Committee chairman Grigoris Niotis said that there was a risk that only 1,000 expatriate volunteers instead of an initial target of 5,000 would turn up at the Games due to ATHOC's delay in sending out letters inviting applications and its subsequent delay in answering applicants. He noted that several people wanting to take part might be unable to come because they would be make arrangements to find tickets, accommodation or even take the necessary time off work. Niotis stressed that a low level of participation by expatriate volunteers would create a very negative image regarding the organization of the Games, both among expatriate communities and among the international media. Tziras said that ATHOC had prepared a questionnaire to send out in October, so that Greeks living abroad that wanted to participate in the volunteer program would not need to travel to Greece for personal interviews unless they wished. Those who responded to the questionnaire within October and November would receive a reply from ATHOC's volunteer service in the first two months of 2004, he added. He said the organizing committee had so far received 120,000 applications for participation in the volunteer program, of which 10,000 were sent by Greek expatriates, and that ATHOC had begun the confirmation process in October - with 5 per cent of an estimated requirement of 45,000 volunteers confirmed so far. The ATHOC official also noted that volunteer action was uniform and that there was no need to establish a quota for expatriates, nor create a separate expense account other than the general volunteer budget of 25 million euros for advertisement, interviews, training, and providing food and clothing. [15] Olympic exhibition to open in VeniceAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)An exhibition linked to next year’s 2004 Athens Games, entitled “Olympic Games – Five Rings of Athletic Competition, Solidarity, Culture, Hope and Peace, opens in Venice this weekend following its debut in Naples and a subsequent showing in Athens.The exhibition, featuring the works of 25 noted artists (10 Greeks and 15 Italians), will be hosted at the lagoon city’s Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista from Oct. 18 to Nov. 16. The theme of the exhibition revolves around the “Olympic ideals” that promote notion of sport, including its mental and aesthetic aspects. The Greek consulate in Venice and the Veneto regional authority are organizing the exhibition in cooperation with Greece’s culture ministry general secretariat for the 2004 Olympic Games. [16] 7th Dialogue between Orthodox Church and MEPs begins in IstanbulISTANBUL 17/10/2003 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)The 7th Dialogue of the Orthodox Church and the European People's Party (EPP) and the European Democrats parliamentary groups got underway on Thursday by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in Istanbul.The Patriarch addressing the meeting on ''New Europe after 2004'' said that the European Union's Constitutional Assembly ''could overcome the partitioning dilemmas of the western tradition and of latest ideology to open new horizons in the institutional role of religion in the modern-day multicultural society.'' The Patriarch reminded of his suggestions to Constitutional Assembly President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Commission President Romano Prodi and the European Parliament in October 2002 to have the institutional role of religion recognized in the European constitution being prepared and have its decisive contribution to the cultural heritage of European peoples referred to. He also said the enlargement of the EU and the prospect of Turkey's accession renders the acceptance of the Orthodox proposal imperative, recalling that the Orthodox tradition always promoted constructive cooperation between the Church and the government and the equal consolidation of the freedom of all religions. Among those participating are the MEPs Wim van Velzen, Francesco Fiori, Jose-Maria Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado, Prof. Rocco Buttiglione, Dr. Michael Weninger representing the Italian EU presidency, ND MEP Marietta Yiannakou-Koutsikou, Zekariya Akcam from Turkey's ruling Justice and Development party, EPP Parliamentary group leader Rene van der Linden and former Romanian prime minister Victor Ciorbea. Among issues to be discussed are ''Prospects of incorporating religious values in the Constitution'' and ''Religious values in the history of the European Constitution''. [17] Marathon final arguments for 'N17' suspect Tzortzatos concludeAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)The second defense attorney for “November 17” defendant Vassilis Tzortzatos concluded his four-day-long final argument on Thursday with references to every single count of a voluminous indictment in which his client is mentioned, and following a previous week-long marathon closing argument by a first attorney representing the alleged terrorist.Among others, defense counsel Costas Papadakis told the three-judge appellate-level court that witnesses placing Tzortzatos, an electrician by training, at the site of a 'N17' rocket attack on a crowded downtown Athens street in 1992 lacked credibility. Then finance minister Ioannis Paleokrassas, the intended target, escaped unharmed although shrapnel killed a bystander. The attorney also claimed that confessions by the first suspect nabbed in the unprecedented “N17” investigation, Savvas Xiros, do not specify what Tzortzatos’ role was in various attacks, adding that Xiros’ confessions are also “vague”. The defense attorney’s point of vague statements by Savvas Xiros demonstrates, in his opinion, that the latter was “forced to implicate his co-defendant in specific strikes by the (terrorist) organization”. Furthermore, the attorney called on the court to recognize extenuating circumstances in the absence of “base motives”, claiming that “no personal benefit” was involved. Moreover, he said whatever participation Tzortzatos had in “N17” ceased in 1992, before ratification of a high-profile anti-terrorism bill passed in the wake of British defense attache Stephen Saunders’ assassination by the once-elusive terror band in June 2000. The ongoing “N17” proceedings are the first held under the new anti-terrorism law, which among others, foresees trials by a three-justice panel instead of a mixed judges-jurors court routinely convened for criminal trials. In citing the 1992 date, the attorney said his client’s charges up until that time are misdemeanors, and therefore, beyond the statutes of limitations for prosecution. The 1992 date that attorney Papadakis referred to is the year when Tzortzatos was arrested in an upscale “Diplomatic row” neighborhood of Athens on suspicion of being terrorist or collecting information for a terrorist group. He was subsequently tried and acquitted after authorities could not prove his ties with any terrorist activity, let alone “N17”. However, confessions by several of his co-defendants now on trial – most later recanted in court – noted that Tzortzatos was “retired” by the notorious group’s leadership after having been arrested, thereby “marked”, by authorities. Final arguments by attorneys representing Patroklos Tselentis, one of a handful of "N17" suspects that has stuck by his original confessions and appeared remorseful in court testimony, is expected to commence on Friday. [18] Police arrest man trading in fake documents for illegalsAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Thessaloniki's police force on Thursday reported the arrest of a 50-year-old man suspected of trading in fake state documents for illegal immigrants in Greece, such as work permits and other official papers.The man, whose name was not announced, is to be led before a public prosecutor to hear the charges against him. Acting on information that he was supplying Albanians with fake documents, police raided the suspect's house in Epanomi and found counterfeit official stamps, an Albanian passport and forged documents needed by immigrants to Greece. They also confiscated employer statements, a number of Albanian birth certificates and bank slips for the withdrawal and deposit of various amounts. [19] Albanian freighter in danger of sinking off NW GreeceAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)An Albanian-flagged freighter laden with cement was listing dangerously early Thursday afternoon just off the Ionian town of Preveza, NW Greece.All eight crewmembers evacuated the “Enina” hours earlier amid rough seas. Coast guard authorities said a cargo shift caused the vessel to list. Efforts were underway at press time to off-load 1,020 tons of cement from the vessel, weather permitting. The freighter had picked up its cargo in Patra, western Greece and was heading for a port in Albania. [20] Kaklamanis meets delegation of Euro-American Women's CouncilAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on Thursday met a delegation of the Euro-American Women's Council and hailed their activities for peace, progress, prosperity and cooperation between the peoples of the two continents.Noting that women know only to well what ''life, death and pain means,'' Kaklamanis congratulated the women's council for its efforts to ''eliminate whatever can harm life.'' [21] US ambassador visits US Souda base in CreteAthens, 17/10/2003 (ANA)US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller made a brief visit to Hania, on the island of Crete, on Thursday where he visited the US Souda base, talked to staff and returned to Athens on a private flight.Miller's wife also arrived in Hania and visited the Centre of Autistic Children of Crete and addressed officials of welfare foundations at the Mediterranean Agronomics Institute. [22] Ecumenical Patriarch congratulates Pope John Paul IIISTANBUL 17/10/2003 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Thursday sent a message of congratulations to Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his enthronement.[23] Cyprus President: Unwise to veto Turkey's EU accessionBRUSSELS 17/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Thursday stressed the Cyprus government considers an unwise move to veto Turkey's EU accession course when Cyprus becomes a member of the European Union next May.In a breakfast policy briefing organized by the European Policy Centre in Brussels, entitled ''The Cyprus question - Prospects for a settlement'', the Cypriot president said the Annan peace plan is the most comprehensive basis for negotiations for a Cyprus settlement and that the Greek Cypriot side is ready at any moment to begin substantial and substantive negotiations for a solution. However no developments are expected before the ''voting'' in the Turkish- occupied north of Cyprus (December 14, 2003). In his speech, Papadopoulos referred to recent developments in the Cyprus problem and said the two major events that took place are the tabling of the Annan plan and the ''milestone of the signing of the Accession Treaty.'' He said ''these two events changed the scenery on the Cyprus problem.'' On the Annan plan, President Papadopoulos said it is ''the most comprehensive plan which aims at dealing with every aspect of the Cyprus problem.'' He said ''there had never been any negotiations before the Annan plan just monologues,'' adding that the Annan plan has ''opened the door to serious negotiations.'' Noting that it was supposed to be ''a self-executory plan,'' President Papadopoulos said many things still need to be finalized ''but nevertheless our position is that it is the most comprehensive plan and that we accept it as a basis for negotiation.'' Papadopoulos said the changes which the Greek Cypriot side is seeking are to improve it ''and make it more workable in order to be more viable.'' The Cyprus problem, he added, ''has gone on for too long and we cannot accept another friction.'' He categorically stressed that ''all suggestions for improvements do not aim to upset the balance, are within the parameters and do not go outside the framework of the plan.'' President Papadopoulos declared the Greek Cypriot side's readiness to enter immediately into ''substantial and substantive negotiations, without preconditions and without any delay, even today.'' Referring to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's attitude, President Papadopoulos said the Turkish Cypriot leader considers the plan ''dead'' and that backed by Ankara, he claims it cannot be a basis for negotiations. ''The vision of Denktash is a nightmare,'' President Papadopoulos said, because Denktash wants ''two separate sovereign states'' something that will be ''a true nightmare for Cyprus.'' ''It is unthinkable in the time of the EU, where barriers come down, in an island so small, to have two separate sovereign entities.'' He backed this statement by saying that the Greek Cypriot community amounts to 82 percent and Turkish Cypriots 18 percent of the island's total population, while as far as the land ownership is concerned, the Turkish Cypriots have 12.9 percent and the rest is for Greek Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins. ''So there is no area where Turkish Cypriot ownership is predominant so as to explain having two states,'' he added. On the signing of the accession Treaty to the EU, President Papadopoulos said it was a ''historical moment to take part in the enlargement,'' noting that Cyprus has undertaken obligations and needs to abide by the acquis and change its concepts and institutions in Cyprus. ''Not only it opened prospects for prosperity but also obligations,'' he added. ''We want to be a constructive partner and not a troublesome partner, he added, adding that Cyprus wants to be able to perform its duties and honor its obligations. Regarding prospects to solve the Cyprus problem, President Papadopoulos said the decision on Cyprus is taken by Ankara, stressing that there is good evidence to believe that Denktash has influence in Turkey which may prevent any initiative taken for the island. The most recent example, he added, is the signing of the so called ''framework for a customs union'' between Turkey and the illegal regime, showing that ''with this, Denktash had imposed his will on the Turkish government.'' In spite of the deadlock in the talks, said President Papadopoulos, everyone says, even the UN Secretary-General, that they do not expect to see anything on the Cyprus problem before the ''voting'' in the occupied areas of Cyprus. ''Our side believes that the EU accession can be a catalyst for Turkish Cypriots to participate as equal citizens of the Union,'' with equal rights. He said when Denktash lifted some of the restrictions which he had imposed on the freedom of movement, ''he had predicted that there would be a massacre between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, similar to the one in Bosnia'' and other countries. ''No single incident has taken place,'' the president said, adding that ''in general, as long as Denktash remains the leader of the Turkish Cypriots, there is no prospect to commence any negotiations on the Annan plan and reach an agreement. The Turkish Cypriots want a solution in the framework of the Annan plan,'' he added. The 1st of May 2004, he added, is an ''irreversible course and we invite our Turkish Cypriot compatriots to share this great challenge.'' ''If a united Cyprus joins the EU,'' he said, ''everyone has to gain, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots even greater. If it is not resolved by 1st of May, then there will be practical problems for Greek Cypriots which may prevent us from fully joining the EU.'' However, the Greek Cypriot side will persevere if there is no settlement and ''redouble our efforts''. ''The only way to go is a reunified Cyprus to join the EU,'' he added. Answering a relevant question by a journalist of the Turkish newspaper ''Vatan'', President Papadopoulos said one issue which is ''non negotiable is the establishment of two separate states in Cyprus.'' Asked if Cyprus would veto Turkey's application to the EU, President Papadopoulos stressed that when Cyprus will enter the EU, it will have the same equal rights with all other member states. He said ''vetoing is for the big boys, it is more convincing when it comes from a big country.'' However, ''it would be a most unwise move on the part of Cyprus to take this move,'' he said, adding that a ''Turkey, behaving like an EU country, would benefit Cyprus and it would not be to its detriment.'' To a question what is his vision of a future Europe, President Papadopoulos said it is one of a union of countries in Europe who have equality, respect of culture and prosperity. He said smaller countries should have a greater contribution and this is one of the points in which he wants changed in the new European convention. Regarding Cyprus' role in a future Europe, a question put forward by Leopold Maurer (EU's negotiator for Cyprus' entry), President Papadopoulos said during his dinner last night with EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner said within his portfolio in improving relations with countries outside the EU, Cyprus can play a role, especially with Arab countries. He said ''I committed myself to Mr. Verheugen to utilize my contacts'' so that Cyprus can modestly contribute to policy in Europe. To a question about the role of the British Sovereign Bases in Cyprus after accession, President Papadopoulos said that in the Annan plan, the ''British embedded, enhanced and improved their rights.'' On the question of Turkish colonist settlers in occupied Cyprus, President Papadopoulos said it was one of the ''thorny problems'' in Cyprus, noting the Annan plan has provisions for this that when an agreement is reached, around 35-45 thousand will remain on the island. However, the latest report by Finish Rapporteur on the settlers Laakso Jaakko talked about 119 thousand, noting he was ''very disturbed to read this''. ''We want some clarifications on this in the Annan plan, a more clear cut provisions'' as regards the issue of settlers in Cyprus within the Annan plan. Furthermore, the Cypriot president said ''we have no objection to making Turkey an EU official language'' while on another point, he said that the Cyprus problem was never an issue of religion. The breakfast briefing was attended by a number of European Commission officials, representatives of embassies in Brussels and EU policy makers. 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