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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-04-01Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>April 1, 2004CONTENTS
[01] UN Secretary-General Annan urges Cypriots to accept 'fair plan'BURGENSTOCK 1/4/2004 (ANA/F. Karaviti)UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in the early hours of Thursday called on the people of Cyprus to accept a plan for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus which he described as ''the best and fairest chance of peace, prosperity and stability that is ever likely to be on offer'' and a plan that is ''fair and designed to work.''''The plan inevitably is a compromise,'' he said and warned that the choice before the leaders and the people is between this settlement and no settlement. Addressing the representatives of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, Greece and Turkey, Annan said that ''no one says that reunification would be easy'' and pointed out that at the end of the day it did not matter what he personally thought but what the people would decide.''I am certain that my settlement plan offers the best and fairest chance of peace, prosperity and stability that is ever likely to be on offer,'' he said. ''There have been too many missed opportunities in the past, for the sake of all of you I urge you not to make the same mistake again,'' Annan said. Annan presented the plan after a week long of talks between the two sides in Cyprus in the presence of Greece and Turkey. The plan would be put to a referendum on April 24 in both communities in Cyprus. [02] PM Karamanlis says it is up to the Cypriot people 'to finally decide'BURGENSTOCK 1/4/2004 (ANA / A. Pana gopoulos)Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said that there was no agreement on a solution for the Cyprus problem.''Unfortunately, it was not possible to arrive at an agreed solution. It belongs to the people of Cyprus to finally decide,'' Karamanlis told a news conference here early Thursday morning after the submittal of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan to the interested parties involved. Karamanlis, who made statements immediately after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, underlined that the Cypriot people and its political leadership will decide what they will do in the referenda on April 24. The Greek premier further underlined that his government followed the binding procedure which had been agreed in New York on February 13. Karamanlis and his New Democracy party won general elections on March 7. Karamanlis stated that the aim was for the reaching of a solution to the Cyprus issue, noting that efforts were made to improve the plan with respect to the fundamental principles of the European Union. He noted that he responded immediately to Annan's invitation and that he had close cooperation during the talks with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and with the members of the Cypriot delegation. The Greek premier referred to the meetings he had with Erdogan, underlining that in his talks the will was confirmed for bilateral relations to be improved. The Greek delegation will study Annan's final plan on the flight back to Athens, given that in essence it received it ten minutes before Karamanlis' statements, as the UN Secretary-General included in it certain of the amendments which he had proposed earlier in the afternoon to the Cypriot president. [03] Gov't says chances of agreed solution for Cyprus are slimBURGENSTOCK 1/4/2004 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)The Greek government on Wednesday made it clear that the chances of an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem were becoming increasingly slim.In statements at the Swiss Alpine resort of Burgenstock near Lake Lucerne where the talks are taking place, Greek government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos stressed that ''the margins for finding an agreed solution at this time are not great''. Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis has briefed President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, the political party leaders and former premiers Costas Simitis and Constantine Mitsotakis on the latest developments and has met with ''general consensus,'' according to Greek diplomatic sources. The Greek side is also coming under intense pressure to accept an agreement, however, beginning on Wednesday morning with a telephone call from British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to Molyviatis, followed by a call from US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Both men expressed their interest in an agreed solution. Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis requested a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday morning, during which he again expressed the Greek side's desire for improvements to the new plan, chiefly with respect to security issues and accommodating Community law, so as to increase the chances of an agreed solution. Greek diplomatic sources described the margins for such an agreed solution as tight, while adding that hope dies last. The same sources said they hoped and believed that relations between Greece and Turkey will continue to be good. The Greek side's estimates were arrived at in consultation with the Cyprus government, they added. Meanwhile, preparations are underway in Burgenstock for the ceremony where the finalized UN plan will be presented but it is still unclear when Annan will consider the talks to have ended and in what way and what time he will present the final text. [04] PM meets UN chief to discuss Cyprus planBURGENSTOCK 1/4/2004 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday met United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in the Swiss Alpine resort of Burgenstock where ongoing talks for a Cyprus peace plan are taking place.This is the last day of the UN-sponsored negotiations and a final version of the plan is to be presented by Annan later in the day. The meeting was sought by the Greek premier and comes after a round of repeated contacts between the UN and the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot negotiating teams regarding modifications to the fourth revised plan presented to the parties on Monday. According to statements by a top diplomatic source around dawn when this round of contacts ended, however, the chances of an agreed solution are slim. Greek main opposition leader rejects latest Annan plan in talks with UN envoy: Greece's main opposition leader George Papandreou, president of the PASOK party, contacted United Nations envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto and expressed profound disagreement with the newest version of the UN peace plan for Cyprus, saying it could not be accepted by either the Greek or the Greek-Cypriot sides in its present form. According to the PASOK president's aides, Papandreou had a lengthy and at times heated conversation with de Soto over the phone on Tuesday night lasting roughly half an hour, during which he asked for significant changes to the revised plan presented to the parties by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday and stressed that a negative answer was virtually inevitable and would lead the entire process to failure unless the changes were made. He also noted that the United Nations and the secretary-general would be historically responsible and were jeopardizing the organization’s prestige and credibility with respect to regional conflicts. Papandreou also spoke with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Tuesday night, who briefed him on the points in the new plan that he had asked the UN chief to change. Opposition parties comment on the Cyprus issue:''All the Annan plans are based on the negative philosophy of the first and basic plan. We only wish one thing: That we are proven wrong in predicting a negative development of the Cyprus issue,'' said Communist Party of Greece Secretary General Aleka Papariga on Wednesday. Coalition of the Left Movements and Ecology (SYN) Nikos Constantopoulos, said that the Cypriot government, which is trying to find a solution to the Cyprus issue in accordance with International Law and European principles, is being subject to ''provocative and inconceivable'' pressure. ''The Annan plan and the New York decision were not created in order to facilitate diplomatic and political blackmail,'' he noted. According to Constantopoulos, tough negotiations, strong resistance, and support to the end for a functional, viable and fair solution to the Cyprus issue that does not violate principles of European civilization are imperative. [05] Papadopoulos says Annan's final plan does not satisfy Greek Cypriot sideBURGENSTOCK 1/4/2004 (ANA/F. Karaviti)The final changes made by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to his plan for a settlement of the Cyprus issue do not satisfy the Greek Cypriot side, according to a statement made here early Wednesday evening by Cypriot government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides.The spokesman announced that Annan had called Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos earlier in the day and briefed him on the final changes he aims to introduce to his plan. ''The president expressed the opinion that they are not satisfactory and discussed with Mr. Annan the positions which the Greek Cypriot side had submitted and were not adopted. He explained the reasons why his positions should have been taken into consideration,'' Chrysostomides said. UN chief Annan meets Greek and Turkish premiers : UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the presence of the two countries' foreign ministers, in Burgenstock, Switzerland, late Wednesday evening shortly before he was due to hand to the sides involved in the Cyprus talks the final version of his plan on a comprehensive settlement. According to sources, they discussed the further procedures for the handing over of the texts and of the accompanying letters. Annan asked of the two prime ministers to be in touch for the next stages of the procedure. [06] Cyprus party leaders urge Cypriot people to remain calmBURGENSTOCK 1/4/2004 (ANA)Cyprus House of Representatives President and left-wing AKEL party Secretary-General Demetris Christofias early Thursday urged the Cypriot people to remain calm, stating that when the Greek Cypriot delegation returns to Cyprus from the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, it will study with objectivity the final revised plan of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.''We must tell the people the result of the analysis of the plan, weighing with calm and responsibility matters of the past and of the future,'' Christofias said in statements prior to the delivery of the UN chief's final plan. ''When we return we will see what the UN Secretary-General's final text includes and we will study it objectively,'' the AKEL leader added. On his part, Democratic Rally (DISY) leader Nicos Anastasiades stated that Annan's proposal ''is a product of compromise which we definitely had in mind would be painful.'' Likewise, Anastasiades also called for cool-headedness and sobriety ''particularly at this time when everyone is called on to assume historic responsibilities.'' Concluding, the DISY party president said ''the battle which should have been given by the Greek Cypriot side was given in the best possible manner.'' [07] Prodi says EU will accept some derogations in final Cyprus solutionSTRASBOURG (ANA - O. Tsipira)European Commission President Romano Prodi on Wednesday said that the European Union was willing to accept certain derogations in order to accommodate a final Cyprus solution, provided that Community law was substantially respected. Speaking during a joint press conference in Strasbourg, Prodi said that exceptions lasting a specific time had been permitted for other countries joining the EU during its enlargement. ''It is a tradition, we have made exceptions lasting for a specific time period, not permanent derogations, but we have done this before for a lot of other countries," he said. While noting that some permanent exceptions had been allowed in the past, such as for property purchasing in Malta, he said that the Commission wanted to avoid permanent derogations would raise the prospect of a complex and lengthy EU ratification process. Saying that a true possibility of achieving a Cyprus solution within the bounds of Community law was apparent for the first time, the head of the Commission appealed to the two sides on Cyprus not to miss this "historic opportunity" to unify the island. He underlined the Community's support for United Nations mediating efforts but also stressed that any departures from EU laws and rules should not go too far: "We are just at the disposal of the UN Secretary General [Kofi Annan], as Enlargement Commissioner Verheugen is in Switzerland because we want the acquis communautaire to be respected and we do not want any exceptions to be made that go beyond the rules of the acquis,'' he said. Prodi pointed out that the Commission was doing this ''to help the negotiations in such a way that the acquis communautaire is substantially respected and we can avoid any long, lengthy ratification process and all that can take place coming under classic European legislation.'' Asked why the Greek Cypriots should vote in favor of the Annan Plan at a referendum, Prodi said the plan ''is constructed in such a way that both communities should feel reassured and beneficiaries of this agreement,'' noting it is ''a very complicated agreement and there is a whole series of technical, specific details, concerning the life of the two communities.'' [08] The Olympic Flame arrives in AthensAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Greek Sprint Olympic Champion and last torchbearer of the first leg of the Greek Torch Relay Athens 2004 Katerina Thanou, brought the Olympic Flame into the Panathinaiko Stadium on time at 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday. More than 30,000 spectators had filled the Stadium to watch the understated yet splendid ceremony at the place where the Olympic Games were revived 108 years ago.Thanou placed the flame at the altar which stood in front of Kostis Stephanopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic. Hellenic Olympic Committee President Lambis Nikolaou escorted by Greek Olympic champions Leonidas Kokkas, Dimosthenes Tampakos, and Voula Patoulidou entered the arena and received the torch High Priestess Thalia Prokopiou had previously lit. ''I am convinced that despite the difficult times facing humanity today due to 'random' violence and the resurgence of religious and other types of fanaticism, the Olympic Flame, which until today has managed to preserve its symbolic character intact, will succeed in reviving people's faith in ideals and renewing their love for timeless principles and values,'' Nikolaou said. ''It is at this sacred and symbolic moment, with the arrival of the Flame to Athens, that Greece links the past, present, and future of the Olympic Games and provides an indication of the unique Olympic Games that we are organizing,'' Athens 2004 Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (ATHOC)President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki said after receiving the flame from Nikolaou. The ceremony began after the arrival of the Greek President with a short speech by Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni who sent a message of peace to the world and invited all those believing in the ideals of sport to come to Greece and celebrate the Olympic Games. [09] Armed Forces General Staff and NATO discuss Olympic securityAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Officials of the Armed Forces General Staff and NATO met for the first time on Wednesday to discuss how NATO will assist Greece in Olympic Games security issues. Sources of the Armed Forces General Staff emphasized that NATO will contribute its services under the direction of the Greek chain of command.Greece is requesting the following from NATO: - AWACS planes for air policing and for dealing with a possible air strike; - The Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) to patrol extra-territorial waters around Greece's borders; - The NATO multinational force of nuclear and biochemical defense, currently based in the Czech Republic, to contribute forces in case of an extensive terrorist, chemical, or biological attack; - NATO to provide information in order to reinforce the Armed Forces General Staff's information gathering and processing. The Armed Forces General Staff and NATO will cooperate continuously until the end of the Olympic Games. [10] New Olympic work group to coordinate ministries' effortsAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)A new work group representing ministries and agencies involved with crucial Olympic preparations will be established immediately, the government announced on Wednesday, as preparations head into the final stretch ahead of the much-anticipated 2004 Athens Games in August.The decision was taken during meeting attended by Public Works Minister George Souflias, Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis, Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia as well as the president of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC), Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. Accelerated preparations on the government side are being broadly divided into two categories: still under-construction venues and infrastructure, and on the other hand, the operational portion of the Games themselves. Overlapping responsibilities amongst certain ministries over a handful of projects reportedly necessitated today’s development. Finally, the culture ministry’s new general secretary for the Olympic Games, Spyros Capralos (until recently an executive director at ATHOC) will head the new work group, comprised of representatives from ministries and other relevant bodies. [11] Health minister discusses health care during Olympics with foreign ambassadorsAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Health and Social Solidarity Minister Nikos Kaklamanis had a meeting with United States Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller to discuss health care during the Athens Olympics in August, as well as cooperation in combatting the AIDS epidemic.Kaklamanis later received Israeli Ambassador to Athens Ram Aviram to discuss issues concerning his ministry during the Games. [12] Parliament speaker pays courtesy visit to President StephanopoulosAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)New Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, who congratulated her on her "well-earned" new position and wished her every success in her new duties.Benaki thanked Stephanopoulos, expressing hope that she would be able to live up to the legacy of her predecessors and make her own mark on the Greek Parliament. [13] Turkish warplanes infringe Athens FIR, violate national airspaceAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Seven formations of Turkish warplanes infringed on Athens's Flight Information Region (FIR) an equal number of times on Wednesday which developed in three violations of Greek national airspace in the northern Aegean region (Limnos-Lesvos), press reports said.In all cases, the 17 Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek jets, while in five cases the interception process developed into a mock engagement. It was reported that five of the Turkish warplanes recognized and intercepted were armed. [14] Jerusalem Greek Orthodox Patriarch recognized by IsraelAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)The government of the state of Israel proceeded on Wednesday in recognizing the election of Jerusalem Greek Orthodox Patriarch Irineos which took place on August 13, 2001.The document of the government's recognition was given to Irineos by Israeli Interior Minister Abraham Poraz. [15] Trade unions report large turnout for Wednesday's strikeAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Trade unionists expressed satisfaction with the turnout for Wednesday's nationwide general strike, which they estimated to be over 50 per cent, saying it was a strong message to employers and the government that wages had to rise.The strike brought Athens to a virtual halt on Wednesday morning, as a universal public transport strike forced commuters to take their cars into the city and brave successions of snarling traffic jams. The strike was also left several state-run banks, public utilities and municipal services short-staffed, while disrupting the operation of private-sector firms whose staff was unable to get to work. The 24-hour strike was called by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), Greece's largest umbrella trade union organization, to support demands for an 8 per cent rise in wages, a shorter working week and permanency for public-sector workers with temporary contracts. Speaking at a rally at Pedion tou Areos, GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos said the large turnout was a message to employers to continue negotiations for a general collective agreement for 2004, warning that they would bear a share of the responsibility if the clash continued. He said it was also a message to the government to adopt a clear-cut stance on the major issue of pay rises and to the ''technocrats'' at the Bank of Greece and their recommendations for tougher deals on labor relations, wages and pensions. Polyzogopoulos, who heads the PASOK-affiliated PASKE faction within GSEE, insisted on a demand for a substantial and continued increases in the basic wage, of which the 8 per cent rise was only the start, so that there was true economic convergence with the EU within five years. He also insisted on an immediate reduction in the working week to 39 hours with prospects of further reductions to 35 hours. Finally, he called on the government to ''implement its pre-election pledges'' and give job security to public sector workers with temporary contracts, converting these to indefinite contracts in accordance with EU directives. The rally was also addressed by other groups within GSEE affiliated to the other political parties, including a representative of PAME, affiliated to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). In a rare show of unity, PAME decided to join the general GSEE rally at Pedion tou Areos, boosting an initially modest turnout when the rally began at 11:00. According to trade unionists, the universal public transport strike had greatly enhanced the impact of the strike but had also prevented workers from coming to the rally. The rally was followed by a march to Syntagma Square, opposite Parliament, and the offices of the Union of Greek Industry (SEB), one of the largest employer unions. [16] Greece, Moldova seek ways to boost bilateral business tiesAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Greek and Moldovan enterprises discussed ways to promote bilateral business relations in a series of meetings held during a two-day official visit by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos to Moldova.A delegation of Greek Industries Union (SEB) met with their Moldovan counterparts and agreed to create a network to exchange practical information, to link websites, to highlight partnership opportunities and to organize technical assistance programs for business groups and Moldovan enterprises within the framework of community programs. A business forum held in Moldova stressed that bilateral trade was at very low levels due to limitations of the local economy, currently in its first stages of development as a market economy. Moldovan enterprises showed interest in setting up joint ventures with Greek businesses in farm-sector processing and packaging, bottling of mineral water and alcohol, dairy products, light manufacturing products, home appliances and infrastructure construction projects. [17] Economic team discusses absorption of EU fundsAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Accelerating absorption rates of EU funds, raising public revenues and containing public spending were the three main policy aims of the government, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said on Wednesday.Addressing a meeting of the government's economic team, Mr Alogoskoufis emphasized on the need to speed-up absorption rates of EU funds since updated business programs (by government ministries and regional authorities) have not been submitted with the European Commission yet. The ministry was originally scheduled to submit updated programs by March 31, 2004 for approval and funding, but submission was agreed to be delayed due to the March 7 general elections in Greece. Mr Alogoskoufis has established weekly coordinating meetings with its economic team to review progress in absorbing Third Community Support Framework program funds. [18] Greek per capita GDP up 6.9 pct in 2002Athens 1/4/2004 (ANA)The average per capita gross domestic product (GDP) rose 6.9 percent in 2002 in Greece, compared with the previous year, totalling 12,798 euros from 11,970 euros in 2001, the National Statistics Service said on Wednesday.Central Greece, the Southern Aegean and Attica recorded the highest per capita GDP, while Western Greece, Eastern Macedonia-Thrace and Epirus recorded the lowest per capita GDP, NSS said in its report. The statistics service said per capita GDP in Central Greece totalled 18,432 euros in 2002 (up from 16,999 euros in the previous year), while in southern Aegean was 14,390 euros (from 13,472 euros in 2001). Per capita GDP in Attica totalled 13,571 euros, up from 12,643 euros in the previous year. Per capita GDP in Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Western Greece and Epirus was 10,158 euros, 10,078 euros and 10,271 euros, respectively, in 2002. The Attica and Central Macedonia regions accounted for 55.1 percent of total Gross Domestic Product in the country, with the Attica region alone accounting for 37.7 percent of Greek GDP. The statistics service said that gross value added rose 8.1 percent in Greece in 2002 from the previous year, with the western and central Greece regions recording significant increases in the primary sector and the Northern Aegean and Central Macedonia recording the biggest increases in the secondary sector. [19] Agricultural development and foods minister meets Spanish counterpartAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Agricultural Development and Foods Minister Savvas Tsitouridis met in Athens on Wednesday with Spanish Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Miguel Arias Canete.The meeting marked the beginning of the new cycle of cooperation Tsitouridis will be having with his European Union counterparts for the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy on Mediterranean products. As announced, there was mutual awareness by the two sides (Greece, Spain) with regard to the unfavorable handling awaiting Mediterranean products, namely olive oil, cotton and tobacco, from the Commission's proposals. Tsitouridis will meet in the coming days with his Italian, Portuguese and French counterparts. [20] Greece suspends listing of Hellenic Touristic Real Estate SAAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)The economy and finance ministry on Wednesday announced that it was suspending a procedure to list the Hellenic Touristic Real Estate SA (ETA) on the Athens Stock Exchange, after a decision to transform the entity into a Company of Touristic Development and Environment under a new management.A ministry announcement said the new company's aim would be the more efficient management of state assets within the framework of a "new and transparent strategy for the country's development". The decision to suspend listing was taken after a meeting between Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos. The meeting also agreed to the formation of a coordinating body to prepare joint policy recommendations. [21] Greece's trade deficit up 26.4 pct in 2003Athens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Greece's trade deficit widened by 26.4 percent in 2003, totalling24.695 billion euros from 19.538 billion euros in 2002, the National Statistics Service said on Wednesday. NSS, in its monthly report, said the trade deficit also rose by 26.4 percent, excluding trade in oil products. The statistics service attributed the worsening trade balance to a continuing trend of higher imports in the country. Imports-arrivals totalled 36.465 billion euros in 2003, from 30.484 billion euros in the previous year, an increase of 19.6 percent, while exports totalled 11.770 billion euros from 10.945 billion euros, up 7.5 percent over the same period, respectively. [22] Car registrations up 10.4 pct in Jan-Feb, yr/yrAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)More than 68,000 (68,092 to be precise) new and used vehicles were registered in the Greek market during the first two months of 2004, the National Statistics Service said on Wednesday.NSS said new car registrations were up 10.4 percent compared with the same period in 2003. New motorcycle registrations totalled 6,699 units in January-February, up 2.9 percent from the previous year. [23] Private schools demand 6-8 pct increase in tuition feesAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Private schools in Greece on Wednesday officially demanded tuition hikes of 6-8 percent for the new school year and urged for a full deregulation of the market thereafter.Representatives of the sector made the demands during a meeting with Deputy Development Minister Yiannis Papathanasiou. The minister pledged that he would not take any surprise decisions on the issue and that he would continue consultations. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 75.91 mln euros Equity Index Futures: Bond Market Close: Buyers outstrip sellers on Wednesday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of March 31 2004 Parities in euro Banknotes For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,232 1,204 [24] Oswald pleased with Iraklio's Olympic preparationsAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald expressed his satisfaction on Wednesday with Iraklio's (Crete) excellent Olympic preparations, while visiting the city's mayor Yiannis Kourakis."I am very optimistic and now that the torch relay has started, we see that people have become excited, and as time passes Greeks will do everything for the Games to be a success, it's in their blood," Oswald said. The IOC Coordination Commission Chairman characterized the Olympic Games as a national cause and stressed that the participation of the Olympic cities is vital to ensuring a successful Games. "The Olympic Games are like a big puzzle made up of many pieces; Iraklion is one of those pieces. If even one piece of the puzzle is missing, it is certain that the whole picture will not be good," Oswald noted. Secretary General of the Olympic Games Spyros Capralos, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004 (FIFA) Issa Hayiatou and Deputy Chairman Dr. Mong-Joon Chung were also present at the meeting. [25] Oswald, Prince Albert express satisfaction with new velodrome roofAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Prince Albert of Monaco and IOC Coordination Commission chairman Denis Oswald toured the velodrome at the main Olympic complex (OAKA) on Wednesday, a venue “under the microscope” this week because a new state-of-the-art roof was slowly slid into place over the track and stands – a delicate maneuver touted by many as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the nearby Olympic stadium.Oswald, who heads the IOC body overseeing progress for the 2004 Games, stressed that last Saturday the metal-and-glass roof over the velodrome was 132 meters farther than where it is today. “I was informed on Sunday that the roof had slid into place over the velodrome,” he said, before praising work crews and engineers. The Swiss national also expressed a markedly optimistic view on Wednesday, citing what he called a series of positive developments over the past four to five weeks; as opposed to problems in February with the classical Marathon route and the roof over the Olympic Aquatic Centre. The latter project was scrapped two weeks by the new Karamanlis government, following consultations with Athens organizers (ATHOC) and the International Olympic Committee, after it was judged that it could not be ready before the Games begin on Aug. 13. Moreover, he referred to a very positive period and significant progress on various projects, “I am confident Athens will host very good Games,” Oswald stressed. Additionally, he said nary a doubt remains about Greece’s readiness to host the 2004 Olympics, whereas the way in which challenges and obstacles are being met of late is an encouraging sign for the OAKA roof as well. Delayed work on the OAKA roof, a “signature project” that is the brainchild of noted Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, has been a constant headache for ATHOC and the IOC for almost two years. The main Olympic stadium will be at the heart of the 2004 Games, as it will host the popular athletics events as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Finally, Oswald said the heads of international sports federations have all expressed satisfaction with the venues that will host their competitions, with only minor modifications to be recommended. On his part, Prince Albert praised the new roof over the velodrome, while noting that he is anxiously anticipating the Aug. 13 Opening Ceremony. [26] Cuban sports minister Juantorena tours Peristeri districtAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)The mayor the Peristeri municipality of west Athens, the district that hosts the new Olympic boxing hall, on Wednesday received Cuban sports minister and two-time Olympic gold medalist Alberto Juantorena (400 and 800 meters), who arrived in Greece this week for an official visit.In brief statements to reporters following his meeting with Peristeri Mayor Andreas Pahatouridis, the former athletics great expressed his optimism over Cuban athletes’ chances in the boxing competition. He was accompanied by a Cuban embassy delegation [27] Greece beats Switzerland 1-0 in soccer friendly in CreteAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Greece beat Switzerland 1-0 in a friendly soccer match played at the Pankritio Stadium in Iraklio, Crete, on Wednesday night.Greece's goal was scored by Vassilis Tsiartas in the 55th minute. The match was within the framework of preparations for the 2004 European Championship in Portugal in June. At the same time, the match also constituted a test event for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games given that the Cretan city of Iraklio will host a total of 10 matches (for both men and women) of the Olympic soccer tournament. [28] Deputy culture minister presses for completion of Delphi museumAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis on Wednesday called for stepped work on a new wing of the Delphi Museum, adjacent to the eponymous and significant archaeological site in south-central Greece.In press statements, Tatoulis said that neither a methodology nor a timetable for delivery was foreseen during its design phase, while he stressed that he was not satisfied with the situation that exists today at the archaeological site – one of the most important in the Mediterranean. The temple of Apollo at Delphi, perched along with other structures high atop a narrow valley, hosted ancient Greece’s most important oracle (Pythia). [29] Athens mayor meets with alternate culture ministerAthens 1/4/2004 (ANA)Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni met with Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia at Athens Town Hall on Wednesday.After the meeting, Mrs. Bakoyianni said that a close working relationship had been established between the Municipality of Athens and Palli-Petralia so as to ''make up for lost time,'' according to the Mayor, in order to complete projects as soon as possible in light of the Olympic Games. Palli-Petralia said that she had a very productive session with Bakoyianni on Olympic preparations-related issues in general, and on issues directly related to Athens specifically. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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