Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-07-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis says 30th anniversary of Cyprus invasion a time to think and plan for the future

[02] PM and ND party secretary hold meeting to discuss upcoming party congress

[03] Greek minister praises Cypriot government's CBMs

[04] Greek Eurodeputy Antonis Trakatellis elected one of European Parliament's 14 vice presidents

[05] European conference on 'The New European Union' to take place on Crete

[06] PM and finance minister discuss budget, draft bills in the wings

[07] Greek traders pledge 'business as usual' prices during Olympics in meeting with government

[08] Greece holds talks on providing developmental support for Bosnia-Herzegovina

[09] Ambulance drivers threaten with strike action unless they get Olympics bonus

[10] Greek firms among Business Week's Global-1000

[11] Stocks fall as a result of profit-taking

[12] Athens municipality donates 13,000 new plants to National Garden

[13] "Pilgrimage to Sinai" inaugurated at Benaki Museum

[14] Minor accident reported as motor bike slams into new tram car

[15] Charity fashion show at Athens Concert Hall

[16] Memorial service for soldiers killed during 1974 Turkish invasion

[17] Cyprus president: Measures need to be taken until Cyprus settlement

[18] Cyprus president addresses anti-occupation event

[01] PM Karamanlis says 30th anniversary of Cyprus invasion a time to think and plan for the future

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

"The memories must teach and not be an obstacle to efforts to eliminate the consequences of the great injustice that took place 30 years ago on Cyprus," he added, noting that Cyprus' accession to the European Union was a historic development that confirmed this, a catalyst-event for a better future, one of safety and prosperity that would benefit Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots.

"It is the duty of us all to help in healing the wounds of the past and contribute to the building of a new, hopeful prospect for Cyprus by finding a just, functional and viable solution [to the Cyprus problem] on the basis of the plan of the United Nations Secretary General [Kofi Annan], for the benefit of the two communities but also the wider region of the eastern Mediterranean," he concluded.

A similar statement marking the 30th anniversary was made by main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) party leader George Papandreou on Monday night.

FM says anniversary of Turkish invasion of Cyprus brings to mind tragic moments for Cypriot Hellenism

Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis, in a statement on Tuesday on the 30th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, said the sad anniversary brings to mind tragic moments for Cypriot Hellenism, but at the same time it also becomes the cause for more positive thoughts.

"The comparison between present-day reality and those hours of violent dissension shows that the Republic of Cyprus, despite the wound that still remains open, is a strong democracy with a prosperous economy and it is now an integral member of the European family," he said.

Molyviatis also said this historic fact creates a new momentum for the achievement of the great and steadfast target which is the island's reunification with a just, workable and viable solution based on the Annan plan and one compatible with the principles of the European Union, adding that such a solution will benefit both communities.

"Only then will all Cypriot citizens, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, be able to enjoy the benefits of participation in the European Union," he said.

Peace movement stages solidarity rally in Thessaloniki for people of Cyprus

The Committee for International Detente and Peace organized a rally in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on Tuesday to show solidarity to the people of Cyprus on the 30th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island.

"Thirty years later, the slogan 'I do not forget' does not only have the content of condemning that imperialist intervention but it also obtains a new meaning, that of the rejection of the fait accomplis of imperialism, of extortion dilemmas and of solutions 'at gunpoint' which ignore the will of peoples, such as the Annan plan," said an announcement issued by the movement.

The demonstrators also marched past the US consulate and dispersed in front of the British consulate.

[02] PM and ND party secretary hold meeting to discuss upcoming party congress

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

Meimarakis later announced that the first day of the congress will be addressed by Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, as the mayor whose city will be hosting the Olympic Games in August, veteran French statesman Valery Giscard d'Estaing, the president of the European People's Party (EPP) Wilfried Martens, the prime minister and himself.

According to analysts, there is speculation as to whether some of the proposals made by Bakoyianni for changes to the party structure and constitution - such as the direct election of the party president by its members or the direct election of political council members - will be put to the vote, since they are opposed by the ND's Constitution Committee.

Meimarakis had a meeting with Bakoyianni earlier on Tuesday, while in statements to reporters the Athens Mayor herself rejected concerns that her proposals might exclude several historic members of the party, such as former party leader Miltiades Evert, from its political council.

"No one will be left out. Everyone can stand for election and top cadres never have problems getting elected. It's important to give ND members the power to decide for themselves the composition of the supreme guiding organ of the party. In this way those of us that decide to be candidates will have the pleasure of earning democratic legitimacy from our congress," she said.

In a letter to Karamanlis on July 5, meanwhile, Evert apparently asked that the congress focus on issues that concerned Greek voters, such as unemployment, low wages, high prices, development, tourism and others. He also called for greater participation by society in party structures, with proposals such as referendums organized by the party on a local level and greater involvement of local authorities and trade unions.

[03] Greek minister praises Cypriot government's CBMs

NICOSIA 7/21/04 (ANA/CNA)

Speaking after a meeting in Nicosia with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, Yiannakou said the measures were ''the best way to truly achieve understanding on the level of people and citizens, which could in the end lead to a true and proper solution for Cyprus in the EU.''

Commenting on the reactions of the Turkish side to the measures, Yiannakou said ''Turkey has her aims regarding the EU.''

''We think that she must adjust her old demands to today's aims if she really wants to be a European state that can have a future and prospect in Europe, something which we have no objection to.

Everything depends on her,'' Yiannakou said.

She added that Cyprus has made ''extraordinary progress and is today a member of the EU, despite the fact that memories are painful.''

Yiannakou is in Cyprus to represent the Greek government in the official demonstrations against the 1974 Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation of the island's northern third, and to honor those killed in the fights.

[04] Greek Eurodeputy Antonis Trakatellis elected one of European Parliament's 14 vice presidents

STRASBOURG 7/21/04 (ANA)

Trakatellis, who came second with 253 votes, told reporters "the criterion of my efforts will be national interest and the promotion of European unification."

A plenary session will be electing the European Commission's new president on Thursday, with Jose Manuel Durao Barroso from Portugal being the candidate for the post.

[05] European conference on 'The New European Union' to take place on Crete

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

The conference is taking place under the auspices of the Greek Parliament and will be held at the Orthodox Academy of Crete. Its key focus will be on the protection of fundamental rights and the administration of the new EU.

The speakers will include public affairs experts from 10 EU member-states, including the current and former European Court of Justice presidents Prof. Vassilis Skouris and Gil Carlo Rodriguez Iglesias, among others.

The conference is organized by the Societas Iuris Publici Europaei (SEPI) founded in Germany, whose members include noted academics from 15 countries and the newly-founded Greek organization "Societas Graeca Iuris Publici Comparativi".

[06] PM and finance minister discuss budget, draft bills in the wings

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

After the meeting, Alogoskoufis said that an article regulating the issue of penalty interest rates for overdue loans will probably be ready by the end of the week.

[07] Greek traders pledge 'business as usual' prices during Olympics in meeting with government

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

The agreement was reached during a meeting at the development ministry between government officials and representatives of 22 trade groups, led by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas.

Afterwards, Sioufas hailed Tuesday's agreement with the business community as a "conquest" for the smooth operation of markets, while Deputy Development Minister Ioannis Papathanasiou said the overall picture of markets was excellent and those predicting otherwise would be proved wrong.

The upbeat mood was echoed by the representatives of trade groups attending the meeting, who predicted that prices would remain level during Olympic Games, while others said the Greek market was mature, with strong competition and did not need either 'gentlemen's agreements' nor special market regulations to operate smoothly.

The head of the Greek Chamber of Hotels Gerassimos Fokas, meanwhile, revealed that up to 6,000 out of 35,000 hotel rooms in Athens remained empty on the eve of the Olympic Games due to high prices and that many hotels were already offering lower rates in order to attract foreign tourists.

In addition, he said that the Chamber was collaborating with the development ministry and the Greek tourism organization GNTO in an initiative to reduce the prices charged by hotels for bottled water, soft drinks and coffee by up to 35 per cent.

[08] Greece holds talks on providing developmental support for Bosnia-Herzegovina

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

The meeting followed-up an earlier visit by Stylianides to Sarajevo, during which the Greek minister had reiterated the Greek government's intent to strengthen relations with all countries in southeastern Europe receiving economic assistance by reactivating the Greek Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans.

In the framework of cooperation with Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Greek government will provide funds for refurbishing the 'Institutions Building' that will house the Bosnian government.

[09] Ambulance drivers threaten with strike action unless they get Olympics bonus

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

The president of the EKAB staff nationwide union federation Ilias Ioannides said the exclusion of EKAB staff from Olympic bonuses was a mockery, given that 2,600 EKAB workers had been given special training for the Games and were always on the 'frontline', often working double shifts to cover existing needs.

"The same number of staff that usually operates 100 ambulances is being called on to operate more than 200 in view of the Olympic Games," he stressed.

Ambulance drivers have sent an out-of-court complaint to the Health Ministry, in which they underline their determination to take labor action to support their demands. The form of this action will be decided during a union meeting that will be held on Thursday in Thessaloniki.

[10] Greek firms among Business Week's Global-1000

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

The Greek enterprises appearing in the ranking based on market value on May 31 are as follows, with their positions: National Bank of Greece (715), EFG Eurobank Ergasias (771), Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (818), Alpha Bank (883), Football Pools Organization (884), Coca Cola HBC (911), Public Power Corporation (930), and Cosmote (969).

[11] Stocks fall as a result of profit-taking

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,352.63 points, dropping 0.39 per cent. Turnover was 74.4 million euros.

[12] Athens municipality donates 13,000 new plants to National Garden

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

Bakoyianni in statements said: «The Garden will come under the jurisdiction of the Athens municipality through a bill which will be brought for voting in Parliament soon, so as to implement a decision which was taken by the previous government but had not gone ahead. The new government is preceded speedily and shortly it will become a law of the state."

In reply to reporters' questions regarding the completion of the Olympic Games projects, Bakoyianni said: «There is no project which does not create anxiety in me. Everything makes me anxious and this is my job. However, I see with great satisfaction that the projects are proceeding, that the Athenians in a few weeks time will enjoy a clean Athens without the dust caused by the projects."

[13] "Pilgrimage to Sinai" inaugurated at Benaki Museum

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

The exhibit is a reference, a prayer, a show of gratitude towards God, according to Archbishop and Abbot of the Monastery Damianos.

The exhibit features icons ranging from the 12th and 15th centuries, including rare examples of art from Constantinople.

Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis, former Education Minister Petros Efthymiou and Benaki Museum Curator Angelos Delivorrias were present at the inauguration.

[14] Minor accident reported as motor bike slams into new tram car

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

The accident occurred on Ardittou St, across from the Panathinaikos Stadium - the site of the first Olympics in 1896 as well as the archery venue for the 2004 Games and the finish line for the popular Marathon race.

Both motorcycle passengers were slightly injured and taken to a nearby hospital.

[15] Charity fashion show at Athens Concert Hall

ATHENS, 7/21/04 (ANA)

During a press conference at Zappion on Tuesday, organizers said the show would include designs for men and women by international haute couture fashion houses Penelope Zagoras from Greece, Montana from France, Cerruti from Italy, Susanne Wiebe from Germany, Lars Wallin from Sweden and Zandra Rhodes from Britain.

Each fashion house will present some of their latest creations and selected designs from their collection of the past years, as well as clothes inspired by ancient Greece.

The show will be attended by Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe and the ambassadors of the countries whose fashion houses are participating in the show.

The money raised will be donated to Choice, a drug rehabilitation centre set up and operated by the Athens municipality.

[16] Memorial service for soldiers killed during 1974 Turkish invasion

NICOSIA 7/21/04 (CNA/ANA)

A memorial service for the army officers and soldiers killed during the invasion was held on Tuesday morning at the military cemetery at Makedonitissa Tomb in Nicosia, the world's last divided capital.

The ceremony was attended by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias and other officials as well as representatives of the associations of those who fought during the invasion and relatives of those killed.

Greek Minister of National Education and Religion Marietta Yiannakou and Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus Christos Panagopoulos were also present.

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said after the ceremony that this is ''the least expression of honor and respect for those who lost their lives to defend their homeland.''

Wreaths were laid after the ceremony.

[17] Cyprus president: Measures need to be taken until Cyprus settlement

NICOSIA 7/21/04 (CNA/ANA)

''Until a solution is reached, measures need to be taken, isn't it?''

Papadopoulos said when invited to comment on statements by so-called prime minister in Cyprus' Turkish-occupied areas Mehmet Ali Talat.

Talat had said the package of Confidence Building Measures announced last week by the Cyprus government was ''weird'' and that the real goal should be the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday after the official memorial service for those killed during the Turkish invasion, held at Faneromeni Church in Nicosia, President Papadopoulos said that the Cyprus people decided that the Annan plan is not acceptable but did not oppose to a settlement.

''On the contrary we want urgently to find a solution,'' he stressed.

[18] Cyprus president addresses anti-occupation event

NICOSIA 7/21/04 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at an event organized by the Cypriot government under the title ''Cyprus 1974-2004, No to the occupation, Yes to reunification'', President Papadopoulos said the Greek Cypriot side does not apologize for rejecting a solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in the April 24 referendum, noting that ''our answer was right and so was our position.''

He added that ''we want a solution urgently and we are sincerely working for the reunification of our homeland and its people, for a solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal and functional federation, which the Annan plan can offer with the appropriate improvements to it.''

President Papadopoulos said that lifting the Turkish occupation of the island's northern third could be achieved through an agreed solution, adding that such a solution could be found on the basis of the Annan plan.

''I have illusions neither about the real dimensions of our margins for changes nor about the objective limits of our prospects but I refuse to accept the position of some people that we are obliged and doomed to adopt a given solution to our national issue, with indifference to its functionality and viability,'' he said.

President Papadopoulos added that ''certainly, the non-solution is not a solution but a bad and non-viable solution cannot in any way be our choice,'' noting that ''if the non-solution festers the peril of uncertainty, then the bad solution cultivates and guarantees the certainty of a disaster.''

The president assured that no matter what difficulties or obstacles emerge, he would ''not stand back from the right, logical and just demand for a functional and viable solution that will reunite our homeland and its people, that will safeguard our fundamental freedoms and human rights based on the acquis communautaire and that will guarantee the safety and better future of our homeland.''

Referring to the April 24 referendum on the Annan plan, President Papadopoulos said the Greek Cypriot community did not reject a solution but the specific solution plan, which ''neither takes into consideration nor satisfies the founded concerns of the Greek Cypriot side.''

''We do not regret our 'No' and we do not apologize to anyone for the position we took in the April 24 referendum. Our answer was right and so was our position,'' the Cypriot president stressed.

Cyprus parliament renews commitment to struggle for reunification: Cyprus' House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias and the members of parliament, honoring all those who fought and sacrificed themselves defending their homeland and its territorial integrity during the 1974 Turkish invasion, renewed their commitment on Tuesday to continue the struggle for the reunification of the island and its people.

Speaking at the commencement of Tuesday's House Plenary, Christofias said that 30 years after the invasion, ''our people with demonstrations condemn with all the might of their soul the crime that was committed against them.''

''At the same time, they send to everyone the message that they do not forget but continue to struggle for a settlement of the Cyprus problem, a solution that will first of all rid our people of the basic source of their misfortune, the occupation and division,'' Christofias said.

He added that ''Turkey is calling the invasion a peaceful operation and calls on the Treaty of Guarantee for its unlawful act'' and noted that ''no treaty and no agreement give Turkey such a right.''

Christofias pointed out that ''Turkey, with its invasion in July 1974, violated every rule and every principle of international law.''

''Today, we renew our commitment to struggle until final justification. We renew our will to continue to struggle for the reunification of our homeland and people the soonest possible, under the umbrella of a bicommunal bizonal federation,'' the Cypriot official vowed.

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