Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-10-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Papoulias sends message to FYROM: Adopt attitude of good neighbourhood and cooperation

[02] Author Rifkin addresses Karamanlis Foundation

[03] Exhibition of inmates' handicraft

[04] Xiros appeal for release rejected

[05] Papandreou urges Serbia-Montenegro to seize opportunity for EU membership

[01] President Papoulias sends message to FYROM: Adopt attitude of good neighbourhood and cooperation

Presenting swords to 127 graduates of the Military Officers' Schools in Thessaloniki, Papoulias said in his address at the reception that followed, that the fact that the President of the Republic found himself today in the heart of Macedonia was of exceptional significance.

"And I cannot but think of the verbal attacks this land and the citizens of Macedonia are facing from those who are attempting to forge the history of Macedonia," the President said.

"We are here to stress that Macedonia was always Greek, remains Greek, and will remain Greek," Papoulias said, adding that the FYROM officials must "adopt a different attitude...an attitude of good neighbourhood and cooperation".

"This would be for their own good, and for the mutual good," he said.

[02] Author Rifkin addresses Karamanlis Foundation

Through numerous comparisons, Rifkin supported that Europe has a more sophisticated value system than the US.

He also noted that Americans embrace the Protestant ethic according to which laziness is considered a sin, while Europeans view laziness as a pleasure.

Despite the differing approaches, Rifkin pointed out that in 2003, Europe's GNP was greater than that of the US.

He also said that Europe is the world's greatest exporter, but that Europeans fail to realise their power.

In closing, Rifkin described the elements that make up the European dream: diversity, quality of life, love of the environment, peace and collectiveness.

[03] Exhibition of inmates' handicraft

Papaligouras said that the works by the inmates were, above all, works of hope for achieving freedom and dignity, noting that the inmates were our fellow citizens and fellow human beings. They were works of hope for a tomorrow that could and should give them a second opportunity in life.

"I represent a State that prefers to correct, reward and forgive rather than punish. We are at the side of those incarcerated. They are tomorrow's useful and productive citizens," he said.

Cash prizes totalling 13,350 euros were awarded to inmates.

[04] Xiros appeal for release rejected

Xiros, one of three Xiros brothers convicted of multiple terrorism charges in relation to numerous assassinations and bombings carried out by the once-elusive ultra-leftist "N17" terror group, is currently serving consecutive life sentences at a penitentiary near Piraeus.

The five-member board termed Xiros' request as "unacceptable", unanimously rejecting it following a recommendation by a relevant prosecutor.

Conversely, one witness for Xiros, himself convicted in a separate terrorism case (the "ELA" group) but later conditionally released due to health reasons, Christos Tsigaridas, testified that the one-time "N 17" assassin suffers from more serious and complicated health problems than his own.

Xiros is partially blinded, suffers from a loss of hearing and is missing half his right hand, among others, due to a bomb blast that occurred when a home-made explosive device he was planting detonated prematurely. His apprehension at the scene of the blast proved to be a "Rosetta Stone" for tracking down members of "N17" and eventually eradicating one of Europe's most enduring and deadly urban terrorist groups.

[05] Papandreou urges Serbia-Montenegro to seize opportunity for EU membership

Addressing the conference, Papandreou spoke of Serbia-Montenegro's European prospect, and conveyed the message: "You now have the opportunity to become a member of the European family. Don't let it go to waste".

Papandreou said that the region must have confidence in Europe, and urged Serbia-Montenegro to advance reforms so that it could soon join the European family.

Noting the support extended by the Greek government in the 1990s to the democratic forces of Serbia, he pledged that Greece would continue to back Serbia-Montenegro in its course towards European integration.

Turning to the Balkans in general, Papandreou stressed the need for all the countries of the region to access the EU, as this would comprise a guarantee for stability and peace in the region.

Papandreou further welcomed the EU's recent decision to give the green light for the commencement of accession talks with Turkey and Croatia as a "positive development".

On Turkey in particular, Papandreou said: "We welcome the Turkey-EU rapprochement and hope that Ankara will take advantage of the opportunity and make progress in human rights, minority rights, and on the Cyprus issue".

After his address, Papandreou had a 45-minute meeting with Serbian president Boris Tadic and Serbia-Montenegro foreign minister Vuk Draskovic.

Papandreou is also slated to meet with Serbian prime minister Vojislav Kostunica in the afternoon, before returning to Athens.

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