Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-02-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't: Unprecedented mobile phone-tapping plot uncovered

[02] Karamanlis and Marovic discuss Balkan affairs

[03] Greek govt, Gazprom seek closer cooperation

[01] Gov't: Unprecedented mobile phone-tapping plot uncovered

A trio of the government's top ministers, in fact, was holding a nationally televised press conference at press time to answer questions over the unprecedented affair.

News of the investigation was the object of a front-page article in the Athens daily "Ta Nea" on Thursday.

Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos along with Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis and Justice Minister Anastasis Papaligouras told reporters that 14 pre-paid cell phones, all operating in the Vodafone Hellas network, monitored mobile phone conversations of the targeted individuals. Additionally, what the ministers referred to as a "phantom software" was located by the company and the multinational Ericsson in former's system, before it was disabled on March 7, 2005.

According to the government, some 100 mobile phone numbers were being monitored before the 2004 Olympic Games of Athens until early March 2005.

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[02] Karamanlis and Marovic discuss Balkan affairs

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Karamanlis stressed Greece's suppport for the European prospects of the western Balkan countries, while, regarding the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, Karamanlis said there was understanding between the government and the opposition, with EU intermediation, adding that the result of the referendum on the issue must be respected by all, on condition that it was transparent and democratic.

Karamanlis stressed that the Greek government would respect the volition of the people of Montenegro under such conditions.

Regarding Kosovo, he said there must be self-restraint and moderacy, adding that the negotiations must commence in an environment of mutual understanding, in which the treaties concerning the Serbs of Kosovo will not be violated.

Marovic said his discussion with Karamanlis had been a "friendly" one, adding that the case of Ratko Mladic should be an obstacle to Serbia-Montenegro's European course. "We cannot give promises. We want to resolve the issue and cooperation with the International Court of Justice at the Hague, and are preparing for Mrs. Del Ponte's (the int'l Court's chief prosecutor Carla) visit to Belgrade," he said.

The Serbia-Montenegro Defence Council on Wednesday acknowledged that Serb officers had aided prominent war crimes fugitive Mladic, who is wanted on two counts of genocide in the 1992-95 Bosnia war, by allowing him to hide on army premises until mid-2002, and then letting him get away. It said a group of former Bosnian Serb army and former Yugoslav army officers hid Mladic after that. The Military Intelligence Agency (VBA) is currently investigating who was involved and if any officers were still in touch with the former Bosnian Serb Army commander, who is accused of orchestrating the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of an estimated 8,000 Muslims, which is said to be Europe's worst atrocity since World War II.

Regarding the State Union, Marovic thanked the European Union for its intermediation, noting that there was understanding between government and opposition on the issue, and stressing that regardless of the outcome of the referendum, relations between Serbia and Montenegro must remain good, given their historic bonds, "which no politician must forget".

On Kosovo, he stressed that any solution must not be the product of imposition, adding that the situation must improve for the non-Albanian citizens so that they may live better, and their homes, monuments and culture will be protected.

Marovic said the present situation must be corrected, and that conditions must be forged of confidence among the populations, stressing that the participation of the Serb population in the Kosovo institutions was important, as were relations with Serbia.

He warned that a unilateral solution would benefit neither Kosovo nor the Balkan region.

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[03] Greek govt, Gazprom seek closer cooperation

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Sioufas said the meeting was very positive and noted that Gazprom, DEPA, Greece's natural gas grid operator, and officials from the Development and Foreign Affairs ministries would meet again soon to discuss details over the issues.

Gazprom's chief said the meeting was very constructive. The meeting was attended by Development ministry officials and the management of DEPA.

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