Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-11-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Washington confirms bacteria found in letter to US embassy in Athens

[02] FM says Greece and India share same values and views

[03] FM meets with Pakistani President before heading for India

[04] U.S. president addresses letter to Greek counterpart

[05] Deputy minister leaves for US on Sat.

[06] Chrysohoidis covers anti-crime cooperation during Albanian visit

[07] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos to visit Armenia

[08] Archbishop of All Albania begins official visit to Greece

[09] Parliament president holds talks with Armenian patriarch

[10] Greek, Turkish delegations on natural disasters meet under UN auspices in Geneva

[11] British expert predicts de facto division if N. Alliance prevails in Afghanistan

[12] Cem: 'Cyprus issue isn't going well for Turkey'

[13] Arafat sends message to Coalition party's conference

[14] Panhellenic Federation of Journalist Unions conference

[15] National Radio & Television Council members to change

[16] PASOK to seek dialogue with other parties, Laliotis says

[17] Greek economic weekly review

[18] Gov't comments on National-Alpha merger

[19] Bank merger poses no threat to jobs, Labor minister says

[20] Greece has to re-examine its tourist product, Tsohatzopoulos

[21] Athens hoteliers fear drop in business on terrorism fears

[22] ND slams gov't for failure to control offshore companies

[23] ND deputy criticizes governmental-EU policy on tobacco

[24] NovaBank seen starting talks for acquisition of Turkish bank

[25] Greek stocks end lower on profit taking

[26] Gov't pledges to meet deadlines for Olympic projects

[27] ND calls for Parliament debate on 2004 preparations

[28] 2001 Ipekci awards presented to Greek, Turkish ministers

[29] Kaklamanis addresses conference on Migration and Asylum

[30] Greek directors' society condemns actions against Iranian colleague

[31] Chemical reaction causes toxic fumes at paper industry

[32] "Em Alnur" motor ship develops serious list in Lesvos bay

[33] Afghan illegal immigrants, two Turkish people-smugglers arrested

[34] 2 Turk fishermen to be deported after straying near Samos

[35] State service issues bad weather warning

[36] UN envoy de Soto stresses need to continue hard work for Cyprus solution

[37] Cypriots demonstrate against bombings and terrorism

[38] Cyprus to host "Luxembourg group" meeting

[01] Washington confirms bacteria found in letter to US embassy in Athens

WASHINGTON, 03/11/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

In regards to the contents of the envelope, Boucher said, tests are being conducted on the bacteria that were found, the results of which are expected in two or three days.

Boucher added that antibiotics were administered to employees of the embassy that were present in the space that mail is handled.

He also stated that investigations were conducted in many embassies of the United States, to locate bacteria of anthrax, which in most cases came up negative.

The envelope which was sent to the embassy was probably in the diplomatic pouch and was not forwarded by the Greek Post Offices, according to initial assessments by State Department officials.

According to a Reuters dispatch, U.S. Embassy in Athens spokesman Nikos Karamolengos confirmed that the letter came with the diplomatic pouch. The spokesman said test results would be out on Monday.

U.S. Embassy sends two samples of nasal secretion for tests: Two samples of nasal secretion delivered by the U.S. Embassy in Athens for tests, are being examined by scientists of the Micro-biological Laboratory of Athens University and the results are expected in the coming days, Press and Mass Media Minister Christos Protopappas said on Friday evening, noting that there was no danger to public health.

Protopappas said that the U.S. Embassy in Athens on October 31 sent to the Control Centre for Special Infections (KEEL) two samples of nasal secretion requesting that they be examined within the framework of the epidemic control being conducted recently for staff and areas of the embassy.

He told reporters that there was no mention of a specific incident and the samples were forwarded by the KEEL to the Microbiological Laboratory of Athens University for the relevant tests, the results of which are awaited.

He added that the U.S. Embassy had sent in the past week another 25 samples to be examined and which were found to be negative.

Late on Friday evening U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller informed the government that the two latest samples were related to a suspicious substance, which was found in diplomatic correspondence sent from Washington to the embassy in Athens. Later, the substance was sent from the embassy to Germany for tests, while the embassy's staff was briefed. Preventive antibiotics have already been given to all those who came into contact with this suspicious substance.

In no event was a request made for the special team of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, set up for suspicious cases, to become involved. Protopappas said that the last two samples (on October 31) were sent to KEEL, as were the previous samples.

KEEL will announce the results of the tests immediately after they are finalized.

In every case KEEL states that there is no danger to public health.

The government is observing developments and will give briefings accordingly.

Suspicious letter received at U.S. Souda base: A letter addressed to the naval command of the U.S. base in Souda, Crete, and received on Friday was considered suspicious and has been sent to a laboratory for examination without having been opened, according to an announcement by the base's spokesman Paul Farley.

Staff handling correspondence became suspicious of the letter after noting spelling mistakes in the handwritten address. The letter had arrived through the U.S. military post. Farley said the letter did not appear to be containing white powder and neither was it opened. But because it was considered suspicious it was sent for further examinations, the results of which will be known on Saturday. According to reports from the Greek defense ministry it was confirmed that a "suspicious" letter arrived at the U.S. base in Souda on Friday. It had an American sender and an American recipient.

[02] FM says Greece and India share same values and views

NEW DELHI, 03/11/2001 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos/M. Savva)

Papandreou reminded that India itself had been a victim of terrorism for many years. He expressed support for a truly representative government of the people in Afghanistan, which will stop supporting terrorism.

He further said the issue of the Taliban's participation in a future government in Afghanistan is controversial and added that it is important that Kabul should not raise threats for its neighbors.

Replying to a question by the Athens News Agency (ANA), Singh said "there is no arms race in Asia", but did not conceal his concern that Pakistan's atomic weapons might find themselves in "extremist" hands.

Singh avoided any comment on the correctness of tactics applied in the "anti-terrorist war", saying it is the responsibility of the United States.

He said the tackling of terrorism should not be limited to one dimension and it should include diplomatic, economic and psychological means. He further said the military dimension is only one aspect, underlining what he called a limited effective-ness of bombings.

India reportedly showed great interest in Greece's contribution, particularly in light of its participation, as of January 1, 2002, in the European troika on upgrading relations between the European Union and India. Likewise, for its participation in the conference on the dialogue between cultures, as well as for joint initiatives which will not only address the phenomenon of terrorism but its roots as well.

Papandreou left for Tehran, Iran, where he will be holding talks with President Khatami and his counterpart Kamal Kharazi on Saturday.

[03] FM meets with Pakistani President before heading for India

ISLAMABAD. 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Papandreou expressed Greece's support for Musharraf's "courageous actions", stressed the need for and his support of a pro-peace representative and stable government in Afghanistan after the war, and underlined the need for a dialogue among civilizations and religions that would render culture and religion "a bridge between the peoples and not a cause for conflicts and clashes".

Asked to comment on the prospect of Turkish forces being dispatched to Afghanistan, Papandreou said that "if we are speaking of the peace-keeping stage that must follow the completion of the present stage, anything done must be done with the active role and within the legitimizing framework of the UN".

The Greek foreign minister further said that the causes and roots of terrorism must be tackled, clarifying that "this does not mean that terrorism is justified".

"Among those problems, resolution of the Middle East problem has a top position," Papandreou added.

Papandreou said he had also discussed with Musharraf and Pakistani foreign minister Abdul Sattar, with whom he met on Thursday, the problems of Kashmir and Cyprus and outlined the Greek positions, which he noted differed, especially in the case of Cyprus, with those of Islamabad.

Papandreou's visit to Pakistan coincided with the arrival of a C-130 of the Hellenic Air Force carrying humanitarian aid for the refugees from Afghanistan.

Asked about the prospect of Pakistan undertaking a mediatory role between Greece and Turkey, Papandreou said that at the present stage in relations between Athens and Ankara "there is no need for mediators".

Papandreou departs later in the day for New Delhi, where he will meet with his Indian counterpart Shri Jaswant Singh, while the next stop will be Teheran.

[04] U.S. president addresses letter to Greek counterpart

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

"On September 11, 2001, freedom was attacked but freedom will be defended. The common values and the determination of our peoples are crucial for rooting out terrorism all over the planet. I look forward to working with you to meet this difficult challenge. The struggle might be long but we draw strength and determination from your solidarity and support," President Bush said in his letter.

The U.S. president further said these "savage acts were attacks on freedom and constitute a warning for all the civilized world". The Americans, he added, are grateful for the expressions of friendship and support by Greece in the wake of these disastrous events, as well as for Greece's offer to help in rescue efforts.

President Bush extended his condolences to the families of Greeks who were victims of the tragedy and noted that according to the U.S. State Department 12 Greeks have been confirmed dead and 19 missing so far.

"The Americans are grieving together with the people of Greece and other countries on the planet over the sorrow for this loss of loved ones by the hands of terrorists," President Bush said in his letter.

[05] Deputy minister leaves for US on Sat.

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Magriotis will arrive in Chicago for the Çellenic Trade and Cultural Fair 2001, which is organized by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).

On Nov. 6 he will arrive in New York City for contacts with expatriate groups and local government officials.

[06] Chrysohoidis covers anti-crime cooperation during Albanian visit

TIRANA 03/11/2001 (ANA - I. Patso)

Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta received the Greek minister shortly after he landed at the Albanian capital's airport, where he was greeted by his counterpart Ilir Gjoni.

He later toured a recently established law enforcement centre in the Adriatic port town of Vlore, which was set up to counter smuggling and organized crime activity. The centre began operation in mid October following an initiative by host Albania, Italy, Greece, Germany and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

In other matters, Tirana requested treatment for some Albanian police officers at Greek hospitals, as well as for the holding of law enforcement seminars.

According to official sources, Chrysohoidis and Gjoni also discussed prospects for stepped up bilateral cooperation amongst border authorities in order to stem the tide of illegal migration from Albania to Greece.

[07] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos to visit Armenia

ISTANBUL 03/11/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

On Sunday, the Ecumenical Patriarch will participate in an ecumenical service at Saint Gregory Cathedral where he will be making an address and declaring the end of celebrations.

He is also due to meet the Armenian president, the National Assembly president and the prime minister and will be attending a reception given by the Greek Ambassador to Yerevan Panayiotis Zografos.

[08] Archbishop of All Albania begins official visit to Greece

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

He was met at Athens' "Eleftherios Venizelos" airport by Arch-bishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, members of the Holy Synod and government officials.

During his stay, Anastasios will meet with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and visit monasteries, churches, orphanages and institutions for the disabled and the elderly.

According to reports, Anastasios will exert all his influence to achieve rapprochement between the prime minister and Arch-bishop Christodoulos. In any case, Simitis and Christodoulos will meet on November 7, when Anastasios is scheduled to meet Simitis.

A service was held at the Athens Cathedral on Friday night following the arrival of Anastasios.

The Archbishop of Albania will stay in Greece until November 9.

[09] Parliament president holds talks with Armenian patriarch

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Kaklamanis referred to the initiative by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on convening a world conference of representatives of all religious denominations to promote, through dialogue and cooperation among religions, solutions to the serious and complex problems of violence, terrorism and inequality threatening the planet.

The Armenian patriarch expressed his great respect for Vartholomeos and pointed out that careful planning and circumspection are necessary to enable this important initiative to go ahead with a prospect of success.

[10] Greek, Turkish delegations on natural disasters meet under UN auspices in Geneva

GENEVA 03/11/2001 (ANA - N. Robin)

This initiative begun after the 1999 earthquakes that hit the two countries and at that time Greece and Turkey decided to cooperate closely in confronting natural disasters.

The head of the foreign affairs Bureau for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva Sergio Piazzi said that this is the first time that the two countries are cooperating under the auspices of the United Nations in the area of natural disasters, a cooperation, he added, that can be received as a message of peace.

The two delegations met in Ankara in May and in Athens in September this year.

Following the Geneva meeting that aimed to prepare a relevant protocol of cooperation, the two sides will meet again on Nov. 15 at the United Nations headquarters in New York for the final signing of the agreement.

[11] British expert predicts de facto division if N. Alliance prevails in Afghanistan

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Peter Marsdsen, the author of "The Taliban: War, Religion and the New Order in Afghanistan", stressed that the last decade of warfare in the desolate and vast country is based on two axis: a clash of value systems and inter-ethnic fighting.

Marsdsen, who spent the last 12 years in the Central Asia country of 24 million as the information coordinator for the British Agencies Afghanistan Group, emphasized that the Taliban were totally ignorant of the outside world prior to the US bombing of the country in 1998 -- in response, then, to the twin terrorist attacks on the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, acts that were linked to bin Laden.

He said the '98 cruise missile strikes radicalized the regime, which he also said was entirely influenced by the Wahhabi sect.

"I was talking to a high-ranking Taliban official in the western city of Herat in 1995 who thought the United States was just outside Afghanistan," he said.

The veteran Middle East specialist also said that bin Laden was not a key figure as far back as 1996 when he fled to the mountainous country from Sudan. In terms of the current conflict, Marsdsen said the Taliban could not have turned over "the world's most wanted man" because they would have lost the support of their foot soldiers, which he described as mostly foreign Islamists.

Finally, the British scholar forecast a de facto division of the north and Pushtun-dominated south if the loosely united Northern Alliance -- representing the country's ethnic minorities -- overruns several key cities in Afghanistan's north and the capital of Kabul.

The lecture in the Greek capital was organized by Institute of International Economic Relations (IIER).

[12] Cem: 'Cyprus issue isn't going well for Turkey'

ISTANBUL 03/11/2001 (ANA)

In referring to Cyprus' prospects of joining the 15-nation bloc, the Turkish FM noted that as far as he's concerned, "the Cyprus issue isn't going well for Turkey." He also said Turkey's interests are being "ignored" amid the island republic's EU accession course.

Cyprus is among the lead candidate-states for entry into the Union in the latter's upcoming expansion.

As far as the "final decisions" quote is concerned, Cem followed it up by saying that the "price to be paid will be very high".

He made the statements during a presentation of his ministry's budget before a relevant committee of Turkey's national assembly.

"Either we'll say, 'OK, that's it', and no one wants us to say some-thing like that, or, we'll be forced to say, 'we don't recognize this decision'," Cem stressed.

However, the Turkish FM declined to mention what Turkey's possible reactions might be in case of Cyprus' EU accession.

Finally, referring to thorny issue of Turkey's possible participation in any future common European defense and cooperation mechanism, Cem said "Turkey is not a country that wants to create problems, it is a country that wants consent but that doesn't back down."

[13] Arafat sends message to Coalition party's conference

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Arafat said that he looks forward to the conference briefing European public opinion and strengthening the role of pacifists and the forces of progress to exert pressure for security and international protection for the Palestinians.

In addition, he said, the Israeli government should be pressured to end the attack and withdraw its troops from Palestinian cities and return to the negotiating table and implement all agreements signed.

The international conference organized by the Coalition party is focusing on "Europe and its future: new challenges for security, globalization and new social messages." It is being attended by 40 representatives of European parties and movements.

In his opening address, Coalition party leader Nikos Constantopoulos made a number of proposals "on an effective intervention by the European left and social movements in the present crucial conjuncture."

He said the immediate end of bombings in Afghanistan should be called for and European action should be undertaken for an end to the war. He further said that the European left should intervene during the European Union's Brussels summit on December 16.

[14] Panhellenic Federation of Journalist Unions conference

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

He said that he did not believe in the control of the press by the political authority, noting that "whenever this was attempted or implemented it only led to the suffering of the people and democracy."

Press and Mass Media Minister Christos Protopappas said that "we are all obliged to improve the institutional conditions to enable journalism to turn a new page."

[15] National Radio & Television Council members to change

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Hytiris added that the new members would be appointed by the corpus of Parliament presidents, as stipulated by the revised Constitution regarding the choice of persons appointed to independent administrative authorities.

Regarding the issuing of new radio station licenses, Hytiris said that the ESR was concluding the second phase of the process for 15 more stations in Attica, while the legality of its decisions would subsequently be checked by the press and media ministry.

[16] PASOK to seek dialogue with other parties, Laliotis says

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Laliotis said he would start contacts with other parties in the coming week, with the initial focus being on local elections.

Giving his first press conference as party secretary, Laliotis also referred to the party's political planning for the next three years until the next elections.

He said that the main events to be prepared for were the local government elections, the Greek EU presidency in the first half of 2003, the elections in April 2004 and the Olympic Games that would take place in Athens later that year.

He also cited the government's social security and development programs as another important aspect of political planning.

In his message, Laliotis stressed the importance of social policy and correcting long-term inequalities within society and between regions, especially in rural areas.

On a more practical level, the party secretary announced that the PASOK Executive Bureau would be meeting every 15 days, while there would also be meetings on specific issues that would be organized by the party secretary and would not necessarily require the president of the party (Prime Minister Costas Simitis) to be present.

The party's Central Committee, he added, would be meeting on November 9 in order to elect the secretaries in charge of specific areas of action and politics, and then again in the beginning of January to discuss the future of local government in view of the October elections.

[17] Greek economic weekly review

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

The bank to be created will be able to equally compete in international markets and will easily be the most powerful player in the Balkans.

The combined group, with a market share exceeding 50 percent based in total assets and a network of 1,100 branches, will easily become the biggest Greek bank, with other groups trailing far behind.

With an asset of 80 billion euros and a capitalization of 10 billion euros the new "National Bank" will rank 23rd in Europe with presence in 18 countries around the globe and with more than international 350 branches.

On the economic front, the new Economy and Finance Minister, Nikos Christodoulakis, in his first news conference on Monday said that the government would seek economic stability and growth through fiscal discipline and privatizations. Christodoulakis noted that the program of privatizations and structural reforms never ends, but constantly expanding.

Greek National Mint said it has started distributing Greek businesses with euro coins from November 1st and that one month later it would start distributing low-value banknotes (5 and 10 euros).

The rate of domestically produced pharmaceuticals in the Greek market will fall to 42 percent in 2002, while total spending on pharmaceuticals totalled 629.1 billion drachmas in 2000, an independent survey by IOBE said during the week. Spending was 415.9 billion drachmas in 1999.

A total of 14 international business consortia, including more than 50 companies from the sea tourism, marina management, construction and real estate sectors, expressed interest in an inter-national tender to privatize the three biggest marinas in Attica (Alimos, Flisvos and Zea) ahead of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Greek banks will start offering smart cards to consumer next year.

The government will submit its draft budget to parliament in November 21.

Piraeus Bank won an international tender to acquire ETBAbank for 173.8 billion drachmas in cash, or 5.10 euros per share.

The government has decided to extend to November 15 a deadline for the sale of Olympic Airways to one of the two remaining candidate buyers (Axon or Integrated Airline Solutions).

[18] Gov't comments on National-Alpha merger

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

The spokesman predicted that the merger would benefit the sector, both by improving its competitiveness within the European Union and by improving services for the public.

He said it was very likely that the merger would have repercussions on the entire sector and possibly lead to further mergers.

The spokesman reiterated that the government did not consider the merger would create a monopoly, but said that the Competitiveness Committee would also have to rule on this.

He repeated that the workforce in the two banks need not feel concerned and that all steps would be taken to safeguard their jobs.

Asked about the effect of the merger on the Athens bourse, he confined himself to saying that positive moves in the economy should have favorable repercussions on the stock market.

[19] Bank merger poses no threat to jobs, Labor minister says

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after his first official meeting with Greek Industries Union (SEB) leadership since he took office last week, Reppas said there was no serious reason to justify such concerns.

Reppas said that a new giant created in the banking sector needed workers' help to succeed and predicted that it would take around six months to have a complete picture over the merger plan.

He stressed that a dominant element in the government's policy in merger and acquisitions would be labor security.

Reppas said he had an "honest" conversation with SEB and noted there were favorable omens in the government's meetings with its social partners.

He said that a dialogue on reforming the country's social security system would start soon.

SEB's chairman, Lefteris Antonakopoulos, confirmed the positive climate in the meeting and said it was significant that the new labor ministry leadership was focusing on improved communications with its social partners.

[20] Greece has to re-examine its tourist product, Tsohatzopoulos

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Addressing a conference on "Developing Eco-tourism: the inter-national experience and Greece" held in Thessaloniki in the framework of the 17th Philoxenia international tourism trade fair, Tsohatzopoulos said that it would need a closer cooperation between the state, the private sector and social agencies in regional level to seek a new strategy for Greek tourism.

He said that Greece would have to re-examine the country's tourist product, with the promotion of new alternative tourism services, like eco-tourism, along with the mass tourism model.

"Eco-tourism is undoubtedly a challenge for Greece with its rich natural, historic, archaeological, cultural and climate seductions," he said. "Eco-tourism must and will be developed," Tsohatzopoulos added.

Development minister holds talks with members of National Tourism Council: The shaping of a modern development policy centered on tourism and on ways to cope with the repercussions on tourism in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11 was discussed in Thessaloniki on Friday night between newly-appointed Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and the members of the National Tourism Council.

The meeting was held in camera, in the framework of the 17th Philoxenia international tourism trade fair.

Tsohatzopoulos noted that tourism in Greece represented 16.5 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said that "an aggressive and creative policy to overcome the conditions of the crisis is the best answer to the crisis."

[21] Athens hoteliers fear drop in business on terrorism fears

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

"The greatest repercussions are likely to be felt by the tourism industry in the major cities, especially Athens, which depends to a large degree on conference tourism," said the president of the Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers, Vassilis Minaidis.

Speaking on the sidelines of a sector trade fair in Thessaloniki, Minaidis said that a reduction was also expected in air traffic, with more than 80 percent of tourists to Greece arriving by air.

"Inevitably due to be passed down to consumers are losses the airlines will incur in this period, a sharp rise in insurance premiums, and new investments needed for improvement in the security of flights," he said.

Likely to be worst hit were cruise ships, small luxury units in well-known destinations including Mykonos and Santorini, jewelers, car rental firms, tour operators and smaller travel agents.

Minaidis called on the state to devise measures that will aid the survival of travel and affiliated companies along with the maintenance of growth in the tourism sector.

[22] ND slams gov't for failure to control offshore companies

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

The issue was raised in Parliament by ND deputy Manolis Kefaloyiannis, who was parried by Prime Minister Costas Simitis with a reference to the Liberian company Mayo Corporation, which has allegedly contributed funds to the main opposition in the past.

Kefaloyiannis claimed that offshore companies were often secretly involved in state tenders for public works, while he claimed that the formula used by the government to organize these tenders practically guaranteed a 'fixed' result. He named a specific offshore company - Wing Top - which he claimed was "behind" two tenders held by the environment and defense ministries.

Simitis replied by saying that the measures suggested by Kefaloyiannis would run counter to EU rules, which demanded the free movement of capital.

"The activities of off-shore companies cannot be forbidden. They must, however, be limited and controlled," Simitis said.

He told Parliament that he had made proposals on this issue at an EU level and that he had given orders for strict control of invoices and any purchases of real estate by such companies.

Kefaloyiannis' proposals, he added, would forbid any foreign legal entity from certain kinds of activity within Greece and this was not possible.

"Greece must uphold the international treaties it has signed and there are many that refer to the movement of capital," he noted, while pointing out that the EU has steadily refused to institute measures that would allow the activities of offshore companies to be forbidden.

"The question is how we can make our supervision effective and how we can control matters to avoid negative phenomena. The Greek government has taken a series of measures to allow this supervision," Simitis said.

[23] ND deputy criticizes governmental-EU policy on tobacco

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

He also criticized Agriculture Minister George Drys in regards to the phasing out of European Union subsidies for tobacco production by 2006, adding that the minister and the officials of the ministry should have dealt with the problem, which affects thou-sands of families.

[24] NovaBank seen starting talks for acquisition of Turkish bank

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Reuters news agency reported from Turkey that the government had given the green light for the start of negotiations.

If NovaBank's offer submitted on October 25 is accepted, permission for the acquisition will have to be obtained from the Greek central bank.

The purchase price is believed to fall below 50 million euros, which would include the purchase price plus investments in the target bank's departments of information technology, network and marketing, personnel costs, and the payment of cumulative losses.

State-owned Sitebank has 13 branches in six Turkish cities, assets equivalent to 31 million euros, and a staff of 223 people.

It fell under state control in July due to a liquidity crisis in December 2000 and cumulative losses.

[25] Greek stocks end lower on profit taking

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

The general index rose 1.30 percent early in the session, to end 0.92 percent lower at 2,531.15 points, reflecting losses in blue chip stocks.

Turnover was a moderate 58.75 billion drachmas or 172.4 million euros.

The Banks and Insurance sectors suffered the heaviest losses (2.10 percent and 1.79%, respectively), with National Bank and Alpha Bank losing 3.27 percent and 4.15 percent, respectively.

The IT and Construction sector ended 1.97 percent and 1.81 percent higher.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.41 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.02 percent and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index rose 0.47 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 158 to 156 with another 50 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Alpha Bank, National Bank of Greece, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Piraeus Bank and Axon Holding.

Bond Market Close: Prices mixed in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished mixed in heavy trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 4.78 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 46 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 2.1 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for roughly half of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures end in negative territory: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Friday moved into the red in volatile trade, traders said.

Changing hands were 8,208 contracts on turnover of 52.4 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 1.41 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks gained 0.02 percent.

[26] Gov't pledges to meet deadlines for Olympic projects

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

They also announced plans to speed up the pace of all Olympics-related projects.

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou, whose ministry is responsible for several major infrastructure works related to the Games, and Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who has been charged with coordinating government efforts for the Olympiad, admitted that there were problems with certain projects but said that these were manage-able and that there were adequate functional solutions.

They said they had examined alternative solutions for certain road-building projects that looked likely to run into problems.

"We discussed the progress of all the projects in detail. We are doing well," Papandreou told reporters after the meeting.

On his part, Venizelos said that there were already adequate solutions but that the government also wanted to leave a "dowry" for the areas that hosted the Olympics.

Main opposition New Democracy, meanwhile, has asked that Parliament be briefed on the situation regarding Olympics preparations, at the level of political party leaders.

In a letter to Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Friday, ND leader Costas Karamanlis noted that the government was obliged by law to brief Parliament every three months on the course of preparations and that no discussion had been scheduled despite repeated protests by ND.

Karamanlis also referred to actions and omissions by the government that engendered acute concern over the progress of Olympics projects and claimed that many of the projects that should by now be completed had not even started.

[27] ND calls for Parliament debate on 2004 preparations

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Karamanlis issued the demand in a letter to Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

The ND leader also said the government is legally obligated to brief Parliament every three months, whereas repeated demands by his party to schedule such a Parliament debate have proved fruitless.

Additionally, Karamanlis charged that despite its verbal reassurances the government, in practice, has failed to treat Olympic Games preparations as a "national issue".

Finally, he said various 2004-related projects should have already been completed, whereas last-minute solutions and prefabricated constructions are now being promoted.

[28] 2001 Ipekci awards presented to Greek, Turkish ministers

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

This was the 10th competition for the Abdi Ipekci Peace and Friendship awards, which are bestowed to individuals or organizations that promote Greek-Turkish friendship and cooperation.

Anomeritis, who held the agriculture portfolio of the Greek government before the recent reshuffle, and Gokalp officially met, as the only two ministers of Greece and Turkey -- excluding the two countries' foreign ministers -- to sign noteworthy bilateral agreements recently, in this case, focusing on farm sector cooperation.

The Ipekci awards are given every two years in Athens and Istanbul on a rotating basis.

The awards were created by a Greek initiative following the assassination of the Turkish pacifist journalist Abdi Ipekci, director of the Turkish newspaper "Milliyet" in February, 1979.

List of those awarded the prestigious special Ipekci awards included the Rectors of the Universities of Athens and Istanbul Konstantinos Dimopoulos and Kemal Alemdaroglou, to businessmen Panagiotis Koutsikos, Sarik Tara and Asaf Giuneri and former Athens Journalists' Union (ESHEA) President Nikos Kiaos.

Journalism awards, student composition awards and literary awards were also given.

Former Turkish Foreign Minister Ilter Turkmen addressed the event saying that the societies of Greece and Turkey feel very close to each other, as a revolution in the conscience of the two peoples has taken place.

Academic Tassos Athanasiadis, president of the Greek commit-tee for the Ipekci awards, said, "we believe in the sentimentality of the Turkish people", describing the memories of the years of his Asia Minor origins and the friendship that bound the two peoples.

[29] Kaklamanis addresses conference on Migration and Asylum

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

The conference, which took place in the foreign ministry amphitheatre, was conducted in the framework of the 2nd Mediterranean Meeting of National Committees for Human Rights. Fourteen countries participated in the meeting, which examined the implementation of an action plan agreed at the International Conference Against Racism.

Kaklamanis said in his address that the treatment of foreigners and immigrants was the key plane on which democracy and culture were judged.

[30] Greek directors' society condemns actions against Iranian colleague

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

"It is unthinkable that in 2001 people are in danger of being condemned to death for exercising the art of cinema," the press release said, adding that "a necessary precondition for art to blossom is the freedom of the creator and the absence of every kind of censorship of his artistic work".

[31] Chemical reaction causes toxic fumes at paper industry

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

The accident was caused by a chemical reaction at the Viochartiki S.A. paper industry in Germanika, Aspropyrgos near Piraeus, when the volatile chemical substance thiourea dioxide, used in bleaching paper, came into contact with another chemical sub-stance, possibly a sodium-type substance, resulting in an exothermal chemical reaction that caused a rise in temperature to more than 110 C.

At that temperature, thiourea dioxide breaks down into its components, and sulphur dioxide (SO4) and sulphuric ammonia (NHr SO4)are created. Sulphur dioxide is a toxic gas hazardous to the human health.

Emergency safety measures were immediately applied and the Fire Department's chemicals expert was called in, who managed to lower the temperature, thus halting the chemical reaction.

The plant was able to resume normal activity a few hours later.

Two plant workers were taken to hospital for fume inhalation, but were released after being given first aid.

A team of 20 firefighters manning 7 fire engines tackled the emergency.

[32] "Em Alnur" motor ship develops serious list in Lesvos bay

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

The motor ship's 11-man crew, made up of five Syrian, four Lebanese and four Egyptian seamen, is currently safe and well.

Coast guard vessels have now flanked the "Em Alnur," which is listing to the right after taking on water, and are ready to intervene if necessary.

The motor ship had set sail from the Romanian port of Constanta with a load of lumber bound for Tripoli in Libya.

[33] Afghan illegal immigrants, two Turkish people-smugglers arrested

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

Two Turkish immigrant-smugglers were also arrested on Kos, while authorities were scouring the sea area for the smugglers who transported the immigrants to Symi.

The two Turkish nationals were identified as Gohnan Batsi, 17, the captain of the Turkish fishing boat "Mila", and 19-year-old crewmember Kahrama Akinci.

[34] 2 Turk fishermen to be deported after straying near Samos

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

According to standard procedures followed in such instances, the two fishermen were led before a Samos court on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry into the country. Criminal charges were subsequently dropped, with only deportation ordered.

Based on coast guard reports, the fishing vessel carrying the two men ran out of fuel before straying into Greek waters. The two were identified as Kemal Ozek, 32, and Sengiz Sakaria, 29.

[35] State service issues bad weather warning

Athens, 03/11/2001 (ANA)

According to the National Meteorological Service (EMY) weather conditions will be extreme from Friday evening and over the weekend, especially in central, south and western Greece.

The weather service also advises the public to avoid exposed locations, which might pose a lightning hazard and exercise extreme caution in activities at sea or near the coast, since fierce winds are expected.

[36] UN envoy de Soto stresses need to continue hard work for Cyprus solution

Attention on the Cyprus peace effort must remain in place, UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto said here on Friday, stressing that work will have to continue in earnest to resume peace negotiations with a view to finding a comprehensive settlement.

"This is an important issue and attention need to remain focus on it.

We have to keep our nose to the grindstone," de Soto told journalists after a one-a-half-hour meeting here on Friday afternoon with President Glafcos Clerides.

De Soto, who arrived earlier in the day, was due to see Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash later on Friday night, as part of UN-led efforts to resume the stalled peace talks, which Denktash, backed by Ankara, abandoned last November.

The UN top Cyprus envoy said on arrival earlier on Friday he came to the island because he had reason to hope that it is possible to make progress.

De Soto leaves for Turkey on Saturday. After Ankara he will travel to Athens before flying back to New York to report to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca airport, de Soto noted that the terrorist attacks of September 11 in the US have not distracted the attention of either United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan or the Security Council from the Cyprus question.

De Soto said he is here because he has reason to hope that progress can be achieved in the effort to resume the stalled peace negotiations for a comprehensive settlement and stressed that it would not be a good thing to allow more time to pass before talks on the substance can resume.

He said what has happened since he was last here in early September "has not distracted the attention of either the Secretary General or the members of the Security Council from the Cyprus question."

He recalled a Council statement in late September which expressed "disappointment for the unjustified decision by the Turkish side to decline" an invitation to talks by Annan and said Council members encouraged the Secretary General to continue his good offices on Cyprus.

"He has therefore asked me to come here in furtherance of his good offices, the purpose of this tour is consultations and furtherance of the Secretary General's good offices," de Soto told journalists, and explained that the apparent surprise and speed of his visit is due to the difficulty in trying to organize a trip that includes many different stops and to the wish of the Secretary General to see him back in New York for the UN General Assembly next week.

[37] Cypriots demonstrate against bombings and terrorism

NICOSIA 03/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Demonstrators marched through Nicosia's main streets holding placards, which read, "Stop the war give peace a chance", "No to terrorism of every form", "UN and international law should be strengthened", "Solution to regional conflicts such as the Palestinian and Cyprus questions".

The gathering, mainly supported by the leftwing AKEL party, approved a declaration condemning the criminal terrorist act of September 11 against the American people to whom the gathering expressed deep sympathy for the innocent victims of terrorism.

The declaration condemns "every kind of terrorism - individual, group or state." It condemns "every form of fanaticism - racist, nationalist or religious."

"Nevertheless the punishment of terrorists and of the medieval Taliban regime does not justify the victimization of millions of innocent people, besides the fact that in this way the problem is not solved," the declaration says.

"We join our voice to that of the peace-loving people all over the world, demanding the end of the bombings and of war in order to give peace a chance. The international community must find other alternative effective ways to fighting terrorism," it adds.

The demonstrators said in their declaration that they support the strengthening of the United Nations, the application of its Charter and respect of international law.

"We demand the elimination of extreme inequalities and injustices in the world which create fertile ground for terrorism to develop", the declaration adds.

[38] Cyprus to host "Luxembourg group" meeting

NICOSIA 03/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Cyprus along with Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Slovenia are the six candidate countries comprising the first group aspiring to join the EU.

An official press release issued here said these six countries, comprising the "Luxembourg group", work closely together to promote their common goal for accession to the EU and within this framework, their foreign ministers meet every six months to discuss their countries' harmonization process.

Cyprus opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998 and has provisionally closed 23 out of 29 chapters and is the front-runner among EU candidates.

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