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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-11-13Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>November 13, 2001CONTENTS
[01] Turkey cannot prevent Cyprus joining the EU, PM says from SlovakiaBRATISLAVA, 13/11/2001 (ANA - G. Papachristos)Turkey cannot prevent Cyprus from joining the European Union, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Monday in Bratislava shortly after talks with his Slovak counterpart Mikulas Dzurinda.The Greek premier arrived in Slovakia shortly before midday for a two-day official visit, accompanied by Press Minister Christos Protopappas, Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis and an official delegation. Simitis pointed out that the European Union, at the EU Summit in Helsinki, had made it clear that solving the Cyprus problem could not be made a condition for allowing the island republic to become a member of the Community. Both European Commission president Romano Prodi and EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen had verified that Cyprus was making good progress in its accession course during their visits to the island, Simitis said. "As long as [Cyprus] fulfills the criteria for joining, I don't think that any other issue can be raised," he concluded. The Greek premier then turned to the events of Sept. 11 and the terrorist attacks on the United States, saying that these should not present obstacles to EU enlargement. "On the contrary, I believe that EU enlargement should proceed more rapidly precisely because of these events," he said. The events demanded that Europe become stronger so that it could play a more active role, Simitis explained, and he expressed hope that the enlargement process would stay on schedule so that the addition of the new members could be ratified during the Greek EU presidency in 2003. He also warned the international community against allowing the events of Sept. 11 to distract its attention from the serious problems in the Balkans. "There are major problems in the Balkans that are real and we must not lose sight of this. For example, the peace agreement in Skopje must be concluded, and the Balkan Stability Pact must be implemented." Terrorism, he added, was also a very serious problem and all countries had to work together in order to deal with it. Simitis then expressed support for Slovakia's bid to join the EU and NATO, which he said should also be enlarged and transformed into a security organization with an expanded role. In his talks with Simitis, the Slovak premier described Greece as a friendly country and asked for its assistance in Slovakia's bid to join the EU and NATO, which he said would be beneficial for stability in Europe. Regarding bilateral relations between Greece and Slovakia, Simitis said these were good in the economic sector but could be more highly developed. He underlined that thousands of Slovak tourists visited Greece each year but exports were relatively low and there were no joint enterprises. The Greek premier announced that Greek-Slovak chambers of commerce would be founded in Bratislava and Piraeus and pointed to the opportunities for cooperation in defense and education. [02] FM to discuss FYROM name issue in NY, spokesman saysAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Foreign minister George Papandreou will discuss the FYROM name issue during his various meetings in New York on Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said.Papandreou, in New York for the 56th UN General Assembly plenary, was due to hold separate meetings Monday with US assistant secretary of state Mark Grossman, UN secretary general Kofi Annan, and FYROM foreign minister Ilinka Mitreva. Replying to questions during a press briefing, Beglitis said that the UN-sponsored negotiations as well as bilateral efforts for finding a "realistic, compromise solution on the basis of international developments" on the FYROM name issue were continuing. Greece, he said, had the political will for completion of the negotiations, while the international developments imposed the matter to be looked at in a realistic way. The forces in FYROM were obliged to display similar realism in order for the process to be completed in a mutually beneficial way, he added. Beglitis said the position regarding a composite name reflected in a "realistic manner" the international realities and sought a "middle way" for the solution of the problem, adding that much had taken place in the last decade at international and regional level, and Greece's biggest strategic goals continued to be peace, stability and cooperation. The spokesman said that the foreign ministry had conveyed its approach and views to the leaderships of the Greek political parties, and clarified that a solution founded on recognition of FYROM's constitutional name could not be accepted, just as the position endorsing a double name could not be accepted. Meanwhile, acting government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris on Monday denied rumors that a solution to the FYROM name issue was in the offing according to which FYROM could use any name it desired and Greece would use a different name for that country. Hytiris said that the negotiations were continuing at the UN aimed at finding an international name for FYROM. [03] Papandreou briefs reporters on his talks in NYNEW YORK, 13/11/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)Discussions these days inevitably focus almost exclusively on the issue of terrorism, Greece's foreign minister George Papandreou told reporters late Sunday in New York, briefing them on the targets and significance of his contacts in New York in the framework of the 56th UN General Assembly plenary.He said that the focus at the UN General Assembly was on all terrorism-related issues, such as the developments in Afghanistan and strengthening of the international alliance against terrorism, and, in that framework, also the Middle East issue, the humanitarian problem, protection of human rights, and matters of justice, equality and economic prosperity, as well as determining, through dialogue among civilizations, the new relations that have developed or were in the process of developing among the various countries comprising the alliance. Papandreou outlined the role of Greece and the EU in the efforts to combat terrorism and resolve regional problems, and noted Cyprus' dynamic course towards the European Union. On the EU agenda, and important position was held by the Middle East problem, which was discussed in-depth among the EU partners and also between the EU foreign ministers and their counterparts from Russia and the US, he said. Commenting on US president George Bush's address to the UN General Assembly, Papandreou pointed out that it was the first time an American president had made reference to a Palestinian state, which must co-exist with the Israeli state on the basis of mutual respect of the borders. Greece and the EU, he added, endorsed an unconditional cease-fire and the implementation of confidence-building measures. Turning to his sidelines meeting on Sunday with Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides, he said they exchanged views, without anything new arising on the substance of the Cyprus problem. Papandreou said that Turkey had realized that "Cyprus is proceeding firmly towards the EU, which has for the first time given rise to intense concern among the governing circles in Ankara and in the Turkish National Assembly, where 126 MPs have asked for an in-camera examination of the issue". He said he and Clerides also discussed Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's invitation for direct talks between the leaders of the two sides in Cyprus, a proposal rejected by Clerides as it aimed at skirting the mission of good offices of the UN secretary general. On his scheduled meeting Monday with US assistant secretary of state Mark Grossman, Papandreou said the discussion would focus on the Cyprus issue and the situation in the Balkans, particularly the US cooperation with the EU and Greece specifically for closing the outstanding issues (FYROM, Kosovo, Montenegro, etc.), and the stabilization of the region. On the EU talks with the UN secretary general's special envoy to Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi on Sunday, Papandreou stressed the importance of the regional cooperation for resolution of the Afghanistan problem. During the discussion, he added, Greece had the opportunity to put forward its own experience from similar matters in the Balkans as well as certain conclusions that could be derived despite the substantial differences between the two situations. On Monday, in addition to his meeting with Grossman, the Greek foreign minister is also due to hold separate talks with the US State Department's special coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston, and the foreign ministers of FYROM, Argentina, Andorra and Chile. He will also attend a working lunch hosted by the Chilean foreign minister for his counterparts of the countries involved in the Human Security Network initiative. The Greek foreign minister will further give an interview to CNN and meet with the Wall Street Journal's editorial board. [04] FM says international community con-fronting terrorismNEW YORK, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Foreign Minister George Papandreou, referring to the crash of the United Airlines passenger jet in New York on Monday, made the following statement:"Regarding the climate in general, it is certainly logical for concern to exist. I do not believe that this event, this occurrence, even if there is proof that it is a terrorist attack, will change something substantively. Because at the moment the international community has already been mobilized to confront terrorism." [05] Discussions in UN General Assembly continue despite the security lockdownNEW YORK, 13/11/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)Discussions at the United Nations General Assembly continued normally on Monday, but included only those leaders and diplomats that were already in the UN building before it was sealed, following the airplane crash in a residential neighborhood of the city.The scheduled interview of Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on CNN for Monday morning (local time) was postponed and was still unknown if his planned interview with the editorial staff of the Wall Street Journal would take place. Papandreou had scheduled meetings with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Mark Grossman and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan among other leaders. [06] Deputy FM addresses meeting of expatriate Greek journalistsAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Magriotis on Monday was present at the fifth meeting of expatriate Greek journalists employed in mass media around the world, which was organized by the press and media ministry.During his address, Magriotis spoke of the dynamism of Greek foreign policy over the past few years and also focused on terrorism issues and ways to confront it. Press and Media Deputy Minister Telemachos Chytiris, in Zappeion Hall, inaugurated this 5th Meeting of Greek Expatriate Journalists in Foreign Mass Media. "Objectivity on all problems and the implementation of International Law is all we ask from all the representatives of the press," Hytiris said in his inaugural address, adding that "this meeting is taking place during a very good moment for our country". He explained that the moment was so special as in just a couple of months the common European currency will be introduced and Greece will be one of the countries of the European Union to participate in this historic change, a fact that makes Greece stronger from an economic point of view. The deputy minister briefed the members of the expatriate press on current political, defense, economic and Olympic Games issues. Karamanlis: Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis said on Monday night that his party would never accept EU enlargement if Cyprus was not among the first group of countries. "Nobody can intercept the course of Cyprus towards its accession to the EU. We cannot accept EU enlargement if Cyprus is not among the first group of nations. The government should also clarify this with the European partners," Karamanlis told reporters after addressing the 5th meeting of journalists of Greek origin employed by foreign media at the Zappeion Hall in Athens. Responding to another question on how ND will handle the issue of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games before the elections, Karamanlis said the issue is a national one and that he does not link it to the elections which "we shall win whenever they take place." Earlier, during his address, he criticized Prime Minister Costas Simitis of refusing a debate in Parliament on this national issue, a dialogue which, as he said, the premier will not ultimately avoid. [07] UK defense under secretary meets defense minister in AthensAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Greece will not be sending a military force to Afghanistan, Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stressed on Mon-day, after a meeting with visiting UK under secretary and minister for defense procurements, Lord Willy Bach.Papantoniou said that Greece was in contact with the United States regarding additional facilitation it might need, while there had been no decision as yet on whether to send another Greek mission with humanitarian aid to the war-torn country. Talks during his meeting with Lord Bach had focused on terrorism, the operations in Afghanistan, defense cooperation between Greece and the United Kingdom and Greek armed forces procurements programs in which Britain had expressed an interest, Papantoniou said. Turning to Sunday's memorial service for 17 November victim Brig. Stephen Saunders, who was killed by the terrorist group in June 2000, the Greek defense minister said that both Greece and Britain had been victims of terrorism through the murder. He said the Greek government was determined to use every means to clamp down on terrorism, which he described as the greatest enemy of humanity and civilization. Bach reiterated that Greece and Britain had both suffered from domestic terrorism and stood side by side on this issue, while saying that he and Papantoniou had agreed on all the issues they discussed. "We must fight terrorism because it threatens democracy," he added. On Sunday morning, Lord Bach joined British, Commonwealth and Greek war veterans at a memorial service at St. Paul's Anglican Church in downtown Athens to commemorate "Remembrance Sunday for British and Commonwealth War Dead". Before the memorial service, Lord Bach and the widow of slain British military attache Brig. Stephen Saunders, Heather Saunders, unveiled a plaque in his memory at the church. ND leader meets widow of 17 November victim: Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Monday met the widow of the late Brig. Stephen Saunders, who was murdered by the terrorist group 17 November in Athens on June 8, 2000. After her meeting with Karamanlis at ND headquarters, Heather Saunders said she was satisfied with the results of her talks with the main opposition leader and Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis, since both parties seemed determined to combat terrorism. According to sources, the relatives of terrorist victims held a meeting over the weekend and decided on a joint public appearance to sensitize public opinion, the date of which is to be finalized later. Also present during the meeting with Karamanlis was ND cadre Dora Bakoyianni, herself the widow of a 17 November victim, and Yiannis Valinakis. [08] Air club members charged with spying to remain in custody pending EYP assessmentAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Fourteen foreign nationals, a dozen Britons and two Dutch citizens, were ordered on Monday to remain in custody until Friday after being arrested on espionage charges last week in the SW Peloponnese city of Kalamata for taking pictures of a nearby military airbase.According to sources, officers of the National Intelligence Service (EYP) will arrive on Tuesday in Kalamata to assess the nature of the photographs taken. The outcome of their investigation is expected out on Friday and at that time the court will decide whether the 14 will be arraigned or released, while at this point the court ordered that they remain in custody. The tourists, members of an aviation enthusiasts' club, were visiting Kalamata to attend an air show, according to their statements. They were arrested on Thursday, Nov. 8, the same day as the annual feast day of Michael and Gabriel, patron saints of Greece's air force. Military air bases are usually open to the public on that day or the following weekend. However, photographing or videotaping military bases is prohibited, with a few arrests reported from time to time. Four Israeli citizens were arrested and released last month on Crete after they were caught videotaping a naval base. Gov’t spokesman confirms arrest of 15 UK, Dutch nationals: Acting government spokesman Telemahos Chytiris officially confirmed on Monday that 15 UK and Dutch nationals had been arrested in Kalamata for taking photographs of an air force base. The pictures had been confiscated and the arrested parties were to appear before the public prosecutor, he added, in response to questions. [09] Laliotis testifies regarding Mayo Investments account claimsAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)PASOK party secretary Costas Laliotis testified before a public prosecutor on Monday regarding allegations that former premier Constantine Mitsotakis and main opposition New Democracy were linked to a suspicious account belonging to an offshore company. In testimony lasting four hours, Laliotis analyzed his claims and also produced two bulky files of documents pertaining to the case. Emerging from the prosecutor's office later, he told reporters that he had provided "specific and revealing evidence that proved that New Democracy members had links with the Liberian company Mayo Investments Corporation between 1989 and 1993 and the company's account in a Scottish Bank.The party secretary said he would come back to the public prosecutor with yet more evidence related to the case, while he said that the justice system had an obligation to take steps to open the account in question and reveal the truth about what sums were deposited into them, by whom and where these went. Laliotis also announced that he intended to sue Mitsotakis for making insulting and slanderous statements about him. The party secretary had made the allegations regarding the Mayo investments account in mid October, while still environment minister, and said that Parliament's institutions and transparency committee should investigate a contract for the construction of the new Athens airport at Spata, initialed by Mitsotakis government in 1993, in conjunction with the account's movements. The contract was renegotiated by PASOK, and according to a report by international chartered accountants Ernst & Young, the Greek State gained 100 billion drachmas through the revised contract signed in 1995. The former environment minister had also claimed that publisher Aristides Alafouzos had deposited large sums in the Mayo Investments account. In response to Laliotis' accusations, the public prosecutor's office ordered an investigation on October 18 into whether any automatically prosecutable crimes had been committed. [10] New interior minister pledges to continue predecessor's reformsAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis on Monday pledged to continue the reforms set in motion by his predecessor and current Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou.He also pledged to initiate procedures to reactivate some stalled bodies of public administration, as well as evaluate the reforms of the last 20 years. During his first press conference, since he was appointed to the ministry, Skandalidis outlined his plans for his tenure in the ministry, noting that there will not be any surprises on issues of his portfolio. He noted that the next municipal and prefectural elections will take place in October 2002 under the existing legislation, adding that the delineation of prefectures will not change. Skandalidis stressed that the aim of the reforms would be to decentralize public administration downward to the most primary level of service provision to citizens, with the use of electronic information systems. [11] Gov't: Elections will be held in 2004Athens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)The government reiterated on Monday that general elections will be held in 2004, one day after the publication of a gallop poll showing main opposition New Democracy ahead of ruling PASOK by six points, but with Premier Costas Simitis holding a slim lead in a head-to-head comparison with ND rival Costas Simitis."Differences between PASOK and New Democracy are well-known and visible," acting government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris said during a regular press briefing. He was responding to questions regarding the poll, published in the Sunday edition of the "Eleftherotypia" newspaper. [12] Turkey reiterates threats of "crisis" when Cyprus enters EUNEW YORK, 13/11/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)Turkey reiterated Monday its threats for a "very serious crisis" in the event Cyprus enters the European Union via the address of its Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to the United Nations General Assembly here."The Cyprus issue has remained unresolved for 38 years. This subject is one that is known to the UN. As the dates for some radical changes in Cyprus through Greek Cypriots side's unilateral accession to the EU seem to be suggested and as Turkey considers these changes potentially dangerous for the two parties and for the whole region, this issue needs further attention," Cem told the 56th annual General Assembly. "Any artificially imposed 'solution' that is not mutually acceptable to both nations in the island and to the guarantor countries, is bound to create a severe crisis. Turkey, as well as the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus', aspire to a mutually acceptable solution, sought through all possible means," he added. [13] Parliament President holds talks with Croatian counterpartAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and his Croatian counterpart Zlatko Tomcic on Monday reiterated the very good relations between Greece and Croatia and the cooperation of the two countries' parliaments.According to a Parliament press release, Kaklamanis reassured Tomcic of Greece's support to Croatia with regard its European Union accession course. In this spirit is also being held the Initiative of the Adriatic and of the Ionian, the presidency of which Greece is holding until May. Greece has proposed the convening in May of a conference in Athens of the parliament presidents of the states participating in the initiative. On his part, the Croatian parliament president hailed the "positive role which Greece is playing in the strengthening of relations between the countries of southeast Europe, including the confrontation of illegal immigration, drug trafficking and international crime". Tomcic, who is on a three-day visit to Athens, further referred to the need for closer economic cooperation between the countries participating in the Initiative of the Adriatic and of the Ionian, at the same time stressing the great importance of protecting these seas. The Croatian parliament president invited Kaklamanis to visit Zagreb. [14] Environment minister outlines priorities for the ministryAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Simpler procedures for issuing planning permission and measures to protect and establish the limits of watercourses and gullies were announced on Monday by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou.Papandreou said that the ministry would seek to reduce the time needed for the issue of simple building permits, which did not involve forested land or archaeological sites, to five days. She also said that issues related to the Olympics would be a main priority. Another goal listed by Papandreou was decentralization, starting with transferring responsibility for environmental-impact reports back to prefectures. Priority would also be given to projects for improving day-to-day quality of life for the public through town planning, industrial parks etc. [15] Employment our top priority, Christo-doulakis saysAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Our economic policy's main target will be to boost employment, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Monday.Speaking to reporters, Christodoulakis said that even when privatizations or merger agreements were decided the main target should be to preserve jobs and to increase employment, particularly for projects included in a Third Community Support Framework. He said that Greece's economic growth rate would reach 3.8 percent in 2002 from 4.1 percent this year. This forecast is lower compared with an earlier estimate a few months ago because it incorporates all the latest global developments. Christodoulakis reiterated that Greece's growth rate would be more than double the eurozone average in 2002. He said that a Third Community Support Framework was a vital development tool and stressed that any spending cuts in next year's budget would not include the government's social program (health, welfare, education). Christodoulakis said that a merger deal between National Bank and Alpha Bank was signaling its own messages to the market and could be an example for more merger deals in the domestic banking sector. He also said that the government was considering to accelerate certain tax reforms although they did not include the core of its tax policy which was expected to be ready in 2002. Talks on social insurance reform to begin before Christmas: Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas said on Monday that talks on overhauling the social insurance system would begin before Christmas. The minister was speaking after a meeting with leaders of the National Confederation of Greek Commerce. [16] Transport minister says railway works will be finished in 2008Athens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)When works for improving the Greek railway network end in 2008, the train journey from Athens to Thessaloniki will take just three hours and 50 minutes, Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis said on Monday, after an inspection tour of major railway infrastructure projects being carried out by ERGOSE.[17] Rail company shortlists bidders in airport train projectAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)State-owned Hellenic Railways Organization (OTE) said on Monday it had short listed five companies in a tender to build a railway link for the new Athens international airport - a project budgeted at 30 billion drachmas.The train will run from the Aharnon train depot to the airport at Spata, east of Athens. Short listed in the tender handled by Ergose, OSE's projects subsidiary, were the following firms or consortiums: [18] Gov't, builders sign contract for Olympics gymnasiumAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)The general secretariat of sports on Monday signed an agreement with engineering contractors Gnomon and GEKAT for construction of a gymnasium worth 17.1 billion drachmas that will be used in the Athens 2004 Olympics.The two engineering contractors are committed to completing the project within 660 calendar days. The gymnasium will be located in the Galatsi suburb of Athens. [19] World tourism fair begins in LondonLONDON, 13/11/2001 (ANA/L.Tsirigotakis)Despite the tragic events in the United States on September 11 and their negative impact on tourism worldwide, estimates and predictions for Greece are that it has the possibility to improve its position in the world tourism market, according to Greek Tourism Organization (EOT) President Evgenios Yiannakopoulos.Yiannakopoulos, who was speaking at the opening of the world tourism fair in London on Monday, inaugurated the Greek pavilion at the fair together with the President of the Federation of British Travel Agents Steve Bath. Minister of the Aegean Nikos Sifounakis, present at the inauguration of the Greek pavilion, awarded two British tourism organizations, "Thompson" and "Libra" for their contribution to the development of Greek tourism, as well as two journalists Mark Otaway of the Sunday Times and Maria Pieri of the British tourist agents' magazine for their systematic promotion of tourism in small Aegean islands. [20] Greek stocks off on profit takingAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Equity prices ended the first trading session of the week sharply lower as investors preferred to take early profits after last week's rally in the Athens Stock Exchange.A negative climate in international markets also depressed sentiment in the Greek bourse. The general index ended 1.86 percent lower at 2,605.43, with turnover a disappointing 43.5 billion drachmas or 127.5 million euros. The Banks and IT sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (-2.88 percent and -2.73 percent, respectively), with only the Textiles sector scoring gains (+0.28 percent). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 2.26 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 1.55 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.85 percent lower. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 220 to 99 with another 41 issues unchanged. The most heavily traded shares were Commercial Bank of Greece, Klonatex, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Space Hellas and Alpha Bank. Equity futures drop in edgy trade: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday ended lower with blue-chip contracts ending in negative territory after starting at a premium, traders said. Changing hands were 8,551 contracts on turnover of 56.3 million euros. The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 2.26 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 1.55 percent. Bond prices drop in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished lower in heavy trade focusing on 10-year paper. The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 4.75 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 45 basis points. Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 2.2 billion euros. Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover. [21] Gov't again comments on crucial 2004 preparationsAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Preparations for the Athens 2004 Games again dominated the government's attention on Monday, one day after an Athens daily published a top IOC executive's two-month-old letter outlining his concerns over various 2004-related projects."Preparations for the Olympic Games rank as a top priority for the government," government spokesman Telemachos Chytiris said on Monday during his regular press briefing and in response to reporters' questions over the issue. Hytiris had also made extensive comments a day earlier when the story broke. The spokesman added that Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos would provide detailed answers to queries tabled by the main opposition New Democracy party during a Parliament debate on Tuesday. The quoted letter had been sent by Denis Oswald--the head of the IOC's all-important commission supervising the Games' pre-parations--to Athens 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. While he expressed the government's optimism that the 2004 Games will be very successful, Chytiris nevertheless said certain difficulties in preparations do, in fact, exist, something he said emanates from court challenges by citizens, municipalities etc. He also called on ND to observe a "positive stance", as he said, for the country's overall benefit. Additionally, he said the government has ready answers to the questions and concerns raised by Oswald, the Swiss IOC executive that succeeded Jacques Rogge as head of the commission, when the former visits Athens on Nov. 21. Finally, Chytiris said an inter-ministerial committee on the Games would convene on Wednesday. A day earlier, Chytiris had played down the importance of the Oswald letter in the Athens newspaper "Kathimerini". "Since then (the date when the letter was sent) there has been progress in the specific projects, which will be obvious when the IOC coordinating committee next visits on Nov. 21," he stressed. Oswald expressed grave concerns about support infrastructure, the construction of a handful of venues undertaken by the General Sports Secretariat -- several of which he placed in a 'high risk' category - as well as the ability of Greece's local construction sector to complete such major projects, hotel capacity and other auxiliary programs related to Olympics preparations. The IOC had issued Athens a "yellow card" more than a year and a half ago after preparations lagged dangerously behind schedule. Since then, and following the assumption of ATHOC's helm by Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, efforts have been visibly accelerated. [22] Memorandum of understanding signed between Church and ATHOCAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)A memorandum of understanding was signed on Monday between Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and Arch-bishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos."We will cooperate in order for 'Athens 2004' to exploit expanses, and mainly installations of the Church, which it will incorporate in the Olympic Hospitality program," Daskalaki said. Daskalaki, who visited Petraki Monastery, announced that the sum of 200 million drachmas is being offered by various sponsors to the Church as a first installment, so that the buildings of the Orthodox Center in Penteli and the Mission in Aegaleo to be transformed in order to serve the requirements of the Olympiad. Christodoulos on his part noted the significance of Greece hosting the Olympic Games, in that the country was being projected internationally. He stressed that foreigners should not view Greece merely as a holiday destination because of its beaches. Metropolitan Ierotheos of Nafpaktos, who is the president of the Church's special Holy Synod committee for the Olympic Games, said that the memorandum was the fruit of good will and creative cooperation. [23] President of the Republic receives ATHOC presidentAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Monday received Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki who briefed him on the entire spectrum of preparations for the Olympic Games but also in view of Stephanopoulos visit to the Organizing Committee's headquarters on November 27.Following her one-hour-long meeting with Stephanopoulos at the presidential mansion, Daskalaki told reporters that she briefed him on all developments concerning the country's preparations for the Olympic Games. She also inferred that she would worry about the projects until they are completed. Asked to comment on speculations that she would resign, Daskalaki said "I will not tire in saying that I will be working hard until the last day." [24] Ecumenical Patriarch calls for religious dialogueAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos called on the political leaders of the world for peace and dialogue and focused on relations between Christianity and Islam, in an article of his published by "Press" magazine and due to appear at newsstands on Tuesday in Greece.In his article Vartholomeos stresses that both the Gospel and the Koran include very many notations that God is not pleased by war, but by peace, despite the fact that there have been many wars in the name of religion. The patriarch also stresses that Orthodox Christians support the inter-religious dialogue aiming at encouraging closer cooperation between the peoples of the whole world. Vartholomeos insisted in his article on the points of cooperation and understanding between all religions in the opinion he expressed on dialogue with religious leaders of Islam. He also separates religion from politics and stresses his aim to inspire political leaders of every religion with a God-inspired and merciful attitude towards all humanity. [25] Athens meeting on terrorism, drugs and organized crimeAthens, 13/11/2001 (ANA)The first meeting of Adriatic and Ionian Initiative member-states will start in Athens on Tuesday to examine issues concerning terrorism, illegal immigration, drugs and organized crime.The Initiative was created after the first step was taken by Italy and was ardently supported by Greece. It obtained official legal status with the Ancona Declaration on May 19-20, 2000, and was jointly signed by the foreign ministers of Italy, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, in the presence of European Commission President Romano Prodi and other representatives of international organizations. A special session held in Zagreb on November 24, 2000, also led to an agreement on the participation of the Yugoslav Federation as a full Initiative member. The Initiative's presidency is held in turn for a year by member-states and in alphabetical order, starting with Croatia which held the presidency from May 2000 to May 2001. The third session was held in Split, Croatia, on May 25, 2001, during which Greece succeeded Croatia in holding the presidency until May, 2002. The public order ministry is participating, in the framework of its duties, in the Round Table on "Security and Cooperation in Combatting Illegal Activities." The issues it examines concern organized crime, illegal immigration, the trafficking of people, and of women and children in particular, with the purpose of sexual exploitation, drug and cigarette smuggling and other forms of cross-border crime. [26] Clerides says there can be no Cyprus solution outside UN chief's good offices missionNEW YORK, 13/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)There can be no Cyprus settlement outside the good offices of the UN Secretary General, President Glafcos Clerides stressed here on Sunday, noting that Kofi Annan could not set a time limit to the effort to bring back Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to the negotiating table.Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday after addressing the UN General Assembly, the Cypriot president said Denktash's proposal for a face-to-face meeting with him aimed at bypassing Annan's good offices, adding that many involved in the Cyprus question are considering "an issue" with regard to efforts to resume the dialogue but would not elaborate on the matter. Clerides said he backs the creation of a new partnership of two communities in Cyprus but does not agree with a partnership of "two sovereign states," and explained that a statement by Annan in September last year was misinterpreted by the Turkish side and did not in any way imply the beginning of a process of recognition of the regime Ankara maintains in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops since 1974. On terrorism, he said the UN must look at measures to combat terrorism, adding that terrorism cannot be divided between religions or ethnic groups. On the situation in the Middle East, Clerides said negotiations is the only way to move towards a solution, backed the creation of a Palestinian state and noted that Cyprus would happily host peace talks on this issue, as it has done in the past to help in this manner. Replying to a question on a recent proposal by Denktash to meet face to face, President Clerides stressed that he did not reject the proposal but said that he would gladly meet the Turkish Cypriot leader "once we both accept to return to the negotiating table." Clerides said he does not want "an opportunity to Denktash to put aside the good offices of the Secretary General because without the good offices it will not be possible to find a solution." Asked if he believed that a new partnership should now be created in Cyprus, he said "if we are moving from a unitary state to a federal state, then there will be a new partnership of the two communities in Cyprus, which is not what Denktash wants." He explained that Denktash wants a new partnership between "two sovereign states," and added "the first one we accept, the second one we reject." Asked if he realistically expect to see a Cyprus solution within his lifetime, in a more light-hearted mood, the president said he is 82 but does not intend "to leave this planet tomorrow" adding that Denktash has no intention of doing that either. "Let us utilize the time we have," he said. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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