Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-11-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM visits restored building projects in quake-stricken Nea Philadelphia

[02] PM and press minister discuss media institutional framework

[03] Labor minister: PASOK ready to respond to progressive forces

[04] EU parliament presidents discuss Cyprus issue in Stockholm

[05] U.S. firm predicts PASOK victory in next elections

[06] Limited clashes outside U.S. embassy on Polytechnic anniversary

[07] No Greek troops will be sent to Afghanistan, minister says

[08] EU must respect all national languages of member states

[09] Turkish industrialists concerned over Turkey-EU relations

[10] Agriculture ministry discovers cotton collection scam

[11] N. Greece farmers' demonstration in Thessaloniki on Monday

[12] ND leader voices concern over delays in Olympiad projects

[13] Albanian film wins Golden Award at Thessaloniki Film Festival

[14] Ancient Olympia torch ceremony for Winter Olympic Games on Monday

[15] President Clerides: Meeting with Denktash with no agenda and preconditions

[01] PM visits restored building projects in quake-stricken Nea Philadelphia

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

"This is our work. A work of humanity and sensitivity. It has no need of advertising. It is action, and it is not easy," said Simitis, who was accompanied by local authorities and several ministers.

A total of 45 billion drachmas was spent on the repair, reinforcement and renovation of 10 buildings in the area housing 18 school units, the purchase of land plots for the construction of three new school units, and the construction of eight new school buildings which were already in operation.

The above projects, according to Nea Philadelphia mayor Pantelis Gretzelias, enabled the operation of classes with small numbers of pupils in the daytime.

A total of 377 school buildings housing 610 school units have been repaired in the Attica prefecture, while 550 prefabricated schoolrooms have replaced rented school buildings, and another 22 land plots have been purchases for the construction of new public schools, while designs have also been completed for the construction of 20 new large-scale schools since the 1999 earthquake.

"We pledged to forge ahead, to work together, to restore the damage. We said it and we did it, because in our country words are turned into actions, the State stands at the side of its citizens and responds to their needs," Simitis said.

In Nea Philadelphia alone, 161 buildings containing 1,556 residences, 18 shops and one KAPI senior citizens' Day Center have been repaired, while repair loans of 3.2 billion drachma have been issued to local residents.

[02] PM and press minister discuss media institutional framework

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

Replying to a question by the press later on the possibility of tax rebates being abolished, Protopappas said such a thing was not discussed.

He said the government went ahead with the decision on the first phase of tax reform, which is a new mixture of policy responding to the present conjuncture.

Protopappas further said we respond to these problems by "insisting steadfastly on the strengthening of development and employment" and the distribution of the surplus of development to the financially weaker groups.

Regarding the second phase of tax reform, he said a dialogue will precede it with social partners.

[03] Labor minister: PASOK ready to respond to progressive forces

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

He was replying to press questions on the prospect of collaboration between PASOK and center-left political groupings in the next general elections.

"The prospect of cooperation with left-left forces is an outlet that is in the interests of the country and the Greek people," Reppas said.

Asked whether PASOK could cooperate with Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and his Movement of Free Citizens (KEP) party, Reppas explained that on the basis of a platform agreement, PASOK would examine in each instance, which were the forces that could align with it in the common effort.

"We are awaiting those proposals. PASOK and the government have a full platform," he said, adding that the responsibility arising from the necessity to respond to the needs of the times "imposes that we discuss with all sides".

Questioned on the issue of reforming the social security system, Reppas said that the government did not intend to take anyone by surprise. What it aspired to was substance, not impressions, and therefore the social dialogue would be frank, substantive and productive.

[04] EU parliament presidents discuss Cyprus issue in Stockholm

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

Addressing the conference, Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis insisted on terms defined by summits and in particular respect for international legitimacy, the peaceful solution of differences, the democratization course, safeguarding human rights, respect for minorities and the possibility of adjusting to market economy conditions which should be observed by every candidate country.

"These terms apply undeviatingly, either for the countries of central Europe or Turkey, which should follow the legal commitments set by Helsinki, or for Cyprus and Malta," he said.

Kaklamanis also said that Turkey should cooperate for a solution to the Cyprus issue and not use the occupation army to blackmail the EU with the threat of annexing the northern part of Cyprus.

[05] U.S. firm predicts PASOK victory in next elections

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

According to the report by the Political Risk Services (formerly Frost and Sullivan), PASOK has a bigger chance of winning the next elections (50 percent against 45 for ND), provided it acts swiftly with reforms it has promised and particularly in the next six months.

The report contains predictions on who will govern the country over the next 18 months and in the next five years. The 18-month prediction gives PASOK 60 percent and ND 35, while the five-year one gives PASOK 50 percent and ND 45.

According to the newspaper "Imerisia" (Daily), in which the contents of the report were published, both predictions contain the "unlikely" and absolutely theoretical possibility of the military taking power (five percent) under extreme circum-stances such as a confrontation with Turkey.

Regarding the elections in 2004, the report says the most likely scenario is a victory for PASOK, although it acknowledges that voters have already punished the ruling party for "neglecting the modernization of social services for the benefit of an economic austerity program aimed at achieving Greece's accession to the eurozone."

The report further says that what will be decisive for developments will be the government's effectiveness concerning "its promises for the modernization of the health, education and pensioning systems."

The newspaper said that the report has been delivered to the White House and the heads of the biggest U.S. multinational companies.

[06] Limited clashes outside U.S. embassy on Polytechnic anniversary

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

The anarchists, who had been marching ahead of the "Genoa 2001" group, which was participating in the march, started the disturbances shortly before it came to its end.

The march to the U.S. embassy heightened three-day events marking the anniversary of the student uprising at the Athens Polytechnic on November 17, 1973, against the military junta ruling Greece at the time.

During the march, demonstrators shouted slogans against the United States and others related to the ongoing war in Afghanistan, as well as making calls for independence and popular rule.

Strong police forces patrolled the route to the U.S. embassy, while traffic arrangements were in force in parts of Athens throughout the afternoon as the march started at about 4 p.m. with the participation of several thousand demonstrators.

Apart from the "Genoa 2001" initiative, the march included a group of students holding the blood-stained Polytechnic flag, resistance fighters exiled during the 1967-1974 military dictatorship, the Federation of Women of Greece, the Federation of Resistance Fighters of Greece, the Athens Polytechnic's student association, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and other leftist organizations.

Scuffling at Athens Polytechnic between rival student groups: Scuffling broke out between rival student groups at the Athens Polytechnic on Saturday morning when main opposition New Democracy party representative George Kalos laid a wreath at the memorial, while pro-ND students shouted slogans in favor of the party.

Three-day events commemorating the November 17, 1973, student uprising against the military junta ruling Greece at the time will come to an end on Saturday with the usual march to the U.S. embassy in Athens later in the day.

The march is expected to start at 3.30 p.m. and tight security measures are being observed at the Polytechnic. The authorities have taken draconian security measures and about 5,000 policemen are on hand to maintain order.

Kalos said in a statement that divisive policies and those following them distance themselves from the message sent by the Polytechnic uprising.

Earlier in the day, a wreath was also laid by a Parliamentary delegation headed by Costas Geitonas, who said that Parliament honors the memory of all those who lost their lives for democracy and freedom.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas, laying his wreath at the memorial, said "today they should honor sincerely, and not hypocritically, the victims and those who struggled at the Polytechnic."

[07] No Greek troops will be sent to Afghanistan, minister says

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

In an interview to NET state television channel, Papantoniou said that "they will not call us, because, as they told us, they will only call Muslim countries."

Referring to the "further facilities" which the Government Council of Foreign Policy and Defense (KYSEA) had recently decided to offer the forces operating in Afghanistan, Papantoniou reassured that it was an unhurried decision which was taken within the framework of Greece's international commitments. He noted that in no case was pressure exerted by the United States, which, he said, on the contrary had "already expressed its satisfaction and gratitude for the Greek government's move".

On another note, Papantoniou said that an amendment would be made to the existing law concerning the recruitment of professional soldiers and that a draft law would be tabled in Parliament sometime this month.

He said that by this decision, the terms with which the professional soldiers will be recruited will be decided by the defense minister himself through the issue of a simple ministerial decision.

Through this measure, Papantoniou aims at putting an end to the existing restrictions and achieving the goal of having 25,000 professional soldiers, thus allowing for the reduction of the duration of military service. He said that military service will be reduced by two months this year and that those who are drafted into the army in 2003, will serve twelve months.

[08] EU must respect all national languages of member states

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

He was replying to press questions on a proposal by Greece's EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, who holds the employment and social affairs portfolio, that English be established as a second official language in Greece.

In an interview with the Athens daily Kathimerini published on Sunday, Diamantopoulou proposed that, in view of the EU's imminent enlargement, English should be established as a second official language in Greece since, with the addition of another 10 member countries by the end of 2006, the large number of working languages in the Union would become an issue.

"Every position is respected, but I would like to stress that the persistent and firm position of Greece is that the EU must advance and respect all the national languages of the member states, which should be considered equal working languages," Efthymiou said.

"This is the position we maintain at all levels of the EU, whether it concerns the European Commission, the European Parliament or any other European institution," he added.

"In Greece we have an open policy on languages," Efthymiou said, explaining that in Greek public education at this time, English was taught as of fourth grade, French and German were also taught, while the education ministry was in consultation with Italy and Spain for the introduction of Italian and Spanish as well.

"Consequently, we are cultivating the equality of all the languages, and the sovereignty of each national language as an official working language of the EU," the education minister said.

[09] Turkish industrialists concerned over Turkey-EU relations

ANKARA, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

This was stated in an announcement by the Union of Turkish Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (TUSIAD) which underlined that "the policy which will be followed in order for the Cyprus issue not to stand as an obstacle for the accession of Turkey to the EU, should be examined in a way which will not cause a deep crisis in relations with the EU."

The Turkish industrialists in their announcement noted that "the international prestige of Turkey must be strengthened, but also its positions in relations with the procedure of negotiations on the Cyprus issue. Circles in Turkey who are opposed to accession should not be allowed to use the Cyprus question in order to create a problem in the aim for EU accession."

[10] Agriculture ministry discovers cotton collection scam

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

According to an agriculture ministry announcement, it has been ascertained that over 2,000 tones of cotton were being kept illegally by mediators in certain regions in the prefectures of Pella, Imathia and Thessaloniki in northern Greece.

The quantities of cotton, due to be delivered to gins to enable the illegal payment of subsidies amounting to hundreds of millions of drachmas, were confiscated.

The agriculture ministry reiterated in its announcement that producers should deliver the product to gins themselves so as not to lose subsidies they are entitled to.

[11] N. Greece farmers' demonstration in Thessaloniki on Monday

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

In a display of solidarity with the farmers, municipal and community offices in northeastern Greece will remain closed on Monday.

Farmers' unions have warned that if the EU country tobacco subsidies are halted, in the prefectures of Evros, Rodopi, Xanthi, Kavala, Drama and Serres alone some 23.5 billion drachmas in Community subsidies will be lost annually, while 65,000 tobacco producers and 18,000 tobacco industry workers will be left jobless.

They argued that Greek tobacco is an export product, and therefore a source of foreign exchange, and warned that almost the entire countryside will be deserted since tobacco, and particularly the exportable variety "basma", was the main product of eastern Macedonia and Thrace and other surrounding areas.

They said that thousands of youths were already concerned and ready to leave their hometowns for the main urban centers or abroad in search of work.

The local farmers' unions further warned that if the EU discontinued the subsidy that there would be no tobacco cultivation since the commercial prices given were 200-300 dr. per kilo below the production cost.

Police from all over northeastern Greece were being sent to Thessaloniki to help maintain order during Monday's rally.

[12] ND leader voices concern over delays in Olympiad projects

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

Speaking on Antenna TV channel's program "2004 minus 3", Karamanlis said that his party will continue to support this issue, at the same time expressing his conviction that Greece "will be able to host the best Olympic Games ever held."

However, he voiced concern over delays in Olympic projects and to the "vastly increased costs" entailed for conducting the Games.

The ND leader also alleged that Prime Minister Costas Simitis had refused his request that Parliament be briefed on progress being made in preparation for the Games.

"The effort by Mr. Simitis to downgrade the issue to a level of a mere discussion at a parliament committee, constitutes a refusal for deputies to be substantially briefed," Karamanlis said.

This is why, Karamanlis added, his party has submitted a proposal that a discussion be held in Parliament on a level of political party leaders.

[13] Albanian film wins Golden Award at Thessaloniki Film Festival

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

The film, which won the top Golden Alexander Award, gives a tragic but also comical account of the "ruins" of the Albanian countryside.

The Silver Alexander Award went to the film "Delayed match-making" by Dover Koshashvili (an Israeli-French production).

The majority of the films had as their themes exile, the uprooting of people and political division. So-called "poetic cinema" was absent from the festival.

The Taiwanese Hsia Ya-chuan won the best director award for his film "Mirror image", while Dover Koshashvili also won the award for best script for his film "Delayed match-making".

The best actor award was jointly shared by Alexandru Papadopol ("Marfa Si Banii", Romania) and Vuk Kostic ("Moving Target", Yugoslavia).

The best actress award went jointly to Ronit Elkabetz for her performance in "Delayed match-making" and to Japan's Mayu Ozawa for her performance in "An adolescent".

The presentation of the awards for the festival's international section took place at the "Olympion" cinema.

The festival will come to a close at the Thessaloniki Music Hall on Monday with the presentation of the Greek film awards.

[14] Ancient Olympia torch ceremony for Winter Olympic Games on Monday

Athens, 19/11/2001 (ANA)

Thalia Prokopiou, who was also the high priestess at the torch lighting ceremony for the Olympic Games in Sydney, will light the torch and forward it to the first runner, Lefteris Fafalis, 25.

The Olympic torch will reach Kalavryta at 16.40 where it will remain until Tuesday morning. Its arrival at the Panathenian Stadium is scheduled for 21.45 the same day. It will remain there until December 3 when the president of the Greek Olympic Games Committee, Lambis Nikolaou will hand it over during a special ceremony to the representative of the Organizing Committee of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games.

[15] President Clerides: Meeting with Denktash with no agenda and preconditions

LARNACA, 19/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on his arrival from New York, where he addressed the 56th UN General Assembly and met UN Secretary General and foreign representatives on Cyprus, Clerides noted he received Friday night a third letter by Denktash, repeating a request for a face to face meeting with the Cyprus president, assuring him that such a meeting would take place without any preconditions in an effort "to assist the UN Secretary General's in his task". In his letter Denktash requested for the meeting to be set up within the first 10 days of December.

"There is no agenda or preconditions. He wants to meet me to see if we could find a way out. That is what we will discuss", Clerides said adding that in his letters Denktash did not refer to a series of meetings but only to one meeting "and therefore his intentions are not to substitute the already existing UN process."

President Clerides noted that in his first letter Denktash requested a meeting without preconditions "to exchange views on the Cyprus question".

"I replied that such a meeting should take place within the UN Secretary General's good offices mission to reinforce his efforts to reach a settlement," the president said.

In his second letter, Clerides added, the Turkish Cypriot leader reiterated what he had said in his first letter and assured that his intention was not to by-pass the UN Secretary General's good offices mission.

"In my reply," Clerides noted "I expressed satisfaction that he did not wish to deviate from UN procedures and noted that a UN Secretary General's representative should attend the meeting and later brief Annan, who in turn will brief the Security Council."

Clerides said he has not yet replied to Denktash’s third letter since he received it Friday night and made it clear that he will reply to Denktash during the next 24 hours. Invited to say whether such a meeting could take place under UN auspices and within the UN Secretary General's good offices mission Clerides said: "Of course since the meeting will be attended by a Secretary General's representative".

Asked who this representative will be Clerides recalled a statement by UN Secretary General's spokesman Fred Eckhard that "it will be Alvaro De Soto" special adviser to the Secretary General on Cyprus.

Replying to another question Clerides noted that the UN representative will be present to be able "to brief the Secretary General" and noted that during previous meetings the UN representative did not interfere, just gave some non papers "asking for our views."

He noted that one could interpret in various ways Denktash's stance but refrained from doing so publicly noting, that this is a matter to be discussed by the National Council (top advisory body to the president on the Cyprus problem).

Last year Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash abandoned UN-led talks on Cyprus demanding recognition for his self-styled regime in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus before he returns to the UN-led peace talks.

The Turkish side rejected a UN invitation to talks this year, in early September in New York. President Glafcos Clerides accepted the invitation. The UN Security Council said the response of the Turkish side was unjustified and expressed disappointment that the talks did not resume.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

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