Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-01-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis chairs gov’t meeting to assess impact of bad weather

[02] Premier briefed by defense & foreign ministers ahead of U.S. trip

[03] Protopapas announces PM's schedule in coming weeks

[04] CBS report chides Athens over 'Nov. 17'; gov't reaction

[05] Protopapas comments on NATO map issue

[06] Karamanlis focuses on 'Euro-army' issue with Spanish envoy

[07] DHKKI claims political conditions are bad for PM's US trip

[08] Patriarch on historic visit to Iran this month

[09] Interior minister meets with new ADEDY presidium

[10] Eurocontrol, IATA backing for Nicosia FIR authority

[11] Chinese envoy discusses tourist relations with officials

[12] GESASE calls for immediate compensation for farmers

[13] Greek retailers successful in adopting euro, trade confederation says

[14] Eight in 10 Greeks already supplied with euros

[15] Eurostat says household electricity in Greece cheapest in EU

[16] Greek stocks fall in thin trade on ASE

[17] Greek referee selected for 17th World Soccer Cup matches

[18] Foreign minister sees possible solution prior to accession

[19] Clerides to meet Denktash to discuss issue of missing persons

[20] Lieutenant General Jin Ha Hwang assumes command of UNFICYP

[01] Simitis chairs gov’t meeting to assess impact of bad weather

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

Simitis noted, however, that additional measures had to be taken in order for the country to be better prepared for such conditions and that these would soon be announced.

One aspect of this, he added, was to better coordinate public services and improve the operation of the Civilian Protection Service, something that he and Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis would look into together.

This service, the prime minister said, would have to carry out better planning and better coordinate action, so that there was central planning in conjunction with regional decentralization. Other goals were to increase preventative measures and scientific planning for such situations, as well as take measures on highways to prevent the phenomena that occurred over the weekend. The premier also hinted that it might be made mandatory for all cars to be equipped with snow chains from now on.

Transport Minister Christos Verelis said that Athens Airport was operating normally since 9:00 am on Monday, and that 60 out of 300 scheduled flights had been carried out on Sunday.

Agriculture Minister George Drys, meanwhile, said that the damage to crops and the agricultural sector was estimated at around 20-25 billion drachmas.

The prime minister said that the agriculture ministry would begin to make an assessment of the damage so that farmers could be compensated.

Simitis said that the severe snowfall had also had its positive sides, describing it as a "useful experience that showed us that we could have even better mechanisms and that society had to be aware of its limitations and responsibilities," and would also go a long way to combatting the water shortages in the coming summer.

Commenting on the after-effects of the snowstorms, Skandalidis said that most of the problems were in northeast Attica, where there were disruptions in the electricity supply, accessibility and water supply.

Problems also existed in Rethymno and Crete generally, while the state was ready to deals with problems that might arise in the southeast Aegean as the weather front moved towards it.

Public services were operating normally on Monday, Skandalidis said, while the public did not face serious transport problems. The minister stressed that there would not be sanctions against those that did not manage to get to work.

The minister rejected arguments that state services had not shown sufficient zeal in dealing with the problems, saying that a gigantic effort had been made and stressing that there had been no victims.

Evert warns of flood danger due to melting snow: Main opposition New Democracy MP Miltiades Evert on Monday warned of the danger of floods caused by melting snow, and said that work should begin immediately on clearing drains and watercourses.

He said the recent wave of bad weather had caught the government unprepared, despite the prompt warnings by the weather service.

[02] Premier briefed by defense & foreign ministers ahead of U.S. trip

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

Yiannos Papantoniou briefed Simitis on Greece's armaments program, which may be tabled during the premier's talks in the U.S.

On his part, Papandreou briefed the prime minister on Greece's current status in the region, noting that the country is an oasis of stability in the turbulent Balkan region and a country "exporting" stability.

He added that in light of its European Union presidency in the first half of 2003, Greece is a country, which will contribute substantially to peace and cooperation in the wider region.

"As a result, we must promote and highlight this role of our country in cooperation with the United States in our bilateral relation ... within this framework there are many issues that we will discuss during the upcoming trip of the premier to the U.S.A.," Papandreou said.

The foreign minister assessed that the visit of the premier in the U.S. is of special importance for the country.

Speaking after the meeting, Papandreou also referred to the CBS 60 minutes investigating report on Greece and terrorism, which focused on the infamous "November 17".

He noted that CBS avoided the insertion of an interview he gave to them on the issue, during which Papandreou set out the official stance of the Greek government towards terrorism, thus the show gave a mistaken impression of Greece to its viewers, at a time when Greece is at the forefront of confronting this phenomenon.

"The picture the American administration has of Greece is not the one provided by CBS and as far as the sector of confronting terrorism is concerned, our cooperation with the American administration is very good," Papandreou said, stressing that cooperation between the two sides during Simitis' visit will be very constructive.

He also said that the issue of terrorism is at the forefront of the Greek government's agenda, because it is a very important problem and an international one.

[03] Protopapas announces PM's schedule in coming weeks

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

This was announced by government spokesman Christos Protopapas during the regular Monday press briefing.

Afterward, Simitis is scheduled to attend a dinner as the guest of New York's Greek-American community and meet UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Simitis is due in Washington on Wednesday, where on Thursday he will meet with Vice President Dick Cheney at 10:30 am, followed by Secretary of State Colin Powell, President George Bush at 15:10 and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

The prime minister is scheduled to return to Athens on Saturday afternoon, while on Monday morning next week he will meet Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou to discuss preparations for the government council of foreign affairs and defense (KYSEA) the next day.

At noon on Monday Simitis will chair a ministerial committee for the Olympic Games and the KYSEA meeting on Tuesday morning, while on Thursday he plans to attend an off-the-agenda debate on the Olympics in Parliament.

A cabinet meeting next week on Thursday, chaired by the premier, will deal with foreign policy issues, while PASOK's Central Committee will meet the following day for a two-day meeting regarding the upcoming municipal elections.

[04] CBS report chides Athens over 'Nov. 17'; gov't reaction

NEW YORK, 08/01/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Among others, the segment's host -- "60 Minutes" veteran journalist Ed Bradley -- reiterated that no arrests of suspected "November 17" members have been made in the 26 years since the elusive group first surfaced and after more than 100 attacks.

"60 Minutes", the longest-running and highest-rated weekly investigative news program in the United States, also described the US embassy in Athens as a veritable "fortress", while adding that the US State Department spends more money on the safety of US diplomats in Greece than it does for any other country in the world.

Bradley noted that the issue of terrorism in Greece concerns Washington in light of the 2004 Games in Athens, while he said that although no link has been uncovered tying "November 17" -- a small but lethal Marxist urban terrorist cell -- with the religious fanatics of "al Qaida", the inability of Greek authorities to hunt down the group's members may "attract" other terrorist organizations to Athens in 2004.

A handful of people spoke to the program's reporters regarding "November 17", including former US diplomats assigned to Greece, family members of victims as well as Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

The latter, in fact, rejected claims linking the notorious terrorist group with the government, saying it was "an insult for me personally as well as for Greece's Parliament."

Conversely, the segment failed to air portions of an interview given by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on the issue of terrorism last May in Washington, an interview given to Bradley and CBS - a fact pointed out on Monday by the Greek government.

Gov't reaction: A few hours later, a government spokesman in Athens questioned the timing and "expediency" of the aired "60 Minutes" segment - in light of Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' official visit to the United States this week and a meeting with President George W. Bush at the White House.

Spokesman Christos Protopapas also questioned the report's fairness, emphasizing that nary a "sound bite" of Papandreou's lengthy interview was shown, whereas the segment "was expended on a virulent attack against Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis".

At one point Kaklamanis was described on the "60 Minutes" segment as representing the "ultra-nationalist and anti-American" wing of the ruling PASOK party.

Kaklamanis: On his part, Kaklamanis issued a statement later in the day calling the '60 Minutes' segment as nothing more than a "selective and skillful" presentation of his 20-minute interview in order to portray him as sympathetic towards 'November 17'.

Kaklamanis charges in his announcement that only 'snippets' of his interview were used, whereas the translation of his statements also featured alterations.

"The purpose of this miserable and suspect program is obvious as it is ingenuous; and it emanates from the well-known propaganda of circles in the United States, namely, that there are politicians in Greece that harbor terrorism. And, of course, anyone can discern that the broadcast timing of this cheap propaganda program, focusing on the issue of security for the Olympic Games, cannot be considered as coincidental."

Finally, Kaklamanis blasted former US ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles and ex-diplomat Wayne Merry for their caustic comments regarding Greece and "Nov. 17" on the same segment.

[05] Protopapas comments on NATO map issue

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

"We should not ourselves create a climate of uncertainty," the spokesman added, in response to press reports regarding this issue.

The issue arose when, in June 2001, NATO mapmakers converted maps that were previously analog into digital maps. The previous maps had shown country borders in just three places - between Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China, between Russia and the United States and the sea borders between Greece and Turkey.

In the new maps, the only borders shown are those between the United States and Russia in Alaska.

Protopapas said that Greece had already protested about the removal on the maps of the sea border in the Aegean to NATO and the US State Department. He noted, however, that the protest aimed only to raise awareness of the issue, because in reality Greek borders were not in question.

[06] Karamanlis focuses on 'Euro-army' issue with Spanish envoy

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

On his part, Karamanlis reiterated the significance that the Greek people and his party place on the "Euro-army" issue and the development of a common European security and defense policy.

Along those lines, the ND leader handed the Spanish envoy a personal letter for Spanish Premier Jose Maria Aznar, the current president of the European Council, where he emphasizes that following the institution of the euro in 12 EU countries the "Union must exercise the international role it deserves, safeguarding the same feeling of security for all European citizens, wherever they may live."

[07] DHKKI claims political conditions are bad for PM's US trip

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

The current conjunction, both internationally and locally, was anything but favorable for Greece and Greek interests, he said.

He urged caution by Simitis in his talks with US President George Bush, noting that the Greek premier should not make commitments on the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations or the European military force that would undermine Greece's future.

[08] Patriarch on historic visit to Iran this month

ISTANBUL, 08/01/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Vartholomeos, the "Primus inter pares" among Orthodox Patriarchs representing approximately 250 million Eastern Orthodox faithful around the world, is expected to meet in Tehran with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and the leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Hoseini Khamenei.

Vartholomeos' four-day visit to Iran begins on Jan. 11.

The Patriarch is also scheduled to address members of the diplomatic corps serving in the Iranian capital on the issue of "Religion's Contribution to Establishment of Peace in the Modern World".

Additionally, contacts with a delegation from the Inter-Religious Dialogue Center, other Iranian ministers and officials as well as a visit to the historic city of Isfahan are planned.

Vartholomeos' planned visit to predominately Shiite Iran comes three weeks after a high-profile "all-faiths meeting" in Brussels brought together representatives of all the world's major mono-theistic religions - including several well-known clerics from the Muslim world -- in a bid to increase cooperation and under-standing among religious faiths.

Iran is the second Muslim nation, following Bahrain, to issue an official invitation to the Ecumenical Patriarch.

[09] Interior minister meets with new ADEDY presidium

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

The minister promised funding for the ADEDY's central database system, which will be upgraded and supported to aid the work of the central administration.

[10] Eurocontrol, IATA backing for Nicosia FIR authority

NICOSIA, 08/01/2002 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

A Cypriot government spokesman said here on Monday that Nicosia's civil aviation authority has issued a NOTAM towards various international air transport and navigation organizations over an earlier "NOTAM issued" by the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state in the island republic's Turkish-occupied north.

Nicosia's NOTAM deals with boundaries of air corridors, which in the aftermath of a new international practice are drastically reduced.

In a relevant letter, Eurocontrol's director informed Cyprus' authorities that his organization recognizes the Nicosia FIR's boundaries as well as its full authority in the matter.

[11] Chinese envoy discusses tourist relations with officials

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

Emphasis was placed during the meeting on coordinating actions to promote bilateral cooperation. It was held in the general framework of strengthening relations between the two countries which will be hosting the next two Olympic Games events in 2004 and 2008.

[12] GESASE calls for immediate compensation for farmers

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

Gov't to pay Dr 15 bln in compensations to farmers: The Greek government will pay more than 15 billion drachmas in compensation to farmers for crop damage caused by heavy snowfall, Agriculture Minister George Drys said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis to assess the situation, Drys said that the government would also ask the European Union for financial help to Greek farmers.

"The problems of the urban population are ending and now begin the problems of the farm population," Drys told reporters.

The biggest crop damages were recorded in the prefects of Evia, Viotia, Attica, Arta, Argolis, Imathia and in areas in Thessaly and Crete.

Early estimates said the orange crop was severely damaged, with more than 500,000 tons being destroyed, while also olive crops were badly damaged.

[13] Greek retailers successful in adopting euro, trade confederation says

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

The announcement of ESEE also stressed that there were virtually no cases of profiteering, despite "accusations and muck racking" before the advent of the new currency.

[14] Eight in 10 Greeks already supplied with euros

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

Christodoulakis said the changeover process was smooth and noted that he expected all drachma currencies to have been withdrawn from the market by the end of January. He said that already 20 percent of circulating drachmas have been withdrawn so far.

Christodoulakis said that there was a relative imbalance in the demand for euro coins and banknotes from banks, but that the balance would level out soon.

He said that any phenomena of price increases were unjustifiable and that similar problems were recorded in other eurozone member-states as well.

[15] Eurostat says household electricity in Greece cheapest in EU

BRUSSELS, 08/01/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

The conclusion is contained in a report prepared by the EU's statistical service Eurostat, publicized here on Monday, and refers to the prices of electricity in the EU over the January-July 2001 period.

The price of electricity in Greece, including taxes, amounts to 7.87 euros per 100 kilowatts (kWh) for small consumption, 6.29 euros for medium consumption and 5.43 euros for heavy consumption.

The price of electricity is the highest in Denmark, among EU member-states, with 30.68 euros for small consumption, 21.06 euros for medium consumption and 18.21 euros for heavy consumption.

High electricity prices are also found in Sweden and Luxembourg, while Greece is followed in cheap prices by Italy and Portugal.

[16] Greek stocks fall in thin trade on ASE

Athens, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.31 percent lower at 2,638.19 points, with turnover an extremely low Dr 23 billion, or 67.3 million euros.

The Retail, Wholesale and IT Solution sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.60 percent, 1.10 percent and 0.98 percent, respectively), while the IT, Metals and Publication sectors scored moderate gains (1.39 percent, 0.51 percent and 0.46 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.42 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.12 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.29 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 168 to 123 with another 58 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Euro consultants, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Folli-Follie, Panafon, and the Public Power Corporation.

Equity futures end higher: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday ended the session with mixed results a trading day that was marked by low volume, traders said.

Changing hands were 2,477 contracts a slightly higher than the previous session. Turnover was 14 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips dropped by 0.42 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks gained 0.12 percent.

Bond prices drop in increased trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished lower in lower trade than in the previous session focusing on ten-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.24 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 35 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled almost 1.58 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[17] Greek referee selected for 17th World Soccer Cup matches

ZURICH, 08/01/2002 (ANA)

"It is an event making me very happy and honoring me in particular. It is a vindication of my efforts. I have done and I shall do the best possible for Greek refereeing. EPO (the Greek Soccer Federation) has also helped with the weight it has placed in the public relations sector. I believe that my performance in European matches played a decisive role. Greek soccer produces good referees," Vassaras said in a statement to the Athens News Agency (ANA).

Vassaras is one of 36 referees announced by FIFA, together with 36 assistants. Their first meeting will take place at special seminars to be held in Seoul between March 20-23, where they will be given initial directives by the world federation's refereeing committee.

At the same time, they will undergo medical tests and regular physical fitness checks to ensure that they will be in peak condition during the 31 days of the World Soccer Cup's duration.

[18] Foreign minister sees possible solution prior to accession

NICOSIA, 08/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Addressing a lunch hosted by CNA for foreign correspondents, the minister stressed that certain legal instruments, such as UN Security Council resolutions, cannot be marginalized in the peace effort and noted that a solution should take into account the legitimate concerns of both the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot sides.

Kasoulides gave full marks of approval to the firm position the EU has adopted with regard to the Republic's accession and indicated that the change of heart in Ankara and in Denktash's own positions is due to a great extent to the EU.

The minister also gave credit for the change in the Turkish stance to the firm position taken by the Security Council and that of the US on this matter. Washington told Ankara that it is not in a position to prevent Cyprus' accession, even without a settlement.

However he warned that should Brussels propose accession of only part of the Republic of Cyprus, a candidate country, Nicosia's reply will be a straight forward "no, thank you."

Kasoulides considers there is "ample time" to find a settlement before accession, if Denktash is sincere in his desire for a settlement and referred to June as an indicative time that should show whether there is progress towards a settlement.

Stressing the importance of the start of direct negotiations, on January 16, the minister pointed out that President Clerides walked the extra mile and responded positively to Denktash's invitation for a meeting in early December.

The Greek Cypriot side, he said, is well aware of the fact that by acting the way it did, Denktash and Turkey came temporarily off the serious pressure they were under, after their rejection of an invitation by Kofi Annan to return to the peace talks in early September.

Our stance has also helped Denktash and Turkey to relieve themselves from the domestic pressure they were under, he said.

Kasoulides acknowledged that public statements from occupied Cyprus and Ankara are not "very encouraging" but stressed that if Denktash is sincere at the talks, then there is a possibility and ample time to find a settlement.

He referred to two possibilities in the months ahead, as far as the peace effort is concerned, if Denktash is not sincere in his wish to find a settlement. He explained that Denktash would either attempt to get engaged in protracted negotiations with a view to delay, if possible, Cyprus' EU membership or to attempt to share the blame of a possible failure of the talks with the Greek Cypriot side.

[19] Clerides to meet Denktash to discuss issue of missing persons

NICOSIA, 08/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Papapetrou added that the meeting would take place at the residence of Wlosowic.

[20] Lieutenant General Jin Ha Hwang assumes command of UNFICYP

NICOSIA, 08/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

According to a UN press release, Lieutenant General Hwang is a graduate of the Korean Military Academy and of the US Army Command and General Staff College and Central Michigan University.

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