Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-05-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkish deputy PM says Denktash Cyprus proposals inadequate

[02] Turkish-Cypriots won't back down in Cyprus talks, Turkish PM says

[03] UN secretary general says he wants peace in Cyprus

[04] PASOK's electoral prospects talked up by ministers in Sunday press

[05] PASOK organizations to examine party's political planning

[06] Mitsotakis predicts certain victory for ND in the elections

[07] U.S. pleased with peaceful solution to Nativity Church issue

[08] Alternate FM to attend EU General Affairs Council on Monday

[09] Archbishop Christodoulos visits ailing Cyprus counterpart in Athens

[10] President attends ceremony for Greek Army's patron saint

[11] Marathon and peace marches converge at Israeli embassy

[12] Event discusses Thessaloniki's bid to host EXPO 2007-2008

[13] Transport minister announces airport for Samothraki

[14] Merchant marine minister attends cruise ship sanctification

[15] Main opposition touts tourism as one of its top priorities

[16] Conference on internationalization of Greek language

[17] Spokesman: Palestinians should leave by Wednesday

[18] National Council sets out future strategy in direct talks

[01] Turkish deputy PM says Denktash Cyprus proposals inadequate

ISTANBUL, 13/05/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Yilmaz categorically said Turkey should make new proposals, which will be based ''on parameters which are acceptable by Europe and the international community.''

Elaborating on his views, Yilmaz said ''if Mr. Rauf Denktash wants to help Turkey he should behave in a more conciliatory way.''

It is the most important public disapproval of the tactic applied on the Cyprus issue by the Turkish Cypriot leader, press sources noted.

''We are going through the most crucial month in the most crucial year for our accession to the EU,'' Yilmaz said, adding that ''if the opportunity of Europe is lost for Turkey our national unity will be jeopardized.''

Yilmaz said ''Turkey has already responded to 90 percent of obligations it has undertaken towards the EU and if it succeeds in responding to the rest, the only obstacle remaining in the path to Europe will be the Cyprus issue.''

Yilmaz further said that ''if 'southern Cyprus' joins the EU alone, the number of troops Turkey will have to maintain in (northern occupied) Cyprus will be bigger than the number of Turkish Cypriots.''

Direct talks, under UN auspices, began in Nicosia in mid January between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in the presence of UN chief Kofi Annan's special adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto.

The talks aim at finding a comprehensive settlement to the protracted Cyprus problem, taking into full consideration UN resolutions and treaties.

Kofi Annan is expected on Tuesday, May 14, for a two-day visit to the island republic.

[02] Turkish-Cypriots won't back down in Cyprus talks, Turkish PM says

ANKARA, 13/05/2002 (ANA - A. Abatzis)

No one should expect any concession from the independence and freedom of the Turkish-Cypriots, he added.

Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriot regime are seeking the recognition of two separate states on the island that are only loosely linked by a central administration, while the internationally recognized Cyprus government wants a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

The Turkish-Cypriot regime set up in the northern third of the island with the support of Turkish occupation troops is recognized only by Turkey.

[03] UN secretary general says he wants peace in Cyprus

NICOSIA, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

Annan, who was speaking during an interview with a Cyprus private TV station over the weekend, called on Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash not to lose the opportunity to solve the Cyprus issue which is offered by the ongoing direct talks.

Annan further said that he wants what the Cypriots also want, peace.

[04] PASOK's electoral prospects talked up by ministers in Sunday press

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

While admitting that the party was now on a 'knife-edge', he said the government's work and the party's proposals over the coming years would secure yet another electoral victory in 2004.

Asked whether the general political climate in Europe was turning toward the center-right, Chrysohoidis questioned whether ''the Europe of the future'' would be dominated by conservatism and right-wing politics.

Regarding main opposition New Democracy, he claimed the party was now benefiting from a 'protest vote' within society but criticized it for negativeness and attempting to paint a sordid image of public life. ND's stance and policies could not inspire hope and improvements in society, the minister added.

Asked whether PASOK should change its leader if it lost the municipal and prefecture elections, Chrysohoidis replied:

''If we changed our party leader every time we lost the elections, we would not be PASOK. We would be New Democracy.''

Prime Minister Costas Simitis was best suited to lead the country in the years to come, Chrysohoidis continued.

''If Costas Simitis did not exist, we would have had to invent him. Let us not chip away at the political leader who has linked his name with the new age in Greece,'' he said.

In an interview given to the ''Sunday Ethnos'', meanwhile, Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis warned that PASOK would not ''fall like a ripe fruit'' and that the main opposition could not take a victory in the upcoming local elections in October for granted.

The main opposition could not credibly demand a change in government nor was anyone in a hurry to give up power early, he added.

He attacked New Democracy as a ''party incorporating and dominated by backward-looking and fascist powers, which carried within it the far-right elements that brought a chill to the whole of Europe''.

In an appeal to PASOK's ranks, he said the party should not deliver ''Greece of the eurozone and the Olympic Games'' uncontested to a party that was incapable of ruling.

He called for changes within the ruling party so that it could regain the lost ground and made a series of proposals related to its function on a grassroots level.

He clarified that this would not mean the end of the Simitis era but the end of the 'technocratic' approach to politics with which Simitis had been associated.

Any change in leadership could only happen in conditions of unity, and the party would enter its 'new era' - which according to Skandalidis had already begun - with Simitis at the helm in the first few years, as had happened in the early '90s with Andreas Papandreou.

PASOK ministers derisive about rumored ND alliance with Left: Rumors that right-right New Democracy was discussing cooperation with the parties of the Left were greeted with scorn by ruling PASOK ministers in Thessaloniki on Sunday, who spoke by turns of an 'identity crisis' within ND, of 'ideological giddiness' or dismissed them as altogether untrue.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos entertained the possibility that the rumors were true and stressed that the main opposition was trying to create a so-called winning strategy. He also noted, however, that ND had made a similar attempt before and failed.

''[New Democracy] lurches between right wing and 'left-wing' alliances. It has an identity crisis because, even though it is a neoliberal right-wing party, it often wants to present itself as a party of the masses, which defends the interests of ordinary citizens.'' This was historically inaccurate and not borne out in practice, he said.

Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis was less amenable to the scenarios, calling them 'ideological giddiness'.

''There is a right and a left. There is a left that ought to have a modern content and a right, which should examine itself critically over what has happened in the past decades and needs to find a modern content for its own action,'' he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Magriotis, meanwhile, dismissed the rumors as fake and stressed that, far from entering an age stripped of ideology, Europe's problems were deeply political.

Following an entirely different strategy, meanwhile, PASOK mayoral candidate Christos Papoutsis on Saturday announced yet another celebrity addition to his star-studded municipal elections ticket, this time presenting former international basketball player Costas Patavoukas.

A few days ago, Papoutsis had presented US-born singer and model Yvette Jarvis as a candidate for municipal councilor on PASOK's ticket, making her the first black woman to stand for office in Greece.

[05] PASOK organizations to examine party's political planning

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

The communication planning group will convene for the third time on Monday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and PASOK leader Costas Simitis to examine issues concerning the party's general planning.

Simitis will also be having a private meeting with PASOK secretary Costas Laliotis on Monday in light of the party's Executive Bureau meeting on Tuesday.

Issues concerning the Organizing Conference's organization and character are expected to be discussed at the Executive Bureau meeting. The Organizing Conference will be convened over the July 6-8 period.

[06] Mitsotakis predicts certain victory for ND in the elections

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

''The municipal and prefecture elections in October will deliver a message. A harsh, substantial and important political message for the government, he said.

Mitsotakis also expressed himself equally confident of an ND victory in parliamentary elections, whenever these were held.

''ND is certain to win the next elections. PASOK will lose by a wide margin. The people can't take any more, they are asking for change. New Democracy is coming,'' he stressed.

Asked about the possibility of early elections, Mitsotakis said this was the sole prerogative of Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Adding, however, that early elections would be in the country's interest since the present government had failed.

In another point in the interview, Mitsotakis was also asked about rumors that the Political Spring party intended to endorse the candidacy of his daughter, Dora Bakoyianni, for the mayor's office in Athens and whether this would open the door for the return of Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras to ND.

Mitsotakis denied all prospects of talks with Political Spring, pointing out that ND was not discussing cooperation with much larger and more influential parties.

[07] U.S. pleased with peaceful solution to Nativity Church issue

WASHINGTON, 13/05/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

He also noted Washington's appreciation for the contribution of Cyprus and European countries, including Greece, to the finding of a solution to the problem.

Boucher said on Friday the US was ''grateful to the European Union and Cyprus for taking on the responsibility for solving the issues related to the sending of 13 militants out of the region.''

''We hope this very positive development can help make progress possible towards the resumption of security cooperation and of the political dialogue between the two sides,'' he said.

Boucher also said the U.S. was in contact with the Europeans about the countries where the 13 Palestinians will go and reiterated that the stance of Cyprus was appreciated because it made their departure from Bethlehem possible.

He further said that Secretary Powell talked to, first of all, to High Representative Solana, but he also talked to Foreign Minister Papandreou of Greece, Foreign Minister Pique of Spain, Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy, and will continue to be in close touch with a variety of Europeans on this issue as they look to what they might do to help facilitate this.

Cyprus is hosting temporarily 13 Palestinians Israel has on its most-wanted list. They arrived on the island on Friday morning and a decision about their ultimate destination is expected to be taken on Monday by the European Union General Affairs Council.

The 13 Palestinians, one of whom is receiving medical care in Larnaca General hospital, are not under detention but are under police guard for their own safety.

[08] Alternate FM to attend EU General Affairs Council on Monday

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

[09] Archbishop Christodoulos visits ailing Cyprus counterpart in Athens

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

After leading a service at St. Thomas church in Goudi, Christodoulos called on Chrysostomos and was briefed on the state of the Archbishop's health by the team of doctors in charge of him.

The Athens Archbishop also entered the intensive care unit where Chrysostomos has been since Saturday evening and spoke with him for a few minutes, conveying his best wishes for a speedy recovery.

In statements after the visit, Christodoulos praised the character of the Cypriot prelate and stressed the important role he had played in the unity of the Churches, apart from his role as a national figure on Cyprus.

''For this reason our prayers for his restored health are double, so that he can return to both his religious and national duties,'' the Athens Archbishop added.

In an announcement issued by Evangelismos Hospital late on Saturday, doctors treating Chrysostomos said his condition was stable, that he was aware of his surroundings and that his treatment was continuing as normal.

They said the Archbishop's transfer from the general hospital in Nicosia to Athens on Saturday afternoon had been without any problems and that a new medical announcement would be made on Monday.

The Archbishop was hospitalized on Cyprus 15 days ago suffering from head injuries incurred during a fall. After his condition stabilized it was judged necessary to transfer him to a specialist ICU in a large hospital for treatment.

Late on Saturday night, the Cyprus Archbishop was also visited by Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, who was briefed on his condition by the doctors in charge.

[10] President attends ceremony for Greek Army's patron saint

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

The president was accompanied by Deputy Defense Minister Loukas Apostolidis.

[11] Marathon and peace marches converge at Israeli embassy

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

The marathon march was jointly organized by peace movements, trade union organizations and Palestinian unions.

Demonstrators outside the Israeli embassy called for the immediate withdrawal of the Israeli army from Palestinian territory, the imposition of an embargo on the supply of weapons to Israel, the "abandonment by the governments of Europe of the evasive stance they are observing" on the issue and the "investigation, with UN responsibility, of the Ariel Sharon government's crimes and the reference of all those responsible to the International Penal Court".

A resolution by the representatives of the organizers of the march said the Palestinian struggle "is not taking place only for the survival and freedom of a people but also for the honor and dignity of all mankind".

It further said that "it is a struggle between international law and the right of the mighty, between civilization and barbarism and the peaceful coexistence of peoples, and cultures with the policies of 'divide and rule' of nationalist and religious hatred".

At the end of the marathon march outside the Israeli embassy, an event was held at a nearby square involving speeches and an artistic program.

[12] Event discusses Thessaloniki's bid to host EXPO 2007-2008

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis stressed the need for cooperation between the government, the parties, Thessaloniki local authorities and other bodies if the city's bid to host EXPO was to be successful.

He said that 200 billion drachmas (586.94 million euros) had been earmarked for the fair, with which Thessaloniki would be able to host a 'modest and attractive' EXPO. Half of these funds would be spent on building the EXPO site, 40 billion drachmas (117.39 million euros) would be spent on associated infrastructure and the rest on running costs.

Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis urged those present to regard the fair as an opportunity to highlight the city's relative advantages and to build lasting infrastructure for the future, not as a jamboree for public works contractors.

He said the cost of building the facilities would have to be kept in check, with strict adherence to the original deadlines and budget.

The government expected private investment to play a significant role in the preparations and was preparing a bill for public works co-funded by the private sector, he added.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said Greece would compete for the exhibition on behalf of all Balkan countries, giving a strong regional tone. He also proposed a change to the theme for the fair chosen by the Greek side, suggesting the theme 'A World of Networks'.

He said Thessaloniki exhibition organizers HELEXPO-TIF should take charge of the Greek bid and subsequent organization of the fair and that the EXPO site should be built on the west side of the city to give it more balanced development.

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos also stressed the need for broad consensus in the bid for the fair and that its organization should also keep in view the period after its completion.

[13] Transport minister announces airport for Samothraki

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

Verelis, who attended a local celebration on the island, said the project is budgeted at 50 million euros and will cover all international airline communications.

The airport's runway will have a length of two kilometers, while the project's feasibility study and its preliminary layout plan have already got underway and a final environmental repercussion study will be carried out immediately.

The creation of an airport on Samothraki was a longstanding demand by local agencies and inhabitants, while the mayor said it will contribute to the breaking of the island's isolation.

[14] Merchant marine minister attends cruise ship sanctification

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

Anomeritis said the new ship, which will strengthen the company's position in Adriatic routes and contribute to the upgrading of Greek coastal shipping, is a jewel for shipping.

The Europa Palace will begin its sailings on the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Ancona route on May 14. It has a capacity of 1,900 passengers and can carry 150 international transport trucks.

[15] Main opposition touts tourism as one of its top priorities

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

New Democracy sector head for the industry, Evia MP Anastasios Liaskos, stressed that his party considered the development of the tourism sector to be one of its top priorities.

He also outlined the need for a single policy for tourism in the long term, and called for better communications planning, development laws that attracted investment, better training and use of human resources and a plan for tourism during the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

[16] Conference on internationalization of Greek language

Athens, 13/05/2002 (ANA)

University rectors and professors, researchers, secondary education teachers, scholars, historians and journalists were mobilized to achieve the ''passing'' of the Greek language as official at all European and world forums.

The world linguistics conference held in Kavala, northern Greece, under the auspices of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was attended by university, academy and institute representatives from the United States and many European countries.

All speakers said in their addresses that the initiative to internationalize the Greek language has already started to meet with a response

[17] Spokesman: Palestinians should leave by Wednesday

NICOSIA, 13/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

''According to the agreed arrangement which ended the siege of the Church of Nativity, the 13 Palestinians we are playing host to temporarily, should leave Cyprus in the first days of this week, specifically Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest,'' Papapetrou told CNA on Sunday.

The 13 Palestinians arrived on the island Friday morning amid strict security measures. Twelve of them are staying at a local seaside hotel under police guard, for their own protection. One is in hospital where he underwent surgery as a result of injuries he sustained during the siege.

On Saturday, Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said he received assurances from Spain, current presidency of the European Union that the EU will decide on Monday about the final destination of 13 Palestinians.

''I have received assurances from my Spanish counterpart and president of the EU Council, that on Monday the General Affairs Council will decide about the final destination, in Europe, of the Palestinians,'' Kasoulides said.

''I have full confidence in the Spanish presidency and the arrangements it has made as well as the agreement the EU has reached with Israel and the Palestinian Authority on this matter and I believe that everybody will keep their word,'' Kasoulides said.

His comments come in the wake of statements carried by various agencies indicating that there may be problems in a final decision about the fate of the Palestinians.

EU officials visit Palestinians, reiterate thanks to Cyprus: European Union officials, who visited on Saturday the Palestinians hosted here said they discussed with them plans for their final destination and all 13 of them will go as ''free men''.

Reiterating their deep appreciation to the government of Cyprus for hosting temporarily the Palestinians, the officials expressed hope that the EU General Affairs Council will take a decision on Monday about their fate, otherwise the matter will have to be considered again.

They said the 12 Palestinians at the hotel (another one is in hospital for treatment) are in good spirits, have been in touch with their families and are thankful for the local hospitality.

''We visited the Palestinians, we thank the government of Cyprus for this courageous and generous offer to host them for a short period of time and expect the General Affairs Council to discuss their final destination on Monday,'' Miguel Moratinos, EU envoy for the Middle East said Saturday.

He said he found them ''in a good mood, very happy and appreciative of the hospitality of Cyprus.''

''We talked about the possibility of their future destination, their status, their commitments and had a very useful exchange of views,'' he added.

Replying to questions, he said that Cyprus was requested to host the Palestinians in order to give more time for consultations and facilitate a decision about their final destination.

''If we find enough European countries to welcome these people, there will be no question that they remain in Cyprus, but if we have some problems, then we will have to come back and see,'' Moratinos said.

He said he discussed the legal procedures of their transfer and added that the men said they want to go to a third country.

''They will go as free men,'' he said.

Asked if Monday could mark the end of this issue, he replied ''I hope so'' only to caution that ''in this part of the world you never know when it is the end or the beginning of a new phase.''

''This operation happened very speedily, the decision to bring them to Cyprus was taken at the last minute, I cannot guarantee it will be solved immediately, we are working hard in order not to put any more burden on the generous hospitality of the Cypriot government that has taken a very constructive approach,'' Ambassador Moratinos said.

He said that already Cyprus has shown the responsibility of a country that feels it will be part of the EU in the future and has received the respect, credit and recognition of the EU.

Spanish Ambassador to Cyprus, Ingacio Garcia Valdecasas said Saturday morning he met with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Moratinos and EU Commission delegation head in Cyprus Ambassador Donato Kiarini.

''On behalf of the Spanish EU presidency we are deeply grateful to the Cypriot government for its quick and generous response to this operation,'' he added.

The representative of the Palestinian Authority here Samir Abou Ghazaleh said the Palestinians are not prisoners, they phoned their families and now the problem is humanitarian because they have been uprooted from their own homeland.

''We are talking about a temporary stage,'' he said and refrained from commenting on the possibility of extending their stay in Cyprus.

[18] National Council sets out future strategy in direct talks

NICOSIA, 13/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said the Council also discussed next week's visit to the island by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in the light of information the government has and taking into consideration the views of the eight parliamentary parties that make up the Council.

The Council will meet again on Friday, 17 May, after Annan concludes his visit here, the first such visit by a UN Secretary General in more than 15 years.

''At today's (Saturday) meeting the Council examined and discussed in depth developments at the talks and has defined the course of future handling on our part at the negotiating table,'' Papapetrou said after the three hour long meeting.

He said the course the Council has laid out was unanimous.

''I believe in general terms there was a great degree of understanding with regard to what has been done at the talks so far and what should be done in the future,'' the spokesman said.

Asked if the Council discussed various scenarios relating to Annan's visit, he said ''among other considerations, we have also looked into the visit on the basis of information available to the government and other views expressed at the meeting.''

He said the government has no information about plans by Annan to put forward a solution plan during his visit.

''On the contrary, the government does not expect that any such plan will be submitted during Annan's visit,'' he added.

He said the Council had ''a detailed and in depth discussion of the current situation,'' replying to other questions.

Commenting on claims by Turkey's premier Bulent Ecevit that Cyprus is not contributing to the peace effort, he said ''let Mr. Ecevit ask the Turkish Cypriots to tell him who they think is causing them harm, us or somebody else.''

Direct talks, under UN auspices, began here in mid January between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in the presence of Annan's special adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto.

The talks aim at finding a comprehensive settlement, taking into full consideration UN resolutions and treaties.

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