Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-05-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Premier hails NATO-Russia accord as the 'official' end of the Cold War

[02] New era of stability & peace is dawning, Greek premier says of NATO-Russia pact

[03] Alternate FM and visiting Polish counterpart discuss EU issues

[04] Turkish jets infringe Athens FIR near Rhodes

[05] Parliament Committee OKs ratification of Kyoto Protocol

[06] Bill on 'main shareholder' ratified in Parliament

[07] Ecumenical patriarch refers to the decrease of Istanbul's Greek minority

[08] FM to receive Israeli ambassador on Wednesday

[09] PM says dip in 2001 competitiveness not due to fundamentals

[10] Transport minister offers details in EU-funded projects

[11] Finance Minister says 2002 budget on target, looks to 2003

[12] Opposition leader unveils main economic targets

[13] Industry head says two main opposition parties moving closer

[14] Greek current accounts' balance improves in 1st quarter

[15] Greece was Bulgaria's main foreign investor in 2001

[16] Ship owners report progress at home and abroad in 2001-2002

[17] Greece-China maritime cooperation discussed

[18] UK minister for small businesses to visit Athens

[19] Paschalidis visits EXPO 2004 in Paris

[20] PASOK secretary holds talks with union on social security

[21] Linomedia moves closer to NEXA listing

[22] Greek stocks end moderately higher on Tuesday

[23] Public order minister presents Olympic Games security personnel arrangements

[24] Interest in volunteerism increasing in ATHOC website

[25] Greece's population increases due to immigration, Eurostat says

[26] Korydallos prison warden, staff suspended after US lifer escapes

[27] Clerides and Denktash discuss security issues

[28] Government will not abandon talks to solve the Cyprus problem

[29] Spokesman says Cyprus an integral part of Europe

[30] Papapetrou: ''Cyprus will not play Turkey's game''

[31] British MEP: No accession talks with Turkey until troops leave Cyprus

[01] Premier hails NATO-Russia accord as the 'official' end of the Cold War

ROME, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

Speaking during the signing ceremony, United States President George W. Bush said the day signaled the end of the Cold War, while NATO Secretary-General Lord George Robertson described the agreement as a 'revolution' that had turned an enemy of the West into an ally.

Addressing the gathering, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis said the day marked the official end of the Cold War and the rebirth of hope and welcomed the new relations between the Alliance and Russia.

The Greek premier referred to the very destructive consequences of the Cold War for Greece, which had been particularly hard hit by the negative aspects of the conflict and also isolated from the rest of the Balkans, a region where Hellenism had prospered for two centuries.

The fall of 'real existing socialism' had allowed the old bridges and ties to begin to be rebuilt, he added, but it had taken more than 10 years in order to say that an era was over and a new one was beginning.

Simitis also stressed that Greece had been in favor of cooperation with Russia since the start of the upheavals in eastern Europe.

''We believed then, as we believe now, that there cannot be peace and stability in Europe without cooperation with Russia,'' he said.

The Greek prime minister then referred to the events of September 11 and stressed the need for common action against the challenge of terrorism.

''The present day should become a symbol and an example for all other crisis hotspots and on ways to overcome problems. We must all make every effort so that the large and fragile zone from the Balkans to the Middle east will become an area of peace and stability,'' Simitis said.

He said this would require political will, adherence to the principles and values of a modern world and a vision for peace and friendship in the world, adding that the Greek government would work consistently and unflaggingly toward this goal.

[02] New era of stability & peace is dawning, Greek premier says of NATO-Russia pact

ROME, 29/05/2002 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

Simitis stressed that the Declaration by itself is not enough, calling it a general framework, which should assume a content and committees should work toward that end.

Responding to a question whether NATO's enlargement would undermine the European Union's defense, he said, ''I do not believe there would be a problem with NATO, because those at the NATO headquarters know very well what they are doing, they are in agreement and want to move on''.

''On the contrary, I believe that the form NATO assumed and should continue to assume, that is to be a security system, the cooperation with Russia gives it greater effectiveness,'' he said.

Concerning the Euroforce and the issue of whether the mediation of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, toward Turkey, as he noted two weeks ago, the Greek premier said that he met with him ''but we did not discuss this issue and no one's good offices are required''.

''The discussions on the issue of the Euroforce are being conducted within the usual channels, which exist in every presidency. That is the contacts of the presidency with NATO, the discussions of the presidency with us and with all interested parties. Those discussions are still in progress,'' he said.

Speaking on Europe's political climate and the possibilities of it affecting Greece's domestic political scene, Simitis said that ''a political climate that is formulated in Europe always has some effect in the way the European Union policies are implemented and developed''.

''New elements led us to the necessity of adjustments. This moment, however, I can conclude, for example from my discussions with the Danish premier, that there was no change with the new Danish government that concerns the issues that matter to Greece,'' he said.

During his stay here, Simitis met with his counterparts of other states, while in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin he discussed the events that will take place to celebrate the foundation of St. Petersburg and the presence of EU leaders there, since Greece will hold the EU presidency at the time.

With U.S. President George Bush, Simitis discussed the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, while the Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer he discussed bilateral issues and as Simitis noted the two men declared their decisiveness to promote Turkey's accession to the European Union.

With French President Jacques Chirac they discussed the Seville Summit and illegal immigration, while the same subjects dominated his discussions with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.

ND welcomes establishment of NATO-Russian council: Main opposition New Democracy (ND), in a press release issued on Tuesday, hailed the establishment of a common council of NATO and Russia as ''one of historic importance and as the most clear show, on the part of the international community, of its willingness for cooperation and solidarity during the new century''.

According to the press release, the participation of Russia in the Western security organizations was a standing aim of ND, after the end of the Cold War, so as to promote stability and liberal democracy, as well as the enlargement of cooperation in the face of totalitarianism and isolationism.

''NATO is called upon to undertake with great responsibility the role its new form demands...there is a necessity for NATO not to forget its traditional role, which is the securing of every country from outside attack,'' the press release said.

KKE criticizes NATO-Russia agreement: NATO's agreement with Russia signals the further strengthening of the war arm against peoples with the pretext of terrorism, a press release issued by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said on Tuesday.

It added that with this agreement it "becomes more apparent that there is a lack of the real opposition fear and shows the necessity for shaping a struggle of the working class and other levels of society".

[03] Alternate FM and visiting Polish counterpart discuss EU issues

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

In statements afterward, Giannitsis said Poland would have a significant role in a future enlarged Community.

He stressed that relations between Greece and Poland were very good and that talks on ensuring the accession of all 10 candidate-countries to the European Union would continue.

The Greek minister noted that this was the final six months before the next wave of expansion and things were entering the final phase for all sides, with certain issues becoming more crucial and sensitive.

''We are, however, convinced that [the efforts] will be crowned with success and that, come December, we will have closed this great chapter in the history of the EU and all of us,'' he added.

On her part, Hubner noted that Poland was not a country that would bring its problems into Europe but one which would be able to make use of all the opportunities the EU offered. She also noted that Greece had at no time created problems for Poland in its efforts to join the Community.

She stressed that Poland's aim was to strengthen the EU politically and economically when it joined and that it would be able to do this once it joined as a equal member.

Poland would also have liked to fully participate in all the mechanisms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), she added, and was disappointed by the proposal for a lengthy preparation before candidate-countries could join this.

On the other hand, she said, the country had benefited from multiple opportunities to reform and modernize its agricultural sector.

[04] Turkish jets infringe Athens FIR near Rhodes

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

The sources said that eight formations of Turkish jets infringed the air traffic regulations of the Athens FIR in the region east of Rhodes.

In all instances, Greek fighter planes intercepted the Turkish aircraft, the sources said, adding that two pairs of Greek jetfighters had taken off from Kasteli, on the island of Crete, where national defense minister Yannos Papantoniou was carrying out a two-day inspection tour of the island's military units.

Defense minister notes increasing violations of Greek airspace by Turkey: Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Tuesday noted the rising number of airspace violations above the Aegean by Turkish fighter planes, saying that it was ''a phenomenon that was multiplying'', but stressed that the Greek air force was ready to deal with the increased Turkish provocativeness.

Papantoniou made the statements while on a two-day tour of Crete, where he visited a squadron command on the island.

During the visit, the minister was present as two Greek F-16s returned after having intercepted a Turkish plane that had entered Greek airspace.

At another point during his visit on the island, the minister also referred to the signature of the NATO-Russia accord in Rome earlier on Tuesday and its historic significance, stressing the importance of an agreement for the destruction of two thirds of the nuclear arsenal of the United States and Russia, signed between US President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

[05] Parliament Committee OKs ratification of Kyoto Protocol

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou told the Committee that Greece had to reduce its total greenhouse gas emissions 25 per cent by the 2010 deadline.

Unless measures were taken, greenhouse gases would increase by 35 per cent in 2010 and by 55 per cent in 2020, she added.

The Kyoto Protocol calls for the world's developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions relative to levels in 1990 by the year 2010.

Papandreou reported that heat-trapping gases emitted by Greece rose by 14 per cent between 1990-1999, then jumped to 23 per cent in 2000 due to extensive forest fires.

Asked whether Greece risked fines or other penalties for failing to meet the demands of the Protocol, the minister stressed that Greece preferred to implement measures to reduce greenhouse emissions rather than buy 'pollution rights' from other countries, such as Russia or the Ukraine.

Greece, along with Italy, are the only two European Union countries that have not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol, with the deadline for ratification closing on May 31.

[06] Bill on 'main shareholder' ratified in Parliament

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

The relevant article was strongly criticized by the opposition in its entirety which accused the government of hypocrisy regarding the restriction of economic independence and it was claimed that under present-day conditions economic independence can be easily created.

On his part, Press and Media Minister Christos Protopapas said that under the current conditions and with the existing constitution it is impossible to create the institution of family responsibility.

[07] Ecumenical patriarch refers to the decrease of Istanbul's Greek minority

ISTANBUL, 29/05/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

''The Greek minority has decreased from 120,000 to 3,000,'' Vartholomeos said and referred to his birthplace, the island of Imvros. ''When I was a child there were 6-7,000 Greeks in my birthplace Imvros. Now there are roughly 250,'' he said.

Referring to the fate of other ethnicities of Christian faith in southeastern Turkey, he said ''there were thousands in Mardin and the outskirts (southeastern Turkey), while their number now is about 2,000. They took refuge in Istanbul and most of them in western Europe.''

''All this does not show the governing of the principle of tolerance,'' he said, adding that ''despite these mistakes and the injustices of the past, we must recognize today that there are positive developments in Turkey such as the inter-religious dialogue, the so-called religious tourism in the framework of which the pilgrimages and services of the Orthodox faithful take place here in Capadoccia.''

Intellectuals, university professors, politicians and local authorities participated in the discussion.

''The Christians in our country should have the possibility of training their religious functionaries just as we have our Theology academies. My conscience does not accept that they should not have this possibility,'' said Lutfi Dogan, former minister of state and former president of the Turkish government's religious affairs department.

Vartholomeos also referred to the problem of the reopening of the Halki Theology Academy.

''It is mentioned in the Lausanne Treaty that the minorities in Turkey are entitled to freedom of religious training. Ever since the Theology Academy closed we do not have this freedom,'' he said.

In a related development, Vartholomeos told a network of Turkish regional television stations that in the 79 years of the modern Turkish state's history ''there has not been even one illegal activity by the Patriarchate and neither will there be any.'' The interview, which has already been broadcast by a big number of regional television stations, was published in full in the newspaper ''Jeni Safak'' and had a considerable appeal for sections of the Turkish population, which have no information on what the Ecumenical Patriarchate is.

''Our Patriarchate does not function with some secrecy justifying fear or sensitivity,'' Vartholomeos said in the same interview and reminded that despite the threats received by the Patriarchate at times it has not taken extraordinary security measures.

Vartholomeos was called on to clarify the Patriarchate's relation with the meaning of ''ecumenicality.''

''Ecumenicality is a title the Patriarchate acquired from the Ecumenical Synods,'' he said, adding that ''it is a historic title which has no political content.''

''How could I waive a historic title which was also used during the Ottoman Empire and during the Byzantine era,'' Vartholomeos said in reply to criticism from Turkish nationalists who believe that the Patriarchate’s ''ecumenical'' character undermines the sovereignty of the Turkish state.

[08] FM to receive Israeli ambassador on Wednesday

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

[09] PM says dip in 2001 competitiveness not due to fundamentals

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

''This was circumstantial. On the contrary, the tendency towards improvement is clear in all economic indicators. There is no reason for us to ignore the trend and reduce our achievements to nothing,'' Simitis said in a message to an annual general assembly of the Association of Greek Industry.

''We are going ahead with our political program to consolidate the country's dynamic presence within a united Europe,'' he added.

In addition, the government was promoting a policy of enterprise, which needed competitiveness and minimum red tape to spur growth.

Furthermore, funds from the EU's Third Community Support Package had been allocated to sectors including information technology, competitiveness, health and education, beyond infrastructure projects, Simitis noted.

Finally, the Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens in 2004 would create 130,000 jobs and boost gross domestic product by about 1.5 percentage points in 2004, the prime minister said.

[10] Transport minister offers details in EU-funded projects

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

Mr. Verelis referred to a selective leak of letters, "that does not come from the government" in an effort to create an impression. He declined, however, to offer more details on the issue.

The Greek minister presented letter exchanges with Mr. Barnier on three work projects by Hellenic Railways (OSE) funded by a Second Community Support Framework. Mr. Verelis attributed the disagreements in forecasts made by the Greek government and the EU Commission to the fact that current inspections were made under the precondition of the Third Community Support Framework, while funding was agreed by the Second Community Support Framework.

He noted that the government had already noted, since 1997, that there would be deficits in completing these projects and stressed that any divergence did not exceed 3.4 percent on average on works made by OSE in the last five years.

Verelis said his cooperation with Mr. Barnier has been fruitful so far and expressed his optimism that the Greek government would solve its difference the EU Commissioner "with the best way possible."

[11] Finance Minister says 2002 budget on target, looks to 2003

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

Priorities in drafting the budget for 2003 were tax reform and financing of the social insurance system, along with tight controls on spending, Christodoulakis told an annual general assembly of the Association of Greek Industry.

The minister also said that domestic companies should become more outward-looking, seeking alliances and mergers at home and abroad in order to strengthen their competitive position.

The size factor was especially important for banks so that domestic units could compete with European Union credit institutions within Greece and beyond.

''Nowadays, government decisions, EU directives, or recommendations from experts are not enough to set the trend. Expecting everything from the state is unproductive and an insult to developed societies,'' the minister said.

He also announced that measures would be taken to simplify tax requirements for property transfers.

[12] Opposition leader unveils main economic targets

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

Addressing an annual general meeting of the Union of Greek Industries (SEB), Mr. Karamanlis said that "the impasses of the government's economic policy are now visible to everyone. The real economy is currently at the condition stressed by New Democracy, as reaffirmed by all international organizations with their reports. Our views are justified and reaffirmed."

Mr. Karamanlis said a letter sent by EU Commissioner Michel Barnier to the Greek government was "particularly revealing" and noted that the prime minister and his cabinet were only trying to smarten up an unfavorable situation. What's important is what will happen the day after, when a "tired government" reaches its end, so that no other time be wasted."

[13] Industry head says two main opposition parties moving closer

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

''We are seeing a strange phenomenon, that views of the government and of the opposition are discernibly converging, with everyone agreeing on the need for bold reforms but adapting their policies to expediencies linked to elections or (the role of the) opposition,'' said Kyriakopoulos, addressing SEB's annual general meeting.

''In the best case, they are trying to do what they believe is right, but they present it as a necessary evil, undermine it, or keep quiet about it. In this manner, the reforms meet powerful resistance and move slowly,'' he added.

[14] Greek current accounts' balance improves in 1st quarter

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

The central bank said that the current accounts' deficit fell by 467 million euros in the January-March period from the same period in 2001 to 2.030 billion euros, reflecting an improvement in the transfer balance surplus and a reduced value in net fuel imports in the country.

The country's trade deficit, excluding fuel trade, rose by 131 million euros in the first three months of 2002 despite an 166 million euros decline in net fuel imports.

The central bank said that a small rise in the incomes' deficit reflected higher net payments for interest, dividends and profits.

The country's financial transactions' balance showed a net outflow of 218 million euros in the January-March period, while Greece's recorded a 2.409 billion euros net inflow in the investment portfolio category, reflecting increased foreign demand for Greek state bonds in February.

The other investments balance recorded a net inflow of 1.805 billion euros in the first quarter, reflecting increased demand in non-citizens' deposits.

The central bank said Greece's official foreign exchange reserves totalled 8.5 billion euros at the end of March.

[15] Greece was Bulgaria's main foreign investor in 2001

SOFIA, 29/05/2002 (ANA -B. Borisov)

Around 80,000 Bulgarians worked in 800 Greek-owned companies in the neighboring country, the embassy's trade and economy department said in a statement.

The embassy is to hold an information seminar on Wednesday, which is aimed at boosting business ties between the two countries.

[16] Ship owners report progress at home and abroad in 2001-2002

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

In a report for the two years, the UGS noted that Greek merchant shipping had confirmed its dynamism and maintained its position as world leader.

''This is even more impressive when studied in the framework of adverse global conditions that emerged after terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001, and that dramatically changed the political climate,'' the report said.

The UGS welcomed moves by the government to help revive competitiveness of the Greek shipping register, including lower taxes on the capacity of vessels and seamen's income coupled with measures to allow retired seamen to return to active service.

The cargo-shipping sector was key to the economy with net receipts from shipping in 2000 totalling 4.18 billion euros, or 19 percent of the trade deficit. Due to recession, the figure was expected to remain the same in 2001, the report said.

[17] Greece-China maritime cooperation discussed

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

The Chinese official announced his country's support for Efthymios Mitropoulos' candidacy for the post of International Maritime Organization (IMO) general secretary in the elections, which will be held in June 2003.

China's merchant fleet increased by 18 per cent over the past decade.

Beyond the existing bilateral maritime agreement, the EU-China shipping agreement was initialed in December 2001 and is expected to be signed soon. Anomeritis said the main provisions of this agreement are also accepted by Greece.

Thirty-seven Greek-owned ships are currently being built in China.

Anomeritis accepted an invitation by the Chinese official to visit China in November.

[18] UK minister for small businesses to visit Athens

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

While in Athens, Griffiths will discuss developing bilateral cooperation to promote small business development and to promote the "Think Small First" initiative for the assistance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union.

The visit is a follow-up of a memorandum for bilateral cooperation on SMEs signed last November between Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and British Secretary for Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt.

During his stay in Athens, Griffiths will be meeting Tsohatzopoulos and other senior officials, while he will meet Greek and UK business people at the British Embassy on Wednesday to discuss the small business sector in Greece and the UK.

On Thursday, he will also meet a delegation of SMEs from London and Belfast who will be in Athens for the Kifissia Edge Cities European business to business network event on Thursday and Friday.

[19] Paschalidis visits EXPO 2004 in Paris

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

EXPO 2004 will be taking place in the French capital and the Greek minister visited the city in light of Greece's efforts to secure the 2007-2008 exhibition for Thessaloniki. In this framework, Paschalidis met with Trautman, who was the culture minister in the Jospin government.

''I would like to thank Mrs. Trautman who informed me on the French model used for the realization of the EXPO 2004,'' he said.

[20] PASOK secretary holds talks with union on social security

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

Laliotis appeared critical of parties' reactions, as well as of opposition union groups, adding that he will support until the end the dialogue to achieve the greatest possible social consensus.

GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos called on Laliotis to exhaust PASOK's possibilities for wider agreements and consensus to be sought.

Polyzogopoulos said that until the new law is ratified, he will systematically pursue the achievement of a national, social and political agreement on the social security system's reforming.

He further said that whatever government attempts to reverse the agreement in the future will be confronted by the unions.

[21] Linomedia moves closer to NEXA listing

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

Linomedia is a printing communication company with activities both in the private and the public sector.

The company expects this year's turnover to total 15 million euros and said the capital raised by its initial public offering would be used to support its investment plan in the next three years.

[22] Greek stocks end moderately higher on Tuesday

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

The general index surpassed the 2,300 level to end 0.19 percent higher at 2,302.83 points, with turnover a low 84.5 million euros.

The IT Solutions, Publication and Cement sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.46 percent, 1.22 percent and 0.73 percent, respectively), while the Retail, Insurance and Base Metals sectors suffered the heaviest losses (0.84 percent, 0.62 percent and 0.59 percent).

The FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.37 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.15 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks edged 0.10 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 158 to 128 with another 73 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Grigoris Snacks, Sex Form, Klonatex (p), Panafon, and Hellenic Telecoms.

Equity index futures down: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tuesday ended lower across the board, traders said.

Turnover was 61.6 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.11 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 0.37 percent.

Demand was noted for stock futures in blue-chip Intracom.

Bond prices up in brisk trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished higher in active trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.55 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 30 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 2.3 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for over half of trade.

[23] Public order minister presents Olympic Games security personnel arrangements

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

The minister stressed that following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, security issues changed dramatically and so Greece aimed at establishing wide cooperation schemes for the success of the security planning.

Those security cooperation schemes are to be established both on a national and an international level, the minister said, adding that one such scheme is the Olympic Counseling Group, which is composed of representatives from Australia, France, Germany, England, the United States, Spain and Israel.

This group will bring together the elements of experience, technology and information, he said.

''The human resources are the most important element for success in providing security services for the Athens Olympic Games,'' the minister said.

Chrysohoidis said that about 50,000 people will work for the success of the Games' security aspect, saying that 24,111 Greek police officers will be employed along with 1,467 coast guard officers, 1,524 of the fire department, 7,048 men of the armed forces, 6,021 security volunteers and 5,053 private company security personnel.

The minister said that 133.9 billion drachmas were allocated for the Greek police force's work, while another 80.9 billion drachmas will be allocated for technical infrastructure projects.

The fire department will receive some 82 billion drachmas for operational expenses and 65.5 billion drachmas were allocated for technical infrastructure projects.

''Our aim is to organize absolutely safe Olympic Games and it is our belief that we will succeed,'' the minister said.

[24] Interest in volunteerism increasing in ATHOC website

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

Statistics on the website's use show an impressively increasing international interest in the Athens Olympiad, the main characteristic being the longer staying of each visitor in the www.athens2004.com.

On the question of nationality - and apart from the Americans and Greeks - the Australians, Germans and British are showing the greatest interest in the Games.

[25] Greece's population increases due to immigration, Eurostat says

BRUSSELS, 29/05/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

According to the report, on January 1st, 2001 the population of Greece was 10,564,700 residents up from 10,542,800 in 2000, this marginal increase, however, was do to immigration, since deaths outpaced births in 2000.

Greece, Italy, Germany and Sweden were the four European Union member-states that experienced more deaths than births in 2000 and in all four the population increase was exclusively due to immigration.

Eurostat also noted that the population of the Union rose by one million people, reaching at 377,507,900 residents in 2001. According to the same report, 680,000 new immigrants arrived in Europe during that year, accounting for 64 per cent of the population increase.

Italy, Great Britain and Germany were the main destinations of immigrants, as they received about 60 per cent of all immigrants to enter the Union.

[26] Korydallos prison warden, staff suspended after US lifer escapes

Athens, 29/05/2002 (ANA)

One of the suspended staff members was the prison psychiatrist, Olga Atmatzoglou, 45, against whom criminal charges were filed earlier on Tuesday by Piraeus Prosecutor Antonis Ziogas for intentionally assisting the prisoner's escape.

Three guards manning the prison's main gate have also been charged with allowing a prisoner to escape through negligence.

US national Peter Sedom, 32, who was serving multiple sentences, including a life-sentence for intentional homicide, walked out of Korydallos prison in disguise at 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, accompanied by Atmatzoglou who ''introduced'' Sedom to the prison guards as a ''colleague''.

Sedom's disappearance was discovered nearly five hours later during the 21:00 prisoner roll call.

Petsalnikos said the justice ministry was alerted to the escape at 21:30 on Monday night and that he himself had immediately gone to the prison and stayed until 2:30 on Tuesday.

The minister ruled out offering his resignation over the escape, unless there was clear indication that he was in some way to blame.

While searching the prison for Sedom, prison officials broke into the psychiatrist's office, which was locked, and found Sedom's prison uniform and shoes. They said the prisoner had been wearing civilian clothes and a wig when he made his escape, passing through four checkpoints.

The psychiatrist Atzamoglou, a Greek who had grown up in the former Czechoslovakia, was apparently separated from her husband and had been working at Korydallos prison for the past two years.

The murder conviction against Sedom relates to the killing of 20-year-old university student Stefania Sardi in the 1990s - a crime of which he had been originally acquitted for lack of evidence. In April 2001, however, Sedom gave himself up voluntarily and freely confessed to Sardi's murder in order to avoid extradition to the United States, where he is also wanted on a murder charge and faces a death sentence imposed by a US court.

Since being incarcerated in Korydallos, he has also been accused of the murder of fellow-inmate Konstantin Papas, 33, an Albanian who had given evidence against escaped convict Kostas Passaris. Papas was found hanged in his cell shortly after entering the prison.

Sedom had been transferred to Korydallos from a prison in Corfu on April 18 this year in order to receive psychiatric treatment.

New warden appointed in Athens' Korydallos prison following escape: Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos on Tuesday appointed Spyros Athanasopoulos to head the Korydallos prison in Athens, following the suspension of the previous warden and in light of the investigation into the escape of convicted murder Peter Sedom.

[27] Clerides and Denktash discuss security issues

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash met on Tuesday in Nicosia, in the context of the fourth round of UN-led direct talks, aiming at a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

The talks, which lasted two and a half hours, are held in the presence of the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus,

Alvaro de Soto. CNA has learnt that today's discussion focused on security issues.

[28] Government will not abandon talks to solve the Cyprus problem

NICOSIA, 29/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Invited to say what would happen if by the end of June no agreement was reached at peace talks on the four core issues of the Cyprus problem, namely governance, security, territory and properties, Papapetrou said all scenarios had been examined and would be submitted tomorrow to the National Council, top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, comprising parliamentary parties' representatives.

Papapetrou said that if Turkish intransigence did not allow an agreement to be reached by the end of June, then ''with our moves and tactics, we must ensure that no one would blame us for the failure of the talks''.

[29] Spokesman says Cyprus an integral part of Europe

NICOSIA, 29/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Commenting on statements by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who said Cyprus was not part of Europe and that the European Union should not become involved in the Cyprus problem, Papapetrou said it was obvious Ecevit ''lacks rudimentary knowledge on history and civilization''.

''In his only interview after being admitted to hospital, Ecevit attacked the EU, showing once again that he was not aware the EU could act as a catalyst'', which could ''help us overcome our differences and coexist peacefully in this region'', Papapetrou said.

He added it was sad that the Turkish Prime Minister always judged things by their size and military power.

''What counts'', he said, ''is how each of us embraces the values and principles of Europe, how effectively we harmonies ourselves with the acquis communautaire and how the accession process responds to the expectations of the EU itself''.

Papapetrou noted that Cyprus has always exhibited an excellent performance in its harmonization process and expressed hope that Ecevit would have second thoughts and reevaluate his unfruitful approach.

Asked if Ecevit's positions were in tune with the interests of great powers, Papapetrou said no interests were able to obstruct Cyprus' EU accession process or facilitate Turkey's approach to the EU without meeting EU demands.

Cyprus opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998, and has so far provisionally closed 27 out of 31 chapters of the acquis communautaire.

The island has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

[30] Papapetrou: ''Cyprus will not play Turkey's game''

NICOSIA, 29/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The spokesman was replying to questions on how the government would react if ''the Turkish oceanographic vessel ''Piri Reis'', known as ''Sismik'', sailed into waters controlled by the Republic of Cyprus.

The vessel sailed last night from the Turkish occupied port of Famagusta and headed north.

Papapetrou reassured that the government was closely monitoring the situation and was taking all necessary measures.

Asked how the government would react if ''Sismik'' sailed into waters controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, Papapetrou said ''Cyprus does not play Turkey's game and will not get caught in Turkey's trap to become involved in unnecessary crises that serve Turkish pursuits only''.

Papapetrou also noted a statement by Greek National Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou that any attack against the Republic of Cyprus would be considered an attack against Greece.

[31] British MEP: No accession talks with Turkey until troops leave Cyprus

NICOSIA, 29/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Conservative MEP Villiers, who is a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) EU-Cyprus, underlined the importance of Cyprus to be included in the first wave of nations to join the EU.

''At the JPC I emphasized not only the importance of Cyprus being included in the first wave of nations to join the EU but also my view that no date should be set for the opening of accession negotiations on Turkish entry to the EU until Turkish troops leave Cyprus'', the British MEP said.

She added that during the JPC meeting she put this point strongly to Spanish Ambassador to Cyprus and representative of the Council of Ministers during Spanish presidency of the EU as well as to the representatives of the European Commission.

''The EU is based on principles of respect for fellow member states. As long as Turkish troops remain in Cyprus, Turkey would affectively be ignoring this principle'', Villiers noted.

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