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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-14

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

September 14, 2002

CONTENTS

  • [01] PM visits Olympics press center in Maroussi
  • [02] EU foreign ministers hold talks with Powell on Iraq, Turkey and Cyprus
  • [03] Greek and Cypriot FMs hold talks on sidelines of UN General Assembly
  • [04] Turkey wishes to develop good neighborly relations with Greece, Sezer says
  • [05] Deputy FM meets with Arafat in Ramala
  • [06] DM minister Papantoniou begins Turkey visit on Saturday
  • [07] Foreign ministry: preparations for Greek EU presidency in 'crucial phase'
  • [08] Another woman suspect linked to N17 will be arrested, sources say
  • [09] N17 victim's brother files civil suit against suspected terrorists
  • [10] National & Europarliament elections can't be held together, Tsohatzopoulos says
  • [11] ND leader begins N. Greece tour by visiting Lake Doirani
  • [12] German movements support Greek claims for war reparations
  • [13] Forum of the mayors of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas begins on Saturday
  • [14] Gov't says hike in utility rates fuelled inflation by 0.07%
  • [15] Gov't drafts labor decree on permanent staff to comply with EU
  • [16] Greek weekly economic review
  • [17] Greek stocks plunge to four-year lows
  • [18] Security coverage dominates briefing of top media pros by ATHOC
  • [19] Symbolic traffic restrictions Monday for European Transportation Week
  • [20] Lecture in Kranidiotis' memory on Monday in Athens
  • [21] Greek pro soccer league warns of lock-out
  • [22] President Bush wants Cyprus problem solved
  • [23] Greek Cypriot side will respond next week to Denktash's document
  • [24] Rasmussen: UN and EU work for Cyprus settlement

  • [01] PM visits Olympics press center in Maroussi

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis concluded his three-day tour of Olympics projects on Friday by visiting the International Broadcasting Center and the Press Center in Maroussi, that will house journalists and media crews covering the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

    The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the progress that had been made after his inspection and said that Greece would present the many thousands of visitors to the Games with a modern and organized infrastructure network, in addition to its historical edge.

    Regarding the media centers, Simitis noted that journalists would have the latest technology at their disposal in order to send images of Greece to over 200 countries and four billion viewers around the world.

    The legacy of the Games, he added, would be modern road networks, the metro system, the new tram, anti-flooding works, a suburban railroad and many other things that would make the everyday life of Greeks much easier. In addition, the modern infrastructure would be backed up by modernization in hospitals, educational programs, the police force, coast guard and the emergency services.

    Another benefit of the Games, Simitis said, would be the 50,000 jobs created by Olympics projects and the huge benefits for Greek tourism over the next few years.

    Closing his speech, the prime minister reiterated that all Greeks must be mobilized for the success of the Olympic Games and of Greece.

    Simitis was received at the site by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, whose ministry had the overall responsibility for overseeing preparations for the Games.

    Venizelos stressed that preparations for the Games had now progressed to a point capable of convincing even the most skeptical that Greece would organize successful Olympics.

    Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris, who is responsible for Olympics communications strategy, stressed that the image of Greece that would be transmitted throughout the world by an estimated 40,000 journalists, 19,000 of them accredited, was an important investment and Greece would do its utmost to facilitate everyone.

    Hytiris also referred to the modernization of state broadcaster ERT and the dynamic presence of the Athens News Agency at the Olympics, as well as other journalists from the press and electronic media and foreign correspondents.

    Last to speak was Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) head Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, who thanked all those working for the success of the Athens Olympics and once again stressed the need to maintain and accelerate the speed of Olympic preparations.

    [02] EU foreign ministers hold talks with Powell on Iraq, Turkey and Cyprus

    NEW YORK 14/09/2002 (ANA - S. Sideris)

    Europeans and Americans share the same opinion that it will be difficult for moves to be made on the Cyprus issue on the part of Ankara until elections are held in Turkey.

    The situation in Turkey and the Cyprus problem were among the issues discussed by the EU foreign ministers with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell during a meeting they had on Friday within the framework of the UN General Assembly.

    Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou expounded on the Greek positions and called on both the Europeans and the Americans to send a message to Turkey concerning its threats to annex the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus or to provoke a crisis in the region in case Cyprus accedes to the European Union.

    Papandreou added that the Greek side is making every effort for a settlement of the political problem of Cyprus, noting however that a solution must naturally be functional, in accordance to the principles and rules of the European Union.

    During the meeting, Powell congratulated the Greek government for its successes in the combatting of terrorism and in particular on the eradication of the ''November 17'' terrorist group.

    Earlier in the day the Greek foreign minister met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones who stressed the need for Turkey not to be excluded from Europe. She said that a date should be set for the start of Turkey-EU accession talks and at the same time expressed her appreciation of Greece's stance.

    In both his talks with Powell and Jones, Papandreou, as well as other EU foreign ministers, stressed that it is Turkey that must show mobility and utilize this chance until the EU summit in Copenhagen, in order for there to be positive developments in this issue.

    The European foreign ministers in their talks with Powell did not seem particularly willing to satisfy the Turkish demand for the setting of a date for the start of EU-Turkey accession talks, reports said.

    In his talks with the EU foreign ministers, Powell expounded on the contents of U.S. President George Bush's address at the UN General Assembly on Thursday and asked of the European Union to jointly work for a UN Security Council resolution which will legalize a military intervention in Iraq. The two sides agreed that there should be a time frame which will be utilized for discussions, beyond which the international community will take action. Powell said characteristically that ''we cannot talk indefinitely with Iraq and when the time frame ends, the international community must assume its responsibilities.''

    The EU foreign ministers also agreed with this procedure and it is characteristic that Russia is also moving in this direction, as made known by Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

    During his talks with Jones, Papandreou expounded on Greece's priorities during its presidency of the EU in the first half of 2003, while the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State asked of the Greek side to pay particular attention to the regions of the Caucasus and the Black Sea.

    The Greek delegation submitted to Jones an official document outlining the Greek presidency's priorities for this region, with emphasis on the strengthening of the EU's relations with Russia and the Ukraine and cooperation in the energy sector.

    Papandreou and Jones also discussed the differences existing between Europe and the U.S. concerning the International Penal Court and the Greek foreign minister expounded on the EU's position for the safeguarding of the autonomy and functioning of the International Penal Court, without this leading to tensions with the U.S.

    Spokesman says Greece not in favor of military operations against Iraq: Government spokesman Christos Protopapas, referring on Friday to the latest developments on the issue of Iraq, stated that Greece is not in favor of military operations against Iraq.

    Speaking from Ioannina, northern Greece, Protopapas said that investigations whether there are terrorist organizations or dangerous chemical or other prohibited weapons in Iraq should be undertaken by the United Nations. ''This entire issue should be handled by the international community,'' he said.

    The government spokesman said that the UN is the most suitable organization to deal with this problem, adding that military operations could create serious adverse repercussions on the Arab world.

    Protopapas noted that the UN must play the leading and decisive role in this issue and the European Union must of course also play its own collective role.

    He added that within the EU there are voices which wish autonomous moves and noted that it would be a pity for the EU, which has the capability of exerting its own foreign, political and defense policy to yet again appear lagging behind developments.

    ''I want to believe that the EU, within the framework always of the international community and in understanding with the other forces, and of course within the framework of the UN, will also play its own role,'' the spokesman concluded.

    [03] Greek and Cypriot FMs hold talks on sidelines of UN General Assembly

    NEW YORK 14/09/2002 (ANA - S. Sideris)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides discussed the strategy of the governments of Greece and Cyprus during the coming months leading up to the EU summit in Copenhagen, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly here on Friday.

    Papandreou stated that ''we are at the end of Cyprus' ten-year course towards the European Union, but we have in front of us important decisions.''

    Kasoulides, replying to a question concerning the new document by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, said that ''it is not the first time that Mr. Denktash raises the issue of Cyprus' accession to the European Union, but on the other hand the positions of the EU and the UN are known.''

    The Cypriot foreign minister observed that a first evaluation of the document reveals that it is a move on the part of Denktash to make an impression ''with decorative positions which do not correspond to issues of substance.''

    Kasoulides added that ''it is apparent that the Turkish Cypriot leader is attempting to evade the essence of the problem.''

    Kasoulides further said that Turkey is not budging from its present positions and is neither responding to the recommendations given by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during the meeting between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash in Paris.

    [04] Turkey wishes to develop good neighborly relations with Greece, Sezer says

    ISTANBUL 14/09/2002 (ANA-E. Aretaios)

    Turkey wishes to develop good neighborly relations with Greece, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday, during his visit to Edirne, a town in European Turkey, near its borders with Greece.

    ''We want to resolve our bilateral problems with Greece and we want to develop good neighborly relations,'' Sezer said, adding ''We want to take steps toward cooperation and peace''.

    Speaking in a meeting of an association of historic cities in Edirne, the Turkish president stressed his belief that Turkey will enter the European Union while maintaining its historic and cultural values.

    Sezer also spoke of the significance of cooperation between the states of southeastern Europe, adding that the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to NATO will have a special significance for the region's stability.

    [05] Deputy FM meets with Arafat in Ramala

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis on Friday met with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat in Ramala, as part of his three-day visit in the region, which began on Thursday.

    Following the meeting, Magriotis held a joint press conference with Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmad Soboh.

    "I visited Jerusalem in light of the completion of a year from the election and enthronement of Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate His Eminence Irineos. I had the opportunity to meet with officials of the Israeli government and to discuss the major issue of the recognition of the Patriarch. I hope that over the next few days the Israeli government will forge forward with this necessary step," Magriotis said.

    "Today here in Ramala, I had the special honor to meet with President Arafat. Greece recognizes the important role and the historic offer to the effort for peace in the region," the Greek minister said.

    "Greece tries, as it did during the recent crisis, in every way possible, by itself, through the European Union and the international community, to help so as to stop the bloodshed … it does so today and that it will continue to do with greater intensity and persistence during Greek EU presidency," Magriotis said.

    He also spoke of the Danish EU presidency's 'road map" to peace for both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

    [06] DM minister Papantoniou begins Turkey visit on Saturday

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    Greece's defense minister Yannos Papantoniou on Saturday begins an official visit to Turkey, during which he will take part

    in a meeting of the defense ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey.

    Papantoniou is slated to hold a bilateral meeting with Bulgarian defense minister Nikolai Svinarov on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, which is to be held Monday in Istanbul.

    On Sunday, Papantoniou will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople at Phanar, were he will be received by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

    [07] Foreign ministry: preparations for Greek EU presidency in 'crucial phase'

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    Preparations for the start of the Greek EU presidency in 100 days were now entering a crucial phase, Foreign Ministry General Secretary Ilias Plaskovitis told the ANA on Friday.

    He said that the work had now 'peaked' on all levels but the final outcome was largely dependent on the highly changeable international situation, particularly with respect to the problems in Iraq and the Middle East.

    Any unpleasant developments in these two regions could lead to ''uncontrolled situations'' with negative consequences for the wider region, he stressed.

    He appeared optimistic that Greece would be well prepared for its presidency when the time came, however, noting that in no area was there a shortfall that could not easily be made up.

    Plaskovitis also pointed out that Greece was already exercising two presidencies not covered by Denmark - that of the Eurogroup and Common European Security and Defense - and representing the Community in several countries not covered by Denmark's relatively small network of embassies.

    According to Plaskovitis, several informal ministers' councils and meetings would take place during the Greek EU presidency, with six covered by the ministers' councils' secretariat.

    He said that the Greek foreign ministry had trained a number of experts that would head the 150 EU working groups or represent Greece at these groups. It had also increased the number of staff at Greece's permanent representation in Brussels to 120 from 90, with an additional 10 to be stationed there by December.

    [08] Another woman suspect linked to N17 will be arrested, sources say

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    A second woman suspect linked to the urban guerrilla group "November 17" will be arrested by the authorities within the next 10 days, police sources told the ANA on Friday.

    The first woman charged as an active member of N17, Angeliki Sotiropoulou, was arrested on Thursday after police found her fingerprints in the terrorist group's safe house in Pagrati.

    Apart from Sotiropoulou's prints, forensics experts have found another nine prints within the two Athens apartments used as safe houses by the group that do not belong to any of the suspects currently in custody. The prints are believed to belong to new members involved in the group's actions that have not yet been discovered.

    The same sources said that arrests of people active in N17's predecessors ELA, 1st May and Revolutionary Cells prior to 1974 would not take place for a long time since no firm evidence against them had yet been found.

    [09] N17 victim's brother files civil suit against suspected terrorists

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    The brother of police officer Christos Matis, who was killed in a shootout with the urban guerrilla group "November 17" during a hit against a National Bank branch in Petralona in December 1984, on Friday filed a civil suit against the suspected N17 members believed to have been involved in the murder.

    These include the alleged mastermind of N17 Alexandros Giotopoulos, suspected operation's chief Dimitris Koufodinas, Christodoulos Xiros, Patroklos Tselentis and Pavlos Serifis.

    Nikiforos Matis declared his intentions to sue to special examining magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakas, the appeals court justice assigned to the case.

    [10] National & Europarliament elections can't be held together, Tsohatzopoulos says

    BRUSSELS 14/09/2002 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

    Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Friday said that the Greek national elections and the Europarliament elections cannot be held at the same time, due to legal entanglements.

    Specifically, he said that the latest possible date for the national elections can be set within April, as mandated by the Constitution, while the Europarliament elections can not be held earlier as they must coincide in all 15 member-states of the European Union.

    Tsohatzopoulos made the statements to journalists following a session of the European Socialist Party (ESP) conference taking place here, and to which he is a vice-president.

    He also said that the ESP representatives discussed the relations of the Union with the United States, especially concerning the issue of Iraq.

    They expressed their disagreement with the US policy concerning Iraq, stressing the necessity for the approval of every decision by the Security Council of the United Nations.

    The Greek minister underlining the differences between Europe's strategic interests and those of the U.S., told the meeting that in Greece both the government and the main opposition are opposed to military operations in Iraq.

    [11] ND leader begins N. Greece tour by visiting Lake Doirani

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday began a tour of northern Greece by visiting Lake Doirani on the borders of Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

    Karamanlis was briefed by local municipal authorities about problems concerning the decreasing water levels of the lake, which have been falling steadily for the past 15 years, causing economic hardship for local inhabitants and environmental degradation.

    Doirani Mayor Theofilos Pertsinidis noted that three quarters of the lake actually fell within FYROM borders and that the neighboring country had recently decided on measures to increase water levels that had not been matched by Greece.

    Addressing the town, Karamanlis was scathing in his criticism of the government's stance, saying that a crime against the environment was being committed that was the sole responsibility of the Simitis government.

    He also noted that a large part of the Greek side of the lake had been deserted and, despite the pleas of local bodies and organizations, the government was responding with vague commitments and little action.

    Later on in Kilkis, Karamanlis attacked the government's economic policy, saying the country needed a new, aggressive economic policy that could meet the demands and problems of the new era.

    He accused the government of ''abandoning the provinces,'' and especially farmers and said that the collapse of the farming sector would bring major problems to the country.

    Karamanlis stressed that the government's policies were increasing regional and social inequalities, with some areas plagued by unemployment rates greater than 25 per cent, decreased investment and declining farmer incomes.

    He said his party's priority as a government would be to rebuild the state: ''If we do not create a state that is at the service of citizens and is the first to respect the law then we won't have achieved anything,'' he said.

    Responding to Karamanlis' statements, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Friday that the main opposition leader was hunting for problems that existed for various reasons that he could highlight in order to promote his ''gray Greece'' tactics.

    He said the ND president wanted to ''perform for the media'' rather than suggest solutions.

    ''The serious and long-term work required at Doirani cannot be substituted by visits of a sight-seeing nature,'' the spokesman added. ''Karamanlis will have forgotten about Doirani tomorrow, the government through its work and the environment ministry will solve the problems that objectively exist. That is the difference between us.''

    ND leader accuses PM of ''disorientating'' citizens from their problems: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday evening lashed out against the government, stating that ''it is dangerous for the prime minister to open a public dialogue with the terrorists,'' attributing it to what he termed ''petty political expediencies to disorientate the citizens from their problems.''

    Karamanlis, who was addressing party cadres in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, said that ''the time has come'' to completely crush terrorism and to expose all the associates of informers and moral instigators.

    The ND leader gave a political character to the local government elections in October, noting that the victory of the ND ticket will be a signal for the next general elections.

    He underlined that the ruling PASOK candidates, who will be ''apologetic'' for the government's policy, will not be able to express the local communities.

    [12] German movements support Greek claims for war reparations

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    The German government's claims, that the issue of war reparations to Greece for victims of the World War II, passed the statute of limitations and falls in the jurisdiction of extraterritoriality, were called baseless by members of German movements from Berlin, Dortmund and Bremen as well as by the German Movement of Solidarity ''Hamburg-Distomo''.

    These statements were made following a meeting Thursday of the Greek national council for reparations from Germany with representatives of the above movements.

    [13] Forum of the mayors of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas begins on Saturday

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    The Forum of the mayors of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas cities will take place in Igoumenitsa on Saturday and Sunday with the participation of some 150 attendants.

    The forum will deal with the protection and development of the cultural heritage of the cities of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

    The forum was established at the initiative of the Italian central association of municipalities in 1999 and includes some 43 cities from Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece.

    [14] Gov't says hike in utility rates fuelled inflation by 0.07%

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    Deputy Finance Minister Apostolos Fotiadis said on Friday that rises in public utility rates had fuelled inflation by 0.07 percent to total 3.5 percent.

    Speaking in parliament, Fotiadis criticized the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) for what he called a ''populist'' response to price rises and inflation.

    At the same time, he acknowledged that the difference in Greece between prices of goods from producer to consumer carried a ratio of 1.0 to 3.5 against a European Union average of 1.0 to 2.0.

    Fotiadis was replying to a parliamentary question to the government on price controls and tax policy that was tabled by the KKE.

    Communist leader Aleka Papariga said the KKE wanted to see an increase in minimum wages and pensions, accompanied by stable, full employment with reasonable pay.

    [15] Gov't drafts labor decree on permanent staff to comply with EU

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    The government on Friday released details of a presidential decree that allows certain categories of contractual workers to gain status as permanent staff in compliance with a European Union labor directive.

    Excluded from the Greek ruling, which comes into force in 2004, are the public sector, local government, radio and television, airlines, public works and banking.

    The decree applies to staff on contracts that cover a specified period of time or specific project over 24 continuous months, or three successive contracts with no intervening gap greater than 20 days from the date of signature of each.

    The head of the Confederation of Workers of Greece, Christos Polyzogopoulos, said later that the measure was helpful but had no retroactive effect, and contained too many exceptions.

    A eurodeputy of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Alekos Alavanos, singled out exemption of the public sector from the ruling as a major flaw, along with other sectors.

    He said he would soon bring the matter up at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, seeking redress.

    [16] Greek weekly economic review

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    Greek stocks plunged to their lowest levels since October 1998 on Friday in the Athens Stock Exchange, extending their decline for the third year running and leaving analysts and traders reluctant to make any predictions over the course of the market while small investors remained in the sidelines.

    In other headline news this week:

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis met with National Bank's governor Theodore Karatzas to discuss developments in the domestic banking system and the economy.

    A Greek First Instance Court decided that a total of 15 terms and practices used by commercial banks in signing housing loans with consumers were illegal and abusive, justifying a collective suit filed by a Greek consumers' group against Commercial Bank.

    Greece's gross domestic product rose by 4.0 percent in the second quarter of 2002, from 4.3 percent in the first quarter, but despite its slight slowdown remained sharply higher compared with the European Union average growth rate. Official figures showed that GDP rose 4.15 percent in the first six months of 2002. The inflation rate, however, rose to 3.5 percent in August, from 3.3 percent in July, reflecting price rises in vegetable and fuel prices. Inflation was running at an average rate of 3.4 percent in the August 2002-2001 period.

    A total of eight investment projects, worth 15.3 million euros, demanding subsidies of 4.6 million euros, have been submitted so far by private investors in the framework of a Greek Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans, Economy and Finance Deputy Minister Christos Pahtas said. The five-year plan (2002-2006) envisages the funding of projects, actions and surveys for the economic reconstruction of Balkan states.

    INKA, Greece's largest consumer organization, announced a four-day boycott in shopping of fresh fruit and vegetables next week, September 16-19, protesting against continuing price increases in the domestic market.

    Ordinary budget revenues rose 7.5 percent in the first eight months of 2002, compared with the same period last year, exceeding a budget target for the year.

    [17] Greek stocks plunge to four-year lows

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    Greek stocks plunged to their lowest levels since October 1998 in the Athens Stock Exchange on Friday, succumbing to international stock market pressures and to domestic worries over the course of the economy.

    The general index dropped 1.87 percent to end at 1,966.74 points, finally breaking the 2,000 psychological support level.

    Turnover rose to 93.4 million euros, reflecting heavy trades in OTE stocks, which dropped 3.49 percent to end at 12.18 euros per share.

    The Textile, Wholesale, Publication and Telecommunications sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (5.94 percent, 3.39 percent, 2.99 percent and 2.86 percent, respectively).

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 2.09 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 1.75 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.87 percent lower.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 314 to 24 with another 20 issues unchanged.

    The general index ended the week with a net loss of 4.84 percent.

    The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Football Pools Organization, Commercial Bank of Greece, Informatics, and Alpha Bank.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 126.2 mln euros Friday

    Equity Index Futures:

  • FTSE/ASE-20 (high cap): At discount

  • Underlying Index: -2.09 percent

  • FTSE/ASE-40 (medium cap): At fair value

  • Underlying Index: -1.75 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (674)

    Day's Market Turnover: 126.2 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers match sellers on Friday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.76 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 34 bps

  • Day's Market Turnover: 4.2 bln euros

  • Most Active Bond: 3-yr (550 mln euros)

    [18] Security coverage dominates briefing of top media pros by ATHOC

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    The paramount issue of security during the upcoming Olympics as well as coverage of the world’s biggest sporting event were the focus of high-level contacts here on Friday between Athens 2004 organizers (ATHOC) and more than 90 top international sportswriters, photographers and broadcast experts.

    “The Greek people have been planning for this homecoming for more than 100 years” was the opening remark ATHOC President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki made to media professionals at the second world operations briefing for the 2004 Games.

    The high-profile ATHOC chief, who headed the Greek capital’s campaign to host the Games, again emphasized that security remains the top priority for Greek organizers, in comments just days after the one-year anniversary of the horrific Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the 30-year anniversary of the equally shocking killing of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches by terrorists at the Munich Olympic Games.

    Angelopoulos-Daskalaki again cited a $600-million budget for security infrastructure alone prior to the August 2004 Games as well as the work of a seven-nation advisory group to assist Greek authorities in intelligence and training. A nation-wide anti-terrorism exercise is also planned in November, she said, while explaining to a room filled with press veterans of past Olympics that the eradication of the elusive “November 17” urban terror cell in Greece over the past two months has caused “relief and encouragement” amongst organizers.

    “We are imagining Games on a human scale, ones that the world will never forget,” she concluded.

    Sitting next to her, ex-Sydney 2000 security chief and current top ATHOC adviser Peter Ryan said Greek authorities and organizers – in the aftermath of Sept. 11 -- have started planning to prevent even the “unthinkable ... way past our imagination”.

    He also appeared confident that new state-of-the-art security and surveillance systems will be operational, tested and manned by trained personnel ahead of time – which, as of Friday, is roughly 700 days until the Olympic torch is lit in the ancient birthplace of the Olympic Games and the city that hosted the first modern Olympiad in 1896.

    In commenting on this year’s international briefing, ATHOC’s press operations director, Costas Vernikos, told the ANA that the current tour and contacts were the best ever, “because now they (media professionals) saw certain works in progress.”

    Press and media representatives toured several under construction facilities on Friday, including the international broadcast center and main press center sites, both of which are adjacent to the main Olympic Stadium (OAKA). Press accommodations were also on the schedule, while individual ATHOC directors will brief the group on Saturday.

    [19] Symbolic traffic restrictions Monday for European Transportation Week

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    All private cars will be prohibited from circulation in the Athens inner ring early Monday morning as Greeks takes part in EU-wide events for ''European transportation Week''.

    Apart from the capital, Athens, more than 80 other cities and towns throughout the country have announced events for European Transportation Week from September 16-22, with the organization of various events and symbolic traffic/circulation interventions.

    In Athens, all private cars will be prohibited inside the Athens inner ring between 6:30 and 9:00 a.m. on Monday, while only cars with even license plates will be allowed in the outer ring. Normal traffic restrictions will return to normal after 9:00 a.m. Monday.

    The ban also affects cars with inner-ring circulation permits, government and ministerial cars, etc., while circulation will be allowed only for ambulances, fire engines and taxis.

    In addition, throughout Monday, public transportation will be free of charge.

    Environment, Town Planning and Public Works minister Vasso Papandreou said Friday that the target of the Week was to serve as a ''tool'' in the hands of the state and local authorities for introducing pilot applications of new modes of commuting in urban centers, and also to raise awareness on the need to limit transport by private car.

    [20] Lecture in Kranidiotis' memory on Monday in Athens

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos will open the second annual lecture in memory of late alternate foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis, on Monday at noon.

    The lecture is organized by the Greek Center for European Studies and will take place in the auditorium named after the late minister who was killed along with a number of his staff and his son on his way to a diplomatic mission.

    Greek European Union Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou will be the main speaker.

    [21] Greek pro soccer league warns of lock-out

    Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

    The Greek pro football league (EPAE) on Friday threatened to proceed with lock-out, beginning from the fifth game of the current season later this month, if a formula to partially finance many cash-strapped teams isn’t worked out with the government.

    Owners want the state-run football pools (OPAP) to funnel cash their way in return for placing Greek teams on its soccer betting pools. The crisis in Greek football comes after one of two local digital TV subscriber networks announced its closure recently, leaving eight first division teams without television revenue.

    EPAE’s board of directors, made up of team owners, opted for the lock-out at an emergency session, a decision that will be voted on by an EPAE general assembly.

    [22] President Bush wants Cyprus problem solved

    UNITED NATIONS 14/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    US President George Bush has expressed his eagerness to see the Cyprus problem solved.

    Bush met briefly Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides here Thursday night at a reception given for the heads of the delegations attending the 57th session of the UN General Assembly.

    He is said to have told Kasoulides ''we must solve the problem.''

    The Cypriot minister replied by underlying that if the problem was settled this would facilitate US plans concerning Turkey. ''Therefore, you have to convince her do something this year,'' he added.

    Minister Kasoulides had separate meetings here with counterparts from Portugal, Luxemburg, Russia, the Netherlands and a number of Islamic countries.

    He had also a few minutes' conversation with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

    The UN chief asked Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to return to Cyprus and work on the issues which he highlighted to them and meet him once again in New York on October 3 and 4, stressing that there is an opportunity at hand which is ''waiting to be seized''.

    [23] Greek Cypriot side will respond next week to Denktash's document

    NICOSIA 14/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    The Greek Cypriot side will outline next week, in the framework of the UN-led peace talks, its positions regarding the new document submitted by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash at the talks, reliable sources told CNA.

    President Clerides and Denktash had here on Friday their second meeting after their return from Paris, where they had met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

    Friday's meeting was attended by UN Secretary General's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto and President Clerides' and Rauf Denktash's aides.

    As of next week meetings between Clerides and Denktash will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, instead of Tuesdays and Fridays as has been the case for the past few weeks.

    [24] Rasmussen: UN and EU work for Cyprus settlement

    UNITED NATIONS 14/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, whose country is currently holding the EU presidency, speaking on behalf of the EU to the 57th session of the UN General Assembly, said the United Nations and the European Union work tirelessly in finding a permanent settlement on Cyprus consistent with the relevant Security Council resolutions.

    A memorandum accompanying Rasmussen's statement to the General Assembly said the decision for Cyprus' accession to the European Union will be made in accordance with the Helsinki conclusions.

    It added a Cyprus settlement would facilitate the island's accession to the EU.

    Cyprus opened accession negotiations with the EU


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