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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-23

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

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

January 23, 2003

CONTENTS

  • [01] Gov't annuls 2004 Olympics security tender
  • [02] Greece sees 'positive points' in Franco-German proposal for EU inst'l reforms
  • [03] Greek EU presidency on General Affairs Council agenda, Iraq
  • [04] Greek EU presidency consultations for common stance on Iraq crisis
  • [05] Papandreou-Ivanov meeting on Thursday
  • [06] Turkish FM: Ankara happy with cooperation from Greek EU presidency
  • [07] Minister denies use of depleted uranium shells by Greek army
  • [08] EU welcomes OAS establishment of Group of Friends of Venezuela
  • [09] Parliament ratifies US-Greece CTA despite strong criticism from MPs
  • [10] Premier meets with ruling PASOK party secretary
  • [11] Greek EU presidency to focus on sustainable development
  • [12] Greek inflation slows to 3.5 pct in December, Eurostat
  • [13] Agriculture minister outlines Greek presidency priorities
  • [14] Greece says savings' tax deal may lead to repatriation of capital
  • [15] FM briefs labor union leader on ministry's presidency issues
  • [16] OTE telecom's board okays acquisition deal with Romania
  • [17] Greek stocks end off lows on Wednesday
  • [18] Battle against doping can be won, Sebastian Coe says
  • [19] Greek aid to Mexico following devastating quake
  • [20] Greek Euro-MP's report on environmental blame approved
  • [21] WWF Hellas protests to EU Commission over hazardous chemicals use
  • [22] Evros prefect receives Turkish consul of Komotini
  • [23] Actor Daniel Day Lewis in Athens for 'Gangs of New York ' premiere
  • [24] Clerides and Denktash press on with talks
  • [25] Denktash cannot disorient us, government spokesman says
  • [26] Durduran says Annan plan only option for settlement

  • [01] Gov't annuls 2004 Olympics security tender

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Athens on Wednesday announced that a closely watched international tender for the massive security program during the upcoming Athens 2004 Olympic Games has been declared void, with the government spokesman citing “protection of public interests” in justifying the decision.

    Spokesman Christos Protopapas added that conditions and prerequisites were not met during the tender’s final phase.

    Moreover, he clarified that the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), the high-ranking committee that approves major defense contracts and top military promotions, among others, will consider the 2004 security contract only after a winner has been selected.

    Two international consortia were in the bidding for multi-million dollar contract, the centerpiece of government’s and Athens 2004 organizers’ (ATHOC) commitment to ensure absolutely secure Olympic Games in 2004.

    Two offers were on the table coming into the week, by the “SAIC” and “TRS” groups.

    Protopapas nevertheless dismissed concerns about pressing deadlines, promising that “we will be ready on time”.

    Later statements: In later statements following a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said a new tender will be issued immediately, and again under the defense ministry's auspices.

    He also said that an “open and parallel” negotiation will commence with interested parties so that proposed expenditures are slashed back to the government’s initial estimates.

    According to sources, the lowest offer touched on the 300-million-euro mark, whereas it should not have exceeded the 220-million-euro mark, they claimed.

    Upwards of US$600 million are eyed for the entire security program during the Games.

    Finally, a new evaluation committee -- one better suited to gauging the offers’ technical aspects -- is expected to be established immediately, as pressing deadlines loom on the horizon – something reiterated by both Simitis and IOC President Jacques Rogge over the past week.

    Premier affirms that budget for "Athens 2004" will not increase: Prime Minister Costas Simitis reaffirmed on Wednesday that the budget of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games would not increase, during a government meeting that focused on the Olympic overlays.

    The meeting focused on this subject as there is a 120 million euro economic difference concerning overlays between the government and the Olympic Games organizing committee.

    It was stressed, during the meeting, that the state budget of 4.6 billion euros for the Olympic preparations is fixed and adequate, while any additional needs concerning the Olympic infrastructures or purchasing that will remain in use after the Games, will be covered by the state budget within the limits of the 4.6 billion euros.

    It was additionally stressed that any projects without use after the Olympic Games that will be constructed for the Games, will be funded exclusively by ATHOC.

    During the meeting it was also mentioned that the budget of ATHOC is secured to the tune of 42 per cent stemming from television rights, 41 per cent stemming from sponsorships and 14 per cent stemming from state funds.

    [02] Greece sees 'positive points' in Franco-German proposal for EU inst'l reforms

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Greece finds some points of the recent joint Franco-German proposal for institutional reforms to the European Union as being positive, but at the same time supports preservation of the EU's institutional bodies (European Council, European Commission and European Parliament), foreign ministry secretary general Elias Plaskovitis said Wednesday, clarifying that this view was exclusively a national one and not the view of the Greek EU presidency.

    In exclusive statements to the Athens News Agency (ANA), Plaskovitis also said that the EU summit in Thessaloniki in June would play a fundamental role in developments in view of the Inter-Governmental conference, which he said would ''close'' under the Italian EU presidency.

    Asked what the 'in principle' Greek positions were on the French-German proposal, Plaskovitis stressed first of all that these views, particularly with respect to the Convention on the Future of Europe, were ''national views'' and ''not the views of the (EU) presidency, because we are not presiding over the Convention''.

    ''We are participating in the Convention, and have an 'increased weight' because we are participating in the presidium due to our presidency of the EU, but in no way are we presiding (over the Convention),'' he said.

    Greece, he said, ''finds elements in the French-German proposal that are very close to identical with positions that we, too, have stated in the past, such as, for example, reinforcement of the prestige of the European Commission through the election of the Commission president by the European Parliament, and also the need for a strong and uniform voice in external affairs so that the EU presence will be truly respected and to have continuity in foreign policy''.

    In that respect, Plaskovitis continued, the proposal for a single EU ''foreign minister'' who would combine the positions of High Representative for common foreign and security policy and Commissioner for external relations in a single personal with a dual capacity "is within our views". The element added by the French-German proposal was that of election of the Council president, he said.

    However, if that proposal also implied reinforcement of the role of the Council at the expense of the other two institutional bodies (Commission and Europarliament), that would mean an EU turn towards an intergovernmental character and naturally Greece would have objections, Plaskovitis warned.

    [03] Greek EU presidency on General Affairs Council agenda, Iraq

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    The current Greek EU presidency wants to avert a war in Iraq, the Greek foreign ministry’s general secretary reiterated on Wednesday, echoing repeated statements by Greek officials and the Athens government’s position.

    The foreign ministry official made the comments in light of next week’s General Affairs Council meeting of the current Greek presidency, which began earlier this month.

    Ministry secretary Elias Plaskovitis again backed the idea of requesting a second UN resolution prior to any military operation against the Middle East country, in case it is found in breach of Resolution 1441 concerning its disposal of weapons of mass destruction and other internationally slapped compliance provisions.

    “No one in the European Union has said that they prefer war to a peaceful resolution,” he said.

    In answer to a press question about what the Council agenda will include, Plaskovitis said substantive talks will focus on EU relations with western Balkan states, along with discussion on how to better promote innovative ideas for strengthening EU ties with those countries.

    The Greek official also said EU-Africa relations will be on the agenda, especially the issue of Zimbabwe, a country on the Union’s sanctions list for human rights violations. He again cited an EU-Africa Summit on April 4 in Lisbon, chaired by the Greek presidency, and expected to be held at the prime ministerial level.

    Finally, in returning to the ongoing Iraq crisis, Plaskovitis stressed that the General Affairs Council will convene at approximately the same time as UN weapons inspector Hans Blix is set to table his first report.

    “I do not know in what degree we will be able to adapt this report’s conclusion in our discussions; there may though be time for this. However, based on the facts and discussions Foreign Minister George Papandreou had in Athens with Mr. Blix and Mr.El Baradei (the IAEA’s director general), I believe that we can have a substantive discussion over who the EU will react to various contingencies.”

    [04] Greek EU presidency consultations for common stance on Iraq crisis

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Greece's foreign minister George Papandreou, who chairs the EU Council of Ministers, had telephone contacts late Tuesday with the foreign ministers of France, Portugal and Austria to discuss developments in Iraq, the Greek foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

    The spokesman, Panos Beglitis, said Papandreou had spoken with French, Portuguese and Austrian foreign ministers Dominique de Villepin, Antonio Martins da Cruz and Benita Ferrero-Waldner respectively, within the framework of consultations between the Greek EU presidency and EU member-states regarding developments in Iraq, ahead of a Council of Ministers General Affairs (Foreign Relations) meeting scheduled for Monday, January 27, aimed at formulating a uniform EU position on the issue.

    ''Mr. Papandreou also had telephone communications with his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, Ahmed Maher and Marwan Muasher, respectively, with whom he discussed developments in Iraq and the prospects for seeking a political solution to the crisis,'' Beglitis added.

    Papandreou has telephone conversations with EU FMs on Iraq: Greek Foreign Minister and EU Council of Ministers President George Papandreou on Wednesday spoke by telephone with the Foreign Ministers of France Dominique de Villepin, Portugal Antonio Martins da Cruz and Austria Benita-Maria Ferrero-Waldner in the framework of talks between the EU presidency and member-states on developments in Iraq in light of the EU's General Affairs' Council meeting.

    He also talked with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Yakis in light of the regional conference organized by Turkey in Istanbul on conditions in Iraq.

    The Greek minister also held telephone conversations with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt Ahmed Maher and Jordan Marwan Muasher, focusing on developments in Iraq and efforts toward finding a political solution to the crisis.

    Papandreou will also discuss the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Igor S. Ivanov, who is in Greece on an official visit to participate in the EU troika meeting with Russia, during which the issues of the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan, Moldova, the Caucasus and North Korea will be discussed.

    ''We are expecting with interest the results of the regional conference, in light of the General Affairs Council on foreign relations in Brussels on Monday, where we will discuss developments in Iraq and the formulation of a common position by the European Union,'' Papandreou said.

    He added that ''it is our common target to utilize the possible diplomatic and political means to implement the UN decision to arrive at a peaceful solution''.

    In a related development, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis met with Iraqi National Assembly Vice-President Hamid al Raui, who briefed him on his country's stance on the crisis and that of a possible war against Iraq.

    FM Papandreou has telephone conversation

    with UN chief Annan: Foreign Minister and EU Council of Ministers President George Papandreou on Wednesday evening spoke at length by telephone with UN Secretary Kofi Annan on developments in Iraq in light of the EU's General Affairs' Council meeting in Brussels on Monday.

    Papandreou and Annan also discussed developments in the procedure for a settlement of the political problem of Cyprus.

    The Greek foreign minister also talked with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Yakis in light of the regional conference organized by Turkey in Istanbul on Thursday on conditions in Iraq.

    Government rules out involvement of Greek troops in Iraq: Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Wednesday ruled out the involvement of Greek troops in the case of a war in Iraq.

    He said Greece would "gauge its position on the basis of the course of developments in the UN'' regarding the provision of facilitations to the US side if an operation against Iraq was decided.

    Protopapas stressed that war was not inevitable and that there were peaceful ways of resolving the differences. He also noted initiatives that Greece had begun and said that the Greek government's aim was a convergence of positions among EU member-states at the UN.

    ''Europe must prove that it can have a common direction on this issue. In this affair, the EU's ability to develop joint initiatives is being judged,'' he stressed.

    [05] Papandreou-Ivanov meeting on Thursday

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou will meet with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov on Thursday at the Greek foreign ministry.

    Statements to the press will follow afterwards, according to a foreign ministry announcement on Wednesday.

    [06] Turkish FM: Ankara happy with cooperation from Greek EU presidency

    ISTANBUL, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Turkish foreign minister Yasar Yakis in an interview to the English-language ''Turkish Daily News'' published on Wednesday said that Ankara was ''very happy with the cooperation Turkey was getting from European Union term president Greece''.

    ''So far Greece has not spared any effort for Turkey's adaptation to the EU'', Yakis told the paper, adding that the cooperation between the two counties in that field was going very well.

    ''We want Greece to continue on that policy, which will also have a positive contribution to our bilateral ties. I attach great importance to maintaining the dialogue channels opened during my predecessor Ismail Cem's term. He and Papandreou launched a good initiative and I do approve'', the Turkish minister said.

    Yakis also told the Turkish daily that his Greek counterpart George Papandreou had telephoned him to ask information about Turkey's latest initiative on Iraq.

    On the issue of Cyprus, Yakis said that ''there is a legitimately elected president in northern Cyprus who at the same time was appointed by the 'Republican Assembly' as chief negotiator''.

    '' 'President' Denktash has come to office in the same fashion as such duties are assigned in a democratic country. For reasons stemming from his historical personality and personal ability, he has been fulfilling the requirements of the task excellently and continuing the talks very well. Turkey has no intention of touching this mechanism because it would be wrong to intervene in how a chief negotiator appointed in full compliance with established rules should continue his work'', Yakis told the newspaper.

    In 1983, the Turkish-occupied area of northern Cyprus illegally declared itself the so-called ''Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'', a break-away state recognized only by Ankara.

    Declining any comments regarding absence of an exchange of views between Ankara and Denktash, Yakis said ''some times it was very hard for him (Denktash), but every time he underlined that he would abide with the interests of Turkey. I believe he will continue on that line''.

    The Turkish foreign minister said that February 28 was an artificial date and that the aim was to reach a settlement before April 16, adding that Rauf Denktash had clearly stated that whatever was the final date to make a decision, if at that date he was not of the opinion to sign a deal, the Turkish-Cypriot people would find someone else to sign the agreement. ''No one can insist that he should sign the U.N. plan'', Yakis said.

    UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan aiming to solve the Cyprus problem stipulates that the talks would continue until February 28 and that the final agreement should be put on a referendum across Cyprus on March 30, 2003.

    ''Our cooperation (with Rauf Denktash) continues in an excellent fashion and I believe we should stand firm behind him'', he said.

    ''Neither of the two sides on Cyprus are prepared to accept the U.N. plan as it is'', Yakis told the daily. ''Denktash will tell Clerides you show me flexibility in this area and I will show you flexibility in that area'', he concluded.

    [07] Minister denies use of depleted uranium shells by Greek army

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Deputy Defense Minister Loukas Apostolidis on Wednesday categorically denied the use of depleted uranium shells by the Greek army, during a discussion on Samos regarding target ranges.

    Those spreading such rumors were only doing everyone a disservice, he stressed.

    He also promised local mayors that the use of target ranges in their district and that the army's requirements for target practice would be cut down to a minimum and carried out in areas that did not interfere with the islands development or the demands of the tourist season.

    [08] EU welcomes OAS establishment of Group of Friends of Venezuela

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    The European Union on Wednesday welcomed the establishment of the Group of Friends of Venezuela, and pledged its full support for the Group's contribution to fostering a viable solution to the crisis in Venezuela.

    In a declaration issued in Athens by the Greek EU presidency, the EU endorsed the establishment of the Group of Friends, comprising Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the US, which was announced by the Organization of American States (OAS) in mid-January, and urged the people of Venezuela to work with the OAS and the Group of Friends to seek a solution to the crisis.

    Below is the full text of the EU Declaration:

    ''The EU welcomes the establishment of the Group of Friends of Venezuela (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and USA) announced in Quito on 15 January by the Secretary General of the OAS.

    ''The EU expresses its full support for the contribution the Group of Friends can offer in fostering a viable solution to the crisis in Venezuela along the objectives set by the OAS resolution 833, in particular a peaceful, democratic, constitutional and electoral solution to the crisis.

    ''The EU considers that the Secretary General of the OAS has - through the Group of Friends - an additional valuable instrument in his efforts to build the conditions for genuine dialogue and reconciliation.

    ''The EU urges the institutions and people of Venezuela to seek a solution to the crisis with the assistance of the Secretary General of the OAS and the Group of Friends and in the framework of full respect of democratic principles and the rule of law, including the respect of the freedom of the press.

    ''The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.''

    [09] Parliament ratifies US-Greece CTA despite strong criticism from MPs

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Parliament ratified the Comprehensive Technical Agreement (CTA) regulating the defense relationship between the United States and Greece on Wednesday, despite objections from both opposition and ruling party MPs that it was one-sided and completely ignored the principle of mutuality.

    Responding to the criticism, Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos described it as an improvement on the previous framework.

    This was questioned by several speakers, however, such as Coalition MP Maria Damanaki and PASOK MP Theodoros Pangalos, who said the new agreement was worse in several places than the previous one. Pangalos also objected to the timing for the CTA's ratification, coming just before American soldiers were due to arrive in Greece on route to military operations in Iraq and because it was tantamount to facilitating the US war.

    A roll-call vote was requested 16 MPs, including five rebels from ruling PASOK, but could not be carried out because two MPs were absent when it began.

    The CTA was signed between US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on June 13, 2001.

    It consolidates a number of provisions regarding the status of US forces in Greece, currently contained in numerous bilateral agreements supplementary to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed in 1951, and incorporates counterpart SOFA provisions that deal with the status of Greek forces in the United States. The Greek CTA was envisioned as the final piece of three major agreements regulating the defense relationship with Greece. The other two major agreements already in force are the NATO SOFA and the 1990 Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA), which updated US basing arrangements in Greece and established the requirement to negotiate and sign the CTA. The counterpart SOFA provisions, incorporated in Part II of the agreement, deal with the status of Greek forces in the United States.

    Loverdos outlines Greek position on Iraq: During the debate, meanwhile, the deputy foreign minister referred to Athens' position on Iraq. He stressed that Greece wanted full implementation of Security Council resolution 1441, that all means for achieving peace be first exhausted and, finally, a single expression of EU policy on this issue.

    He also noted that the foreign ministry had been making preparations for a possible war in Iraq since November 2002, particularly as regards the wave of refugees that would flood Iraq's neighbors and the provision of aid, particularly food aid.

    [10] Premier meets with ruling PASOK party secretary

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday met with ruling PASOK party Secretary Costas Laliotis and discussed the party program for the next 15 months in conjunction with the course of the government's projects.

    According to sources, the planning for the next 15-month period sets the time of the Parliamentary elections, which, as it was stressed, will take place in April or May 2004.

    The same sources said that over the next few weeks PASOK's planning will escalate and will include a series of activities in every prefecture and in every sector.

    [11] Greek EU presidency to focus on sustainable development

    BRUSSELS 23/01/2003 (ANA/G.Zitouniati)

    Greece's current six-month presidency of the European Union is to focus on sustainable development, aiming at a reshaping of the 15-nation bloc's economic and social model.

    Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in the Belgian capital on Wednesday that sustainable development lay at the heart of the EU Lisbon's strategy.

    The minister was outlining the Greek presidency's proposals on development to the European Parliament.

    The components of sustainable development to be tackled were improving competitiveness coupled with a rise in productivity and investment in the information society; along with attaining social cohesion, protection of the environment and quality of life, he said.

    In the industrial sector, the presidency would focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of the EU's economy.

    As president of the bloc until June, Greece would also work to advance an agreement made to achieve full deregulation of the electricity and natural gas market by 2007, Tsohatzopoulos said.

    [12] Greek inflation slows to 3.5 pct in December, Eurostat

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Greek annual inflation slowed to 3.5 percent in December from 3.9 percent in November, Eurostat said on Wednesday.

    In its monthly bulletin on the EU inflation, the EU executive's statistics agency said that Ireland (4.6 percent), Spain and Portugal (4.0 percent each), Greece and the Netherlands (3.5 percent each) recorded the highest inflation rates in the EU, while Germany (1.1 percent), Belgium (1.3 percent), and Austria, Finland, UK and Sweden (1.7 percent each) recorded the lowest annual inflation rates in December.

    The annual inflation figure for the eurozone, however, rose to 2.3 percent in December from 2.2 percent the previous months, and it was up from 2.0 percent in December 2001. The inflation rate also rose in the EU-15 to 2.2 percent from 2.1 percent and 2.2 percent, over the same period.

    Annual inflation rates rose in nine member-states, it fell in four and was unchanged in two.

    The UK, Germany and Belgium recorded the lowest average inflation rates (1.3 percent, 1.3 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively), while Ireland (4.7 percent), the Netherlands (3.9 percent) and Greece (3.9 percent) the highest rates.

    The annual inflation rate was unchanged in Switzerland (0.9 percent), and rose in the US (2.4 percent in December from 2.2 percent in November).

    Christodoulakis calls for collective action to combat inflation: A government decision to change the way retail prices are publicly shown in shops did not justify any price increases in the domestic market, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Wednesday.

    The Greek minister, responding to reactions by the commerce community, stressed that the decision - to be valid from February 10 - was taken in an effort to help Greek consumers in their daily use of the euro currency.

    Mr Christodoulakis urged everyone in the commerce community to contribute in an anti-inflation policy followed by the government and forecast that the inflation rate would fall in January.

    He said that the government was examining state enterprises' budgets and reiterated that the public sector would adhere to an anti-inflationary policy.

    [13] Agriculture minister outlines Greek presidency priorities

    BRUSSELS 23/01/2003 (ANA - V. Demiris)

    Agriculture Minister George Drys said on Wednesday the main priorities of the European Union's Greek presidency in the agricultural sector are the interim revision of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the safety of foodstuffs.

    Drys, who was presenting Greece's targets during the first half of 2003 before the European Parliament's relevant committee, said the correct planning and implementation of CAP is the strongest means of guaranteeing the European agricultural model and underlined the Greek presidency's readiness for an in-depth processing of proposals presented by the European Commission on Wednesday on the interim revision of CAP.

    The agriculture minister said relevant discussions will begin at the Council of Agriculture Ministers on January 27 and expressed the hope that the European Parliament, agreeing to the need of promoting this major issue, will give its opinion in time to enable a decision to be reached by the end of June.

    [14] Greece says savings' tax deal may lead to repatriation of capital

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    The government's economic team believes that an ECOFIN decision on a savings' tax of non-EU residents could become a motive for the return of Greek citizens' savings in foreign banks, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Wednesday.

    The Greek minister was commenting on a political agreement reached on Tuesday during a regular meeting of EU economy and finance ministers on savings tax.

    Under an agreed new system of exchanging information between member-states (with the exception of Luxembourg, Austria and Belgium), to be valid from January 1, 2004, Greek tax authorities will be informed over Greek citizens' deposits in other EU countries, thus imposing and receiving taxes on their savings.

    The three exempted countries will be obliged to return a significant part of their income from savings tax to other member-states.

    Mr Christodoulakis said that the Greek government would use this information in its regular tax inspections.

    [15] FM briefs labor union leader on ministry's presidency issues

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Wednesday briefed General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Polyzogopoulos on his ministry's affairs which are linked to issues to be handled by the European Union's Greek presidency.

    On his part, Polyzogopoulos briefed Papandreou on GSEE's positions and proposals on issues concerning the EU.

    The foreign minister was also briefed, according to an announcement by GSEE, on GSEE's activities during the Greek presidency with the purpose of promoting European labor union claims, as well as on the initiative being undertaken by GSEE for a meeting with the labor confederations of Turkey and Cyprus (both Greek and Turkish Cypriot) on Turkey's European prospects, the finding of a solution to the Cyprus issue and safeguarding peace in the region.

    [16] OTE telecom's board okays acquisition deal with Romania

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    The board of Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), a heavily traded stock on the Athens bourse, on Wednesday approved an agreement with Romanian authorities on acquisition by the Greek firm of a majority stake in the Balkan country's state telecom.

    Under the terms of the arrangement, OTE would fund a 243 million dollar share capital increase by RomTelecom, granting it the majority stake, the Greek firm said in a statement.

    [17] Greek stocks end off lows on Wednesday

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Greek stocks ended Wednesday's sessions slightly lower as a wave of bargain hunting in the last half hour of trading in the Athens Stock Exchange helped the market to significantly limit earlier losses.

    The general index fell 0.15 percent to end at 1,669.69 points, with turnover a low 70.4 million euros.

    The IT, Base Metals and Industrial sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.68 percent, 1.09 percent and 0.75 percent, respectively), while the Publication (1.53 percent), Investment (0.90 percent and Construction (0.83 percent) suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.18 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.01 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.23 percent down.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 187 to 103 with another 64 issues unchanged.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 61.0 mln euros Wednesday

    Equity Index Futures:

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

  • Underlying Index: -0.18 percent

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

  • Underlying Index: -0.01 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Vodaphone (297)

    Day's Market Turnover: 61.0 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers outstrip sellers on Wednesday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.38 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 22 bps

  • Day's Market Turnover: 2.9 bln euros

  • Most Active Bond: 15-year, expiring May 2013 (360 mln euros)

    [18] Battle against doping can be won, Sebastian Coe says

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    The battle against doping by athletes could be won by the sports movement, though not overnight and perhaps not completely, Sebastian Coe said on Wednesday during an address at the headquarters of the Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee.

    A leading figure in the world of athletics, Coe warned that doping could distort the fabric of sports but also noted that it should not be linked with individual aspects of sports, such as the pressure on athletes to break new records.

    ''The decision to use drugs is not the individual affair of each athlete,'' Coe said, pointing out that a series of influences from their whole environment are brought to bear on athletes, whose activities touch the limits of human capacity.

    For this reason, he added, there had to be an in-depth investigation of the entire human ''chain'' in the environment of athletes that used performance-enhancing drugs.

    ''It has to be understood that sports is not just about physical performance but also demands mental strength,'' he stressed.

    The issue was now ripe, it was no longer something hidden and this made discussion and the search for solutions easier, he added.

    He stressed the need to fight doping and to increase athletes' trust in the results of testing centers, while he also called for a single testing protocol, a realistic scale of penalties that were in proportion to the offence as well as funding to protect testing authorities against appeals and litigation.

    He said that British Prime Minister Tony Blair would be announcing next Thursday whether London would be bidding for the 2012 Olympics.

    Coe, a member of the House of Lords, has an impressive track record in his 18-year career as a middle-distance runner.

    At the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games he won the gold medal in the 1,500 meter race and the silver in the 800 meters. Four years later, at Los Angeles, he repeated his successes.

    Coe is now a columnist in the Daily Telegraph newspaper and sports commentator on BBC radio.

    [19] Greek aid to Mexico following devastating quake

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Greece will provide 200,000 euros in emergency aid to Mexico, following a powerful early morning earthquake in western and central portions of the Latin American country, it was announced here later in the day.

    In addition, the foreign ministry-sponsored NGO “Hellenic Rescue Team” will also be dispatched to the affected area.

    According to latest reports, at least 23 people were killed, while dozens of homes collapsed, leaving the worst-hit state shrouded in darkness due to power outages.

    [20] Greek Euro-MP's report on environmental blame approved

    BRUSSELS 23/01/2003 (ANA-M.Spinthourakis)

    The European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy approved on Wednesday a report by Greek Euro-MP Michalis Papayiannakis (Coalition of the Left), on environmental responsibility with regard to prevention and restoration of damage done to the environment. The Committee agreed with the principle that the “polluter must pay”, in spite of strong pressures by industrial lobbies, opening the way for economic penalties and legal action against companies causing such harm.

    “The Committee's decision is an important step towards the definition and implementation of the appropriate measures for the prevention or restoration of damage done to the environment. It is imperative that the costs for restoration of damage to the environment be paid by those causing the harm, not European tax-payers”, Papayiannakis said commenting on the adoption of the report.

    As a result of the adoption of amendments contained in the report, companies will be held accountable for damage to the environment even if they hold a permit for the specific activity; companies are obliged to take insurance in order to cover potential damage as a result of their activities; certain recourse provisions are enhanced, facilitating legal action taken by NGOs and citizens.

    Apart from damage done to the soil, water, air and biodiversity, the adoption of the report also provides for the implementation of a relevant directive in cases of damage stemming from the use of genetically altered organisms.

    [21] WWF Hellas protests to EU Commission over hazardous chemicals use

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    The Greek branch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on Wednesday announced that it would be sending 5,715 letters of protest to European Commission President Romano Prodi over the uncontrolled production and use of hazardous chemicals.

    It said the protest was timed to coincide with a visit to Athens by Prodi and the Greek presidency of the EU.

    "The European Commission's intention is to table a bill that will restrict the circulation of hazardous chemical substances but the pressures it is under from the chemicals industry have resulted in a delay of this process," an WWF Hellas announcement said.

    "The goal of WWF Hellas is chemicals' production that is friendly to the environment and the public and not in the interests of powerful industries in the sector," it concludes.

    [22] Evros prefect receives Turkish consul of Komotini

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Prefect of Evros Nikos Zambounidis on Wednesday received Turkish Consul of Komotini Husein Avni Botzali and discussed with him a series of issues, concerning cooperation in the energy sector and the Burgas, Bulgaria - Alexandroupoli, Greece oil pipeline. Zambounidis also asked of Botzali to convey to his government his request for support in the extension of the Egnatia highway from Alexandroupoli to Istanbul.

    The two men also discussed ways to confront the mutual problem of mosquitoes in the Evros region, an area shared by both countries as the Evros River constitutes the border between Greece and Turkey.

    [23] Actor Daniel Day Lewis in Athens for 'Gangs of New York ' premiere

    Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

    Actor Daniel Day-Lewis arrived in Athens on Wednesday for the Athens premiere of the new film by Martin Scorsese "Gangs of New York," in which he plays a starring role.

    The proceeds of the premiere will go toward the Protection of Spastic Children Society.

    Day-Lewis spoke about the needs of the handicapped, noting that these were not met by "our prejudices and weaknesses". He also condemned the prospect of a war in Iraq, saying that a climate of opposition to the war had been growing even in normally apathetic Hollywood over the past few weeks.

    The actor expressed his admiration for Scorsese and said he hoped the newly released film would earn him his first Oscar.

    [24] Clerides and Denktash press on with talks

    NICOSIA 23/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash continued their UN-led direct talks on the Cyprus problem on Wednesday.

    The meeting, held in the presence of the UN chief's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, was expected to see the commencement of negotiations on the basis of non-papers with the points of the Annan plan that the two sides wish to have changed.

    Their next meeting will be on Friday.

    Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

    President Clerides and Denktash are currently engaged in talks with an aim to reach a comprehensive settlement by February 28, a target date set in a revised solution proposal submitted to them by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan last month.

    [25] Denktash cannot disorient us, government spokesman says

    NICOSIA 23/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The determination of the Greek Cypriot side to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem is given and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will not disorient it with a referendum on the Annan plan that is likely to be held in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic before or during the presidential elections in the government-controlled areas, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said here on Wednesday.

    Commenting on press reports suggesting that Denktash might schedule the referendum to take place between presidential election rounds, that is between February 16 and 23, Papapetrou said the Turkish Cypriot leader thinks that this would place the Greek Cypriot side in a tight spot.

    ''It is obvious that Denktash, in his efforts to diminish the pressures exerted on him at home and abroad and to promote his positions, is maneuvering or will probably make maneuvers in order to shake the burden off him and onto our side,'' Papapetrou added.

    He pointed out that the presidential elections will not in the least affect President Glafcos Clerides' handling of and devotion to the Cyprus problem even if Denktash decides to hold the referendum on the day of the presidential elections or on their eve. ''Our side will not fall into such traps,'' Papapetrou said.

    ''Our determination to solve the Cyprus problem, after negotiating several issues on the basis of the Annan plan, is given and we will not allow him (Denktash) to disorient us,'' he pointed out.

    Invited to say whether Denktash has informed the UN Secretary.

    General's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto that he intends to hold a referendum, Papapetrou said ''he said so in the presence of Mr. de Soto and Mr. Clerides.''

    [26] Durduran says Annan plan only option for settlement

    NICOSIA 23/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Patriotic Unity Movement Alpay Durduran said on Wednesday that the plan submitted by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to solve the Cyprus problem may not look good due to differences between the two sides, but is the only option available at the time being.

    Durduran and President of the United Democrats George Vassiliou met in the government-controlled areas of the Republic on Wednesday and outlined the importance of a solution of the Cyprus problem by the end of February, a target date set out in the Annan plan.

    Speaking after the meeting, Durduran appealed to the Greek Cypriots ''to understand that the Turkish Cypriots need a solution'' and noted that ''this is a matter of life and death."

    ''We have to reach an agreement before February 28," he said, adding that ''we should not feel the luxury to play with time because we shall face many difficulties if we cannot solve the Cyprus problem or reach an agreement before February 28."

    He said that ''if we do not reach a solution before February 28 it would be a catastrophic situation for the Turkish Cypriots and it will hit Turkey very much too."

    Referring to the Annan plan, Durduran said that ''because of the gap between the two sides, the plan does not look very good but it is almost the only option," adding that the Turkish Cypriots support it.

    Replying to a comment that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash does not want a solution based on the Annan plan, Durduran noted that he does not worry about Denktash who opposes the plan.

    ''The main problem is Turkey. If Turkey decides to pave the way for the solution, Turkish Cypriots will manage to overcome every impediment, including Denktash," he said.

    Commenting on press reports that Denktash wishes to hold a referendum on the solution of the Cyprus problem before February 28, Durduran said he disagreed with the Turkish Cypriot leader.

    He pointed out that if Denktash reaches an agreement with President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides, ''we are ready to say yes at the referendum."

    Durduran added that the Turkish Cypriots ''are prepared to demonstrate in a vast meeting to show that we are supporting a solution and reunification of our island."

    Vassiliou said that probably the overwhelming majority of the Turkish Cypriots are concerned by the lack of progress in the peace process, adding that ''they are afraid of what will happen to them in case no sol


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