Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-02-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens confirms UN pressure to wrap up Cyprus security issues

[02] UN chief to continue Cyprus efforts 'til Feb. 28, FM Papandreou says

[03] State Department Cyprus coordinator optimistic for solution to Cyprus issue

[04] FM Papandreou in Cairo to discuss Iraq crisis with Egyptian counterpart

[05] Greek FM Papandreou continues to hope for 'victory of diplomacy' in Iraq crisis

[06] Suspected ELA terrorist remanded in custody

[07] Parliament ratifies treaty against terrorist bomb attacks

[08] Cabinet approves defense minister's proposals for the armed forces

[09] Israeli, Palestinian envoys debate Mideast problem in Athens

[10] PM's press spokesman resigns, citing 'aspersions' on his political work

[11] HATTA hopes for quick end of Iraqi crisis

[12] Greek, Norwegian Transport and Communications Ministers meet

[13] Greek participation in Los Angeles Travel Show

[14] Greek stocks fall to new five-year lows on Thursday

[15] ANA -ATHOC launch e-magazine 'Towards 2004' on Athens Olympics news

[16] President Stephanopoulos hosts reception in honor of armed forces

[17] Culture minister participates in INCP meeting with UNESCO chair

[18] Deputy FM seats in event of ''National Prayer Breakfast'' addressed by Bush

[19] Name of Constantine Karamanlis to be given to part of European Parliament

[20] Celebrations at all EU schools on March 21 for 'Europe of citizens'

[21] Government spokesman says solution efforts on various levels

[01] Athens confirms UN pressure to wrap up Cyprus security issues

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

According to government spokesman Christos Protopapas, Annan referred to the issue as a ''particularly urgent matter'' and invited the two sides to begin talks at the United Nations.

During Thursday's cabinet meeting, meanwhile, the prime minister had noted a statement by a Turkish foreign ministry spokesman calling for ''a compromise between guarantor countries (for security and guarantees) on Cyprus,'' Protopapas said.

Simitis pointed out that Athens had given a positive response when asked by visiting UN envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto if it was prepared to enter into talks with Turkey on the issue of Cyprus' security, specifically the number of troops on the island and where they would be based.

At that time, he added, Turkey had not been ready to give a similar reply.

The UN envoy had then asked if Athens would accept an initiative by the UN chief to send a letter on this issue and the Greek government had again replied positively.

Simitis concluded that Wednesday's statement by the Turkish official indicated a shift in Ankara's stance, and this had given rise to increased activity surrounding the Cyprus issue.

Simitis also noted a comment by the Turkish spokesman that it ''would be natural'' if there were a third Annan plan for Cyprus.

Protopapas then announced that Simitis will be meeting with Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Monday and said that Papandreou would be meeting the UN chief and four European members of the UN Security Council while in New York.

He also announced that Papandreou was due to depart for Cairo on Thursday for talks with the Egyptian government the following day.

[02] UN chief to continue Cyprus efforts 'til Feb. 28, FM Papandreou says

NEW YORK 07/02/2003 (ANA - P. Panayiotou)

Papandreou, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency and Annan focused on the Cyprus issue and the Iraq crisis during their 40-minute discussion. They also discussed the issues of Zimbabwe and N. Korea with respect to how the EU intended to aid in their resolution.

The Greek foreign minister said that Annan had reaffirmed his insistence on the February 28 deadline the UN chief has set for the two sides on Cyprus to reach agreement for resolving the Cyprus problem, and also his determination to help in that direction up until that date. "We thank him (Annan) for all the efforts he had made, is making and will make, and we are prepared to continue our own efforts with respect to the European Union, and everywhere else Greece is involved," Papandreou said.

Greece was also prepared for discussions with the Turkish side on the security aspect in Cyprus, he said adding that "when the Turkish side is also ready, we will be able to sit at the negotiations problem and resolve this chapter of the Annan plan".

Diplomatic sources told ANA that the UN chief plans in the next few days to send letters to the prime ministers of Greece and Turkey, asking Athens and Ankara to proceed with the commencement of negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus security problem, in tandem with the ongoing efforts for a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus issue.

Asked whether Annan planned to submit a revised plan, Papandreou said that the UN chief had not made any mention of a new or revised plan nor of any intentions to that effect. "But he did affirm that he will personally deal actively in the coming weeks with the effort to move forward the negotiation for a Cyprus solution. He has not thrown in the towel and will continue with greater intensity his effort until February 28," Papandreou said.

Asked if he believed a solution was feasible by that date, Papandreou replied in the affirmative, but on condition that "the two sides will be able to move ahead, with UN assistance".

As for the security aspect, he said that new contacts would be sought with the Turkish side with the hope that the Turkish side would reciprocate.

ON the Iraq crisis, Papandreou said he had had the opportunity to outline to Annan the EU's 'specific positions'.

"We desire a peaceful solution and are prepared to contribute with any initiative that he himself (Annan) considers useful and significant," Papandreou said, adding that he had also briefed Annan on his recent tour of the Middle East.

He said that the Arab world could play an important role in defusing the situation and influencing Iraq to comply with UN Security Council resolution 1441.

Papandreou said that Annan had welcomed the initiative and agreed with the view that the Arab world had an important role, and that the EU could also assist in that direction.

The foreign minister reiterated his hope that a peaceful solution would be found to the problem.

[03] State Department Cyprus coordinator optimistic for solution to Cyprus issue

ISTANBUL 07/02/2003 (ANA - E. Aretaios)

''At the end of my contacts today I think that hopes (for a solution to the Cyprus issue) have increased,'' he said.

Speaking after his meeting with permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Ugur Zigal in Ankara, Weston said ''steps are being speeded up'', adding that ''time is getting tighter.''

Asked to comment on the fact that the UN secretary general called on Greece and Turkey to reach an agreement on the issue of security in the framework of a solution to the Cyprus issue, Weston said Turkey and Greece are guarantor countries and that there are issues on which only these two countries can take decisions and added that the United States could support such a dialogue.

[04] FM Papandreou in Cairo to discuss Iraq crisis with Egyptian counterpart

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

The AFP quoted MENA news agency as saying the two men will discuss ''the Iraq crisis and the means for the resumption of the peace process in the Middle East.''

The Greek foreign minister will also meet Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.

Papandreou arrived in Cairo from New York where he attended the UN Security Council where U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell presented information of Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction.

The Greek minister's visit to Egypt is part of his tour of the region. He has already visited Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

[05] Greek FM Papandreou continues to hope for 'victory of diplomacy' in Iraq crisis

NEW YORK 07/02/2003 (ANA - P. Panayotou)

Lauding the fact that US Secretary of State Colin Powell had presented Wednesday (to the UN Security Council) the information possessed by the US, Papandreou, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said in his interview with CNN following Powell's briefing of the UN Security Council on the Iraq issue, that "This is very important and the EU supports that all steps should be taken with the UN in the driver's seat, and therefore this strengthens the role of the UN".

He said that Iraq must realize that time was running short and that it needed to cooperate fully with the UN arms inspectors and facilitate their work, adding that the EU desired a diplomatic solution, but that would not be feasible unless there was full compliance by Iraq.

"I would just like to remind that the UN Security Council had a unanimous decision 1441 only a few weeks ago on the issue of full compliance, and asks for full compliance from Saddam Hussein. I think what Sec. Powell has said makes an argument that there is a game being played by Saddam Hussein, and full cooperation is not there, and that has been corroborated by (UN chief arms inspector) Hans Blix. So what the EU will want to say is that, now is the time; if Saddam Hussein really wants to show that he is fully complying, that he actually works very closely, very openly, and gives all the evidence necessary to Hans Blix, and this will be recognized by the international community. Otherwise, he will very possibly face direct consequences," Papandreou said.

During a press conference later at the UN Correspondents' Association (UNCA), and referring to his recent Middle East tour, Papandreou said that the "message is that there is still hope for a diplomatic resolution of the issue, for finding a peaceful solution".

However, he added, this depended "exclusively" on Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. "It is his responsibility to fully comply with and actively cooperate with the UN inspectors, otherwise there would be unpleasant repercussions.

Questioned on Greece's stance on the Iraq issue, Papandreou explained that, as the current EU president, the emphasis was on having the final decision being taken by the UN Security Council.

Greek, Polish deputy defense ministers discuss Iraq crisis, EU enlargement: The Iraq crisis, European Union enlargement and Greece-Poland relations were at the centre of talks which Greek Deputy Defense Minister Lazaros Lotidis had with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Towpik in Warsaw.

On his country's alignment with the U.S.'s stance on the Iraq issue, Towpik said Poland wishes to have excellent cooperation with NATO and the EU on all levels and in all activities.

At the same time, he added that Poland supports the prospect of a common EU foreign and security policy, speaking of temporary difficulties and contradictions in its formulation.

On his part, Lotidis reiterated the need for a common EU stance on all crucial problems and called on Iraq to fully comply with the resolutions of the UN Security Council which must take the necessary decision for a solution to the problem.

Parliamentarians and journalists appeal to gov't and parties against Iraq war: A total of 66 Parliamentary deputies from the ruling PASOK party and the main New Democracy party, as well as 48 journalists, appealed to the government and to political parties to have the war against Iraq averted.

''The war is about control of the oil, but primarily for the European Union's economy to be dealt a blow and the prospect of its political integration to be suspended. In parallel, the American economy will emerge extremely powerful from the war and at the same time the global domination of the empire will have been imposed with painful consequences thereafter for the independence of peoples, their political rights and the individual rights of the citizens of the world,'' the appeal said.

''We, the undersigned politicians and journalists call on the government, being the EU's president, to take initiatives to have the war averted and we call on the parties to assist it in this struggle. The European Parliament, national parliaments and the Church must act to have the war averted. Nobody is entitled to remain inactive,'' it added.

KKE leader says following Iraq, U.S. has other countries in sight: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga on Thursday called on the Greek people to struggle against a possible war against Iraq, noting that ''the U.S. has also its sight on Syria, Iran and North Korea.''

Papariga, who concluded a two-day visit to Crete, claimed that Greece was taking part in the escalation of preparations for the war against Iraq, by sending a frigate to the Persian Gulf. At the same time, she argued that Greece has said ''yes'' to ''everything'' that U.S. President George W. Bush has asked for.

Speaking at a press conference in the city of Irakleio, Papariga said the KKE's slogan was ''no to the direct or indirect participation of Greece in the war operations in Iraq.'' She added that the developments should constitute an opportunity for Greeks to struggle for the removal of the Suda Base from the island.

The KKE leader conceded that the Greek government has never declared that it wants a war in Iraq, noting however that ''it aligns itself with the imperialist world order, believing that others will suffer its consequences.''

Referring to the consequences of a possible war in Iraq, Papariga concluded by saying that her party will take part in the European anti-war rally on February 15.

Greek, Cypriot and Turkish labor unions issue proclamation against war in Iraq: A two-day meeting between Greek, Turkish and Cypriot (both Greek and Turkish Cypriot) labor unions ended with complete success on Thursday, according to unionists from all sides.

The meeting reached a unanimous decision on a proclamation according to which the unions are opposed to the upcoming war in Iraq, claim a peaceful and just solution to the Cyprus issue and support Turkey's European prospect.

It was also agreed that the discussion would be continued during the next meeting to be organized in Istanbul by the Turkish unions on the issues of armaments, poverty and debts.

Speaking at a press conference during which he outlined conclusions reached during the meeting, General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Polyzogopoulos said it was an absolute success and agreement was reached between the unionists on three crucial issues.

On the issue of war, a common position was ascertained and it was agreed that the unions will spearhead anti-war mobilizations, the first step being rallies to be held on February 15.

Regarding the issue of Cyprus, a unanimous agreement was reached on the prospect of a just, viable and workable solution in the direction of a unified Cyprus.

The third issue, support for Turkey's accession course to the European Union, met with the unionists' agreement on initiatives backing this prospect within the framework and criteria set at the EU's Copenhagen summit.

[06] Suspected ELA terrorist remanded in custody

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

Zervobeakos is also handling the ''November 17'' terrorism case.

Tsigaridas has admitted to being a member of the terrorist organization until 1990-91, at which time he departed for personal reasons.

During Zervobeakos' examination, sources said that Tsigaridas cited his testimony under preliminary interrogation - during which he accepted ''political responsibility'' for the period that he participated in the terrorist outfit - and did not reveal any other members of the group nor refer to any of ELA's actions.

According to sources, Tsigaridas has denied any link between ELA and November 17 in his testimony to police, saying that the two groups had ideological and other differences.

Court sources, meanwhile, have not ruled out the possibility that further charges will be brought against the suspected members of the group once all the evidence concerning the group's hits and all the Stazi files on ELA have been collected in the Appeals public prosecutor's brief.

In addition to Tsigaridas, ELA suspects Eleni Athanasaki and Aggeletos Kanas were also brought before Appeals Examining Magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakos on Thursday.

Kanas, who is serving as community president in a village on the island of Kimolos, has denied all involvement with ELA and has claimed that he is the victim of wrongful claims made by his estranged ex-wife and of political antagonism on Kimolos following his involvement in politics.

Sources said the community president presented Zervobeakos with a memorandum in which he cites mainly technical legal arguments, such as the fact that the statute of limitations on the crimes attributed to him has expired since ELA suspended all activity in 1995. Kanas also questions the validity of the warrant for his arrest.

The same sources said the examining magistrate did not question Kanas regarding his political beliefs.

Athanasaki has also denied all involvement with ELA and that she plans to submit a memorandum to the examining magistrate.

It was also announced that the public prosecutor monitoring the examination will be Constantine Vompiris, since Appeals prosecutor Kyriakos Karoutsos has claimed an excessive workload. Karoutsos will remain as a replacement prosecutor should the need arise.

Alleged ELA terrorist to be remanded in custody Irene Athanasaki, allegedly a member of the Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) terrorist organization, appeared before an Athens investigator on Thursday, who ordered that she be remanded in custody at the Korydallos prison on the outskirts of Athens.

Athanasaki, 49, will be taken to the General Police Headquarters in Alexandras avenue from where she will be taken to the prison on Friday.

According to reports, Athanasaki denied any involvement in ELA, before investigator Leonidas Zervobeakos, and added that she does not accept the charge of joining and participating in the organization.

Athanasaki's lawyers indicated that in the next few days she will be making an appeal requesting her release from prison.

In a related development, Aggeletos Kanas, also accused of joining and participating in ELA , will be remanded in custody in the same prison after appearing before Zervobeakos earlier in the day.

[07] Parliament ratifies treaty against terrorist bomb attacks

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

Deputy Public Order Minister Evangelos Malesios said the bill aimed to deal with terrorism through procedures of international cooperation.

Responding to MPs' objections to the bill, he said he respected concerns about the power of the United States but that the best way to avoid such phenomena was to strengthen international bodies giving jurisdiction based on the rules of international law.

Malesios said Greece had developed a steady front against terrorism and that the dismantling of the terrorist groups November 17 and Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) had helped relieve this phenomenon in the country.

At another point, he said that the treaty would only be applied in cases where someone traded in, placed or transported explosive devices and he assured the House that no democratic Greek government would become a country subordinated to the United States.

Asked about the timing of the treaty's ratification with respect to the Iraq crisis, the minister reiterated that the ''Greek government was working steadily toward peace and averting the war,'' within the framework of the Greek EU presidency.

[08] Cabinet approves defense minister's proposals for the armed forces

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

According to Prime Minister Costas Simitis, a great and difficult change had taken place within the armed forces, which had had to overcome conservative attitudes and entrenched ideas about the 'special role' that the armed forces had once had.

The premier stressed the 'branching' of the armed forces that now allowed an organized defense of the country to be mounted extremely quickly. He also noted that staff were now chosen according to merit and without consideration for political criteria, with the sole object being to promote the ablest and best qualified to deal with contemporary military requirements.

Simitis also noted that all 'legal entities' had to operate on the basis of their framework and not with a special regime.

The spokesman announced that the first mission of the European Union's rapid reaction force would begin in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the first week of April.

Representing the EU at the installation of the 650 troops and officers would be Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, on behalf of the Greek EU presidency, and High Commissioner for Europe's Common Foreign and Defense Policy Javier Solana.

[09] Israeli, Palestinian envoys debate Mideast problem in Athens

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

The breakthrough event, sponsored by Athens-based Panteios University’s Institute of International Relations, marked the first time Israeli ambassador David Sasson and Palestinian representative Abdullah Abdullah have met at a similar forum.

On his part, veteran diplomat Sasson reiterated that a majority of Israelis "favor the creation of a Palestinian state as long as the terrorism war stops".

Additionally, he told a packed hall in the Plaka district, below the Acropolis in downtown Athens, that the Palestinian Authority, and especially veteran leader Yasser Arafat, missed a grand opportunity at the Camp David meeting in the summer of 2000.

"Yasser Arafat was offered land (97 percent of the occupied territories) and half of Jerusalem on a silver platter, but he refused. Yasser Arafat refused and then ordered a terror campaign," Sasson charged.

The Israeli ambassador’s opening remarks were sharply countered in turn by Abdullah, who lashed out at the military record and views of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the big winner of last month’s general elections in Israel, pointing to what he hinted were war crimes and racist views.

The Palestinian representative stressed to an audience of students, diplomats, journalists and academics that "no colonies last forever", before terming the idea of an Israeli offer to establish a Palestinian state on the lion’s share of the West Bank "a myth".

Moreover, he said another "myth" promoted by the Israeli side is that the Palestinian uprising after September 2000 was orchestrated in advance, claiming that all of the victims in the month after Ariel Sharon’s visit to a Jerusalem holy site were Palestinians or Arab Israeli citizens.

Panteios Prof. Sotirios Roussis moderated the event, while Athens News Agency (ANA) managing director Nicolas Voulelis and investigative reporter-TV anchor Tassos Teloglou addressed questions.

[10] PM's press spokesman resigns, citing 'aspersions' on his political work

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

In the letter, Pantagias noted his decision to stand as a candidate in Piraeus in the next elections and protested at the ''sordid slander'' surrounding his political work in the Piraeus district.

He also claims to have ''acted as a lightning rod for the angry reactions of those who, from personal and political self-interest, oppose the demand for modernization.''

Lastly, Pantagias underlined his loyalty and respect for the prime minister, whom he describes as a ''new continent in the country's political life''.

[11] HATTA hopes for quick end of Iraqi crisis

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Mr Evangelou stressed that if a war was to begin, "then the sooner the better for Greek tourism".

HATTA's president said that travel reservations to Greece from the UK and Germany were currently 30 percent and 15 percent lower, respectively, reflecting international uncertainties over geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

He left, however, a note of optimism over a likely impact on tourism of a war in Iraq, saying that the situation could also affect positively tourist arrivals to Greece as the country was not going to participate in any military strike.

HATTA supported a government plan for the creation of a Chamber of Tourism and said that the project could contribute in promoting the country's tourist industry.

Mr Evangelou urged for the need to review a current regulatory framework for tourist enterprises and tourist agencies in Greece, in the aftermath of a collapse of Manos Travel, one of the biggest company in Greece. HATTA's chairman said that a new owner of Manos Travel was working towards restructuring the collapsed company and ensuring its viability.

Mr Evangelou said that tourist arrivals fell 5.0 percent last year, while hotel reservations dropped 7-8 percent over the same year.

[12] Greek, Norwegian Transport and Communications Ministers meet

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

The Norwegian minister expressed her government's interest for the Greek EU presidency aims in the transport and communications sectors.

Mr Verelis, as chairman of the EU Transport Council of Ministers, presented the long-term goals of the European policy and the Greek EU presidency's priorities on the two sectors.

[13] Greek participation in Los Angeles Travel Show

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

More than 13,000 visitors, visited the travel show, held at a conference centre in Long Beach.

Greece's National Tourism Organization (GNTO) was one of the travel show's sponsors and in its exhibition site hosted a number of tour operators (Cruise Med, Olympic Yacht Charters, European Tours, Greek Hotel & Cruise Reservation Center, Homeric Tours, etc).

California is the second largest market in the United States for Greek tourism, after New York and the wider northeastern shores of the country.

GNTO said that despite a negative climate because of fears of possible war in Iraq, Greece attracted significant interest as a travel destination.

[14] Greek stocks fall to new five-year lows on Thursday

Athens 07/02/2003 (ANA)

The general index fell 0.26 percent to end at 1,653.05 points, with turnover a low 51.5 million euros.

The Telecommunications, Textile and IT Solution sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.52 percent, 1.23 percent and 1.08 percent, respectively), while the Holding, Construction and Retail sectors scored gains (1.28 percent, 1.24 percent and 0.98 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.46 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.13 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.16 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.33 percent lower.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 190 to 96 with another 68 issues unchanged.

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