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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-02-19Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>February 19, 2003CONTENTS
[01] Simitis briefs Europarliament; praised by MEPs for Monday summitBRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA – G. Zitouniati)Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the current European Council president-in-office, briefed MEPs here on Tuesday following the previous day’s special EU summit on Iraq, and on the occasion of a Europarliament presidents’ conference, which was open to all Euro-deputies.On his part, Europarliament President Pat Cox congratulated Simitis on what he called the summit’s success, which he said had enabled the Union to present a coherent position. Cox said the summit entailed a clear political risk, but its successful outcome had confounded the critics. ''We decided to go ahead because the European Union must be present on the international stage and must overcome its differences'', Simitis said, adding that Saturday's global demonstrations in favor of peace were a reflection of deep anxiety and that it would have been paradoxical for EU leaders not to respond to them. The Greek premier also outlined the main points of Monday's joint statement by the “15” Union leaders, who agreed that all means of achieving peace must be fully exhausted, while the UN must continue to play a central role in managing the crisis. Referring to the high-profile statement in support of US policy by “8” European nations earlier in the month, Simitis said differences of opinion over UN weapons inspectors’ results did exist, although there were also common points within the EU that emerged to the surface during Monday’s summit. Moreover, he stressed that a common view revolves around the notion that war is a last resort, and in the event that no alternative exists. At the same time, he emphasized that Iraq must fully cooperate with the UN, with pressure applied to Saddam Hussein by the international community. On behalf of the Socialists’ group, Enrique Baron Crespo noted that the European Council's statement included the essentials of the European Parliament’s Jan. 30 resolution. He also argued that European and world public opinion had acquired the dimensions of a ''new superpower''. Regarding the issue of candidate-countries’ stance, three of which had signed the recent letter of the ''8'' in support of Washington, he stressed that European solidarity was not expressed purely through the agricultural policy or structural funds, but was also based on common values. On behalf of the EPP grouping, Hans-Gert Poettering called for European states to avoid adopting unilateral, bilateral or multilateral positions that ignore the decision-making processes of the Union. He also stressed that the Union should not be seen as the anti-thesis of the United States but that the two entities should be partners. Poettering reminded the meeting’s participants that the problem was not the United States but the regime of Saddam Hussein, who needed to understand that this was his last chance. ELDR (Liberals) grouping president Graham Watson said the European Council's position represented considerable progress and placed the UN back at the heart of the process. Moreover, Watson said he believed that if rapid progress was not made on cooperation by the Iraqi authorities, a new resolution with a deadline should be envisaged. Watson also criticized comments by French President Jacques Chirac aimed at candidate-states. Representing the EUL/NGL grouping, Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann stressed that the way in which the international community resolved the Iraqi crisis would have consequences for decades. The “15”, she said, were in flagrant contradiction with European and public opinion when they kept open the option of using force, even as a last resort. Finally, European Left and Greens representative Monica Frassoni argued that when the question of a deadline for the inspections came up, the EU must reach a clear position on this too. Meanwhile it could seek to play a constructive role once more. Winding up the deliberations, when asked why the candidate-countries had not been present at the European Council on Monday, Simitis said they had been invited to a briefing the next day (Tuesday) and would take part as observers in forthcoming European Councils after April 16, when they had signed the Accession Treaty, and as fully-fledged members from May 2004. [02] Simitis meets with leadership of EU's '13' acceding & candidate member-statesBRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA – M. Spinthourakis)Prime Minister Costas Simitis, in his capacity as President of the European Council, on Tuesday led an EU troika meeting with the leaders of the 13 acceding and candidate countries to discuss the Iraq crisis.President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and Secretary-General/CFSP High Representative, Javier Solana also participated in the meeting that concluded with the acceptance of the European Union's stance toward the crisis. ''The European Union and the ‘13’ reiterate their determination to ensure a common stance, to avoid new dividing lines and to promote stability and prosperity within and beyond the borders of the new Union. They will continue to work together in their joint endeavor to accomplish these goals,'' a common statement issued after the meeting said. The leaders of the 13 countries also met with the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox. ''The input of the ‘13’ has been and will continue to be an invaluable contribution to our common will to resolve the Iraqi crisis and support the Middle East Peace Process. The Presidency will cooperate closely with all to coordinate our steps concerning further developments,'' the statement added. ''The Heads of State or Government of the 13 acceding countries and candidates countries aligned themselves with the content of the conclusions adopted by the European Council on Iraq in its extraordinary meeting of 17 February,'' it added. ''They also reaffirmed their alignment with the conclusions of the GAERC of 27 January and the terms of the public demarche of 4 February 2003 to Iraq which remain valid,'' the statement noted. ''The message for the Greek Presidency, following the historic decisions taken at Copenhagen last December, is ‘Our Europe’. Europe’s strength lies in its set of common values. Our common wish is to make Europe the family of democracy, dialogue, tolerance, freedom, peace and progress. It is 'Our Europe' that can have a strong and united voice on the world scene and that can best contribute to the international community’s efforts to tackle effectively the major challenges of our times. It is ‘Our Europe’ that cherishes its strong partnership with the US. It is for this Europe that the input of the acceding countries and candidate states will be of fundamental importance. ''The European Union and the “13” reiterate their determination to ensure a common stance, to avoid new dividing lines and to promote stability and prosperity within and beyond the borders of the new Union. They will continue to work together in their joint endeavor to accomplish these goals,'' the statement concluded. After the meeting, Simitis held a press conference where he expressed his satisfaction over the ''joint signing'' of the aforementioned decisions of the EU, concerning Iraq, stressing that this action constitutes ''the reaffirmation of the political will of all European countries for more unity''. ''The strength of Europe is it's common will for more peace, democracy and progress,'' Simitis stressed, adding that with Tuesday's consent of the acceding countries and the candidate countries with the position of the ''15'' on Iraq, a new momentum is being created in united Europe. ''Even the forefathers of Europe often disagreed among themselves. This, however did not obstruct them from moving on with European integration,'' Simitis underlined. Commenting on French President Jacques Chirac's scolding of acceding countries' alignment with the United States, he recommended to those countries to learn little by little the processes of political expression that are in force within the EU. ''It is not something significant,'' Simitis said responding to a question concerning the letter sent by British Premier Tony Blair to the candidate countries on the subject of the EU's position on Iraq. He reiterated that the use of force will be the last resort, which was however legitimized in some cases by the UN Charter as well, noting that the EU's statement did not included a note concerning the necessity for a second UN resolution on Iraq. Simitis stressed it was still very early for such a move and that the EU will take a position ''when the time comes''. As for EU aid to Turkey, due to the war economic fallout, he said that such a request was made, adding that the subject will be examined if there is cause, as would the request of any other country. [03] EU summit conclusions on Iraq Athens,BRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)Iraq's complete and effective disarmament in compliance with UN Security Council resolutions, UNSCR 1441 in particular, is the goal of the European Union according to the conclusions of the European Council which on Monday ended an emergency summit in Brussels on the Iraq crisis.In an agreed statement, announced immediately after the end of the summit, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, current European Council president who also chaired the summit, the ''15'' stressed that the intention of the EU was to attain that goal with peaceful means, given the clear desire of the European people. In their statement, the 15 leaders concluded that war was not inevitable and that the use of force was the last resort in the effort to disarm Iraq, also noting that it was up to the Baghdad regime to end the crisis by complying with UN demands. The conclusions also noted that the United Nations were the centre of international order and that the primary responsibility for Iraq's disarmament lay with the Security Council. Moreover, the ''15'' expressed their full support for the Security Council, as well as for the work of the UN weapons inspectors, stressing that they should be given the time and resources that the Security Council believed they needed. However, they also stressed that the inspection process could not continue indefinitely in the absence of Iraqi authorities' full cooperation. The Council conclusions also noted that the Iraqi regime would be responsible for any repercussions in the event it continued to ignore the will of the international community and failed to utilize this opportunity. The ''15'' also stressed that they would cooperate with Arab countries and the Arab League in a common effort to make clear to Saddam Hussein the danger entailed in a possibly erroneous assessment of the situation on his part and the necessity for Iraq's full compliance with UNSCR 1441. The EU leaders expressed their conviction on the need to reinvigorate the peace process in the Middle East and settle the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians, also noting that the EU supported the implementation of the ''road map'' set out by the Mideast Quartet (US, Russia, EU, United Nations). ''Terrorism and violence must come to an end, the reforms of the Palestinian Authority will have to pick up speed and within this framework, the decision of Yasser Arafat on appointing a prime minister is welcomed'', the ''15'' noted. Finally, they said that the unity of the international community was a decisive factor with regard to the management of similar problems, adding that they were making a commitment to cooperate with all partners, especially with the US, toward the disarmament of Iraq, as well as for peace and stability in the region. [04] Gov't expresses satisfaction with Monday EU summit's resultsAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)Deputy Press Minister Telemachos Hytiris, who is standing in as government spokesman in the absence of Christos Protopapas, on Tuesday expressed the Greek government's satisfaction with the results of the emergency European Union summit held in Brussels the previous day to discuss Iraq and the Middle East.The Monday summit was called by the Greek presidency in a bid to bridge differences within the Union over the Iraq crisis and confirm a common EU position on Iraq's disarmament. Hytiris underlined that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, current European Council president, had been vindicated for insisting that the summit take place. The spokesman stressed that on Monday the EU had spoken with a single voice and that this was very important when seen in the context of what had gone before. He said the EU decision was moderate and logical and provided an opportunity for peace. According to the spokesman, Simitis' EU counterparts had congratulated the prime minister for the initiative and the results of the summit. Hytiris said the EU decision contained an appeal to Saddam Hussein to accept disarmament and was clearly in favor of extending the term of United Nations weapons inspectors, while it described the use of violence as a course to be avoided. EU Commission praises Greek presidency for Monday summit's results: The European Commission on Tuesday praised the Greek presidency of the European Union for the convergence and results achieved at a special EU summit held in Brussels to discuss the Iraq crisis the previous day. ''We hail the courage that was so necessary for the Greek presidency to call the summit but chiefly the results that this initiative brought,'' Chief Commission spokesman Jonathan Faull said when asked to comment on the summit's conclusions. The spokesman also stressed that the agreement achieved between EU leaders at the Monday summit showed that the EU was truly united in a difficult international crisis. [05] Corriere dela Sera on Monday summit: ''Greece squares the circle''ROME 19/02/2003 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)With the headline ''Greece squares the circle'', the Italian newspaper ''Corriere dela Sera'' on Tuesday greeted the results of the emergency European Union summit on Iraq called by the Greek presidency, stressing that Greece had emerged with a satisfactory outcome in spite of the high risks involved.The newspaper said the joint text that arose from Monday's 'special' summit had succeeded in securing the minimum level of agreement needed to avert the collapse of the EU's common foreign policy. It stressed, meanwhile, that the success of the endeavor had been by no means certain on the eve of the summit, especially after French President Jacques Chirac, whose country holds a veto on the Security Council, had clearly stated that he would not support a second United Nations resolution for war against Iraq and looked set to clash head-on with ''hawks'' Britain and Spain. The Greek premier's strategic coup, according to the Italian paper, lay in inviting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the meeting and thus underlining that the question of war or peace was a matter for the Security Council and not the EU. It also noted the careful wording of the final resolution signed by the EU leaders, which shifted responsibility for the outcome to Baghdad if it failed to heed UN demands to disarm, which according to the paper essentially changed nothing but allowed all the EU leaders to sign. Overall, the paper concluded, the summit was neither a monumental success nor a failure but it questioned whether its results had made any difference to the prospects of war in Iraq. [06] Simitis, Clerides meet on emergency EU summit's sidelinesBRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday met with outgoing Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides on the sidelines of the emergency European Union summit that convened here on Monday to focus on the Iraq crisis.Simitis, currently the European Union Council President, told Clerides that his efforts for the EU accession of Cyprus were acknowledged, as is his handling of negotiations over a Cyprus settlement issue. Clerides told the Greek prime minister that the accession of Cyprus to the EU and the momentum in activities for a solution to the long-standing issue also benefited from the Greek side's assistance support. Clerides, after serving two five-year terms as Cyprus president, lost last Sunday's presidential elections to lawyer Tassos Papadopoulos. [07] U.S. congratulates Cyprus' President-elect Tassos PapadopoulosWASHINGTON 19/02/2003 (ANA - T. Ellis)The United States on Tuesday congratulated Cyprus' President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos, for his victory in Sunday's presidential elections in Cyprus, and thanked outgoing President Glafcos Clerides for efforts he made during his 10-year presidency.At the same time, the United States expressed hope that the two communities on the island will seize what it called the historic opportunity being presented with the initiative by the UN for a solution to be achieved. The Bush administration's official stance will be revealed on Wednesday since Washington has been blockaded by unfavorable weather conditions, resulting in most state services coming to a standstill, except for the White House. However, an authorized State Department official made the following statement, whose spirit will be followed publicly on Wednesday by the State Department's spokesman, if he is asked in this respect during his regular press briefing: ''We congratulate Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos on his election as the Fifth President of the Republic of Cyprus. We thank outgoing President Mr. Clerides for his considerable contribution to the purpose of peace on the island. The United States have a strong relation with Cyprus and the two countries have benefited from our joint cooperation in the war against terrorism and in other vital issues. ''We look forward to the further building of the relation on this base. Mr. Papadopoulos is assuming his duties at a historic moment for Cyprus. The initiative by the UN secretary general, which has our strong support, provides the opportunity for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to achieve a just and overall solution to the problem of Cyprus. We encourage both sides to seize this unique opportunity. A solution will allow all Cypriots to benefit from the accession of united Cyprus to the EU and will constitute a continuous contribution to regional security.'' [08] DM says Europe bridged differences between EU membersBRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, referring to the outcome of the European Union's special summit here on Monday, said on Tuesday Europe took an important step, bridging differences between EU member-states in a text noting that war is the last resort after all ground for a peaceful settlement has been exhausted.Papantoniou was addressing a joint meeting of NATO's Parliamentary Assembly with the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and the corresponding committees of EU member-states' national Parliaments, which convened here under his chairmanship. The meeting focused on ''turbulence'' in relations between the United States and the EU and the crucial developments regarding the possible war in Iraq. Replying to questions by Eurodeputies on the repercussions of the standoff between the U.S. and the EU, the Greek defense minister said the positive effects, which could be summed up in the intensification of efforts to shape a common EU foreign affairs and defense policy, could probably offset the negative aspects of the ongoing crisis which, as he said, he hopes will be overcome. Papantoniou pointed out that the European defense is not a competitor but a supplement of NATO, without this depriving Europe of the possibility of having, in parallel, its own principles and values. He placed emphasis on Europe's international role, which focuses on primarily utilizing political and not military means and made special reference to the recent address at the UN by French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, which was enthusiastically applauded. Outlining the Greek presidency's priorities (lasting for 12 months in this sector due to Denmark exempting itself as it is not participating in European defense), he referred to the securing of the EU's operational capacity, in accordance with the general military target on forming the European rapid reaction force which will be in a position to undertake humanitarian and peacekeeping missions (known as the Petersburg type). Papantoniou said building a strong European defense is a strategic challenge which also concerns the industrial sector to a considerable degree. He added that a common conception and a common European culture on security should be established, which is essential for the substantive development and strengthening of the European security and defense policy. [09] DM meets with Prodi, discusses EU defense frameworkBRUSSELS (ANA - G. Zitouniati) Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Tuesday expressed his satisfaction over the response of the European Commission to the request of the Greek EU presidency for earlier initiatives toward a more closer knit and effective framework of cooperation in the defense sector. During his meeting with European Commission President Romano Prodi in Brussels, Papantoniou proposed the establishment of a new line in the budget for the funding of the defense research and development and requested that the issue be included in the agenda of the March EU Summit. Papantoniou also met with the President of the Convention for the Future of Europe Giscard d' Estaing and Commissioner Michel Barnier. [10] FM requested to brief foreign affairs Parliament Committee on Iraq, CyprusAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)The Parliament Committee on Foreign and Defense Affairs on Tuesday requested to be briefed by Foreign Minister George Papandreou on the latest developments concerning the Iraq crisis and the Cyprus problem.During discussion of a bill establishing the National Council of Foreign Policy (ESEP) the deputies composing the committee requested for the briefing, and committee president Carolos Papoulias responded that the minister had already planned to do so upon his return to Athens. Main opposition New Democracy deputy Michalis Liapis and Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) deputy Maria Damanaki assessed that the contribution of the Greek EU presidency was positive toward the adoption of a common EU stance to the Iraqi crisis. Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Liana Kanelli, however, said that the government should have distributed the official text of the ''15'' before expressing its position. As for the bill establishing the National Council of Foreign Policy (ESEP) ruling PASOK and ND voted in favor, Synaspismos abstained in favor of discussion in the plenum and KKE voted against. [11] Minor opposition parties react to EU's common position on IraqAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Tuesday issued a press release commenting on the decision of the European Union on the Iraq crisis, stating that the 15 "have left a window open for war".The KKE political bureau's press release also claimed that the EU did not undertake it's responsibilities, by taking a stance against war with clarity and passed on the issue to the United Nations. The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) also in a press release called the EU's position a compromise ''to secure a generally common European position and not a clear contribution in the direction of averting the war''. It also noted that the European citizens demanded from their leaders to oppose the war and to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the crisis. [12] Parliament president Kaklamanis' talks in IndiaNEW DELHI 19/02/2003 (ANA - M. Vichou)The extraordinary EU summit's resolution on Iraq, democratization of the UN Security Council, and India-Pakistan relations were the focus of talks in New Delhi on Tuesday between visiting Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and Deputy Chairperson of the Indian Council of States (upper house, Indian parliament) Dr. Najma Heptulla.Referring to the outcome of Monday's emergency EU summit held in Brussels on initiative of the Greek EU presidency, Kaklamanis said that the desire of the European peoples for the consolidation of peace and averting war -- as manifested in mass demonstrations over the weekend in the largest cities of the European continent -- had been respected. Heptulla said her country fully agreed with a peaceful resolution of all problems, and noted the ''wisdom of the European leaders who, with their resolution, acted within the framework of the UN resolutions. She described the present period as ''critical'' for the reinforcement of the UN ''so that it may be able to confront different situations and not allow individual countries to proceed alone on matters that have substantial repercussions on the entire world''. The two parliamentary leaders expressed concern over the war clouds that were threatening the region but also the entire world, and Kaklamanis pointed out the repercussions that a war on Iraq would have on the European and global economy. He also stressed the importance of absolute respect of the role of the UN and the UN Security Council for ensuring peace, and in that framework spoke of the need for restructuring the Security Council, abolishing the veto and establishing a ''more representative'' composition, noting that it was ''unfathomable'' that India was not a member of the Security Council. Heptulla expressed her country's appreciation for Greece's support for India's bid to become a permanent member of the Security Council, and stressed the need for democratization of the international organization in order to render it more efficient with respect to the modern-day needs. She further said that the Security Council resolutions should be more representative and reflect the general composition of the UN General Assembly. On the issue of Pakistan, Heptulla said India had, for the past 10 years, been facing an ''underground war'' from Pakistan, adding that the world unfortunately had not realized that India was facing a terrorism problem, despite the country's efforts to focus international attention on that problem. Kaklamanis in turn expressed Greece's appreciation for India's efforts to tackle the Kashmir problem with peaceful means. Turning to other matters, Heptulla called for the establishment of an Indian Studies seat at a Greek university reciprocally for a Hellenic Studies seat already set up at Delhi University, which was currently lacking a professor. She said that culture was one are in which countries could cooperate without borders and without the risk of invasion. Kaklamanis discusses bilateral issues with Indian president and FM: Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis held talks with Indian President Abdul Kalam and Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday and expressed satisfaction over praise by Indian government and Parliamentary officials regarding Greece's role, as the country currently holding the EU presidency, in the decision taken on Iraq at the EU's special summit in Brussels on Monday. Kaklamanis said his Indian interlocutors expressed hope that relations between the two countries can improve even further and agreements in the trade and cultural sectors can bear fruit. The Parliament president invited the Indian president to visit Greece and his invitation was accepted by President Kalam, who stressed his satisfaction that the divided Europe of the first half of the 20th century is being led to ever-increasing convergence through the European Union, adding that war always brings war and wishing that Greece and India will always struggle for peace in the world. Sinha also expressed satisfaction over the EU's decision and expressed his conviction that Iraq will succeed in convincing the international community that it does not possess weapons of mass destruction. He also expressed concern that if the UN Security Council is sidestepped and the United States goes ahead with an attack on Iraq, together with certain countries, in essence the UN will be rendered useless. [13] PM to brief Stephanopoulos on Wed; Giscard d'Estaing visit this weekAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will receive Prime Minister Costas Simitis at his office on Wednesday, as the latter will brief Stephanopoulos over the timely Iraq issue as well as the general international situation.Earlier, Simitis will meet with Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Alternate FM Tassos Yiannitsis on the issue of Europe’s Convention. Simitis will host a luncheon for French statesman Valery Giscard d’Estaing, the current chairman of the European Convention. Contacts are scheduled with other ministers as well, while on Friday the Greek premier will receive his Croatian counterpart Ivica Racan. Finally, a regular inter-ministerial meeting focusing on preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games, chaired by Simitis, is scheduled for Monday. Alternate Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris announced the premier’s itinerary. [14] Karamanlis briefed by French, German envoys on stance vis-a-vis IraqAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday met with the French and German ambassadors to Greece to be briefed on their governments' positions on developments in Iraq, following the previous day's emergency EU summit in Brussels.No statements were made after either of Karamanlis' meetings with French ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert and German ambassador Dr. Albert Spiegel. [15] Assistance for Palestinians meeting underway at Greek EU presidency initiativeLONDON 19/02/2003 (ANA)A two-day working meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee on the Assistance for the Palestinians began in London on Tuesday at the initiative of the Greek EU presidency and the Norwegian government.The Greek EU presidency is represented by Overseas Hellenism Secretary General Dimitris Dollis who, in opening the sessions, stressed that the promotion of the peace process in the Middle East is one of the Greek EU presidency's main priorities. Dollis said that the inhabitants of the Palestinian territories not only need financial aid but also need to be given a political vision, a political prospect for the building of a modern, independent and viable state by 2006. He hailed the decision of the president of the Palestinian Authority to appoint a prime minister in the Palestinian territories and to start the procedures for the creation of a constitution in the Palestinian territories. The representatives of the Quartet for the Peace Process in the Middle East (EU, UN, USA, Russia) are due to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Wednesday afternoon. [16] No need to amend EU economic governance, EU presidency saysBRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA –B. Demiris)Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, current President of the EU Finance Ministers Council, chaired an ECOFIN meeting here on Tuesday, which underlined the need for stronger representation of the eurozone without amending the current system of economic governance.In statement after the meeting, Christodoulakis said that expected from ECOFIN's contribution to the Convention on the Future of Europe was the promotion of recognized, viable and credible economic policies in terms of global markets, without sacrificing effectiveness achieved in the eurogroup. With regard to the energy tax, the Union’s 15 ministers agreed to postpone discussion until the March 7 ECOFIN meeting, with Christodoulakis stressing that it was important to arrive at an agreement before the completion of EU enlargement, i.e. at the EU Council on March 21. Referring to EU-Switzerland negotiations on savings taxation, Christodoulakis said representatives from both sides met on Tuesday morning in an effort to conclude negotiations, adding that “never before were we closer to an agreement.” [17] Greek Chambers Union urges gov’t intervention against higher lending ratesAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)Greece's Chambers Central Union on Tuesday urged for a more dynamic intervention by the government in the domestic banking sector to prevent an increase in lending interest rates, "before any dramatic impact on consumers and businesses".The union's chairman, George Kasimatis, noted it was inconceivable that at a time when interest rates were expected to fall further in the eurozone and the inflation rate continuing its decline, the phenomenon of higher lending interest rates emerging in the domestic market. Higher interest rates, Mr Kasimatis said, would result to a worsening of a crisis situation in the domestic market, further burdening households and consumers with increased bank debt. The crisis would also affect small- and medium-sized enter-prises, he noted. Mr. Kasimatis described the banks' policy as catastrophic and hitting the country's economy and the fabric of its society. He urged Greek banks to realize that lending rates were more than five times more than the current inflation rate, leading thousands of companies to bankruptcy. "It is obvious that certain parties in the banking system do not wish to see their dominant position trimmed, nor an increase in competition in the domestic market," Mr Kasimatis said. [18] Greek proposal to protect EU airlines from unfair competitionAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)The Greek EU Presidency is promoting a proposal on regulation offering European airlines protection against unfair airlines' practices from third countries, based on the significant void in an existing legislation covering airline operation in third countries and the EU.Under the Greek proposal, EU airlines were treated unfairly compared with other third countries' airlines that could receive state subsidies, under various forms, while European airline companies are barred from state subsidies. Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis said on Tuesday that the Greek proposal would aim to protecting European airlines from unfair competition from third countries' airlines and to allow the Community to take measures against foreign airlines receiving state subsidies, or adopting unfair ticket fares practices. [19] Forum to promote business links between Greece, TurkeyAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)A three-day forum will be held in the northern port city of Thessaloniki on February 20-22 in order to promote business links between Greek and Turkish enterprises.The forum will include a seminar and opportunities for executives of businesses to meet in preparation for this year's Partenariat, which is to be held in Istanbul in May. The event has been arranged by the Association of Northern Greek Industry, the Thessaloniki Chamber of Trade and Industry, and Greece's consulate in Istanbul. [20] Greek stocks move higher on TuesdayAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks rose on Tuesday in the Athens Stock Exchange following a positive trend in international markets.The general index ended 0.48 percent higher at 1,693.78 points, with turnover a low 52.8 million euros. The Insurance, Cement and Construction sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.40 percent, 1.93 percent and 1.13 percent, respectively), while the Retail and Textile sectors suffered losses (0.84 percent and 0.64 percent, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.52 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.47 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.40 percent higher. The FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.47 percent up. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 188 to 101 with another 65 issues unchanged. Bond Market Close: Sellers outstrip buyers on Tuesday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 92.1 mln euros Tuesday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Day's Market Turnover: 92.1 mln euros [21] ATHOC's top leadership streamlined ahead of GamesAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki on Tuesday announced what's expected to be the final reshuffling of the organization, the primary entity behind ongoing preparations to host the upcoming Summer Games.Among others, ATHOC Executive Director Marton Simitsek was appointed as the chairman of a streamlined Games management council. Speaking to the organization’s executives, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki emphasized that 2003 will be the year of the “test events”, a milestone for the Games’ success. “Unity and collective action are our banner. Divisiveness, cliques, favoritism and preferential treatment is not allowed ... these things do not apply to me; they don’t apply to us,” she said. In the wake of this month’s see-saw deliberations with the government over extra funding to complete various 2004-related projects on time, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki emphasized every euro budgeted is important. ATHOC Managing Director Ioannis Spanoudakis will retain supervision of the organization’s financial sector. Finally, ATHOC sources emphasized that the latest reshuffling marks the final organizational structure with which Greek organizers will host the 2004 Games. [22] Gov't, local authorities, ATHOC pledge joint work on Athens 'Olympic' faceliftAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)The government, Athens local authorities and the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) on Tuesday expressed their will to work together in giving the city a facelift before the Games in 2004, during a two-day seminar about the program to give Athens an aesthetic overhaul for the Olympics.Speakers included Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou for the government, Athens super-prefect Fofi Gennimata, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni and ATHOC chairwoman Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. They said that levels of cooperation between them were high and that their common goal was excellent Olympics that would leave a very different city in their wake. They also noted problems in the distribution of responsibilities among various services, especially for green spaces, that would have to be ironed out before the Games. Papandreou said the ministry had a budget of 460 million euros for works related to improving the city's image and planting greenery, among them the archaeological unification program in the historic city centre, an overhaul of the seafront, access roads to Olympic facilities, Piraeus port and others. She stressed problems arising from overlapping responsibilities and urged local authorities on all levels to submit viable and useful proposals to ''rationalize'' these areas, leaving coordination to the ministry. With regard to green spaces, she said the Attica Highway would have 100 hectares of greenery planted alongside it and another 163.5 hectares will be created by landscaping old quarries. She stressed that money available for overhauls was not enough and for this reason the ministry had created a legal framework allowing the participation of private enterprise, such as money given by the ministry to the owners of buildings to renovate their fronts. Bakoyianni agreed that the issue of overlapping responsibilities had to be resolved and focused particularly on park maintenance. She proposed that Athens retain responsibility for maintaining the Zappeion and Pedion tou Areos parks and that other suburban green areas be taken over by the super-prefecture. The mayor also stressed the need to prepare the city for the Paralympics and make it more accessible to people with special needs, who comprised some 10 per cent of its population. Gennimata similarly focused on issues of overlapping responsibility, while last to speak was Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, who stressed the legacy that the Games would leave for Athens and Greece. [23] Public works minister blames heavy rain for subsidence, landslidesAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou on Tuesday blamed the recent bout of bad weather and higher-than-usual levels of rainfall for the numerous landslides and various incidents of subsidence that have been reported throughout the country, while stressing that these phenomena were not limited to Greece alone.She said that the full extent of the problem was still being assessed and stressed that it was still unfolding because the bad weather had not stopped. She confirmed, however, that the problems were major and that large sums of money would be needed to fix the damage. Meanwhile, calls continued to pour in to a special phone line (1521) set up by the environment ministry for the public to report problems with pot-holes and bad workmanship on the roads, which on Monday received a total of 800 calls. [24] Publisher Mihalopoulos testifies in blackmail caseAthens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)Outspoken local publisher Grigoris Mihalopoulos provided a seven-hour deposition on Tuesday to a local first instance court prosecutor investigating a high-profile case of allegations that the former blackmailed a handful of prominent business leaders and a senior cleric.His testimony will resume on Wednesday morning. Mihalopoulos has been at the centre of a furor over the past few weeks following the publication of a slain industrialist Dimitris Angelopoulos’ diary, in which the latter wrote in 1985 that the publisher warned him that he was a target of the notorious “November 17” terrorist group. Angelopoulos also wrote in his diary that Mihalopoulos offered to mediate so that his name would be removed from the ‘hit list’. The well-known industrialist was, in fact, assassinated by “N17” a year later. According to reports, Mihalopoulos has also been accused of blackmail by Athens 2004 organizing committee President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and her husband Theodoros, Dimitris Angelopoulos’ nephew; shipping heiress Marianna Latsi; convicted entrepreneur Argyris Saliarellis and even Metropolitan of Zakynthos Chrysostomos. According to reports, Mihalopoulos, a long-time publisher of the low-circulation conservative daily “Eleftheri Ora”, denied all the allegations against him, saying he was on friendly terms with the Angelopoulos family for some 30 years. [25] UN to announce this week resumption of direct talks, says PapadopoulosNICOSIA 19/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, will announce this week the date of the resumption of the direct talks, President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos said here on Tuesday.He pointed out that the members of the new negotiating team of the Greek Cypriot side would be announced once the talks resume. Papadopoulos announced that his meetings on Wednesday with de Soto are a continuation of their meeting on Monday. Invited to comment on statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that for the talks to resume Papadopoulos will have to abandon ''his dream'' of Greek Cypriots returning to the Karpass peninsula, the newly elected president said Denktash maintains the same attitude. ''Denktash's comments are the same which he conveyed to (the outgoing President) Mr. Clerides from the start of the talks, that if his demands are not met, then the talks cannot continue,'' Papadopoulos added. Regarding his meetings on Wednesday with de Soto, Papadopoulos said they were a continuation of Monday's meeting. When asked if Clerides' presence was necessary, he replied negatively, adding that the meeting is held so he can be informed on the talks. [26] Clerides says time is not enough to find a Cyprus solutionPAPHOS 19/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)Outgoing President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides said here Tuesday he did not believe a solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem could be achieved by the end of the month.Speaking to reporters on his return from Brussels after attending a EU Troika meeting with acceding and candidate countries on Iraq, Clerides said the time until February 28, as set out in the UN Secretary General's plan for a comprehensive settlement, was very brief, noting the Cyprus problem can not be solved in the three days in which Kofi Annan will be in Cyprus. Invited to comment on his meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, Clerides said that "we had a brief meeting," adding "we just said that we are in Europe, and anticipate Turkey to enter, and it would be right to speed up a solution to the Cyprus problem." On Cyprus, Clerides said he already wrote to Kofi Annan that he believed a solution could not be achieved by the end of February. "The time is very brief," the outgoing president said, adding that Annan will be in Cyprus from February 26-28. "The problem cannot be solved in three days," he added. Asked if he will remain in the team of the Greek Cypriot side, negotiating a Cyprus settlement, Clerides said he told president-elect Tassos Papadopoulos that he is ready to give him "any help he needs, either about the talks that took place, clarifications, if he wants to ask my views on things that will take place in the future, I will be available." However, he said, "it would not be easy for two main interlocutors to be in the same team. One would have to lead the team, and that person will have to be the person who will have the responsibility to sign the solution and it cannot be anyone else but the new president." Clerides referred to his meeting in Brussels with the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, who "showed a special interest on how a Cyprus solution would proceed and when a solution could be achieved." "He repeatedly said that the European Parliament will exert all pressure to find a settlement," Clerides quoted Cox as saying. Clerides said the European Council decision on Iraq was appreciated by all acceding and candidate countries, while Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' contribution was praised. Clerides said for the first time, "Europe is coordinating its foreign policy," noting this was of historic significance and the beginning of European policy on international issues. He described the decision on Iraq as "very balanced," adding "we supported, just like all, the decision taken on Monday evening. We did not take part in the decision-making, but we were invited to give our views on the decision. We said that we fully support this common policy which was found." [27] Cox still hopes for a single Cyprus to enter the EUBRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)European Parliament President Pat Cox said on Tuesday he still hoped that a single Cyprus would sign the Accession Treaty.He was speaking after meeting outgoing President Glafcos Clerides, whom he thanked for his consistent determined commitment for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. Referring to his meeting with Clerides, Cox said he had the ''chance personally to thank him for the consistently determined commitment which has brought us to look for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.'' The European Parliament President said he had the opportunity to learn from Clerides his appreciation of what the possibilities are in the coming weeks and wish him well in going forward. Cox congratulates Papadopoulos: Cox, congratulating newly elected President Tassos Papadopoulos, said he is taking on a heavy responsibility at an immensely challenging time. A statement issued by Cox's office at the European Parliament, said the President of the European Parliament telephoned Papadopoulos on Monday night to offer his congratulations, ''in his own name and on behalf of the EP, on Mr. Papadopoulos' outright victory in the first round of the Presidential elections in Cyprus.'' ''Mr. Cox wished him every success in taking on this heavy responsibility at this immensely challenging time,'' the statement concluded. [28] British envoy says Papadopoulos' statements are positiveNICOSIA 19/02/2003 (CNA/ANA)British envoy for Cyprus, Lord David Hannay said statements made by President-elect, Tassos Papadopoulos that he will negotiate on the basis of the UN plan are positive.In an interview on Monday with BBC TV World Service, Lord Hannay said that from what he gathers, ''he (Papadopoulos) intends to work extremely close with President (Glafcos) Clerides in the next two weeks,'' adding ''let's see where we can get to.'' When asked if there is still time to come to some sort of agreement, the British envoy said, ''I think it can be done, yes.'' He explained that these negotiations have been going on for more than three years now and that ''the ground has thus been very, well prepared but of course there are still gaps and that's why Kofi Annan is going to come to the island.'' Regarding Annan's visit, Lord Hannay said that ''probably, at some stage in this process, he is going to revise his earlier proposals, not fundamentally but he is going to make changes which will, no doubt, reflect some of the points that have been made to him by both sides.'' He said surely there can be changes, ''otherwise the UN wouldn't be even contemplating revising its proposals. But to think, to suggest that you can tear the whole plan up and start from scratch that would be complete nonsense. But nobody is asking that,'' the British envoy said, adding that Papadopoulos is not saying that. ''He is saying he will negotiate within the framework of the UN proposals,'' he noted. Regarding Papadopoulos, Lord Hannay said ''that the view of him from the north, from Mr. Denktash is not a positive one.'' However, the ''fact is that the main party that supported the Papadopoulos campaign, apart from the Democratic Party, was AKEL, which has ''traditionally been the party in Cyprus that most wants a solution.'' ''So, I don't think one should read too much in to the past. Let's look to the present and the future, what President-elect Papadopoulos said about negotiating on the basis of the UN plan was rather positive,'' he added. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |