Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-03-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM says EU's main role is the maintenance of Iraq's territorial integrity

[02] Chirac congratulates Greek EU presidency over Iraq issue management within EU

[03] Greek EU presidency says it shares UN secretary general's view on Iraq war

[04] DM Papantoniou briefs President Stephanopoulos on Iraq developments

[05] PM Simitis on meeting with Blair, Cyprus issue, western Balkans

[06] European Council appeals to Turkish Cypriot leadership to reconsider its stance

[07] Thousands join anti-war protests, strikes throughout Greece

[08] UNHCR appeals to Iraq neighbors to 'keep borders open' to refugees

[09] Patriot missiles deployed at Hania, Crete

[10] Deputy foreign minister meets Egyptian ambassador

[11] Deputy foreign minister holds talks with Tunisian ambassador

[12] Swiss deputies to visit Athens in April

[13] Israel's ambassador to Athens makes farewell visit to Thessaloniki

[14] EU Summit acknowledges economic slowdown, urges for structural reforms

[15] EU leaders meet to discuss fiscal policies, structural reforms

[16] Greek stocks end week sharply higher

[17] Olympics projects on track, have post-Games value, deputy culture minister says

[18] N17 court goes into recess early due to anti-war demonstrations

[19] Greece needs water management policy, professor says

[20] EU officials say Cyprus to sign EU Accession Treaty next month

[01] PM says EU’s main role is the maintenance of Iraq’s territorial integrity

BRUSSELS 23/03/2003 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Speaking to the press at the end of the second day of the summit, Simitis said that the first and foremost role of the EU is the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Iraq after the end of the military conflict and noted that Turkey also agrees with this priority, according to statements Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul made in Brussels on Friday, where he is representing Turkey.

The second basic priority of the EU, he said, is the confrontation of humanitarian needs that will arise, especially if there are waves of refugees.

The third priority, he said, is the maintenance of balance in the wider region.

The premier also underlined the central role the United Nations should play from now on, while stressing the importance of inter-Atlantic relations, the continuation of the dialogue between the U.S. and Europe and the development of the peace process in the Middle East.

In light of the Iraq issue, Simitis noted once again the necessity for the strengthening of the EU's common foreign policy and the policy of security and defense, which, he said, is still under formulation and has not taken its final form.

Speaking on this issue, Simitis insinuated that Greece stands for the strengthening of cooperation on defense issues of all those member-states that wish this, noting that the same is already happening, especially concerning the Economic and Monetary Union and the common currency.

Finally, the premier stressed that, concerning the Iraq issue, all the representatives of the candidate member-states stated their full agreement on the decisions taken by the EU on Thursday.

PM Simitis says 'we want the war to end as soon as possible': Prime Minister and EU Council President Costas Simitis, on his return to Athens on Friday night from Brussels where he presided over the two-day informal EU Spring Summit which focused on the war in Iraq, said ''we want the war to end as soon as possible.''

''We hope that its end will mark the start of a safer world,'' he said, adding that ''these are the objectives we sought at the Council Summit in Brussels and we achieved a result which many thought before was unattainable.''

The prime minister went on to say that ''we are watching developments carefully,'' noting that ''in critical periods such as this one, we must be calm.''

[02] Chirac congratulates Greek EU presidency over Iraq issue management within EU

BRUSSELS 23/03/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

''The Greek presidency was successful with everything and we should recognize that, expressing our appreciation for the way it handled the process,'' Chirac said, in his opening remarks on Friday, during his press conference here, following the end of the EU summit.

The Greek presidency, Chirac said, managed to avoid the reproduction of confrontation in the United Nations Security Council, which did not lead anywhere and led the summit toward the future, emphasizing the Lisbon issues for the improvement of competitiveness and for the future of the European economy that are what is at stake in the EU.

Chirac also supported the common statement of the 15 EU leaders, noting that whatever the developments surrounding Iraq may be, the unanimous position of the EU is that in post-war Iraq the next move will be rebuilding, which must fall under the responsibilities of the United Nations.

[03] Greek EU presidency says it shares UN secretary general's view on Iraq war

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

Greek Deputy Mass Media and Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris said that being the EU president, Greece participated and played a leading role in developments with the Brussels Spring Council and he called Thursday's decision of the ''15'' very important, stressing that united Europe should maintain its unity and prospects and form its own united voice.

''The Brussels decision shows realism, moderation and faith in the role of united Europe and the dynamics of history that are not exhausted in the specific war'', Hytiris said, also stressing the need for Europe to overcome its weaknesses and play its international role.

[04] DM Papantoniou briefs President Stephanopoulos on Iraq developments

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

No statements were made after the meeting, but sources said that before the TV cameras departed ahead of the two officials' private meeting, Papantoniou told the President that "we are awaiting the next stage".

DM briefed on Iraq war at National Operations Centre: Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou was briefed on developments in the war in Iraq at the National Operations Centre by National Defense General Staff Chief G. Antonakopoulos and Staff members on Friday and told reporters afterwards he feared very great human cost in Baghdad.

''The picture is that these operations are going ahead. Of course, they are very harsh attacks which are taking place in Baghdad now, I fear with a very great human cost, and they are showing the tragic dimension of this war now. According to the assessment of the chief and Staff members, it is difficult for an accurate prediction to be made on the duration of time these operations will take. I fear that it will not be very easy for them to end quickly but, of course, the coming days will show where we are heading,'' he told reporters.

Referring to the Greek frigate sailing in the Persian Gulf, Papantoniou said ''we are communicating systematically with

Lieutenant Commander Lambrakakis. The boys are very well, their morale is high and the order of the National Defense Staff is not to participate in operations in Iraq in any way. They are merely patrolling the region for reasons linked to the struggle against international terrorism. They have nothing to do with operations in Iraq.''

[05] PM Simitis on meeting with Blair, Cyprus issue, western Balkans

BRUSSELS 23/03/2003 (ANA - V. Demiris)

Simitis said he and Blair discussed the proposal submitted by the British prime minister in a letter on the European Union's policy on immigration.

He added that this issue and ways of handling it will be discussed at the EU summit in Thessaloniki on June 21.

Referring to the discussion on the Cyprus issue, Simitis said the European Council expressed its dissatisfaction over the failure of the UN secretary general's efforts to find an overall settlement, appealing at the same time to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to reconsider his position.

On the question of the western Balkans, Simitis said the tragic assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic renders the EU's attention and adherence to the region necessary, as well as its full support for reforms required.

Simitis also expressed satisfaction over the start of the EU's military operation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to replace the NATO force stationed in the region.

Called on to comment on Italy's veto at the summit on the taxation of deposits, attempting in essence to link this issue with the lifting of the fine imposed on Italian milk producers for exceeding the quota allocated to Italy, Simitis said Italy has objections over the conclusion of the agreement which, however, had not been put forward in a perceptible way so far.

The prime minister further said that over the 20 years he has been a Council of Ministers member, it frequently happens that a member-state raises a special problem at a moment when another issue is being discussed.

He noted that he disagrees with this strategy since in this way one cannot go ahead and conclude agreements.

Commenting on the same issue, Finance and Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis stressed the need for the taxation package to close as soon as possible since, as he added, its solution will contribute to a decrease in taxation competition.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou, referring to Greece's initiative on promoting the Olympic Truce, said it is a means of support for the revival of an old tradition.

[06] European Council appeals to Turkish Cypriot leadership to reconsider its stance

The European Council on Friday appealed to the Turkish Cypriot leadership to reconsider its stance towards the UN-led peace effort and to work for a viable political settlement.

The final conclusions of the EU Spring Summit adopted earlier on Friday also said that Brussels strongly supports the continuation of negotiations between the two communities in Cyprus on the basis of a UN proposal for a comprehensive settlement.

The EU position was expressed ten days after the collapse of the latest UN-led effort to reach a negotiated settlement, which ended in The Hague after Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash refused to put to a referendum the UN proposal.

''The European Council regrets that the efforts of the UN Secretary General to find a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem have failed,'' EU heads of state and government said.

The EU ''strongly supports the continuation of the Secretary General's mission of good offices and of negotiations on the basis of his proposals.''

''It urges all parties concerned to spare no effort towards a just, viable and functional settlement, and in particular the Turkish Cypriot leadership to reconsider its position,'' the conclusions added.

Furthermore it reaffirmed its decisions taken at Copenhagen with regard to Cyprus' accession to the EU.

[07] Thousands join anti-war protests, strikes throughout Greece

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

The ranks of tertiary education and high-school students that again turned out to voice their opposition to the attack on Iraq were swelled on Friday by members of the workforce, who responded to a call for a four-hour strike from trade unions and came out in force to join the protestors.

Public services, public transport, ferries, banks, even shops, light industry and supermarkets were among those that shut their doors, while more demonstrations have been organized for Saturday.

In Athens, demonstrators filled Syntagma Square and the surrounding streets in their thousands to join the rally organized by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the civil servants' union ADEDY, the Athens Labor Centre and activist groups such as the Greek Social Forum, the ''Stop the War'' Alliance and others. Among them were former resistance fighters, pensioners, civil servants, even members of the clergy.

Addressing the crowds, GSEE representative Philippos Thomas stressed that the first victim of the war was the United Nations and he called on Europe to stand and be counted.

''(British Prime Minister Tony) Blair and (Spanish premier Jose Maria) Aznar do not represent (Europe),'' he said.

Another speaker called on the government to finally close the U.S. naval support base in Souda Bay on Crete, stressing that the ''Greek public are not fools''.

Down the road on Kotzia Square, meanwhile, the Syntagma demonstration was mirrored in a rally called by PAME, a trade union group affiliated to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

Arriving at the rally at noon, KKE General Secretary Aleka Papariga slammed EU leaders, who she said had not made one reference to Iraq in the joint communique issued by informal EU summit on Thursday and Friday.

''All EU leaders care about is sharing the spoils in Iraq in the post-Saddam era,'' she said.

According to police estimates, more than 50,000 people turned out for the anti-war rally in Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, whose central banner was Pablo Picasso's painting ''Guernica''.

As on Thursday, meanwhile, rallies were held in other main cities throughout Greece, including Corfu, Ioannina, Samos and elsewhere.

Iraq-Overnight sit-down protest outside US embassy in Athens: Hundreds of peace protestors staged peaceful all-night sit-down demonstrations outside the US embassy in Athens and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in central Syntagma Square beginning late Thursday to protest the US-led war on Iraq.

Some 500 members of non-government organizations (NGOs) and peace movements -- including the WWF, Action Aid, Greenpeace, Medecines du Monde and the Ecological Organization of Greece -- formed what they called small "circles of peace", and sat on the ground in silent protest throughout the night in the hope that "Mr. (US president George) and Mr. (British prime minister Tony) Blair will realize their mistake and stop the war" against Iraq, a spokesperson for the demonstrators told ANA.

The protestors, who gathered outside the US embassy and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 10:00 p.m. Thursday for the overnight vigil, used lighted candles to form a large peace symbol, and set up a large banner that said "We are all here".

The NGO and peace activists outside the US embassy were joined by dozens of Greek citizens who held their own overnight candle-lit vigil aimed at sending the message that "war is not a solution".

Central Vassilisis Sophias avenue that begins at Syntagma Square and runs up past the US embassy was closed to vehicles throughout the sit-down demonstration, while a discrete police contingent was on hand.

Youths clash with police during anti-war protest in Athens: The anti-war protest march to the United States Embassy in Athens was cut into two at around 14:30 on Friday when groups of youths clashed with riot police, attacking them with stones, flares, fire-crackers and sticks near the Athens Hilton.

The police responded with heavy use of tear gas between the War Museum and Eleftheria Park, preventing those bringing up the rear of the march from continuing.

As the trouble-makers fled into the side-streets off Mihalakopoulou, a large part of the march was stuck below the Hilton Hotel, waiting for the incidents to come to an end so that they could continue walking to the U.S. Embassy.

Sources said the youths caused extensive damage that has yet to be assessed to banks, cars and shop windows using fire-bombs and other objects.

The violent incidents came after a previous attack at 14:00 that was quickly quelled by limited use of tear gas. The agitators then fled into the crowd and were not pursued by police.

Tensions was also reported outside the Embassy itself, where protestors threw bottles of water, fire-crackers and other objects into the air or at police.

[08] UNHCR appeals to Iraq neighbors to 'keep borders open' to refugees

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

Lubbers also appealed for unrestricted access for UNHCR personnel to all border areas.

The refugee agency has more than 200 staff in the region with "pre-positioned emergency supplies for some 300,000 people in regional stockpiles".

UNHCR's contingency planning for a conflict in Iraq has been based on a preparedness figure of 600,000 refugees.

The full text of Lubbers' appeal is as follows:

"Despite all of the U.N.'s efforts to find a peaceful solution, we are now faced with the sad reality of war in Iraq and more suffering for the Iraqi people.

"We must do everything we can to alleviate that suffering, including keeping borders open so that those fearing for their lives can reach safety in neighboring states."

"UNHCR is doing all it can to assist these neighboring governments in meeting their primary responsibility to provide refugees with temporary protection and material assistance.

"We have people and resources in the region and more are arriving every day. But to save lives, we must have open borders and access to all of those seeking temporary asylum."

"While we expect neighboring states to live up to their responsibilities to protect refugees, we also expect the international community to do its part by supporting humanitarian efforts throughout the region."

[09] Patriot missiles deployed at Hania, Crete

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

Military sources said the move aimed to increase the sense of security amongst the citizens since there were military installations on the island.

Other sources revealed that the missiles have been deployed at two points on the northern shores of Hania prefecture.

[10] Deputy foreign minister meets Egyptian ambassador

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

They ascertained a common desire for close economic and trade ties and examined the possibility of calling the 6th Mixed Biministerial Committee between the two countries in the second half of 2003 and organizing visits by business delegations.

Ambassador Shahin invited Loverdos to Egypt for further talks on bilateral economic issues.

[11] Deputy foreign minister holds talks with Tunisian ambassador

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

They agreed to hold the 8th Mixed Biministerial Committee between Greece and Tunisia and the business forum associated with this in September 2003.

[12] Swiss deputies to visit Athens in April

GENEVA 23/03/2003 (ANA - N. Robin)

Deputies Barbara Polla and Joseph Zysiadis, co-presidents of the committee, announced they will depart for Greece in April for a two-day visit with the members of the corresponding Greek Parliament committee.

[13] Israel's ambassador to Athens makes farewell visit to Thessaloniki

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

The Israeli diplomat met with Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis and the President of the Jewish community of Thessaloniki David Saltiel.

Asked to comment on the war in Iraq, he said that Israel was not participating, but lived in fear of a possible missile attack from the Baghdad regime.

[14] EU Summit acknowledges economic slowdown, urges for structural reforms

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

In a draft conclusion paper of the EU Spring Summit, held in Brussels, the 15 leaders noted that after four years of implementing a Lisbon Strategy plan, EU economies have created five million new jobs, of which 500,000 last year despite negative economic conditions, while the number of unemployed people fell by two million.

The EU leaders stressed that promoting stable growth and creating better job positions should remain a top priority in the EU's agenda. ''This goal,'' the 15 said, ''can be achieved if macro-

economic policies were followed, focusing on growth and stability, if economic reforms were boldly promoted, if decisive action was taken to increase job positions and restructuring a European social model, innovation and business activity in Europe, strengthening internal market and environmental protection.''

The EU Summit stressed that in order to achieve a goal of transforming EU as the more competitive and dynamic economy of knowledge in the world ''capable of sustained growth with more and better job positions and a greater social cohesion'', EU member-states should give priority in: -increasing employment and social cohesion. The draft conclusion statement stressed the real increase in employment but noted that in order to achieve a 70 percent employment rate by 2010 in the EU, a goal set in Lisbon, member-states should promote bold structural reforms, boost productivity, reform tax and benefit systems, offer incentives in the labor market and combat sex discrimination in labor markets. -promoting innovation and business activity in Europe. The 15 leaders believe that it was needed a more efficient investment in human resources, lifetime knowledge, languages and developing digital culture.

The EU leaders said that to restructure a European social model, national labor markets should be reforms with emphasis given to: -reforming tax and social benefit systems, -improving wage setting systems, and -increasing workforce's contribution, particularly among older people, women, immigrants and younger people.

The EU leaders also said that to achieve social cohesion, EU member-states should promote viable social welfare systems.

[15] EU leaders meet to discuss fiscal policies, structural reforms

BRUSSELS 23/03/2003 (ANA - Chr. Poulidou)

The EU Council of finance ministers (ECOFIN) on Thursday reached an agreement on the harmonization of energy tax, but Italian objections prevented agreement on a savings tax in money EU citizens have deposited in other EU states.

The consequences that the Iraq war may have on the European economy and the Union's contribution to the reconstruction of that country were also central to discussions at the ECOFIN.

Greek Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, who chairs the Council, told reporters here that ECOFIN was prepared to offer its collaboration ''when required to deal with the consequences of war''.

''For now, markets are calm and there is no great danger in the economic field'', the Greek minister said.

Comparable ''preparedness'' was confirmed on behalf of the European Central Bank by its President Wim Duisenberg who pointed out that the height of the contribution could not be yet determined since the cost of the war depended on its duration.

Finally, Internal Market Taxation and Customs Union Commissioner Frits Bolkestein welcomed an agreement for the issuance of a directive on energy taxation, which he said ''constitutes a big step forward, in spite of its many exception clauses''.

Simitis, Prodi on economic aspects of EU Council: Greek Prime Minister and European Council President in-office said on Friday that in spite of global economic uncertainty the European Union managed to convey the massage that growth and employment should be strengthened, and further in which way this can be achieved.

The Greek premier was speaking here after the end of the Spring EU Council and summed up the conclusions reached in relation to economic reforms required in order to attain the Lisbon strategy targets, set by the 15 three years ago, to turn the European block into the globe’s most dynamic and competitive economy by 2010.

Simitis said the Union’s primary target was to boost employment and achieve social cohesion, which required specific tax motives and certain changes in the labor market.

The major priorities will be to boost the EU’s production capacity, the promotion of innovative business plans, an increase in allocations for industrial and technological research and a simplification of procedures for setting up new enterprises.

Simitis noted the need for a further deepening of the single market and an opening of specific markets, such as the energy, transports and financial services markets. He further pointed to the significant improvements in the EU, including the better coordination of member-states’ fiscal policies, the introduction of the EU patent following years of negotiations and better operation of financial markets.

The Greek premier underlined the significance of setting up a working team to look into the changes that need to be made in the European labor market, which is to be headed former Dutch prime minister Vim Coc. However, Simitis expressed unhappiness over the failure to achieve agreement on savings taxation.

Ending his press conference, Simitis said the fact that weighty decisions were taken by the Council proved wrong all those who were against it owing to the war in Iraq.

President of the European Commission Romano Prodi spoke after Simitis, whom he congratulated on the successful outcome of the Council, and stressed the need for EU member-states to intensify their efforts to promote economic reforms.

Prodi placed special emphasis on the promotion of inter-European transport, energy and telecommunications networks, saying that the EU would initially earmark 20 billion euros.

The Commission, according to Prodi, in its evaluation of member-states economic performance and their compliance with the Stability and Development Pact would take into account the predicaments resulting from the current war in Iraq.

[16] Greek stocks end week sharply higher

Athens, 23/03/2003 (ANA)

The general index jumped 2.05 percent to end at 1,570.39 points, with turnover an improved 92.2 million euros.

The Publications, Textile, IT Solutions, Construction and IT sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (4.51 percent, 4.40 percent, 4.34 percent, 3.55 percent and 3.48 percent, respectively), while the Industrial and Cement sectors scored the smallest gains (1.51 percent and 0.89 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 2.51 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 2.36 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index jumped 3.31 percent, while the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 2.56 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 312 to 29 with another 23 issues unchanged.

The general index ended the week with a net gain of 3.73 percent.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 104.2 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: