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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-04-04Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>March 4, 2003CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou, Solana, Patten confer with US Secretary of StateBRUSSELS 04/04/2003 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)Developments in Iraq and the post-war situation were at the center of discussions here during a half-hour meeting on Thursday between US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Greek Foreign Minister and current European Union General Affairs Council president George Papandreou, as well as High Representative for EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten.According to diplomatic sources, Powell appeared confident over the outcome of the Iraq conflict in favor of the US-led allied forces, stressing that the question was now how the post-war reconstruction was going to be carried out. Referring to the post-Saddam period in Iraq, Powell let it be understood that the Middle East country would come under a US military administration for some time, although he refrained from specifying the duration of such period. He added that Washington’s target was not Iraq’s natural resources, as it is often argued in the media, but to impose a new, democratic government. The same sources quoted Powell as saying that the US wants the United Nations and NATO to be highly involved in Iraq’s post-war rebuilding efforts, with the UN undertaking a primary role in provision of humanitarian aid and probably passing a resolution sanctioning US-led action on Iraq. Speaking on behalf of the Union’s “15”, Papandreou expressed concern over developments in Iraq, noting European public opinion’s objections to the war. He also cited a recent decision by the EU Council on dealing with the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, while underlining that if the UN was to be involved in providing such aid certain issues would first need to be clarified. One such issue pertains to what each side means exactly when referring to the need for the UN to play a ‘central role’ in rebuilding Iraq. Papandreou also noted the need for progress over the Palestinian question, warning of dangers from a rise in fundamentalism in the Arab world should this issue remain stalemated. Another need, according to the Greek foreign minister, was to ensure regional stability in the wider Gulf region, while expressing concern over possible Turkish intentions to invade northern Iraq. Powell is reported to have alleviated the EU delegation’s concerns that Turkey did not appear willing to take an initiative to invade northern Iraq, while citing US intentions to help towards achieving progress in the Mideast. With regard to NATO’s involvement in post-war Iraq, Papandreou expressed reservations by saying that such a development might provoke reactions by the Arab world. He further noted that current EU-US relations were not satisfactory and that certain initiatives should be taken for an improvement. International crises are today of such a nature that no country can resolve by itself, Papandreou was quoted as saying by diplomatic sources, and further let it be understood that the EU was considering a second UN resolution in case the international body was called to provide its services in the humanitarian aid area after the war in Iraq was over. The Cyprus problem, as well as the current situation in Serbia, were also discussed during the half-hour meeting, with Papandreou reported to have asked Powell whether his talks in Ankara with Turkish government officials on Wednesday touched upon Cyprus. Powell, the same sources said, replied in the affirmative, saying he urged the Turkish government to pressure Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to return to the negotiating table. As far as Serbia is concerned, Powell said his surprise decision to visit Belgrade on Wednesday was aimed at reflecting Washington’s support to that country following the recent assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, appearing confident that Serbia would soon be back on a stable track. Papandreou, Solana: establishment of UN role in post-war Iraq utmost priority: Foreign Minister and European Union Council of Ministers President George Papandreou, shortly before entering a meeting on Thursday in Brussels between the EU ''troika'' and US Secretary of State Colin Powell, said he hoped for ''sincere talks'' between the European allies and the US official. Papandreou said the reinstatement of transatlantic relations would be central to their discussions and stressed that the EU desired an enhanced role for the United Nations throughout all the phases of the Iraq crisis. On his part, EU chief diplomat Javier Solana said it would be premature to talk about financial aid for the reconstruction of Iraq, stressing that the top priority at this time was the establishment of the UN's post-war role. [02] DM to discuss Iraq and Cyprus with UN secretary generalNEW YORK 04/04/2003 (ANA - P. Panagiotou)Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan are expected to discuss the situation in Iraq, the post-Saddam era, the sending of humanitarian aid to the suffering people of Iraq and the Cyprus issue in talks due to be held at the UN's headquarters at 10.30 p.m. (Greek time) on Thursday.Papantoniou has said during his visit to the United States that ''the position of the European Union is the involvement of the UN in the shaping of arrangements to prevail in Iraq after hostilities have ended'', adding that ''it is important fir humanity to function in the framework of international legality and the UN are the guarantor of this legality.'' The defense minister will give a press conference at the Greek Press Office after his meeting with Annan and then address the Foreign Policy Association on ''Common European defense: A utopian dream or a practical possibility?''. Papantoniou's visit to New York will be concluded with a reception given in his honor in Manhattan by the Alexandros Onassis Foundation. [03] Simitis calls conversation with EU defense initiative leaders ''useful''Athens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis, European Council president in office, said the telephone conversations he had with the three EU leaders responsible for an EU defense initiative were ''useful'', a government spokesman said on Thursday.Simitis on Wednesday held telephone conversations with French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, to discuss the initiative by the three countries to raise the issue of the creation of a common European Union defense policy. Spokesman Christos Protopapas said Simitis told the three leaders that the issue should be raised and discussed at EU agencies. In reply to questions regarding the cost that the initiative would entail, Protopapas stressed that in order for Europe to have a role it should have its own defense and external policy. ''Europe is today paying for recession caused by the war in Iraq, a problem created without European consent. We have faith in the European defense direction, in Europe having its own role,'' he concluded. [04] Parl't president says the world looks to Europe for an end to war in IraqAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, whose country currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, on Thursday told an audience of Eurodeputies that the role of the United Nations should be supported and that people around the world looked to Europe for an end to the war in Iraq.Delivering the opening address at a meeting of the presidents of the foreign affairs committees of the EU member states' parliaments, Kaklamanis said ''People around the world look to the countries of Europe as the last hope for an end to today's horror''. Referring to the efforts of the Greek presidency for EU convergence vis-a-vis the Iraq crisis he pointed to ''divergence in opinion mainly owed to the exercise of external pressure within the scope of a newly-formed Iberian-Atlantic alliance''. Kaklamanis called the massive anti-war reaction of public opinion the ''new super-power'', adding: ''The power of the societies may be the only antidote that humanity has opposite a flattening globalization we are asked to undergo, the only source of security in the insecurity caused by terrorism but also by some of the means used for its eradication''. [05] European Affairs Committees meet in Greek ParliamentAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)The problems created by the Iraq crisis in the European Union’s cohesion are top items in the agenda of the sessions of the European Affairs parliamentary committee presidents of the EU’s 15, acceding countries and the Euro-Parliament, taking place in the Greek Parliament on Thursday and Friday.Attending the session on Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis noted that the crisis in Iraq was a major challenge to EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and that the EU was ready to draw its conclusions from developments. He said the Union had already allocated 21 million euros for humanitarian needs in Iraq resulting from the current war and that the Commission would ask a further 100 million euros from relevant bodies. Magriotis added that Europe supported the United Nations program “Oil for Food” to meet humanitarian needs. “The realization that Europe must have an active role in dealing with current major challenges is gaining ground, not only with the leaderships of EU member-states, but primarily with the public opinion,” Magriotis remarked. Alberto Navaro, a representative for High Representative for EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, said the EU must have a common but not single foreign policy, noting that there can be no serious foreign policy without a military component. The conference is chaired by Costas Papoulias, president of the Greek Parliament’s National Defense and Foreign Policy Committee, who stressed that the EU should capitalize on the anxiety of its citizens over the Iraq war, and transform into an independent international entity. Thursday’s session of the conference was also addressed by Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis, who noted that a convergence of views within the EU required self-restraints, a give and take attitude and political will to back the community’s momentum. He further set the above points as the goals of the EU in the immediate future. Delivering a speech on “Enlarged Europe and new global stability”, Yiannitsis said EU’s failure to function as a political entity against the Iraq crisis has given rise to the need to provide answers to a number of questions relating to enlargement. Elaborating on these questions, Yiannitsis named four fundamental questions to be reviewed: the government model of the EU-25 or more, the management of a balance between political and economic components in EU policies, EU relations with the wider Eurasian region and the Union’s role in the global system, and the organization of the European democracy of the next decade. [06] Respect of human rights an utmost priority forEU GENEVA 04/04/2003 (ANA - N. Robin)Respect of human rights was among the utmost priorities of the European Union in both its internal policies and in its relations with other states, Greece's permanent representative to the UN Tassos Kriekoukis, speaking on behalf of the EU, told a meeting of the UN's Human Rights Commission in Geneva on Wednesday.Kriekoukis, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, noted that the EU member states have individually adopted relevant legislation, which was being updated, while comprehensive efforts were being made at both national and EU-wide level to confront such issues as racism and xenophobia, discrimination due to gender, race, ethnic origins, religion or faith, age, physical disabilities or sexual preference, trafficking in human beings, and religious intolerance. Efforts were further being made, he continued, to avert inhuman or degrading treatment by law enforcement officers, to ensure international standards in penitentiaries, and to guarantee the non-extradition of individuals whose lives would be at risk in their own countries. In this framework, Kriekoukis said, the EU was currently drafting a common (political) asylum policy, taking into consideration the international rules and standards on human rights, and placing special attention on the humanitarian aspects. The EU was also placing great importance on ensuring that the measures for combatting terrorism were in accordance with international law and fully respected human rights and the fundamental liberties, the envoy said. Expressing concern over the human rights violations throughout the world, Kriekoukis pointed out three themes on which the EU was systematically taking action in its relations with third countries: democratization, the just state, and good governance as being firmly inter-related; abolition of capital punishment (death penalty), which would contribute to the advancement of human dignity; and the gradual development of human rights as well as the prevention and elimination of torture and mistreatment throughout the world. On the Cyprus issue, he expressed the EU's sadness at the collapse of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's efforts for a comprehensive solution to the problem. The EU, he said, strongly endorsed a continuation of Annan's good offices mission and Cyprus negotiations on the basis of his proposals. The EU further urged all sides concerned to make every possible effort for a just, viable and functional settlement, and particularly called on the Turkish Cypriot leadership to re-examine its position, Kriekoukis said, adding that the EU reaffirmed its decisions taken at the Copenhagen EU summit regarding Cyprus' accession to the Union. On Turkey, Kriekoukis said the EU welcomed the positive steps taken in the area of human rights since August 2002, and would support any further measures -- in the direction of the required progress, as well as the effective implementation of human rights and prosecution of human rights violations -- to cement the Turkish government's commitment for change. On the situation in SE Europe, Kriekoukis said the EU welcomed the progress achieved in the area of human rights (control of police in Albanian, legitimate elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina, legislative measures for implementation of the Ochrid agreement in FYROM and the advancement of minority rights, adopting of relevant legislation by Croatia, and abolition of the death penalty in Serbia and Montenegro). Referring, however, to the recent assassination of Serbian prime minister Zoran Djindjic, Kriekoukis underlined the threat to democracy posed by all forms of extremism and organized crime, and called for a continuation of the reforms in the countries of the region, particularly the implementation of the international standards of human rights for minorities at all levels of administration. The EU, he continued, urged the consolidation of the just state with the adoption of effective legal mechanisms for protection of the rights and liberties of the citizens, regardless of their ethnic, language and religious background, and full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). In view of the EU summit in Thessaloniki, the EU called also called for commitment, by the countries of the region, on the issue of the return of the refugees, the assumption of responsibility for creating the appropriate legislative and security conditions, and the cooperation of the governments for resolution of the huge problems. With respect to Iraq, Kriekoukis reaffirmed the EU's oft-repeated concern over the systematic, extensive and exceptionally serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law by the Iraqi government, as described in previous resolutions by the Commission, and reiterated the EU's hope that the present conflict would end with the least possible misfortune and loss of human lives. The EU, he said, called on all the sides to adhere to their obligations emanating from international law, particularly the Geneva Treaties, and recalled the Council of Europe conclusions of March 20 on the future of Iraq, the region, and international cooperation. Kriekoukis further said that the EU would soon unveil an initiative on the human rights situation in Iraq. [07] Thousands march to British and U.S. embassies in massive anti-war rallyAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Thousands of people, including many Iraqi immigrants, marched to the embassies of Britain and the United States on Thursday night, following an anti-war rally organized by the Greek Communist Party at Syntagma Square in Athens.The Athens rally was again mirrored by similar protests in major Greek cities throughout the country, including Ioannina, Iraklio on Crete and Kavala, while several groups staged strikes and work stoppages against the war. The demonstrators, wielding torches, shouted anti-war and anti-American slogans, as well as slogans against ''the imperialist crime against the people of Iraq.'' KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga, the main speaker at the rally, said "the imperialists have no right to decide who will disarm," adding that they are enemies of peoples and not liberators. She further said they want Iraq to become a huge American base to enable them to organize a new round of attacks against neighboring countries, based on the doctrine of reconstructing the Arab world. Papariga called for the unity of the Greek people to enable Greece "to exit from the slaughterhouse," shutting down the Souda base and other facilities to prevent them from being used in the future against Syria, Iran, etc. The Communist party leader warned that "the imperialists have decided to impose the peace of submission and resignation and the peace of the graveyard." Papariga also said European leaders who allied themselves with the United States are unwelcome in Greece and expressed the wish that the people of Iraq and Baghdad will hold out. Youths clash with police at anti-war march in Athens: Clashes between youths and police marked a rally and march against the Iraq war organized by trade union organizations, the Greek Social Forum and pacifist groups in Athens on Thursday. As the tail end of the march passed by the United State Embassy in Athens, young men lobbed fire bombs, paint, bottles and other objects at riot police ranged outside the embassy. [08] Protopapas: Athens agrees with Cypriot government's reply to DenktashAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)The Greek government agreed with the decision of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos to turn down Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's proposal for a meeting on the Cyprus issue, Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Thursday.Denktash's proposal was a repetition of the Turkish-Cypriot leader's familiar tactics of trying to create the appearance of taking initiatives while avoiding talks within the United Nations, the spokesman added. The Greek government was fully covered by the decision, which was in any case preceded by a decision of the Cyprus National Council and a discussion with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, he said. [09] Greek, Serbian premiers agree on Greece's assistance in Int'l bodiesAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his Serbian counterpart Zoran Zivkovic agreed that Greece will aid Serbia and Montenegro in international organizations and will speed up the Greek investments in infrastructure projects.The agreement which was made during the meeting of the two leaders in Athens was dispatched by the Beta news agency on Thursday. [10] Balkan leaders stress devotion to EU, Euro-Atlantic bodiesAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Balkan leaders stress devotion to EU and Euro-Atlantic bodies Loyalty to Euro-Atlantic structures and European unification though the long-term accession of Eastern European nations was widely advocated by heads of state and government ministers from Balkan states taking part in the sessions of an ‘Economist’ conference on Euro-Atlantic relations taking place in Athens.Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano said his country was following a democratic path together with other neighboring countries experiencing a new sociopolitical reality and wishing to become part of Euro-Atlantic bodies. All Balkan states, said Nano, should welcome the EU’s momentum and cooperate with the Union, while he stressed that the fight against organized crime, being the worst threat in the specific region, would help the European orientation of Balkan states. Serbia’s new premier Zoran Zivkovic, who referred to the assassination of his predecessor Zoran Djindjic, underlined that the democratic system established by Djindjic not only did not collapse following his assassination, but was now even stronger. Zivkovic said that Serbia was now safe and called on foreign investors to return in the country. He further stressed that the EU should make available certain opportunities to new democracies in the Balkans for equal cooperation with the EU. He added his country was ready to accept all the responsibilities emanating from the EU. Branco Crvenkovski, the Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) said that through the reconstruction efforts by the EU in the Balkan region, the conditions are created for the elimination of national conflicts and civil wars in the region. The accession of Balkan states in the EU and Euro-Atlantic security institutions is the best way to ensure the elimination of the forces that gave rise to the region’s dismantling, Crvenkovski said, calling on European politicians to support Balkan states in what he called their tough way to European unification. [11] Bulgarian president to visit GreeceSOFIA 04/04/2003 (ANA - B. Borisov)Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov will arrive in Greece on April 8 for a working visit, during which he will meet with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.This was announced on Thursday in a Bulgarian presidency press release published in the Bulgarian press. Parvanov will also attend the Balkans Conference taking place in Belgrade on April 9, the announcement said. [12] Turkish PM thanks Greece for cooperation in ending plane hijackingISTANBUL 04/04/2003 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday sent a letter to his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis, thanking him for the Greek government's cooperation in safely ending the hijacking of a passenger aircraft on a domestic flight within Turkey the previous week.The Turkish hijacker, who was reputedly mentally ill, made the pilot land the plane at Athens international airport. Greek negotiators persuaded him to let the passengers and crew get off the aircraft unhurt before they stormed the plane and placed him under arrest. ''This unfortunate event proves the importance of cooperation between two governments. Relations between Turkey and Greece have become stronger after this event,'' the letter said. [13] ND leader receives FYROM premier in AthensAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday received Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Prime Minister Branco Crvenkovski and discussed with him the current conditions in the Balkans.No mention of the differences between the two countries concerning the name of FYROM was made during the meeting. Karamanlis was briefed of the participation of the Albanians in the government of Skopje, which resulted in the lessening of tensions with the country and expressed to Crvenkovski his satisfaction over the deployment of the European Union peacekeeping force in the country, which is expected to replace the NATO forces there in a few days. The two men made no comments after their meeting. [14] ND leader meets with Albanian premier in AthensAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday met with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano and discussed bilateral and regional affairs.Karamanlis stressed ND's support for the establishment of an institutional base for a multilateral cooperation, which will be based on the stability of borders, respect for human and minority rights, while he also stressed that the rule of law should be established in the Balkans and corruption and organized crime should be combated. [15] Yiannitsis addresses ''Economist'' conference in AthensAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Thursday addressed the 7th 'Economist Group' ''government roundtable'' in Athens, focusing on the crisis due to the war in Iraq and the inability of the international community to secure an international security system through the United Nations.Yiannitsis stressed the effects of the war and its cost in human pain, as well as effects on inter-European and inter-Atlantic relations. He noted that following Sept. 11 and after the Cold War international security has not been ensured, adding that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction along with organized crime cause most of the negative effects. The Greek minister called for a new effort towards cooperation between the USA and the EU, one that will be between equals, because security issues are complex, stressing that there should be a policy for the prevention of terrorism, but what should be destroyed are the weapons of mass destruction. Yiannitsis underlined that unilateral actions, such as undertaken by the US, are not necessary since they have negative results, while the UN criteria should be implemented as they are noted in the decisions of the international organization. Terrorism, Yiannitsis said, will not be dismantled without long-term cooperation between the USA and the EU and stressed that the Greek EU presidency will seek ways to widen and deepen this cooperation, since there should be a new approach to international challenges. He added that power should be used only in defense and not to enforce principles on someone else. Regarding differences of opinion within the EU, he said that they are the result of the lack of a common foreign policy, adding that the ''we will see if the EU can provide a positive message through its difficulties''. Speaking of the European Union's enlargement, he said that it is a necessary process which will provide a new push forward and a new dynamic to the EU. [16] ND leader calls for restoration of UN's prestigeAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, addressing the Economist's conference on Thursday, called for the upgrading of the UN's role and the restoration of its prestige in the postwar era in Iraq.Karamanlis said the end of the UN has not come, despite weaknesses appearing blatantly during the outbreak of the Iraq crisis, adding that the time has come to heal its wounds and upgrade its prestige, adequacy and effectiveness. The ND leader stressed the need for speeding up the course towards the European Union's political unification and said the new European constitution should contain a clause of mutual assistance and solidarity for the security of all the peoples of Europe against every external threat. ''Social solidarity cannot cover the security of European products and not reach the security of European citizens,'' he said. Karamanlis once again expressed support for the initiative for strengthened cooperation in defense policy and called for the strengthening of common foreign policy. He further pointed out that what is necessary for Greece to play the role it wants in the new era is a different policy in all sectors, particularly in the economic sector, and stressed that if the war lasts for a long time matters may be more difficult. [17] Gore speaks by Sat link-up to Athens conference after visit cancelledAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Former US vice-president Al Gore, who came within a few hundred votes of being elected president in the American presidential elections three years ago, spoke by satellite link-up to an Athens audience on Wednesday evening, noting that he cancelled his visit here following a Secret Service recommendation that he avoid international travel at present.Gore was initially scheduled as the keynote speaker at the 7th ‘Economist Group’ “government roundtable”, being held this week southeast of the Greek capital at the posh Vouliagmeni seaside resort. However, on Wednesday evening he told a large audience of international and regional business leaders, diplomats, politicians and reporters that “the world situation led me to cancel international travel due to a Secret Service suggestion.” According to reports, the former US vice-president in the Clinton administration, newspaper editor and popular one-time Tennessee senator avoided commenting directly on the course of a US-led military campaign against Iraq, while initially focusing on the “day after” the conflict ends. Gore, who was speaking from Nashville, Tennessee, also reportedly emphasized the need for Washington and its allies to focus on “multilateral” approaches in everything from the war on terrorism to the global economy, although sources at the conference said he avoided criticizing the Bush administration’s handling of the war or the contentious run-up to the conflict. Finally, he reportedly referred to two major international concerns that proved to be trademark issues during his eight years as America’s vice-president, namely, environmental protection and social justice in the under-developed world. According to reports, he called global warming and disappearing bio-diversity, for instance, problems that will have catastrophic effects for humanity in the next 50 years. The roundtable was entitled “Leadership Strategy for the Strengthening of Trans-Atlantic Ties: The Role of Europe & the USA”. [18] Former airport site to become metropolitan park, PM saysAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)The site of the former Athens airport at Ellinikon will become a 400-hectare metropolitan park containing recreational, sports and arts facilities, while the rest of the 510-hectare site would be sold to commercial interests to finance the creation of the park and the development of run-down areas in the city, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Thursday.The decision to create the park was finalized on Thursday at a government meeting attended by several members of the cabinet. Announcing the government's plans, Simitis said that Athens would acquire a Metropolitan Park that would lack for nothing in comparison with its equivalents in major European cities. The premier said the old facilities housing Olympic Airways would remain and be made use of, while the former east terminal will be converted to a conference and exhibition centre and the former west terminal will be turned into sports and cultural facilities. He also announced plans to join up the park with the sea-front and coastal zone at Agios Kosmas by lowering a section of Poseidonos Avenue beneath ground level. A special body is to be set up to coordinate the creation of the park, while the Environment Ministry will oversee the project in collaboration with the Athens Regulatory Planning Organization and other ministries. Olympics facilities that are currently being built on the site will be moved after the Games are over, while others will be radically overhauled and refitted, the premier added. Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou said that one of two Olympic basketball courts built on the site would go after the Games, while work on the park would begin after the Olympics ended, when the tender for the roughly 110 hectares of the site given over for commercial use was proclaimed. She ruled out any unearned increment tax for municipalities adjoining the park. [19] Greek EU presidency - community patentAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)The Greek European Union presidency recently scored a big success when agreement and common political approach was achieved on the issue of the community patent at a meeting of the EU council on fair competition chaired by Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.Long discussions and a number of efforts to reach a compromise had been made by several previous presidencies, especially in recent years, however without any results, with disagreement focusing on issues such as the languages in which the community patent would be translated, judicial arrangements such as court jurisdiction, and a number of many economic interests. The road is now open for the creation and the operation of the new institution attracting the interest of all innovative European businesses and all those who invest in the EU. The new institution boosts the integration of the internal market, reduces the cost of businesses in safeguarding their innovations and reinforces protection to small-medium-size enterprises, since now they can apply for direct protection in the market of ''15'' plus ''10'' member states. ''The European industry is today receiving an important message from our Council that will boost its international efforts'', Tsohatzopoulos said about the agreement. [20] Eurogroup, ECOFIN meetings in Athens, April 4-5Athens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)An informal ECOFIN meeting to be held in Athens on Saturday, 5 April, including national central bankers the president and vice-president of the European Central Bank and EU Commissioners Pedro Solbes and Fritz Bolkenstein, will discuss the likely impact of a war in Iraq on the European economy, Greece's Economy and Finance ministry said on Thursday.The agenda of the ECOFIN meeting envisages discussion: -on the economic situation and economic policy, particularly developments in the inflation front and global economic prospects amid the uncertainty of a war in Iraq, -on the situation in European Union's financial markets and prospects in view of a recent significant fall in European asset prices, -preparations for a spring ministerial meeting of the International Monetary Fund in Washington, with discussion on a plan by the Economic and Fiscal Commission to include the private sector in efforts to resolve international financial crises, and -issues related with an EU expansion eastwards and future functioning of ECOFIN meetings after the expansion. A Eurogroup meeting, including economy and finance ministers from Eurozone members, will be held on Friday. The agenda of the meeting includes discussion on economic developments and prospects, fiscal developments in the eurozone and the beginning of disciplinary procedures against France for its high fiscal deficit. Greek Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis will chair both meetings. [21] European Parl't vice president visits merchant marine ministry in AthensAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)European Parliament vice-president Gerhard Schmidt, in Athens for a meeting of the Europarliament's Socialist Group, on Thursday visited the Greek merchant marine ministry where he was briefed by the Coast Guard commander and other high-ranking officers on the role and the operation of the force, a Greek merchant marine ministry announcement said.The visiting official, along with sixty MPs and MEPs of the European socialist parties, on Wednesday held a demonstration beneath the Athens Acropolis, protesting against the war in Iraq and calling for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. Greece is currently holding the six-month rotating EU presidency. [22] Greek stocks end 0.71 percent up on ThursdayAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks ended higher on Thursday, extending their previous session's advance in the Athens Stock Exchange with market sentiment improved by optimism over the duration of a war in Iraq.The general index ended 0.71 percent up at 1,518.02 points, with turnover a low 70.3 million euros. The Textile, Wholesale and IT Solution sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (3.73 percent, 2.77 percent and 2.69 percent, respectively), while the Investment (0.42 percent), Telecommunications (0.27 percent) and Metal (0.21 percent) sectors suffered losses. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.71 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.07 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.97 percent. The wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.80 percent up. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 229 to 79 with another 52 issues unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 57.0 mln euros Thursday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Sellers outstrip buyers on Thursday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond [23] Six killed in pipe factory explosion in CorinthAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)SIx workers were killed Thursday morning when an explosion, tentatively believed to have been caused by a leak from an oxygen and acetylene tank, ripped through a pipe factory in Corinth, police said.The explosion, which occurred at 10:20 a.m. at the Athens bourse-listed ''Solinourgia S.A.'' factory on the 4th kilometer of the Corinth Patras old national highway, in the factory's pipe welding section, also injured another three workers, all of whom were in serious but not life-threatening condition in hospital. The Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) temporarily halted negotiation of the company's stock after the explosion, at the request of the company management to allow time for assessment of the damage and briefing of the stockholders. There were 27 workers on the premises at the time of the explosion. The six victims and three injured workers, all permanent employees of the factory, were part of a welding team. Government spokesman Christos Protopapas later expressed the government's deep grief for the victims of the explosion, and pledged a full investigation and attribution of all responsibilities. He further stressed the importance placed by the government on health and safety at the work places, noting that the factory has undergone repeated inspections. The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) denounced the labor accident, and claimed that a month previously the Labor Inspectorate had inspected the factory's facilities and submitted a negative report charging "inadequate" health and safety measures. GSEE expressed its deepest condolences and support for the families of the deceased and injured workers. [24] Parties call for strict implementation of security measures in workplacesAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)The ruling PASOK party announced on Thursday, on the occasion of a factory blast which killed six people and injured another three, that the protection of the lives of staff necessitates the strict implementation by employers of all enacted security terms and preconditions in workplaces.PASOK called on all the relevant authorities of the labor ministry and the Fire Brigade, as well as on every other relevant public service, to attribute specific responsibilities for the loss of the employees' lives and the injuring of others and have those responsible punished. Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, referring to the same issue, said the strengthening of the existing institutional framework to enable a climate of security to be consolidated in workplaces with real life quality terms for staff is a top priority. It was added that the government, with its relevant agencies, should examine the causes of the tragic accident and attribute whatever responsibilities may appear. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) denounced the accident at the ''Solinourgeia Korinthou'' factory as a new crime against the working classes. ''The working classes have a duty to defend their life and security with every kind of struggle. They must claim now strict security measures in workplaces, face the intensification of labor decisively and strengthen their organizing and struggle to overturn anti-popular policy,'' KKE said. The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) said in an announcement measures should be taken for the full implementation of labor health and security rules. The announcement added that, according to existing evidence, the Labor Inspection service had prepared a report a month ago in which it spoke of the lack of labor health and security measures. The Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) party said in its announcement the unaccountability of employers and the non-observance of even elementary security rules results in the death of a great number of employees in various companies, as was the case with the Solinourgeia Korinthou company. [25] Witness places Savvas Xiros at the scene of N17 hit in sensational court sessionAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)An eye-witness in the ongoing trial of 19 suspected ''November 17'' terrorists, for decades regarded as the most dangerous and elusive terrorist organization in Greece, on Thursday said that he had definitely seen and spoken with the defendant Savvas Xiros near the scene of a bomb explosion targeting businessman Vardis Vardinoyiannis.Ioannis Kanaris was an employee with the Nea Erithrea municipality and had been working near the site of the explosion involving a booby-trapped car on November 20, 1990, from which Vardinoyiannis barely escaped with his life. The lawyer representing the Vardinoyiannis family asked the court to confirm that Savvas Xiros stood by his latest statement, in which he claimed to have physically carried out all ''November 17'' attacks. A request by presiding judge Mihalis Margaritis that Xiros confirm the incident described by Kanaris, however, led to sensational scenes within the courtroom. The defendant rose and walked right up to Kanaris in a way that that counsel representing civil plaintiffs described as an attempt to intimidate the witness. Kanaris then claimed that he was unable to continue his testimony because he was terrified and suffering from heart palpitations. Another witness who was on hand during the scene between Kanaris and Xiros, Georgia Anastasiou, also cut short her testimony a few minutes after she was called to the stand and claimed to be feeling unwell, while she was rushed off to the General State Hospital in an ambulance shortly afterward. In testimony to the examining magistrate, Anastasiou had recognized Dimitris Koufodinas as one of those who participated in the attempt on Vardinoyiannis' life. The next witness called to the witness stand was taxi-driver Zisis Vozoras, who said he was absolutely certain that he had picked up Xiros immediately after the terrorist group's hit on MP Pavlos Bakoyiannis and had carried him away from the scene of the murder in Ambelokipi. Vozoras testified on Thursday because he had been absent when the Bakoyianni case had been discussed in court the previous day. The witness also claimed that he and Xiros had heard the news about the MP's murder on the radio and that Xiros had then commented: ''Next. Whose in line?'' The arrest of Savvas Xiros after his injury in a premature bomb explosion in June 2002 was the first breakthrough for police investigating the terror group in nearly three decades. Many later arrests of suspected members of the group were based on his statements under interrogation, which he later retracted and said were the result of coercion and intimidation. The trial went into recess early on Thursday because of a work stoppage called by the Athens Bar in protest against the war in Iraq. On Friday, the Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court that is trying the case will hear testimony regarding the assassination of U.S. Sergeant Ronald Stewart on March 12, 1991, the assassination of Turkish diplomat Cetin Gyorgyu on October 7, 1991 and the attempted murder of Turkish Charge d'Affaires Deniz Bulukbasi on July 16, 1991. [26] Suspected ''May 1'' terrorist to testify before magistrate TuesdayAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Mihalis Kassimis, charged with joining and participating in the terrorist group "May 1" and taking part in the attempted murder of former union confederation GSEE chief George Raftopoulos in 1987, was given until next Tuesday to respond to the charges against him before Appeals Examining Magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakos.Mihalis Kassimis is the brother of Christos Kassimis, the man suspected of founding the terrorist group ELA. According to sources, Kassimis intends to present a memorandum in which he denies the charges against him and presents an alibi for the day on which the attempt against Raftopoulos took place. [27] American Studies seminar on 'Human Rights and Human Injustices cancelledAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)An annual American Studies seminar on the theme ''Human Rights and Human Injustices'' scheduled to take place in Athens beginning next week has been cancelled, due to the recent events, an announcement by the organizers said Thursday.The seminar, due to take place April 7-21, was to be organized by the Institute for International Relations in cooperation with the US Embassy's cultural department and Deree College. [28] President Papadopoulos tells Denktash UN is best hope for Cyprus solutionNICOSIA 04/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, in a reply letter to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash notes the mission of good offices of the UN Secretary General represents the best hope for to proceed forward towards a comprehensive settlement.At the same time he stresses to the Turkish Cypriot leader that if any negotiations are to be meaningful, Denktash should accept the continuation of the good offices mission of the Secretary General as well as the Secretary General's plan as a basis for a further negotiating process. In the letter, which was published at the end of Wednesday night's extraordinary session of the National Council in response to Denktash's letter to Papadopoulos containing ideas he believed could initiate a process of dialogue and consultation, leading to a working relationship, Papadopoulos blames Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side for having not accepted Kofi Annan's plan as a basis for negotiating the final comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. Papadopoulos' letter is as follows: ''I do not share your view that the stalemate at The Hague was due to 'the socio-psychological dimension of the problem and especially the deep crisis of confidence between the two sides.' On the contrary, I believe that the real reason of the stalemate was that neither Turkey nor your side have accepted the Plan of the United Nations Secretary General as a basis for negotiating the final comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. In addition your side has not cooperated in the work of the technical committees and in the preparation of legislation and documentation required under the Plan. It is my considered opinion that the mission of good offices of the Secretary General represents the best hope for us to proceed forward towards a comprehensive settlement. My position was made abundantly clear prior, during and after The Hague. I simply quote the statement I made after the stalemate at The Hague, which is still valid. 'I want to give you an assurance that despite of this setback we will continue our efforts for reaching a solution on the Cyprus problem, both before and after Cyprus' accession to the EU and the fact of today's setback is not going to put us outside our course of trying to find a solution within the parameters of the Annan plan.' If any resumption of the talks is to be meaningful, giving hope for a solution of the Cyprus problem on a comprehensive basis in the very near future, I believe that you might indicate at the outset that: (a) You accept the continuation of the good offices mission of the Secretary General, as provided for in the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions. (b) You accept the Plan of the Secretary General as a basis for a further negotiating process. I sincerely hope that the Security Council will invite the Secretary General to continue his initiative with a view to arriving as soon as possible at a comprehensive settlement, which will entail the solution of all problems including those referred to in your letter. I also copy this letter to the United Nations Secretary-General.'' [29] Cyprus Government embarks on information campaignNICOSIA 04/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)The government on Thursday embarked on a campaign to inform all interested parties about the real objectives and intentions behind a letter Turkish Cypriot leader has sent to the President, suggesting ideas to initiate a dialogue between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides.''None of the ideas put forward by Rauf Denktash was specific and none can have immediate effect,'' government spokesman Kypros Chrisostomides said on the matter, adding that Denktash's proposals aimed at ''diverting the peace process away from the UN framework.'' He said Denktash's ideas would have led to the ''indirect or direct recognition of his self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus, something Denktash is seeking to achieve for years now.'' Chrisostomides said Nicosia was in touch with Athens on Wednesday night about this issue and the Greek government is totally in line with the response of President Tassos Papadopoulos to Denktash, communicated Wednesday night. Papadopoulos told Denktash in his reply letter that the Cyprus question must be solved through the good offices mission of the UN Secretary General and pointed out that the collapse of the UN-led peace efforts, last month, was due to Ankara's and Denktash's refusal to accept a UN peace proposal as a basis for negotiation. Denktash announced his proposals at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, ahead of a debate on Cyprus at the Security Council and in view of the signing of the Accession Treaty later this month by Cyprus and nine other EU acceding countries. ''President Papadopoulos does not expect a reply from Denktash, but the Turkish Cypriot leader is in the habit of sending letters,'' the spokesman said. Replying to questions, he said that if Denktash commits himself to the continuation of the negotiations on the basis of the process defined by Kofi Annan, based on the Secretary General's peace plan, then the President Papadopoulos believes that the dialogue could continue to solve all the problems, including the socio-psychological problems referred to by Denktash. The spokesman was categorical that the Denktash proposals cannot influence the contents of a UN report on the peace effort. ''As things stand, neither the report nor any subsequent decision by the Security Council can be influenced. Our Accession Treaty with the European Union cannot in any way be linked to this either,'' Chrisostomides added. Replying to questions about Annan's peace plan, he said that provisions in it cannot possibly be adopted by the Security Council as the plan was rejected by the Turkish Cypriot side and it is not completed. On plans by the government to announce measures in support of the Turkish Cypriots, the spokesman said that these will not be announced before April 16, when Cyprus and the another nine countries will sign in Athens the Accession Treaty. [30] Christofias: Denktash ideas are not proposalsAthens, 04/04/2003 (ANA)Cyprus House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias said on Thursday he does not consider proposals what Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has included in a letter to CyprusPresident Tassos Papadopoulos on Wednesday, and described them as an effort to deviate from the substance. ''I do not consider what Mr. Denktash has said as 'proposals'. I consider it an effort to deviate attention while the UN Security Council is expected to discuss the Secretary-General's report, a few days before the signing of the Accession Treaty to the European Union and surely some days before the announcement of the measures (for the Turkish Cypriots) from the government,'' Christofias noted. The House President said Denktash's move ''aims at torpedoing developments.'' Christofias pointed out that the reply given by Papadopoulos to the Turkish Cypriot leader ''is clear and touches on reality, which exists in the conscience of the Turkish Cypriot community.'' Quoting Thursday's Turkish Cypriot press, Christofias said in its majority, the ''opposition and non-opposition'' newspapers stress that this was an awkward, deviating move. ''Therefore, even Turkish Cypriots understand that Denktash wants to avoid a discussion of the substance of the Cyprus problem, based on the Annan plan, and move the issue elsewhere.'' [31] EU wants Cyprus settlement through UN frameworkBRUSSELS 04/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)The European Commission wishes to see a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus question which could be achieved within the UN framework, Jean Christophe Filori, European Commission spokesman said here on Thursday.His comments come as a response to an announcement on Wednesday by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash of what he has described as a package of measures to assist a political settlement of the Cyprus problem. ''The Commission takes into consideration Denktash's initiative. We support all efforts for a solution in Cyprus, but we continue to believe that this objective can best be achieved through the UN framework,'' Filori said. Filori also noted that the Commission is waiting for the outcome of the discussion on Cyprus at the UN Security Council, in the coming days. [32] UN best way for Cyprus solution, says BritainLONDON 04/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)Britain believes that the best way to solve the Cyprus question is through the good offices mission of the UN Secretary General.Britain also thinks that confidence building measures is a matter for the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities to discuss. ''The best way to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus is for the two sides to resume talks under the auspices of the UN good offices and on the basis of the Secretary General's plan,'' a Foreign Office spokesman said on Thursday. Invited to comment on a package of measures announced Wednesday by the Turkish Cypriot leader, the spokesman said ''confidence building measures between the two sides is a matter for them to discuss, although we do believe that the best context for them remains the UN.'' The measures were announced nearly a month after the collapse of the UN-led talks because Rauf Denktash refused to put to a referendum Kofi Annan's peace plan and said that he wants radical changes to it. He described it a ''crime against humanity.'' [33] US ask Turkey to intervene towards DenktashBRUSSELS 04/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)The US have asked Turkey to exert pressure on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to work towards the resolution of the Cyprus question.Diplomatic sources said on Thursday that US Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed, apart from the Iraqi crisis, the Cyprus problem and the Middle East issue with current EU Foreign Ministers Council president Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Chris Patten, EU Commissioner for external relations. The same sources said that Powell expressed clearly his administration's interest in a Cyprus settlement and encouraged the Turkish government to press upon Denktash the need to change his positions with a view at finding a solution. Powell also said he raised the question of Cyprus in all his meetings in Turkey. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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