Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-10-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU draft Constitution should be accepted without major changes, PM says

[02] PM reiterates personal commitment to structural changes

[03] Need for Athens 2004 security shouldn't undermine democracy's functions, FM says

[04] ND leader's message on 29th anniversary since its founding

[05] ND leader speaks of his ''Greek vision'' to party youth festival

[06] Skandalidis meets with Cyprus' party leaders

[07] Tsohatzopoulos predicts talks on Cyprus during upcoming period

[08] Greek leadership salutes Cyprus' independence anniversary

[09] Turkish paper: Halki's reopening will be requested by Europarliament delegation,

[10] Synaspismos central committee reaches decisions concerning elections

[11] Nat'l economy minister dismisses recession fears after 2004 Games

[12] AMAN General Assembly wraps up works in Algiers

[13] Greek church's NGO distributes 450 tons of aid in Iraq

[14] Church of Greece opens liaison office in Brussels

[15] George Polk's murder may be re-examined by Arios Pagos

[16] President has reservations over some draft constitution provisions

[17] Papadopoulos says EU members' equality must be safeguarded

[18] EU presidency to submit explanatory notes to leaders

[01] EU draft Constitution should be accepted without major changes, PM says

ROME, 06/10/2003 (ANA - B. Demiris)

Speaking here in Rome, after the conclusion of the conference's opening session on Saturday, Simitis said that the draft can take improvements, clarifications, and corrections aiming to make the European Union more effective, so that it can have a better functioning system domestically.

''We should move toward more strengthened levels of cooperation, so that the EU can play an increased role on the international stage, while the process of enlargement and deepening of the EU should advance in parallel,'' Simitis underlined.

He added that the regulations that resulted during the drafting of the Constitution, by the Conference for the Future of Europe, through democratic processes, via negotiations, which resulted in this balance.

As for the work of the conference, Simitis that ''we have an attitude of compromise, so as to promote solutions that can be acceptable'', adding that the leaders should avoid opening a ''Pandora's box'', from which, there is a danger, for the emergence of solutions, without a true base, which in turn will lead to endless discussions.

Simitis at this point quoted some of his colleagues, who according to him said that with the afore-mentioned practice there may be the danger to ''rip the quilt the Conference (for the Future of Europe) created''.

The Greek premier stressed, however, that several improvements that promote the democratic character of the Constitution must be promoted, especially concerning the social content of the Union's policies and that of the balance of power between the institutions of the Union and the states.

He took the position supporting the extension of the special majority vote in the decision making process for foreign policy, which, however, would have to have safety valves for the crucial interests of each member-state.

EU draft Constitution should be accepted without major changes, PM says.

On the fiscal front, Simitis said that the European Central Bank should not only aim for monetary stability, but should also aim at full employment of EU citizens.

Speaking of the decision making process, he supported the full equality among member-states on all theme based councils and strongly stressed his support for the principle of community solidarity in the exercise of the common foreign policy, adding that all members of the European Commission should have the right to vote.

The premier concluded his remarks on the Constitution, saying it will become a lever for the historic unification process, ''which started today and may lead to a Europe that will function better''.

Simitis also noted that he met with his Turkish counterpart Recep Erdogan at the sidelines of the conference, with whom he discussed the necessity for the promotion of the issues concerning the two countries. He added that Turkish Foreign Minister Abdalah Gul will visit Athens on Oct. 21st.

The premier also met with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos.

DM participates in Rome meeting of "15": Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Saturday participated in the European Union's council of defense ministers council, which examined the creation of an independent European Operation Center that will undertake to facilitate the European rapid reaction force.

Papantoniou said that experts from France, Britain, Italy and Greece will comprise the work group that will study the issue, underlining that these five countries will become the main arm for the planning and development of the initiative.

[02] PM reiterates personal commitment to structural changes

Athens, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

He underlined that these changes have to take place "here and now", adding that there are no margins for postponements and second guessing, thus there will be none.

In his article the premier noted that bureaucracy will be combated, via the abolition of multiple licensing, which discou-rages business activities, while he also focused on the creation of a stable tax system, noting that this along with the development legislation will become strong motivators for the increase of business activity and the development, especially of small and medium enterprises.

Commenting on the 2004 budget he said that its corner stone is the prediction for a 4.2 per cent development rate, a forecast that coincides with that of the International Monetary Fund, which as he said is not very prone to optimistic forecasts.

[03] Need for Athens 2004 security shouldn't undermine democracy's functions, FM says

Athens, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to the ''Ta Nea'' newspaper, Papandreou underlined that after Sept. 11 a phobia has been created and there is a ''psychosis'' with security measures, adding, however, that ''we are an open society. We take all the necessary (security) measures, we are open to suggestions, ideas and for cooperation with other countries on the issue, but I believe that Greece is called on to balance two (issues)''.

He went further to explain that the balance should be struck between the necessity for conditions of security, without, however, going to the other extreme that is to undermine the openness of society.

Commenting on recent foreign press reports that criticized Greece on the issue of the Olympic Games' security, he said that there were similar reports every time the Games took place, no matter where they took place.

''It would be a mistaken analysis to believe that some centers have placed Greece in their sights and are shooting at us,'' Papandreou said.

He called for calm and for the promotion of all those things that were done in the security sector, adding ''we have spent a lot of money of the Greek people on this sector. We also have a close cooperation with the best people internationally on the sector of security. We are doing serious work and this we have to pro-mote, especially abroad''.

[04] ND leader's message on 29th anniversary since its founding

Athens, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

"Today, the grand strategic choices we made have been vindicated by history. Our democracy is very securely founded.

Our borders are also border of the European Union. The European orientation of Greece is considered self-evident and is adopted by the vast majority of the Greeks," Karamanlis said in his message.

He also underlined the founding principles of the party, adding that "29 years later, the historic cycle of the post-dictatorship years is concluding. The question of the new era that is dawning, will be to utilize all that we have achieved".

[05] ND leader speaks of his ''Greek vision'' to party youth festival

Athens, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

for a non-partisan state that will be governed by the rule of law, during an address he delivered on Sunday's closure of his party's youth organization three-day festival in Athens.

Karamanlis focused on the founding declaration of his party, drafted in 1974, stressing that it is a party ''that ignores feuds and divisions of the past and is orienting toward the widest possible national unity, beyond and above the labels of the past''.

''We are not monopolizing what is offered for the benefit of Greece. We do not underestimate and we do not disregard the contribution of anyone. We respect the positive elements PASOK submitted during its course,'' Karamanlis said, adding ''we believe that no one can ignore the politicians and the social struggles of the Left. We are not recycling the past. We are looking forward''.

Karamanlis also spoke of the ''new era'' that dawned with the end of the Cold War and analyzed Greece's comparative advantages, focusing on the environment, Greece's civilization, the educational capital of the country, the human resources, the youth and ways to promote those elements.

[06] Skandalidis meets with Cyprus' party leaders

NICOSIA, 06/10/2003 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

He met with Democratic Rally President Nikos Anastassiades, Democratic Party Vice-President Nikos Pittokopitis, Social Democrats -EDEK President Ioannis Omirou and left-wing AKEL party spokesman Andros Kyprianou.

''The accession of Cyprus to the European Union is the greatest success of our national strategy for many decades now … this success concerns all of Hellenism and not just the Cypriot Hellenism,'' Skandalidis said after his meeting with Anastasiades, who thanked the Greek government for its support for Cyprus.

After his meeting with Pittokopitis, Skandalidis said that PASOK will provide full support to the

Democratic Party (DHKO), to aid it on its course to social democracy, saying that ''from our party this support on the course to social democracy of Cyprus' DHKO will be fully granted in the European bodies''.

Speaking after his meeting with Social Democrats-EDEK leader Omirou, the Greek minister said that the stance that was decided by Athens and Nicosia on the Cyprus issue, should remain stable and unwavering.

On his part, Omirou said that ''as it is natural the Cyprus issue remains at the top of the priorities of both governments (the Greek and the Cypriot)''.

Skandalidis' meetings also included discussions with AKEL spokesman Andros Kyprianou. After their meeting, Skandalidis underlined that the common approach on the large issues ''is a given and has been hardened like steel in the fires of effort and battle''.

[07] Tsohatzopoulos predicts talks on Cyprus during upcoming period

NICOSIA, 06/10/2003 (ANA/G.Leonidas)

Speaking after a one-day conference in Cyprus, entitled ''Social-democracy in Cyprus and in Europe in the 21st Century'', Tsohatzopoulos also said that ''it seems to all of us that we will have a significant period of discussions and dialogue head''.

Responding to a question on whether Greece and Cyprus have some kind of understanding concerning the Intergovernmental Conference for the European Constitution, the minister said that ''I suppose that there is an understanding on all issues. Hellenism is structured within the EU and promotes common beliefs and policy, mainly, however, the interests of Greece and Cyprus''.

Present in the conference was PASOK Eurodeputy George Katiforis, who detailed in his address the European Union policy on employment and social affairs to date.

[08] Greek leadership salutes Cyprus' independence anniversary

Athens, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

Simitis conveyed warm wishes towards the island republic personally and on behalf of the Athens government.

[09] Turkish paper: Halki's reopening will be requested by Europarliament delegation,

ANKARA, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

The Theological School of Halki is the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate’s primary seminary for its clergymen.

The Turkish newspaper “Yarin” (Tomorrow) also notes that Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul views the Orthodox seminary’s reopening in a “positive light”, while Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is more guarded.

The same periodical writes that the issue will disappear from the sphere of Greek-Turkish differences if the Erdogan government allows Halki’s reopening.

The Halki School, located on a small eponymous island in the Sea of Marmara, was abruptly closed by Turkish authorities in 1971, and kept shut since then amid continued international pressure and condemnation.

[10] Synaspismos central committee reaches decisions concerning elections

Athens, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

The results of the meeting included a decision to bring the party mechanism to a full pre-election readiness alert, also a decision to cooperate with persons politically close to the party, while a decision was taken to hold the fourth regular party congress after the elections.

Closing the two-day conference Constantopoulos said that the ruling PASOK party, having full understanding of specific social and political processes, is drafting a specific strategy to limit its defeat in the elections, so as to control the dissatisfaction and once again claim the majority of the vote, saying that it wants a new mandate for a "risky four-year term".

''We will have to react, to struggle, so as to avert that which is taking place on the level of the government's policy and to avert the channeling of the social protest to (main opposition) New Democracy,'' Constantopoulos said.

[11] Nat'l economy minister dismisses recession fears after 2004 Games

Athens, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

Quoted in an interview published in an Athens daily’s Sunday edition, the day when most local papers feature interviews by ministers, politicians etc., Christodoulakis said it was more likely that economic growth would be stimulated in the wake of the Olympic Games.

He also announced that investment capital will be attracted to “exploit the Olympic projects”.

On another front, he said his ministry will table a draft bill in Parliament eliminating what he called the “omnipotence” of the state’s tax bureau auditors, instead replacing it with a “friendlier arbitration” framework.

Finally, he said the 2004 budget is “more realistic” than any previous budgets, while forecasting that state budgets of other EU member-states fell, on average, by 1.5 to 2 percentage points because of the war in Iraq and very low growth rate, as he said.

Tax system reforms: Meanwhile, speaking from Irakleio, Crete over the weekend,

Christodoulakis pointed to a privatization program being promoted by the government, saying that 49 percent of the state-controlled and listed Public Power Corp. (PPC) will soon pass to private investors, followed by the Hellenic Tourism Real Estate S.A. – another state-run holding company that manages many of the choice and obsolete concessions and properties once exploited by the Greek Tourism Organization (EOT or GNTO).

He also said “negotiations” are underway between the state-run natural gas utility (DE.PA) with foreign investors, without giving more details.

In detailing what he called the bloated bureaucracy plaguing the finance ministry when he assumed its portfolio, he said that up to 300 circulars a year were issued, especially to tax bureaus, whereas today circulars are only issued to interpret tax laws – part of efforts to simplify and harmonize the mercurial Greek tax system.

“Our goal is in the next two, three years to create a tax system where everything is done electronically, assuming a taxpayer wants it that way, so that everything is recorded without being subject to the misconduct of an auditor or tax bureau employee,” he stressed.

In focusing directly on tax bureau’s red tape and subjectivity – a decades-old problem that afflicts practically every economic activity in the country -- he said numerous instances of corruption are due to either capricious interpretations or vagueness in tax laws.

One innovation of a new draft bill expected to be tabled in Parliament this month, Christodoulakis said, is a provision excluding the tax bureau official performing an audit of subsequently composing the relevant report or of even evaluating it and legally receiving any potential fine.

Additionally, the influential national economy minister said fines will be abolished and replaced by a “point system” in which ordinary oversights by taxpayers and business owners are not penalized.

“We must effectively move away once and for all from the situation where a taxpayer must prove his innocence,” Christodoulakis, who addressed regional conference focusing on small to medium-sized enterprises, said.

Finally, he said the draft bill also foresees stricter and more detailed “statements of means” for tax bureau auditors.

[12] AMAN General Assembly wraps up works in Algiers

ALGIERS, 06/10/2003 (ANA/CNA)

At the opening of the General Assembly, Director General of the Athens News Agency Andreas Christodoulides handed over the rotating presidency of the Alliance to the Director General of Algeria's News Agency Nasser Mehal.

In the context of solidarity amongst its members, the Alliance decided to offer equipment worth eight thousand dollars to the Palestinian News Agency and software worth eight thousand dollars to the Mauritanian News Agency.

During the General Assembly, the Alliance furthermore decided to accept the Croatian national news agency as its 19th member.

The Cyprus News Agency achieved a double distinction during the GA. CNA editor Rebekah Gregoriades won the Alliance's prize in this year's competition for the best news item, while CNA Director Themis Themistocleous was unanimously reelected General Secretary of the organization for a second three-year term.

Gregoriades' feature, which won the first prize and is titled ''The island's history on a hill in the heart of bustling Nicosia'', was published by CNA earlier this year and focuses on archaeological findings on a hill in the centre of the island's capital, where archaeologists believe the core of ancient Ledra was built.

CNA was represented at the General Assembly in Algeria by President of the Board of Directors Dr. Aristos Aristotelous and Director Themis Themistocleous.

The next General Assembly will take place in Tirana, Albania, at the end of July 2004.

[13] Greek church's NGO distributes 450 tons of aid in Iraq

Athens, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

Despite the withdrawal of all other NGO's from the region, ''Solidarity'' remained there and continued its work, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

About 80 tons of food collected was funneled into charities in Greece as pork, pasta and beans are not palatable in the region.

[14] Church of Greece opens liaison office in Brussels

BRUSSELS, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

In an address here, the influential ecclesiastical leader also referred to Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, thanking him for his contribution towards the new bureau’s operation – a reference apparently viewed as a goodwill gesture to defuse recent tension between the Church of Greece and the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Following a subsequent church service at the main Greek Orthodox cathedral in the Belgian capital, Christodoulos called on Greek faithful to remain devoted to their traditions and roots. He also indirectly criticized those backing the “homogenization of peoples” in the European Union, as he said, stressing that “the Greek people’s DNA is very stout and does not easily bow to another force that wants to alter the nation’s character.”

In a related story, the Church of Greece-affiliated NGO “Allilegii” (solidarity) announced that it has sent 456 tons in humanitarian aid – foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, clothing as well as drinking water. – to Iraq via Syria and Jordan.

[15] George Polk's murder may be re-examined by Arios Pagos

Athens, 06/10/2003 (ANA)

The application was submitted to the court by the widow of Staktopoulos, Theodora, who had submitted a similar request in 2001, claiming that new evidence that came to light was exonerating for her husband.

That first appeal was rejected as baseless.

[16] President has reservations over some draft constitution provisions

NICOSIA, 06/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at Larnaca Airport on his return from Rome, where he attended the Intergovernmental Conference, which examined the draft constitutional treaty prepared by the Convention on the Future of Europe, the president said Cyprus considers the issue of Commissioners as one of the most fundamental, noting that the Republic insists that every country should have at least one

Commissioner with a right of vote and specific competencies.

Asked about statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that if the Greek Cypriot side is hoping for a victory of the ''opposition'' during the December so-called ''parliamentary elections'' in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic then it is betting on the wrong horse, President Papadopoulos said ''this is Denktash's view''.

He added that Denktash has proven his intransigence in efforts to reach a solution of the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third, and thus ''provides the certainty that with Denktash leading the Turkish Cypriot community there is not much chance of a solution before May 2004'', when Cyprus will become a full member of the EU.

Replying to questions regarding a twice-revised solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, President Papadopoulos said the Greek Cypriot side accepts the Annan plan as a basis for negotiations and noted that ''at those negotiations we must pursue changes to make the plan more functional and thus viable''.

Referring to the Intergovernmental Conference, President Papadopoulos said it was ''historical'' and noted that at the meeting the heads of state and government expressed the various views of the EU countries on the draft constitution.

He added that the various issues were forwarded to EU Minister of Foreign Affairs meetings, noting that the first such meeting has already taken place and more will follow, aiming at completing the new constitution before the Italian presidency of the EU expires and approving it in time for EU citizens to be informed on its provisions so that they will be able to vote at the European elections of 2004.

Asked if he was satisfied with the draft, President Papadopoulos said it was ''an exceptional text'', noting that one should praise the work done.

He expressed reservations regarding certain provisions of the draft, noting however that the general impression is that ninety percent of the provisions is agreed upon. The remaining ten percent contains certain provisions on which some countries with different alliances, depending on the issue, have reservations, he added.

The president said that on the issue of European Commissioners, the Republic of Cyprus insists that every country should have at least one Commissioner with a right of vote and specific competencies. This position is widely supported by most countries, he said.

[17] Papadopoulos says EU members' equality must be safeguarded

ROME, 06/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

In his address at the opening of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), which examined the draft constitutional treaty prepared by the Convention on the Future of Europe, the president said that Cyprus will be an active participant in this effort and will contribute in a constructive manner towards finding a consensus in the task ahead.

President Papadopoulos also said that the timetable set to conclude the Treaty (end of December) should be observed but pointed out that European citizens must have adequate time to be informed about its contents.

He stressed that an attempt should be made to maintain the balance of the draft treaty.

''We believe that some fundamental principles which are the cornerstone of the EU should not only be maintained but also strengthened'', the president said, explaining that these relate to the principle of equality and effective participation of all member states in the work of the Union as well as to the safeguarding and strengthening of the Community Method.

He said the existing system of representation in the European Parliament should be maintained so that small countries such as Cyprus do not miss out on the number of their deputies at the Parliament.

Should the number of their representatives be reduced, he explained, it would render more difficult the representation of each country's political forces.

On the composition of the Commission, he said the principle of one commissioner per member state must be maintained.

The president said he agreed with the agenda of topics to be examined the heads of state or government have concluded on but said other issues must be looked into.

He referred to the competencies and the role of the President of the Council and the representative for external relations, the rotating presidency of the Council and the weighted vote system.

''We look forward to our active participation in a joint effort to reach final solutions in matters which lay before us and to our constructive contribution to the substantive and in depth exchange of views which will lead us to the desired result'', President Papadopoulos said.

He described the draft treaty ''a good basis for the start of the IGC and one that covers all the aspects of action by the EU'', adding that the work done so far is important and encompasses the vision of the future Europe.

''Consequently, we should try to maintain the main balance of this draft. It is important that the final text of the treaty is agreed in good time so that European citizens are informed in an appropriate manner before the June elections for the European Parliament, next year'', the president added.

Concluding, he advocated hard work to reach consensus on the best possible outcome of the final text and pointed to the importance of keeping within the timetable set out, without affecting the quality of the discussions or the end product.

[18] EU presidency to submit explanatory notes to leaders

ROME, 06/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The notes, to be tabled before the leaders of the 15 EU member states and the ten acceding countries, including Cyprus, relate to the proposed creation of a legal council, the suggested composition of eight sectoral councils (such as general affairs, external affairs, justice and home affairs, agriculture and commerce) and the rotating presidency of these councils.

Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgios Iacovou represented the Republic at Saturday's working session and the working lunch that took place earlier on.

The minister outlined in depth and great detail the positions of Cyprus on these three issues and suggested to set up a committee to look into the last two topics on which there are dissenting opinions.

Italy, current holder of the six monthly rotating EU presidency, will put forward its detailed proposal to the heads of state on October 16 as they meet in the context of the informal EU council meeting.

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