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

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

October 10, 2003

CONTENTS

  • [01] Greek and Turkish FMs announce cancellation of Greek, Turkish military exercises
  • [02] FM meets with Egyptian counterpart
  • [03] PM calls PASOK party members & cadres to struggle for election victory
  • [04] Athens wants IGC to result in 'effective' EU, PM says
  • [05] DM observes NATO's Dynamic Response 07 in Colorado
  • [06] Greek ambassador to US refers to relations between Greece and western hemisphere
  • [07] Synaspismos' Damanaki resigns Parliament seat, leaves party
  • [08] Press minister due in Cyprus on Friday
  • [09] ND leader to visit Georgia and Turkey
  • [10] Protestors take over radio station, news agency over 7 arrested at EU summit
  • [11] Greece ranks top in EU for 2002 job rise
  • [12] Greek economy needs to improve competitiveness, report says
  • [13] ETA to begin ad campaign ahead of flotation
  • [14] Kasimatis re-elected deputy chairman of Eurochamber
  • [15] UK market shows increased interest in Greek convention tourism sector
  • [16] Greek stocks ease on Thursday
  • [17] German MPs toured Olympic venues; briefed by ATHOC
  • [18] Carrefour supermarket chain to provide 1,400 parking spots for ATHOC
  • [19] Teargas, scuffles at police, fire fighters, coast guard protest in Athens
  • [20] Three international organizations begin worldwide campaign against weapons trade
  • [21] Greece welcomes EU ruling on safety for ships, ports
  • [22] Authorities carry out demolition orders for illegal structures on Attica coast
  • [23] Justice reps from 32 European countries plus US, Canada meet in Sofia
  • [24] Tzortzatos defense continues final arguments; N17 trial adjourns early
  • [25] Europarliament ratifies resolution against passenger data provision to
  • [26] Military plane on training flight crashes, pilots safe
  • [27] State school teacher gets jail sentence for offering private lessons
  • [28] Meeting of amateur Aegean theatrical troupes beginning in Limnos on Friday
  • [29] Another worker fatality reported at Olympic Village worksite
  • [30] Drug haul in northern Greece
  • [31] Verheugen tells Turkey to solve Cyprus problem to enter the
  • [32] Papadopoulos: We do not aim at depriving T/C rights and privileges
  • [33] CoE to warn Turkey over violation of right to education in occupied areas

  • [01] Greek and Turkish FMs announce cancellation of Greek, Turkish military exercises

    ANTALYA 10/10/2003 (ANA/F. Karaviti)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Thursday jointly announced the cancellation of the Greek and Cypriot military exercises code-named ''Nikiforos'' and ''Toxotis'', as well as of Turkey's ''Tavros'' and ''Barbarosa'' exercises due to take place in the near future.

    The announcement was made after their meeting here where they are participating in the Mediterranean Forum conference.

    The two ministers said the decision was taken in the spirit of next year's Athens Olympic Games and of rapprochement between the two countries.

    ''We have a developing relationship. Positive moves are taking place and we shall work even harder to further strengthen this rapprochement and to resolve many difficult issues. The next year is special for our entire region and primarily for Greece. We want Turkey to participate in this great event which is, of course, the Olympic Games of 2004,'' Papandreou said.

    Referring to Gul's upcoming visit to Athens, Papandreou said what is desired is that cooperation with Turkey on this great event will take up a large part of the discussion.

    The foreign minister further noted that the spirit of the Olympic Games, meaning cooperation for peace and truce, is included in sectors of cooperation between the two countries.

    ''In this spirit, I think it is important that we are announcing today that we shall cancel the military exercises, which usually take place at this time in Cyprus. On the Greek side, the decision was naturally taken in cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus. We have reiterated this in the past. However, this is a special year due to the Olympic Games. The decision concerns the exercises 'Nikiforos' and 'Toxotis', on the Greek and Greek Cypriot side, and 'Tavros' and 'Barbarosa' on the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side,'' he added.

    Papandreou also said every effort is being made to continue important steps taken for rapprochement between the two countries, adding that security, territorial integrity and respect for international principles form the framework for moves.

    ''In this framework, we have a development before us, which is a great event, the Olympic Games. It is an opportunity when the minister Mr. Gul comes to Athens for us also to see the progress of this work regarding the Olympic Games, as well as our cooperation. The flame will pass through Istanbul and, of course, we shall also have the opportunity of speaking about the Olympic Truce,'' Papandreou said.

    He further said the cancellation of the exercises is a considerable gesture for peace and security in the region and also expressed Greece's sympathy to Turkey for recent fires.

    On his part, Gul said ''considerable progress has taken place in relations between the two countries. And both sides have the political will to have problems resolved in a peaceful way.''

    The participants in the Mediterranean Forum conference later discussed political issues on the agenda.

    FM on Turkish decision to send troops to Iraq: Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Thursday commented on the situation in the strife-ridden Iraq during his arrival here for a Euro-Mediterranean ministerial forum, saying any developments leading to stability, peace and a government derived from the Iraqi people is desired by all parties.

    In direct reference to a recent decision by the Turkish national assembly to allow the dispatch of Turkish troops to Iraq, Papandreou said the decision was difficult, although he noted that it was “very important for each country to make its own decisions.”

    “Turkey, just as other European member-states, has decided to send military forces in Iraq. I don’t believe I can comment on its decision,” was the statement by Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio.

    Asked about the assassination of a Spanish military attache earlier in the day in Baghdad, Palacio reiterated that it was a terrorist action.

    Cyprus government announces cancellation of military exercise: Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, in a written statement on Thursday, said he has been informed officially that the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey decided to cancel their military exercises Toxotis and Tavros.

    ''The Government of Cyprus, desiring to contribute to the effort of avoiding actions capable of creating an increase in tension, had taken up the position that it would be prepared to agree to the cancellation of the exercise Nikiforos in the event the governments of Greece and Turkey agreed to the cancellation of the exercises Toxotis and Tavros,'' Papadopoulos said.

    President Papadopoulos added that due to this development, the Government of Cyprus decided to cancel the exercise Nikiforos.

    Meanwhile, Defense Minister Kyriakos Mavronikolas said the decision to cancel the exercises is part of efforts to create a good climate.

    Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis told the Cyprus News Agency that this move is a contribution towards easing tension both over the Cyprus issue and in the region in general.

    FM Papandreou says every Council of Europe member-state must honor European Court rulings: Foreign Minister George Papandreou, replying to a question by the Athens News Agency (ANA) on Thursday on the Cyprus' Titina Loizidou case, said every Council of Europe member-state must honor European Court of Human Rights rulings.

    ''Every member-state of the Council of Europe is obliged to honor the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and comply with them. This obligation for Turkey also emanates, in any case, from the Partnership Relation it has concluded with the European Union.''

    The European Court ruled in 1998 that Turkey is guilty of violating Titina Loizidou's human right to enjoy peacefully her property in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus and be allowed access to it.

    It also said Turkey through the presence of its armed forces exercises effective control in the areas it occupies since 1974 and stipulates that Loizidou is and remains the legal owner of her property.

    The Court also said Loizidou is and must be regarded the legal owner of her property and ordered Ankara to pay some 900.000 US dollars in compensation.

    Papandreou made the statement shortly before leaving Antalya where he participated in the Mediterranean Forum Conference.

    [02] FM meets with Egyptian counterpart

    ANTALYA 10/10/2003 (ANA/F. Karaviti)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Thursday met with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Maher on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Forum conference that took place in Antalya, Turkey.

    Speaking after the meeting, Papandreou said that ''we discussed the worrisome situation in the Middle East region and the latest developments in Iraq. We want to see Iraq being independent as soon as possible''.

    He added that they also discussed the Palestinian issue and expressed the wish for ''the 'road map' to be implemented and the peace process to move so as to have the desired result, a democratic Palestinian state''.

    [03] PM calls PASOK party members & cadres to struggle for election victory

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Thursday called on his party ''to come ahead,'' while addressing the ruling PASOK party national council that met in light of the upcoming elections, which will take place, the latest in the Spring.

    He called on both party officials and members to wage the political battle with work that will extend to going door-to-door for the conquest of one more victory.

    The council, which is composed of the Parliamentary group of the party, the Eurodeputies of PASOK, labor union leaders, local PASOK organization leaders and prefects and mayors elected with the party ticket from around the country began its conference on Thursday and will conclude on Friday.

    Simitis underlined that the preconditions exist for PASOK to wage the election battle with success and to better the lives of all Greeks, since, as he said ''we are building the tomorrow with vision and systematic work''.

    He stressed that 2004 is a landmark year for both the great national and social targets, since, as he noted, the next four years will be a period of great issues being at stake.

    Simitis detailed those issues focusing on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

    He also spoke of Greece's national issues saying that over the next year there may be a possible resolution of the Cyprus issue, which began 30 years ago and the resolution of the Aegean continental shelf issue.

    Speaking of social matters, he stressed that the second key issue is development and progress over the coming years, stressing that the Olympic Games can become a lever of development, especially if it’s organizing is successful, since in that event more capabilities for progress will be created.

    ''After 2004 there will be a four-year period of strong and balanced development,'' he said, adding that the Olympic Games ''are not an end, but a privileged starting point for a new beginning''.

    He stressed that for all this to be achieved PASOK's cohesion is necessary now, underlining that ''now is the time of the struggle and cohesion'', calling on all members to immediately mobilize, as such a move would play a vital role in PASOK's victory course.

    Simitis also said that main opposition New Democracy (ND) can not win the elections by itself and can not succeed in any of its goals ''if we decide to go out in the social spaces and defend the truth and the prospect of our homeland, based on our policies for the next four-year term''.

    He added that ND can't hide the work that was accomplished all these years, it ''can't cover its nakedness in credible and realistic positions'' and it can't ''discredit those that worked with consistency and patience for the real interest of the Greek people''.

    PASOK secretary refers to social convergence charter at PASOK National Council

    Ruling PASOK party Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis, addressing the party's National Council on Thursday, contrasted ''self confidence inspired by the social convergence charter'' with what he called the ''national pessimism'' of the main opposition New Democracy party.

    Chrysohoidis said the convergence charter is a ''national tool'' to achieve ''final security'' and ''unprecedented levels of prosperity'', as well as the creation of a new modern public administration.

    ''The political survival of the leadership of the conservative party is synonymous with national pessimism,'' he said, adding that ND is trying to survive ''by passing over in silence every step of progress, slandering every healthy effort, detracting every ambitious and creative citizen and attacking every creative effort with harshness.''

    He added that there is place in PASOK for all who believe that individual ambitions must stay in line with collective effort and social solidarity.

    Referring to the next election in the country, due to take place in spring, Chrysohoidis said ''a new wind of hope and victory is already blowing in the party. We know that we can gain the confidence of the Greek people again. Our movement emanates from the people, its roots are deep and our values are longstanding. We are militants of democracy, of social justice and of a powerful Greece.''

    The secretary ended his address at the National Council by saying ''we have moral and political supremacy and we shall become a historic generation. We shall win a fourth consecutive election victory.''

    [04] Athens wants IGC to result in 'effective' EU, PM says

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Thursday told his cabinet that Greece wanted the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to produce an "effective European Union" that could take decisions and continue to be driven by the "impetus of the unification", government spokesman Christos Protopapas said.

    At the same time, the premier conceded that the IGC was not a simple process, given the disagreements that have been expressed and the open nature of the talks where all points of view were presented.

    [05] DM observes NATO's Dynamic Response 07 in Colorado

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Thursday observed the Dynamic Response 07 military exercise that took place in Colorado, along with his counterparts from other NATO member-states.

    In his intervention to the meeting, Papantoniou stressed that new threats demand immediate reaction, develop in several fronts simultaneously, while duration of a crisis and the timetable for the maintenance of armed forces in a region can not be determined.

    He requested the cooperation of NATO countries on a summit level so as to achieve immediate decision-making for the confrontation of treats.

    [06] Greek ambassador to US refers to relations between Greece and western hemisphere

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greece's Ambassador to the US George Savvaides, addressing the Washington-based Organization of American States on Thursday, referred to relations between Greece and countries of the Western Hemisphere and its desire to contribute to the development of these countries with which Greece maintains traditionally friendly ties.

    Savvaides underlined priority given during the European Union's Greek presidency to strengthening ties of cooperation between Europe and the countries of Central and Latin America.

    He delivered a cheque for 20,000 dollars to the Organization’s assistant secretary general as a contribution by the Greek government for the holding of seminars examining economic, political and social challenges in the region.

    These activities will take place in light of the Organization’s summit in January, 2004.

    Greece participates in the OAS activities with permanent observer status.

    [07] Synaspismos' Damanaki resigns Parliament seat, leaves party

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Veteran leftist politician Maria Damanaki on Thursday announced that she was resigning her Parliament seat and leaving the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos), the party she helped create in the early 1990s.

    Damanaki cited a “falling out” with Synaspismos’ leadership in the wake of her recent decision not to run for Parliament in the next general elections, expected in the Spring.

    “What is going on is an effort to transform my deep political disagreement to the level of a personal confrontation; to a level of petty bargaining for (Parliament) seats and various positions. I will not allow this,” she said.

    Former two-time deputy Yiannis Dragasakis, the runner-up to Damanaki on Synaspismos’ ticket in Athens’ second election district (the largest in the country), will assume her seat in Parliament.

    On his part, Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos said that ''the departure of Maria Damanaki from Syn is her choice and for this choice she will be judged by the people of the Left and the Greek people''.

    He also defended the positions and decisions of the party and stressed that Synaspismos is ''a party of dialogue and respect for opinions, it will continue steadily and with consistency its course, it will fight with all its power the bipartisan system and will not be trapped in blackmailing dilemmas that the leadership of PASOK is trying to pose in light of the elections''.

    [08] Press minister due in Cyprus on Friday

    NICOSIA 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Cyprus Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides announced on Thursday that Greek Press and Media Minister Christos Protopapas is expected in Cyprus on Friday.

    The Greek minister will arrive on Friday night, while on Saturday morning he will be received by President Tassos Papadopoulos, meet the leaders of the two biggest parties, AKEL and DHSY, and visit the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK), accompanied by Chrysostomides.

    Chrysostomides said a joint press briefing with his Greek counterpart is being planned for Monday.

    Protopapas' presence in Cyprus coincides with the holding of the annual conference of the press offices of Cyprus and Greece, due to begin on Monday.

    The Greek minister will be departing from the island on Monday.

    [09] ND leader to visit Georgia and Turkey

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis will visit Georgia on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday will visit Ankara, where he will meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

    Karamanlis, in his capacity as European Peoples' Party (EPP) vice-president, will address the first congress of the ruling Justice and Development party.

    During his stay in Georgia, Karamanlis will be received by the country's President Eduard Shevardnadze, with Patriarch of Georgia Ilias II and with representatives of the Greek community there.

    He will also address an event at the Institute of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies of the Tbilisi University, which will present him with an honorary title of professor.

    [10] Protestors take over radio station, news agency over 7 arrested at EU summit

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Groups of protestors carried out surprise takeovers of a radio station in Iraklion, Crete and the Macedonian Press Agency (MPA) on Thursday in a display of solidarity for seven prisoners arrested during incidents at demonstrations during the Thessaloniki EU Summit.

    Some 30 youths broke into the radio station and interrupted its program to read out a text demanding the release of the seven, who have been held in custody since June 21, and protesting against the conditions of their incarceration.

    At roughly the same time, a group of fifty self-described "anarchists" took over the Macedonian Press Agency in Thessaloniki with the same demands.

    The hung a banner outside the front of the MPA building, turned off the power at the mains to prevent journalists from working and set up a picket at the entrance of the building that handed out proclamations with their demands.

    Gov't confirms brief take-over of Greek consulate in SF by protesters: The government on Thursday confirmed a press report citing the brief take-over of Greece's consulate in San Francisco last month by dozens of American demonstrators protesting against the arrest of seven anti-globalization activists in the northern port city of Thessaloniki.

    The government spokesman verified a report in the Thessaloniki-based newspaper “Macedonia”, which said the incident occurred on Sept. 26, while he added that authorities in the California metropolis acknowledged that a police response was delayed.

    According to the paper, Greek officials had informed local authorities over protesters’ intention to march on the consulate.

    [11] Greece ranks top in EU for 2002 job rise

    BRUSSELS (ANA/B.Demiris)

    Greece showed the highest percentage rise in employment among its European Union partners in 2002 versus 2001, according to a report released on Thursday on employment in the bloc.

    Initiated by EU employment commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, the report also showed that the proportion of employment in Greece, especially among women, was one of the lowest in the bloc.

    The country's percentage rise in employment in 2002 was due largely to demographic reasons, especially an ageing population, which, in turn, had reduced the working population, with the number of jobs also shrinking.

    Employment rose by 1.2 percent to total 56.7 percent in 2002 from 55.5 percent in 2001. The increase is six times greater than an average EU increase of 0.2 percent, the report said.

    [12] Greek economy needs to improve competitiveness, report says

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    A gradual absorption of the country's accumulated competitiveness deficit is not an easy task and demands a long-term, systematic and multi-level effort, a survey on Greece's "Balance of Payments in the environment of drachma and the euro" said on Thursday.

    The survey, drafted by professors D.Maroulis and G.Provopoulos, was presented during an event organized by IOBE, the Institute for Economic and Industrial Research.

    The survey said that it was necessary that the country's economic policy to seek a rapid improvement in competitiveness, by 1-2 percentage points at least, compared with other competitors and at the same time to base its incomes policy not only to productivity by to the euro's foreign exchange rate.

    The report's authors, stressed that serious weaknesses and delays recorded in the country's labor market, its fiscal adjustment and structural reforms should be dealt rapidly and effectively "because what it is at stake is real economic and social convergence."

    Mr Provopoulos, a professor at the Athens University and a financial consultant with Alpha Bank, noted that with a competitiveness deficit of exceeding 15 percent was a significant hurdle to growth and to efforts to improve economic and social prosperity in the country.

    The report stressed that efforts to strengthen the country's exporting orientation in the eurozone would be difficult because domestic economic sectors, based on exports, were operating under a serious competitiveness disadvantage.

    [13] ETA to begin ad campaign ahead of flotation

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Thursday urged for the support of a ministry plan to float Hellenic Tourist Real Estate SA (ETA) in the Athens Stock Exchange and noted that the ministry has proven in the past it could successfully lead state enterprises to the market, creating stock market titans (Public Power Corporation, Natural Gas).

    Mr Tsohatzopoulos, addressing a special presentation event to launch ETA's ad campaign ahead of its listing in the market, stressed that the company was expected to file its listing application with the Capital Markets' Commission October 15.

    ETA's ad campaign is expected to be launched by October 20 with the media and will cost around 2.0 million euros.

    The main slogan of the campaign "ETA gives new value to GNTO's work" underlines the acknowledgement of GNTO's infrastructure work in the 1960's and ETA's successful effort to restructuring these infrastructure in cooperation with the private sector.

    ETA's ad campaign is organized by Leo Barnet.

    [14] Kasimatis re-elected deputy chairman of Eurochamber

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    George Kasimatis, chairman of the Central Union of Greek Chambers, was re-elected depute chairman of Eurochamber, the federation of European chambers, for another two years.

    His unanimous re-appointment was approved during a general assembly of 41 Eurochambers on Wednesday. Christoph Leitl, was also re-elected chairman of the Eurochamber.

    Mr Kasimatis was originally elected to the post in 2001 during the general assembly in Bratislava.

    [15] UK market shows increased interest in Greek convention tourism sector

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    The creation of a convention tourism office in London two years ago, improving convention infrastructure in Greece ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, private sector investments and creation of a new convention tourism office in Athens have contributed in rekindling UK interest for the Greek conference tourism market, Martin Lewis, publisher of M&IT magazine said on Wednesday.

    Speaking in London, during an event organized by Greece's National Tourism Organization’s UK office at the Olympia exhibition centre, Mr Lewis stressed that Greece, and Athens in particular, offered great prospects for convention tourism.

    The increased interest of the UK market was largely felt by the large number of visitors (Professional Conference Organizers) at the Greek pavilion. The pavilion included three Greek hotels (Elounda Hotels, Divani Hotels, Helios Hotels) and two Destination Management Companies (Alvia Travel and Inter-dynamic Travel).

    GNTO held a special event, with guests around 150 PCOs, to promote the country's conference tourism sector and the incentive tourism sector.

    Greek tourism authorities also presented its special website (convention & incentive) currently under construction.

    [16] Greek stocks ease on Thursday

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greek stocks ended Thursday's session slightly lower after moving in tight ranges throughout the session reflecting lack of fresh incentives and directions in the Athens Stock Exchange.

    The general index ended 0.11 percent down at 2,120.82 points, with turnover a strong 613.7 million euros, of which 490 million were a block trade from the transfer of National Bank's shares to institutional investors as part of a bank's plan to sell 10 percent of its equity capital.

    The IT Solution (2.41 percent), IT (1.82 percent) and Holding (1.0 percent) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Industrial, Publication and Bank sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (0.48 percent, 0.42 percent and 0.32 percent, respectively).

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.32 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.54 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.32 percent higher.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 151 to 141 with another 71 issues unchanged.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 93.8 mln euros Thursday

    Equity Index Futures:

  • FTSE/ASE-20 (high cap): At premium

  • Underlying Index: -0.38% percent

  • FTSE/ASE-40 (medium cap): At premium

  • Underlying Index: +0.54 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): National Bank of Greece (396)

  • Total turnover in derivatives market: 93.8 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers lag sellers on Thursday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.38 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 14 bps

  • Most heavily traded paper: 10-yr, expiring May 2013 (926 mln euros)

  • Day's Total Market Turnover: 3.7 bln euros

    FOREIGN EXCHANGE

    Closing rates of October 9 2003

    Parities in euro

    For. Exchange Buying Selling

    US Dollar 1,188 1,161

    [17] German MPs toured Olympic venues; briefed by ATHOC

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    A delegation of German MPs that serve in the Bundestag’s sport committee of visited the Athens 2004 Olympic organizing committee’s (ATHOC) headquarters on Wednesday for a briefing on Olympic preparations.

    German Ambassador to Athens, Albert Spiegel, also accompanied the delegation.

    The German MPs, including high bar (gymnastics) Olympic bronze medalist Eberhard Gienger (Montreal 1976), were welcomed by ATHOC President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki.

    Afterwards, ATHOC leadership briefed the German parliament representatives over Olympic accommodations, transports, construction and the Torch Relay Program.

    Earlier, the German delegation toured the Olympic Village, the Main Press Centre (MPC) and the main Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA), were they were accompanied by ATHOC executives and representatives of the General Secretariat for the Olympic Games. The

    On his part, SPD Parliamentarian and the vice-president of the committee, Peter Danckert, later said:

    “The impression we got from the Olympic Village is a very positive one. It is not the first time we visit such facilities, we have visited Olympic Villages in previous Olympic Games as well, and I must admit that what we see here is exemplary. I must also point to the fact that the planning and the post-Olympic use of the Village set an example to be followed; I can only congratulate the Organizers and the agencies involved. We are absolutely convinced that everything will be ready on time and I believe that the citizens of Athens, who suffer presently with construction being done at every corner, will receive the Games with great enthusiasm. We too, when we come again, will experience unique Games at this historical place”.

    Gienger, who represents the CDU/CSU party, added:

    “(As an Olympic athlete) I have seen all kinds of Olympic villages – and I have to say that what I see here is very impressive. I believe that athletes will be able to relax here, they will not feel ‘boxed’ as they are given some individual space to gather forces. According to various German publications, preparations in Athens have reached a crucial point, but with what I see I assume that the work develops like the Syrtaki-dance: slow at the beginning and gradually accelerating into a fast tempo.”

    [18] Carrefour supermarket chain to provide 1,400 parking spots for ATHOC

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    The Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) signed a contract with the Carrefour Marinopoulos SA supermarket chain by which the latter will provide about 1,400 parking spots at the building complex in Amarousio free for ATHOC for use during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The complex is located near the Main Press Centre and the Athens Olympic stadium.

    The business will also adjust its operation between August 8-30, 2004, to facilitate the holding of the Games.

    The contract was signed by ATHOC President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki and the managing director of Carrefour Marinopoulos Didier Fleury and anticipates the free use of about 1,400 parking spots, in the second and third parking basements, for the needs of ATHOC's vehicles.

    Over the next few days ATHOC will also sign a similar contract with the IASO and Athens Medical clinics.

    [19] Teargas, scuffles at police, fire fighters, coast guard protest in Athens

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Scuffles broke out early Thursday in downtown Athens when MAT riot police used teargas to disperse a protest demonstration by striking police officers, firefighters and coast guard officers from all over Greece.

    The incident, which broke out at about 1:00 a.m. and lasted for two hours, erupted when MAT police used teargas against some 1,000 strikers, who were demonstrating in uniform outside the national economy and finance ministry in central Syntagma Square, following the expiry of a police ordinance issued by the Greek Police headquarters prohibiting rallies by uniformed officers outside the ministry, the General State Accounts bureau, Parliament and the government headquarters at Maximos Mansion, which gave the uniformed protestors 10 minutes to disperse.

    The federations of the unions of police officers, fire fighters and coast guard officers organized the rally in central Athens on Wednesday evening in protest over what they termed as the non adherence by the government to its commitment to recognize their work as dangerous and hazardous to their health, which would incur immediate financial and pension benefits, including earlier retirement.

    Earlier, Chief of Police Fotis Nasiakos had called the presidents of the Panhellenic Federation of Police Employees and the Union of Police Officers to the General Police Directorate (GADA), calling on them to distance the protestors from the ministry entrance. The two union presidents replied that the strikers were not blockading the ministry but carrying out a broad demonstration. A short while later chief of the Athens police Yannis Tsironis went to Syntagma Square and read out the ordinance to the protestors, giving them 10 minutes to disperse peacefully.

    After the expiry of the ultimatum, MAT police started throwing teargas at the demonstrators, resulting in the eruption of scuffles between the strikers and the MAT in Syntagma Square and the surrounding streets.

    At about 2:00 a.m. main opposition New Democracy MP Miltiades Varvitsiotis and Communist Party of Greece MP Antonis Skyllakos arrived on the scene and spoke on the phone with public order ministry secretary general Dimitris Efstathiades, demanding that the MAT stop using teargas. The two MPs were forced to leave the site due to the stifling atmosphere. Two protestors developed respiratory problems and were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, but returned to the demonstration after receiving first aid.

    After the crowd was dispersed, some 300 protestors who had come from the provinces stayed in the coaches in which they had come to Athens to await more colleagues from other parts of Greece for further protests on Thursday.

    Controversy in Parliament over use of riot squad against police demo: In a question tabled in Parliament on Thursday regarding the deployment of MAT riot police against a demonstration staged by fellow uniformed officers, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MP Antonis Skyllakos accused the government of resorting to extremes and employing ''military law and riot police with chemicals''.

    Public Order Minister George Floridis counter-accused demonstrators of taking over the finance ministry by force, vilifying public prosecutors who informed them that their action had been judged illegal and ''creating a situation that bordered on an armed coup''.

    The demonstrators chose to protest in uniform and are demanding that their work be recognized as hazardous to health and safety.

    Clarifying the government's stance, Floridis noted that officially defining police work as ''dangerous'' would mean that a young cadet leaving the police academy at 21 would qualify for pension at 35.

    He said the matter had been referred to the State Audit Council, which would calculate the impact such a decision would have.

    Floridis also noted that those in uniform should be the first to uphold the law and the limits it imposed.

    An announcement condemning the government's handling of the demonstration was also issued on Thursday by the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology, which said the decision was a panic response ''to the growing wave of labor mobilization''.

    Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the incidents also occupied Thursday's meeting of the cabinet, where Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed that Greece was governed by the rule of law, which had to be respected by both the government and individual citizens.

    "The leadership of the police trade union cannot be excepted from this rule," the prime minister stressed, and urged Floridis to impose sanctions on all those that had ignored appeals from public prosecutors to break up the demonstration.

    [20] Three international organizations begin worldwide campaign against weapons trade

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    The weapons trade in the world is dangerously out of control and allows weapons to reach oppressive governments, infringers of human rights and criminals, according to a new report publicized on Thursday.

    In order to tackle the problem, three international organizations, Amnesty International, Oxfam and the International Action Network for Small Caliber Weapons, have joined forces and are beginning a worldwide campaign in over 50 countries.

    The campaign, titled ''Control Weapons'', is aimed at reducing the dissemination and abuse of weapons and persuading governments to enact a binding treaty on controlling the dissemination of weapons.

    The dissemination and abuse of weapons have reached a crucial point, fuelling human rights violations, poverty and conflicts. Every minute somebody loses his life as a result of armed force, while many more are seriously injured. However, the weapons trade is a dangerously out of control world industry, the new report said.

    It added that the possession of increasingly lethal weapons is becoming an inseparable part of day-to-day life in many parts of the world. Kalashnikov rifles are replacing spears among farmers in northern Uganda, in Somalia children are named ''Uzi'' or ''Kalashnikov'', while in such countries as Iraq there are more weapons than people, the report added.

    [21] Greece welcomes EU ruling on safety for ships, ports

    BRUSSELS 10/10/2003 (ANA/B.Demiris)

    Greece on Thursday welcomed the adoption by European Union transport ministers of new rules on safety at sea and in port.

    ''At the ministers' meeting (in Luxembourg), our country attained the adoption of a more flexible procedure concerning expansion of the field of application of regulations on internal maritime transportation,'' Merchant Marine Minister George Paschalidis said in a statement.

    The measures approved by the International Maritime Organization in December will be phased in starting from July 2004, Paschalidis said.

    [22] Authorities carry out demolition orders for illegal structures on Attica coast

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Crews sent out by the Attica Regional authority on Thursday carried out demolition orders issued by the Public Real Estate Company, knocking down walls and other structures illegally erected too close to the shoreline on the Athens-Sounio road near Anavyssos.

    The operation came under intense media scrutiny during the week, after demolition crews were turned back by the lawyers of a prominent shipping tycoon, who claimed the demolition order was flawed and persuaded Public Real Estate Company staff to hold it in abeyance.

    The bulldozers returned to the luxury villa of shipowner Stefanos Pateras on Thursday, however, and knocked down a wall surrounding the property in spite of vehement protests by the owner's lawyers, who threatened Attica regional authority staff with lawsuits.

    According to the demolition protocol, the wall in question overstepped the boundaries of the beach and shoreline, while Pateras' lawyers claim that the shipowner has successfully contested the order, which no longer applied.

    Along with the lawyers of the next-door villa, whose surrounding walls were also slated for demolition, they asked that an abeyance order for the protocol issued last Monday be observed.

    Attica regional authority sources have stressed, meanwhile that the authority will carry out all the 20-odd demolition orders that have been issued for illegal structures along the Athens-Sounion coastal road and along Attica's northeastern coast from Sounio to Marathonas.

    Third on the authority's list on Thursday after the Pateras' residence and the Saroman company was the yard wall surrounding a property owned by the Loser Corporation, it said.

    [23] Justice reps from 32 European countries plus US, Canada meet in Sofia

    SOFIA 10/10/2003 (ANA/B. Borisov)

    Justice ministers and legalists from 32 European countries and representatives from the US and Canada began here on Thursday discussing the basic orientation for the drafting of a pan-European treaty for the combatting of international terrorism.

    Greece is represented, in this 25th conference of European Justice Ministers, by Justice Ministry General Secretary Ioannis Gavrilis.

    Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha opened the conference's first session.

    Council of Europe General Secretary Walter Swimmer noted, in his address, that, this initiative for the coordination of legal and other measures of Europe, will aid the success of negotiations in the UN framework aiming toward a signing of a treaty that will be implemented all over the planet.

    [24] Tzortzatos defense continues final arguments; N17 trial adjourns early

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    The ongoing trial of 19 suspected ''November 17'' terrorists continued on Thursday with the closing arguments of the defense for Vassilis Tzortzatos, Ippokratis Mylonas, who addressed the court for the third consecutive day.

    Mylonas urged the court not to base its judgment solely on the confessions extracted from suspects under police interrogation, saying that this would violate the European treaty of human rights.

    He also argued that Tzortzatos' own confession under interrogation should not be accepted as evidence, claiming that his client had been physically abused or even tortured by police officers who wanted to ''get back at him'' for escaping conviction in 1993.

    Mylonas questioned the fingerprint evidence against his client as well, noting that he had not been allowed to have it examined by independent experts.

    The court adjourned early at 12:30 so that its members could participate in a rally by judges throughout the country to press financial and other demands.

    Mylonas will continue his address when the court reconvenes on Friday morning.

    [25] Europarliament ratifies resolution against passenger data provision to

    US BRUSSELS 10/10/2003 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

    The European Parliament on Thursday ratified a resolution calling on the European Commission to forbid the transfer of personal data concerning persons that travel from Europe to the United States.

    With 445 votes for, 31 against and 21 abstentions the Euro-parliament, through its resolution, requested of the EU to forbid airlines' practice of providing information recorded on the RNR form that has 39 different personal data of passengers, without their prior knowledge.

    It also stressed that if such data is provided then they should be discarded by the US once the person has departed from that country.

    [26] Military plane on training flight crashes, pilots safe

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    The two pilots of a two-seat military aircraft that crashed shortly after noon on Thursday near the military airport in Araxos were safe and have been taken to the 251 Airforce Hospital, sources said.

    The two-seat 'A7-Corsair', on a training flight, crashed at 12:10 p.m. in an uninhabited area two nautical miles east of Araxos military airport, and the pilot and co-pilot had managed to eject from the aircraft. A search and rescue operation was immediately launched.

    A committee of experts was set up to investigate the causes of the crash, which was initially attributed to engine failure.

    [27] State school teacher gets jail sentence for offering private lessons

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    A Drama misdemeanors court on Thursday handed out an eight-month suspended jail sentence to a teacher in one of the city's state schools for offering his students paid private tuition at home.

    According to investigating officers in the SDOE financial crimes squad, Grigoris Fotiadis had converted the basement of his home into an area where he taught maths to final-year students preparing for university entrance examinations.

    SDOE officers said they were investigating dozens of state school teachers suspected of earning large sums by offering private lessons to their students in the state school system.

    [28] Meeting of amateur Aegean theatrical troupes beginning in Limnos on Friday

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    The 16th Meeting of Amateur Aegean Theatrical Troupes will begin in the town of Myrina, on the island of Limnos, on Friday. The meeting, due to last until October 20, will be inaugurated by Aegean Minister Nikos Sifounakis.

    The meeting will be attended by 22 theatrical troupes from the Aegean, Cyprus and Thrace.

    The participation of a troupe from Cyprus began in 1994 with the signing of a cooperation program between the ministry of the Aegean and the Theatrical Organization of the Republic of Cyprus, while the participation of the troupe from Thrace got underway in the framework of the implementation of the ''Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus'' program.

    [29] Another worker fatality reported at Olympic Village worksite

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    The latest fatality at a 2004-related worksite was reported on Wednesday, after an unnamed worker was reportedly crushed by a cement truck at the Olympic Village site (northwest Athens).

    The death at the Olympic Village is the fifth at the site in two years.

    [30] Drug haul in northern Greece

    Athens, 10/10/2003 (ANA)

    Two people were arrested Thursday in Thessaloniki in a drug bust, after more than 11 kilograms of hashish and a quantity of cocaine were found in their possession, police said.

    Police arrested the two people, whose names were not immediately released, and confiscated 11.050 kilograms of hashish, 262.6 grams of cocaine, a precision scale, 1,700 euros in cash, and a bank deposit book with 3,011.12 euro found in their possession.

    [31] Verheugen tells Turkey to solve Cyprus problem to enter the

    EU NICOSIA 10/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    European Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen reiterated that Turkey cannot secure a date to commence accession negotiations with the EU without a prior solution to the Cyprus problem and by maintaining occupation troops in northern Cyprus, contrary to international law.

    He stressed that Turkey must realize that it is in its interest to solve the Cyprus problem based on the Annan Plan, before the island's accession to the EU.

    Verheugen was answering questions during a seminar for the radio and television stations of the ten acceding countries in Brussels, organized by the European Journalism Centre, with the support of the Commission.

    The commissioner repeated that even if there were no solution to the Cyprus problem, the whole of Cyprus would enter the EU.

    According to the Union of Cyprus Journalists' representative at the seminar, Androulla Georgiadou, Verheugen estimated that there are good chances to secure a solution to the Cyprus problem by 1st May 2004, adding however that this will depend mainly on the results of the illegal elections in the Turkish occupied areas in December.

    Verheugen was quoted as saying that it is in Turkey's interest to solve the Cyprus problem.

    [32] Papadopoulos: We do not aim at depriving T/C rights and privileges

    NICOSIA 10/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The proposals of the Greek Cypriot side for improvements in the UN Secretary General's plan for a Cyprus settlement do not aim at changing the framework, the philosophy and the parameters of the plan nor at depriving the rights and privileges the plan offers to the Turkish Cypriots, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos stated here on Thursday.

    Opening the International Conference on ''The Changing Nature of the Ombudsman Institution in Europe'' organized by the office of the Cyprus Commissioner for Administration (ombudsman), President Papadopoulos said ''we hope and anticipate, through negotiations, which we are seeking and pursuing, without terms and preconditions to achieve improvements that will make the Cyprus settlement more functional and thus more viable. A solution with endurance, within the framework of the great European family.''

    He added that the substance of the Cyprus problem lies with the implementation of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all the citizens of the state, with equality and no discriminations.

    Referring to the Conference, Papadopoulos said the Cyprus Ombudswoman Eliana Nicolaou's initiative to organize this conference was ''praiseworthy and very important''.

    Papadopoulos stressed that the protection and promotion of human rights, the virtuous administration and combating symptoms of bad administration consist a priority for the Cyprus government.

    [33] CoE to warn Turkey over violation of right to education in occupied areas

    NICOSIA 10/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    Turkey will be cautioned by Moldavia, which chairs the Council of Europe committee of ministers, regarding its refusal to allow the operation of a secondary school in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus.

    Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said here Thursday the issue was raised during a debate over the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights decision in the fourth Interstate Application of Cyprus versus Turkey.

    The spokesman said that the committee of ministers-deputies asked the chairman of the committee of ministers, Moldavian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolae Dadau, ''to caution Turkey to comply with the ECHR decision in the Fourth Interstate Application''.

    The decision in the Interstate Application of Cyprus versus Turkey said Turkey ''violated the right to education'' in Karpass.

    Chrysostomides said if Turkey replies negatively, then there will be a resolution condemning Turkey.

    Furthermore, he said that Cyprus has called on the EU member states to demand that Turkey complies with the ECHR decision.

    On May 10, 2001 the European Court found Turkey guilty of human rights violations, on 14 counts, of the Convention relating to the right to life, liberty and security, prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, the right to respect for private and family life, protection of property and right to peaceful enjoyment of their property and the right to an effective remedy.

    The Court also said Turkey violated rights relating to freedom of thought and expression, right to education and the right to a fair trial.


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