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

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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: