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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-04

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

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

November 4, 2003

CONTENTS

  • [01] Proposal on Olympic Truce during Olympic Games gets UN's unprecedented majority
  • [02] IOC president says Greece preparing adequately for Olympic Games security
  • [03] FM Papandreou winds up Latin American visit
  • [04] Gov't confirms collapse of talks with Turkey over ICAO agreement
  • [05] Foreign Ministry rules out Turkish proposal for five-way talks on Cyprus issue
  • [06] EU strategy document says lack of Cyprus solution serious obstacle for Turkey
  • [07] Gov't accuses main opposition of having 'secret agenda'
  • [08] Deputy FM Loverdos announces PM to visit Thessaloniki on November 24
  • [09] PM to meet Defense Minister on Tuesday
  • [10] Government denies reshuffle rumors
  • [11] Greece regrets Chinook downing in Iraq
  • [12] Greek deputies received by Israeli counterparts
  • [13] Israel, US most dangerous to world peace, EU citizens say in opinion poll
  • [14] Probe launched into 'Kathimerini' article on Stazi and N17
  • [15] Budget data steadily improving, Greek govt says
  • [16] Bank of Greece celebrates 75th anniversary, Simitis, Papademos addresses
  • [17] Intracom signs 2.5-mln-euro contract with Syria's STE
  • [18] Greek, Turkish mining companies discuss cooperation
  • [19] Health minister to meet with striking hospital doctors Tuesday
  • [20] Legal professions fund seeks return of 120 bln drachmas owed by state
  • [21] Civil servants to strike Tuesday
  • [22] Greek manufacturing growth slowed in October
  • [23] Greece outlines proposals on Mediterranean products
  • [24] Strike to disrupt Olympic, Aegean domestic flights
  • [25] ETBAbank shows rise in Q3 earnings
  • [26] ASE greets November with solid gains
  • [27] Hospitality cruise ship sails into Piraeus for Athens 2004 Olympics
  • [28] Gov't monitoring fate of Greek seamen in Karachi, deputy minister says
  • [29] New Thessaloniki-Edessa rail bus route inaugurated
  • [30] Athens Bar Association organizes discussion on quality and transparency in media
  • [31] Drama reservoir contaminated by refuse, possibly from Bulgaria
  • [32] Amendment for brothels, prostitutes tabled in Parliament
  • [33] U.S. ambassador to Athens receives Frizis award
  • [34] 17N inclusion in EU list of terror groups a 'bureaucratic weakness'
  • [35] Government believes Erdogan backs Denktash
  • [36] Straw: Annan Plan only realistic basis for Cyprus solution
  • [37] Defense ministry to examine reports Turks are putting anti-tank mines

  • [01] Proposal on Olympic Truce during Olympic Games gets UN's unprecedented majority

    NEW YORK, 4/11/2003 (ANA/F. Karaviti)

    A resolution submitted by Greece for an Olympic Truce in light of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games was ratified by the UN General Assembly on Monday with an unprecedented majority and in a warm atmosphere in the presence of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge.

    Out of a total of 191 members (Iraq, although a UN member, is not represented at the General Assembly), the UN ratified resolution A/58/L9 with 190 votes, which anticipates the cessation of hostilities between August 13-29, 2004, and revives the ancient Greek idea of a Truce.

    Addressing the General Assembly, Foreign Minister George Papandreou, the resolution's rapporteur, referred to the Olympic Truce and spoke of the ''longest living peace treaty in history'' and called on the members of the international community ''to send a symbolic message of peace and cooperation among peoples.''

    Papandreou said ''the revival of the Olympic Truce provides a constructive approach to the issue of crises management. It is a symbolic appeal for us to break the cycle of violence for 16 days, throughout the duration of the Games, and we hope afterwards as well. Today, this message could not be more opportune, given the climate of uncertainty in the world. The path to peace must pass through mutual understanding and respect and cooperation between cultures and religions. The Olympic Truce can prove to be an extremely valuable tool for diplomacy, providing an opportunity of vital importance for a peaceful settlement of crises through dialogue and education.''

    The foreign minister further stressed that ''if we can have peace for 16 days, then maybe we can have peace forever.''

    The Olympic Truce, its implementation in our times and the significance of the Greek initiative in light of the Athens Olympic Games were also referred to by the representatives of Cyprus, China, the United States, Israel, Cuba and Switzerland and by Prince Albert of Monaco.

    Addressing the UN General Assembly, Rogge hailed the decision taken earlier unanimously on the adoption of the Olympic Truce in light of the Athens Olympic Games and spoke of a ''decision which proves that we can all work together for peace in the world.''

    Rogge particularly thanked the Greek government and Papandreou for the promotion of the idea and pointed out that the IOC is cooperating closely with such organizations as the UN and the World Bank.

    He also referred specifically to the cases of Iraq and Afghanistan, expressing the hope the situation will improve there as well soon.

    Speaking after the UN General Assembly session, Papandreou stressed the significance of the Olympic Truce resolution being ratified by the absolute majority of UN member-states, an unprecedented event in the history of the Organization.

    ''It is a very important moment for Greece, the UN and for the idea of the Olympic Truce. We have the unanimous approval of a resolution, something happening at the UN for the first time, by 190 countries. First of all, the event shows the great acceptance of this great idea, as well as the work done by the diplomatic corps, which worked at the UN to enable us to have so many countries for this idea,'' Papandreou said.

    The foreign minister also said ''we believe that with this resolution we shall be able to move more actively now so that this idea can become a reality, or at least for us to have some regions of the earth where this will be consolidated and will function both during 2004 and the next Olympic Games.''

    Referring to Rogge's presence, Papandreou said ''Mr. Rogge is coming to the UN at a special moment. The General Assembly is opening to listen to the IOC president, following an initiative by the Greek delegation and will promote the idea of the Olympic Truce.''

    Papandreou will be giving a reception in Rogge's honor at the UN's headquarters later in the day.

    [02] IOC president says Greece preparing adequately for Olympic Games security

    New York, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, speaking to the Athens News Agency (ANA) after a reception given in his honor at the UN by Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Monday, expressed his conviction that Greece is preparing itself adequately in the sector of security for the 2004 Olympic Games.

    ''I have faith in the preparation being carried out by the Greek government on the issue of the Olympic Games' security. I believe it is admirable. We can only express our satisfaction after the end of the Games, but I believe that the event will be completed with success. Regarding comments by the press, there are always negative reports before the Olympic Games. In such cases good news is only no news,'' he said.

    Replying to a question on the practical implementation of the Olympic Truce in August, Rogge said ''we shall have again a joint parade by the teams of North and South Korea and maybe the participation of the two teams as a single one. We shall have the participation of the Olympic teams of Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine. I think that all these are very important developments and, of course, we are continuing to work in cooperation with both the UN and the Greek government to enable results to be even more considerable.''

    [03] FM Papandreou winds up Latin American visit

    LIMA, 4/11/2003 (ANA-D. Constantakopoulos)

    Issues concerning EU relations with Latin America and Greece's relations with Peru were the central topics of talks held by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou in Lima, on the first-ever visit by a Greek foreign minister to Peru.

    Peru was the last stop on a tour of Latin American countries by Papandreou -- which also included Brazil and Chile -- which was wound up on Sunday and after which the foreign minister flew to New York for Monday's discussion at the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution on the Olympic Truce initiated by Greece.

    Papandreou's visits to Peru, Brazil and Chile were in the context of Greece's to become active in areas which were not usually in the spotlight, but also to capitalize on its recent presidency of the European Union, as it wishes to help in strengthening EU ties with Latin America, which is strongly desired by the latter.

    In Lima, Papandreou met with Peruvian president Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Prime Minister Beatriz Merino, and Foreign Minister Allan Wagner Tizon, who presented the Greek official with the country's highest medal on behalf of President Toledo.

    The two sides also signed an agreement for political consultations as well as a new program of educational exchanges, under which executives of the tourism industry in Peru will continue to be trained in Greece.

    There is also interest in cultural exchanges in view of the 2004 Olympic Games to be held in Athens, given Peru's rich heritage in ancient civilizations.

    Papandreou also privately toured the Los Olives section of Peru, one of the most characteristic poor towns of the Third World, where the Greek government has decided to fund a mobile hospital unit with a capacity for surgical procedures, under its international humanitarian assistance program.

    Speaking to ANA, Tizon expressed his country's gratitude to Greece for its backing of Peru's request for the signing of a 'fourth generation' free trade agreement with the EU.

    The EU has signed similar agreements with Chile and Mexico. France and Germany have also backed Peru's request, which has stumbled up against reservations from the European Commission.

    [04] Gov't confirms collapse of talks with Turkey over ICAO agreement

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    The Greek government on Monday confirmed rumors that talks between Greece and Turkey at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on an agreement to establish new air corridors above the Aegean had collapsed.

    Government spokesman Christos Protopapas simply confirmed that no agreement was reached during bilateral talks with Turkey in Paris within the framework of the ICAO and said that Greece had ''fully protected its national interests''.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis explained that the deal had fallen through despite strenuous efforts on the Greek side after the two sides failed to agree on technical matters concerning their mutual cooperation that would have to be incorporated in a Letter of Agreement to clinch the deal.

    He said the existing air-corridors would continue to be in force as long as the two sides had not arrived at any agreement and expressed hope that a new meeting for negotiations could be set up soon.

    [05] Foreign Ministry rules out Turkish proposal for five-way talks on Cyprus issue

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Asked to comment on a proposal by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for five-way talks on the Cyprus problem, the foreign ministry on Monday reiterated that this could not be solved outside an international framework.

    Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stressed that the Cyprus issue also had a European dimension, as a result of Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

    According to the spokesman, the Turkish premier's "continuous and contradictory statement confirmed that Turkey's policy with regard to the Cyprus issue has reached an impasse".

    [06] EU strategy document says lack of Cyprus solution serious obstacle for Turkey

    BRUSSELS, 4/11/2003 (ANA/V. Demiris)

    The lack of a solution to the issue of Cyprus could constitute a serious obstacle for Turkey's European ambitions.

    This indirect linking of a solution to the Cyprus issue and the starting of accession negotiations between the European Union and Turkey is included, according to EU sources, in the EU's strategy document on Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania to be ratified by the European Commission on Wednesday, together with progress reports on the 10 new member-states.

    According to the sources, the document further stresses that Turkey has achieved considerable and decisive steps in the direction of fulfilling Copenhagen criteria with the political and economic reforms it has adopted.

    However, it further stresses that the main problems in Turkey's course towards Europe is the implementation of reforms which continues to be unsatisfactory, particularly the considerable role the military continues to have in public life with emphasis on the control of expenditures and the budget's transparency, limitations in freedom of speech, gathering, demonstrating and cultural rights, as well as Turkey's compliance with decisions taken by the European Human Rights Court.

    [07] Gov't accuses main opposition of having 'secret agenda'

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    In an attack on main opposition New Democracy on Monday as the pre-electoral period starts to pick up momentum, government spokesman Christos Protopapas accused ND of having a ''secret agenda'' that was revealed by the "polyphony of opinions and positions" that emerged from within its ranks.

    Protopapas claimed that Sunday's statements by ND political program coordinator George Souflias, who said that the financial crimes squad SDOE would not be abolished but radically overhauled, were directly contradicted on Monday by ND official George Alogoskoufis.

    ''This is political polyphony, which demonstrates ND's inconsistency. ND is becoming a political Babel. But there is also a serious underlying problem, since it proves that there are forces within the party that favor impunity, wink at lawlessness and do not wish inspection mechanisms to work. These signs lead us to the conclusion that there is a secret program in ND,'' Protopapas said.

    The spokesman also noted statements earlier on Monday by Honorary ND President Constantine Mitsotakis that expressed strong support for Archbishop Christodoulos in the dispute between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece, thus utterly flouting the party's official line of neutrality on ecclesiastical issues.

    At the same time, the spokesman denied that his statement about a secret ND 'agenda' contradicted earlier statements by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who had accused ND of lacking a program altogether.

    ''ND has an incoherent outward expression of its political arguments and this does not clash with an estimate that there is a secret program 'beneath the table' that seeks to undermine the gains of the Greek people and create unfavorable developments for Greek society,'' the spokesman said.

    Answering the critics on Monday, however, Souflias accused the government of trying to distort ND's positions and said there was no difference of position between himself and ND leader Costas Karamanlis on the issue of SDOE.

    Souflias said that he had actually been responsible for the part of Karamanlis' speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair that talked about abolishing SDOE in its present form.

    This meant that the inspection mechanism would be reformed and modernized, he added.

    According to Alogoskoufis, meanwhile, SDOE will be scrapped and there would be a new framework of tax inspection mechanisms in the framework of a public-sector overhaul.

    [08] Deputy FM Loverdos announces PM to visit Thessaloniki on November 24

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis will travel to Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on November 24 to speak on the course and targets of implementing the Greek Balkan Reconstruction Plan ESOAB), Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos told a press conference on Monday on the occasion of the 9th session of the ESOAB's Monitoring Committee.

    Loverdos said the prime minister's presence will underline the priority given by Greece on the issue of the Balkans' development course, while the political message expressed during the Greek EU presidency on Greece's interest in developments in the region will be strengthened.

    ''We have said at times, and we mean it, that Thessaloniki is the capital and the center of all these activities,'' Loverdos said.

    All diplomatic authorities of countries interested, as well as of the 24 EU countries, will be invited to the event concerning the Prime Minister.

    Loverdos also announced that the Prime Minister will inaugurate ESOAB's office created in the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace on the occasion of his arrival in the city.

    The deputy minister further said 13 new major projects, apart from five already approved, have been included in ESOAB's programs.

    [09] PM to meet Defense Minister on Tuesday

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis will meet Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Tuesday at 13:00 to prepare for Thursday's meeting of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense, government spokesman Christos Protopapas announced.

    At 11:30 on Tuesday, Simitis will chair a meeting of government and party officials to discuss regional problems and in the morning he will inaugurate the renovated station for the over ground electric train line in Kallithea.

    [10] Government denies reshuffle rumors

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Monday once again denied rumors that a government reshuffle was imminent.

    "There is no issue of a reshuffle. We are doing our job and moving ahead," Protopapas said.

    [11] Greece regrets Chinook downing in Iraq

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Greece on Monday expressed its regrets over the downing of a US Chinook helicopter in Iraq, killing 15 soldiers and wounding another 21.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis expressed the foreign ministry leadership's sadness over the incident, and called for acceleration of the procedures for Iraq's reconstruction.

    [12] Greek deputies received by Israeli counterparts

    JERUSALEM, 4/11/2003 (ANA/P. Dimitropoulos)

    A delegation of the Greek Parliament was received on Monday by a delegation of Kneset deputies and discussed the significance of Greece's role toward the reconciliation between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

    Head of the Greek delegation Panayiotis Sgouridis spoke of the significance of dialogue ''as the singular tool for the confrontation of differences'' and expressed the hope that ''the new - under formation - government of the Palestinians would promote the road map of the international community during negotiations with the Israeli government''.

    He added that Greece is maintaining correct distance from both sides.

    The Israeli deputies briefed their Greek counterparts concerning the positions of their parties on the road map and the Geneva agreements, while they recognized the contribution of Greece in promoting peace.

    The Greek delegation met with Israeli Knesset members and members of the Greek-Israeli Friendship Group at a Jerusalem hotel as they had met with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat earlier and according to regular Israeli practice, any person meeting with Arafat is not allowed to enter the building of Knesset.

    According to sources, the Israeli delegation, which was headed by Eti Livni, believes that Greece leans toward the Palestinian side. But former defense minister Efrem Snech, whom the Greek delegation met a little earlier in the day, said that over the past few years Greece has held a more balanced position.

    Snech also said that Greece is in an ''ethical position'' to influence the Palestinians, since it has a long history of supporting the Palestinians.

    Also on Monday the members of the Greek delegation visited Bethlehem and the Palestinian town of Beit Sahour, where the mayor of the latter expressed his distress over the construction of the wall that will bar access of Palestinian Christian Orthodox persons from their shrines in the holy city of Christendom.

    He stressed that the wall will cut off a newly built settlement of Christians, a settlement constructed with funds from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Archbishopric of Cyprus and the Greek Consulate of Jerusalem.

    Sgouridis promised to promote the message that the wall is destroying properties of citizens and that it divides the Holy Land.

    [13] Israel, US most dangerous to world peace, EU citizens say in opinion poll

    BRUSSELS, 4/11/2003 (ANA/G. Zitouniati)

    Israel is the most dangerous threat to peace according to European Union public opinion poll made public on Monday, having been conducted in all member-states.

    According to the poll 59 per cent of those questioned in the opinion poll said that Israel constituted the greatest threat to peace on the planet.

    More specifically, Europeans said that Israel is the most dangerous country to peace, with the U.S. coming second with 53 per cent, then came Iran and North Korea, while in Greece Iran garnered only 26 per cent and North Korea 30 per cent.

    Contrary to the view Europeans hold of other countries, only 8 per cent declared that the EU maybe dangerous to world peace.

    European respondents appeared fearful of terrorist attacks as 54 per cent said that they considered such a possibility very likely or likely to materialize, with Britons and Spaniards having recorded a 76 per cent on that question and Greeks lower than average with 51 per cent.

    [14] Probe launched into 'Kathimerini' article on Stazi and N17

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    The head of the Appeals public prosecutors' department on Monday ordered a probe into articles appearing in the "Sunday Kathimerini", according to which the terrorist group "November 17" had been infiltrated by East German Stasi operatives in the mid '80s.

    According to Stasi files, the organization was being funded by a Greek businessman during that period.

    [15] Budget data steadily improving, Greek govt says

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    The Greek government on Monday reported a further improvement in the execution of this year's state budget in the first nine months of 2003, with figures "steadily approaching targets set by the draft budget plan".

    A finance ministry announcement said that regular revenues rose 4.7 percent in the January-September period compared with the same period last year, lagging an official target for 2003 (5.6 percent) and reflecting changes in VAT tax collecting system.

    Primary spending rose 6.2 percent in the first nine months of the year, with the government expecting a slowdown in the months ahead after a surge in public investment program (up 35.8 percent) in that period.

    Interest payment totalled 7.54 billion euros in the January-September period, below an official target of 9.35 billion euros with the government expecting to meet budget targets by year end.

    [16] Bank of Greece celebrates 75th anniversary, Simitis, Papademos addresses

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis announced on Monday that the government was planning the introduction of an independent supervisory body for insurance companies.

    Addressing an event marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Bank of Greece, Simitis said that the country's central bank was, in addition to its supervisory role, also undertaking the task of monitoring and implementing regulations concerning bank-client relations.

    Greetings were delivered by the new governor of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet, deputy governor Loukas Papademos, and the governor of the Bank of Greece Nikos Garganas.

    Addressing the same event, Papademos called on the EU monetary union member-countries for respect of the Stability Pact, adding that its credibility must not be undermined.

    He stressed the need for advancing structural reforms, chiefly on the job market and in the social insurance sector, adding that the reforms so far were not sufficient.

    He said that the three keys to reinforcing growth in the EU were the advancement of structural changes, the exercise of a prudent fiscal policy, and achievement of the goal of price stability.

    Papademos also said that in the present juncture, in which was apparent a serious worsening of the fiscal position of a number of EU member states -- which had a rise in their deficits in excess of the 3 percentage point ceiling -- it was necessary to take strict structural measures.

    [17] Intracom signs 2.5-mln-euro contract with Syria's STE

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Intracom on Monday announced the signing of a contract worth 2.5 million euros with Syrian Telecommunications Establishment (STE) for the supply of wireless digital access networks (point-to-multipoint).

    Syria's telecommunications organization will use the new systems to support BRA-ISDN, data and telephony services to the capital Damascus and three regions of the country, as part of a program to upgrade the country's telecommunications network.

    Meanwhile, Intralot said it was examining the listing of its shares in a foreign stock market in 2004. The company, expects its consolidated turnover to exceed 325 million euros, with pre-tax profits to exceed 90 million euros this year, up 90 percent from 2002.

    [18] Greek, Turkish mining companies discuss cooperation

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Greek and Turkish mining companies have significant prospects of further cooperation, a joint meeting between the mining unions of Greece and Turkey, held in the island of Mytilene, said on Monday.

    The meeting, attended by union board members along with several businessmen from both countries, discussed each country's fields of activities. A round table discussion also examined the promotion of Greek investments in the mining sector of the neighboring country.

    "The cooperation of Greek and Turkish Mining Unions will bring the two peoples more closer. Mining companies are contributing significantly in both countries' economies. We believe in strength in unity and hope that both unions will expand their cooperation," Costas Daskalakis, vice-president of the Greek Mining Union said addressing the meeting.

    Ismet Kasapoglu, president of the Turkish Mining Union stressed: "We consider very significant the exchange of views between the two unions. Turkey is currently drafting a new mining legislation that will help foreign investments, reduce bureaucracy and improve cooperation conditions."

    The meeting agreed that both countries have a joint serious comparative advantage in the sector with large metal, marble and other industrial mineral deposits. Both countries also have a notable level of production technology and significant mining and processing units.

    Greek companies are moving ahead in international activities, while Turkish companies are based in certain world-class deposits, but lack in foreign capital inflows, the meeting said.

    Three Greek mining companies have either invested in Turkey (S&B Industrial Mining SA, Greek Magnesites SA), or using Turkish mining products and examining new investments (Larco).

    [19] Health minister to meet with striking hospital doctors Tuesday

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Health Minister Costas Stefanis is to meet representatives of the hospital doctors union federation on Tuesday to discuss demands that have led the sector to declare a series of strikes.

    In statements on Monday, the minister said the doctors' demand for higher pay was fair but stressed that the size and extent of their demands and whether these could be satisfied was something they would have to discuss with the finance ministry.

    ''I recognize the fairness of the demand but not with respect to the amount so much as to the fact that some increase is needed,'' Stefanis said.

    On other demands regarding procedural issues, Stefanis said the relevant Parliament committee will discuss a health ministry bill that shortens promotion time for doctors to five years on Wednesday.

    [20] Legal professions fund seeks return of 120 bln drachmas owed by state

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Lawyers and other representatives of the legal professions on Monday held a press conference to demand the return of accumulated debts of 120 billion drachmas owed to their social insurance fund by the state.

    They stressed that the repayment should be immediately included in the next state budget.

    The press conference was held by the president of the Athens Bar Association Dimitris Paxinos and the heads of associations of Greek notaries, conveyances, land registrars and other branches of the legal professions in the country.

    Paxinos stressed that failure to return the sum would set the viability of the legal professions fund at risk, and said the entire issue had been outlined in a letter to Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    He also claimed that the money had been essentially 'embezzled' by the state and said the fund had filed three suits asking for its return.

    The head of the notaries' association warned, meanwhile, that the sector would come down on strike unless the money was returned.

    [21] Civil servants to strike Tuesday

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Civil servants are to stage a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, expected to bring public services to a halt.

    The ADEDY union said the walkout was the first move in a campaign to improve terms for employees and support a social state.

    Public workers want to see an end to austerity, a new payscale with a starting wage of 1,050 euros per month, the incorporation of allowances into base pay, and award of a benefit for work that is hazardous to health, including for refuse collectors.

    [22] Greek manufacturing growth slowed in October

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Greece's Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 50.2 in October from 51.4 in September, remaining on a downward trend for the second consecutive month but still above the 50 points reading for the sixth consecutive month showing the Greek manufacturing sector was expanding.

    The October reading was the lowest in the last seven months and reflected production losses caused by a wave of strikes that hit the manufacturing sector in the month.

    New orders to the manufacturing sector rose in October although employment levels fell for the fifth consecutive month, this time with the biggest rate in the several months.

    The monthly index, compiled by NTC Research of the UK with the Greek Procurements Institute, is designed to offer an overview of conditions in the manufacturing sector. Readings above 50 show growth, while below 50 slowdown.

    [23] Greece outlines proposals on Mediterranean products

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Agriculture Minister George Drys on Monday outlined Greece's proposals on Mediterranean farm products to the European Union's farming commissioner, Franz Fischler.

    At a meeting in Brussels, Drys said that the government was seeking improvement of the EU Commission's proposals on tobacco in order to better safeguard the future of the crop in Greece.

    For olive oil, the government wanted national quotas retained, which Fischler accepted.

    Among proposals for cotton were that producers' groups should undertake management of subsidies. The groups needed to be formed immediately, the minister said.

    [24] Strike to disrupt Olympic, Aegean domestic flights

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Domestic flights of Olympic Airways and Aegean Airlines are expected to suffer severe disruption on Tuesday due to a strike by staff in air traffic control joining a civil servants' walkout.

    Olympic has cancelled 19 domestic flights, and Aegean three, the two companies said in separate statements on Monday.

    [25] ETBAbank shows rise in Q3 earnings

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    ETBAbank SA on Monday reported consolidated earnings before tax 41 million euros in the third quarter, up 46.1 percent from the same period a year earlier.

    Earnings for distribution are 31.4 million euros, marking a 5.1 percent increase on the third quarter of 2002, the bank said in a statement.

    Management attributed healthy results to a 38.9 percent rise in net revenue, in turn stemming from an increase in net revenue from interest and a rise in financial revenue from application of an active treasury operations policy, the statement said.

    In addition, operational expenditure dropped, it added.

    [26] ASE greets November with solid gains

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Greek stocks ended Monday's session sharply higher in the Athens Stock Exchange, marking the first trading session of November with solid gains, reflecting renewed buying interest for equities.

    The general index rose 1.88 percent to end at 2,163.18 points, surpassing the 2,500-point technical resistance level. Turnover was a heavy 192.9 million euros.

    All sector indices ended higher. The Textile (6.01 percent), Insurance (5.57 percent) and Publications (4.13 percent) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks jumped 2.04 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 2.15 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index surged 3.50 percent.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 315 to 30 with another 20 issues unchanged.

    The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, National Bank of Greece, Public Power Corporation, Football Pools Organization and EFG Eurobank Ergasias.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover

    at 101.5 mln euros Tuesday

    Equity Index Futures:

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

  • Underlying Index: +2.04% percent

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

  • Underlying Index: +2.15 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Intracom (1,128)

  • Total turnover in derivatives market: 101.5 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers

    match sellers on Monday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.48 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 14 bps

  • Most heavily traded paper: 10-yr, expiring May 2013 (790 mln euros)

  • Day's Total Market Turnover: 2.8 bln euros

    FOREIGN EXCHANGE

    Closing rates of November 3 2003

    Parities in euro

    Banknotes

    For. Exchange Buying Selling

    US Dollar 1,168 1,141

    [27] Hospitality cruise ship sails into Piraeus for Athens 2004 Olympics

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    A luxury cruise ship that will be used as a floating hotel in the Athens 2004 Olympics sailed into the port of Piraeus on Monday.

    The OS Oosterdam is one of 13 vessels that will be anchored in the port for the games, housing 13,000 visitors for the international event.

    The cruise ship, which has as capacity of 1,848 passengers and a crew of 800, is also one of two five-star vessels among ships to be used as hotels during the games.

    Representatives of the Athens organizers visited the Oosterdam on a tour of inspection.

    The vessel was brought by Sportius Hospitality, a member of the hospitality campaign for the Olympics. A sister vessel, the MS Rotterdam, will also be commissioned.

    [28] Gov't monitoring fate of Greek seamen in Karachi, deputy minister says

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos on Monday said the government was closely monitoring the fate of the Greek seamen being held in Karachi after causing the worst oil spill in Pakistan's history.

    ''In the framework of our good relations with Pakistan, we have already planned our next move. We will be taking action after assessing the developments within the next few days,'' he said.

    According to Loverdos, it was wrong that the seamen were being prevented from returning home.

    ''We consider them financial hostages and we are doing our jobs in order to ensure their repatriation,'' he said.

    He assured relatives that the government had not stopped thinking of the detained seamen and protecting their rights as far as it could.

    The seven men were the crew of the Greek tanker ''Tasman Spirit'' that ran aground outside the channel leading to Pakistan's main port in Karachi on July 27 and spilled 28,500 tones of crude oil.

    The spill has contaminated several kilometers of Pakistan's eastern beaches, damaged marine life and mangrove forests and caused health problem for the people living nearby.

    The crew were arrested by Pakistani authorities on charges of negligence in handling the ship's entry to the port.

    Pakistani authorities are also holding the technical advisor of the shipping firm ''Staler'', Nikos Pappas, who flew into Karachi four days after the accident.

    [29] New Thessaloniki-Edessa rail bus route inaugurated

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis, Merchant Marine Minister George Paschalidis and Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) President and managing director Constantine Yiannakos inaugurated the new Thessaloniki-Edessa route on Monday with the rail bus making its first run in one hour and 15 minutes.

    The route is part of projects being carried out by OSE to serve suburban travel to and from Thessaloniki and contributes to the modernization and upgrading of regional networks in northern Greece.

    Renovation and reconstruction works resulted in the Thessaloniki-Edessa route being covered quicker by 40 minutes, that is in one hour and 15 minutes instead of one hour and 55 minutes which was the case until now.

    The transport and communications minister called on people present at the event to visit the rail bus which was brought to Greece recently and made its first run on the new route.

    [30] Athens Bar Association organizes discussion on quality and transparency in media

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    Quality and transparency in the mass media, in relation to protection for individual rights, was an issue discussed on Monday night at the initiative of the Athens Bar Association and the Union of Judicial Functionaries.

    Bar Association President Dimitris Paxinos said nobody doubts that society's political and cultural standing is seen through the quality of the mass media.

    Press and Media Minister Christos Protopapas said individual rights and democracy are and always will be interrelated terms, adding that the time has come for all to have reality faced and the points of conflict and agreement examined.

    He added that an era is coming in which certain unprecedented situations and attitudes are appearing to intensify, balances to be put to the test and challenges to be aggravated.

    [31] Drama reservoir contaminated by refuse, possibly from Bulgaria

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    The 'Thisavros' reservoir near the Greek-Bulgarian border near Drama has once again become contaminated with refuse and pollutants, which local residents suspect may be coming from across the border in Bulgaria.

    Environmentalists in the Drama region on Monday reported that this was the third occasion on which the reservoir had been contaminated by refuse and warned of the danger that pollutants might leach down to the water table, asking for the government's intervention to prevent more such incidents.

    The reservoir provides water for several areas of eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

    Locals note that there are no Greek settlements on the Greek-Bulgarian border and are convinced the rubbish was carried to the reservoir by the waters of the Nestos River.

    [32] Amendment for brothels, prostitutes tabled in Parliament

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    An amendment dealing with licensed brothels and prostitutes was added on Monday to a draft bill for the foundation of a National Centre for Public Administration and a School for Local Government.

    The amendment passes on responsibility for issuing licenses to the local prefect in the applicant's area and scraps a requirement that prostitutes had to be either unmarried, divorced or widowed.

    It also scraps a ban on issuing more than one brothel license for the same building and another preventing individuals from working in more than one brothel.

    Finally, the amendment gives local mayors or community leaders the power to revoke licenses for brothels, in accordance with the laws in effect since 1999.

    [33] U.S. ambassador to Athens receives Frizis award

    WASHINGTON, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    In early October the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CHE) presented the 2003 Frizis Award to U.S. Ambassador to Greece Tom Miller, an annual award instituted to honor the 513 Greek Jews that died defending Greece against the Axis forces during the Second World War.

    Later, on October 27 Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos unveiled a new memorial at the Jewish cemetery in Thessaloniki, Greece, that honors the Greek Jews who gave their lives during the World War II.

    "Colonel Mardoxaios Frizis, whose name this prestigious award bares, was one of the 513 Greek Jews honored by this memorial. Colonel Frizis was the first high-ranking Greek military officer to give his life in defense of freedom against the Axis powers in 1940, said Andrew E. Manatos, president of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH).

    Colonel Frizis was killed fighting in Premeti on December 5, 1941. There are two statues of Colonel Frizis in Greece one at the War-Museum in Thessaloniki and one at the War-Museum in Athens. During the war of 1940-41, 12,898 Jewish Greeks were drafted, 343 became officers, 513 were killed on the battlefields of Epirus and along the Greek-Bulgarian border, and 5,743 were wounded, of which 1,412 were wounded seriously.

    [34] 17N inclusion in EU list of terror groups a 'bureaucratic weakness'

    Athens, 4/11/2003 (ANA)

    The government on Monday attributed inclusion of the 'November 17' and ELA groups in a list of terrorist organizations active in the EU to ''bureaucratic weaknesses''.

    ''The 'Nov. 17' group is in prison, and operationally cannot harm anyone,'' the spokesman, Christos Protopapas said.

    [35] Government believes Erdogan backs Denktash

    NICOSIA, 4/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The government believes there are indications that Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is displaying his support for the policies and views of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, according to its spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides.

    The spokesman also said on Monday that there are increasing signs that Erdogan will pay an illegal visit to the areas of Cyprus Turkey occupies next week to mark the unilateral declaration of independence of the Turkish Cypriot regime, which the UN has branded legally invalid.

    ''Erdogan is gradually crystallizing his policy towards Denktash and this translates into full support and full backing of the latter's views. The Turkish premier is reiterating positions about political realities and about two state entities in Cyprus,'' he added.

    He said that Erdogan is also trying to blame the Greek government for its refusal to participate in a proposed four-party meeting (Greece, Turkey, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) on Cyprus, a move widely believed to sideline the legal government of the Republic.

    The spokesman said Erdogan's stance is the result of increasing pressure on Ankara by the European Union to settle the Cyprus question and the connection between the pending political problem and Turkey's European aspirations that is being underscored.

    ''The question of Cyprus is raised as an issue that should be resolved by May next year, when Cyprus joins the EU and Ankara is encouraged to change its stance,'' he added.

    On moves by Ankara to amend in its favor certain points in the progress report prepared by the EU Commission, Chrysostomides said there are indications that Turkey is moving along these lines but no specific information.

    He noted however that it is normal practice for interested parties to have contacts to discuss points raised in these reports and added ''apparently this is what Turkey is doing too.''

    Replying to questions, the spokesman said the government has no information about the presence of observers in the Turkish occupied areas ahead of the ''parliamentary elections'' among Turkish Cypriots.

    ''Things are rather sketchy, we have no official information about observers in the occupied areas nor are we aware of what exactly they will do,'' he explained.

    [36] Straw: Annan Plan only realistic basis for Cyprus solution

    LONDON, 4/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The UK believes that the only realistic basis for a settlement in Cyprus is the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan, pledged here Monday Foreign Secretary Jack Straw after meeting his Cypriot counterpart George Iacovou.

    On his part, Iacovou said the Cyprus government will attend negotiations on the basis of the Annan Plan, whenever the Secretary-General calls for them.

    In statements after the meeting at the Foreign Office, Straw said that ''these are very important times for Cyprus'', and that Britain is looking ''forward'' to Cyprus' EU accession in the spring next year.

    Straw talked about a ''period of closer cooperation between'' the two countries from May next year, ''as EU partners and as long standing members of the Commonwealth''.

    ''Our PM and I, all our colleagues in Europe, share the hope that it will be a reunited Cyprus which will join the EU'', he said.

    ''The UK believes that the only realistic basis for a settlement is the UN Secretary-General's settlement plan'', Straw said, adding ''we are encouraged that the government of Cyprus supports the resumption of negotiations on this basis''.

    ''We believe that the accession into the EU of a reunited Cyprus will be in the interests of all Cypriots, of the EU and of the region as a whole'', he said.

    The British foreign secretary remarked the two had ''substantial discussions on matters of bilateral interest, as well as the political situation in Cyprus''.

    The Cypriot minister said he acknowledges ''the notion of a settlement before the 1st of May is very prevalent in the EU but nowhere is stronger than within Cyprus itself''.

    ''We are talking about Cyprus' future and our government is very much behind the idea of the accession of a reunited Cyprus to Europe'', Iacovou said and reiterated ''the position of the Cyprus government is that we will attend negotiations on the basis of the Annan Plan, whenever the Secretary-General invites us to do so''.

    Iacovou pointed out that it is a ''matter of regret for us that over so many months, the Turkish side has not indicated such willingness.

    On the contrary, it was Mr. (Rauf) Denktash who said that the Annan Plan is dead and buried''.

    Iacovou said the Cyprus government is concerned about reports the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkey want to take the negotiations outside the mission of the good offices of the Secretary-General. ''That, definitely we shall resist'', he added.

    ''Britain has supported Cypriot aspirations for accession to the EU and I am sure they will support our efforts to join the EU as a reunited country before the 1st of May 2004'', Iacovou added.

    Earlier Iacovou met at the Foreign Office with Minister for Europe Denis MacShane.

    On Tuesday the foreign minister will meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon at the Commonwealth Secretariat offices and attend a dinner hosted by the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood on the occasion of the Cyprus' independence anniversary.

    [37] Defense ministry to examine reports Turks are putting anti-tank mines

    NICOSIA, 4/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The Defense Ministry will look into reports that the occupation regime is positioning anti-tank mines at minefields in an effort to deviate from the Ottawa Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention, which forbids the use of antipersonnel landmines.

    Defense Minister Kyriakos Mavronicolas said that in the event that these reports are real then his ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take all necessary action and report the incident.

    Mavronicolas was responding to statements made during the House committee meeting by Democratic Rally deputy Maria Kyriacou that the Turks were positioning the mines in the areas.

    At the same time, Mavronicolas said that the government is determined to proceed with its one-sided policy for demining Cyprus, despite the Turkish side's negative stance.

    ''The government is determined to proceed in its decision to demine Cyprus, a policy which gives the relevant messages to the Turkish army and Turkey but mostly to the EU and international organizations that we want to solve the Cyprus problem, we have the intention to come forward to the negotiating table and solve the issue before accession'', Mavronicolas added.

    Regarding demining, Mavronicolas said that ''we have to say that so far, there is no relevant response from the other side, that is the Turkish army''.

    Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the islands territory.

    Since 1983 ten minefields adjacent to the UN-controlled buffer zone have been cleared while during the past two years more than eleven thousand mines of various types have been destroyed.


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