Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-12-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Simitis and Tony Blair discuss international affairs, Parthenon Marbles

[02] Greece is Middle East's gate to Europe, Syrian president says

[03] Athens: Results of T/C 'vote' a 'strong message' for solution

[04] US Cyprus coordinator says Turkish Cypriot 'elections' victory for opposition

[05] U.S. says Turkish Cypriots voted for Cyprus solution

[06] Mitsotakis sharply criticizes PM; gov't reaction

[07] DM presents study on local defense industry

[08] Serbia & Montenegro deputy DM in Athens on Tuesday

[09] Pangalos says PASOK has all preconditions to win elections united under Simitis

[10] Coalition leader meets Israeli envoy in Athens

[11] Top Israeli analyst cites shift in Israeli, Palestinian societies

[12] MP Theodorou says he won't seek re-election

[13] Greek annual inflation rises to 3.3 per cent in September

[14] Syrian group signs protocol with Mediterranean cooperation foundation

[15] Greeks say they're accustomed to the euro, poll shows

[16] Intralot gets US state lottery contract

[17] Government won't bow to striking taxi drivers' demands

[18] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks nose down in late selling

[19] Legislation establishing 'Olympic consulate' tabled on Tuesday

[20] New tourism chief wants Athens Olympics to trigger lasting upturn

[21] Court to pass down sentences on convicted 17N members on Wednesday

[22] Thirty-one illegal migrants picked up off Crete

[23] Politicians from all parties attend launch of Mikis Theodorakis biography

[24] Draft bill allowing new AEK stadium tabled

[25] President Papadopoulos congratulates Turkish Cypriots

[26] Cyprus government satisfied with 'elections' in Turkish-occupied areas

[27] Unofficial election results in Turkish-occupied Cyprus

[28] Annan: no new initiative unless political will exists

[29] European Commission: 'Elections' reflect T/C's desire for solution

[30] US sees strong political signal from Sunday's Turkish Cypriot 'poll'

[31] Jack Straw urges all sides to reengage in negotiations

[01] PM Simitis and Tony Blair discuss international affairs, Parthenon Marbles

LONDON 16/12/2003 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

The two men particularly focused on developments in the Middle East following the arrest of Saddam Hussein.

As he emerged from the British premier's residence at 10 Downing Street, Simitis stressed that Saddam's arrest was a positive event that created the right conditions for the democratic organization of Iraq and to deal with tensions there that also spilled over into other parts of the world.

Simitis underlined the need for decisive intervention in issues concerning Israel and the Palestinian territories, noting that this area was one of the key sources of current conflict in the world that bred terrorism and concern.

EU impasse on European Constitution: Simitis said his talks with Blair had also covered the failure of efforts to agree on a new European constitution at the European Council in Brussels over the weekend.

''This failure was no ordinary failure, it was not a failure caused by disagreement over certain figures or specific funding. It showed that the member-states have different views on Europe,'' Simitis said.

''Both Mr. Blair and I agree that this is precisely the issue we have to deal with. It's not how we want set up the institutions, it's about what we want Europe to do, on what problems it must make progress. If these issues are cleared up, then it will be much easier to clear up what form Europe will take,'' he said.

Simitis added that Greece wanted a ''strong Europe'', which would be able to make specific decisions about its economy, defense, and foreign policy and for reducing inequalities.

Though Britain did not share Greece's desire for a 'federal' Europe, Blair recognized that the current situation was not at all positive and that the problem will have to be dealt with in the months to come, the Greek premier added.

Results of the Turkish-Cypriot 'elections': Another topic discussed during the meeting was developments on Cyprus and the results of ''elections'' in the occupied territories.

Noting that the Turkish-Cypriot opposition bloc had gained a larger number of votes, Simitis said this showed that a majority of Turkish-Cypriots desired a solution to the Cyprus problem, wanted the implementation of the Annan peace plan for Cyprus and did not agree with the policies of Rauf Denktash that moved counter to this direction.

He also pointed to Saturday's agreement by EU leaders that a solution to the Cyprus problem would play a major part in Turkey's European prospects.

''It is therefore time for Turkey to do something, before May 1, to overcome this problem that has tortured the divided island for over 30 years,'' Simitis said.

Return of the Parthenon Marbles: In his talks with Blair, the Greek premier once again raised the issue of returning the Parthenon Marbles, which are currently on display at the British Museum in London.

He said Blair acknowledged that the Greek government's proposal to the British Museum made it clear that it did not wish to become involved in the issue of the Marbles' ownership.

He announced that Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos will be visiting London to discuss the issue with his counterpart in the British government.

''We believe that this issue is not one of technicalities and ownership but a political issue and for this reason we want to deal with it politically,'' Simitis stressed.

Asked about Blair's reaction, the Greek premier noted only that the British premier was ''aware of the issues'' and stressed that Greece had to keep raising the issue and pressing the British side over the matter of the Marbles.

Venizelos comments on issue of return of Parthenon Marbles: Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Monday stated that ''it is a particularly important fact that'' Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his British counterpart Tony Blair ''jointly set the basis of a policy to deal with the matter of the Parthenon Marbles, with the starting point being the known Greek proposal which aims at forming a unified joint exhibition for the Parthenon Friezes.''

Venizelos was responding to reporters' questions following statements made by Simitis in London earlier in the day, which is currently on a visit to the UK, concerning the matter of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

''I have on other occasions discussed the matter with my British counterpart, now however we will discuss it again at the order of our prime ministers and this provides particular political weight for this procedure,'' the culture minister concluded.

[02] Greece is Middle East's gate to Europe, Syrian president says

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

Al-Asad, who arrived in Athens on Sunday on a three-day state visit, said after talks with his host, Greek president Costis Stephanopoulos, that Greece was the gate to Europe for Syria and all the countries of the Middle East.

He also noted the ''historical ties'' between the two countries.

The two men discussed Syria's proposal for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the Middle East, as well as the revival of an earlier initiative by (Syria's late president and father of the country's current president) Hafez al-Asad on terrorism.

Bashar al-Asad recalled that in 1986, the only European country that had responded positively to that initiative had been Greece under the premiership of the late Andreas Papandreou, founder of the ruling PASOK party.

Their talks also included bilateral economic relations, tourism, marine transports, and drillings for natural gas and oil.

President Stephanopoulos hosts dinner for visiting Syrian counterpart: President Kostis Stephanopoulos, speaking during an official dinner he hosted for his Syrian counterpart Bashar Al-Assad, who is currently on an official visit to Greece, said the effort to rebuild Iraq is difficult but it must go ahead.

''We steadfastly believe that the suffering Iraqi people are capable, with the support and cooperation of the UN and the international community, to regain all powers gradually and soon and, in essence, to undertake the governance of the country,'' President Stephanopoulos said.

The president also underlined bonds of friendship and cooperation between Greece and Syria and their common approaches on major international issues and thanked the government of Damascus and President Assad for their positive stance on issues of special sensitivity for Greece and Cyprus at all international organizations and at the Islamic Conference Organization in particular.

Referring to the Middle East problem, the president stressed that whatever solution must be a comprehensive one and should aim at the prosperity and equal development of the peoples of the region.

On the question of terrorism, he said that the struggle against it is a global affair which is not and should not be considered as a difference between civilizations, religions or peoples.

President Stephanopoulos further said it is a struggle which should be carried out with respect for the fundamental values of modern society and human rights and it will not be effective if the reasons causing it are not handled and serious problems are not resolved which affect international relations in a wider sense, such as the Palestinian issue.

Syrian president meets Parliament speaker: Visiting Syrian President Bashar al Asad on Monday called on Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis at the Greek Parliament building.

After the meeting, Asad commented on the recent arrest of Saddam Hussein, noting that ''Syria is not Iraq''.

''What happened in Iraq is an issue concerning Iraq and not Syria. It does not concern us. Syria is not Iraq. We are a country that maintains relations with all countries in the world and that has an active role in all things concerning international politics,'' he added.

During his meeting with Kaklamanis, both sides expressed concern about the situation in the region.

Kaklamanis stressed that it was imperative, especially after Sunday's events, that the Iraqi people be allowed to govern their own affairs as soon as possible.

He also thanked Asad for Syria's steadfast position on the Cyprus issue, while the Syrian president said he hoped for Athens' support in achieving an EU-Syria association agreement.

Simitis to meet Syrian president on Tuesday: Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said that Premier Simitis will meet visiting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday night on his return from London.

On Thursday, the premier is to chair a meeting of the cabinet to discuss policy for small and middle-size enterprises (SMEs), while he is later due to visit a newly-formed special fund for mutual guarantees for SMEs

[03] Athens: Results of T/C 'vote' a 'strong message' for solution

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

A Greek foreign ministry spokesman also said that results proved that the Turkish Cypriots desired a solution to Cyprus' political problem based on the Annan plan, as well as the accession of a reunited Cyprus into the EU.

Spokesman Panos Beglitis added that results revealed a ''new political reality'' and a ''new political momentum'' in Cyprus, which no one could ignore. He noted that Athens was in constant contact with the Greek Cypriot side for an evaluation of recent developments.

Beglitis further expressed hope that conditions would be created for the immediate re-opening of talks aimed at a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue.

The latest developments in the Cyprus problem will be discussed in Athens on Tuesday afternoon by US State Department special coordinator on the Cyprus issue Thomas Weston, the foreign ministry spokesman said.

Weston's talks are within the framework of regular visits to the region, and confirm Washington's interest in advancing a Cyprus solution, Beglitis added.

Gov't spokesman: In a later statement, government spokesman Christos Protopapas also expressed the Greek government’s satisfaction with the “results” in the occupied areas.

“This is a message repudiating the policies of the Turkish side and (T/C leader Rauf) Denktash. It is a message of peace and reconciliation; a message for the necessary commencement of initiatives towards a reunification of the island,” he said.

Protopapas, who also holds the press and mass media portfolio, also stressed that Turkey now has all the opportunity to alter its policy on the long-standing Cyprus issue, allowing for a resumption of talks based on the Annan peace plan.

Ankara: Finally, the Turkish foreign ministry also conveyed its "satisfaction" over the "transparency and calm" manner in which 'elections' took place in the occupied areas.

"We retain the right to continue our unity and solidarity on the Cyprus issue, which is a national matter," an ANA dispatch from Istanbul quotes a Turkish foreign ministry press release as stating.

[04] US Cyprus coordinator says Turkish Cypriot 'elections' victory for opposition

NICOSIA 16/12/2003 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

''This is the message of the elections. An immediate start for negotiations and a solution by May 1, 2004, to enable Cyprus to join the European Union united,'' Weston said in a statement to a Cyprus private television channel.

Weston, who will be visiting Athens on Tuesday in the framework of a new tour of the region, said he will call on the sides to negotiate the Annan plan and agree to have it placed before the people of Cyprus for approval.

The American coordinator said he considers the result a victory for the opposition regardless of the fact that the election law gave an equal number of seats to the opposition and to the parties comprising the ''government.''

After visiting Athens, Weston will come to Nicosia on Wednesday and complete his tour with visits to Ankara and Brussels.

[05] U.S. says Turkish Cypriots voted for Cyprus solution

WASHINGTON 16/12/2003 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Commenting on Sunday's ''elections'' in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, Boucher told reporters that the party which garnered the majority of votes supported the solution of the political problem of Cyprus and underlined that more than half of the voters have supported candidates wishing a settlement that would be accepted by Cypriots in a referendum before May.

''We hope that the new administration will assume as soon as possible its duties and will express the wish of the majority of Turkish Cypriots. This vote promotes the cause of peace in Cyprus and, it is worth underlining, that it is a vote for hope against fear given the pressures exerted on Turkish Cypriot voters during the election campaign,'' Boucher added.

The state department spokesman said that the U.S. would continue to work for a just and lasting solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan Plan. ''We hope that the wish of the Turkish Cypriots for a solution will be respected through the immediate resumption of negotiations under UN auspices beginning with the stating of the necessary political will of all sides to the UN Secretary-General.''

[06] Mitsotakis sharply criticizes PM; gov't reaction

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

Speaking during a morning television program on a private channel (Mega), Mitsotakis charged that no bill had been tabled in Parliament of late that is not tainted by “cronyism” and “pitiful populism”, while he further said that PM Costas Simitis has failed to implement even one major reform during his eight years in power.

Finally, Mitsotakis, the premier between 1990 and 1993, said that “miracles don’t occur without reforms, without displeasing anyone, without firing anyone, without changing the labor rules anywhere … (main opposition ND leader) Costas Karamanlis and ND will implement reforms, they will proceed with unpleasant measures and they will not compromise with the vested interests,” Mitsotakis stressed.

Gov’t reaction: Asked about Mitsotakis’ high-profile statements hours later during his regular press briefing, the government spokesman termed the issue as “exceptionally serious”, while including Sunday’s comments by ND leader Costas Karamanlis in an interview published by an Athens paper (Kathimerini).

Spokesman Christos Protopapas said the statements demonstrate that ND has adopted the model of “Portugal’s right … namely, austerity and unfavorable changes in the labor law, which resulted in low development and the creation of unsurpassable social problems.”

[07] DM presents study on local defense industry

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

Papantoniou said the ministry's aim is to have technology spread over the widest possible number of companies and the creation of jobs, while the policy on offset benefits is also being revised with the purpose of increasing industrial returns through programs leaving high added value for the country and the economy.

He further said that with the revision stricter apparatuses will be introduced for control and supervision in implementing offset programs to enable the creation of jobs corresponding to them.

Papantoniou assessed that through the involvement of all small and medium-size companies in armaments programs for every job preserved or created in big units two jobs relate to small and medium-size units which will cooperate with them in a complete and systematic network.

The defense minister reassured that when the PASOK government is re-elected it will continue structural changes with full guaranteeing of all jobs and full safeguarding of labor rights.

[08] Serbia & Montenegro deputy DM in Athens on Tuesday

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

[09] Pangalos says PASOK has all preconditions to win elections united under Simitis

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

Pangalos was addressing a large gathering of PASOK supporters who are not registered as voters in their place of residence but in other parts of the country.

He further said PASOK's rivals want to lead the party to adventures and, in light of the elections, to "make it lose its powerful weapon which is an account of the government's considerable work," adding that only Simitis can make this account.

Referring to recent rumors concerning a change in PASOK's leadership, Pangalos attributed them to the main opposition New Democracy party and said all this is happening because "matters are not simple for the right which realizes that it is not easy for PASOK to lose if it struggles with its supporters rallying behind it".

Pangalos also criticized the presidents of the Federation of Greek Industries and the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, saying "the representatives of capital have sided with ND on the issue of the elections".

[10] Coalition leader meets Israeli envoy in Athens

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

[11] Top Israeli analyst cites shift in Israeli, Palestinian societies

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

Prof. Shai Feldman cited what he said was a conclusion by many Palestinians that the “militarization” of the “Intifada” brought enormous pain to their community.

“However, no one on the Palestinian side galvanized public sentiment (against the growing militancy),” Feldman said during a morning address at the Institute of International Relations, in the shadow of the Acropolis.

Feldman, nevertheless, referred to an equally radical realization within Israeli society, pointing directly to a demographic projection that Jews will at some point in the near future become a minority in the lands stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean. He said Jewish residents in the same region currently account for 53 percent of the total population, whereas a steady increase in the Palestinians’ numbers due to a high birth rate will alter the balance.

“To remain a Jewish state Israel will have to either deny Palestinian residents before the 1967 borders their political rights, but then (Israel) will not be a democracy … otherwise it will lose its character as a Jewish state,” Feldman, the director of the Tel-Aviv-based Jaffa Center for Strategic Studies, said in reference to the demographical question.

In response to this very real dilemma, he emphasized that roughly two-thirds of Likud (the leading party in the current Israeli government under Ariel Sharon) supporters queried in a recent opinion poll now favor a “two-state solution”.

Moreover, he said this change has not occurred “overnight” but has developed over the past two to three years, something he noted has not been keenly addressed by the European press.

“Likud has moved from the right to the centre. (Israeli PM) Sharon has changed his language,” he said, while declining to predict when this “contradiction” between governments and societies in the Middle East will be bridged.

[12] MP Theodorou says he won't seek re-election

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

The deputy, who represents Evia island, also indirectly criticized the party’s leadership, reiterating that he desires that the issue be thoroughly investigated but accusing the government of playing the role of “Pontus Pilate”, while PASOK remains silent.

[13] Greek annual inflation rises to 3.3 per cent in September

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

The rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was due to rising prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (7.4 per cent), foods and non-alcoholic beverages (5.2 per cent), restaurant, hotel and cafe services (4.5 per cent), school fees (4.4 per cent), drugs and medical services (3.6 per cent), housing (3.3 per cent) and other goods and services (2.8 per cent).

NSS said that September's CPI had risen 1.9 per cent in relation to August, which was chiefly due to a 4.4 per cent rise in prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco and a 12.6 per cent rise in clothing and footwear after the end of the summer sales, as well as a 3,8 per cent rise in durables-household goods and services and a 4 per cent rise in school fees.

NSS said that the harmonized CPI for September 2003 had risen by 2.0 per cent relative to August and 3.3 per cent on an annual basis.

[14] Syrian group signs protocol with Mediterranean cooperation foundation

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

Signing for the Middle Eastern country was Asmaa al Assad, the president of the Fund for Integrated Development of Syria (FIRDOS) and wife of Syrian President Bashar al Assad, who is paying an official visit to Athens.

Representing the Foundation for Mediterranean Cooperation was its deputy president, Vicky Pantazopoulou.

Under the cooperation protocol, the two countries will work to promote economic, political, cultural and social development among government and non-government groups in the two countries.

In collaboration with the foundation, FIRDOS is implementing an agro-tourism program funded by the foreign ministry's international development cooperation service.

In the program's first phase a women's cooperative is being set up to produce local handicrafts according to international specifications.

In the second phase, the cooperative will run a traditional hotel that is to be built in the future.

[15] Greeks say they're accustomed to the euro, poll shows

BRUSSELS 16/12/2003 (ANA/B.Demiris)

The survey carried Greeks as saying that the euro had failed to contribute to price stability.

The poll was carried out on October 29-November 11 in the euro zone's 12 member countries with 12,017 members of the public questioned.

Sixty three per cent of Greeks said they felt accustomed to the euro against an average of 51 per cent for the euro zone. The highest rate was claimed by the Irish at 76 per cent.

[16] Intralot gets US state lottery contract

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

The seven-year project is to be carried out with Intralot's US subsidiary, US Intralot Inc, the parent firm said in a statement.

Intralot is the first non-US firm to penetrate the north American market that has an annual turnover of 50 billion US dollars annually, the statement said.

[17] Government won't bow to striking taxi drivers' demands

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

Taxis will again be off the roads nationwide on Tuesday as talks continue between the taxi owners' SATA union and the finance ministry.

[18] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks nose down in late selling

Athens, 16/12/2003 (ANA)

The general share index shed 0.32 percent to end at 2,201.76 points. Turnover was 187.1 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.43 percent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.11 percent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished with losses of 1.51 percent.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 230 to 72 with 57 issues remaining unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 104.5 mln euros Monday

Equity Index Futures: