Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-04-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis briefs president on Cyprus talks

[02] PASOK party to present its position on Cyprus before referenda are held

[03] KKE says Annan plan cannot constitute basis for just solution to Cyprus problem

[04] EU enlargement commissioner Verheugen briefs Europarliament on Cyprus talks

[05] Government meeting on Olympic Games security

[06] Deputy FM Stylianidis ends Berlin visit where he attended forum on Afghanistan

[07] Palli-Petralia presides over Monitoring Committee's session

[08] Athens mayor hosts women MPs

[09] Archbishop Christodoulos holds talks with Communist party secretary general

[10] European Parliament plenum ratifies Olympic Truce resolution

[11] Parliament approves appointment of Capital Markets' Commission

[12] Greek economic sentiment rose in March

[13] Marfin sells communications firm, focusing on financial services

[14] Greek cigarette consumption rises from 1997 to 2002

[15] PM hears outlook for the economy from finmin

[16] EU asks Greece to open lignite mining to competition, lower output

[17] EU gives Greece last warning to lift ban on video games in cafes

[18] Stocks nose down despite rise in banks

[19] Olympic traffic regulations to go into effect August 2-31

[20] New football venue for 2004 gets IOC's 'thumbs up'

[21] Final roster for 2004 wrestling events continues to grow

[22] Pre-Olympic European table tennis tournament begins Friday

[23] Cultural Olympiad event held in Berlin

[24] Deputy FM congratulates Jerusalem Patriarch Irineos on his final recognition

[25] ELA trial continues with counter-terrorism expert's testimony

[26] Train crashes with truck, derails - Truck driver killed

[27] Turkish suspected terrorist arrested under international warrant

[28] Initiative Committee and Spanish ambassador discuss 'Prestige' captain's issue

[29] Chomsky in Athens

[30] Cyprus president says new Turkish demands included in Cyprus blueprint

[31] EU Enlargement Commissioner: Cyprus talks have not failed

[32] US says Annan solution plan meets interests of Cypriots

[33] Solana says future of Cyprus in hands of its people

[34] PACE President urges Cypriots to seize opportunity for solution

[01] PM Karamanlis briefs president on Cyprus talks

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

After the 20-minute meeting, Karamanlis told waiting reporters that he ''in cooperation with the President of Cyprus, we sought an improvement of the Annan plan. The final judgment belongs to the Cypriot people.''

Karamanlis will brief Parliament on Friday morning about this past week's negotiations in Switzerland. Leaders of the other parties represented in Parliament will also have the right to make statements before the assembly.

Phone call with US President Bush: Meanwhile, Karamanlis spoke on Thursday by phone with US President George W. Bush, as the latter reportedly expressed his interest over the pending Cyprus talks.

The issue of combatting terrorism was also discussed, with Bush noting his satisfaction with bilateral cooperation to fight the menace.

Mitsotakis: On his part, honorary New Democracy president and one-time Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis noted: ''... The problem is very grave, and must be dealt with a degree of seriousness that befits it (Cyprus issue). Cyprus' European Union accession means that we must see the Annan proposal under a different light. In other words, even if it does not satisfy us completely, within the European framework, the proposed plan is much more favorable for Cyprus than what it would be in case it (Cyprus) wasn't entering Europe''.

De Soto: Finally, the UN special envoy for Cyprus, Alvaro De Soto, echoed Karamanlis' statement after the conclusion of talks, saying the matter is now in the hands of the Cypriot people.

Moreover, he hinted that the latest round of talks aimed at a Cyprus solution are the United Nations' last effort at mediation if case one of the two sides votes against the revised Annan plan in separate referendums.

[02] PASOK party to present its position on Cyprus before referenda are held

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou later said PASOK is shaping a ''responsible national stance on the Cyprus issue which exceeds party policies'', adding that ''it is a time of considerable responsibility for all''.

According to reports, all facts were examined during the meeting, attended by former Prime Minister Costas Simitis, with the aim of shaping the steps and tactic the party will be following until the referenda are held.

An initial examination was also made of the two main scenarios and of their possible repercussions regarding the referenda. Namely, what situation can be created with either a positive or a negative outcome of the referenda.

It was stressed that PASOK will also expect the government to publicize its own position on the issue.

Reports said Papandreou was expected to hold telephone conversations with the leaders of Cypriot parties on Thursday night and in the next few days he will be speaking to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, if necessary.

[03] KKE says Annan plan cannot constitute basis for just solution to Cyprus problem

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the KKE said that it viewed as positive the fact that ''despite the unbearable pressure exerted, support for the Annan plan in Lucerne was not obtained, which would have meant acceptance of a form of Euro-partition.''

The developments, the KKE stressed, ''confirm that the Annan plan, with whatever individual amendments are made, cannot constitute any basis for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue.''

According to the KKE, the developments in the Cyprus issue ''are linked with the strategic interests of the United States and of leading powers of the European Union in the region of the Mediterranean and broader, with the plans for the shaping of 'a broader Middle East', where the position of Turkey is very significant for the more general plans against peoples and countries.''

''It is yet again confirmed that the law being shaped is that which corresponds to imperialist interests,'' the KKE said, adding:’ the imperialists even violate the law which they themselves shape, when this is dictated by their plans.''

The KKE attributed great responsibility to the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), the ruling New Democracy (ND) party and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology ''for hiding the truth from the people.''

[04] EU enlargement commissioner Verheugen briefs Europarliament on Cyprus talks

STRASBOURG 2/4/2004 (ANA/O. Tsipira)

Verheugen, who arrived in Strasbourg directly from Switzerland, told the European Parliament that ''the procedure has not failed'', adding that it remained the EU's preference that a reunited Cyprus would join the Union on May 1.

''We came very close to that goal'' during the talks in Switzerland, ''and the procedure has not failed,'' he said.

Verheugen explained that from the outset two options had been provided for: Either the signing of an agreement in Switzerland, or putting the final plan by UN chief Kofi Annan to simultaneous, separate referenda in the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on April 24.

''The second alternative option was selected,'' he said.

Verheugen said it was ascertained that not all the participating sides in the negotiations were in a position to sign such an agreement on the spot.

''I must say, however, that a very great rapprochement was made. I consider that we have at this time reached a point where strong political volition is necessary, Verheugen said, and issued an "appeal to the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to do everything possible to convince their peoples that the present plan is the best and most balanced".

"The alternative option is not this plan or some other plan, it is this plan or no solution," he said.

Regarding adaptation of the Annan plan to EU law, Verheugen said there was agreement that this adaptation be effected without permanent derogations from the acquis communautaire. "It is the common target of all the institutional bodies not to allow permanent derogations from the acquis communautaire, and we achieved this," Verheugen said.

[05] Government meeting on Olympic Games security

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Present at the meeting were ministers Spilios Spiliotopoulos (Defense), George Voulgarakis (Public Order), and Manolis Kefaloyiannis (Merchant Marine), Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff General George Antonakopoulos, Head of Police Lt. General Fotis Nasiakos, and Head of the Coast Guard Vice Admiral Christos Delimichalis.

According to sources, the issue of increasing armed forces staff for Olympics security, billeting, reinforcing security at ports, and using crews from both the Navy and the Coast Guard were some of the items on the meeting agenda.

''It was a coordination meeting in order to define the measures with which the Defense Ministry will address the demands of those authorities charged with Olympic Games security,'' Spiliotopoulos said.

Voulgarakis reiterated that Olympic Games security is the government's top priority. He also announced that implementation of plans will be accelerated, ''so that we can ensure the international community that Greece is a very safe country that can stage good Olympic Games.''

NATO assistance in Olympics security incurs no extra cost for Greece: No extra costs will be incurred by Greece due to the government's request to NATO for assistance in Olympics security, national defense deputy minister Yannis Lambropoulos told Parliament on Thursday.

Replying to a question tabled by Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) MP Fotis Kouvelis, the deputy minister said the cost of security for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games was budgeted at 700 million US dollars, 10 times greater than the Atlanta Games and three times that of the Sydney Games.

Lambropoulos added that the Greek government had asked ''only for assistance from NATO, which will operate outside the boundaries of Greek airspace and territorial waters, and the cost of this assistance will be shouldered only by NATO itself''.

Public order and defense ministers discuss Olympic Games security: Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis met with Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos on Thursday to discuss Olympic Games security-related issues concerning both ministries.

Voulgarakis will be meeting with all the ministers participating in the Olympics Security Coordinating Council - the body charged with the security of the Athens 2004 Games - over the next few days, in order to coordinate efforts among the involved ministries in addressing the increased demands facing the country's security forces.

The biggest Olympic Games security drill will take place in early June under the supervision of the Olympic Games Security Division. Only Greek forces will be participating.

According to a public order ministry official security preparations have gone smoothly until now and there is no specific indication that 2004 Olympic Games security is at risk.

[06] Deputy FM Stylianidis ends Berlin visit where he attended forum on Afghanistan

BERLIN 2/4/2004 (ANA)

The deputy foreign minister also attended a major event at the Greek Embassy on the Cultural Olympiad.

Briefing Greek journalists prior to his departure from the German capital, Stylianidis termed the forum on Afghanistan as particularly interesting. He said it was the third serious effort being made, following the meetings in Bonn and Tokyo, and congratulated the German political leadership for this.

He said that about 65 countries were represented at the meeting. Greece, he stressed is dynamically present in all the meetings. Already, Greece has spent up to now about five million euros in the form of humanitarian aid and one million dollars, also in the form of humanitarian aid. He said that additional aid from Greece was announced at the meeting for the coming years, to the tune of three million euros.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Stylianidis also had the opportunity to meet a number of officials who he called on to support the efforts of Thessaloniki to host EXPO 2008. He noted there was a positive response.

[07] Palli-Petralia presides over Monitoring Committee's session

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Keeping Athens clean and ensuring cooperation between the central government and the municipalities has been a key concern since the country began preparing for the Games. The city's overall image will depend on how clean it is.

Work on the construction of PPC substations in Korydallos and Vrilissia are behind schedule, giving cause for concern, while solutions regarding OTE's network for broadcasting needs and security purposes were found, according to sources.

The Committee also examined the issue of access to the Karaiskaki Stadium.

Also present at the meeting were: Secretary General for Investments and Development Constantine Moussouroulis, Secretary General for the Olympic Games Spyros Capralos, Athens 2004 executives, and others.

[08] Athens mayor hosts women MPs

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Bakoyianni congratulated the women MPs on their election and emphasized that it was a success that 40 women are part of Parliament - the most significant ''decision-making centre.''

''We must make Athens accessible, prettier, more green, lively and not military controlled,'' Bakoyianni said.

The Athens mayor said she was certain they would all meet again to be further briefed on this effort. She also made reference to the inter-party cooperation of women MPs on all social issues and expressed hopes that this would become an established practice within Parliament.

[09] Archbishop Christodoulos holds talks with Communist party secretary general

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Archbishop Christodoulos said afterwards that for some the meeting was historic, but for him it was self-evident.

''We analyzed issues concerning the presence of the Church in the social sector. In some we have different approaches and in others we agree. What is important is that we are discussing now and this is taking place with greater sincerity and respect for the other's different view,'' he said.

Archbishop Christodoulos said he respects and appreciates the social struggles in general and the sensitivities of the Left.

Papariga termed the meeting a courtesy one and said views were expressed on the relation between the Church and the state and on social issues.

[10] European Parliament plenum ratifies Olympic Truce resolution

STRASBOURG 2/4/2004 (ANA/O. Tsipira)

With their resolution, the Eurodeputies call on the Council to urge member-states and candidate countries to honor and observe the Olympic Truce during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

They also call on the Council to appeal to all the embattled sides all over the world to honor the Olympic Truce.

They further request support for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its efforts to promote peace and understanding between people through sport and the Olympic ideal.

The Parliament hailed the creation of a Foundation and International Centre for the Olympic Truce by the IOC, whose purpose will be to promote the ideals of peace and understanding through sport.

Lastly, the Council is called on to examine this issue every two years, before the future summer and winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

[11] Parliament approves appointment of Capital Markets' Commission

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Pilavios pledged for a more effective regulatory framework in Greek capital markets and to begin a review of any past flaws, although he declined to give any specific timetable for a report on the issue. He said he would adopt a stricter policy against companies not adhering to market regulations and announced more pre-emptive inspections along with improvements in the existing regulatory framework, with the aim to become less bureaucratic and more effective, reliable and transparent and to help return investments in the Greek stock market.

He said authorities should re-examine a proposal on taxing short-term investments from a zero base. "It is not just another tax that must or not be imposed," he said.

The government has pledged in its pre-election policy platform to offer independency to the Capital Markets' Commission.

Alexis Pilavios was born in 1953 and studied at the London School of Economics. He worked for Alpha Bank as a chief executive in Alpha Asset Management. He was chairman of the Union of Institutional Investors, a board member of Hellenic Stock Markets SA and a member of the Athens Stock Exchange board.

[12] Greek economic sentiment rose in March

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

The report attributed the improved reading to a significant rise in the consumer sentiment index with Greek households forecasting more favorable outlook for their financial situation, while inflationary expectations receded in the month.

In the production sectors, sentiment in the retail sector recorded the biggest increase while the manufacturing sectors the smaller. Sentiment in the construction and services' sectors recorded small declines in March, IOBE said in its report.

The economic sentiment index in the manufacturing sector rose to 108.7 points in March from 106 points in February. Greek manufacturing companies said they were most optimistic over their sales and exports in the next three or four months, according to the report.

[13] Marfin sells communications firm, focusing on financial services

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Sold was its entire holding in Epiphania, representing 50,000 bearer shares at 2.4 million euros, Marfin said in a statement.

Following the sale, Marfin will focus on its core business, which is financial services, the statement said.

[14] Greek cigarette consumption rises from 1997 to 2002

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Per capita consumption stands at 3,010 cigarettes annually, the highest in the European Union, the report said.

Five domestic tobacco companies are operating in the Greek market - Papastratos, Karelias, SEKAP, Keranis and Georgiadis - along with multinationals with commercial operations.

Around 280 brands of cigarettes are vying in the domestic market for custom from the country's roughly 4.0 million smokers, according to the survey.

Sales in 2003 dropped, which the market attributed to a decline in tourism, as foreign visitors are good customers of Greek cigarettes, Statbank said.

[15] PM hears outlook for the economy from finmin

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Premier Costas Karamanlis sought the meeting with Alogoskoufis following several days abroad, government sources said.

Among items on the agenda were finding a formula on a benefit added to low pensions, the sources said.

[16] EU asks Greece to open lignite mining to competition, lower output

BRUSSELS 2/4/2004 (ANA /M. Spinthou-rakis)

The Commission also said in a statement that more than 60 per cent of electricity output in Greece was fuelled by lignite with the PPC producing 98 per cent of the raw material.

Greek output of lignite had increased in recent years despite the fact that the country had signed the Kyodo environmental pact, which defines lignite as a major pollutant, the statement said.

Greece has two months to justify its position, or scrap the offending measures.

[17] EU gives Greece last warning to lift ban on video games in cafes

BRUSSELS 2/4/2004 (ANA/A.Simatos)

The warning is the final stage before recourse to the European court. Greece has two months to explain its position.

[18] Stocks nose down despite rise in banks

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

The general share index shed 0.46 per cent to end at 2,359.64 points. Turnover was 108.6 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.05 per cent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.41 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities lost 0.73 per cent.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 182 to 101 with 71 issues remaining unchanged.

Total market turnover: 82.9 million euros

Bond Market Close: Sellers outstrip buyers on Thursday

Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond Yield: 4.19 pct

Spread over German bund: 20 bps

Most heavily traded paper: 10-yr, expiring May 2014 (840 mln euros)

Day's Total Market Turnover: 3.0 bln euros

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of April 1 2004

Parities in euro

Banknotes

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,241 1,213

[19] Olympic traffic regulations to go into effect August 2-31

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Athens 2004 Executive Director Marton Simitsek and Athanassios Kantartzis, Coordination with Public Administration and Local Authorities manager, and Panayiotis Protopsaltis, Coordination with Traffic and Transport Authorities manager, presented the designated zones and the special regulations that will be enforced at a press conference on Thursday.

Each zone has been created so as to make each Olympic venue accessible and to facilitate the arrival and departure of athletes, the Olympic Family, staff, volunteers, and spectators, while also minimizing problems for the residents and the area in general. The radius of each zone differs for each Olympic venue.

For example, the Controlled Access and Traffic Zone at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex has been limited to the streets immediately surrounding the complex, while the corresponding zone at the Panathinaiko Stadium stretches several blocks beyond the immediate vicinity. The special regulations will be in force from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight, with modifications being made according to the Games schedule.

The Controlled Access and Traffic Zone will only be accessible to those vehicles and motorbikes which display the special Access and Parking Permit. All vehicles and bikes will be allowed access to the Controlled Parking Zones, but the above permit will be necessary for those wishing to park in the area. The permits will be issued for specific venues. Permits allowing access to Controlled Access and Traffic Zones will be of a different color than those allowing access to Controlled Parking Zones.

Individuals living or working within Controlled Zones are entitled to the permits, which are issued by Athens 2004 and distributed by the respective municipalities.

Athens 2004 has agreed with the municipalities affected by the special regulations to inform those residing or working within their areas. The municipalities will contact all those affected to visit their respective town hall or send a letter by registered mail by May 15, confirming that they reside or work in the area and indicating their car or motorbike plate number.

Shops located in Controlled Zones will be able to load and unload merchandise between midnight and 7 a.m. Additionally, areas have also been designated for the sale of beverages, but street vendors, street markets, canteens, fairs, and other events will be prohibited.

[20] New football venue for 2004 gets IOC's 'thumbs up'

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

The new venue, which sits atop the site where the previous Karaiskaki stadium stood, will host the men's soccer semi-finals and the women's soccer finals, as well as the quarter-finals round.

According to representatives of the construction firm overseeing the project, the placement of tiles and components comprising the new stadium's roof will be completed by June 5 - an addition that was not part of the contract.

Moreover, transformation of the pitch will begin on April 10, with grass to be planted on June 1, roughly two months before the Games commence on Aug. 13.

In terms of security, a total of 65 cameras will be in operation in various parts of the new stadium, which will serve as the home field of the Olympiakos Piraeus football club in the future. Olympiakos, led by local IT and telecoms tycoon Socrates Kokkalis, is financing the construction and will assume the venue's management after the 2004 Games.

Oswald, a day after he heaped praise on the new state-of-the-art roof over the Olympic velodrome, repeatedly used the words "wonderful" and "beautiful" to describe the venue, four months after his last visit to the site. He also praised the construction firm, IntraDevelopment, for its work so far.

Moreover, the Swiss IOC executive ranked the other venues hosting the football tournament - in Thessaloniki, Volos and Irakleio - as "first-class."

Along with Hayatou, Oswald attended Wednesday evening's friendly between the Greek national team and an opposing Swiss side at the new Pankritio Stadium of Irakleio (1-0) - the first game ever played at the new stadium.

Cameroon's Hayatou also expressed his satisfaction with the rate of progress at Karaiskaki, citing a "perfect stadium" in terms of aesthetics and facilities, as well as the fact that it would be ready.

Athens 2004's head of the football competition, Patrick Komninos, as well as Olympiakos club vice-president Petros Kokkalis accompanied both men.

[21] Final roster for 2004 wrestling events continues to grow

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Both the men’s and women’s event will be held at a new Olympic venue in the Ano Liossia district (northwest Athens, not far from the Olympic Village), built specifically for the 2004 wrestling and judo competitions.

The 2004 Games mark the first time that women’s wrestling will be held at the Games, with athletes from 19 countries, including Greece, participating.

Exactly 140 athletes from 38 countries -- on the men’s side (freestyle) -- will compete in the various weight categories.

[22] Pre-Olympic European table tennis tournament begins Friday

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

The athletes representing Greece are Daniel Tsiokas and Yannis Vlotinos (men's double) and Christina Fili and Katerina Doulaki (women's double). The event finishes on Sunday.

[23] Cultural Olympiad event held in Berlin

BERLIN 2/4/2004 (ANA)

Greece's ambassador to Berlin Dimitris Kypreos and Deputy Foreign Minister Euripides Stylianidis spoke about this ''new institution which unites culture with sports.''

Stylianidis also conveyed a message from Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. He also emphasized that, ''We are proud that the 2004 Olympic Games will be staged in Greece - their birthplace.''

The deputy foreign minister also spoke about the Olympic Truce: ''We live in difficult times - terrorism, wars. The Olympic Truce will not solve these problems, but it will provide a breath of peace and brotherhood among peoples.''

Kypreos made reference to the goals, the program, and the course of the ''Cultural Olympiad.''

''The Cultural Olympiad's objective is to leave behind long-lasting values that will remain a part of the Olympic Spirit - the promotion, support, and understanding of various civilizations, through a series of important cultural events,'' the Greek ambassador said.

Germany will participate in the ''Cultural Olympiad'' on June 17 and 18, when the Bavarian State Opera Ballet will perform at the Herod Atticus Theatre in Athens.

[24] Deputy FM congratulates Jerusalem Patriarch Irineos on his final recognition

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

The deputy minister expressed his satisfaction over the fact and underlined the interest shown by the Greek government in the final and positive outcome of the issue.

He also conveyed to him the best wishes of the Greek expatriate community in the United States and its satisfaction for the effort's successful conclusion.

[25] ELA trial continues with counter-terrorism expert's testimony

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

According to professor Mary Bossi, ELA resembled a foreign terrorist group, as its modus operandi differed from other domestic terror cells.

Bossi was also asked questions regarding the veracity of claims that files belonging to the one-time East German intelligence agency, the infamous 'Stasi', can point to ELA's membership.

She also offered a view that certain elements of ELA's leadership disagreed with striking "human targets", as opposed to another affiliated terror gang, "May 1".

[26] Train crashes with truck, derails - Truck driver killed

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

According to early information, the truck crashed into an OSE (Hellenic Railways) passenger train at a guarded crossing on the 14th kilometer of the Thessaloniki-Kilkis railway line and its driver was killed, while the train driver was lightly injured.

However, none of the approximately 60 passengers on the train were hurt.

The four-carriage train was carrying out the Thessaloniki-Evros route when the accident occurred near the village of Pentalofos in Kilkis.

All four carriages derailed, and the passengers were picked up by an OSE bus. The rail line in the area was closed off.

[27] Turkish suspected terrorist arrested under international warrant

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

They said the man, whose name was not immediately released, was arrested in Drama on Wednesday night under an international arrest warrant issued by the general prosecutor of Germany, and was considered a suspect in a murder case.

According to information, the charges against the Turkish man concern crimes that have taken place in Germany, where the international arrest warrant originated, and will therefore be extradited to the German authorities.

Details on the case were expected to be forthcoming later in the day from the public order ministry.

[28] Initiative Committee and Spanish ambassador discuss 'Prestige' captain's issue

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

The Committee members called on the ambassador and the new Spanish government to speed up the trial and to have the captain released immediately.

They also delivered to the Spanish ambassador 1,500 new signed appeals for the captain's release which have been signed by members of the maritime community. The total number of such appeals has already reached 5,500.

[29] Chomsky in Athens

Athens 2/4/2004 (ANA)

The event will be hosted at the Bar Association’s events hall, 60, Akadimias St., in downtown Athens.

[30] Cyprus president says new Turkish demands included in Cyprus blueprint

LARNACA 2/4/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at Larnaca Airport on his return from Switzerland, accompanied by the island's political leaders and other officials,

President Papadopoulos said the final plan would be put to separate simultaneous referenda on April 24 and until then the government and the political leadership of the Greek Cypriot side will study the plan and take a position on it.

He assured the people of Cyprus that he met the commitment he made not to surrender any of their rights in Switzerland on the altar of any pressure or timeframes in the interest of foreign parties, noting that with a full understanding of their responsibility, the political leaders and himself made every effort to achieve a solution that would allow Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to live in peace and security, sharing the benefits from the island's accession to the EU next month.

''I am aware of and share the anxiety and feelings of the people of Cyprus, who for some many days watched with hope and concern the developments in the negotiations in Switzerland. Their anxiety and concern are justified because the developments were related not only to the existence and survival of the Republic of Cyprus but also to the future of our country and the generations to come,'' he said.

He added that ''we went to Switzerland in good faith and with political will to proceed to a compromise, even a painful one, an historical but dignified compromise.''

''We went to Switzerland with proposals of consensus that establish and safeguard a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem, that would safeguard peace, the termination of the invasion and that would establish welfare and benefits for both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," he noted.

President Papadopoulos said ''we sought with sincerity, honor and stability the minimum but very important, that is the reunification of our country and its people.''

''However, despite the good faith and political will we showed, it was not possible to reach an agreement, which led the UN Secretary-General to resort to the procedure provided for to form himself, as a mediator, the final text of a solution plan, which he handed us last night, not long before midnight,'' the president added.

He noted that ''according to the commitment we undertook in New York, now the final solution plan will be put before the people in simultaneous and separate referenda on April 24.''

The Cypriot president said that on his departure for Switzerland, he had undertaken ''a commitment that I would not sacrifice the rights of our people on the altar of any pressure or for any timeframes that are set to serve foreign expediency.''

''Today, I can assure our people that I have met the commitment I had undertaken. With full conscience of the responsibility and our debt before our history and people, the National Council and I made every effort and exhausted all permitted margins of consensus stance to achieve a solution that would allow Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to live peacefully and in security, and share the benefits to emerge from the accession of a reunited Cyprus to the EU,'' he said.

He added that ''unfortunately, our effort did not produce,'' noting that ''not only did the negative stance and intransigent positions of the Turkish Cypriot side continue throughout the process but 11 new additional demands were added by Turkey, with a main aim to serve largely the interests and aims of Turkey through Cyprus, and which through the mediation of the UN Secretary-General found response either fully or to some degree.''

President Papadopoulos noted that ''it is not the time nor would it be right to make an analysis of the basic provisions of the plan and to make a comparative evaluation of the positive and negative results of the negotiations in Switzerland.''

''This will be done over the next few days and my positions and views will be placed before the people,'' he said.

He added that, ''as is natural and also necessary, the political parties and I will carefully and with a feeling of responsibility assess the full text and express our positions.''

''I personally, and I believe all the parties, movements and organized groups, will make known my decisions in a public statement before the people, with clarity and sincerity,'' the Cypriot president said.

He also noted that ''now is the time of discretion, sobriety and prudence,'' adding that ''the historical moments we are going through and the seriousness of the consequences of any decision demand serious speculation and avoiding tension and juxtaposition.''

He said ''extreme statements and characterizations have no place at this time, do not help the constructive dialogue and downgrade even the seriousness of the issue.''

''At this crucial time I call on the people, the political leaderships, the press and the mass media to adopt these terms and regulations of speculation and expression of views to prove all together our political civilization,'' he said.

The Cypriot president thanked Greece's Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and other Greek officials for their ''continuous, warm and close cooperation and support."

He thanked the members of the National Council, top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, ''for their valuable contribution to the difficult task we had collectively undertaken,'' as well as all the government officials ''who for many long hours worked intensively and effectively for the Cyprus cause.''

President Papadopoulos also thanked the government of Switzerland ''for the hospitality and facilities it offered to all delegations.''

[31] EU Enlargement Commissioner: Cyprus talks have not failed

STRASBOURG 2/4/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking before the European Parliament where the report of Rapporteur Arie Oostlander on Turkey's progress towards EU accession was examined, the Commissioner, who had returned to Strasbourg from Switzerland where he attended the UN-led enlarged talks on Cyprus, said the procedure did not fail.

On Wednesday night UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan handed to the two sides in Cyprus as well as Greece and Turkey the final version of his plan on a comprehensive settlement and urged the leaders not to miss this opportunity to reunite their country. The two sides will put the plan to referenda on April 24.

''Over the past two days in Switzerland we have come very close to achieving that objective. This procedure certainly has not failed,'' said Verheugen.

The EU Enlargement Commissioner appealed on both sides of the divide not to abandon their ''remarkable progress'' during this month's referenda.

''I must make clear that remarkable progress was achieved and I think we have now reached a stage where we need strong political leadership,'' he said.

Verheugen called on the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities ''to do all that they can to try to persuade the population of the island that the present plan represents the best and most balanced solution that can possibly be achieved.''

''The alternative is not this plan or another plan. The alternative is this plan or nothing, no solution at all, and I do not think in the near future we'll have another opportunity to arrive at a solution to this issue,'' he said.

Verheugen said the Annan plan provided for a viable state speaking with a single voice and could be accommodated without permanent exceptions from the acquis communautaire.

''With regard to the necessary adjustments by Kofi Annan, I think these adjustments can be made without permanent exceptions from the acquis,'' the commissioner added.

''We don't want to see any permanent exceptions or opt-out from the community acquis. We managed to achieve that as well,'' Verheugen stressed.

[32] US says Annan solution plan meets interests of Cypriots

WASHINGTON 2/4/2004 (CNA/ANA)

He noted that the people of Cyprus would have an historic opportunity to determine their future, adding that the US is committed to supporting the full implementation of the Secretary-General's settlement plan.

Ereli said ''it is really up to the voters in Cyprus to decide on their future,'' adding that the Annan plan will be put to referenda on April 24th and ''the people of Cyprus will have an historic opportunity to determine what their future is.''

He noted that Secretary of State Colin Powell ''said yesterday that we know that they will make that decision with the future of all Cypriots in mind and we believe that the Secretary-General's final settlement plan is a fair compromise, one that meets the core interests of all Cypriots, and it provides them a secure framework for a common future.''

Ereli said ''it is important that the Cypriot voters know that the US is committed to supporting the full implementation of the Secretary-General's settlement plan.''

''Specifically, we will participate in and make substantial contributions to the pre-donors' conference, which is being organized by the European Commission. And we will certainly be helpful in other respects as well,'' Ereli noted.

[33] Solana says future of Cyprus in hands of its people

BRUSSELS 2/4/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Commenting on the result of UN-led talks in Burgenstock, Switzerland, to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem, Solana said in a written statement that ''the UN Secretary-General yesterday night decided to submit the plan negotiated between the parties for a settlement in Cyprus to referenda on April 24,'' which will ''offer the occasion to write a new page in the history of an island too long divided.''

''I wish to congratulate Kofi Annan and his Special Envoy, Alvaro de Soto, for the formidable work they have performed,'' he said, adding that ''the future now lies in the hands of the people of Cyprus themselves and of their leaders,'' Solana added.

He noted that ''the European Council recalled last week its conviction that a just, viable and functional settlement is achievable by May 1,'' noting that ''all Cypriots should now raise to the challenge.''

[34] PACE President urges Cypriots to seize opportunity for solution

BRUSSELS 2/4/2004 (CNA/ANA)

In a written statement, Schieder urged ''the leaders of both communities, as well as the Greek and Turkish governments, to act with the utmost responsibility and rally all Cypriots in support of the revised UN plan.''

Peter Schieder expressed his full support for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's efforts. ''This is an example of the important role the UN can play in conflict resolution,'' he said.

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