Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-04-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Stephanopoulos visits island of Samos

[02] PM and Greek EU commissioner discuss latest developments on Cyprus issue

[03] U.S. President Bush communicates with PM Karamanlis on Cyprus issue

[04] U.S. supports referenda for comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem

[05] Annan's spokesman says referenda in Cyprus will go ahead on April 24

[06] Cypriot AKEL party requests postponement of Annan Cyprus plan referenda

[07] Deputy FM says Cypriots must decide on Annan plan without coercive dilemmas

[08] Turkish PM Erdogan comments on April 24 referenda in Cyprus

[09] Turkish FM Gul on Cyprus issue

[10] Former PASOK secretary supports 'no' vote for Annan Cyprus plan

[11] At least 45 killed in traffic accidents over Easter period

[12] Orfanos inspects works at Kaftanzoglio stadium in Thessaloniki

[13] Wildfire on Chios destroying forest land and crops

[14] Candle starts fire in Thessaloniki apartment building

[15] Port authorities in Igoumenitsa seize contraband cigarettes

[16] French Cardinal to visit Ecumenical Patriarchate

[17] Twenty-eight illegal immigrants located on Koufonisi islet

[18] Arsonists destroy car of Deputy Consul of Cyprus in Thessaloniki

[01] President Stephanopoulos visits island of Samos

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

Speaking during his visit to the outpost, President Stephanopoulos referred to the recent tragic accident in which five soldiers were electrocuted while trying to position a flag pole.

''I wish for their families that Easter day will bring for them as much consolation as possible and a greater strength of soul,'' he said.

President Stephanopoulos also referred to his own days in the military and added that serving in the military provides one with the opportunity of acquiring more knowledge.

He visited the gunboat "Tolmi" and the Poulman army camp and wished the crew and recruits well on the occasion of Easter.

President Stephanopoulos also visited military units in the northern prefectures of Evros and Xanthi later on in the day.

PM visits Dekelia air base:Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visited squadron 123 at Dekelia air base on Sunday, according to a press release issued by his office.

''The spirit of these days promotes the values of love and collectiveness and the need for national consensus,'' he said in a statement.

Karamanlis also said Greek men and women, united more than ever, are prepared to handle existing challenges with self-confidence, as well as opportunities appearing before them.

"All women and men are working together for Greece of peace, development and creation and for prosperity for all citizens," he added.

Party leaders, Parliament president visit military units on Easter day:

Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou visited the special forces training centre at Megalo Pefko on Sunday, which was also visited by Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki.

Asked to comment on the position of the Cypriot Leftist AKEL party on the issue of Cyprus, Papandreou said developments will be evaluated in the coming days.

Benaki said the purpose of her visit was to convey the message of love and dedication to the ideals of the country.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga visited an air base at Dekelia.

Referring to developments on the issue of Cyprus, Papariga expressed solidarity for the ''path of resurrection chosen by peoples, the Cypriot, Iraqi and Palestinian people, their own path of resurrection, far from dilemmas and being at gunpoint.''

DM visits military units in border areas: Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos visited military units in the border prefectures of Evros and Limnos on Sunday to exchange wishes and gifts with staff on the occasion of Easter, according to an announcement issued by the ministry.

He called at the outpost at Kastanies, as well as at the outpost at Kornofolia where an accident took place recently in which five soldiers were electrocuted while trying to position a flag pole.

By decision of the defense minister, who ordered two days of mourning in the armed forces all over the country for this reason, no artistic events or the use of musical instruments took place during the Easter holiday.

[02] PM and Greek EU commissioner discuss latest developments on Cyprus issue

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Dimas said the Cypriots must decide with sobriety and with full awareness of circumstances, regarding the April 24 referenda on the Annan plan for Cyprus, and this must be honored by all.

[03] U.S. President Bush communicates with PM Karamanlis on Cyprus issue

WASHINGTON 13/4/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

[04] U.S. supports referenda for comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem

WASHINGTON 13/4/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, in an announcement entitled ''U.S. support to the referendum'', said:

''The United States reiterates its firm support for the Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented to the parties on March 31 in Switzerland. That plan was the culmination of talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots as well as Greece and Turkey. It is the only plan, and it is the final plan. There has been speculation among Cypriots that there could be other alternatives to this plan. In our view there are no options other than the Secretary-General's March 31 plan. It is this settlement or no settlement.

''The settlement represents a compromise between the parties, in which no party got everything that it sought, but which offered clear gains for both sides.

''Cypriots now have an historic decision before them: On April 24 they will have the opportunity to support the settlement plan. In our view, the only way to assure the long-term security that Cypriots deserve is through this Settlement plan. This plan would lead to the withdrawal of large numbers of Turkish troops on the island, UN-supervised transfer of territory back to Greek Cypriots, and restitution and/or compensation of property to its former owners. Over 120,000 Greek Cypriots would be able to return to their former homes. The Turkish Cypriots also benefit in clear ways, including by being able to join the European Union on May 1 at the same time as the Greek Cypriots, and by being able to decide the vast majority of issues affecting them by themselves.

''The alternative is clear. Without this plan, none of the above will happen. We hope the political leaders and Cypriot people will take fully into account the serious, historical and irreversible consequences of losing this opportunity to reach a settlement. The United States stands ready to do all it can, including making a substantial pledge of financial support at the April 14 pre-donor's conference in Brussels, pressing others to contribute generously to Cyprus' future, and backing the necessary actions in the UN Security Council to ensure that the appropriate security structures are in place to protect the interests of all Cyprus citizens.''

[05] Annan's spokesman says referenda in Cyprus will go ahead on April 24

WASHINGTON 13/4/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Asked which the answer is to the call by Cyprus' left-wing AKEL party on Saturday for Annan to accept a postponement for a few months of referenda, spokesman Mari Okabe said:''We have been informed by AKEL of their position. We continue to follow this and other developments. It was agreed on the 13th of February that referenda should be held in advance of the first of May. The day of the referenda was set by the Secretary-General on the 31st of March in Switzerland in consultations with the parties to the 13th February agreement. That's all I have to say.''

Asked further whether he meant that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will go ahead with the referenda, spokesman Okabe said:''This is all I have for now. Yes.''

[06] Cypriot AKEL party requests postponement of Annan Cyprus plan referenda

NICOSIA 13/4/2004 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

The postponement of the separate referenda between the Greek and the Turkish Cypriots constitutes the Central Committee's proposal to the party's Pancyprian conference due to take place on April 14.

Explaining its proposal, the Central Committee called for a postponement for a few months of the referenda to facilitate an objective presentation of the plan to the people and to provide the possibility of negotiating and of filling existing gaps to enable its ratification by the majority of the people, by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

''Otherwise, AKEL will be obliged not to support the ratification of the Annan plan in the referendum,'' the proposal said.

[07] Deputy FM says Cypriots must decide on Annan plan without coercive dilemmas

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

Valinakis conceded that a ''no'' vote on the part of the Greek Cypriots will cause a stir, but did not disclose the position the Greek government will be ultimately taking.

He said the Greek government will announce its decision at the suitable time with a feeling of responsibility and after considering all factors.

''It goes without saying that we will support the decision to be taken by the Greek Cypriots because, first of all, it concerns them directly and because it will be the result of mature and tormenting thought,'' Valinakis added.

[08] Turkish PM Erdogan comments on April 24 referenda in Cyprus

NICOSIA 13/4/2004 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

In statements on departure for Japan, Erdogan reiterated that for Turkey, the Cyprus issue is a national matter, at the same time rejecting criticism by Turkish deputies that Ankara had made a series of ''painful compromises'', adding that with the Annan Plan the position of the so-called ''Republic of Northern Cyprus'' is improved.

[09] Turkish FM Gul on Cyprus issue

ISTANBUL 13/4/2004 (ANA. A. Kourkoulas)

Simultaneous referenda are set to take place by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on April 24 on acceptance or not of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Gul said that the unilateral accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU as representative of all of Cyprus ''will constitute an obstacle for everything.''

Gul made these observations following a meeting he had with his Lebanese counterpart in Ankara.

Anadolu news agency broadcast that Gul underlined that "Turkey was loyal in all its obligations."

[10] Former PASOK secretary supports 'no' vote for Annan Cyprus plan

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

Laliotis also confirmed his contacting Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and expressing his support and solidarity to him.

The former PASOK secretary characterized the address made to the nation by President Papadopoulos earlier this week ''sensational'', adding that ''we must express ourselves and decide freely and far from movement and partisan references.''

[11] At least 45 killed in traffic accidents over Easter period

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

Since the start of the mass exodus on Thursday until Monday, 45 people were killed an 462 injured in more than 361 traffic accidents throughout the country.

This year's exodus was greater than last year, given that about 800,000 cars left Athens.

Last year, 34 people were killed and 395 injured in 466 traffic accidents.

[12] Orfanos inspects works at Kaftanzoglio stadium in Thessaloniki

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

The deputy sports minister said the basic and main installations at Kaftanzoglio will be ready for the sport event on April 27 between the national Olympic teams of Greece and Germany.

Concluding, Orfanos expressed certainty that the stadium will be completely ready by the end of June at the latest.

[13] Wildfire on Chios destroying forest land and crops

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

Another wildfire reported in Ancient Olympia at midnight on Saturday was under full control, as was the case with wildfires at Haravghi and Komi in the prefecture of Achaia, in the Peloponnese.

A wildfire destroying forest land and crops in the region of Leptopodas on the island of Chios since Saturday was reported under full control shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Firemen, who were assisted in their efforts by two firefighting aircraft and a helicopter, are remaining on standby in the area to prevent the fire from rekindling.

[14] Candle starts fire in Thessaloniki apartment building

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

Firemen managed to rescue tenants from the burning building, but damage caused was estimated at 12,500 euros.

[15] Port authorities in Igoumenitsa seize contraband cigarettes

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

[16] French Cardinal to visit Ecumenical Patriarchate

ISTANBUL 13/4/2004 (ANA. A Kourkoulas)

The Cardinal, in a letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on January 12, 2004, requested to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate to express in the most categorical manner the "shame" of the Catholic Church.

The Cardinal will attend a service at the Patriarchate.

[17] Twenty-eight illegal immigrants located on Koufonisi islet

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

The 28, who say that they are Palestinians, were abandoned by a people trafficking vessel which transported them off Koufonisi and left them to swim to shore.

All 28 are in good health and have been given first aid.

[18] Arsonists destroy car of Deputy Consul of Cyprus in Thessaloniki

Athens 13/4/2004(ANA)

According the firebrigade, an explosion occurred shortly before 10 p.m. in front of the block of flats where the diplomat lived, resulting in the destruction of the car which belonged to the Consulate of Cyprus.

The fire was caused by gas canisters which were placed underneath the vehicle.

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