Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-07-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader George Papandreou announces party's new proclamation

[02] PM has successive meetings with ministers, to brief President on NATO summit

[03] Public order minister Voulgarakis briefs President Stephanopoulos on Olympics security planning

[04] Government denies change of any change in national strategy

[05] Government on Simitis' initiative for new Euro-committee

[06] Latest Olympics-related draft bill tabled in Parliament

[07] Coalition leader says Greece should stay out of Iraq

[08] Mitsotakis slams main opposition for trying to use Spiliotopoulos affair

[09] Cyprus defense minister in Greece on official visit

[10] Development minister receives Dutch and Israeli ambassadors

[11] Greek gov't earmarks 4.5 million euros to promote regional tourism

[12] Greek coastal shipping companies announce 10 percent rise in fares

[13] Farm minister pledges policy overhaul

[14] Bill to parliament next week on overdue loan penalty rates

[15] Food Inspection Agency reports on market inspections results

[16] Bank workers, employers sign two-year pay deal

[17] Stocks nose up in bid to consolidate

[18] Olympic Torch Relay in Berlin

[19] Tourism minister and German interior minister discuss Olympic security, Athens mayor says 'Athens is ready'

[20] 6,000 Albanian policemen to be deployed on borders with Greece for Olympic Games security

[21] Greenpeace reports illegal cultivation of GM corn in Evros

[22] Conference on child labor calls for marking system for products not made by children

[23] Education ministry announces results of nationwide university entrance exams

[24] European Ombudsman and Greek counterpart visit Coalition party headquarters

[25] Exhibition opens of photographs taken by late PM and PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou

[26] US embassy to be closed on Monday, in observance of US Independence Day holiday

[27] National soccer team trains for last time ahead of Thursday's Euro 2004 semifinal against Czech Republic

[28] Cyprus President hopes Barroso will understand small EU countries

[01] PASOK leader George Papandreou announces party's new proclamation

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou stressed that the party's founding proclamation of September 3, 1974 "inspires us and we will not rewrite it. We will simply see it again through today's conditions."

The PASOK party leader inaugurated the party's dialogue ahead of its congress which, as he announced on Wednesday, will be taking place between December 10-12, 2004.

PASOK's ambition, as it appeared in Papandreou's announcement, is to have the party's congress bear the characteristics of a founding congress, while there will be a three-month period, beginning from September 3, in which there will be many activities in light of the congress and which will be taking place all over the country.

An important element in the run-up to the congress will be the presence and participation in the processing of the new proclamation of international personalities from the socialist camp, such as Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapattero, Socialist International President Antonio Guteres and former Prime Minister Paul Rassmusen.

In any case, the first days of the substantive beginning of the run-up period will coincide with the holding in Athens of the Socialist International's assembly.

Papandreou referred to the conditions under which he assumed PASOK's leadership.

"I assumed the leadership of the party at a difficult moment," he said.

Asked why he assumed leadership before an election in which defeat was certain, he said he assumed leadership sensing his responsibilities as a member of the party which struggles not only in easy times but in difficult ones as well.

The PASOK leader added that the change in the party's leadership alone was not enough for the election to be won.

Commenting on the Euroelections, Papandreou said they took place during a transitional phase for PASOK and noted that PASOK of the past had lost an election and by the time the Euroelections took place it did not have time to become PASOK of the future.

Papandreou also said the mandate he received to lead the party was not for a circumstantial election victory but for him to bring about deep changes in the party and in its reconstruction and that he is serving this mandate, while expressing his faith in PASOK's basic founding principles.

He further said that PASOK will emerge prepared from the congressional process to enable it to be in a position to rule the country again at the next election.

Papandreou criticized the ruling New Democracy party, saying it has shown its face over this period with backtracking in foreign policy and on the issue of contract workers and in wasting credibility in the economy. He also said the target is a new governance and confronting New Democracy.

The PASOK leader placed the party in the field of the progressive Left and mentioned that the congress will take place between two eras. The era marked by the collapse of 'really existing socialism' and the era which began after September 11.

[02] PM has successive meetings with ministers, to brief President on NATO summit

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

On Thursday, Karamanlis is to meet with Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias at 10:00 and at noon he will visit President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos to brief him on the results of the NATO summit and the emergency EU Summit, while at 13:00 he will meet with Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas.

[03] Public order minister Voulgarakis briefs President Stephanopoulos on Olympics security planning

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

A statement by Voulgarakis released by the public order ministry after the meeting said that he had briefed the President in detail on the security measures that will enter into effect as of July 1.

"I presented a full analysis of the Olympics Security Plan" from its launching all the way through to the end of the Paralympics, the statement said, adding that he also briefed Stephanopoulos on all the contacts he has had in Greece and abroad, as public order minister, with his counterparts, representatives of other ministries, and foreign police services.

"I briefed him on everything discussed (in those meetings). There is no information, worldwide, that Greece faces any kind of threat or any kind of danger, and I also explained that we are ready to carry on with our plan," Voulgarakis' statement said.

The minister also thanked the President for placing 20 police officers from his own personal guard at the disposal of the Olympics security, who will be used to guard Sport Venues, following the ministry's request to all the political parties to disengage security personnel assigned to them due to the increased needs in view of the Games.

"I wish to say, therefore, that our cooperation was impeccable, and I believe that we are now ready to begin implementation of the Olympics security measures as of July 1," the statement said.

[04] Government denies change of any change in national strategy

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

"There is absolutely no change regarding our national strategy, and especially with respect to the issues that recently received publicity," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos stressed, adding that the government considered the matter closed, both with respect to the substance of the statements and with respect to the minister himself.

Responding to questions regarding joint efforts to disarm by Greece and Turkey, the spokesman said that an effort was being made to withdraw weapons of aggression from the coast, while pointing out that Greece did not have "weapons of aggression, it has defense weapons".

[05] Government on Simitis' initiative for new Euro-committee

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

According to government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, Karamanlis had held talks on the proposal during bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Istanbul and the EU Summit in Brussels.

The issue was also brought up by European Council President Bertie Ahern, the prime minister of Ireland, and Karamanlis spoke in favor of the proposal immediately afterward, as did other European leaders. A decision was deferred for the Dutch EU presidency that takes over on July 1.

Roussopoulos said the premier had chosen not to make announcements earlier so that he could first inform Simitis with a letter. He also said that Simitis had sent his letter simultaneously to the Greek premier and European Council president.

The spokesman said Karamanlis found the idea very interesting and pointed out that the government had already stated that it would take a positive view of any Greek seeking a European office. He added that no meeting was currently scheduled between Simitis and Karamanlis.

Simitis on initiative for new Euro-committee

"There is a lot of work to do," former premier Costas Simitis said on Wednesday in response to reporters' questions regarding his proposal for a Euro-committee to coordinate ratification of the European Constitution.

While heading for Parliament, Simitis said he had discussed the idea with most European leaders and that there had been agreement "that this group should exist in order to provide information about the Euro-Constitution and cooperate with various governments".

He said he had put the proposal to Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, current head of the European Council, and Luxembourg premier Jean-Luc Juncker and that it had been discussed at Tuesday's EU summit.

Simitis he anticipated a final resolution during the Dutch EU presidency.

[06] Latest Olympics-related draft bill tabled in Parliament

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

On her part, Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia clarified that regulations governing outdoors advertising at Olympic and Paralympic venues deal only with commercial ads, not political ones.

Concerning the issue of unsold tickets for the Games, she cited a "major issue", before adding that Athens 2004 Olympic Games organizers (ATHOC) have assured officials that no problem exists, since the unsold tickets are mainly for soccer preliminaries and for lesser known sports.

[07] Coalition leader says Greece should stay out of Iraq

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

He called on the Allied forces to withdraw "the occupation troops" in the country, stressing that democracy does not require troops.

[08] Mitsotakis slams main opposition for trying to use Spiliotopoulos affair

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

The defense ministry later denied the newspaper's report as "mere fantasy" on the part of the writer, saying such statements had never been made.

Mitsotakis, honorary president of ruling New Democracy, said PASOK was "vainly trying to make use of a supposed statement that in reality was never made," describing Spiliotopoulos as a successful minister that was engaged in serious talks for the mutual reduction of arms with Turkey and was obviously being attacked for this reason.

[09] Cyprus defense minister in Greece on official visit

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

On Thursday, Mavronikolas will lay a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and will then visit the defense ministry for the official welcoming ceremony.

Afterwards, the Cypriot defense minister and his Greek counterpart will have a one-hour meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest between their two countries, followed by a joint visit to the President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

At 14:00 on Thursday, Spiliotopoulos is to give a dinner in honor of his Cypriot counterpart, whose visit will end on Friday after a meeting with Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos.

[10] Development minister receives Dutch and Israeli ambassadors

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

Sioufas called on Brouwer to convey his wishes for a successful Dutch presidency and assured him that it will have the support of the Greek government and the development ministry in this respect.

Sioufas also held talks with Israeli Ambassador to Athens Ram Aviram during which the climate of friendship and cooperation existing between the two countries was confirmed, while views were also exchanged between them on achieving better cooperation on development issues.

[11] Greek gov't earmarks 4.5 million euros to promote regional tourism

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

The measure was announced during a meeting with regional tourism authorities from around the country. Liaskos said that the tourism ministry has earmarked a total of 4.5 million euros for this purpose, up from 3.0 percent last year. The meeting also discussed ways to better coordinate actions in promoting regional tourism with the ministry's main advertising strategy.

[12] Greek coastal shipping companies announce 10 percent rise in fares

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

In a letter sent to Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis, the union said that a full deregulation of sea transport combined with a recent rise in fuel prices justified their unilateral action. The union stressed that coastal shipping companies have suffered heavily from a chronic freeze on fares.

The letter, signed by the union's chairman Stelios Sarris and its secretary-general Antonis Agapitos, said that a minimum 25 percent increase in fuel-oil product prices burdened the operating cost of vessels by 4.866 percent, a development needed to be addressed with an average 14.866 percent rise in fares.

The union said that domestic ship fares were four times lower compared with average prices in the European Union.

[13] Farm minister pledges policy overhaul

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

In addition, products would be made more competitive, production costs reduced, and support given to viable farm cooperatives, Tsitouridis told a meeting of the PASEGES agricultural trade group.

Athens-quoted Agricultural Bank of Greece would remain in state hands, and generous measures offered for settlement of debts in the sector, Tsitouridis said.

Finally, the ministry would be restructured due to administrative and organizational shortcomings, he added.

The president of PASEGES, Tzanetos Karamihas announced that an institute of cooperative agricultural economy was due to be created.

[14] Bill to parliament next week on overdue loan penalty rates

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

Under the terms of the finance ministry bill, the base calculation of debt on an overdue loan cannot exceed triple the amount, for all loans from banks, backdated indefinitely.

According to sources, the bill will cover loans whose original capital was up to 750 million drachmas.

[15] Food Inspection Agency reports on market inspections results

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

EFET said that a round of intensive inspections made ahead of the Olympic Games revealed a total 170 tons of spoiled foods in the domestic market. The Food Inspection Agency said it made 3,200 inspections in five Olympic cities.

[16] Bank workers, employers sign two-year pay deal

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

The increases will be awarded in installments with the first payment backdated to January 1, 2004. Ensuing rises will be paid on July 1 2004; January 1, 2005; and September 1, 2005.

In addition, preferential mortgage rates for staff will fall to 3.0 per cent from 4.0 percent.

"The agreement on a financial and statutory level largely meets the needs of employees, also providing the base for future improvements," the OTOE bank workers' union said in a statement.

[17] Stocks nose up in bid to consolidate

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,349.16 points, showing a 0.43 per cent increase. Turnover was 241.6 million euros, fuelled by 91 million euros in block trades.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.87 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.16 per cent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.15 per cent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 178 to 115 with 68 remaining unchanged.

[18] Olympic Torch Relay in Berlin

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

The presence of the Olympic flame in the unified capital of Germany generated mixed emotions due to the fact that the Nazis ruling Germany in 1936 attempted to exploit the Olympics for political gains. Two subsequent Olympiads -- 1940 and 1944 -- were, in fact, cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II.

One hundred and thirty-two torchbearers participated in the event, with Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni and Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos representing the Greek side, among others.

[19] Tourism minister and German interior minister discuss Olympic security, Athens mayor says 'Athens is ready'

BERLIN, 1/7/2004 (ANA / P. Stangos)

Speaking to Greek reporters, Avramopoulos said Schilly was interested in utilizing Greek experience to be obtained from the Olympic Games, both in general and in the sector of security in particular, for the 2006 World Soccer Championship to take place in Germany.

Avramopoulos also analyzed the new tourist development strategy to be applied by the Greek government.

In another development, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, addressing German and Greek media here on Wednesday, said "Athens is ready and is expecting you at the Olympic Games."

Bakoyianni said she ascertained a positive turn by German public opinion and by her interlocutors on the successful holding of the Olympic Games in Greece.

She attributed this to the fact that "our German friends have ascertained that we have forged ahead decisively lately." She also noted that Athens is 85 percent ready to receive visitors for the Olympic Games, while pending issues will be cleaned up next month.

Bakoyianni further said that what is of strategic significance is that the holding of the Olympic Games in Athens functioned as a vehicle to speed up the finding of solutions to the city's problems.

Meanwhile, the Olympic Games Torch will arrive at the Brandenburg Gate on Wednesday night and Bakoyianni will be making a brief address in which she will be referring to the "historic and cultural ties between the two peoples."

[20] 6,000 Albanian policemen to be deployed on borders with Greece for Olympic Games security

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

6,000 Albanian policemen will be deployed immediately at border checkpoints along the borders with Greece to protect them from illegal crossings. The remaining 5,000 will be part of the Albanian police's structure for the security of the Olympic Games inside the country.

The special Albanian force for the security of the Olympic Games in Greece will begin its mission on July 1 and complete it at the end of August.

In addition, police deployed at the border crossings of both countries have as of Wednesday a system of immediately exchanging information both between them and between the corresponding centers in Athens and Tirana.

[21] Greenpeace reports illegal cultivation of GM corn in Evros

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

The group said the information at their disposal indicated that at least 60 hectares of GM maize had been sown and then destroyed, while additional fields of GM corn had been located in the area, saying these indicated the continued inefficiency of Agricultural Development Ministry control mechanisms and the absence of a legal framework of penalties.

It also called on the ministry to make public the results of its inspections, inform the public on what action it has taken to destroy GM crops and to ensure that farmers that unwittingly bought GM seed were properly compensated.

[22] Conference on child labor calls for marking system for products not made by children

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

This was announced on Wednesday by the head of the Foundation for Human Rights Aliki Maragopoulou at a press conference at the headquarters of the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE).

Speakers said that the phenomenon concerned trafficking in children, sexual exploitation, work in fishing boats, in the manufacture of medical instruments, sportswear and carpets, car-washing, street hawkers, pornography, rubbish collection, transport, loading and unloading, construction work, drug trafficking, domestic service, child-slaves due to debt, farm work, mining, factories, even soldiers in armed conflict.

[23] Education ministry announces results of nationwide university entrance exams

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

According to the ministry general secretary, the results overall were roughly equivalent to those achieved last year but with a better spread of marks that indicated a more objective selection of those being admitted into tertiary education.

[24] European Ombudsman and Greek counterpart visit Coalition party headquarters

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

The meeting took place in the framework of a series of official visits by the European Ombudsman to the leaders of political parties. Afterward, Diamantouros said he had briefed Coalition Nikos Constantopoulos regarding the progress of the institution of European Ombudsman in the EU.

On his part, Constantopoulos said the meeting between them had been of "crucial and substantial interest to all European citizens and for democracy in the conditions of the 21st century," and said the European Ombudsman's powers should be further extended.

Citizens' confidence in European ombudsman gradually increasing: The confidence of citizens in the institution of European ombudsman is gradually increasing, according to a report publicized by the Independent Authority.

The report said that from January until last April the number of reports received by the European ombudsman increased by 61 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2003, since the 778 cases recorded in 2003 reached 1,253 over the same period in 2004.

In May 2004 reports received increased by 86 percent as against the corresponding period in 2003, increasing from 190 to 354.

[25] Exhibition opens of photographs taken by late PM and PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

The event was attended by main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, and son of Andreas Papandreou, as well as by the PASOK founder's other children.

The photographs were taken over the 1959-1963 period during trips and excursions with which Andreas Papandreou made his family acquainted with Greece after he returned from the United States.

[26] US embassy to be closed on Monday, in observance of US Independence Day holiday

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

[27] National soccer team trains for last time ahead of Thursday's Euro 2004 semifinal against Czech Republic

ATHENS, 1/7/2004 (ANA)

German coach Otto Rehhagel gave the players the morning off in the city of Braga, where the team is currently staying, on Wednesday to allow them to relax after their continuous matches and training sessions.

Speaking during a press conference, Rehhagel referred at length to the players' physical and psychological tiredness.

"We are pleased to be here for tomorrow's match. The team had a great performance so far. I hope they have relaxed adequately to have enough strength to enable us to be a good opponent for the Czech Republic. What is important is how 'fresh' we shall be to face our opponent because we have lost a great deal of strength, both physically and psychologically," he said.

Rehhagel, who avoided any comment on his plans regarding the players who will be participating in the match, added that he is only thinking about Thursday's semifinal and expressed satisfaction over the fact that the national team gave the Greeks so much pleasure.

"This is how soccer is," he said.

Asked whether recent negative developments concerning the AEK Athens soccer club will affect some of the players, Rehhagel said "I only apply myself to the problems of the national team because I can only affect them."

[28] Cyprus President hopes Barroso will understand small EU countries

LARNACA, 1/7/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on his return Wednesday from Brussels where he attended Tuesday night's extraordinary European Council, President Papadopoulos said EU leaders have expressed satisfaction with the first statements made by Barroso in which he outlined his vision for a stronger Europe and a more functional European Commission.

Regarding his meeting in Brussels with European Commission President Romano Prodi and Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, the Cypriot president said that he expressed the government's views on economic and financial measures which the EU was preparing in support of the Turkish Cypriots, adding that he made some proposals as well.

The president said that work on the measures continued as did efforts to overcome any problems that may arise. "They acknowledge that there are difficulties and we are trying to rise above them", the president said.

On his meeting with Barroso last week in Lisbon, the Cypriot president said they examined the Cyprus problem and discussed the issue of an initiative, bearing in mind the UN Secretary-General's position and the UN Secretariat in general that a UN initiative would involve bringing back a UN-proposed solution plan as it is to a second referendum.

At the same time, said President Papadopoulos, they underlined that "Europe cannot remain indifferent" to the question of Cyprus and they referred to "ways in which the EU would be able to launch an initiative".

However, "Mr. Barroso is not anticipating ideas from me", said Papadopoulos, nor from anyone else since "it is an issue which will be examined by EU institutions".

"The EU position is that it cannot replace the UN and our firm position is that the Cyprus problem must remain under UN auspices but if there is a possibility for an EU move, surely it will be evaluated and we hope that the EU will undertake an initiative", the Cypriot president pledged.

He said he would continue his contacts with heads of states "to create the climate for the EU to undertake an initiative.''

Regarding the issue of granting Cypriot citizenship to children of Turkish settlers, President Papadopoulos said the issue concerned children of mixed marriages (Turkish Cypriot and Turk), explained that each case was carefully considered and said this was not a case of granting citizenships to a huge number of children.

Asked whether the Olympic Torch Relay which arrives in Cyprus on 8 July will pass through the Turkish occupied northern areas, President Papadopoulos said the government was asked about the issue and said it had no objection provided that there was no exploitation of the event such as display of the illegal regime's logos or preventing torchbearers (whether Greeks or Turkish Cypriots), who are selected, to relay the flame.

"The Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic truce since ancient times," the president added, noting that it was up to the Olympic Committee to decide on the matter.

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