Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-08-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens prepares for visit by IOC leadership, premier calls for speed on projects

[02] Christodoulos says more than 3 million signatures collected calling for referendum

[03] Phone conversation between Greek, Albanian premiers

[04] Papandreou briefs deputies on current foreign policy issues

[05] Defense minister holds talks with three US Congressmen

[06] Greek Armed forces chief to visit China this week

[07] ND leader receives GSEE leadership

[08] PM to visit Slovakia with business delegation

[09] Drachma to circulate until February 28, 2002

[10] Agriculture ministry launches Dr 265 bln investment plan

[11] Gov't to offer incentives for merger of farm cooperatives

[12] Report shows Northern Greece exporters' activity rising

[13] Greek bourse breaks 2,800-resistance level

[14] Youths from EU wrap up 15-day educational tour of Greece

[15] Moderate quake strikes Skyros

[16] Nutrition, culinary excellence tops list of discussion for upcoming Games

[17] UN Secretary General meets Denktash in Salzburg

[18] Defense minister in Athens for talks with Greek counterpart

[19] President Clerides meets Greek Deputy FM Niotis

[20] Cypriot, Belgian finance ministers discuss Cyprus' EU accession course

[21] FM Kasoulides begins five-day visit to Russia

[01] Athens prepares for visit by IOC leadership, premier calls for speed on projects

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

The Ministerial Committee discussed the implementation of their aims for 2001 in view of the fact that Oswald will come to Athens to inspect the progress of projects for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Oswald, who will be accompanied by 43 IOC members, had said he wants to see substantial progress.

The government is preparing to present in November the rate of progress during the regular checks conducted by the IOC Coordinating Committee.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis asked of his ministers to be more effective, while Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos briefed the ministers on the work of the organizing committee.

Meanwhile, plans for a new bridge for pedestrians designed by noted Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava for the Katehaki-Messoghion intersection, was presented by Minister of Public Works, Town Planning and Environment, Costas Laliotis.

The bridge is one of several Athens 2004 Olympic Games projects undertaken by the Spanish architect.

Presenting a series of projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life in central Athens at the National Gallery, Laliotis announced that noted Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava will head the project, which is estimated to begin in 2002 and be completed in twelve months.

The project, which will cost 450 million drachmas, will be designed with traditional Greek elements in mind.

Later Calatrava presented designs for a temple, to be located near the Olympic Stadium, that he said will be dedicated to the Unknown God so as to allow athletes during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games to have a place of worship

Related to the projects a ruling of the Council of State judged legal a draft presidential decree of the Ministry of the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works for the setting up of a temporary special public works department for the study and construction of Olympic Games projects.

The special department is of a five-year duration and effective from 2000.

According to the draft presidential decree, the department will be responsible for the construction and supervision of six Olympic projects.

[02] Christodoulos says more than 3 million signatures collected calling for referendum

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

In a press conference at the Holy Synod’s headquarters in downtown Athens, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos announced that a nationwide petition drive calling for just such a referendum garnered 3,008,901 signatures.

The highly publicized announcement, expected since earlier in the month, brought an immediate reaction from the government spokesman, who cautioned that the number of signatures would not affect the government’s policy on the contentious matter.

“It’s not possible for citizens’ rights to obey the laws of the majority or the minority,” he said.

He called for "the voice of the Church leadership, the voice of those who signed to be heard, as they belong to all the political areas, without exemption," he said

"They probably hope and expect that parliamentary democracy and the government elected by the people do not know of impasses and do not abide by inflexibility," Christodoulos said.

"The promoted legal impasses are not unconquered and they do not have on their side the absolute constitutionality. The decisions of the courts, as it is well known, either change by newer ones of the same courts or are negated by decisions of higher courts, and such a court exists," he added.

Regarding Christodoulos’ statements, the government spokes-man said they were merely a repetition of previous comments, although presented on Tuesday as if a Council of State (CoS) decision vindicating the abolition of the religious preference category on IDs didn’t exist.

He again reiterated, meanwhile, that the state has made its final decision on the matter.

In June, the Council of State (CoS), Greece's highest administrative court, upheld the exclusion of religious affiliation from new IDs -- effectively ruling out an optional listing as well. The court ruled that citizens’ religious preferences fall under the heading of personal and confidential information.

On his part, main opposition New Democracy leader called for an end to the Church-state confrontation over the identification cards, while criticizing the government for not wanting to engage in a dialogue with Church leaders. He also referred to an “unacceptable reasoning” on the part of the government.

Conversely, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said Christodoulos’ handling of the issue and the entire Holy Synod’s stance points to distinct political goals. KKE also said ND is aiding the Church’s stance, expecting electoral gains in return.

Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos, in later statements, referred to 'ungratefulness' on the part of the Church's leadership, terming the Greek state as the most "generous and caring" country vis-a-vis the Church.

"The Archbishop's aspiration for a secular role should insult the religious feelings of those who are witnessing the Church hierarchy's activity, which has no relation either with theology or the Church," he added.

[03] Phone conversation between Greek, Albanian premiers

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

Simitis had already sent the Albanian premier a congratulatory telegram following his party’s victory in the recent national elections in Albania.

According to government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, the Greek PM also stressed to his Albanian counterpart the significance that Athens places on the ethnic Greek minority’s role in the neighboring country.

Simitis-Skandalidis meeting postponed: A scheduled meeting on Tuesday between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis was postponed.

The meeting was postponed due to the cancellation of another meeting, scheduled for later in the day, by PASOK’s policy committee.

Asked about the issue, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said both meetings were put off because Monday evening’s executive bureau session was very productive and effective, as he noted.

Athletes, 2004: Earlier, Simitis received a group of Greece’s best-known athletes, including several medal winners in recent world champion-ships.

A session of the inter-ministerial committee overseeing preparations of the 2004 Games was scheduled after the meeting with the athletes.

“Your presence here today is for us an exhortation to work faster and more effectively, so that the 2004 Games are the culmination of years of efforts. I believe we’ll do very well,” Simitis said.

[04] Papandreou briefs deputies on current foreign policy issues

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

Among the 41 deputies who attended was former foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos.

According to Papandreou's associates, the foreign minister's discussion with the deputies was constructive and centered on the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations, the Turkey-EU partner relationship, Greece's presidency of the EU in the first half of 2003 and the developments in the Balkans.

Papandreou had hosted a similar dinner for the deputies of the first summer session in mid-July.

According to reports, following Papandreou's opening address, Pangalos referred to Greece's EU presidency, stressing the need for it to be linked with a certain vision.

The former foreign minister appeared pessimistic on developments in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as well as in Montenegro. He also expressed reservations on the sincerity of Turkish intentions towards Greece and concern over the misleading tactics by Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash on the Cyprus issue.

On his part, Papandreou said that Greece's stance towards Turkey was clear and based on international law and that there would be no negotiations on issues concerning sovereign rights.

Papandreou agreed with Pangalos that the domestic changes in Turkey were a very difficult issue. He also supported the decisions of the EU summit in Helsinki, such as the Turkey-EU partner relationship, noting that it is Turkey, which henceforth is faced with decisions.

Balkans issues dominate Papandreou, Constantopoulos talks: Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Tuesday for talks over the situation in the Balkans and Greece’s role in the area.

Afterwards, Constantopoulos reiterated that stability in the Balkans is in Greece’s best strategic interest, although warning that this is not gained through “humanitarian wars” or by “employing extremist mechanisms that apply mafia-like methods of political destabilization, such as those used by the UCK (Albanian rebels)”.

The Synaspismos leader also expressed concern regarding the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s (FYROM) future, reiterating that a “twin danger” of break-up and economic collapse exists in the neighboring state. Along those lines, he noted that Athens’ interests lie in supporting that country’s sovereignty.

“The so-called restoration and stability programs for the Balkans are more words uttered with grand and pompous expressions, but today, however, they cannot cover up reality,” Constantopoulos said.

Finally, he stressed that legislation, based on the recently ratified Constitution, for the formation of a foreign policy council should be rapidly promoted.

[05] Defense minister holds talks with three US Congressmen

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

According to sources, discussions centered on issues related to developments in the Balkans, particularly in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations and bilateral relations between Greece and the US. The congressmen were accompanied by the President of the Council of Hellenes Abroad, Andrew Athens, and a representative of the US Embassy in Athens.

[06] Greek Armed forces chief to visit China this week

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

Gen. Paragioudakis is making the visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Gen. Fu Quan You.

While in China, Gen. Paragioudakis will meet the political and military leadership of China's defense ministry and discuss military issues of mutual interest.

[07] ND leader receives GSEE leadership

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis will receive GSEE’s leadership on Monday.

[08] PM to visit Slovakia with business delegation

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

Also accompanying the premier will be Deputy National Economy Minister Yiannis Zafeiropoulos, the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The chamber is seeking applications from firms that would like to send representatives on the trip.

[09] Drachma to circulate until February 28, 2002

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

The measure is contained in a government bill released to the media.

The euro has so far been used as a non-physical currency in the euro zone, of which Greece is a member.

[10] Agriculture ministry launches Dr 265 bln investment plan

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

Between 800 and 1000 investments are due to be funded under the plan, which will allow the creation of new enterprises or modernization of existing operations, Anomeritis said.

Financing for each investment will be decided on a scale of 35% to 50%, the minister added.

[11] Gov't to offer incentives for merger of farm cooperatives

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

"We need powerful, healthy cooperatives that will make a major contribution to the production and sale of Greek agricultural pro-ducts. We need quality and quality needs large, powerful units," Papantoniou told a news conference.

The measure for the country's roughly 6,000 small-scale cooperatives would be introduced through a presidential decree, he added.

[12] Report shows Northern Greece exporters' activity rising

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

The report, presented by the union chairman, Thomas Algianakoglou, said that sales totalled 14 billion euros, with exports accounting for 4.5 billion euros.

The average annual rise in sales for the period 1995-2000 was 10.7 percent, while exports' average annual growth was 12.8 percent, a rate sharply higher compared with the country's average annual growth rate of 3.0 percent.

Northern Greece's companies' exports accounted for 49.3 percent of total Greek exports in 2000, while investments totalled 1.2 billion euros, for an average annual growth of 3.0 percent.

A total of 286 companies based in Northern Greece have invested abroad, mainly in the Balkans. Main export markets were Germany, Bulgaria, Cyprus, FYROM, Yugoslavia and Albania.

The average workforce totals 46 persons, up from 44 in 1997, with 38.6 percent of enterprises employing up to 10 workers, 43 percent up to 50 and only 8.3 percent employing more than 50 workers.

Total workforce was 92,000 persons in 2000.

A total of 99.6 percent of Northern Greece's companies have a fax number, 86 percent have an e-mail address, 41.6 percent have their own website and 39.6 percent were awarded an international quality certificate.

The survey was based on 1,728 export-oriented enterprises in Northern Greece, with 29.9 percent of them in the textile and clothing sector, 18.5 percent in the food sector, 11.6 percent in machinery, 10 percent in chemicals and plastics, 6.6 percent in forestry and paper, 5.6 percent in metals, 2.9 percent in beverage and tobacco and 1.0 percent in electrical appliances.

[13] Greek bourse breaks 2,800-resistance level

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

The general index was kept under pressure for most of the session, but its final close above the 2,800 level was paving the way for its short-term recovery, analyst said.

They predicted that the market would find resistance at the 2,880-2,910 levels.

The general index ended 0.66 percent higher at 2,805.88 points, with turnover a moderate 158.9 million euros, or 54.1 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,565.10 points, up 0.90 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 0.11 percent to 319.22 points, and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 943.5 points, up 0.93 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 277.53 points, up 0.31 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 190 to 132 with another 57 issues unchanged.

Prices rise in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished higher in heavy trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.31 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 47 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.3 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Equity futures slump despite stock rise: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tuesday ended at a discount in nervous trade despite a rise on the main market.

Changing hands were 5,001 contracts on turnover of 36.5 million euros, traders said.

[14] Youths from EU wrap up 15-day educational tour of Greece

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

The youths, who wrapped up a 15-day travelogue full of excursions dedicated to uncovering the cultural and enlightening wealth of Greece, were guests of the “Olympia in Europe and Europe in Olympia” program that was organized by the Cultural Union of Thessaloniki.

The latter program was organized in the framework of a wider European program entitled “Youth-Action 1”, and was financially supported by the general secretariat for youths, as well as co-organized by the Festival of Ancient Olympia and the Youth and Cultural Orthodox Institute of the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki.

[15] Moderate quake strikes Skyros

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

According to the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory in Athens and the Geophysics Lab at Thessaloniki University, the epicenter of the quake was in the sea north of Skyros and some 140 kilometers northeast of Athens.

There were no reports of damage or injuries.

Skyros had been struck by a major earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale on July 26 this year, which had originated in roughly the same spot and caused extensive damage on the island, though fortunately there were no casualties.

[16] Nutrition, culinary excellence tops list of discussion for upcoming Games

Athens, 29/08/2001 (ANA)

In greeting the Chefs des Chefs delegation, ATHOC executive Spyros Kapralos underlined that the Olympics “will give Greece an opportunity to promote its modern, dynamic and creative aspects on an international level.”

“Nutrition will comprise one of the primary indicators of development at the level of offered services. It will also be one of the criteria that will make a difference in the Olympic Games of Athens as opposed to the previous games, something that will also ensure a Greek success.”

The ATHOC official reiterated that the highly acclaimed “Mediterranean Diet” is at the heart of Grecian cuisine as well as traditional Greek foodstuffs.

In response to Kapralos’ comments, the club’s founder and current secretary general, Gilles Bragard, expressed his certainty that the 2004 Olympics will be successful. He also focused on a common concern, as he said, shared by Athens 2004 and the “Chefs”.

“Each of us in his own country, a president’s or a king’s chef, must utilize his country’s cuisine, its local culinary traditions, all in a manner that satisfies the foreign guests received by the leader of a state. Therefore, he must adapt to all international cuisines and the religious particularities of each guest. You have the same problem,” Bragard said, explaining:

“It’s obvious that you will exploit Greece’s cuisine, but it’s also obvious that your foreign guests will have to find certain elements of their cuisine in their diet (here), while naturally discovering Greece’s cuisine.”

[17] UN Secretary General meets Denktash in Salzburg

NICOSIA, 29/08/2001 (CNA/ANA)

He also said Annan's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto is to travel on Wednesday to Cyprus "for consultations" with President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash.

"The Secretary General today met with His Excellency Mr. Rauf Denktash, in Salzburg, Austria, as part of efforts for the resumption of talks," the statement said.

"They had a very good and very useful meeting," it added.

Annan has asked de Soto "to travel tomorrow to the island for consultations with both His Excellency Mr. Glafcos Clerides and Mr. Rauf Denktash."

Nothing further was announced at this stage about the meeting but the statement said de Soto will give a press conference at the conclusion of his visit to Cyprus, on 5 September.

Annan's meeting on Tuesday with Denktash, who backed by Ankara abandoned the UN-led talks last year, is widely believed to mark the start of renewed UN efforts to resume the peace process.

[18] Defense minister in Athens for talks with Greek counterpart

LARNACA, 29/08/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"We have a lot to discuss at the end of the summer but these matters are not in the public domain," Hasikos said on his departure.

Replying to questions, the minister denied press reports that the government has been under pressure to alter plans for the annual military exercise of the National Guard "Nikiforos 2001".

"Our annual maneuvers will take place as planned, the peace talks cannot influence our exercises," he told journalists.

Commenting on the upgrading of the Turkish occupation forces in the northern occupied areas of the Republic, he said the National Guard is always monitoring the movements of the Turkish forces and noted that their effort to upgrade their illegal presence on the island is continuous.

In the early 1990s Cyprus and Greece agreed on a pact providing Cyprus with air, sea and land coverage in the case of a new Turkish offensive against the island. The minister returns home on Friday.

[19] President Clerides meets Greek Deputy FM Niotis

NICOSIA, 29/08/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"It is clear that Greece and Cyprus share common ideas and have very close cooperation," Niotis said after a meeting with President

Glafcos Clerides, noting that there are fresh ideas that can be applied with the help of overseas Cypriots and Greeks, in view to combat Turkish designs.

On Tuesday he met with House President Demetris Christofias and Interior Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou to whom he expressed Greece's firm support for Cyprus, saying that overseas Hellenism can be very useful in promoting national goals.

Niotis came to Cyprus to participate in the World Congress of Overseas Cypriots, which concludes on Thursday. He was due to leave on Tuesday afternoon.

[20] Cypriot, Belgian finance ministers discuss Cyprus' EU accession course

NICOSIA 29/08/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"For us it is not good enough for a country to join the Union. We want to see that country join our monetary system as well," he said here on Tuesday, after talks with his Cypriot counterpart Takis Klerides who said he had a "very important meeting" with Reynders.

The Belgian minister, whose country holds the six-monthly rotating EU presidency, said Cyprus' microeconomics are good and not many problems will be encountered as far as inflation and economic policy are concerned.

He said he would like to see all candidate countries prepare properly to adopt the new EU currency, which comes into effect on 1 January next year.

"I am sure that Cyprus will have no problem in introducing the new currency," he said.

Klerides said the accession course and the state of the economy came under scrutiny during the meeting.

"We talked in particular about tax reform and we hope to close provisionally the chapter on taxation, if possible during the Belgian presidency," Klerides said.

He said the basic rule that will govern tax reform stipulates that there will be no difference between offshore and onshore companies.

Earlier on Tuesday Reynders was received by President Glafcos Clerides who briefed him on the latest attempts to resume the stalled peace talks on the Cyprus problem, which the Turkish Cypriot side has abandoned.

The Belgian minister expressed hope that talks will resume and said Belgium would back the resumption of fresh talks.

The minister was due to leave on Tuesday.

[21] FM Kasoulides begins five-day visit to Russia

LARNACA 29/08/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on departure, the minister said bilateral ties are "excel-lent" and Moscow has always advocated a Cyprus solution within the framework of UN resolutions, adding that this position satisfies Cyprus.

Questioned on the latest efforts to resume the stalled UN-led talks, Kasoulides said, "there will be some cosmetic changes but no changes of substance in the peace process."

"It has been made clear by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council that we are not talking about a new process but about the process, under UN aegis, which began on the basis of resolution 1250," Kasoulides said, responding to press questions.

The resolution set out four parameters: all issues on the table, no pre-conditions, full consideration of relevant resolutions and treaties and commitment in good faith to continue to negotiate until a settlement is reached.

The minister expressed conviction that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash should return to the dialogue, following Ankara's instructions.

On Wednesday Kasoulides will meet Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, attend an official lunch hosted by Ivanov in his honor and give a press conference at Itar-Tass. He returns home on Saturday.

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