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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-04-01

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

April 1, 2003

CONTENTS

  • [01] Greece capable of keeping Iraq war repercussions under control, PM says
  • [02] Arab League secretary general extremely concerned over Iraq crisis
  • [03] Greece does not wish for Turkey's international isolation, DM says
  • [04] Greek presidency does not foresee problems with Accession treaties
  • [05] EU president Greece: Iraq not on the agenda of April Summit
  • [06] Greece welcomes UN decision ''oil for food'' program for Iraq
  • [07] PM to meet Balkan leaders this week
  • [08] Greece turns down US request to set up Souda bay patrols
  • [09] EU's first military operation begins in
  • [10] European women MPs, MEPs sign Declaration for Peace at Acropolis
  • [11] European Socialist Group meeting starts on Monday in Athens
  • [12] EU president Greece condemns recent suicide attack at Netanya
  • [13] Greek economy able to withstand Iraq war repercussions, gov't says
  • [14] EU meeting in Athens to discuss expansion budget
  • [15] Budget spending jumps 24.4 pct in Jan-Feb, gov’t says
  • [16] Greek EU presidency welcomes outcome of sea transport meeting
  • [17] Athens bourse turnover drops in March
  • [18] Greek stocks plunge to new six-year lows on Monday
  • [19] Turkish plane hijacker imprisoned pending trial on two felony charges
  • [20] PM praises telethon raising funds for Iraqi children
  • [21] "Ark of Hope" for Iraq begins in Athens on Monday
  • [22] Magistrate says Kokkalis case should be dropped, cites insufficient evidence
  • [23] N17 leaders not on trial, witness claims
  • [24] Professors and teachers say Iraq war crime against humanity
  • [25] Albanian police arrest crew aboard Greek-owned ship 'Anastasios 2'
  • [26] Cyprus says UN report 'balanced but lacking'

  • [01] Greece capable of keeping Iraq war repercussions under control, PM says

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Greece was capable of keeping the repercussions of the Iraq war under control, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said Monday, adding that urgent measures for the Greek economy were not required at this time.

    Addressing a nationwide conference of his ruling PASOK party on SMEs (small and medium-size enterprises), Simitis said that, to date, the developments had been smooth and there was calm on the market, which needed to be maintained.

    He said that if the government's policy for a strong economy and growth was adhered to with consistency past 2004, then Greece in 2006 would have more, not fewer, prospects for development. ''We will have national and Community resources,'' he added.

    The Greek economy, he said, was not isolated from the international developments, adding that the government would not be carried away by the prevailing recession into abandoning its goals.

    He said the economic policy followed by the government thus far enabled it to not have to resort to emergency measures, which would spread a wave of uncertainty among the working people and productive classes, and accused those demanding urgent measures as aiming at causing unrest.

    Simitis also described as a ''big opportunity to increasing Greece's negotiating strength and presence'' the fact that Greece was currently presiding over the European Union, and criticized those who claimed that the EU presidency had come at the wrong time.

    He said that the repercussions would not be big for a large country if it did not handle the presidency well, but on the contrary, a small country such as Greece could increase its negotiating power and presence from within the presidency. ''It is an opportunity,'' he said.

    At this specific time, he continued, it had fallen to Greece to carry on Europe's course, giving clear indications of progress. ''We showed progress,'' he added, citing as examples the deepening of the single market and link-up of the European markets of energy, transports, macro-economic services and environmental issues.

    [02] Arab League secretary general extremely concerned over Iraq crisis

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa held consecutive meetings with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou in Athens on Monday and appeared extremely concerned over the development of the Iraq crisis and its repercussions in the wider region.

    Speaking after his meeting with Papandreou, Mousa said we are in the middle of a very serious crisis and stressed the need for the challenges and dangers they entail be handled as soon as possible.

    ''The issue is how the war will stop as soon as possible to enable us to be led to a political settlement of whatever issues have been raised,'' he said.

    Mousa said the European Union, the Arab League, the Greek EU presidency and many other foreign leaders should have continuous intensive consultations ''for a solution to be found as soon as possible.''

    Asked whether he is concerned over the possibility of other countries getting involved in the war, such as Syria or Iran, Mousa said the situation in Iraq is very serious, one way or another, and one can imagine how tragic it would become if whatever other country got involved in the war.

    On the question of what the Arab League can do for an end to the crisis, Mousa said consultations and contacts are continuing with the EU presidency, Russia and other countries able to contribute in this direction, clarifying that he cannot announce something more specific at this stage.

    Mousa termed unprecedented and excessive ''the destruction we are seeing in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, not only for whatever Arab but also for whatever thinking person.''

    Papandreou said his discussion with the Arab League's secretary general ''in these very difficult times'' was very important and useful, adding that the EU had very close cooperation with the Arab countries all these past months and weeks and will continue its consultations with the Arab League, sending a message that there is no clash between Europe and the Arab world.

    The foreign minister reminded that the EU had made efforts to avert military operations and assured that efforts should be continued and that the Greek presidency will try to contribute to the finding of a political solution within the framework of UN resolutions.

    He further spoke of ''a real drama taking place in Iraq'' and pointed out that he and Mousa discussed cooperation between the EU and the Arab world, the initiatives of Arab countries and possible joint initiatives to handle the situation, placing special emphasis on the ''humanitarian problem'' which constitutes what he termed was a priority for the EU at the moment.

    Papandreou said he also discussed with Mousa the political aspects of the crisis and assured that the EU presidency will continue to have close cooperation with the Arab world, stressing that ''our consultations might prove to be very useful, at the right moment, to enable us to contribute to the ending of the war.''

    [03] Greece does not wish for Turkey's international isolation, DM says

    NEW YORK 01/04/2003 (ANA - P. Panayiotou)

    Greece does not wish for Turkey's international isolation, Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said on Monday here, stressing that he will table this issue for discussion during his meetings with U.S. officials in Washington on Tuesday.

    Papantoniou said that the war in Iraq creates new parameters and that there was ''a danger of Turkey being internationally isolated. Greece believes that this danger should be averted, because Turkey should remain incorporated in the international and European system, if we really want to have a substantial and long-term improvement in Greek-Turkish relations''.

    During his stay in the city, Papantoniou met with Archbishop of America Dimitrios and following the meeting he said that he had ''an interesting discussion for the great work accomplished in the U.S. for the consolidation of Orthodox Christianity''.

    [04] Greek presidency does not foresee problems with Accession treaties

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    European president Greece does not foresee problems with the signature of Accession Treaties by the 10 new member-states that is programmed to take place in Athens on April 16, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said on Monday.

    Responding to questions, he said a meeting between delegations representing the European Parliament, the EU council of ministers and the European Commission sought to find solutions to problems related to the European Parliament, so that the procedure could progress smoothly and the Parliament ratify the accession of the new members.

    In response to other questions, Beglitis said that there were disagreements with the United States and Britain regarding the distribution of humanitarian aid within Iraq.

    In the meantime, Greece was continuing to collect humanitarian aid to send to countries bordering Iraq, so that it would be on hand as soon as the problems were settled, he added.

    [05] EU president Greece: Iraq not on the agenda of April Summit

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    European Union president Greece does not intend to add the issue of the war in Iraq to the agenda of the EU Summit that will be held on 16 April in Athens, a Greek government spokesman said on Monday.

    Spokesman Christos Protopapas told reporters that the decision recently made at the EU Brussels Summit on the issue would be reviewed only in the event new developments emerged, and underlined the significance of the bloc's stance on the role of the United Nations.

    The unanimous position of the EU is that in post-war Iraq the next move will be rebuilding, which must fall under the responsibilities of the United Nations.

    ''Agreement by all on the role of the UN in post-war Iraq was especially important'', the spokesman said.

    [06] Greece welcomes UN decision ''oil for food'' program for Iraq

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos on Monday welcomed the decision of the United Nations Security Council for the re-start of the ''petrol for food'' program for Iraq.

    ''This decision is the first step so as to confront immediately the humanitarian needs of the tried Iraqi people through the United Nations,'' Loverdos said, adding that Greece as a state, but also as the president of the European Union has repeatedly supported the central role that the UN should play both during the conflict and after it.

    [07] PM to meet Balkan leaders this week

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Outlining Prime Minister Costas Simitis’ schedule for the week, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said Simitis will be meeting Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano on Wednesday, Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zirkovic on Thursday at 13:30, followed by past premier of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Branko Crvenkovski on Thursday at 14:30.

    On Tuesday at 10:00, Simitis is to chair a meeting with Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Deputy Finance Minister Christos Pahtas on the absorption of 3rd Community Support Framework funds, which will later be joined by Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou, Education Minister Petros Efthymiou and Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

    On Wednesday at 10:00, Simitis will address a convention of the European Parliament's Socialist group at the Greek resort in Asteras, Vouliagmenis, followed by his meeting with Nano at 12:30 and a meeting with Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis at 13:30.

    On Thursday, the prime minister will chair a meeting on the metropolitan park to be created at the site of the old Athens airport at Ellinikon attended by Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou, Transport Minister Christos Verelis, Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Deputy Culture Minister Nasos Alevras, Press and Media Minister Christos Protopapas and Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris.

    On Thursday at 13:30, Simitis will meet the Serb premier, followed by Crvenkovski at 14:30 and PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Laliotis at 18:30.

    On Friday at 10:00, the Greek premier will chair a meeting on the Cyprus issue between Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis. The three are to be joined later by Press and Media Minister Christos Protopapas, Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis for a meeting on organizational aspects of preparing the two European Union summits to take place under the Greek EU presidency.

    [08] Greece turns down US request to set up Souda bay patrols

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Greece had refused a request by the United States to allow U.S. forces to patrol the Souda Bay area in order to protect the U.S. base stationed there, Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Monday.

    Responding to questions, Protopapas said there had been no difference of opinion on this issue between Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

    [09] EU's first military operation begins in

    FYROM SKOPJE 01/04/2003 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

    NATO General Secretary Lord Robertson, European Union high commissioner Javier Solana, French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, and Greek Foreign Ministry General Secretary on issues of Greeks living abroad Dimitrios Dollis, representing the Greek EU presidency, were present for the changeover of the peacekeeping force, from NATO to EU troops, in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), on Monday.

    With the deployment of the Euroforce, the European Union will begin its first ever military operation by undertaking the peacekeeping activities of NATO in the small landlocked country of the central Balkans.

    Dollis called the changeover as one of the most important moments for the European Union and the Greek presidency, adding that conditions in FYROM have improved significantly following the signing of the peace agreement in August 2001 and reassured the leadership of the country that the mission will be successful.

    ''The EU is unreservedly in favor of the stability and territorial integrity of FYROM and will contribute as effectively as possible in its development. The future of the western Balkans' countries is in the EU and the Summit of Thessaloniki will provide a significant push toward that direction,'' Dollis said.

    Dollis held a separate meeting with FYROM's Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski.

    Speaking to the event, Robertson noted that with the ''undertaking of this mission the EU shows that its plans for the European security and defense policy have matured,'' adding that NATO will remain in FYROM with a small force to aid that first ever effort of the EU.

    On his part, Solana said that the EU will continue to cooperate with NATO and stressed that it will aid FYROM in its efforts of integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures.

    FYROM requested officially, following a unanimous vote of its Parliament, the deployment of the Euroforce, in an operation, codenamed ‘‘Concordia’’ that has a six-month mandate replacing the NATO ''Allied Harmony'' force.

    According to EU military sources, the ''EUFOR'' force is composed of about 350 men from 27 countries, with France having the largest participation.

    It will be deployed all throughout the country, its headquarters will be in Skopje, and will be composed of 22 mobile units of four men each without military backing by armor and of eight fixed units of four-to-eight men with military backing by armor. The sources said the purpose of the force is to avert national tensions in certain sensitive regions in the country, such as Tetovo, and in the event of clashes their solution as soon as possible.

    In the event that FYROM appeals to the EU for an extension of the European force's presence, before the six-month deadline expires, the request will be examined by the EU's Council of Ministers.

    The next aim of the Euroforce, which will number 60,000 men, will be to replace NATO forces in Bosnia, which now number 12,000 men, if of course there is an agreement between NATO and the EU, similar to that of FYROM.

    [10] European women MPs, MEPs sign Declaration for Peace at Acropolis

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Women MPs and European Parliament deputies from the 15 EU member states and the new member countries slated to join the Union in 2003 on Monday called for the establishment of an International Council of Women, as a UN body, for the purpose of active contribution to the process of building peace and security in the Middle East.

    The women MPs and MEPs made the call in a ''Declaration for Peace'' they signed Monday morning at the Athens Acropolis.

    Greece's ruling PASOK MEP Anna Karamanou, who is president of the Europarliament's Committee for Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities and also the initiator of the Declaration, said that the proposal is backed by the current Greek EU presidency, which intended to bring the issue before the European Council. She further called for the further advancement and acceptance of the proposal by the presidents of the European Parliament and European Commission, as well as by the UN Secretary General.

    The first to sign the declaration was Greece's environment, town planning and public works minister and PASOK MP Vasso Papandreou, who in 1989 was the first woman to serve on the European Commission. Papandreou, followed by Greece's secretary general for equality Efi Bekou, signed as representatives of the country currently presiding over the EU. The Declaration was further signed by PASOK MEP Meni Malliori and New Democracy MEP Rodi Kratsa on the Greek side.

    The Declaration stresses that peace is a fundamental human value, and calls the Iraq war a "resounding failure of international diplomacy".

    It further notes that women have proven their capability in resolving conflicts through peaceful means, adding that women "unfortunately continue to be under-represented in the negotiations and diplomacy that aims at preventing conflicts".

    The Declaration also expresses grief for all those suffering from the war, mainly the women and children, and calls on the international community to secure the necessary urgent humanitarian aid. It further expresses the conviction that the United Nations will appraise the needs and destruction after the war and that the international community, under UN coordination, will consolidate peace for all the citizens of Iraq, taking into consideration the women's voices for security and democracy both in Iraq and the rest of the world.

    After the signing ceremony, Papandreou said the support of everyone was necessary in order to cement peace, adding that if there were more women in the decision-taking centers, perhaps this war would never have taken place. She continued that it was necessary to have more women in the decision-taking centers, so that the decisions would be taken on the basis of humanitarian criteria rather than on the interests of the powerful.

    Karamanou said that the message of peace was symbolic, adding that the women were opposed to wars as a means of resolving differences, "but unfortunately we are absent from the decision-taking centers".

    Bekou called for intensification of the "efforts to stop this irrational war" and for the resolution of differences within the framework of the UN and other international organizations.

    Karamanou has also called an emergency meeting of the European Network of Parliamentary Equal Rights Committees in Athens on Monday that will discuss issues pertaining to the participation of women in dialogue in Europe and the legal, economic and social dimensions of women’s' rights.

    [11] European Socialist Group meeting starts on Monday in Athens

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    The European Socialist Group on Monday will begin a four-day meeting in Athens, with the war in Iraq, the crisis within the EU and the role the bloc is called to play in the post-war era topping the agenda, a press announcement from the parliamentary group of Greece's ruling PASOK party said on Monday.

    Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, European Council president in-office, will deliver a greeting to the plenary session of the European Socialist Group, the announcement said.

    [12] EU president Greece condemns recent suicide attack at Netanya

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    European Union president Greece on Monday issued a statement to condemn the recent suicide attack by a Palestinian extremist on Sunday at the seaside town of Netanya, Israel that left at least 30 people wounded.

    The full text of the statement follows below:

    ''The Presidency condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist suicide attack, carried out by a Palestinian extremist in the town of Netanya in Israel causing the serious injury of dozens of innocent civilians. It expresses our sincere sympathy to the relatives of the victims and to the Israeli government.

    ''The Presidency is convinced that such actions undermine any peaceful resolution of this conflict and pose serious difficulty to the fulfillment of the legitimate Palestinian national aspirations. Equally so, the continuation of violence underlines the necessity of immediate and full implementation of the Quartet’s road-map by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which will lead to a solution of two states living in internationally recognized borders with security and peace.

    [13] Greek economy able to withstand Iraq war repercussions, gov't says

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    The Greek economy had sound foundations and would be able to withstand the Iraq war without serious repercussions, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Monday.

    "We have shielded [the economy] and this is particularly important today, because otherwise there would be serious consequences," he noted.

    The government's attention was focused on high growth rates with which to combat unemployment, the spokesman added.

    According to Protopapas, the war in Iraq "had no real basis and remained unjustified". He said that this was proved by its disastrous consequences for the international and European economy.

    He said a campaign to promote Greek tourism was planned and would be launched to coincide with the end of the war.

    [14] EU meeting in Athens to discuss expansion budget

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    A Tripartite Dialogue meeting will be held on Tuesday in Athens to agree on a final plan of a fiscal framework for the period 2004-2006 ahead of an EU expansion eastwards.

    The meeting, chaired by Greek Economy and Finance Deputy Minister George Floridis, will be held at the Zappeion Hall and will be attended by EU Budget Commissioner Michele Schreyer and the chairman of the European Parliament's Budget Commission T. Wynn.

    Officials from the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission will also attend the meeting.

    [15] Budget spending jumps 24.4 pct in Jan-Feb, gov’t says

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Greece's ordinary budget revenues totalled 5.625 billion euros in the first two months of 2003, up 0.4 percent from the same period last year, the finance ministry said on Monday.

    The ministry, in its monthly report on state revenues and spending, noted that the percentage change from the January-February last year was distorted by 469 million euros revenue in February 2002 resulting from the circulation of the euro currency. If this sum was excluded the percentage change from the first two months in 2002 was 9.6 percent.

    Primary spending jumped 24.4 percent in the first two months of 2003, compared with the corresponding period last year, reflecting increased spending on wages and pensions.

    The finance ministry said it expected spending to gradually slowdown in the next few months.

    Spending on interest payments fell 19.4 percent in January-February, payments on a public investment program soared 202.3 percent, while the state budget's borrowing needs jumped to 2.328 billion euros from 1.378 billion euros in the same period last year.

    [16] Greek EU presidency welcomes outcome of sea transport meeting

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Greece's rotating presidency of the European Union on Monday welcomed the outcome of a marine transport ministers' meeting held in Brussels last week.

    Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis told a news conference that the ministers had approved acceleration of a ban on single-hull tankers carrying heavy fuel oil to the year 2010 from 2015, as originally scheduled.

    ''We support all rules and measures that lead to a strengthening of the quality of maritime transportation with top-level services and respect for the environment,'' Anomeritis had said in Brussels after the meeting. ''Our decisions will safeguard the safety of ships and crews.''

    Ministers also agreed a transition period for smaller single hull vessels of up to 5,000 tones, which are needed for supplying small islands with fuel. The vessels have to be withdrawn in 2008.

    Anomeritis also said on Monday that ministers agreed that the issue should also be advanced at the International Maritime Organization, as its ramifications also lay beyond European regional policy.

    [17] Athens bourse turnover drops in March

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Transactions on the Athens Stock Exchange totalled 1,397.255 million euros in March, with an average daily turnover of 73.54 million euros against 59.493 million euros a month earlier, bourse authorities said on Monday.

    The general share index lost 9.09 percent against February and dropped by 16.08 percent from the start of the year. Market capitalization was down more than 11 billion euros in March, authorities said in a statement.

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for high capitalization stocks finished the month with an 11.16 percent decline in comparison with February, the statement said.

    [18] Greek stocks plunge to new six-year lows on Monday

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Greek stocks plunged to new six-year lows in the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday, as fears of a prolonged war in Iraq led international and domestic investors to massive liquidation of equity holdings.

    The general index ended 3.34 percent lower at 1,467.30 points, with turnover a low 72.8 million euros.

    All sector indexes ended lower, with the Textile, Telecommunications, Holding, Wholesale, Cement and Publication sectors suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day (6.38 percent, 5.25 percent, 4.94 percent, 4.54 percent, 3.90 percent and 3.30 percent, respectively).

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 3.75 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 2.75 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 3.83 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 3.59 percent off.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 295 to 34 with another 23 issues unchanged.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 52.0 mln euros Monday

    Equity Index Futures:

  • FTSE/ASE-20 (high cap): At discount

  • Underlying Index: -3.75 percent

  • FTSE/ASE-40 (medium cap): At discount

  • Underlying Index: -2.75 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (312)

  • Total market turnover: 52.0 million euros

    Bond Market Close: Sellers outstrip buyers on Monday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.30 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 19 bps

  • Day's Market Turnover: 1.9 bln euros

  • Most Active Bond: 10-year, expiring Jan 2009 (350 mln euros)

    [19] Turkish plane hijacker imprisoned pending trial on two felony charges

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    The young hijacker of a Turkish Airlines plane with 203 people aboard who was arrested on the weekend in Athens where the plane stopped for refueling was on Monday imprisoned pending trial on two felonies and a misdemeanor.

    Turkish national Ozjur Cencaslan, 20, is charged with infringing aviation regulations, and hijacking an airplane thus causing hazard to human life, both felonies, and illegal possession of arms. Cencaslan late Friday hijacked a Turkish Airlines Airbus 130 carrying out domestic flight TK160 from Istanbul to Ankara, and forced the pilots to touch down at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos international airport for refueling in order to continue on to Germany.

    The Airbus was carrying 194 passengers and a nine-member crew, who were all released by the hijacker in Athens.

    According to sources, Cencaslan claimed before an Athens examining magistrate on Monday that he had been compelled to hijack the plane in order to go to Germany to see his wife since he had been unable to obtain a visa.

    Commenting on the incident, Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Monday said the hijacker would be tried based on Greek law and that Turkey had not asked for the man to be deported.

    [20] PM praises telethon raising funds for Iraqi children

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday expressed praise for a telethon being organized by the private Greek television station Alpha to raise funds for aid to Iraqi children, including medicine and other basic needs.

    Greek society was steadily oriented toward peace and had a developed sense of solidarity with the victims of the war, he said.

    ''I want to applaud every initiative taken in the framework of humanitarian aid for the civilian population and especially children, who are the innocent victims of a military conflict that could have been avoided,'' the prime minister said.

    Meanwhile, in an announcement on Monday, the 'Greek Solidarity Caravan' said it would not be gathering food and clothes to send to Iraq because it was unable to ensure that it would able to act independently in Iraq under present conditions and would be forced to cooperate with United States and British forces.

    Such a course would be contrary to its principles, the organization added.

    It said it would continue to receive cash donations at the National Bank of Greece account number 159/480503-88 and that this money would be put into action as soon as there was a humanitarian route supervised by the United Nations for the "financial adoption" of Iraqi children that had lost their parents as a result of the U.S. and British military operation.

    [21] "Ark of Hope" for Iraq begins in Athens on Monday

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    The "Ark of Hope" an initiative of the Athens Municipality to collect humanitarian aid in kind and in cash for the children of Iraq began on Monday morning at Athens' central Syntagma Square and on Tuesday it will decentralize its efforts by opening collection points in seven other parts of the municipality.

    Municipal employees will collect the materials from the drop off points at 9 p.m. every day and then they will sort out, package and prepare the materials for the mission to Iraq.

    Mayor of Athens Dora Bakoyianni called it an effort to send some aid to the children of Iraq that may be a drop in an ocean, but it will reach at least some of the children.

    The effort is co-sponsored by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees, the doctors of the World, the Greek Council for Refugees and the Pharmacists without Frontiers.

    [22] Magistrate says Kokkalis case should be dropped, cites insufficient evidence

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    The examining magistrate investigating allegations of espionage against Intracom chief Socratis Kokkalis on Monday advised the primary court public prosecutor to put the case on file, saying that there was insufficient evidence to support the charges of espionage and fraud made against the telecoms tycoon.

    The recommendation has been passed on to the Appeals public prosecutor's office, which will make the final decision on whether the case should be prosecuted or not.

    The charges were filed against Kokkalis in 2002 after an 11-month judicial investigation spurred by allegations from main opposition New Democracy MP Panos Kammenos, who claimed that Kokkalis had served for the former East German intelligence agency known as “Stazi”.

    [23] N17 leaders not on trial, witness claims

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Only a small operational part of the terror group ''November 17'' was on trial in the courtroom, former minister and terror attack victim George Petsos said on the witness stand on Monday.

    Addressing the Three-Member Criminal Court where the 19 suspects accused as N17 members are on trial, Petsos claimed that the leaders and those that wrote the proclamations were not present in the courtroom and hinted at the involvement of the Greek intelligence service in the attack against him.

    Petsos's car was booby-trapped with explosives by the terror group on May 8, 1989 in Filothei.

    He said that the attacks against him and assassinated MP Pavlos Bakoyiannis were politically motivated, while in his case they aimed to prevent his appearance in the special court trying the Koskotas scandal.

    The trial will continue on Tuesday with the examination of further witnesses regarding the attempt on Petsos' life, after which witnesses to the Bakoyianni murder will be called.

    [24] Professors and teachers say Iraq war crime against humanity

    Athens, 01/04/2003 (ANA)

    Professors and teachers' unions announced on Monday they condemn governments participating directly or indirectly in the Iraq war, terming it a crime against humanity and calling for its immediate end.

    The unions said they will hold a 24-hour strike on April 3, participating in the strike called by the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) and the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), in cooperation with other trade union and social agencies. A rally will be held at Syntagma Square in Athens at 11 a.m. on the same day.

    ''We call on the Greek government to share the anti-war mood of pupils, teachers and all the citizens of our country, not permitting the use of national space and the operation of the bases to support military operations,'' it was added.

    [25] Albanian police arrest crew aboard Greek-owned ship 'Anastasios 2'

    TIRANA 01/04/2003 (ANA - I. Paco)

    Albanian police have arrested the crew on the Greek-owned ship ''Anastasios 2'' for people-smuggling and the ship is now stranded in Durres port, according to an ANA dispatch from Tirana on Monday.

    None of the names of those arrested have been released by Albanian authorities, though local television stations claim that three Greeks, two Syrian nationals and one Bangladeshi were among those detained and that the Greek captain of the vessel is being sought.

    Albanian police announced that the ship and its crew were suspected of involvement in smuggling and that five Pakistani illegals were found on board, who were bound for Italy.

    [26] Cyprus says UN report 'balanced but lacking'

    NICOSIA 01/04/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    Government spokesman Kypros Chrisostomides has described a report by the UN Secretary General to the 59th session of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva as ''balanced but lacking''.

    ''Unfortunately the report continues to be balanced but lacking, I

    would say, as it makes no reference to the continuous violations of human rights by Turkey since 1974, despite the fact that it mentions the Fourth Interstate Application against Turkey and the Loizidou case,'' the spokesman said.

    In both cases Turkey was found guilty by the European Court of Human Rights of violating the human rights in Cyprus and was called to make amends and pay compensation.

    The report said Cyprus' division and the political situation on the island prevent universal application of human rights throughout the country and noted that a comprehensive settlement of the political impasse would help greatly the situation of human rights in Cyprus.

    Furthermore, it notes Turkey's refusal to implement the two Court cases against Turkey relating to human rights violations, an individual case and an interstate application.

    It covers the period up to January 2003, before the collapse of the latest UN effort to reach a comprehensive settlement.


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