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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-10-15

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

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

October 15, 2003

CONTENTS

  • [01] PM addresses ruling PASOK parliamentary group, denies reshuffle rumor
  • [02] Papandreou: justice to investigate official's suicide
  • [03] President Stephanopoulos begins three-day official visit to Serbia-Montenegro
  • [04] Spokesman says has no information regarding Powell's visit to Athens
  • [05] Karamanlis, Mitsotakis, discuss economy, Greek-Turkish relations
  • [06] MP tables question over 'lost' Internet domain names
  • [07] FM Papandreou hails election of Greek judge as EU community court president
  • [08] Deputy FM meets with Russian counterpart in Athens
  • [09] Simitis, Karamanlis to attend party conferences in Brussels
  • [10] ESHEA deplores maltreatment of two Greek journalists in Turkey
  • [11] Gov't spokesman says EU has decided to provide economic aid for Iraq
  • [12] Greek exports rise 5.1 percent in first half 2003
  • [13] Greek tourism authorities participate in intl travel fairs
  • [14] Record number of Greeks visit Turkey Jan-Sept
  • [15] Greek stocks end lackluster session slightly up
  • [16] ATHOC agreement with Athens-based medical group
  • [17] Rail link to Athens airport to be ready for 2004 Olympics, gov't says
  • [18] Ambassador Savvaides invites U.S. students to watch Olympic Games
  • [19] Athens Metro to open new station in February
  • [20] Gov't to 'examine' issue of biometric scans on airline passengers
  • [21] Public prosecutor orders investigation into illegal buildings in Piraeus
  • [22] Defense for Tzortzatos continues to present final arguments
  • [23] Siamese twins will be able to return to Thessaloniki in two or three weeks
  • [24] Greek National Tourism Organization presents ''Ulysses Voyage'
  • [25] Greek Parliament to support Ukraine schools in which Greek language is taught
  • [26] Event on modern Greek culture to be organized in Montreal
  • [27] Judicial panel rules against Gusinsky's extradition
  • [28] Spyros Simitis proclaimed honorary professor of Athens University
  • [29] Cyprus President: Cyprus question relates to change in Ankara's policies

  • [01] PM addresses ruling PASOK parliamentary group, denies reshuffle rumor

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday called for the ''dynamic participation'' by all of ruling PASOK’s deputies in order for the party to win next year's general elections.

    In addressing a meeting of PASOK’s parliamentary group, Simitis also denied rumors of a government reshuffle, before criticizing those who ''cultivate attacks against MPs in order to mar their personal dignity''.

    He also called on PASOK’s deputies to disregard such rumors, and instead to focus on the party’s strategy for reducing unemployment, for convergence with the EU, and for national issues.

    The premier further called on his deputies to showcase the government's accomplishments of recent years and its commitments for the next four-year term to voters, while at the same time accusing main opposition New Democracy of engaging in a ''sterile opposition'' that aims only at assuming power. Among others, he cited ND leader Costas Karamanlis' stance on Greek-Turkish affairs and the main opposition party's stance on the ''re-establishment'' of the state.

    ND's sole goal is to gain power in favor of a ''closed group and circle of party supporters'', Simitis said.

    In pointing to what he said were the government’s accomplishments, he cited a reduction in joblessness (8.9 percent), GDP growth rates exceeding the 4-percent mark, a successful campaign against local terrorism, Cyprus’ EU accession, a successful Greek EU presidency as well as ongoing efforts to prepare for next year’s Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

    However, he cautioned that there are “no magical recipes” for growth, instead an acceleration of modernization is necessary to provide prospects for Greek society.

    In reference to the “convergence charter” he unveiled last month in tandem with a “social charter” foreseeing more social spending, Simitis said:

    “Let me repeat: The measures will not be cut but they will not be multiplied, either. The government is not a mechanism for satisfying every demand … If we try and achieve convergence in one night, then we will miss out forever,” he told PASOK’s deputies.

    Following several speeches by numerous PASOK deputies, Simitis again took the podium, where he agreed with many of the previous speakers on the issue of quickly deciding on candidate lists for the upcoming elections.

    He also disputed a repeated charge by the main opposition that PASOK has become a "regime" in the country, saying this is an insult for a party that has consistently won elections through a democratic process.

    He also dismissed ND's promises of a new and replenished government once in power, claiming that cadres that served in the 1990-93 government and even as far back as 1974 cannot be considered as new political blood.

    ND reaction: In commenting on Simitis' address, a ND spokesman said:

    ''Just as true as is the fact that Mr. Simitis and PASOK said 'yes' to the European Union is the fact that PASOK adopted rules of transparency and meritocracy in governing the land.

    ''Twenty years is way too long for Mr. Simitis to believe that the Greek people have not picked up on them (PASOK),'' spokesman Thodoris Roussopoulos charged.

    KKE: In a later reaction to the prime minister’s address, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) later issued a press release stating: “PASOK has turned the client-state, the buying out of consciences, ideological terrorism and blackmail into a science. Its policy makes the many poorer and the few richer”.

    [02] Papandreou: justice to investigate official's suicide

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Commenting on the suicide of Roubini Stathea-Tzavara, 52, a high-ranking official who last week tried to postpone the execution of a demolition order for a beachfront wall erected by a wealthy shipowner, Environment and Town Planning Minister Vasso Papandreou on Tuesday said it was a very distressing event that was now in the hands of the law.

    ''Justice will take over from now on. We will continue our policy,'' the minister told reporters.

    Papandreou said that inquiries into the affair had been ordered by the public administration inspectors department and the public prosecutor's office.

    Asked whether there were instances of corruption involving buildings without planning permission and beachfront villas, the minister only replied that justice would be investigating ''everything''.

    She also underlined that the government's policy would continue when asked if the demolitions that had been scheduled would go ahead.

    The government also expressed its sorrow over the affair via government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Tuesday, who urged all sides to wait for the results of the inquiries.

    Protopapas also reserved criticism for those attempting to embroil government ministers and officials in the affair by "spreading rumors", clarifying that he was not referring to political forces.

    He said all sides should allow the authorities to do their job and stressed that the government had made its position on illegal construction clear from the start.

    In an announcement on Tuesday, meanwhile, Public Administration General Inspector Costas Dafermos revealed that his department had come into contact with Stathea-Tzavara last week and scheduled a meeting, in the framework of an investigation into her attempt to stay the demolition orders.

    Dafermos said that the Special Secretary of the Public Administration Inspectors/Auditors Corps (SEEDD), Costas Koyias, was sent to conduct an urgent inspection on October 7.

    The meeting was postponed until Sunday morning at Stathea-Tzavara request and was conducted in a ''friendly and cooperative climate'' according to the inspector, who said she had given no sign that she was contemplating suicide.

    Her body was discovered close to her holiday home near the Keratea town on Monday afternoon, at the bottom of a 20-metre cliff roughly a kilometer from her residence in eastern Attica.

    A mother of two and a high-ranking official at the finance ministry-affiliated State Real Estate Service, she came into the media spotlight early last week when she attempted to temporarily block demolition orders for four beachfront walls built around luxury villas in the southeast Athens coastal district of Anavyssos, saying that they should be re-assessed on the basis of constantly changing Greek legislation regulating seafront zoning.

    According to reports, the woman had left three notes at her residence, one addressed to her husband and one each to her two children, while the former also told police she phoned him earlier and threatened to commit suicide.

    Notes to her superiors at work, her family doctor and Sunday Eleftherotypia publisher Seraphim Fyndanides were later found at her office.

    All six letters left behind by Stathea-Tzavara are now in the hands of the first-instance public prosecutor supervising the investigation into her death, while her husband has made a statement to the police.

    Police also intend to take statements from her colleagues at the State Real Estate Service over the coming days.

    Official sources said that none of the letters indicate that Stathea-Tzouvara had been threatened in any way, while they also denied any present plans to open her bank accounts.

    City planning officer's suicide note to newspaper calls attention to problems: Roubini Stathea-Tzavara, 52, a city planning officer that committed suicide on Monday, left behind letters to her husband, children and one addressed to the director of the Athens's daily newspaper ''Eleftherotypia'', explaining the reasons behind her decision to put an end to her life.

    The letter to the newspaper, began saying ''this is not a resignation, this is not running away. I believe, that every end is a new beginning. I wish my end to be a new beginning for a small effort on everyone's part to become better. The employees a little more diligent, responsible and effective. The politicians a little more honest. The judges a little more credible, the journalists a little less carnivorous''.

    ''I am not a heroine, I do not consider myself a martyr. I believe that I must pay for my mistakes and my inadequacies, since with my actions I embarrassed my husband one more time of many, the most sensitive man of integrity and democratic ideas I ever met, (with my actions) I undermined his political future, which deserves to be great. I embarrassed my children, my service, my ministry, the government and the judicial power,'' she wrote in the apparent suicide note to the newspaper.

    ''I believe that most employees are honest. It is not their fault that they pay for the inadequacies and dysfunction of the system, (which exist) since the beginning of the Greek state,'' Stathea-Tzavara said in the letter, adding ''I believe that the government - with exceptions - is the best I have ever lived through and as far as the premier goes I believe him to be the most honest one we ever had''.

    In closing she said ''my last wish is that employees not be prosecuted for mistakes and inconsistencies for the reasons I provided in the aforementioned''.

    [03] President Stephanopoulos begins three-day official visit to Serbia-Montenegro

    BELGRADE 15/10/2003 (ANA/N. Megadoukas)

    President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos began a three-day official visit to Serbia-Montenegro on Tuesday night, aimed at further strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, with talks with President Svedozar Marovic.

    ''I am among friends. And this friendship of ours has been proved in practice. And we shall do this in the future as well with words and with deeds,'' President Stephanopoulos said after his talks with President Marovic.

    President Stephanopoulos reiterated Greek support for the effort of Serbia-Montenegro to join Euroatlantic institutions, the NATO alliance and the European Union.

    Additional proof of the president's words is the Greek plan for Balkan reconstruction, half of whose funds are directed at Serbia-Montenegro and which was a topic of discussion between the two presidents, in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos.

    President Marovic said a part of these funds will go for the construction of Corridor 10, extending from the city of Nis to the border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), another part will be used for electric power in Nis and a third part for the construction of a hospital in the city of Podgorica.

    Both in statements after his meeting with President Marovic and during his toast at the official dinner hosted in his honor, President Stephanopoulos stressed that Greece desires, and is working to achieve this, a stabilization of the situation in the western Balkans and congratulated his counterpart of Serbia-Montenegro for his country's efforts in this direction.

    President Stephanopoulos will inaugurate the Greek-Serbian business forum (to be attended by about 50 Greek businessmen who are accompanying him on his visit to Belgrade) on Wednesday morning, and afterwards he will visit acting Serbian President Micic and address the Parliament of Serbia-Montenegro.

    Greek president speaks of historic Greek-Serbian bonds in newspaper interview:

    President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Tuesday referred to the historic bonds between Greece and Serbia-Montenegro, in an interview to a local newspaper.

    In his interview to the Belgrade ''Politika'' newspaper, Stephanopoulos spoke of the feelings of friendship, adding ''these feelings did not change during the time we found ourselves in different ideological sides and are not about the change now that we are on the same road and are expecting the rapprochement and the entry of Serbia and Montenegro to the European Union''.

    ''These relations have a history going back to centuries and were forged in the framework of common aims and common vision for the wider Balkan region,'' Stephanopoulos said, adding that Greece and Serbia never fought against each other, to the contrary, he said, they were always on the same side.

    The president is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos, and during his three-day stay here he will meet with the country's leadership.

    [04] Spokesman says has no information regarding Powell's visit to Athens

    WASHINGTON 15/10/2003 (ANA/T. Ellis)

    Asked whether US Secretary of State Colin Powell will visit Greece next week as scheduled, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher on Tuesday avoided replying with certainty, stating that Powell has on his agenda visits to Thailand and Spain, where he will take part in the meeting of donors for Iraq.

    Boucher said that at this moment of time he himself was not in a position to announce other stopovers.

    ''If there are any stopovers we will tell you them when they are decided,'' Boucher stressed, stating that for the time being, he has no information regarding Powell's visit to Athens.

    Concluding, he said that at this stage he is not denying anything, but simply is not in a position to answer categorically.

    [05] Karamanlis, Mitsotakis, discuss economy, Greek-Turkish relations

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis met Tuesday with the party's honorary leader and former premier Costas Mitsotakis and discussed the course of the economy and Greek-Turkish affairs.

    According to sources, the half-hour discussion focused on the 2004 state budget and the stance ND would take during the debate and vote in parliament, and on Karamanlis' recent meeting with Turkish prime minister Tayyip Erdogan. The two men also exchanged views on the course of Greek-Turkish relations and on the Cyprus issue.

    [06] MP tables question over 'lost' Internet domain names

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy MP Theodoros Kassimis on Tuesday tabled a question in Parliament over the government's failure to protect 'prime' Internet domain names for Greek tourism, which had been lost to the private sector.

    In a question for Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Kassimis said that the IP addresses greece.info, greece.com and hellas.com were all registered to private firms, one of them American.

    He compared this with the IP address spain.info, which was visited by millions of users seeking tourist info.

    The equivalent greece.info was registered to a US firm based in California, while www.greece.com was registered to a small Greek firm in Glyka Nera and www.hellas.com to a small firm in Galatsi.

    The MP also pointed out that the domain name for the Greek tourism organization was www.gnto.gr, which in no way enhanced visitability, while its .com counterpart was owned by a US firm that rented the trademark.

    [07] FM Papandreou hails election of Greek judge as EU community court president

    LUXEMBOURG 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou in a statement hailed the election of professor and judge Vassilis Skouris as president of the European communities court.

    ''The election of professor and judge Vassilis Skouris to the position of president of the European communities court at a crucial and important time for the Union, on the eve of the accession of 10 new members, is an honor for Greece,'' he said.

    Papandreou was speaking while congratulating the newly-elected president during a reception organized in his honor by the Greek ambassador to Luxembourg on Monday.

    Skouris was elected to the post for the period between October 7, 2003, and October 6, 2006.

    [08] Deputy FM meets with Russian counterpart in Athens

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis on Tuesday met with his visiting Russian counterpart Sergei Sergeyevic Razov and discussed bilateral political issues, international developments and relations between the Russian Federation and the European Union.

    ''Our discussion was very productive and it could not be any different, since the relations of the two countries are very good. In any case the timing is very appropriate since this year we are celebrating the 175th anniversary since the initiation of diplomatic relations between Greece and Russia,'' Magriotis said.

    He noted that they discussed the St. Petersburg Declaration regulating future relations between Russia and the EU and the Greek proposals accepted for a ''bilateral action plan'' between Greece and Russia.

    ''On affairs of bilateral economic interest, we discussed outstanding issues such as the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline and Mr. Razov informed me of the recent agreement between Russia and Bulgaria,'' he said.

    ''Now I believe that we can move forward with this great economic, energy and geostrategic effort,'' he added.

    Magriotis also made reference to the 120,000 strong Greek community in Russia which he said is playing a significant role in relations between the two states.

    On his part, Razov spoke of the coincidence of their meeting with the 175th anniversary since the initiation of diplomatic relations between the two countries and expressed his country's appreciation for Greek aid to the people of Southern Russia who were hit by natural disasters.

    ''On most issues we either had a coincidence of opinions or we were very close concerning our positions. We agreed to continue our contacts,'' he concluded.

    [09] Simitis, Karamanlis to attend party conferences in Brussels

    BRUSSELS 15/10/2003 (ANA/A. Simatos)

    The three big European Union parties will on Wednesday hold their conferences ahead of the European Summit as the European People's Party (EPP), the European Socialists and the Free Democrats' Party leaderships will arrive here.

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou will participate in the European Socialist Party conference, which will take place in the central hotel of the downtown Brussels area at 8 p.m. local time, with the participation of many socialist leaders.

    On his part, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis will participate in the EPP conference, which will take place at 7 p.m. at the city's National Botanical Garden.

    [10] ESHEA deplores maltreatment of two Greek journalists in Turkey

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    The Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA) in an announcement on Tuesday condemned the arrest of Mega Channel journalist Yiannis Kanellakis and cameraman Anestis Moutafis while on an assignment in Trabzon, Turkey, on October 6.

    Armed Turkish soldiers arrested the two newsmen on the outskirts of Trabzon and transported them to a military camp where they were detained for two days.

    The board of ESHEA denounced the unacceptable conditions of their captivity as during the first two hours of their arrest they were forbidden to communicate with the Greek authorities, their mobile phones were taken from them and they were kept in solitary confinement.

    The members of the journalistic mission were photographed by the Turkish authorities who took their fingerprints, made photocopies of all their documents and confiscated some of their journalistic equipment.

    The Turkish authorities accused Kanellakis of being a suspect for propaganda against the Turkish state.

    The members of the mission were freed following intervention by the Greek foreign ministry, the consulate in Istanbul and ESHEA.

    [11] Gov't spokesman says EU has decided to provide economic aid for Iraq

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Christos Protopapas, replying to a question by the press on Tuesday, said the European Union has decided to provide economic aid for the reconstruction of Iraq and it is being considered whether there will be any special Greek participation.

    The spokesman added that before any such discussion the UN must initially undertake the reconstruction of Iraq.

    Protopapas further said this also applies to the sending of forces, but in no way will Greece be sending an expeditionary force.

    [12] Greek exports rise 5.1 percent in first half 2003

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greek exports rose by 5.1 percent in the first six months of 2003 to 5.873 billion euros despite a strong rise in the euro currency exchange rate, reflecting strong exports to developed countries and in particular EU member-states and improved export performance of manufactured products, official figures said on Tuesday.

    Exports to EU rose 17 percent in the January-June period, while exports to OECD member-states increased by 16 percent over the same period.

    Greek exports to countries in a transition phase, former eastern bloc, rose 1.0 percent in the first six months of the year, with exports to former Soviet bloc countries falling 15 percent, while exports rose to former Yugoslavia and other Eastern and Central European countries.

    Exports to the Middle East and Northern Africa plunged 23 percent in the January-June period, while exports to Cyprus, Malta and Gibraltar fell by the same percentage rate.

    Imports, however, rose by 22 percent in the same period, resulting to a widening of the country's trade balance.

    Exports of manufactured goods rose 14 percent, with chemicals recording a spectacular 64 percent increase in the first half, while manufactured products also recorded a big rise (26%) in imports.

    [13] Greek tourism authorities participate in intl travel fairs

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greece's National Tourism Organization (GNTO) is strengthening its presence in international tourism fairs ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

    GNTO participated in JATA World Travel Fair in Japan along with a number of Greek tourist enterprises. The travel fair completed its activities with the promotion of the Olympic flame and the six Greek Olympic cities by Greek tourism authorities.

    GNTO also participated in TTW Tour-Travel 2003 international fair held in Warsaw, Poland.

    Around 40,000 people visited the travel fair, of which 9,000 were commercial visitors and 600 journalists.

    [14] Record number of Greeks visit Turkey Jan-Sept

    ANKARA 15/10/2003 (ANA/A.Abatzis)

    A record number of Greeks visited Turkey in January-September 2003, according to data released by the country's statistics service.

    A total of 283,222 Greek arrivals were recorded, up 43 percent on the same period of 2002. In full-year 2002, 280,433 Greeks traveled to Turkey.

    Among visitors, Greeks rank 10th at 2.1 percent of total arrivals to Turkey.

    Topping the league are Germans at 21.4 percent, followed by Russians at 11.0 percent and Britons at 10.4 percent.

    [15] Greek stocks end lackluster session slightly up

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greek stocks ended a calm session slightly higher in the Athens Stock Exchange on Tuesday, reflecting lack of directions and incentives in the market.

    The general index ended 0.10 percent higher at 2,114.75 points, with turnover a heavy 549.8 million euros, of which 433.9 million euros were a block trade in Papastratos' shares. The company sold 24,080,787 shares at 18.02 euros per share.

    The IT Solution (2.12 percent), Cement (1.03 percent) and Textile (0.93 percent) sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while the Base Metal, Construction and Wholesale sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (0.94 percent, 0.90 percent and 0.69 percent, respectively).

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.02 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.07 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.47 percent.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 187 to 100 with another 64 issues unchanged.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 74.2 mln euros Tuesday

    Equity Index Futures:

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

  • Underlying Index: +0.02% percent

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

  • Underlying Index: -0.07 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): National Bank of Greece (527)

  • Total turnover in derivatives market: 74.2 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers match sellers on Tuesday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.43 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 14 bps

  • Most heavily traded paper: 10-yr, expiring May 2013 (1.9 bln euros)

  • Day's Total Market Turnover: 3.8 bln euros

    FOREIGN EXCHANGE

    Closing rates of October 14 2003

    Parities in euro

    For. Exchange Buying Selling

    US Dollar 1,172 1,145

    [16] ATHOC agreement with Athens-based medical group

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Ôhe Athens 2004 Olympic organizing committee (ATHOC) and the Apostolopoulos medical group on Tuesday signed an agreement allowing the latter s clinics and hospitals in the greater Athens area to offer, if necessary , services to members of the  Olympic Family”.

    Other provisions include the sale of 2004 merchandise at group’s facilities and the possibility of ATHOC using a parking lot near the main Olympic Stadium (OAKA).

    The group’s managing director, Vassilis Apostolopoulos, and ATHOC Executive Director Marton Simitsek signed the agreement.

    [17] Rail link to Athens airport to be ready for 2004 Olympics, gov't says

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis on Tuesday again pledged that a rail link to Athens airport would be ready for the 2004 Olympics hosted by the capital.

    The minister was responding to media reports citing a report by the International Olympic Committee that said the project was delayed.

    Being built to the airport is a suburban rail link, whose tracks will also be able to accommodate metro trains.

    Verelis said all tracks and stations would be ready for use in the games, and the project was currently on schedule.

    [18] Ambassador Savvaides invites U.S. students to watch Olympic Games

    NEW YORK 15/10/2003 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

    Greek Ambassador to Washington George Savvaides has invited New York University students to witness the Athens 2004 Olympic Games at first hand, something, which he said, would be a ''unique experience'' for them.

    The ambassador conveyed the invitation on Monday in the course of a speech he gave at the university on the theme ''The orientations of Greek foreign policy''.

    During his stay in New York, the ambassador will meet Archbishop Dimitrios, academics and members of the Greek community.

    [19] Athens Metro to open new station in February

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    The Athens Metro will deliver to traffic its new station "Alexandros Panagoulis", located in Aghios Demetrios, Vouliagmeni Avenue, by the end of February, four months earlier than scheduled, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou said on Tuesday.

    Mrs Papandreou also announced that Line 2 of the Athens Metro would be extended to reach the former international Athens airport in Hellenikon by 2007.

    The 5.5 kilometer extension project, including four stations, from Aghios Demetrios to the old airport, will be auctioned by the end of 2003 and is expected to be completed by 2007. Mrs Papandreou said that the project was included in a Third Community Support Framework program and combined with the construction of a tram line would upgraded the transportation system in Athens' southern suburbs.

    The Greek minister stressed that the Athens Metro currently operates a network of 19 kilometers wide with 20 modern stations and that another 14.3 kilometers of new lines was under construction, of which 8.5 kilometers would be completed before the opening of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

    Athens Metro operating company's chairman, Yiannis Chrysikopoulos, stressed that the extension line from Aghios Demetrios to Hellenikon would include both underground and ground sections.

    [20] Gov't to 'examine' issue of biometric scans on airline passengers

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Tuesday said the government would ''examine'' the issue of introducing biometric scans at Athens airport, while noting that security issues were at stake and that Greece had a serious responsibility for the 2004 Olympics.

    The spokesman was responding to questions which voiced concern over the fact that European airlines - including Olympic Airways - were handing over passengers' personal and biometric data to United States security authorities.

    Asked to comment on the fact that the European Parliament had condemned the European Commission for assenting to the provision of such data, Protopapas said that the Euro-Parliament's views would be taken into account.

    He refused to answer on whether an iris scan system will be installed at Athens international airport at Spata.

    [21] Public prosecutor orders investigation into illegal buildings in Piraeus

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    A Piraeus public prosecutor on Tuesday ordered the start of a preliminary investigation to determine instances of illegal construction in the wider Piraeus area and whether demolition orders had been issued and carried out.

    The investigation will be conducted by public administration inspectors and the police, who have orders to complete their search as quickly as possible so that the offences discovered can be prosecuted under the law.

    According to sources within the public prosecutors' department, the investigation will then be extended to the islands of the Saronic Gulf, where real estate development has shot up in recent years.

    [22] Defense for Tzortzatos continues to present final arguments

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    The ongoing trial of 19 suspected "November 17" terrorists continued to hear final arguments from the defense team of defendant Vassilis Tzortzatos on Tuesday, whose defense lawyers have addressed the court over the past six sessions.

    The entire day was taken up by Tzortzatos' second defense lawyer, Costas Papadakis, who criticized the court's decision to ban TV coverage of the proceedings and said that there were "mechanisms" in the media to influence public opinion.

    He also criticized the speed with which the judicial investigation for the case had been carried out and claimed that former Supreme Court Prosecutor Evangelos Kroustallakis had interfered in the case by thanking the appeals magistrates for the way in which they carried out their investigation.

    Papadakis further claimed that the public prosecutor for terrorist cases Ioannis Diotis had seemed to believe that the prisoners' rights to communicate with the lawyers should be either ignored entirely or circumvented.

    Papadakis is to continue his address to the court on Wednesday.

    [23] Siamese twins will be able to return to Thessaloniki in two or three weeks

    ROME 15/10/2003 (ANA/L. Hatzikyriakos)

    Siamese twins, two girls four months old, operated on at the Vatican ''Gemelli'' hospital last Saturday will be able to return to Thessaloniki in two or three weeks.

    The twins' lives are in no danger and they have been taken from an intensive care unit to a children's clinic ward.

    Professor Enzo di Rocco, who performed the separation operation, said ''the operation was successful and lasted 12 hours. We are optimistic. There is a certain risk of a possible infection of the skin used to cover the points where the separation occurred.''

    When the children, which had been joined together at their foreheads, woke up they searched for each other in amazement.

    The professor said the time chosen for the operation was the most suitable since two factors had to be taken into consideration. The one was that the operation could not take place too soon because there was the risk of death due to a hemorrhage as a result of their age, while the other was that they should not grow any older since they would be in danger every day from problems created by the position they were attached.

    [24] Greek National Tourism Organization presents ''Ulysses Voyage'

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    An English-language edition of ''Ulysses Voyage'' was presented by the Greek National Tourism Organization on Tuesday.

    The work, which was produced in association with the National Bank of Greece's educational foundation, interprets the world of Ulysses, or Odysseus, on both a mythical and factual level.

    Addressing the presentation, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said that the creation of a mythological park in the Ionian islands could become a major tourist attraction, aided by private capital.

    [25] Greek Parliament to support Ukraine schools in which Greek language is taught

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    The Greek Parliament will support Ukrainian schools in which the Greek language is being taught. By decision of Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis Parliament will undertake to support five schools in the region of Mariopol with such equipment as electronic computers, photocopying machines, videos, etc.

    Two more schools in Mariopol have also been supported by the Greek Parliament since 2002.

    In parallel, the Greek Parliament ''appeals to social bodies, foundations and private persons to turn their attention to this important national effort and contribute to its success. For this purpose, Parliament is closely cooperating with diplomatic and consular authorities in Ukraine, with the Education Coordinator and the Federation of Greek Societies of Ukraine.''

    [26] Event on modern Greek culture to be organized in Montreal

    MONTREAL 15/10/2003 (ANA/I. Frangouli)

    The Interuniversity Greek Studies Centre here, in cooperation with the Greek culture ministry and the city's Greek community, will be organizing a 10-day Modern Greek Culture event here between October 19-28.

    The event will include a Greek book exhibition to be inaugurated at the Greek Community Centre on October 19 in the presence of Greek writer Pavlos Matesis. The exhibition will be operating simultaneously at Concordia University as well.

    A series of photographs by Andreas Empirikos will also be on display at the Greek Community foyer, while three Greek films will be screened on October 23, 26 and 28 respectively.

    [27] Judicial panel rules against Gusinsky's extradition

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    A three-justice appellate council in Athens on Tuesday rejected an extradition request for fugitive Russian media mogul Vladimir Gusinsky, ruling that information supplied by Moscow does not justify his extradition to Russia.

    The one-time owner of Russia’s biggest independent broadcaster has been wanted in Russia on bank fraud and money laundering charges, with authorities there charging embezzlement of up to 250 million dollars.

    Gusinsky, 51, was arrested at Athens’ international airport in late August but was later released on a 60,000-euro bond and under the condition that he remain in the country.

    The former chief of the Media-Most Holdings, one of Russia’s largest independent broadcast networks, had arrived in Athens aboard a flight from Tel-Aviv. He was traveling with both Russian and Israeli passports.

    Gusinsky was one of a small group of Russian entrepreneurs known as the ''oligarchs'' who made vast fortunes in the after-math of the Soviet Union’s collapse.

    He had been detained in Spain almost two years ago, although courts there rejected Russia’s extradition request in April 2001.

    [28] Spyros Simitis proclaimed honorary professor of Athens University

    Athens, 15/10/2003 (ANA)

    Frankfurt University professor Spyros Simitis, brother of Prime Minister Costas Simitis, was proclaimed an honorary professor of the Athens University's law faculty on Tuesday night.

    Law faculty professor and former Justice Minister Mihalis Stathopoulos made a presentation of the honorary professor's work.

    Spyros Simitis then made an address on ''Technology and Legislation'', saying that rapid technological developments should make legislators skeptical who will have to make laws which must be revised frequently to keep up with developments.

    The ceremony was attended by the prime minister, who was accompanied by his wife Daphne, and a number of ministers, as well as by university professors and academics.

    It was also revealed on Tuesday that Noam Chomsky will be proclaimed an honorary professor in April.

    [29] Cyprus President: Cyprus question relates to change in Ankara's policies

    LARNACA 15/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The Cyprus issue concerns a shift on the part of Turkey from its intransigent positions and not the withdrawal of some 5,000 Turkish occupation troops, President Tassos Papadopoulos stressed here on Tuesday.

    Speaking on departure for Luxembourg, the Cypriot President put the record straight with regard to comments European Parliament President Pat Cox had made, relating to the election of six deputies from Cyprus in next year's parliamentary elections for the EU house.

    ''I neither know, nor can I evaluate the reports in the local press that Turkey intends to pull out of Cyprus' occupied areas 5.000 soldiers. This is immaterial, in any case,'' he said, invited to comment on the reports that suggested that Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is set to announce the withdrawal of some troops during his forthcoming visit to Athens.

    The question of Cyprus, Papadopoulos added, ''is not the withdrawal of 5,000 soldiers, it is the change in the positions of Turkey and a shift from its intransigent stance with regard to the solution of the problem.''

    Asked to comment on critical remarks by the island's political leadership of Cox's statements, he said ''it is clear that the President of the European Parliament was making some observations, he did not express a preference that he wishes to see the six seats for Cyprus to be shared between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, with the former having four seats and the latter two.''

    President Papadopoulos pointed out that it is not possible to implement selectively provisions of a UN peace proposal prior to an overall political settlement.

    He also said he did not think this issue should become a thorny issue of contention with Cox.

    ''Mr Cox merely made a suggestion and there is a big difference between putting forward a suggestion and actually proposing something,'' the president added.

    Political leaders here were critical towards Cox with regard to his insinuation that four out of the six seats in the Euro Parliament should go to Greek Cypriots and two to Turkish Cypriots.

    Replying to questions about a general strike on Tuesday in occupied Cyprus to protest moves by the Turkish Cypriot leader to rig December's ''elections'' in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops since 1974, President Papadopoulos said that ''the electoral lists'' in the occupied areas have already been distorted through the addition of illegal Turkish settlers in these lists.


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