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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-15

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

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

November 15, 2003

CONTENTS

  • [01] Cabinet approves proposed electoral law reform; PM on ND criticism
  • [02] Alternate FM concludes visit to Cyprus with press conference
  • [03] Three-day events marking November 17 anniversary beginning on Saturday
  • [04] ND leader addresses event on November 17 student uprising anniversary
  • [05] Gov't spokesman criticizes statement against Mikis Theodorakis by US ambassador
  • [06] Communist party calls for release of protesters arrested during June EU summit
  • [07] European Socialist Party presidium discusses preparations for 2004 Euroelections
  • [08] Gov’t report on EU fund absorption rate
  • [09] Greek SMEs reach European averages in computer, Internet use
  • [10] Thessaloniki to host Balkan-Black Sea Partenariat Nov 17-18
  • [11] Greek cheese wins first prize in World Cheese Awards 2003
  • [12] Hellenic Petroleum launches new unit in FYROM plant
  • [13] EU competitiveness needs to improve, Greek industry chief says
  • [14] UK betting operator eyes Greece
  • [15] Greek weekly economic review
  • [16] EU ombudsman rules against commission in contractual dispute
  • [17] Greek stocks end week with net loss of 1.44 pct
  • [18] ATHOC president briefs President Stephanopoulos on Olympic Games preparations
  • [19] Archbishop of America becomes Athens Academy associate member
  • [20] Series of actions underway for accession of economic immigrants to labor market
  • [21] Group claims barrage of firebomb attacks on bank branches, ND office
  • [22] Five Kurdish political refugees acquitted of illegal entry into country
  • [23] Annan to re-engage in Cyprus solution process if opportunity arises

  • [01] Cabinet approves proposed electoral law reform; PM on ND criticism

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    The Cabinet on Friday unanimously approved the proposals for a draft bill to reform electoral law presented by Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, government spokesman Christos Protopapas announced.

    He said the new system introduced by the draft bill would give rise to stable governments and be fairer, with a greater degree of proportional representation, as well as allowing pre-electoral party collaboration and coalitions, increasing transparency and reducing injustices and imbalances at the expense of the smaller parties.

    The bill will also split the 2nd Athens constituency into three and the rest of Attica into two separate constituencies, as well as a allowing a greater number of candidates and votes in constituencies with three or more seats.

    In his opening remarks at the meeting, Prime Minister Costas Simitis referred to main opposition New Democracy's rejection of the government-initiated reforms and its refusal to participate in debate on changing the electoral system.

    Stressing that the new law would not apply until the elections in 2008 and not for the upcoming elections in 2004, Simitis said ND's argument that it would not discuss electoral reform before upcoming elections was just a ruse.

    ''What does this argument hide? It conceals that which they call for on other occasions when the government takes the initiative: an attempt to make the government withdraw and not take action on any problem, whether this is forests, illegal buildings, wage scales or electoral law. They wish to impose on us an agenda of inactivity,'' Simitis said.

    He stressed, however, that the government would not succumb and remain ''an active social presence'' right up to the time when elections were announced, in accordance with the Constitution.

    Presenting his proposals to the media later on Friday, Skandalidis said the draft bill said that 260 seats in Parliament, including the 12 seats allocated to state deputies, would be divided using strict proportional representation and the remaining 40 would all go to the party that came first in the elections.

    He said the resulting parliament would be 88 per cent proportional, while at the same time ensuring stable governments with a strong enough majority to run the country.

    Under the new law, a party could set up an independent government with 41 per cent of the overall vote.

    Skandalidis said that cabinet had not approved ministry proposals for a double ballot box that would allow voters to vote for the party of the choice and the candidate of their choice separately, nor for "regional MPs", on the grounds that society was not yet ready for them.

    The draft bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in its final form in about a week, the minister said.

    Opposition parties criticize new electoral law: Opposition parties criticized changes in the electoral system decided during a cabinet meeting on Friday.

    ''The issue of the electoral law, which is being untimely and irresponsibly raised by the government, is reaching an unprecedented fiasco. We shall not participate in a travesty dialogue. We shall not legalize attempts to disorientate public opinion, methods of tactics, opportunism and petty partisanship,'' ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said.

    The spokesman added that ''there can be no discussion on a change in the electoral law shortly before the elections'', adding that ''what the country needs today is not a change in the electoral law but a change in policy, a change in mentality and a change in page.''

    In an announcement, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said it ''firmly supports a proportional representation system'' and stressed that the electoral law decided by the cabinet ''remains one which adulterates voting.''

    In addition, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party Politburo member Stergios Pitsiorlas said the government's proposal on the electoral law ''constitutes even more proof of the morass in which the ruling party has found itself in and of its inability to make any serious move. PASOK is ultimately changing the electoral law to leave it the same.''

    [02] Alternate FM concludes visit to Cyprus with press conference

    NICOSIA 15/11/2003 (ANA - N. Melisova)

    Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis held a press conference in Nicosia on Friday after concluding a round of meetings with Cyprus' leadership to discuss the political problem on the island and the upcoming ''elections'' in the occupied territories to the north.

    Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iakovou did not join Yiannitsis for the press conference as scheduled, since he was called away to a last-minute cabinet meeting regarding the arrival of Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the occupied territories on Saturday and rumors that the Turkish side was planning a series of moves for ''special effect'' to mark the 20th anniversary since it unilaterally declared an independent state in the north of Cyprus, which is recognized only by Ankara.

    Referring to the stalled talks on the United Nations peace plan for Cyprus presented by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Yiannitsis said the resumption of dialogue would depend on the results of the so-called elections staged by the illegal regime but also on Ankara's intentions.

    He said Greece was closely monitoring the development of the Titina Loizidou case, to whom Turkey was ordered to pay 640,000 dollars compensation by the European Court of Human Rights, in order to determine to what extent Turkey could make a commitment in the human rights sector and thus to European values as it strived to join the Community.

    During his visit, Yiannitsis had meetings with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, Iakovou, Cyprus House of Representatives President Dimitris Christofias, the Cypriot Parliament's European Affairs Committee and the leaders of the political parties.

    In talks with EU harmonization coordinator Takis Hatzidimitriou, meanwhile, Yiannitsis discussed the transfer of know-how from Greece to Cyprus so that the transition to the EU was made smoothly on May 1, 2004.

    [03] Three-day events marking November 17 anniversary beginning on Saturday

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    The gates of the Athens Polytechnic will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, signaling the beginning of three-day celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the November 17, 1973, student uprising against the military junta ruling Greece at the time.

    Thousands of policemen have been provided to guard the event, particularly on Monday when the celebration will heighten with the march to the US embassy in Athens.

    On Monday, the last day of celebrations, the Polytechnic gates will close at 2 p.m. and the main event will begin with speeches and then the march to the embassy will follow.

    7,000 officers to police events for 30th polytechnic anniversary: Up to 7,000 officers will be deployed to police events on November 17 for the 30th anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising, especially the march to the American Embassy on Monday, police announced.

    They said guards would be placed outside embassies, ministries and banks that are along the route of the march toward the American Embassy, while the campuses of Athens university schools will be guarded from Friday night.

    On the day of the holiday, the centre of Athens will be divided into 11 sectors and 48 squads of riot police will be on alert all along the route of the march. Two police helicopters will also patrol the skies and keep the city under surveillance.

    The events marking the polytechnic uprising are traditionally the scene of violent incidents between police and groups of anarchists that penetrate the march or barricade themselves within university campuses and cause extensive damage.

    [04] ND leader addresses event on November 17 student uprising anniversary

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, addressing an event organized by the party's youth wing ONNED on Friday to commemorate the anniversary of the November 17, 1973, student uprising against the military junta ruling Greece at the time, referred to new ''deceitful and treacherous'' dangers facing democracy.

    Karamanlis said dangers currently facing democracy are different, adding that ''today's threats for the quality of democracy are concealed in underground transactions, they shimmer in the attempt to subdue public opinion by organized interests and manifest themselves with the separation of privileged and hunted.''

    The ND leader said new types of struggle are required to shield democracy which have their own cost and noted that ''it is the obligation of all of us to stand frontally against vested interests and corruption.''

    Karamanlis further said ''those who are trying to divert the attention of the people from the existing problems of the present to the non-existent ones of the past are revealing guilt, those who are trying to create rival social camps with half excluding or fearing the other half are not adding but are removing from the essence of democracy.''

    [05] Gov't spokesman criticizes statement against Mikis Theodorakis by US ambassador

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Christos Protopapas, commenting on Friday on statements made by US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller against Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis' recent statements concerning the Jews, said ''special care is necessary by those who exercise a specific mission in Greece. Criticism against Greek citizens is not part of their duties, particularly when they refer to issues which do not concern the country they represent.''

    Miller had said ''it is sad and regrettable for a man of such a stature to make such comments.'' Speaking to Antenna television station on Thursday, Miller added ''I believe it is sad when anybody, to whatever ethnic group he may belong to, defames. I am amazed with these remarks. This is not the world I am living in. You do not like the policy of a country? That's fine that's democracy. But when you do not like policies and you begin to state this with ethnic terms this is sad and regrettable to me.'' Referring to the same issue, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis said on Friday ''the Jewish people have no relation with a policy which, as is known, the Greek people in their overwhelming majority do not approve.''

    Kaklamanis further said ''Mr. Theodorakis said something which, however, he explained'', adding that ''Mr. Theodorakis explained that what he said concerns Mr. Sharon and not the Jewish people for which, as you know, we Greeks have given proof of our love. The Jewish people have no relation, neither the sufferings of the Jewish people nor the bonds our people have with the Jewish people, with a policy which, as it is known, the Greek people in their overwhelming majority do not approve.''

    [06] Communist party calls for release of protesters arrested during June EU summit

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Friday called for the release of seven protesters arrested during the European Union's summit in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, last June.

    ''Justifiable questions on the government's targets and handlings in light of the celebration for the Polytechnic uprising are created by the continuing holding in custody of the seven defendants of Thessaloniki and, indeed, under conditions entailing risk for their health due to the hunger strike,'' said KKE Parliamentary representative Antonis Skyllakos.

    He went on to say ''even more so when in other cases, concerning serious penal crimes, the measure of temporary detention was not applied'', adding that ''we demand the ending of their detention.''

    [07] European Socialist Party presidium discusses preparations for 2004 Euroelections

    BRUSSELS 15/11/2003 (ANA/Y. Zitouniati)

    Preparations for Euroelections due to take place in all European Union countries in June 2004 dominated the agenda at the European Socialist Party's (ESP) presidium meeting here on Friday. Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos participated in his capacity of vice president.

    The European socialists referred to the program of events and initiatives for promoting their positions and coordination between the ''brother'' parties of member-states which will heighten with their congress here on April 23-24.

    Tsohatzopoulos said PASOK will organize an international meeting in Athens on December 4-5 on the course of democratic socialism in our times, while in its election campaign for the national elections will be included conferences with a European agenda on the European model, progressive policy at global governance level, as well as democratic development, technology and innovation as elements of the economy's competitiveness.

    On the question of the independent development of European security and defense policy, as a supplement for the NATO alliance, and relevant arrangements included in the European draft constitution, Tsohatzopoulos stressed the need for its selective promotion by countries in agreement and the increase in funds that it entails.

    [08] Gov’t report on EU fund absorption rate

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    The absorption rate of funds through a Third Community Support Framework reached 26 percent by the end of October, the Greek economy and finance ministry said on Friday.

    Community fund inflows totalled 5.4 billion euros in the year to October. The money were earmarked to finance 2,595 tourist projects, 219 energy investment and 1,100 plans by small enterprises, among other.

    A finance ministry announcement said that EU funds' absorption rate was satisfactory for road networks, education, employment, culture and agriculture, and disappointing for programs in Northern Aegean (13%), Peloponnese (14%), Central Greece (12%) and Epirus (13%).

    Absorption rates were also low in programs related with competitiveness (19%), environment (17%), health-welfare (15%) and information society (16%).

    [09] Greek SMEs reach European averages in computer, Internet use

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    Greek Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), employing between 11 to 250 workers, are presenting very high rates of computer use (92 percent), Internet access (74 percent) and corporate participation on the Internet (39 percent), approaching European average rates (94%, 83% and 52%, respectively), a survey said on Friday.

    An annual report on the use of New Information Technologies & Communications by Greek SMEs, conducted in the framework of the e-Business forum and funded by an "Information Society" business program, showed that a Greek companies were increasingly satisfied with electronic transactions with the public sector.

    Smaller enterprises, however, employing less than 10 workers, were showing less or no interest to new technologies, holding back efforts for a wider convergence between SMEs in Greece. The report underlined the need for more information and training of these businessmen to adopt new technologies.

    The survey said that Greek companies linked to the Internet rose 28 percent in 2002 to 19.6 percent of total companies, up from 15.4 percent in the previous year.

    Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises are reported a small increase in their use of computers (35.6 percent in 2002 from 34.2 percent in 2001).

    The report also showed a surge by more than 10 percentage points in the rate of Internet use/computer use to 55.1 percent in 2002 from 44.9 percent in 2001, evidence of the rapid increase of businesses linking their computer systems to the Internet.

    A 13 percent of SMEs wanted faster access to the Internet, while 60 percent of companies were using ISDN connection in 2002, up 36 percent from the previous year.

    The report forecast a 5.0 percent increase in computer use and a 4.0 percent rise in Internet use in 2003 by Greek SMEs, with the use of computer reaching 41 percent of total and Internet use 23 percent during the current year.

    [10] Thessaloniki to host Balkan-Black Sea Partenariat Nov 17-18

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    The city of Thessaloniki will host a Balkan and Black Sea Partnership 2003 trade fair at the International Trade Fair Centre November 17-18, with the aim to bring together 129 companies from Southeastern Europe (as exhibitors) and around 300 companies from the European Union (as visitors).

    The organizers of the Partenariat said they have already scheduled more than 2,000 business meetings between companies seeking cooperation and predicted that business meetings would surpass 4,000 during the event.

    The Partenariat is organized by the Inter-Balkan and Black Sea Business Centre and the Exporters' Union of Northern Greece. It is fully funded by the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry.

    Exhibitor companies come from Greece (59), Bulgaria (11), Albania (9), Romania (10), FYROM (25), Turkey (11), Ukraine (5) and Russia (1), and cover the Building Material and Construction sector (37%), Food and Beverage (21%), Clothing (16%), Machinery Equipment and Tools (26%).

    The majority of companies seeking cooperation through the Partenariat system, seek cooperation in sales and marketing (31%), distribution networks (25%), joint ventures (17%), know-how (11%), research and development (10%) and licensing (6%).

    [11] Greek cheese wins first prize in World Cheese Awards 2003

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    A Gruyere cheese made in Crete by Cretalat-Kriaras won the golden medal and the international trophy for hard cheese of Origin Protected Name in an international cheese contest World Cheese Awards 2003 held in London early November.

    More than 1,000 cheese from around the world participated in this year's contest.

    The Greek cheese won the trophy after competing, among others, with Swiss Gruyere, English Cheddar and Italian Parmesan cheese.

    Cretalat-Kriaras also won the bronze medal for fresh soft cheese (Cretan Myzethra) in the category of new products in the English market for 2003.

    [12] Hellenic Petroleum launches new unit in FYROM plant

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    Athens-quoted Hellenic Petroleum SA on Friday inaugurated a new unit at its oil refinery in Skopje, capital of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

    The cost of the oil desulphurization unit was 22.5 million euros, which will help to supply environment-friendly diesel that complies with European specifications, the company said in a statement.

    [13] EU competitiveness needs to improve, Greek industry chief says

    BRUSSELS 15/11/2003 (ANA/A.Simatos)

    The deputy president of the UNICE European industrialists and employers union said on Friday that competitiveness in the European Union needed to improve in order to achieve full employment.

    Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, who is also head of the Association of Greek Industry, told a UNICE Compositeness Day event in the Belgian capital that one in two European citizens wanted to found their own business.

    ''Stumbling blocks and disincentives are a lack of entrepreneurial spirit; complex legislation; red tape; the high cost of setting up a business, developing and liquidating it; the tax burden; the high cost of employment; and lack of flexibility in the market,'' Kyriakopoulos said.

    [14] UK betting operator eyes Greece

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    Betting firm Stanleybet International Ltd of the United Kingdom said on Friday that it was interested in setting up business in the Greek market.

    The company, which is a subsidiary of London-listed Stanley Leisure Plc, said the European Court had ruled that it had the right to operate sporting bets in countries of the EU.

    "Our aim is to discuss the situation with the authorities and the monopoly of suppliers in Greece, in order to seek ways of creating competition in the Greek market, offering consumers much better products and a greater choice," the statement said.

    [15] Greek weekly economic review

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    A decision by Deutsche Bank, Germany's largest bank, to sell its 10 percent equity stake in EFG Eurobank Ergasias surprised the Greek market. The German bank, in a letter sent to Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, stressed that its decision was part of a wider business strategy to withdraw from minority stakes in listed companies in Germany and abroad. Its board reiterated its confidence both in the Greek economy and the country's financial system. The placement procedure was completed successfully with 80 percent of Deutsche Bank's shares sold to foreign institutional investors, with a long-term investment horizon.

    It should be noted, however, that several large foreign banks, like Barclays Bank, ABN Amro, NatWest and Credit Lyonnais have withdrawn from the Greek market in recent years.

    In other headline news this week:

    The government unveiled a new tax law aimed to offer more incentives to business activity as part of a plan to boost economic growth in the country.

    The Athens Stock Exchange presented the key elements of its new book of regulations, aimed to create a new market, based on quality and quantity criteria.

    The government will submit its 2004 budget plan to parliament next Tuesday, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said. The new budget will envisage a 4.2 percent growth rate in 2004, up from 4.0 percent this year, and a general government deficit of 1.2 percent of GDP, down from 1.4 percent in 2003.

    Greek banks are charging their customers with the highest cost in interbank and cross-border transfer of money, Greece's largest consumer group said.

    Greece's economy and finance ministry will issue a new tranche of special savings bonds, addressed to small depositors and offering tax-free returns of 3.6 percent.

    Greece could achieve a goal of attracting 20.3 million tourists and collecting revenues of 15 billion US dollars by the year 2010, the country's tourist enterprises' union said this week. The union, however, stressed that this goal would only be achieved if authorities promoted special forms of tourism and extend the tourist season all year round. The union said Greece should have 46 golf courses, 15 autonomous conference centers, 24 sea spas and 42 marinas by 2010.

    Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis urged governors of public utilities and corporations (DEKO) to adopt a tight rates price policy in 2004 and avoid new hirings during the pre-election period.

    [16] EU ombudsman rules against commission in contractual dispute

    BRUSSELS 15/11/2003 (ANA/A.Simatos)

    The European Ombudsman, Nikiforos Diamantouros of Greece, has criticized the European Commission for not acting consistently in a contract with a national fisheries board.

    The Commission neglected to examine a final report that modified the draft it had approved over one year earlier, the ombudsman said in a statement on Wednesday.

    The complaint was lodged by a scientist on a research contract involving physical interaction between grey seals and fishing gear signed by the Irish Sea Fisheries Board and the Commission’s Directorate-General of Fisheries.

    The Commission said that while it might be argued that it should not have accepted an ill-based and unjustified scientific conclusion, this could not be equated with maladministration. In its view, the terms of the contract had been respected.

    The Ombudsman disagreed and found the Commission guilty of maladministration.

    [17] Greek stocks end week with net loss of 1.44 pct

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    Greek stocks ended the last trading session of the week slightly higher in the Athens Stock Exchange, with the Greek market showing strong resistance to profit taking pressure.

    The general index ended 0.10 percent higher at 2,163.47 points, after moving within the 2,155-2,165 point range throughout the session. The general index ended the week 1.44 percent lower. Turnover was a moderate 114.3 million euros.

    The Investment, Textile and IT sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day 1.41 percent, 0.59 percent and 0.57 percent, respectively, while the Construction, Food-Beverage and Telecommunications sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.16 percent, 1.12 percent and 0.45 percent, respectively).

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.13 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.05 percent lower and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.03 percent.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 179 to 102 with another 78 issues unchanged.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover 47.6 mln euros on Friday

    Equity Index Futures:

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

  • Underlying Index: +0.13% percent

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

  • Underlying Index: -0.05 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (1,020)

  • Total turnover in derivatives market: 47.6 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers match sellers on Friday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.50 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 15 bps

  • Most heavily traded paper: 10-yr, expiring May 2013 (1.3 bln euros)

  • Day's Total Market Turnover: 3.8 bln euros

    FOREIGN EXCHANGE

    Closing rates of November 14 2003

    Parities in euro

    For. Exchange Buying Selling

    US Dollar 1,185 1,158

    [18] ATHOC president briefs President Stephanopoulos on Olympic Games preparations

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki briefed President Kostis Stephanopoulos on Friday on preparations for the Games, the functioning of the city of Athens throughout the duration of the Games and the holding of the shot-put event in Ancient Olympia.

    Speaking after the meeting, Daskalaki said ''we briefed the president on the progress of all the programs of 2004 and on certain opportune issues such as the functioning of the city during the Games, which is very important, because at the moment we are also showing the citizens that we are taking their views into consideration and we are preparing Athens for these 17 days, so as not to create obstacles, but to enable people to have the mood to celebrate and participate.''

    Replying to a questioner on the president's reaction to the prospect of the stadium of Ancient Olympia being used, Daskalaki said ''there is no Greek who will not agree with this and the president, the first citizen, a sensitive Greek, who I believe is enthusiastic with this idea and with success and who I believe has real anxiety over the development and the good course of this issue.''

    [19] Archbishop of America becomes Athens Academy associate member

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    The official admission of the Archbishop of America Dimitrios as an associate member of the Athens Academy took place on Friday night during a special session of the Academy in the presence of Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and Health Minister Costas Stefanis.

    Archbishop Dimitrios, as Academy President Grigoris Skalkeas said in his address, is one of the most important personalities of Orthodoxy, a front-line leader as is proved by his fruitful action who is continuing the lofty character and tradition of his predecessor Archbishop Iakovos.

    Academic and Metropolitan of Pergamos Ioannis Zilioulas said Archbishop Dimitrios, ''apart from distinguishing himself as a hierarch of the Orthodox Church, also distinguished himself as an academic teacher and a distinguished servant of science in the sector of Biblical Theology''.

    [20] Series of actions underway for accession of economic immigrants to labor market

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    A series of acts and initiatives are underway, in the framework of the implementation of the European Union Equal-Forum for Social Cohesion program, aimed at the accession of economic immigrants and refugees to the labor market and the confrontation of phenomena of racism and xenophobia.

    Three immigrant and refugee welcoming centers have been operated since the first quarter of the year by an equal number of agencies participating in the program: the Athens municipality, the municipality of Aharnes and the Doctors without Borders organization.

    The three centers have been receiving a considerable number of economic immigrants and refugees on a daily basis.

    The centre of the Athens municipality alone has received more than 630 people since the end of April, when its operation began, until the end of September.

    The centers provide information and advisory services on issues concerning legalization and residence, as well as on social insurance, labor, health and educational issues.

    The Athens News Agency (ANA), in cooperation with Refugee and Immigrant Communities, has provided two issues of the magazine ''Immigrant.''

    The magazine's material, written primarily by immigrants and refugees, is in the Greek and Albanian language, while a summary also exists in English, Russian, Arabic and Turkish. Two more issues of the magazine will also be circulated.

    [21] Group claims barrage of firebomb attacks on bank branches, ND office

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    An unidentified man on Friday took responsibility on behalf of a group calling itself ''Revolutionary Solidarity'' a barrage of firebomb attacks on five banks and a New Democracy office earlier in the day in the greater Athens area.

    The caller telephoned Eleftherotypia newspaper and took responsibility on behalf of the group for the explosions that took place between 1:30-2:00 a.m. at five bank branches and the ND office.

    The first explosion occurred at a National Bank branch in Kallithea suburb, followed ten minutes later by explosions at a Laiki Bank branch and Piraeus bank branch situated side by side on Lavriou Avenue in Peania. A fourth explosion occurred outside a Eurobank branch in the Aghios Panteleimon residential district at 1:37 a.m., followed by an explosion at an Agrotiki bank branch in Ambelokipi. The explosions caused material damage to the banks' facades.

    Half an hour later, a similar explosion occurred at the entrance of the ND offices in Egaleo.

    [22] Five Kurdish political refugees acquitted of illegal entry into country

    Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

    A court in Alexandroupoli, northern Greece, on Friday acquitted five Kurdish political refugees of charges of illegal entry into the country and the trafficking of illegal immigrants.

    Three of the Kurdish political refugees, active in the sector of the left in Turkey, claimed that they were persecuted in the neighboring country for expressing their political beliefs.

    The court acquitted them of the charge of illegal entry into the country, as well as two other companions of theirs who had been charged with trafficking illegal immigrants.

    The court ruled that they were not economic but political refugees, since their possible deportation would endanger their lives. Consequently, basing itself on the Geneva Convention, the court acquitted all five Kurds.

    [23] Annan to re-engage in Cyprus solution process if opportunity arises

    UNITED NATIONS 15/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan continues to monitor developments in Cyprus closely and assures the UN Security Council that, should the appropriate opportunity to finalize his plan for a Cyprus settlement present itself, his stands ready to re-engage in the process.

    In his report on the United Nations operation in Cyprus for the period from 21 May to 10 November 2003, Annan notes that even though the situation along the ceasefire line has remained stable, only the achievement of a comprehensive settlement will bring an end to the Cyprus problem.

    ''In the absence of such a comprehensive settlement, the presence of UNFICYP on the island continues to be necessary for the maintenance of the ceasefire. I therefore recommend that the Security Council extend the mandate of the Force for a further period of six months, until 15 June 2004,'' the Secretary General says in his report.

    Referring to the fenced-off occupied area of Famagusta, Annan notes that ''the United Nations holds the government of Turkey responsible for the maintenance of the status quo of Varosha.''

    Concerning the efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement, Annan notes that, in his report to the Security Council on the good offices efforts between late 1999 and 11 March 2003, he outlined what is required for any resumption of active UN efforts to achieve a solution.

    ''It remains my position that no purpose would be served by renewing my mission of good offices unless there were a readiness on the part of both Cypriot parties, as well as Greece and Turkey, to finalize negotiations, with UN assistance, on the basis of the revised proposal that I presented to the parties and the guarantor powers on 26 February 2003, and to put the resulting agreement to separate, simultaneous referendums within a short time thereafter,'' the Secretary General notes.

    Reminding that in resolution 1475, the Security Council gave its full support to his plan as a unique basis for further negotiations and called upon all concerned to negotiate within the framework of his good offices, using the plan to reach a comprehensive settlement as outlined in his report, the UN chief regrets that requirements set out in the report have not yet been fulfilled.

    ''However, I am continuing to monitor developments in Cyprus closely, and I wish to assure the Council that, should the appropriate opportunity to finalize the plan present itself, I stand ready to re-engage,'' Annan says in his report.

    Referring to the maintenance of the ceasefire and military status quo, the Secretary General notes that during the period covered in his report the situation along the ceasefire line was generally calm.

    However, he adds, there has been an increase in the number of moves forward by Turkish forces into the buffer zone.

    The Secretary General further notes that ''restrictions imposed on UNFICYP in July 2000 by the Turkish forces/Turkish Cypriot security forces continued to obstruct the operations and daily routine of UNFICYP, despite the limited easing of these restrictions in May 2003.''

    Annan also regrets that violation of the military status quo in Strovilia persisted. ''The Turkish Cypriots have undertaken further construction on the Greek Cypriot house that they use as a control post in the village,'' Annan notes in his report.

    Referring to the easing of restrictions in movement between the two sides, Annan notes that ''two million crossings, by Greek Cypriots to the north and Turkish Cypriots to the south, had taken place at the Ledra, Ayios Dometios/Metehan, Pergamos and Strovilia crossing points since they opened on 23 April.''

    He also notes that UNFICYP provided facilities for 128 bicommunal events at the former Ledra Palace Hotel in the United Nations buffer zone, bringing together 11,000 Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

    Concerning the humanitarian issue of missing persons, the Secretary General says that during the period under review, the ''First Assistant to the Third Member continued to work with the two sides as acting Third Member, to overcome obstacles and to enable the Committee on Missing Persons to resume its activities''.

    ''The Greek Cypriot side proceeded with its program of exhumation and identification'', he adds.

    In his conclusion, the Secretary General expresses his appreciation to all the UN officials involved in the Cyprus issue and ''the men and women serving in UNFICYP for the efficiency and dedication with which they have discharged the responsibilities entrusted to them by the Security Council.''


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