Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-02-07

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't launches nationwide info campaign for 4th CSF

[02] FinMin Alogoskoufis on Ecofin, Eurogroup

[03] PM departs for Romania on Wed.

[04] Syria visit by Deputy FM Doukas "very productive"

[05] Government on PM's appearance before Parliament committee

[06] Parliament president attends EU reception in Athens

[07] Antonaros: Greece to insist on UN process for name issue

[08] PASOK meeting on Political System issue

[09] KKE leader Papariga on current political situation

[10] Synaspismos congress begins on Thurs.

[11] Holy Synod to elect new Archbishop on Thursday

[12] Local youth councils give voice to young people, government says

[13] FM Bakoyannis addresses condolences to Chinese counterpart

[14] Employment minister and trade unionists discuss 'professions' fund

[15] National general collective labour agreement talks fail

[16] Joint Coordinating Committee for Olympic Airlines

[17] Greek economic sentiment index down for 4th consecutive month in Jan.

[18] Agriculture minister on qualitative, competitive agriculture

[19] SE Europe's central bankers to meet in Thessaloniki on Fri.

[20] PPC does not need strategic investor, CEO says

[21] Tourism minister meets regional authority heads

[22] Athens Airport reports record passenger traffic, flights in 2007

[23] Greek closed-end investment funds' assets down 10.75% in Jan.

[24] Black Sea Bank: Additional 10 mln dollars for Ukraine businesses

[25] OAED launches 91-mln-euro programme to support employment in Attica

[26] Larisa suspension bridge project to be completed in early summer

[27] Greek stocks end 0.68 pct lower

[28] ADEX closing report

[29] Greek bond market closing report

[30] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[31] Culture minister on growth prospects of Greek Culture Foundation abroad

[32] FM Bakoyannis on child trafficking

[33] Rally organisers to sue over Saturday violence in Athens

[34] ACCI president files complaint with Athens prosecutor

[35] Rhodes doctor handed suspended sentence in case involving British tourist's fatal fall

[36] Journalist Yiannis Papageorgiou dies

[37] Smokers in Greece start as early as 12

[38] Scattered showers, storms on Thursday

[39] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[40] Spokesman says direct trade out of the question

[41] PIO issues publication countering the "isolation of T/Cs" myth

[42] FM:Let us make Cyprus a great laboratory of brotherhood

[43] Euro-Mediterranean Policy main focus of EPP-ED meeting in Nicosia Politics

[01] Gov't launches nationwide info campaign for 4th CSF

The first presentation was held in the historic port city of Nafplio, in the eastern Peloponnese. The campaign will cover several cities around the country with the next presentation to be held in Tripolis, in the central Peloponnese, on April 16.

Presenting the programme, Alogoskoufis said the 4th CSF translates into 39.4 billion euros of funding -- Community funds, national resources and outlays from the Common Agriculture Policy -- for the country, a significant tool towards becoming more competitive, strengthening the provinces and achieving a fairer society.

The Greek minister also referred to the 3rd Community Support Framework programme, which he said was successfully being completing, with an absorption rate of more than 75 percent. Using this money, Greece has obtained modern infrastructure, improved competitiveness, boosted business activity and education, created new jobs and improved living standards, he noted

Alogoskoufis said the 3rd CSF helped build 2,700 new class rooms, supported 37,000 students enrolling in an open university, created 130 new faculties in the country's universities, 5,000 laboratories and 300 modern libraries.

Also, he said CSF funding significantly improved the country's road network, some 22 ports, expanded the Athens metro system, upgraded 10 airports and improved the railway system.

Community funds also helped more than 27,000 enterprises, upgrading 140,000 hotel beds and creating five regional innovation centres.

Finally, he noted that the 2007-2013 programme would help Greece "change gear", allowing for a major leap forward with an integrated development plan.

Alogoskoufis said the government was awaiting a European Commission's response, on Feb. 22, on a request to extend a deadline for completing the 3rd CSF programme, following the devastating wildfires that ravaged large parts of southern Greece last August.

[02] FinMin Alogoskoufis on Ecofin, Eurogroup

"The possibility of the European economy weakening in 2008 is slight but it exists, but nothing more is necessary to be done than for us to implement what is anticipated by the rules of the Stability and Development Pact," the minister said.

As regards the Greek economy, Alogoskoufis said that "all our announcements are valid for the Greek economy: We have considerable development reserves due to the fact that a large part of development depends on local investments and initiatives."

Alogoskoufis also warned once again that "social partners must be aware of the danger of imported inflation becoming structural."

[03] PM departs for Romania on Wed.

On Thursday morning Karamanlis will be received by the Patriarch of Romania before meeting meeting with his Romanian counterpart Calin Popescu-Tariceanu.

Afterwards, delegations from both sides will join the talks.

Alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros noted on Wednesday that an agreement in the energy sector between Greece and Romania will be signed in Bucharest, with both premiers expected to make statements to the press.

A reception in Karamanlis' honour will be also held.

Karamanlis will also be received by Romanian President Traian Basescu.

[04] Syria visit by Deputy FM Doukas "very productive"

The visit to Damascus by Deputy Foreign Minister Petros Doukas, and by about 80 businessmen accompanying him, was highlighted by Syria as a new beginning that will place economic relations between Greece and the Middle East country in a more dynamic orbit and will respond to the hopes and the new overtures by the Syrian government.

The Greek deputy minister's presence was the focus of attention for the largest part of the country's cabinet, with consecutive meetings taking place throughout the day.

Moreover, the 7th Joint Interministerial Committee and the Forum of Greek and Syrian businessmen also took place in the Syrian capital on Wednesday.

Syria, as was explained to Doukas by Vice-Foreign Minister Faisal Megdad during the opening of the Committee's session, and by the economy and trade, industry, transport and telecommunications ministers in meetings he held with them later, is making great efforts to deregulate trade and improve the country's investments environment with new laws and bilateral agreements, as well as with the development of the stock exchange.

This constitutes a strong political will that was presented ardently by the members of the Syrian government which is directed with great hopes at Greece, a country having close traditional relations of friendship. Consequently, the intensificatioin of contacts was requested from the deputy minister to enable this new beginning to produce immediate results.

Megdad also underlined the importance placed by Syria on peace and prosperity in the wider region and called on Israel to respect the decisions of the international community.

"The ultimate aim of all of us is overall peace," Doukas replied and stressed that Greece's support is clear, both in the framework of the European Union and all the other international organisations.

[05] Government on PM's appearance before Parliament committee

"PASOK is attempting to emerge from a deep crisis created by its internal problems with unsuccessful and uncoordinated attempts to create an impression, as was proved yesterday," Antonaros said.

He also noted that this was an issue "discussed at length and exhausted by the specific Parliamentary committee".

The spokesman accused PASOK of behaving in a contradictory manner because it was demanding the presence of the prime minister, who had not been called to appear before the committee, while preventing its own former culture ministers from attending even though they had been asked to appear.

"To achieve this end, it has even resorted to not taking part in the committee's proceedings," he added.

[06] Parliament president attends EU reception in Athens

In a brief address at the event, Sioufas referred to the achievements of the European Union and stressed the significance of Malta's and Cyprus's accession to the Eurozone, in particular. He also emphasised the special role of the European Parliament and national Parliaments in the process of unification.

Highlighting the importance of recent agreements expanding the Schengen Treaty to nine more member-states and the Lisbon Treaty signed by the EU in December, Sioufas noted that the Greek Parliament had already taken steps to meet the new developments in Europe and put together the relevant committees.

Others attending the event, which was held at a central Athens hotel, including Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, former alternate foreign minister Tassos Yiannitsis, former EU commissioner Yiannis Paleokrassas and others.

[07] Antonaros: Greece to insist on UN process for name issue

"Greece participates in the process taking place within the framework of the UN with a specific goal, which is to find a mutually and jointly acceptable solution to the two sides. This is the process we are following and will insist on," he stressed.

He had been asked whether the government was considering the possibility of accepting the solution of a "double name" for FYROM.

The spokesman said he would not go into any more detail, because Greece respected the confidentiality of the proceedings.

[08] PASOK meeting on Political System issue

"If (Prime Minister Costas) Mr. Karamanlis is not afraid of anything, if Mr. Karamanlis has nothing to hide over the Zachopoulos scandal (former culture ministry secretary general Christos Zachopoulos), then here is Parliament, then here also is the Cultural Affairs Committee," PASOK spokesman Yiannis Ragoussis said after the lengthy meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Papandreou said that "many are striking a blow against the Movement, attempting to create conditions of permanent crisis, but we deny them daily." He added that "despite the unacceptable efforts of leveling and offsetting, PASOK will very soon show that it is different and constitutes the alternative solution."

[09] KKE leader Papariga on current political situation

Commenting on the current political climate, she underlined that over the past period "there is a monopoly of information, but also of controversy, with certain matters which we do not underestimate. They say and they are scandals. But for us they are expressions and forms of a general strategy, above all on the field of the economy and indisputably influences in one way or the other the political structure. This discussion in the way it is taking place, marginalises to second and third place, the fate of important and acute problems."

[10] Synaspismos congress begins on Thurs.

The election of a new party president, to replace outgoing leader Alekos Alavanos, is expected to be a decisive moment of the congress. Deputy Fotis Kouvelis and high-profile official Alexis Tsipras are the two contenders for the top post.

The main address will be delivered by Alavanos, while Lothar Bisky, president of the European Left party will also address the congress.

Voting for a new president and central political committee will be held on Sunday.

[11] Holy Synod to elect new Archbishop on Thursday

The four hierarchs who have declared candidacy are Metropolitans Ieronymos of Thebes, Efstathios of Sparta, Anthimoes of Thessaloniki, and Ignatios of Dimitriada.

The election will take place in a single undisrupted session of the Holy Synod at Athens' Metropolitan Cathedral, attended by the Education and Religious Affairs minister. A quorum is required, which is designated by the Church's charter and Law 590/77 at two-thirds of the acting Metropolitans, and a maximum of three rounds of voting may be held.

A Holy Liturgy will be held at the Metropolitan Cathedral early Thursday morning, and at 9:00 a.m. the gates of the Cathedral will close in order for the process to commence, first with a prayer, followed by a count to ascertain whether a quorum is present.

The Hierarchs will then cast their votes in a ballot box, in the presence of a three-member monitoring committee which, together with the minister, will seal the ballot box at the end of the voting.

The candidate receiving the absolute majority (50 percent +1) of the votes is elected Archbishop.

In the event that an absolute majority is not amassed by one of the candidates, a second round will be held again requiring an absolute majority.

In the event that no candidate again amasses the required absolute majority, a third round will be held, this time requiring only a simple majority of the votes.

In the case of a tie in the third round, the Archbishop is chosen in a draw.

[12] Local youth councils give voice to young people, government says

He said that by joint decision by Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis and Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, young people listed in the registers of municipalities and communities throughout the country were invited to form the first municipal and community youth councils, or so-called Local Youth Councils.

He said that the aim was to encourage young people to actively participate in public affairs and acquaint them with democratic principles and a representational system of democracy, allowing them to voice their problems on a local level and find solutions.

According to Antonaros, the young people that would have a right to stand for election and vote were those that were registered in their local community records by March 7, 2008. Those with a right to register are young people 15-28 and the elections will be held on March 22 & 23 and March 29 & 30.

[13] FM Bakoyannis addresses condolences to Chinese counterpart

Financial News

[14] Employment minister and trade unionists discuss 'professions' fund

In talks with representatives of these professions, she stressed that the social insurance reforms being promoted by the government aimed to protect pensions and benefits for today's insured and also protect tomorrow's pensioners. She underlined that no one would be exempted from the philosophy of the reforms.

Regarding pension fund mergers, which the government considers a pivotal factor in the envisaged reforms, she said these would be carried out with a view to the functionality of the resulting formations, the viability of the social insurance system and social justice.

Representatives of the groups at the meeting said they were not satisfied with the results of the talks and would continue to press the government to present more specific proposals in writing. They also announced that they would go ahead with labour action they have planned, beginning with a strike on February 13 and a rally on February 15 before Parliament, when Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will be presenting the outline of the proposed reforms to MPs during an off-the-agenda debate.

Journalists and other professional groups also repeated their opposition to the proposed merger of their separate pension funds during a later press conference at the Athens Bar Association. Saying that the mergers would weaken their funds and complaining about an 'absence of dialogue' on the part of the government, they accused the employment minister of "making contacts rather than carrying out talks".

The 11 professional associations attending the meeting later issued an announcement stating that:

"Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, with all that she supported during our meeting today, confirmed that the merger of insurance funds, that in our opinion seeks to expropriate their reserves, is neither feasible nor advisable.

"We express our strong displeasure because there was no hint of dialogue, which requires written proposals, and this was a very deep insult to Democracy, the country's professional people, journalists and society."

Stressing that they remain steadfast in their positions, they said there would be a further meeting to make decisions.

[15] National general collective labour agreement talks fail

The industrialists proposed an agreement for at least a two-year contract, to the tune of a 4% increase for the first year.

The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) considers that the proposal does not constitute a basis for negotiation and is lokks forward to a satisfactory collective agreement through labour action on February 13.

The trade unionists are negotiating a one-year contract and are calling for a 10.5% increase. They disagree with the employers on the evaluation of the level of inflation, but leave open the matter of the duration of the contract, linking it with the level of the increases which will be agreed.

[16] Joint Coordinating Committee for Olympic Airlines

The financial advisers will be Lazard & Co Limited and three Greek banks NBG International Limited, Alpha Bank SA and the Emporiki Bank of Greece SA.

[17] Greek economic sentiment index down for 4th consecutive month in Jan.

IOBE, in its monthly report, said January's performance was much lower compared with January 2007 (107.6 points) and reflected a strong decline in consumer confidence. On the other hand, business sectors recorded fractional improvements.

IOBE said business expectations in the manufacturing sector improved in production activity for the coming months, although expectations fell over the volume of new orders. In the services sector, business expectations rose slightly over demand in the next three months, while in the retail sector expectations were almost unchanged. Finally, in the construction sector business expectations remained pessimistic.

A decline in the consumer confidence index, which fundamentally affects economic climate in the country, reflected lower expectations over the country's general economic situation, savings, households' finances and unemployment levels in the next 12 months.

IOBE said the consumer confidence index fell to -40 points in January, the lowest level in the last 18 months, from -29 in December.

January's performance was the third lowest in the EU. The Institute noted that the consumer confidence index fell throughout Europe in January.

[18] Agriculture minister on qualitative, competitive agriculture

Kontos said that his ministry has been setting and implementing a substantive reform in the agricultural sector over the past years, a reform in the framework of which changes are being scheduled to support agricultural income in the new and strongly competitive environment that is being shaped both inside and outside the country's borders.

He added that securing the preconditions to further improve the quality of Greek agricultural products and highlight their comparative advantages is another goal.

Kontos further stressed that for the first time and under difficult conditions a strategy has been shaped for the country's main agricultural products, tobacco, cotton, olive oil and grain.

Lastly, he added that a "struggle" to support them has been waged and is being waged on a daily basis, while Greek stockbreeding has been removed from the sidelines and placed in an orbit of recovery with a package of important measures that provide a solution for longstanding problems in the sector.

[19] SE Europe's central bankers to meet in Thessaloniki on Fri.

The meeting is part of a multi-party memorandum of cooperation agreed to during the previous meeting of central bankers of Southeastern Europe (July 6, 2007 in Athens) to determine sectors and terms of cooperation for banking regulation authorities.

The Thessaloniki meeting will also discuss credit and macro-economic developments in southeastern Europe, prospects of accelerating convergence of supervisory practices - including those seeking to combat money laundering and funding of terrorism - along with risk evaluation methods at the cross-border level.

The meeting also seeks to contribute to ensuring effective cooperation of supervisory authorities at the regional level and strengthening credit stability in the region, taking advantage of the experience from a regulatory framework in the EU and the principles set out by the Basle Commission.

[20] PPC does not need strategic investor, CEO says

PPC's main production goals were accelerating the replacement of older and non-performing units, improving its energy balance and cutting operating costs. He noted that PPC's production policy will also cut operating costs of the system's thermoelectric units, including the cost of CO2 rights, by around 23 percent between 2008 and 2014.

The country's listed power utility said its investment plan for the period 2008-2015 will also cut CO2 emissions by 25 pct, SO2 emissions by 91 pct, NOx emissions by 39 pct and PM emissions by 56 pct. Athanassopoulos said PPC planned to develop the operation of coal units, fully harmonized with EU's standards and noted that coal-burning units were the cheapest alternative solution to fossil fuel as coal prices remained significantly lower compared with oil and natural gas.

Commenting on the country's lignite reserves, Athanassopoulos said it was a "strategic national fuel" and that PPC has pledged to fully exploit lignite reserves in the Peloponnese and western Macedonia.

[21] Tourism minister meets regional authority heads

"We have turned our attention to specialising the tourism product and the provision of quality services," the minister said, stressing that it was important for this to be understood at a regional level as well.

He said the ministry's aim was to highlight the individual traits of each region in order to bring about real development.

[22] Athens Airport reports record passenger traffic, flights in 2007

The airport also inaugurated 10 new destinations in 2007 (Philadelphia, Beijing, Timisoara, Kaliningrad, Jeddah, Riyadh, Riga, Gutenberg, etc) raising its direct flights programme to 116 destinations in 50 countries via 70 air carriers.

The Athens airport also welcomed 15 new airlines -- Aer Lingus, Air Baltic, Air China, Carpatair, Centralwings, Clickair, Continental Airlines, Finnair, Ilyich-Avia, KDavia, Kras Air, MyAir, Saudi Arabian Airlines, US Airways and Vueling Airlines.

Domestic passenger traffic totalled 6.9 million in 2007, an increase of 9.0 pct from 2006, setting a new record, while international traffic rose 10 pct to more than 10.0 million passengers for a new record also.

West European traffic grew 7.7 pct, with all other markets recording a double-digit growth rate in 2007, with the Eastern Europe market totalling 1.0 million passengers, for an increase of 23.2 pct, followed by North America with 23.1 pct.

Finally, Athens airport announced that the number of foreign travellers arriving in Athens for tourism 2.3 million last year, an increase of 18 pct compared with 2006.

[23] Greek closed-end investment funds' assets down 10.75% in Jan.

A monthly report by the Association of Institutional Investors said the sector followed a negative trend at the Athens Stock Exchange.

Average numerical return of the sector was -10.15 percent so far this year, while average weighed return was -10.36 percent. All eight companies in the sector reported negative internal value returns, ranging from 4.57 pct to 16.50 percent in January. All eight companies were traded at a discount, ranging from 12 percent to 25.53 percent, in the market in January.

[24] Black Sea Bank: Additional 10 mln dollars for Ukraine businesses

The duration of the loan is three years and the capital will be used for the granting of "sub-loans" by Procredit.

The Black Sea Bank is an inter-state bank, with the following 11 member-states: Greece, Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Romania.

[25] OAED launches 91-mln-euro programme to support employment in Attica

The programme will be implemented in a period of three years and aims to offer work to 6,500 unemployed people, aged 18-64.

Under the plan, OAED will offer vocational training to the self-employed, business plan evaluation services, subsidies of up to 15,000 euros to unemployed people starting their own business and increased subsidies to enterprises for hiring unemployed people.

[26] Larisa suspension bridge project to be completed in early summer

The cost of the 33.60 meter-long suspension bridge is roughly 1.1 million euros.

[27] Greek stocks end 0.68 pct lower

Most sectors ended lower with the Telecommunications (2.80 pct), Financial Services (2.29 pct), Oil (1.78 pct) and Industrial Products (1.55 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Food/Beverage (2.90 pct), Healthcare (1.49 pct) and Media (1.02 pct) scored gains.

The Big Cap index fell 0.79 pct, the Mid Cap index eased 0.52 pct and the Small Cap index ended 0.35 pct lower. Crown Hellas Can (13.95 pct), Elfico (9.30 pct) and Epilektos (9.26 pct) were top gainers, while ANEK (29.78 pct), United Textiles (11.76 pct) and Klonatex (11.11 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 156 to 90 with another 49 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -1.34%

Industrials: -1.55%

Commercial: +0.26%

Construction: -1.01%

Media: +1.02%

Oil & Gas: -1.78%

Personal & Household: -0.89%

Raw Materials: +0.02%

Travel & Leisure: -1.41%

Technology: -0.32%

Telecoms: -2.80%

Banks: -0.48%

Food & Beverages: +2.90%

Health: +1.49%

Utilities: -1.02%

Chemicals: +0.32%

Financial Services: -2.29%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, OTE, OPAP and DEH.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 21.14

ATEbank: 3.56

Public Power Corp (PPC): 28.70

HBC Coca Cola: 29.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 9.60

National Bank of Greece: 40.72

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 18.90

Intralot: 12.00

OPAP: 23.42

OTE: 21.38

Titan Cement Company: 31.44

[28] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 13,505 contracts, worth 153.706 million euros, with 26,370 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 246 contracts worth 6.461 million euros, with 539 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 10,297 contracts, worth 18.139 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Postal Savings Bank's contracts (1,983), followed by Eurobank (830), Marfin Investment Group (860), OTE (892), National Bank (1,665), Alpha Bank (669), Intracom (658) and Mytilineos (526).

[29] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.05 pct, the two-day rate fell to 4.07 pct from 4.12 pct, the one-month rate 4.19 pct and the 12-month rate was 4.35 pct.

[30] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.473

Pound sterling 0.752

Danish kroner 7.512

Swedish kroner 9.504

Japanese yen 156.82

Swiss franc 1.618

Norwegian kroner 8.119

Canadian dollar 1.482

Australian dollar 1.644

General News

[31] Culture minister on growth prospects of Greek Culture Foundation abroad

Liapis said after the meeting that new centres of culture will operate in 2008 in Trieste, Belgrade, Bucharest, Tirana, Sofia, Washington and Melbourne.

"The extroversion of Greek Culture is for our ministry a top priority," Liapis said.

The targets and plans for 2008 were discussed at the meeting. Among the most important events are those in the Balkans which will start with an exhibition of Byzantine icons by Greek museums and private collections in Bucharest, at the Modern Arts Museum.

The Greek Culture Foundation has planned a tour of the exhibition in many cities of Europe, with the objective of making the international community aware of the illegal smuggling of antiquities. The exhibition will be presented at Lisbon's National Archaeology Museum.

The Greek Culture Foundation has as its objective the projection of Greek culture and the spreading of the Greek language throughout the world, since its creation in 1992.

[32] FM Bakoyannis on child trafficking

Bakoyannis said that the reasons for trafficking are mainly sexual exploitation and forced labour and begging, invoking sources of UNICEF, adding that child victims amount to 1.2 million.

The foreign minister referred to the link between trafficking and organised crime, mainly the trafficking of weapons and drugs and its consolidation in societies, following money laundering resulting from it, in legal economic activities, such as tourism, employment offices, agriculture and entertainment.

Focusing on the foreign ministry's contribution towards handling the problem, Bakoyannis said that cross-border cooperation has been strengthened with bilateral agreements, constant contacts with embassies and cooperation with international organisations.

She further said that a contribution has been made in the direction of prevention and the curbing of the phenomenon with development activities in third countries and the financing of programmes in support of victims, as well as information and sensitisation activities.

Bakoyannis made special mention of the TACT programme between Greece and Albania, which includes multilateral funding and the transfer of expertise and knowledge, through cooperation between Hellenic AID, USAID, UNICEF and other international donors.

The programme's activities include social research and employment in the street, tracking and recognising victims, the creation of welcoming structures and the social and family rehabilitation of victims.

[33] Rally organisers to sue over Saturday violence in Athens

In a press conference at the Athens Journalists' Union (ESHEA), representatives of the mainly left-wing groups that participated in Saturday's anti-racism rally - one of the injured protestors among them - condemned "justice's silence toward the incidents that nearly cost human lives".

They also called for an internal probe within the police, which they said was treating the attacks as unimportant, and the "government's choice to cover up the collusion between Fascist groups and men from the security forces and to equate this with whatever delinquent behaviour committed by various isolated anti-establishment types."

The groups that took part in Saturday's rally said they would continue their anti-racist campaign and that one of their main demands would be the dismissal of officers in the security forces that were recorded encouraging the actions of far-right elements, a public inquiry within the Greek Police and shutting down the offices and newspapers of the 'Golden Dawn' far-right group.

Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) MP Yiannis Banias said the government was "politically responsible" and that the party would seek clarifications over the incidents from the appropriate minister next Friday in Parliament.

Support for the case of the leftist groups was also voiced by trade unionists from the civil servants' union ADEDY and ESHEA.

Five members of an anti-racist rally by left-wing and anti-establishment organisations were injured - including one who was stabbed - on Saturday during clashes in central Athens with a group of far-right organisation supporters that were also holding a separate rally close by.

[34] ACCI president files complaint with Athens prosecutor

The ACCI president calls for punitive action against those responsible for causing unprovoked damage to private property and disturbing public order. He also demands that competent authorities take measures for the protection of private businesses which suffer serious damage each time such violent incidents occur.

[35] Rhodes doctor handed suspended sentence in case involving British tourist's fatal fall

The case, along with the three -- in total -- trials, generated heightened attention by mostly British media outlets, given that the man's death was one of a handful of fatalities of young British tourists on the popular holiday island over the past decade, practically all involving excessive consumption of alcohol. Additionally, charges that the victim's left kidney was taken without the family's consent also generated press interest.

A first-instance court in Rhodes had originally handed down a three-year jail term against the trio, a verdict that was later overthrown by an appeals court. The case was retried on Tuesday following a review by a Supreme Court prosecutor.

The case, which at one point was even raised in the British Parliament by an MP for the victim's home district, stemmed from the fatal 12-metre fall of 23-year-old Christopher Rochester out of a Faliraki hotel window, resulting in his serious injury.

Hospital officials at the time calculated the alcohol content in the victim's bloodstream at 1.98.

An ambulance reportedly rushed him to the hospital but despite medical efforts he died of his injuries three hours later. A few days afterwards, the victim's parents and family accused the Rhodes Hospital doctors of negligence and a prosecutor took over the case.

An investigation launched by a local prosecutor and a subsequent court trial did not prove allegations by the victim's family that one of his kidney's had been removed by hospital staff for use as a transplant.

According to the findings of the investigation, the kidney had indeed been removed for medical purposes (tissue testing).

Arguments for the sole physician's conviction in the case revolved around his failure to recognise the severity of the victim's injuries and his failure to notify a superior or a specialist physician earlier, given that he was just an intern at the time.

[36] Journalist Yiannis Papageorgiou dies

He was born in Kozani Prefecture, northwestern Greece, in 1928. During the civil war he left Greece initially for Romania and finally moved to Skopje where he lived ever since.

He worked as a journalist for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) radio station "Foni tis Alithias" (Voice of Truth) broadcasting from Bucharest and collaborated with many newspapers and magazines. He became MPA's correspondent in Skopje shortly after the news agency was founded.

[37] Smokers in Greece start as early as 12

The above were announced on the occasion of a conference on the effects of smoking on health hosted by the Neapolis municipality, Thessaloniki on Wednesday.

Cigarettes contain a total of 4,700 toxic substances, 60 of which are proved to be cancer-causing while 590 are added chemical combinations used by tobacco industries to improve the taste of cigarettes.

Smoking is blamed for causing lung cancer, pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and cardio-vascular decease, among others.

Weather Forecast

[38] Scattered showers, storms on Thursday

[39] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Graft in the public sector from now on is a felony - At last, drastic measures".

APOGEVMATINI: "8,770 new hirings in public sector - Tenured and seasonal personnel".

AVGHI: "Government gives 912 million euros to shut down national aircarrier Olympic Airways (OA) - Development Minister released an actuarial study on the OA issue".

AVRIANI: "Ruling party New Democracy and main opposition PASOK must stop the prosecutor responsible for Siemens case in order to avoid humiliation before people's eyes" - They must expel ministers and cadres who took money under the table".

CHORA: "Graft's maypole - PASOK's former Ministers point the finger at one another"

ETHNOS: "New development in social security reforms issue - First rift in government just before the final reforms".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Metropolitans of Thessaloniki and Dimitriada will be the regulators of Thursday's election of a New Archbishop - Metropolitan of Sparta is leading in the succession course"

ELEFTHEROS: "Deputy Minister's bomb over Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia - Deep rift in government on social security reforms issue".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Souflias' (Enviroment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister) rift on social security reforms - By the time the government is ready to advance the merging of social security funds, Souflias expressed doubts via representative (Deputy Minister)".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Fiefdoms over social security reforms - Nagging in ND, and every Minister tries to protect his affiliates."

ESTIA: " The country prisoner of the guilds - The gutless government simply watches on."

KATHIMERINI: "U.S proposal for a dual name on FYROM issue - Dual name in relations with Greece and Organisations."

LOGOS: " Fracture in the hierachy on the eve of election - Two trisagion services for the late Archbishop".

NIKI: "Red alert in PASOK - They're search for the reasons of the party's plunge in popularity".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Popular counterattack against social security reforms attack - All together in the 13 February strike".

TA NEA: "Souflias demolishes social security reforms plan -He opposes merging of funds".

TO VIMA: "Parties in a boiling pot - Corrosion brings tension - Dispute in ND - agony in PASOK - leftist parties' expectations".

VRADYNI: "Bribery is a felony - Strict law for public servants who breach their trust."

Cyprus Affairs

[40] Spokesman says direct trade out of the question

Cypriot Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas said on Wednesday that direct trade between the island's northern Turkish occupied areas and Europe "is out of the question."

He noted, however, that the Turkish Cypriots would continue to have contacts abroad to promote trade with the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic.

Replying to questions, Palmas said this kind of activity by the Turkish Cypriots takes place at intervals.

''Of course, issues concerning direct trade are out of the question. The Green Line Regulation is clear and of course such visits and such contacts will continue in the future,'' he stressed.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

On 29 April 2004, the Council of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg approved a proposal entitled ''Green Line Regulation'', which determines the legal framework of the crossing of goods, persons and services as of 1 May 2004 in Cyprus to and from the occupied areas.

The EU Green Line Regulation says that the products produced in the occupied areas can be sold and consumed in the free areas of the Republic or exported to the EU countries via the legal ports of Cyprus, as long as there is a correct certificate from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and a relevant control by an EU expert who works in Cyprus for this task.

The Turkish Cypriot regime, however, continues to press on with its demand for direct trade.

[41] PIO issues publication countering the "isolation of T/Cs" myth

The Press and Information Office has issued a new publication in English, countering in a concise and concrete manner the Turkish propaganda on the alleged ''isolation'' of the Turkish Cypriots.

A press release issued by the PIO said the publication entitled "Toward a Unified Cyprus: The Myth of Turkish Cypriot ''Isolation''", is the second and updated edition of the booklet first published in June 2006.

"It counters, in a concise and concrete manner, Turkish propaganda on the alleged ''isolation'' of the Turkish Cypriots, arguing that Turkey, through its aggression in Cyprus (i.e. military invasion, occupation, forcible division and attempted secession), which has victimised both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, is responsible for the plight of the Turkish Cypriot community", the press release said.

The publication points out that the illegal situation in occupied Cyprus resulting from Turkey's ongoing aggression and the misguided policies of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, are solely responsible for whatever sense of ''isolation'' the Turkish Cypriots may feel.

Therefore, it is emphasised that only the reunification of Cyprus and the reintegration of its economy, society and institutions can adequately address the political and economic welfare of all citizens, noting that the encouragement of separatist tendencies under the false banner of ''ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots'', and other politically motivated schemes promoted by Turkey, does little to enhance the economic and political welfare of the Turkish Cypriot community or the peace process on the island.

The booklet notes that the predicament of the Turkish Cypriot community can improve only when Turkey ends its military occupation and forcible division of the island. A unified Cyprus will reintegrate its people, institutions, society and economy and create conditions for peace, security and stability. Turkish Cypriots will then be able to enjoy the entire spectrum of benefits offered by the state of Cyprus and EU membership.

The 15-page booklet is also available in 17 other languages, updated editions of which will be published in due course.

This publication can be downloaded in pdf format from the PIO website at: www.moi.gov.cy/pio.

[42] FM:Let us make Cyprus a great laboratory of brotherhood

Cultural and artistic activities, organised jointly by Greek and Turkish Cypriots, are tangible proof that the need for communication, common expression and creation prevails and is the connecting link that unites Cypriots, Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening of the individual exhibition "Reflections" by the Turkish Cypriot artist, painter and sculptor Sevcan Cerkez, she said that all Cypriots who have lived abroad realise that the people of this island have the ability to recognise each other "by our movements and facial expressions, by our hospitality and generosity, by our openness and our camaraderie, as those are faithfully portrayed in the sculptures that appear before us. And we feel the same nostalgia for the same elements with which we grew up, when we are away from home".

"I am deeply convinced, as is Sevcan Cerkez, that this human warm-heartedness still exists, even more intensely, in our country; it prevails as an element of character in all of our people, Turkish and Greek Cypriots alike, Maronites, Armenians and Latins. This resemblance in our idiosyncrasy and the perception of the world around us, this common culture of humaneness and love for life, nature and family, is what bonds us and will continue to keep us together in our common homeland", Kozakou-Marcoullis said.

Referring to the artist, the FM said her ability to observe all that was happening around her, the Cypriot landscape, people's relations and especially the expression in people's faces have marked her soul at a very early stage.

Concluding, Kozakou-Marcoullis expressed the wish that in the future there will be many more such opportunities for artists from both communities to exhibit their talent to the wider Cypriot public, projecting Cyprus, their common homeland.

"Art always unites and always creates. It strengthens ties and shapes dreams. It travels without boundaries, opening roads of friendship and brotherhood. Let us embrace it and support our artists with love and encouragement, because they deserve it. Let us make Cyprus a great laboratory of brotherhood and let us make art a bridge that will nourish co-existence and will exhibit the common characteristics which unite us in our common country, our sea-bathed Cyprus, the island of humanity and creativity", she said.

[43] Euro-Mediterranean Policy main focus of EPP-ED meeting in Nicosia

The Euro-Mediterranean Policy and its perspectives is going to be the main focus of the meeting of the Bureau of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, which will take place in Nicosia on February 7 and 8, with the participation of 65 leading European politicians.

According to an EPP-ED press release, the Cyprus issue, the role of the UN and the EU as key players to promote the Cyprus settlement will be another item of discussion, particularly in view of the forthcoming presidential elections in Cyprus.

The debate will be divided into four panels, namely ''The Future of the EU-Mediterranean Policy: Which Options'', ''The Role of the United Nations in Cyprus'', ''The EU: a Key Player to Promote the Cyprus Settlement'' and ''The EU: a Key Player to Promote a Secure and Lasting Peace in the Eastern Mediterranean''.

In a panel introduced by Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, parliamentarians will meet with representatives of the countries of the area such as Youssef Amrani, Moroccan Director-General of Foreign Affairs, and Iskandar Ghattas, Deputy of the People's Assembly of Egypt, as well as Amine Gemayel, former President of Lebanon.

They will have an extensive exchange of views on various issues, including the proposal for the creation of a Mediterranean Union launched by France's President Sarkozy as well as the idea of a European Commonwealth and the reforming of the Barcelona Process.

The participants, MEPs and delegates of governments of the Mediterranean countries, will have the opportunity to debate on a wide spectrum of different options for the Euro-Mediterranean Policy.

According to the press release, the meeting in Nicosia will provide the participants with valuable information and will contribute to the ongoing discussion on the various models of the future cooperation in the broader Euro-Mediterranean area.

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana-mpa.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: GEORGE TAMBAKOPOULOS

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