Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-10-10

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] Karamanlis: ND unequivocally condemns terrorism

[02] FM proposes international conference of religious leaders

[03] Toxotis - 2 aeronautical exercise not to take place October 17

[04] PM chairs PASOK party's Executive Bureau meeting

[05] Manos, ND MPs criticize gov't attacks on justice over land register

[06] Premier meets with alternate foreign minister

[07] Greece donates 100 million drachmas worth of medical equipment to four countries

[08] Minister says country's port policy needs modernization

[09] Archbishop lashes his critics, PM at prelates' meeting in Athens

[10] Anti-war protest march to U.S. embassy

[11] Greek government discusses economic conditions

[12] Regular budget revenues up 8.0 percent in September

[13] Wholesale prices' index drop 0.5 percent in August

[14] Employment up 1.92 percent this year

[15] Greek Railway Organization to sign agreement with FYROM

[16] Greek bank shares' losses exceed 50 percent

[17] Greek stocks move cautiously higher, Cosmote outperforms

[18] Inauguration of Frankfurt book exhibition

[19] Austrian media highlight Greek literature

[20] Exhibition in Thessaloniki on "Euro: a currency for Europe"

[21] Kasoulides says Cyprus problem can only be solved through negotiations

[22] Efforts to combat international terrorism discussed by Cyprus FM with EU officials

[23] Cyprus foreign ministry makes representations to Pakistan

[24] Cyprus taking all the right measures to help US and coalition against global terrorism

[01] Karamanlis: ND unequivocally condemns terrorism

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

Reiterating the party's support for the United States, he noted that "reservations about specific points of US policy cannot alter our position ... since this is an issue of fundamental values and principles."

Karamanlis said that the enemy was not Islam or Afghanistan and called for the highest possible effectiveness with the lowest possible cost in human lives.

He also pointed out that this campaign fell under the auspices of international law, the United Nations, NATO and the European Union, with the establishment of a broad and inclusive international alliance.

In another part his statements, Karamanlis turned to the problem of domestic terrorism within Greece, and said this had to be dealt with effectively or the country's credibility abroad would be shaken.

ND, he added, as a party that had lost cadres to terrorist strikes, welcomed a tougher government stance on the issue and would support all initiatives on a democratic level, disregarding political costs.

Gov't briefs ND on security plan after US attack against Afghanistan: Deputy Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Tuesday briefed main opposition New Democracy on the latest developments following the United States attack on Afghanistan, in a meeting with ND foreign policy and defense coordinator Dora Bakoyianni.

In statements after the meeting, Bakoyianni said that crises such as the present required consensus and the participation of all political parties, which should have a complete picture and be fully briefed on the government's decisions and their aims.

She said she had been well-briefed and expressed approval of the measures planned by the government to deal with possible threats to the country.

[02] FM proposes international conference of religious leaders

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

Papandreou, who will pay a brief visit to Istanbul on Wednesday, will discuss the issue at length with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

The aim of the Greek government is for such a conference to be held under the auspices of the European Union, something that Papandreou already communicated by phone on Tuesday morning to European Commission President Romano Prodi.

Papandreou also communicated with Patriarch Vartholomeos who found the foreign minister's idea very positive and invited him to the Fanar to discuss the overall issue in detail.

According to diplomatic sources, Papandreou already discussed his proposal with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres during the separate meetings he had with them when he recently visited Jerusalem.

[03] Toxotis - 2 aeronautical exercise not to take place October 17

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

Earlier, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that Greece and Cyprus would discuss the possibility of changing the dates of their joint military exercise "Nikiforos-Toxotis 2001", in light of developments in Afghanistan.

Reppas said that following the developments in Afghanistan, the Greek government was willing to come to an understanding with the government of Cyprus to discuss the need for changes in the dates of the exercise.

He insisted that the exercise would not be postponed, rather only rescheduled.

[04] PM chairs PASOK party's Executive Bureau meeting

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said the Executive Bureau discussed procedural and other issues concerning the congress and agreed on the agenda and the regulation of the congress.

It also announced officially that from its members Vasso Papandreou will head the congress' presidium.

PASOK party says 6,353 delegates to attend congress: The number of delegates to attend the ruling PASOK party's 6th congress, due to start on Thursday and last until Sunday, will amount to 6,353, according to an announcement by the party's Press Office on Tuesday.

Men account for 74.82 percent of delegates and women for 25.18 percent. The bulk of delegates belong to the 35-54 age bracket and covers 60.80 percent of the total number, followed by the 18-34 bracket with 23.20 and the 55-64 with 13.05.

From the point of view of professional origin, the public sector heads the list with 33.49 percent, followed by the private sector with 24.98 and self-employed professionals with 22.43.

Regarding the educational levels of delegates, 43.22 percent are secondary education graduates, 30.99 belong to the highest educational level, 14.91 from higher education and 8.26 elementary education, while 2.61 have a university postgraduate education.

Forty foreign delegations to attend PASOK's congress: Forty foreign delegations will attend the ruling PASOK party's 6th congress due to start on Thursday and last until Sunday.

The presence of such a large number of delegations is indicative of the impression other countries have of Greece at a time when insecurity is spreading over a big part of the world, PASOK party sources said.

Prime Minister and PASOK leader Costas Simitis will be giving a reception in honor of the foreign delegations at a downtown Athens hotel on the day of the congress's opening.

Guests at the congress include European Socialist Party President and former British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta, Yugoslav Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic and Israeli Transport Minister and leading Labor Party official Ephraim Schnee.

Delegations of the French Socialist Party, the Socialdemocrat Party of Germany and the Democratic Socialism Party, as well as the British Labor Party will also be attending.

Also present at the congress will be all the leaders of the political parties of Cyprus. Leftwing AKEL party general secretary Demetris Christofias, Democratic Party (DHKO) leader Tassos Papadopoulos, Democratic Rally (DHSY) leader Nikos Anastassiades, Socialdemocrat Movement (KISOS) leader Yiannakis Omirou, New Horizons party leader Nikos Koutsou, ADHK party leader Dinos Michaelides, United Democrats party Deputy President George Christofides and Savvas Philippou from the Ecologists Movement.

Simitis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou and other government and party members will be having contacts with foreign delegations in accordance with the level of each party's representation.

[05] Manos, ND MPs criticize gov't attacks on justice over land register

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

"The procedure you have followed was damaging for Greek justice and created doubts as to its independence," Manos wrote in his response to a file sent to him by Laliotis over the case.

He said the environment minister should have initiated the proper procedures through the justice ministry and not have taken the law 'into his own hands'.

Laliotis on Monday submitted a file to the Supreme Court, which he claims contains evidence of improper dealings between members of the judiciary, main opposition New Democracy (ND) and a section of the press.

The file is said to contain copies of ND motions in Parliament concerning the course of the national land register, but also of charges against members of the land register company, Ktimatologio SA.

The file was sent to the Supreme Court's president and public prosecutor, to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, to presidents of judicial unions and to the president of the Athens Bar Association.

The Supreme Court public prosecutor is studying the file and will probably assign a deputy prosecutor to launch an investigation.

The issue was also brought up in Parliament on Tuesday by 14 main opposition

[06] Premier meets with alternate foreign minister

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

Following the meeting, Papazoi noted that she and the premier discussed issues related to the European Union, in relation to the new conditions created by the American reaction to the terrorist attack in the United States on Sept. 11.

[07] Greece donates 100 million drachmas worth of medical equipment to four countries

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

According to the program, 30 million drachmas worth of medical equipment will be donated to the "Amsu Raghia" medical center of Ramala, 30 million drachmas worth of equipment will be donated to the clinics and hospitals of the Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate, 15 million drachmas worth of anesthesiology equipment will be donated to an Armenian hospital and 25 million drachmas worth of x-ray equipment will be donated to a Kenyan hospital.

The Greek donations are part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2001-DAC program.

[08] Minister says country's port policy needs modernization

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

He was speaking at the opening of its first meeting under the chairmanship of the Port and Port Policy secretary general Nikos Thomopoulos.

The meeting included representatives from the public works, finance, transport and communications, Aegean, interior and defense ministries.

[09] Archbishop lashes his critics, PM at prelates' meeting in Athens

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

In his speech, Christodoulos launched a harsh attack on his critics within the Church, and also referred to the controversial identity-card issue, saying there was a 'subculture' that had unjustly accused the Church and surrounded it with hostility. He stressed that the Church was not opposed to the government but disagreed with a specific decision it had made.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis also came under fire in the Archbishop's speech, for failing to officially state, in person, that the government did not intend to adopt measures discussed or proposed by Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos, such as making civil marriages mandatory.

In another part of his speech, the Archbishop defended the Greek Church's stance to a historic visit to Greece by Pope John Paul II, head of the Roman Catholic Church, earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, according to an ANA dispatch from Istanbul, the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate has issued a sharp warning against attempts to modify the relationship between the Church of Greece and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, saying they would be "ill-timed and harmful for the Church and the nation".

The negative consequences of such an action would be the sole responsibility of the 'other side', an announcement by the Patriarchate's Holy Synod said on Tuesday, which promised to give its answer to three letters sent by Christodoulos to Fanar in 'due course'.

[10] Anti-war protest march to U.S. embassy

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

The demonstrators shouted slogans expressing opposition to the pseudo-dilemma, as they termed it, that "whoever is not with the U.S. is with the terrorists."

"The peoples are for the peoples," said World Council of Peace secretary general Athanassios Pafilis, adding that "all working people, students, young people and pensioners are on the side of the U.S. and Afghanistan and Palestine and the Kurds and the European countries."

The demonstrators then marched to the U.S. embassy under a strong police presence. After staying outside the embassy for half an hour they dispersed peacefully.

[11] Greek government discusses economic conditions

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis to discuss the course of a Third Community Support Framework, Papantoniou said that by the end of the month the government should be able to draw more safe conclusions over developments in international economy.

Papantoniou stressed that Greece is expected to receive payout of 1.7 trillion drachmas from EU funds for project completed or under development in the country. "Projects already included in a Third Community Support Framework worth 2.6 trillion drachmas, or 26 percent of total funds earmarked for the country," Papantoniou said.

[12] Regular budget revenues up 8.0 percent in September

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

This year's budget envisages a 7.9 percent annual increase in budget revenues and a general government surplus of 200 billion drachmas, or 0.5 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

Finance ministry officials said that an international crisis would not affect 2001 but next year's budget revenues, as the government's economic staff has already predicted.

National Economy Ministry reviewed downwards its initial target for next year's growth rate to 4.0 percent from 4.6 percent, meaning slower tax revenues in 2002.

The September increased revenue figures reflected higher value added tax receipts and settlement of past tax cases.

The finance ministry said revenues from auctioning third gene-ration mobile telephony licenses counterbalanced lower revenues from corporate taxes.

[13] Wholesale prices' index drop 0.5 percent in August

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

The NSS said that the index rose 3.1 percent in August from the same month in 2000.

[14] Employment up 1.92 percent this year

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

The survey, which was publicized on Tuesday, showed that the sample of enterprises represents 7.3 percent of the country's total number of employed or 12.4 percent of the total salary earners.

The Labor Ministry said that from a statistical point of view, the sample survey was indicative of the country's tendencies.

The ministry noted that, according to data, in the second quarter of 2000, the increase in employment amounted to 6,500 people.

[15] Greek Railway Organization to sign agreement with FYROM

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

The agreement, to be signed at OSE's offices in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, anticipates new flexible rules and competitive fares concerning commercial transportation between the three countries. Two days of negotiations between senior railway officials from the three countries proceeded the shaping of the agreement.

According to an announcement by OSE, the agreement is expected to be expanded to Croatia and Slovenia as well in the near future, with the purpose of linking Greece directly by railway with the European Union, via Italy and Austria for commercial transportation.

[16] Greek bank shares' losses exceed 50 percent

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

The big five banks listed in the Athens Stock Exchange were considered safe havens in times of international crises, but analysts now say that this status has been lost as many blue chip stocks were currently recording more losses compared with the general index's decline in the wake of the September 11 terrorists attacks on the US.

Bank of Piraeus share price is now trading 53.78 percent lower for the year, Alpha Bank's shares have lost 50.28 percent, Commercial Bank's losses total 45.57 percent, EFG Eurobank Ergasias is down 39.82 percent and National Bank has lost 39.34 percent this year.

The general index of the Athens Stock Exchange has lost 34 percent so far this year and is down 65 percent from its record-highs of September 1999.

Mutual fund managers and investment strategists seem reluctant to predict any market moves in the short-term citing uncertainties over developments in international markets in the wake of the tragic events in the US and fears of a prolonged war against terrorism.

They agree, however, that the impact on the Greek economy would be smaller compared with other European countries.

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou has reiterated that growth rates in Greece would be two percentage points higher than the EU average this year and in 2002.

[17] Greek stocks move cautiously higher, Cosmote outperforms

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

Cosmote shares outperformed the market after announcing stronger-than-expected figures for its subscriber base growth in the first nine months of the year.

The general index ended 0.23 percent higher at 2,220.41 points, off the day's highs of 2,234.64 points. Turnover was a disappointing low 78.95 million euros with 18.5 million shares traded in the market.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,241.33 points, up 0.07 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.76 percent to 225.04 points, and the FTSE SmallCap 80 index ended at 658.53, up 0.26 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 206.24 points, up 1.78 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 178 to 126 with another 52 issues unchanged. Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank, EFG Eurobank, Panafon, Alpha Bank, Plaisio Computers, Aspis Bank, Eskimo, Eurodynamic and AS Company were the most heavily traded stocks.

Equity futures end higher: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tues-day finished at a higher discount, roughly tracking a rise in the main market.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips rose 0.07 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks ended 0.76 percent up.

Futures on the FTSE/ASE-20 showed a discount of up to 0.5 percent; and on the FTSE/ASE-40 up to 3 percent, the traders said.

Changing hands were 5,259 contracts.

Prices drop in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished lower in heavy trade focusing on 10-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.14 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was almost 46 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 1.6 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[18] Inauguration of Frankfurt book exhibition

FRANKFURT, 10/10/2001 (ANA - S. Aravopou-lou)

President Kostis Stephanopoulos spoke of the great honor being bestowed upon Greece in an address during the opening of the Frankfurt book exhibition.

Also referring to the September 11 terrorist attacks, President Stephanopoulos said the tragic events in the U.S. highlight the need for a dialogue of civilizations and a return to the traditional values of man and humanity.

Culture minister addresses Frankfurt Int'l Book Exhibition: Greece's Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, addressing the opening of the 53rd Frankfurt International Book Exhibition on Tuesday, said that Greece was on its way towards the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and that the Cultural Olympiad has already started with its central theme being the search for a "Culture of Cultures".

He said the theme was not only current but also politically crucial in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11. Venizelos added that not only the western world but also all the civilized world is fighting against terrorism, and accepts as its central value the life and integrity of people.

Greece is the theme country at the book exhibition.

[19] Austrian media highlight Greek literature

VIENNA, 10/10/2001 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

Monday night's presentation, including interviews with modern-day Greek writers, including Nikos Themelis, Ioanna Karystiani and Ersi Sotiropoulou, focused on an analysis of the character and development of modern Greek literature and primarily that of past decades.

Particular emphasis was also placed on the fact that Greece, despite the limited dissemination of the Greek language, has already won two Nobel Literature Prizes with George Seferis and Odysseus Elytis.

[20] Exhibition in Thessaloniki on "Euro: a currency for Europe"

Athens, 10/10/2001 (ANA)

The exhibition is organized by the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair SA in cooperation with the Athens Monetary Museum and held under the auspices of the ministries of finance, culture and Macedonia-Thrace, as well as the Bank of Greece and the European Commission.

It is estimated that by the end of October the number of visitors at the exhibition will reach 25,000.

[21] Kasoulides says Cyprus problem can only be solved through negotiations

BRUSSELS, 10/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at the EU-Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting in Brussels, Kasoulides referred to international efforts aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus question and the intransigence shown by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, while referring to the combat against terrorism, he said Cyprus fully backs the action plan adopted by the EU member-states and is committed to work with the US and other states to that end.

He referred to Cyprus' decision to allow US aircraft to use its sovereign air space and airports for an indefinite period of time. He added Cyprus has implemented all provisions of the relevant UN resolutions against terrorism and Security Council resolutions calling for the freezing of funds and assets suspected of being used by terrorists and the sale of arms to the Taliban.

Kasoulides said the Cyprus authorities are at the final stage of preparing a bill to ratify the international Convention on Com-bating the Financing of Terrorism that Cyprus signed on 1 March 2001. He said Cyprus has so far ratified 10 out of 13 international Conventions and Protocols related to the question of terrorism.

The foreign minister added Cyprus has decided to set up a special unit for combating international terrorism, which among others, will have the authority to investigate information regarding terrorist groups' activities.

Referring to the efforts to solve the Cyprus question, Kasoulides recalled that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had invited the two sides to talks on 12 September 2001, but Denktash turned down the invitation. He added the Security Council had ex-pressed disappointment over Denktash's negative stance. Kasoulides said the Cyprus question could only be solved through negotiations.

He pledged the Cyprus government will continue fully backing the UN Secretary General in his efforts to solve the problem. "Our readiness to negotiate will always remain a fact," he said.

Kasoulides expressed gratitude to the European Parliament for its recent resolution, "which encourages us to continue our constructive stance in the search for a solution and also encourages voices of criticism heard from the Turkish Cypriot community and Turkey against their leadership's current position."

The Cyprus FM also referred to the European Court of Human Rights May 10 ruling against Turkey, by which it holds Turkey responsible for mass violations of human rights in Cyprus.

He said the ECHR ruling offers a great opportunity for Turkey to deal with humanitarian issues, such as the missing persons and the enclaved people, based on European principles and values.

Kasoulides referred to the bicommunal programs in Cyprus sponsored by the EU, underlining that the Cyprus government unreservedly supports the rapprochement programs, which reject Denktash's position that Greek and Turkish Cypriots could not live together.

The regime set up in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops since 1974 has repeatedly blocked bicommunal programs.

The Cypriot minister also referred to Cyprus' harmonization process with the acquis communautaire (EU laws and regulations) and expressed hope that the issue of the financial assistance of the island's harmonization process will be re-examined by the EU organs.

[22] Efforts to combat international terrorism discussed by Cyprus FM with EU officials

BRUSSELS, 10/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Patten has expressed EU's satisfaction with the measures taken by Cyprus in the joint effort to combat international terrorism and money laundering.

Kasoulides and Patten agreed that international developments press for a solution to the Cyprus problem since Cyprus acquires an important role as a European country bordering the sensitive Middle East region.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

The Cypriot minister had also a meeting with Solana, with whom he discussed world developments, with emphasis on the international campaign against terrorism.

Solana heard about measures taken in this direction in Cyprus, stressing the importance EU was giving on the collective effort to combat international terrorism.

Kasoulides assured Solana about Cyprus' political will to contribute, without reservations, to the common struggle against international terrorism.

Kasoulides addressed on Tuesday afternoon the EU-Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee, which met in Brussels with the participation of Euro MP's and Cypriot deputies.

On Tuesday night the Cypriot minister was due to have a dinner with EU Commission responsible for enlargement Gunter Verheugen. He returns to Cyprus on Wednesday.

[23] Cyprus foreign ministry makes representations to Pakistan

NICOSIA, 10/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Papapetrou said this was not the first visit of a Pakistani military attache to Cyprus' occupied areas. A Pakistani military attache along with a military attache from Bosnia-Herzegovina visited the occupied areas, two years ago.

Replying to questions, the Cypriot official said this illegal visit was not related to the forthcoming Islamic Conference, through which the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime pursues recognition. He said the Pakistani attache had been invited to visit the occupied areas by an organization representing the Turkish occupation force.

The government spokesman said the puppet regime was making efforts to create through this indirect way the impression that it is recognized.

Invited to comment on the fact that the so-called foreign minister of the illegal regime was to fly on Tuesday to Qatar for the Islamic Conference Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Papapetrou noted that for years now so-called officials of the puppet regime attend such meetings, only as observers, since their regime is not a member of the Islamic Conference.

[24] Cyprus taking all the right measures to help US and coalition against global terrorism

NICOSIA, 10/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after "an excellent discussion", as he described it with President Glafcos Clerides, Bandler said during the meeting they viewed in detail issues regarding port, airport and embassies security as well as the issue of financing terrorism. He stressed it was "exceptionally important" to cut off the financial roots of the terrorist activity.

"Cyprus is doing all the right things to help us with this coalition effort", the US ambassador said.

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