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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-08

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

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

January 8, 2003

CONTENTS

  • [01] FM says Greek presidency targets viable Europe
  • [02] Greek gov't's economic staff ready for EU presidency
  • [03] Athens will move within UN framework on Iraq, gov't says
  • [04] PES president speaks out against unilateral action in Iraq
  • [05] PM in series of meetings related to Greek EU presidency
  • [06] Belgian newspaper dedicates page on Greece's EU presidency
  • [07] FM Papandreou: Political maturity will prevail in Cyprus
  • [08] DM meets with German ambassador
  • [09] ND leader Karamanlis calls for parliamentary debate on functioning of the State
  • [10] Anastasopoulos withdraws candidacy for European Ombudsman post
  • [11] Bill extends responsibilities of Ombudsman to children's rights
  • [12] FM expresses condolences over Lord Jenkins' demise
  • [13] Filon & Rontos sworn in as ambassadors
  • [14] Trial for PKK leader's illegal entry begins on Wednesday
  • [15] European Commission says 2.5 million new jobs created in
  • [16] Greek banks' prospects better than other European Report
  • [17] Greek economic sentiment index falls 0.5 pct in December
  • [18] Bank employees welcome plan for "popular" state bills
  • [19] Greek competition authorities say "has limited powers"
  • [20] Anomeritis meets with ESP Eurodeputies
  • [21] Greek mutual funds market's losses mount in 2002
  • [22] Taxi sector reform aimed to improve services to passengers
  • [23] Greek stocks end lower on Tuesday
  • [24] Coalition leader visits Korydallos following triple drug death scandal
  • [25] Driver injured due to subsidence near Halandri metro worksite
  • [26] Zappeion Hall turned over to Greek EU presidency
  • [27] 'November 17' trial date set for March 3
  • [28] Council of Europe to contribute to Cyprus reconciliation
  • [29] Technical committees meet under UN chairmanship

  • [01] FM says Greek presidency targets viable Europe

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister and current Council of Ministers President George Papandreou said on Tuesday the target of the European Union's Greek presidency is a viable Europe and the strengthening of basic principles governing the EU, adding that the EU is currently more of a political community than it had been in the past.

    Papandreou, who was addressing members of the European Socialist Party's (ESP) Parliamentary group convening in Athens, said treaties will be signed in Athens with the EU's 10 new member-states and stressed that democracy is a real challenge for Europe and the rest of the world.

    The foreign minister also said Euroscepticism should be handled through initiatives which will highlight Europe having a humane image.

    He further said the Mediterranean is one of the focal points of the Greek presidency's efforts, as well as the Balkans and the wider region.

    On the question of the Middle East, he said problems remain and extreme trends are being shaped adding that Europe has a very important role to play regarding Iraq.

    Focusing on the Balkans, Papandreou said the Balkan countries belong to Europe and noted that a meeting with Balkan countries will be held in the northern city of Thessaloniki during the Greek presidency.

    The meeting will centre on providing an impetus for the process of these countries' rapprochement with the EU, handling organized crime, transparency, confronting corruption, the process of solving conflicts and economic growth.

    Papandreou said a date was given to Turkey at the EU's Copenhagen summit and added that it was a considerable offer for Turkey and there will be positive repercussions for Greek-Turkish relations if the neighboring country complies with criteria set in Copenhagen (human rights, democracy, etc) and develops better relations with its neighbors, not only with Greece, but with Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania as well.

    He went on to say that official positions expressed by both the leader of Turkey's ruling party Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Abdullah Gul are encouraging.

    Papandreou further said there is no progress in the Middle East, but rather steps backwards.

    He also referred to issues concerning terrorism and extremism, stressing that they are returning again in relation to observance of democratic principles, while matters regarding inequality are not dissociated from security issues in general.

    Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis referred to practical issues concerning the Greek presidency, adding that its priorities include EU enlargement, Iraq, the Middle East and dialogue with the United States.

    Yiannitsis said he believes the EU is proceeding towards its political unification all the more and, if the element of economic unification prevailed in the past, developments at present are leading the EU to becoming more of a political union.

    Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said European defense should be strengthened substantively and noted that expenditures in the United States are two times greater for the defense industry compared to Europe.

    He added that the United States is spending funds for defense technology that are four times higher than the EU (meaning the ratio in this respect is 4 to 1).

    Papantoniou further said this relation is one-sided and in four or five years it will be almost impossible to bridge the gap separating the EU and the United States in the defense industry and defense technology sector.

    The defense minister also said an effort should be made to enable the European defense industry to increase its expenditures, meaning that there should be an increase in defense expenditures for some countries to cover both security requirements and issues arising in relation to international terrorism in unstable regions.

    [02] Greek gov't's economic staff ready for EU presidency

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Tuesday said that the Greek government's staff dealing with the economy in relation with the Greek EU presidency is ''ready''.

    Papandreou's statement came after a meeting he held with National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas.

    He stressed that the Greek presidency's point of reference will be to win peace, in the case of Iraq, and to achieve a diplomatic solution.

    On his part, Christodoulakis said that the Greek presidency began with great demands and difficulties, adding that Greece has to utilize policies on all levels and that European citizens have great expectations from the Greek presidency.

    Tsohatzopoulos said that the problems of everyday life are not confronted with wishes, rather with the implementation of development strategies.

    Reppas noted that emphasis will be placed on the employment sector, which is a basic component of prosperity.

    [03] Athens will move within UN framework on Iraq, gov't says

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    The Greek government will move within the framework of United Nations resolutions where Iraq is concerned, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Tuesday in response to questions.

    All facilitations that Athens had already provided to the Americans were obligations that arose through bilateral treaties between Greece and the United States, the spokesman added.

    Protopapas underlined that the Greek government did not desire a war and urged the international community to handle the issue of Iraq with exceptional care, noting that war was not always the answer.

    [04] PES president speaks out against unilateral action in Iraq

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    The European Parliament supports a solution in Iraq that moves within the framework of the United Nations, Party of European Socialists (PES) president Enrique Baron Crespo said on Tuesday in Athens.

    At the same time he spoke out against unilateral action in Iraq, saying it was not the right solution for getting rid of the Iraqi dictator, and that a war in Iraq would be a problem for the entire world.

    Crespo is visiting Greece at the head of a 30-member PES delegation for talks on a range of issues with the Greek government, which has recently taken over the rotating EU presidency. The talks are part of preparations for a conference to discuss the priorities of the Greek presidency, in which views on all issues will be exchanged.

    In a joint press conference with Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis and the head of PASOK MEPs George Katiforis, Crespo said the Greek EU presidency was taking over at a crucial time for Iraq and the Middle East crisis, two issues in which the European Parliament has a very lively interest.

    Other crucial issues the Greek presidency would be called on to handle were the EU enlargement process, including any progress that might be made in the Cyprus issue within the framework of the UN and Turkey's accession prospects, he added.

    The PES president also referred to his talks with Greek Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis on naval shipping safety, focusing on the prevention of accidents such as that of the single-hull oil tanker ''Prestige''.

    He said the Greek presidency had prepared a paragraph on this issue before the accident had taken place and noted that Greece had extensive experience in this area.

    In addition, he announced plans for a European Parliament investigative team to look into such accidents.

    Another issue that dominated the PES delegation's meetings on Tuesday morning was the Greek presidency's proposals for combatting illegal immigration, which Crespo described as very creative and constructive. He also expressed support for sharing out the cost of the effort to police borders on a European level.

    In meetings on Tuesday afternoon, the PES delegates will discuss foreign policy issues, enlargement and the future of Europe. They will be addressed by Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Yiannitsis, and National Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, while at 19:00 they will meet Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    Yiannitsis stressed the importance of cooperation with the European Parliament and its support during the Greek presidency, which would be called to handle very important issues such as enlargement, employment strategies, competitiveness and sustainable development and major issues involving third countries in the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa that generated a global climate of uncertainty.

    [05] PM in series of meetings related to Greek EU presidency

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday evening met with the Europarliament Socialist Party Group delegation headed by President Baron Crespo on a two-day visit to Athens since Monday in light of the Greek EU presidency, Mass Media and Press Minister Christos Protopapas said.

    Simitis on Wednesday will meet with National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Bank of Greece Governor Nikos Garganas. Later on the day, the prime minister will meet with ruling PASOK party Secretary Costas Laliotis and immediately after that, he will chair the meeting of his communications experts team.

    The prime minister on Thursday will chair the meeting of his cabinet that will focus on preparations for the meetings that the Greek government will hold here on Friday with the leadership of the European Commission. On Thursday evening, Simitis will attend a special ceremony at the Athens Concert Hall to inaugurate the Greek EU presidency and later in the evening he will host an official reception for the members of the European Commission.

    The entire European Commission headed by EU Commission President Romano Prodi arrives in Athens on Thursday for a visit within the framework of the Greek EU Presidency.

    The members of the Greek government on Friday will hold successive bilateral meetings with the visiting EU Commissioners. The prime minister at 10.00 a.m. on Friday will hold a meeting with EU Commission President Romano Prodi, to be followed by a joint press conference at 13.00 p.m.

    Simitis on Wednesday, 15 January, is scheduled to fly to Strasbourg to present the priorities of the Greek EU presidency to the Plenary Session of the European Parliament.

    On Monday next week, the prime minister is scheduled to chair a meeting of the government committee for the Olympic Games at noon, while later he will meet Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Transport Minister Christos Verelis. On Monday evening he is to meet IOC presidency Jacques Rogge and ATHOC head Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki.

    [06] Belgian newspaper dedicates page on Greece's EU presidency

    BRUSSELS 08/01/2003 (ANA/G. Zitouniati)

    The Sunday edition of the Belgian newspaper ''De Standaard'', under a banner headline ''Greece is building a more modern future'', dedicated a whole page to Greece's assumption of the European Union six-month rotating presidency on January 1.

    The article, comprised of four parts, concerned the procedure of Greece's modernization, the shaping and historic development of the Greek state and the country's relations with the Union, under the title ''The trust of the Greeks in the EU increased with Copenhagen (summit)''.

    It also included a portrait of ''the new-style prime minister'', Costas Simitis, as well as of Foreign Minister George Papandreou ''who represents the radical choice of his country in support of the EU and the efforts for rapprochement with Turkey.''

    A columnist noted that over the past decade Greece was changing continuously and is becoming a more modern state, resulting in it no longer being ''the difficult member'' of the EU.

    ''Greece has more confidence in itself than it had 10 years ago and this also has to do with the stabilization of the Balkans, in whose incorporation in the EU, Greece wants to play a protagonist role,'' the columnist said, adding that ''this modernized Greece will project itself on the international scene on the occasion of the holding of the 2004 Olympic Games.''

    [07] FM Papandreou: Political maturity will prevail in Cyprus

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign minister George Papandreou said Tuesday that it was reasonable that disagreements would arise during a pre-electoral period, but expressed certainty that the maturity of the political leadership in Cyprus would prevail so that the efforts for resolving the Cyprus problem would proceed.

    He was replying to questions on whether the domestic developments in Cyprus influenced the process for resolution of the Cyprus issue put forward by journalists after a meeting with agriculture minister George Drys on Greek EU presidency issues.

    Replying to similar questions during a press briefing later, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said that the domestic political developments in Cyprus in no instance put a brake on the decisions taken at the EU summit in Copenhagen on Cyprus EU accession, nor did they put a brake on momentum of the procedure for resolving the Cyprus problem, which he said was being maintained.

    "Cyprus is an independent, sovereign country and has the maturity, the institutions and the forces for continuing its course, with the responsibility demanded by the developments," he said.

    In response to other questions, Beglitis strongly denied a Cypriot press report alleging intervention by Athens in the political developments in Cyprus, stressing that at no stage in all the contacts that preceded had the Greek side made any recommendations on the domestic political developments in Nicosia.

    Beglitis further said that Papandreou was planning a visit to Ankara, as chairman of the EU Council of Ministers, on January 31.

    [08] DM meets with German ambassador

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou received German Ambassador in Athens Albert Spiegel, in light of Greece's EU presidency.

    According to sources the two men also discussed bilateral military cooperation.

    [09] ND leader Karamanlis calls for parliamentary debate on functioning of the State

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis, in a letter to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, requested a debate in Parliament on the functioning of the state.

    Karamanlis in his letter referred to the ''enormous dimension of problems'', which, he, said, are being created at the expense of the economy, growth, society and the essence of the quality of democracy in the country by ''the present wasteful, ineffective and eroded state.''

    The ND leader also stressed the need for a substantive ''refounding'' of the state so that the country will be able ''to proceed with the pace needed in the new era of globalization, of the new Europe and of great challenges.''

    [10] Anastasopoulos withdraws candidacy for European Ombudsman post

    BRUSSELS 08/01/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)

    Former Europarliament Vice-President George Anastasopoulos on Tuesday announced that he withdraws his candidacy for the post of European Ombudsman.

    In a press release, Anastasopoulos justified his action, saying that despite wide support he felt that he had to withdraw, due to a behind the scenes agreement between the British and the Germans for the support of the British candidate for the post.

    He also said that with his withdrawal he increased the chances of the other Greek candidate Nikiforos Diamantouros to win election for the post.

    [11] Bill extends responsibilities of Ombudsman to children's rights

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    The Greek Parliament on Tuesday approved in principle the bill on the extension of responsibilities of the Greek Ombudsman's office to include the protection of children's rights.

    The bill was approved by the plenum, with the exception of the Greek Communist Party which turned down the bill as a ''fake effort to give the impression that there is a social state which is supported by this institution''.

    [12] FM expresses condolences over Lord Jenkins' demise

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Tuesday expressed his condolences over the demise of Lord Roy Jenkins, who served as president of the European Commission and strongly supported Greece's entry to the European Union.

    ''Lord Roy Jenkins was a very important personality in Europe. He worked tirelessly for the promotion of European ideas and contributed decisively to the course of the European Community,'' Papandreou said in a press release he issued as the European Union presiding foreign minister.

    ''We express our warmest condolences to his family,'' the press release concluded.

    [13] Filon & Rontos sworn in as ambassadors

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Alexandros Filon and Alexandros Rontos took the oath of office as ambassadors on Tuesday in the presence of Foreign Minister George Papandreou. The appointments were made official through a decision by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, following a proposal by the foreign minister and a relevant cabinet decision.

    [14] Trial for PKK leader's illegal entry begins on Wednesday

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    The trial concerning Kurdish PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's illegal entry into Greece on January 28, 1999, is due to begin at an Athens court on Wednesday.

    A total of 12 people have been charged in the case, including Ocalan himself, his two women associates Yakar Chedkiz and Kaya Aifer, as well as retired Navy officer Antonis Naxakis.

    Writer Voula Damianakou and her daughter Eleni Vassilopoulou are also involved in the case and are being charged with providing housing for an alien entering the country illegally, since they had given the PKK leader hospitality.

    [15] European Commission says 2.5 million new jobs created in

    EU BRUSSELS 08/01/2003 (ANA - V. Demiris)

    The operation of the domestic market as of January 1, 1993, resulted in the creation of 2.5 million new jobs in the European Union, according to a report publicized by the European Commission here on Tuesday titled ''Domestic market-Ten years without borders.''

    It also assessed that the EU's GDP was 1.8 percent or 164.5 billion euros higher than it would have been without the operation of the domestic market.

    The Commission evaluated that continuing increases in GDP over the past 10 years created an increase in prosperity in the EU, estimated at 877 billion euros or 5,700 euros for each EU household.

    The domestic market also increased the possibility of EU businesses to compete on the international scene. EU exports to third countries increased from 6.9 per cent, as a percentage of EU GDP in 1992, to 11.2 per cent in 2001.

    Moreover, the Commission estimated that the domestic market's operation secured a greater choice of high quality products and services for European consumers.

    It also stressed that with the domestic market a decrease in commodity prices occurred in many cases, due primarily to the opening of markets and the increase in competition.

    [16] Greek banks' prospects better than other European Report

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Greek banks are in a better position compared with their European counterparts over their future prospects, Alpha Bank's top financial consultant, professor George Provopoulos said on Tuesday.

    In an interview with an Alpha Bank's bulletin, professor Provopoulos stressed that Greek banks' margins in loans were expected to be stable or slightly improve in the next few years due to a restructuring in loan portfolios.

    Alpha Bank's top financial consultant also said he expected all banks' basic operations to maintain satisfactory growth rates over the same period, supported by high economic growth rates in Greece and in Southeastern Europe, where Greek banks were currently expanding strongly.

    He stressed it was significant that Greek banks' current profits were based on organic growth and reflected mainly revenues from interest and fees. Mr Provopoulos said it was also important that Greek banks have begun efforts to improve their competitiveness and contain operating spending.

    Mr Provopoulos said he expected Alpha Bank to continue improving its organic results in the medium- and long-term.

    [17] Greek economic sentiment index falls 0.5 pct in December

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Greece's economic sentiment index, a composite index measuring sentiment in the consumer, industry, construction and retail sectors, fell 0.5 percent in December from the previous month, the European Commission said on Tuesday.

    The index rose 0.6 percent in France, 0.3 percent in Germany and 0.1 percent in Portugal in December, while it fell in nine member-states and remained unchanged in Austria and Sweden.

    Belgium (-0.8 percent) and the UK (-0.6 percent) recorded the biggest monthly declines, while Denmark and Spain the smallest declines (-0.1 percent each).

    The economic sentiment index fell 0.2 percent in the EU, while it rose 0.1 percent in the eurozone in December.

    [18] Bank employees welcome plan for "popular" state bills

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    The Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE) on Tuesday welcomed a decision by economy and finance ministry to issue a series of government bills paying an interest up to one percentage point higher to the inflation rate.

    OTOE said that the issuance of so-called "popular" state bills, however, would be of limited scale and that it remained uncertain if they could meet market demand.

    The bank employees' union noted that commercial banks have so far not reacted positively to the government's decision and that they adhered to their policy of zero interest rates on savings.

    OTOE urged the government to take more initiatives aimed to improve conditions in the domestic banking market.

    [19] Greek competition authorities say "has limited powers"

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    The Competition Commission has limited powers only to control price increases in the domestic market, the commission's chairman Dimitris Tzouganatos said on Tuesday.

    Mr Tzouganatos stressed that the current legal framework did not allow for clear determination of either harmonized practices or abuse in the market, and noted that there doubts over the impact of so-called "gentlemen agreements" over competition in the market.

    "Protecting competition is a problem throughout the European Union and all competition authorities were focusing on pre-emptive inspections as a means to combat infringement of market rules," Mr Tzouganatos said.

    He stressed that the Greek commission was currently working on several such cases but declined to offer more details.

    [20] Anomeritis meets with ESP Eurodeputies

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis on Tuesday met with Eurodeputies of the European Socialist Party and analyzed to them conditions concerning illegal immigration to the European Union via the Greek borders.

    Anomeritis said that attempts at illegal entry decreased by 45 percent in 2002 compared to 2001, noting that some 3,945 illegal immigrants entered the country in 2002 as opposed to 6,864 in 2001.

    [21] Greek mutual funds market's losses mount in 2002

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    The majority of Greek mutual funds ended 2002 with negative returns for the third consecutive year, while all positive returns were significantly lower compared with the previous year.

    Investors are reporting significant losses and seem frustrated by the fact that Greek banks are not offering any alternative investment solutions following a drop in savings rates to almost zero levels. Investors, who invested in mutual funds in the period 2000-2001 and liquidated their positions last year, are reporting the heaviest losses.

    The Union of Institutional Investors, in its annual report for 2002, said that: -the average return of domestic bond mutual funds was 4.89 percent in 2002 from 4.11 percent the previous year, with Alpha Bond recording the highest return (7.99%). -Foreign and International bond mutual funds reported average returns of 0.45 percent and 0.75 percent last year, respectively, compared with average returns of 4.85 percent and 5.48 percent in 2001. Alpha European State Bonds and Interamerican F&C Euro State Bonds topped the list of returns (8.34% and 6.34%, respectively).

    Domestic money market funds' average return was 2.40 percent, with Interamerican recording the highest return (3.38 percent), while foreign and international money market funds' average returns were 3.28 percent and 2.84 percent, respectively. Interamerican Profit and Interamerican MM topped the list of returns in both sectors.

    Domestic equity mutual funds' average return was -27.24 percent last year, with Egnatia Athina recording the best performance (-8.13%). From the 72 mutual funds in the category, 59 funds recorded better returns (although negative) compared with the general index of the Athens Stock Exchange (-32.52 percent).

    Foreign equity mutual funds' average return was -29.39 percent in 2002, with Alpha Trust Emerging Europe showing the best performance (+5.58%), while International equity funds' return was -30.41 percent with ETBA P&K Capital Pan European Growth returning -1.06% for the year.

    Combined mutual funds' average return was -13.40 percent last year, with Eurobank Rock the best performer (+3.02%). Foreign combined funds returned -20.27 percent (SOGEN Europe Balance the best performer -19.31%), while International combined return -11.95 percent (Delos Pet OTE the best performer -3.38%).

    A total of 28 mutual funds management companies operated in the Greek market last year, up from 26 in 2001, while the number of mutual funds offered in the market fell to 260 from 269 over the same period, of which 40 were money market funds, 63 were bond funds, 121 were equity funds and 36 were combined funds.

    The market's total asset value fell by 1.41 billion euros, or 5.26 percent, last year to 25.38 billion euros from 26.79 billion euros in 2001.

    The fall reflected a 626 million euros decline in domestic bond funds' assets, a 1.68 billion euros fall in domestic equity funds' assets and a 213 million euros fall in domestic combined funds' assets. On the other hand, the domestic money market funds sector recorded an inflow of 1.07 billion euros (up 11.11 percent) last year.

    [22] Taxi sector reform aimed to improve services to passengers

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    The Greek government seeks to reform the taxi sector in the country by creating a new taxi car fleet and promoting the creation of taxi companies, Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis said on Tuesday.

    Speaking in parliament, in a debate over a government-sponsored draft bill to reform taxi services, Mr Verelis said that the taxi car owners did not have to accept the draft bill and that the government's intention was to defend passengers.

    The Greek minister noted that that according to international media Greece ranked in the bottom of Europe's league in tax services quality.

    Mr Verelis said that the draft bill offered the opportunity to "those taxi owners to set up companies", doubled the number of taxis in tourist areas during the tourist season and effectively combat pirate taxis.

    The Greek minister left the door open for minor amendments to the draft bill saying several proposals, made by deputies, were "correct".

    Taxi strike on Wednesday in Athens, Piraeus: Taxis will be on strike on Wednesday and Thursday in the greater Athens area, by decision of the union of taxi owners, as the Parliament will be discussing the new legislation for taxicabs.

    Taxi owners in the Attica prefecture are demanding changes in the bill tabled in Parliament and access to the bus lanes, in which only buses are presently allowed

    [23] Greek stocks end lower on Tuesday

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Greek stocks ended the first trading session of the week lower in the Athens Stock Exchange, although prices ended off lows supported by a moderate wave of selective buying in the last hour of trading.

    The general index ended 0.39 percent down at 1,769.18 points, with turnover a low 70.3 million euros.

    The Insurance, IT Solution and Textile sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.36 percent, 1.83 percent and 1.71 percent, respectively), while the Publication (2.97 percent), Telecommunications (1.37 percent) and IT (0.12 percent) sectors scored the biggest gains.

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.42 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 1.01 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 1.74 percent. The wider FTSE/ASE 140 index fell 0.66 percent.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 259 to 56 with another 37 issues unchanged.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 46.7 mln euros Tuesday

    Equity Index Futures:

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

  • Underlying Index: -0.42 percent

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

  • Underlying Index: -1.01 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Vodafon (339)

    Day's Market Turnover: 46.7 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers outmatch sellers on Tuesday

  • Yield: 4.52 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 23 bps

  • Day's Market Turnover: 2.3 billion euros

  • Most Active Bond: 10-year, expiring May 2012 (465 mln euros)

    [24] Coalition leader visits Korydallos following triple drug death scandal

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Coalition of the Left and Progress party leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Tuesday visited the men's and women's sections of Korydallos prison in Athens, following the drug-related deaths of three women inmates on New Year's Eve.

    According to evidence, the three consumed a deadly drug "cocktail" that contained cocaine.

    During the visit, Constantopoulos had talks with the new governor of the prison, guards, and spoke with inmates working in the kitchens and mothers that had their children in prison with them.

    Leaving Korydallos, the Coalition leader said the state of the country's prisons was an issue that concerned both democracy and the institutions needed for a civilized society.

    He spoke against casting addicted drug users who needed treatment as patients into the general prison population, while noting that Korydallos was overcrowded.

    [25] Driver injured due to subsidence near Halandri metro worksite

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    A driver was lightly injured early Tuesday when a hole measuring eight by seven meters opened up beneath his car as he drove past the worksite for the Athens metro extension in Halandri. Luckily, 33-year-old Anastasios Garetsas, a resident of Halandri, suffered only minor abrasions.

    Fire brigade crews rushed to the site and removed Garetsas, who was taken to the Athens General State Hospital for first aid and released.

    The accident was later attributed to subsidence caused by digging for the metro, with reports of damage to two adjacent houses. Later in the day, a truck dumping gravel to fill the 12-metre-deep hole also fell in.

    In an announcement, contractors 'Attiko Metro' attributed the problem to erosion and the formation of caves in the ground from old wells in the area. According to the company, the metro works allowed water in these wells to seep away and created a gap around a water mains pipe. This burst and caused the resulting subsidence.

    They said the metro tunnel had been bored beneath the point where the subsidence occurred using conventional methods rather than a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) but had not yet been shored up with concrete.

    An Attiko Metro official said there would be a full-scale survey along the entire length of the metro extension until Stavros to avoid any new incidents of subsidence. He said the company had managed to stop further enlargement of the hole, which had widened to 15x10 meters across since the morning and that the problems in Halandri would be fully restored within three to four days.

    The area was also visited by 'Attiko Metro' president Yiannis Chrysikopoulos and later by main opposition New Democracy's sector-head for public works Savvas Tsitouridis. The main opposition MP said it was unacceptable for accidents such as these to occur in such projects and said it was sheer luck that no serious injuries had occurred.

    The subsidence, which occurred at 4:30 a.m., appeared on the corner of Doukissis Plakentias and Fylis streets, which is open to traffic, and not in the section of the square that has been closed off to vehicles for the metro digging.

    The company said it had assigned an engineering expert to investigate the incident and file a report late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

    After the accident, traffic was closed off in both directions on Doukissis Plakentias, while the car was removed from the hole by a crane.

    Commenting on the accident later on Tuesday, government spokesman Christos Protopapas announced that Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou had ordered an expert report on the geological surveys carried out by Attiko Metro and the safety precautions that had been taken.

    He also expressed the government's best wishes to the injured driver and said that procedures to compensate him would be initiated.

    [26] Zappeion Hall turned over to Greek EU presidency

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Tuesday turned over to Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis the use of the Zappeion Hall building, located on central Athens Vassilisis Olgas Avenue.

    Zappeion Megaron, one of Athens' monumental buildings, recently underwent a just under 5.9-million-euro renovation and will be used for the needs of the Greek EU presidency through June 2003; after that date, the building will be used to house services of Athens Olympic Games 2004.

    [27] 'November 17' trial date set for March 3

    Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

    The Appeals Public Prosecutors department on Tuesday set March 3 as the date for the trial of 18 suspected ''November 17'' terrorists before the Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court.

    Over the next few days, the appeals justices and appeals prosecutor’s councils will convene for the preliminary selection by lottery of 30 appeals justices and 5 appellate public prosecutors. These will subsequently take part in a final lottery to choose the panel of judges and public prosecutors that will make up the court and their stand-ins.

    Beginning on Wednesday, the appeals public prosecutors department will begin sending out summons to each of the accused in the case and the witnesses that will be called to appear in court.

    The trial will be held in a specially modified hall in the Korydallos women’s' prison and is expected to extend over more than four months.

    [28] Council of Europe to contribute to Cyprus reconciliation

    NICOSIA 08/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The Council of Europe (CoE) will support a solution of the Cyprus problem and contribute to the reconciliation of the island's two communities, CoE Secretary General Walter Schwimmer pledged here on Tuesday, after a call on President Glafcos Clerides.

    Schwimmer, who is paying an official visit to Cyprus from 5 to 9 January, told journalists after the Presidential Palace meeting, that he was ''impressed by President Clerides' personal commitment to a solution of this conflict.''

    Schwimmer described his meeting with President Clerides as ''a very constructive and a very positive'' one.

    President Clerides and the CoE Secretary General agreed, according to Schwimmer, that ''there is now a window of opportunity to find a solution, in particular also with a change of the mood of the Turkish Cypriot population and a new attitude of the Turkish government in Ankara.''

    ''I confirmed,'' Schwimmer said, ''the CoE will support with whatever we can do for such a solution and we, in particular after an agreement has been found, contribute to the reconciliation of the two communities on the island.'

    High time for Cyprus solution: The CoE does not want to see any more divided cities in Europe and believes that it is high time they disappeared and the island of Cyprus is reunited, Schwimmer pledged here later.

    He was speaking after meeting Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides who said the two talked about the significance of implementing the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the weaknesses that now exist for those members that do not abide or delay implementing the decisions of the court.

    Referring to the Cyprus problem the CoE Secretary General said ''we are interested in the Council of Europe for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the island. We do not want to see any more dividing lines in Europe. We don't want to see any more divided cities in Europe,'' he added.

    He said 30 years after ''we think that it is high time for the dividing lines of this island to disappear and be reunited,'' and pledged to offer support in finding a solution which will fully ''respect human rights and our principles.''

    Asked what message he will convey to the Turkish Cypriots when he meets political party leaders from both sides of the divide on Thursday, Schwimmer replied: ''Use this window of opportunity. The best future for this island for all the people on this island, for Greek Cypriots and for Turkish Cypriots is to live in a reunited state, member of the EU and to use all the opportunities and advantages of this membership of the EU and the Council of Europe.''

    [29] Technical committees meet under UN chairmanship

    NICOSIA 08/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The first meeting of the two ad hoc committees in Cyprus, under the chairmanship of the United Nations, was held here Tuesday, and had an organizational nature, head of the Greek Cypriot representatives at the committees, Attorney-General Alecos Markides told CNA.

    Work is expected to intensify, starting from next week, a press release from the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) said.

    It said the members of the two ''ad hoc technical committees in Cyprus met today under the chairmanship of the UN to discuss procedural aspects and chart a course for the technical work ahead.''

    ''It was agreed that the committee on treaties will meet tomorrow, the committee on 'common state' laws will meet on Thursday, and the committee on treaties will meet again on Friday,'' UNFICYP said.

    ''In view of the workload of the committees, it is envisaged that the schedule will further intensify starting from next week,'' it added.

    Markides told CNA that 13 people participated from the Turkish Cypriot side while on the part of the UN, the team of advisors of Secretary-General's Special Advisor, Alvaro de Soto took part in the first meeting which was held in the Nicosia airport area.

    The committees, comprising legal experts from both sides, are to study international treaties and legislation that will be in force, if and when a comprehensive settlement is reached to th


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