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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-10-07

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

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

October 7, 2003

CONTENTS

  • [01] Gov’t tables 2004 draft budget plan to parliament
  • [02] DM in US this week for NATO meeting
  • [03] Greece to ask US to correct report on terrorism listing N17 as active
  • [04] Elections will take place in spring, PM says
  • [05] Communist party leader calls for social and political alliance in next election
  • [06] PM to chair cabinet meeting on IGC, PASOK National Council this week
  • [07] Athens stresses concern over Mideast crisis, condemns hostilities
  • [08] Interior minister meets Cyprus president
  • [09] FM Papandreou sends message to Cyprus president in light of Independence Day
  • [10] Greek Parliamentary delegation visits Bucharest
  • [11] Deputy FM refers to work of NGOs financed by the foreign ministry
  • [12] ND deputy tables Parliament question over tank purchase contract
  • [13] Gov't again rules out higher pay for striking public-sector workers
  • [14] Main opposition calls for off-the-agenda debate on economy
  • [15] Government development bill ready for parliament
  • [16] Greek-Turkish trade to set new record this year
  • [17] CESR seeks unified form of information bulletins in EU
  • [18] Prosecutor orders inquiry in meat storage conditions at customs
  • [19] Professors and teachers rally in downtown Athens, demand pay hikes
  • [20] Majority of Greek households pessimistic over their finances
  • [21] Greek tourism authorities defend ad campaign strategy
  • [22] 'Target' T-shirt sales raise funds for breast cancer centre in Athens
  • [23] Greek consumers increasingly complain over product-services
  • [24] Football Pools Organization expands in Cyprus
  • [25] Greek stocks end sharply higher on Monday
  • [26] IOC press commission president lauds progress made
  • [27] German Parliamentary delegation stresses progress in Olympic Games preparations
  • [28] ATHOC managing director discusses Athens Olympic Games security with CIA chief
  • [29] Public works minister visits Rio-Antirrio bridge project
  • [30] Christodoulos meets with EU Commissioner Barnier
  • [31] Defense attorney says N17 defendant Savvas Xiros mistreated following arrest
  • [32] ESHEA condemns persecution of Turkish Cypriot journalists
  • [33] Gov't on arrest of 2 fishermen by Turkish authorities
  • [34] 'Olympic' program for Greek fire brigade launched on Monday
  • [35] Greece demands release of Greek seamen held in Pakistan
  • [36] Fulbright Foundation sponsors US universities fair this month
  • [37] Wide-ranging history conference begins on Lesvos
  • [38] Dutch Premier arrives in Cyprus for two-day official visit
  • [39] National Council says Turkish Cypriots must vote in Euro elections

  • [01] Gov’t tables 2004 draft budget plan to parliament

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis on Monday tabled the government's 2004 pre-draft budget to the parliament's permanent economic affairs commission.

    According to the draft budget, unveiled last week, the government seeks to combine fiscal stability with economic development, with growth rates expected to reach 4.2 percent in 2004 (up from 4.0 percent this year), unemployment rates to fall to 8.0 percent of the country's workforce (from 9.0 percent in 2003) and inflation to be contained around 3.0 percent.

    Next year's budget also envisages a 7.9 percent increase in net revenues and a 7.7 percent rise in spending, with the Internal Affairs, Development and Aegean ministries expected to see the biggest percentage spending increases in 2004 (13.6 percent, 11.2 percent and 15.7 percent, respectively).

    Spending in the Health and Labor ministries are also expected to rise by 7.2 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively.

    Public investments are expected to increase by 7.0 percent in 2004 to 9.25 billion euros, up from 8.6 billion this year.

    The draft budget plan also aims to contain the general government's deficit to 1.2 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to further reduce public debt, to maintain a growth environment and to support economic activity.

    Mr Christodoulakis, in his introductory note to the parliament stressed that the 2004 budget integrated all strategic choices related with growth, productivity rise, unemployment reduction and a more fair distribution of wealth.

    The budget's targets are feasible and necessary to create the preconditions needed to ensure the Greek economy's competitiveness.

    Next year's public debt is forecast to fall to 98.5 percent of GDP from 101.7 percent in 2003, with state borrowing to focus on three-, five-, 10- and 20-year issues.

    The budget also envisages a 2.661 billion euros rise in tax revenues in 2004 compared with the current year, with tax revenues expected to increase by 7.0 percent to 40.726 billion euros from 38.054 billion euros in 2003.

    Net revenues are forecast to rise by 6.2 percent to 41.420 billion euros next year from 39 billion euros in 2003, reflecting a 6.0 percent increase in direct tax revenues and a 7.7 percent increase in indirect taxes, to 16.385 billion euros and 24.341 billion euros, respectively.

    Next year's budget does not include any new taxes. On the contrary it embodies a provision to cut fuel taxes for farmers, a reduction in car registration duties and more favorable procedures to fund new businesses.

    ND's Evert alleges major deviations from 2003 budget targets: Main opposition New Democracy MP Miltiades Evert, a former leader of his party, on Monday called on Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis to immediately commission a report on the implementation of the 2003 budget by economists specializing in public finances, to be prepared within two months.

    According to Evert, there were major deviations from targets set in the 2003 budget and it was vital to obtain an objective picture of the situation.

    Quoting figures, the MP said that net revenue for the regular state budget had only risen by 3.7 per cent instead of the budget target of 4.9 per cent. At the same time, primary spending had risen by 12.5 per cent in the last eight months instead of a projected 6 per cent, while spending for the Public Investments Program had gone up by 27.1 per cent instead of 25.3 per cent, Evert said.

    Overall, Evert claimed that the state budget deficit for the first eight months of 2003 came to 7,222 million euros instead of an estimated 6,205 million euros for the whole of 2003.

    Communist Party of Greece slams 2004 budget: The Communist Party of Greece said on Monday that the government's budget for 2004 would hurt the public while supporting big capital.

    In a statement, the party called on young people and wage earners to oppose the package, which boosted large companies in the year that Athens would host the Olympics.

    [02] DM in US this week for NATO meeting

    WASHINGTON 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou is set to arrive in the United States on Monday to participate in an informal council of NATO defense ministers in Colorado Springs on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Papantoniou, a former national economy minister, will first deliver a keynote address on Tuesday at a Washington D.C. conference on the subject of Greek-American relations, an event organized by the Hellenic American Heritage Council.

    Several other officials and dignitaries, including Athens’ ambassador to Washington and the US envoy in Greece, are also scheduled to speak at the conference.

    Others speakers include ex-US secretary of defense William Cohen, US Sen. and former vice-presidential candidate Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), as well as Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) Managing Director Yiannis Spanoudakis.

    [03] Greece to ask US to correct report on terrorism listing N17 as active

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou has instructed Greece's Ambassador in Washington George Savvaides to ask for the correction of a U.S. State Department report that lists the Greek terrorist group ''November 17'' among 25 active terrorist organizations, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis announced on Monday.

    Beglitis said that Athens wanted the report to record the true events that led to the arrest of 'N17'.

    Nineteen people are currently on trial in Athens as alleged members of N17, while authorities believe that the leaders and main operatives of the group have been brought to justice.

    US State Department spokesman comments on foreign terrorist groups and N17: US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said on Monday at least two years are usually required from the last appearance of a terrorist group as an essential condition for an end to its activities to be decided with relative certainty and for it to be removed from the list of ''foreign terrorist groups'' prepared by the State Department every two years.

    Boucher was commenting on a decision by US government officials to include the November 17 group in this year's list.

    He pointed out that the trial of the N17 group is underway, while referring a questioner to the Greek government for a reply to his question on whether Athens made a demarche to Washington over the issue.

    It is reminded that the last ''effective'' attack by N17 occurred in June, 2000, with the assassination of British military attache Steven Saunders and, therefore, more than three years have passed.

    What is most probable, however, is that the operation in Piraeus in June, 2002, which was not completed due to the explosion of a bomb in the hands of Savvas Xiros, was the reason that the group was considered as continuing to be active over the past two years.

    [04] Elections will take place in spring, PM says

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday, speaking to the ruling PASOK Parliamentary group presidium, said that elections will take place in the spring, because ''people want stability'', underlining that the country's economy is ''doing well''.

    He also stressed that they should explain to the Greek people the policy of the government, so that it may be understood. During the meeting issues concerning the better coordination and cooperation between government ministers and PASOK party deputies was also discussed.

    ''We agreed that from now on we need to intensify our efforts, so that the government's work may yield fruit and become better known to the Greek people,'' presidium Secretary Nikos Levogiannis said.

    According to Levogiannis, Simitis also noted that the Parliamentary group of PASOK is operating very well, while the presidium requested the more active participation of deputies in meetings that take place in the country's regions.

    [05] Communist party leader calls for social and political alliance in next election

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga, in a speech at a downtown Athens hotel on Monday, called for the creation of a militant popular majority in the next election, based on a social and political alliance.

    Papariga said condemnation of the PASOK and New Democracy parties will change the political atmosphere in the country from the aspect of an alternative prospect.

    She added that there is no place in such an alliance of social and political forces for forces expressing the interests of capital and the logic of incorporation.

    The secretary general further said the alliance envisaged by KKE will be preceded by a nationwide agreement on policy positions, a type of ''new political map'', adding that participants will enjoy independence and participation will take place with those believing that there is value in cooperation with KKE.

    [06] PM to chair cabinet meeting on IGC, PASOK National Council this week

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday received the presidium of PASOK's Parliamentary group at noon and Archbishop of Albania Anastasios at 13:30, government spokesman Christos Protopapas announced.

    On Tuesday at 10:00 the prime minister is to meet PASOK Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis and at 11:30 he will visit the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) Centre for Individualized Intervention.

    On Wednesday at 10:00, Simitis will meet Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou and at noon he will receive Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, while at 13:15 he will attend a UNICEF event at the Athens Concert Hall.

    On Thursday at 10:00 the premier will chair a cabinet meeting focusing on the Intergovernmental Conference, while at 18:00 he is scheduled to speak at PASOK's National Council.

    On Friday at 10:00, Simitis will visit the Nikea Olympic Weight-Lifting Centre.

    According to Protopapas, the prime minister will visit a school for the blind in Kallithea on Monday next week and chair a government meeting on tourism the same day, while the following day he will chair a meeting of PASOK's Parliamentary group.

    [07] Athens stresses concern over Mideast crisis, condemns hostilities

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis on Monday said Athens was intensely concerned by the latest turn of events in the Middle East and stressed that the roadmap for peace and strict adherence to the responsibilities arising from this were the only way out of the crisis.

    The spokesman also condemned the latest suicide bombing targeting an Israeli restaurant in Haifa, while describing a retaliatory air raid by Israel against targets in Syria as ''unacceptable''.

    KKE, Synaspismos condemn Israeli strike in Syria: The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) on Monday both issued condemnations over the recent Israeli air attack against a camp north of Damascus, Syria.

    “The attack and the bombing are an imperialist and crude terrorist action ... they express the standing will and decision on the part of Israel not to accept the creation of a Palestinian state,” the KKE announcement read.

    Finally, KKE also criticized the Greek government and the main opposition for not condemning the attack.

    Meanwhile, a Synaspismos spokesman said the Israeli government was using a deadly suicide attack in Haifa recently as an excuse and reason to act as a “state terrorist against the Palestinians and other neighboring countries.” He also referred to a “Bush dogma” of pre-emptive strikes.

    [08] Interior minister meets Cyprus president

    NICOSIA 07/10/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

    Visiting Greek Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, currently in Cyprus to discuss local government reforms being initiated by the Cypriot government, was received on Monday by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, who briefed him on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem.

    Emerging from the meeting, Skandalidis stressed the need for a "steady course" with regard to the Cyprus issue and intense, systematic effort to achieve a solution as quickly as possible.

    He said that Papadopoulos appeared ready and determined to return to negotiations that aimed at Cyprus' reunification before May 1, 2004 and the island republic's formal accession to the EU.

    Skandalidis also noted that Cyprus would have to meet the challenges that would arise from its EU accession, stressing that the country would have to adapt to difficult and complex obligations arising from EU membership but also "carve its own niche" within the Union.

    Referring to the results of his visit and his talks with his Cypriot counterpart Andreas Christou, the Greek minister said he had been pleased by the "fertile and close" cooperation with Cypriot officials and pleasantly surprised to find Greece and Cyprus shared a "common approach on adapting to European structures and developmental considerations," during a seminar on local government organized by the Cypriot ministry.

    He stressed the importance of preparing local government to be effective in applying for EU funds.

    [09] FM Papandreou sends message to Cyprus president in light of Independence Day

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou sent a message to Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos in light of last week's celebration of Cyprus' 43rd independence anniversary.

    ''In light of the celebration of the 43rd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus, I would like to convey to you our most warm wishes for prosperity and progress and to reassure you that Greece will not cease to walk on the same path with you in Cyprus' struggle for the victory of the principles of international law on the island,'' Papandreou said in his message.

    He underlined that the common efforts for Cyprus accession to the European Union were successful, achieving one of the two national goals of Greece, adding ''we hope that this will contribute to the success of the other goal, which is the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the island''.

    [10] Greek Parliamentary delegation visits Bucharest

    BUCHAREST 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    A four-member delegation from the Greek Parliament arrived in the Romanian capital on Monday to attend a seminar organized by the International Institute for Democracy and the Romanian Parliament that will run until October 9.

    The seminar is entitled "From the Council of Europe to the European Union" and marks the 10th anniversary since Romania joined the CoE.

    [11] Deputy FM refers to work of NGOs financed by the foreign ministry

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos, in a statement on Monday, referred to the work of non-governmental organizations being financed by the foreign ministry, stressing that this work is being vindicated day by day and is being recognized on an international level.

    One of the most important humanitarian activities being financed by the foreign ministry is the task of removing mines from the region of Nabatiya in southern Lebanon.

    The non-governmental organization ''International Centre for the Removal of Mines'' is responsible for the work's course and progress.

    Loverdos said Greece has been congratulated for supporting this work by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, through the UN's special representative for southern Lebanon De Mistura, and Lebanese President Emile Lahud, in a letter to President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

    In addition, this work was recently referred to in the UN secretary general's report on the Temporary Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has been tabled and is being examined by the UN Security Council.

    [12] ND deputy tables Parliament question over tank purchase contract

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    A main opposition New Democracy (ND) deputy has tabled a Parliament question over a recent purchase contract for main battle tanks (MBTs) by Greece’s defense ministry, requesting information on why an initial figure of 248 tanks to be acquired in 2000-2005 has been trimmed to 170 units.

    Achaia Prefecture MP Spilios Spiliotopoulos also charges that the contract – for the purchase of the “Leopard” 2HEL model – does not include related ordnance or spare parts.

    Moreover, he cited recent local press reports claiming that a contract between two off-shore companies – German tank-maker IBOS and the Evanston Group Ltd. – foresees a 60-million-euro commission for the sale.

    Finally, he demanded an investigation into the ownership of the latter firm and the possibility that criminal improprieties were committed.

    [13] Gov't again rules out higher pay for striking public-sector workers

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Commenting on Monday's strike action by teachers, local authority workers, agricultural technicians, hospital doctors and statistics service staff, government spokesman Christos Protopapas reiterated that the government could not satisfy their demands for pay rises larger than those the government had already offered.

    Noting that the strikes all concerned disputes over pay within the public sector, Protopapas said that the government had discussed the issue with the civil servants' union ADEDY and other trade unions involved and had arrived at final decisions on salary scales that fully exhausted the margins of what the economy could endure.

    Noting additional burdens under the government's economic program for the coming year, such as 2.3 billion euros earmarked for the social package worth 2.3 billion euros, and significant increases in spending on other areas -such as in education - Protopapas explained that there was simply no leeway for higher pay rises.

    "If we exceed these margins we will create more problems and our restraint is not so much about choice but about reality," he added.

    He stressed that the government considered the demands of workers with "care, attention and responsibility".

    [14] Main opposition calls for off-the-agenda debate on economy

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Monday sent a letter to Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis, in which he asks for an off-the-agenda debate on the country's economic problems in Parliament.

    According to Karamanlis, there has been a spectacular deterioration in basic economic indices, with public spending running at roughly double the initial targets and a "dangerous enlargement" of public debt.

    ND's leader also spoke of problems in absorbing 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF) funds, rates of inflation almost double the eurozone average and high prices for basic goods that were driving one in five Greek families below the poverty line.

    An off-the-agenda debate on the economy's performance within the framework of the EU has already been scheduled at the government's initiative for October 22.

    [15] Government development bill ready for parliament

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Monday that the government's new development bill had been completed and was ready for dispatch to parliament.

    The bill contains a clause allowing companies to form a tax-exempt reserve from earnings for use in productive investments, Christodoulakis told parliament.

    The reserve can be created from earnings between 2004 and 2008, totalling up to 35 percent of undistributed profits. The time limit for use of the reserve is three years from its creation.

    In addition, the corporate tax bracket will be lowered to 25 percent from 35 percent for companies that make investments totalling more than 30 million euros, the minister said.

    Other provisions of the bill include incentives for major investments and investments by firms with international operations; incentives to recruitment; investments in high technology products; and greater assistance for firms in regions lagging in development.

    Finally, the bill also offers capital incentives to firms over five years old to help boost their growth, Christodoulakis said.

    [16] Greek-Turkish trade to set new record this year

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greek imports from Turkey jumped 61.7 percent in the first eight months of 2003 to 456.400 million US dollars compared with the same period last year, official figures said on Monday.

    According to data released by Turkey's statistics agency, Greek exports to Turkey totalled 233.473 million US dollars in the January-August period (up 19.2 percent from the same period in 2002).

    The same report said that Greek exports to Turkey accounted for 51.2 percent of imports in the first eight months of 2003, down from 69.2 percent last year.

    Total volume of trade was 689.873 million dollars, up from 477.629 million last year, with analysts expecting that total trade transactions would surpass a previous record of 942.4 million US dollars set in 2000.

    This year is also going to be a record year for the number of Greek tourists visiting Turkey. A total of 243,660 Greeks visited the neighboring country in the first eight months of the year, up 41.2 percent from the previous year.

    [17] CESR seeks unified form of information bulletins in EU

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    The Federation of European Capital Markets' Commissions CESR is seeking to promote a unified form of information bulletins for all European listed companies.

    CESR recently submitted its final recommendations on the issue with the European Commission, asking that every information bulletin issued in the European Union should ensure minimum information on all securities' activities and measures to promote transparency.

    CESR also recommended that annual information to investors could be published in paper or in paperless form both by the issuing company or the regulatory authorities.

    [18] Prosecutor orders inquiry in meat storage conditions at customs

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    A first-instance court public prosecutor on Monday ordered an emergency inquiry into allegations appearing in the Greek newspaper 'To Vima' regarding storage conditions for meat products at Greek customs.

    The prosecutor ordered the Unified Foodstuffs Control Agency (EFET) to carry out extensive checks at customs houses and investigate whether there was any risk to public health.

    [19] Professors and teachers rally in downtown Athens, demand pay hikes

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Hundreds of teachers and professors of all stages staged a rally in downtown Athens on Monday, demanding increases in their monthly salaries and in funds for education.

    Holding placards and shouting slogans, the teachers and professors of elementary, junior and senior high schools, universities and technical institutes gathered near the Athens University campus.

    After listening to speeches by representatives of organizations, demonstrators marched to Syntagma square, while a delegation met with Education Minister Petros Efthymiou at the ministry and called on him to accept their economic demands.

    The minister reiterated that the government has exhausted the limits of the budget, but underlined that expenditures for education will be increased this year.

    University professors are demanding increases amounting to 20 percent for the next two years and the incorporation of their benefits in their main salaries and, consequently, in their pensions.

    The government is giving seven percent this year and a political commitment for seven percent next year for university and technical institute professors and a total increase of 9.8 percent for teachers.

    Meanwhile, kindergarden teachers ended their 24-hour strike on Monday with participation amounting to 60 percent, according to information by the education ministry, while the 48-hour strike called by professors, whose participation amounted to 47.5 percent on Monday, will end on Tuesday.

    [20] Majority of Greek households pessimistic over their finances

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    More than half Greek households expect their financial position to worsen this year, up from 44.5 percent the previous year, a survey by ICAP showed on Monday.

    The survey on Greek households showed that the Greek economy continued growing rapidly in the first half of 2003, with unemployment rates falling slightly and employment rising in the country. During the same period, however, inflationary pressures increased combined with a negative trend in the stock market, the survey stressed.

    Greek households said that the cost of increased inflationary pressures was more significant compared with the benefits from a rapid economic growth and made consumers more gloomy over future prospects.

    The percentage of Greek households that do not expect any significant change in their finances was unchanged compared with the previous year figure. Pessimism is stronger among pensioners, with around two-thirds of them expecting a worsening of their finances.

    This pessimistic trends continues rising steadily in the last three years, with the percentage of pessimistic households rising from 34.5 percent in 2001 to 50.5 percent this year, mainly reflecting a negative impact of a high inflation rate in the country.

    The survey also showed that the percentage of optimistic households fell significantly from 14.9 percent in 2001 to 13.2 percent this year, while uncertainty has fallen dramatically from 16.9 percent to 6.2 percent, over the same period.

    The main source of pessimism is a rising cost of living in the country, particularly in the last three years after the introduction of the euro currency. The spread between the percentage of optimistic and pessimistic households forecasting inflation rises and falls, respectively, widened to -61.5 percent in 2003 from -49.1 percent in 2001.

    Forecasts over the trend of disposable income were stable, with positive and negative opinions equally distributed in the survey, reversing a negative balance recorded in 2001.

    On the other hand, the only strong factor of optimism is the prospect of finding new sources of income from labor and additional work, a development possibly connected with the fact that 2003 is a pre-election year.

    This year's survey did not show significant changes with plans for consumer spending compared with 2002, reflecting stable economic fundamentals in the country.

    ICAP's survey, however, showed that a gap was widening between those households expecting increased spending on food and those expecting a decline, or those expecting higher or lower spending on vacations.

    A 10.7 percent of Greek households said they planned to buy real estate assets or durable consumer goods, a percentage slightly lower compared with the previous year's survey.

    ICAP's survey focused on the urban area, with a sample of 600 households. The survey was conducted May 28-June 30, 2003.

    [21] Greek tourism authorities defend ad campaign strategy

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greece's National Tourism Organization on Monday strongly rejected press reports over a delayed start in this year's promotion campaign in foreign markets.

    A GNTO announcement said that according to figures collected from foreign institutes in Germany, UK, Netherlands, France, Belgium from Greece, Spain, Turkey and Italy, showed that Greek total advertising investment by Greece, Spain, Turkey and Italy was distributed to 14.8 percent in the first quarter and 85.2 percent in the second quarter of 2003.

    More analytically: - in Germany: Greece, Turkey, Spain and Italy spent 15 percent of the ad funds in the first quarter of the year and 85 percent in the second quarter (source: Der Spiegel/Marketing), - in the UK: Turkey and Italy refrained from the market in January, February and March and only Spain had advertising campaigns (source: Media Monitoring System), - in the Netherlands: Turkey and Italy refrained from the market in the first quarter, Spain spent 9.0 percent of its total ad campaign, while Greece, Turkey, Italy and Spain covered 91 percent of their ad campaign in the second quarter (source: BBC National Verkeersbureau), - in France: all four countries spent 8.0 percent of their ad accounts in the first quarter with the remaining 92 percent spent in the second quarter (source: Juin 2003 - vl Plurimedia), and

    in Belgium: Spain, Turkey and Italy refrained from the market in January, February and March (source: RMG).

    "These figures speak for themselves as they showed that during the war in Iraq no one was spending on advertisting campaigns," GNTO said.

    [22] 'Target' T-shirt sales raise funds for breast cancer centre in Athens

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    The international campaign 'Fashion Targets Breast Cancer' on Monday handed over 390,000 euros to the Agioi Anargyri General Oncological Hospital in Athens, collected from the sales of 'Target' T-shirts that symbolize the campaign.

    The FTBC is sponsored in Greece by the Eureka group and has been operating since July 2001.

    The money handed over on Monday will be used to fund the operation of a Prototype Centre for the Prevention of Breast Cancer in Ano Patissia.

    The aim of the program, which will operate through the electoral roll, is to ensure free screening to pre-symptomatic Greek women that will reduce mortality through breast cancer and radically change the way the disease is dealt with.

    The FTBC campaign was initiated in the early 1990s by Ralph Lauren and US fashion designer associations, becoming an international symbol of hope, while raising awareness of the disease.

    [23] Greek consumers increasingly complain over product-services

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greek consumers' complaints over products and services in the domestic market rose by 40 percent in the January-September period compared with the same period last year, the Development ministry said on Monday.

    A ministry report said that Greek consumers' complaints focused on slimming centers' services, home rentals, super markets and insurance companies.

    [24] Football Pools Organization expands in Cyprus

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Athens-quoted Football Pools Organization (OPAP) SA is expanding its business in Cyprus following the acquisition of stakes in Glory Leisure Holdings and Glory Technology in the island republic.

    OPAP has bought 90 percent of Glory Leisure Holdings Ltd for 16.0 million euros, the Greek firm said in a statement on Monday.

    In addition, OPAP has acquired 20 percent of share capital in Glory Technology Ltd for 10 million euros, the statement said.

    [25] Greek stocks end sharply higher on Monday

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Greek stocks ended sharply higher on Monday pushing the general index above the 2,100-point resistance level in the first trading session of a new week in the Athens Stock Exchange.

    Buying interest focused in blue chip stocks like Alpha Bank, National Bank and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization.

    The general index ended 1.94 percent higher at 2,130.54 points with turnover an improved 157.5 million euros.

    All sector indices ended with gains of more than 1.0 percent. The Textile (8.26 percent), IT Solutions (6.47 percent) and Insurance (3.89 percent) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 2.35 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index jumped 2.51 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index soared 4.02 percent.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 307 to 34 with another 20 issues unchanged.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 147.3 mln euros Monday

    Equity Index Futures:

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

  • Underlying Index: +2.35% percent

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

  • Underlying Index: +2.51 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (669)

  • Total turnover in derivatives market: 147.3 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers outstrip sellers on Monday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.32 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 14 bps

  • Most heavily traded paper: 10-yr, expiring May 2013 (1.7 bln euros)

  • Day's Total Market Turnover: 4.1 bln euros

    FOREIGN EXCHANGE

    Closing rates of October 6 2003

    Parities in euro

    For. Exchange Buying Selling

    US Dollar 1,167 1,140

    [26] IOC press commission president lauds progress made

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    The IOC Press Commission President Richard Kevan Gosper lauded ATHOC preparations for the Athens 2004 Games, during a meeting of the commission in Lausanne on Monday.

    He praised the presentation by the Games Press Services of progress over the past 18 months in building infrastructure, technology and services for written and photo Press at the 2004 Olympics.

    Gosper, congratulated the ATHENS 2004 delegation and expressed his confidence that Athens fulfilled all the conditions for providing excellent services to print journalists. The Press Commission Vice-President, IOC Member Gunilla Lindberg, said she was satisfied with the progress of preparations and the high quality of those working in Athens with the shared aim of making the life of the written media easier.

    A similar view was expressed by IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli, who as member of the Coordination Commission had closely monitored the preparations for the Games: he described these as “exceptional”.

    The ATHENS 2004 Organizing Committee was represented, for the administration, by Executive Director Spyros Kapralos, and for Games Press Operations, by Costas Vernikos, Head of Press Operations, and Konstantinos Nikiforos, Photo Services Manager. Kapralos concentrated his presentation on the successful hosting of the August Sport Events.

    Vernikos dwelt at length on developments in the venue construction, the design of the layout for the Main Press Centre, operational planning, and the operation of the Press Centers and Olympic News Service. His briefing also dealt with the sectors that will be servicing representatives of the written press: Accreditation, Accommodation, Hospitality, and Transport.

    Nikiforos annualized the operational organization of photo services for the Commission members in detail, paying special emphasis to the selection criteria for photo positions.

    [27] German Parliamentary delegation stresses progress in Olympic Games preparations

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    A seven-member intra-party delegation of the German Federal Parliament's Sports Committee stressed the considerable progress achieved in preparations for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, after being given a relevant briefing by Olympic Games General Secretary Costas Kartalis.

    Kartalis also briefed the German deputies on the upgrading of the capital's functioning and appearance, sports preparations in light of the Games, use of installations after the Games are over and the ''Greece 2004'' program concerning projects in rural areas.

    The German Parliamentarians, who will be visiting Olympic Games installations in Athens on Tuesday and Wednesday, showed great interest, also due to the candidacy of Leipzig to host the Olympic Games in 2012.

    [28] ATHOC managing director discusses Athens Olympic Games security with CIA chief

    WASHINGTON 07/10/2003 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    Athens 2004 Olympic Games (ATHOC) managing director Yiannis Spanoudakis held talks here on Monday with CIA chief George Tenet and the assistant national security advisor of the White House on terrorism issues Francis Townsend, focusing on bilateral and multipartite cooperation on safely holding the Athens Olympic Games next year.

    The two separate meetings, attended by U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller, were held in a ''very good climate'', according to sources close to Spanoudakis.

    The managing director gave the U.S. officials a detailed briefing on the course of preparations in the sensitive sector of security, which is of particular interest for the United States.

    Spanoudakis will be meeting Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Mark Grossman, the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee President Richard Lugar and Greek American Democratic senator and member of the same committee Paul Sarbanes on Tuesday.

    He will also be making an address on projects and preparations for the Olympic Games at a conference on cooperation between Greece and the U.S. being organized here on Tuesday by the Hellenic American Cooperation Council.

    The conference will also be attended by Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, the ambassadors of the two countries George Savvaides and Thomas Miller and foreign ministry secretary general for economic relations Dimitris Dollis.

    [29] Public works minister visits Rio-Antirrio bridge project

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou on Monday visited the work site of the ''Gefyra'' joint venture, concerning the construction of the Rio-Antirrio bridge, and was briefed on the progress of work.

    Accompanied by work site officials and technicians, she visited a section of the bridge built on pylon M3.

    Speaking to reporters after the briefing, Papandreou termed the project impressive and technologically advanced, adding that 80 percent of construction work has already been completed and this means the project will be delivered much earlier than anticipated by contractual commitments.

    Papandreou said it will be a project which will provide great development possibilities for western Greece together with the Ionian Motorway.

    According to reports, the construction of half the surface of the bridge on the side of Antirrio will have been completed by the end of December.

    [30] Christodoulos meets with EU Commissioner Barnier

    BRUSSELS 07/10/2003 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos on Monday, the third day of his visit here, met with European Commissioner Michael Barnier.

    Sources of the Archbishopric noted that the two men discussed action plans of the Church of Greece, which include the restoration of monuments and humanitarian activities among others. The Church of Greece has already submitted 57 requests for support of its action plan to the European Union.

    Barnier, according to the same sources, said that the issue of funding church efforts depended to a great degree on the Greek government, underlining that should applications be submitted late or incomplete then there is a great danger of them being rejected.

    In an unrelated development, Christodoulos, while addressing a dinner here, lauded Greek civilization, saying that the West has borrowed its basic principles from Greece, a reality, he said, that is well known and accepted in the West, more so than in Greece.

    He also stressed that the Church of Greece is positive toward the European Union, despite reactions by some people.

    [31] Defense attorney says N17 defendant Savvas Xiros mistreated following arrest

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    The defense attorney for the three Xiros brothers on trial at the ongoing “November 17” terrorism trial on Monday referred to what he claimed was the group’s “social acceptance”, saying the once-elusive gang’s attacks not only did not frighten the general population but were also considered “acts of social justice” by much of society.

    Defense counsel Giorgos Agiostratitis qualified his statement by saying N17’s actions were unrelated to “blind horizontal violence”, whereby he cited the neo-fascists of Italy as perpetrators of the latter.

    Agiostratitis represents brothers Savvas, Christodoulos and Vassilis Xiros.

    Savvas Xiros’ capture in June 2002 following a botched bomb attack at the port of Piraeus -- an incident that left him half blind, almost deaf and missing most of his right hand – sparked an unprecedented investigation that led to almost a score of arrests, including the deadly ultra-leftist terror band’s alleged mastermind and top assassins.

    Evidence found on the badly injured Savvas Xiros, a church mural painter by profession, led police to the group’s first safehouse-turned arsenal, while his initial bedside statements led to the first N17 arrests beyond his own.

    It was precisely those “bedside statements” to judicial magistrates and the anti-terrorism squad during his weeks of treatment at a large downtown Athens hospital that Agiostratitis condemned on Monday, reiterating the defense’s claims of torture and psychological pressure exerted on his client.

    “Your court ruled that a torture-based interrogation of a soon-to-be dead man was legal,” the attorney told the three-judge special appellate-level court.

    During the course of the trial the court repeatedly dismissed several defense attorneys’ claims that their clients were forced to make confessions and statements under duress. Conversely, several physicians and staff from the Evangelismos hospital, Greece’s largest public healthcare facility, flatly denied during testimony that Savvas Xiros was given mind-altering drugs or stimulants during his lengthy hospitalization.

    In referring to his first meeting with Savvas Xiros in the latter’s closely guarded hospital room 40 days after the premature bomb blast in Piraeus, attorney Agiostratitis said he expected to meet a “terrorist”, but instead he was greeted by a “child with Down’s Syndrome, who merely giggled.”

    He also disparaged the fact that the accused murderer was in restraints, albeit badly injured.

    In commencing his final statement, Agiostratitis backed the argument of practically all the defense attorneys representing the 19 defendants on trial, namely, that N17’s crimes were political in nature, and not simply criminal – another point of contention that the court has repeatedly dismissed over the past few months of proceedings.

    Moreover, he described the notorious terrorist group as an “autonomous but not self-moving group of armed struggle, a segment of the left that believes that our social system is unfair and begets violence, poverty; one that can be dealt with only through revolution.”

    The trial continues on Tuesday.

    [32] ESHEA condemns persecution of Turkish Cypriot journalists

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Athens Journalists' Union (ESHEA) on Monday issued a press release condemning the escalation of persecution against journalists Sener Levend and Ali Osman of the Turkish Cypriot community newspaper ''Afrika'', by the Turkish occupation regime.

    In a related development, Greek Eurodeputy Myrsini Zorba expressed her strong protest over the persecution and the threats against the lives of the two journalists with a letter she addressed to Europarliament President Pat Cox and the European Journalists' Union, calling them to intervene in support of the two men.

    This new problem arose through an article written by National Front Movement politician Hasan Ceskin and published in a nationalistic newspaper, making threats against the lives of the two journalists if they continue their opposition to the regime in the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus.

    [33] Gov't on arrest of 2 fishermen by Turkish authorities

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    The government spokesman on Monday was asked about a recent incident involving the arrest to two Greek fishermen by Turkish authorities in the northeastern prefecture of Evros -- the only land border shared by the two countries, boundaries divided by the eponymous river.

    Spokesman Christos Protopapas said Greece's foreign ministry is taking the necessary steps to gain the release of the two fishermen.

    “I estimate that we will soon have results,” he added during a regular press briefing in Athens.

    [34] 'Olympic' program for Greek fire brigade launched on Monday

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    The largest-ever procurements program for the Greek fire brigade was officially launched by Public Order Minister George Floridis on Monday, at a special event outside Zappeion Hall.

    The program aims to prepare the service for the Athens Olympics in the summer of 2004 and, once complete, it is expected to put the Greek fire brigade on an equal footing with its counterparts in the United States, Britain, Sweden, Germany and France. It was kicked off with the delivery of 50 ultra-modern fire-fighting vehicles in the courtyard of Zappeion Hall at 11:00 on Monday, including two vehicles equipped with cranes and 88-metre ladders that can be used to provide access to multi-storey buildings and Olympics facilities.

    The cost of the program will be around 60 billion drachmas and envisions the purchase of 735 vehicles by the end of next April, including fire-fighting helicopters and ships, personal protection gear for fire-fighters and the construction of new fire stations and a new command centre.

    [35] Greece demands release of Greek seamen held in Pakistan

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou has been in contact with his Pakistani counterpart Mian Kasuri and demanded the immediate release and return of the five Greek seamen arrested and held in Karachi, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said on Monday.

    He said the proper diplomatic procedures for the release of the seamen had been initiated by the Greek Embassy in Pakistan.

    The eight-member crew of the grounded Greek tanker "Tasman Spirit" were arrested by Pakistani authorities on Friday on charges of negligence in handling the ship's entry to the port.

    The tanker carrying 67,500 tones of crude oil ran aground outside the channel leading to Pakistan's main port in Karachi on July 27, causing the worst spill in Pakistan's history. It spilled 28,500 tones of crude. The rest was drained out.

    Pakistan's police said the five Greeks and three Philippines nationals that made up the crew will probably be released on bail within a couple of days, once their bail documents are complete.

    The spill has contaminated several kilometers of eastern beaches, damaged marine life and mangrove forests and caused health problem for the people living nearby.

    [36] Fulbright Foundation sponsors US universities fair this month

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    Representatives of 40 United States colleges and universities will participate in a fair this month aimed at local students interested in studying at US institutions of higher education, with the annual event featuring schools from throughout America.

    The fair aims to answer students’ questions about American higher education in general, as well as inquiries about particular institutions.

    The Fulbright Foundation in Athens is again organizing the fair (Oct. 14) at a downtown Athens hotel (Holiday Inn). Admission is free.

    The Fulbright Foundation offers a limited number of scholarships annually to Greek citizens pursuing advanced degrees in the United States.

    The fair also includes participation of the Greek Alumni Association of American Universities, the Hellenic American Union (HAU), Citibank International Plc and Compulink Networks S.A.

    For more information, call the Foundation at (210) 72.41.811-2.

    [37] Wide-ranging history conference begins on Lesvos

    Athens, 07/10/2003 (ANA)

    The 5th international joint history conference of the Centre for Modern Greek Studies and the National Studies Foundation began this week on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos on the topic of “Mytilene and Aivali: An interactive Relationship in the northeastern Aegean.”

    Mytilene is another name often substituted for Lesvos, while Aivali is the present-day name of ancient Kydonies, on the opposite Turkish coast.

    The conference is also co-sponsored by the Society for Lesvos Studies and the Asia Minor Studies Centre.

    A trip to the Asia Minor coast and to Aivali and the Moschonissia isles is planned for Thursday.

    [38] Dutch Premier arrives in Cyprus for two-day official visit

    NICOSIA 07/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende arrived in Cyprus on Monday evening, saying that the official visits to new EU members were part of a tour in view of his country taking over the rotating EU presidency during the second half of 2004.

    Balkenende said that during the talks he will be having on Tuesday with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, he will listen to the government's comments on developments in Europe.

    [39] National Council says Turkish Cypriots must vote in Euro elections

    NICOSIA 07/10/2003 (CNA/ANA)

    The National Council believes that Turkish Cypriot citizens of the Republic of Cyprus have the right and must be facilitated to participate in the European elections, according to a law to be passed by the House of Representatives.

    The Council, top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, convened on Monday under President Tassos Papadopoulos to examine the issue of the European elections and defined the general principles of the relevant proposed law.

    Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said later that the members of the National Council were briefed on the president's trips to Athens, New York and Rome.


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