Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-06-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis addresses Parliament during debate on public administration

[02] FinMin announces dialogue over the country's pension system

[03] Gov't emphasizes reasons for pushing forth with social security reforms

[04] U.S. Ambassador Charles Ries visits Komotini, holds talks with Deputy FM Evripidis Stylianidis

[05] Greece supports greater role for UN Human Rights Committee, foreign ministry says

[06] PM to meet EIB president on Wednesday

[07] SAE Oceania expresses concern over failure to solve persistent problems of Greeks in Australia

[08] New Cyprus ambassador Georgis presents credentials

[09] EU ministerial council on energy adopts Greek proposals

[10] Greek gov't agrees full disconnection of community subsidies to farm production

[11] Gov't approves 57 investment plans

[12] Greek manufacturers cautious over 2005 outlook

[13] Greek top 50 listed companies' average profits up 22.2 pct in 2004

[14] Greek-Turkish tourism forum in Samos, Kusadasi this week

[15] Athens merchants call for measures due to bank strike

[16] Aegean Airlines announces fuel surcharge on its fares

[17] Security guards suspend strike action after meeting with minister

[18] ASE rebounds on blue chip gains

[19] Jose Carreras, Sumi Jo perform together for first time, beneath the Acropolis

[20] Oedipus Rex to be staged at Epidaurus ancient theatre

[21] Dario Fo and Franka Rame to appear at Herod Atticus Odeon in Athens

[22] Composting of sewage sludge begins

[23] Gov't on Greek matches in punters' pools

[24] Police discover illegal weapons laboratory

[25] Employment ministry calls for plan to deal with worker heat stress during heat wave

[26] Protest rally by hearing impaired in Thessaloniki

[27] Cyprus spokesman dismisses Turkish Cypriot leader's claims

[28] Cyprus and Arab League hold extensive talks in Nicosia

[29] Sides working on agreement on exhumation of remains

[01] PM Karamanlis addresses Parliament during debate on public administration

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

"Greece will not turn back", the prime minister said and stressed that the government is ready to tackle problems and to bring about changes and reforms.

"Changes have begun, reforms are under way. Constant effort, persistence, consistency and a joint effort are necessary to enable us to build a responsible and reliable social state which shall be socially just and which shall respect citizens. We have undertaken this commitment," Karamanlis said.

The prime minister referred to statements made in past years by PASOK's current leader George Papandreou and members of the then government about commissions, piranhas, a second division state, vested interests and exploitation by the state for the benefit of those in power, saying that "you were responsible for these phenomena. What are your positions now?"

Karamanlis went on to say that "today, we are being called on to face partisanship, bureaucracy and corruption left behind by PASOK" and accused PASOK of being governed by confusion, contradiction and an absolute vacuum.

Referring to the government's targets in the public administration sector, Karamanlis said they include the restriction of bureaucracy, electronic governance and the upgrading of services provided to citizens.

The prime minister mentioned the creation of the "Central Committee for Simplifying Procedures" which is functioning at a speedy rate and preparing new reforms to combat bureaucracy.

He also referred to measures such as the program - amounting to about ¬ 14.5 million - to support about 3,000 small and medium-size businesses in every region to enable them to acquire informatics equipment.

As regards the issue of transparency and good management in public administration, Karamanlis said checks revealed "2,800 cases of olive oil producers who had died and who were still receiving subsidies."

Karamanlis also focused on the immigration issue, saying that the relevant bill will be brought before Parliament on Wednesday "to secure for every alien the unimpeded exercising of his rights and his full accession to society."

PASOK party leader accuses government of trying to maintain stifling control of state apparatus: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, addressing Parliament on Tuesday on an off-the-agenda debate on public administration, accused the government and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis personally of trying to maintain stifling control over every sector of the state apparatus.

Papandreou said the doctrine "power for power" is the government's only concern, adding that as a result the government does not hesitate to cooperate with entities which in the past it had considered as moving in the sector of vested interests.

The PASOK leader outlined his party's principles regarding the public sector, saying that the state must guide development, contribute to an increase in wealth produced, it must be decentralized and have few ministries which must be rid of local and regional duties.

"Neither does insistence on ineffective agencies remaining in the public sector in the framework of statism nor does the sellout of public property to private interests secure public interest," Papandreou said and noted that "the criterion must be the best possible quality of services with the minimum expense of public funds."

Communist Party leader criticizes both mainstream parties during Parliamentary debate on public administration: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga, addressing Parliament on Tuesday during a debate on public administration, said that both the mainstream New Democracy and PASOK parties want to bring about changes in public administration but they have not succeeded in ridding themselves of the distribution of spoils which is state employee-ship.

"They want a state that will be more capable of repression, which shall respond to terror laws, which can cope with competition among business groups, which will be more capable in promoting the policy of NATO, the European Union and of Greek-American agreements and more capable in imposing silence on the people to tolerate this anti-popular policy," she said.

Papariga further said that "state employee-ship constitutes spoils and secures the election base to a certain degree", adding that this quarrel is also accompanied by phenomena of corruption.

"You shall either convince someone or you shall corrupt him to make him accept the anti-popular policy you are implementing," the Communist Party leader noted.

Coalition party leader addresses Parliamentary debate on public administration: Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Alekos Alavanos, addressing Parliament on Tuesday during a debate on public administration, said governments change but morbid policies remain.

"Governments change, morbid policies remain, governments leave but the state comprised of our people remains," he said, adding that "there has been no re-establishment of the state" since this would mean "the crushing of the existing state and the establishment of a new one."

Alavanos said both Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou spoke of a "small and flexible state" in the framework of a "fashion of anti-statism" governing both mainstream parties.

The Coalition party leader noted, however, that "the state is not being reduced but it is becoming more labyrinthine and more extravagant" and added that what is to blame is not the "democratically controlled public sector" but "partisanship that exists both at the head and the base of public administration, particularly at the head."

[02] FinMin announces dialogue over the country's pension system

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after an inner cabinet meeting, Alogoskoufis stressed that a discussion in Parliament on Monday highlighted a wider problem in the country's pension system and noted that a previous government's legislation, aimed to resolve the problem, had great weaknesses since it rolled over the cost of funding the country's Social Security Institution (IKA) to the public sector and the state budget.

"This is an issue that must be dealt with a long-term dialogue, as the government has said again in the past. No one can deny a dialogue over the pension system, the problem is there and a dialogue must proceed calmly to find out what it needs and what needs to be done to deal with this big problem for the country," the Greek minister said.

Commenting on a draft amendment tabled by ND deputy Miltiades Evert and supported by PASOK, the main opposition political party, Alogoskoufis said the government has approved a draft legislation currently under discussion in parliament, and stressed that the government's plan would resolve a pension problem in the banking sector without burdening IKA or the public sector since Greek banks would pay the cost.

Finance Minister says dialogue on longer-term pension reforms must begin straight away: Broad-based dialogue on reforming the country's pension system in the long-term, past the term of the present government, had to begin in order to avoid future crises, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis emphasized in a press conference on Tuesday.

The minister presented figures showing that the total deficit of the country's social insurance system was set to soar from 4.1 per cent GDP in 2005 to 8.3 per cent of GDP in 2030 and 13.8 per cent of GDP in 2050.

"We need to begin dialogue immediately to deal with the problems," Alogoskoufis said, while stressing that the system could not be converted from the present redistributive one to a fully-funded system.

The minister also stressed the problems, however, pointing out that on the basis of the existing system a worker was paid a normal wage for the 35 years of his working life and then received around 80 per cent of that amount for another 20 years as a pensioner.

Referring to Emporiki Bank, in particular, Alogoskoufis noted that the bank's pension fund deficit was 1.5 billion euros when its own capital was 1.2 billion euros and that it would be led to bankruptcy unless the bank's insurance problems was solved.

On social insurance in general, the minister stressed that all the government's pledges, such as not raising the age of retirement and not lowering pensions, still held.

"Beginning dialogue is one thing and changing the status quo is another," Alogoskoufis stressed.

Referring to the problems faced by the public as a result of a strike by bank staff opposing the government's reforms, Alogoskoufis said the government was preparing legislation to deal with these.

[03] Gov't emphasizes reasons for pushing forth with social security reforms

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos reiterated that the government never hid its intention to open a wide-ranging dialogue on social security.

"What we said was that we would not table such an issue in a black-mailing fashion; we do not want a dialogue pressured by time constraints."

He also echoed statements by the economy minister that a previous PASOK law, the often cited "Reppas" law for social security funds, "merely transferred burdens to future generations".

"The government asked social partners for an extensive public dialogue to deal with the problems that were becoming explosive. This dialogue will be lengthy and will lead to a complete revision of Law 3029 ... the signal was given with our request towards the Social Partners Committee to begin such dialogue," Roussopoulos said.

Moreover, he dismissed questions citing similarities between an initiative by the previous government, the doomed Yiannitsis proposal, and the current one, noting that "the previous government's reasoning and the related retreat of (then prime minister Costas) Mr. Simitis were prominent indications of that effort's cursory preparation."

Asked if the government's pre-election promises of not raising retirement ages and the level of social security contributions still stand, Roussopoulos emphasized that "what we said prior to the election stands".

Furthermore, he said the government was forced to take the initiative in this crucial sector because figures detailed in the Stability and Development Program for 2006-7 show that social security payments as a percentage of GDP will reach the 12.4-percent mark in 2005, only to skyrocket to 17.3 percent of GDP in 2030 and 22.6 percent in 2050.

Conversely, he said current trends show that contributions will rise only marginally: 8.3 percent in 2005; 9 percent in 2030 and a disappointing projection of 8.8 percent in 2050.

"The future, therefore, is not so far off; rather, it is very near. The last social security reform came in 1990-93, half the time period given by actuaries as serving that reform," the spokesman added.

Coalition party official criticizes government over social security issue: Dimitris Stratoulis, a member of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party's Political Bureau and chief of the party's labor policy sector, accused the government on Tuesday of trying to find accomplices for its social security reform.

Specifically, he accused the government of trying to demolish the social security rights of working people in their entirety and of trying to undermine and decrease state funding of social security for the benefit of private insurance.

He made his remarks in the wake of statements made earlier in the day by Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis.

Stratoulis further said that the Coalition party rejects such a pretext for a dialogue and has already publicized its alternative proposal on the social security issue, focusing primarily on the improvement of pensions, particularly of low ones, as well as of services provided by the social security funds' health sectors.

[04] U.S. Ambassador Charles Ries visits Komotini, holds talks with Deputy FM Evripidis Stylianidis

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

Ries said the private sector has the initiative on the investments issue, adding that governments can create opportunities on the basis of the political framework.

"The region has great economic potential," Ries said and referred to the multicultural characteristics of Thrace, to the considerable infrastructure development and to the natural gas pipeline which shall be inaugurated on Sunday by the prime ministers of Greece and Turkey.

Asked by reporters on possible investment interest in the region of Thrace, the U.S. ambassador said this "depends on economic opportunities" and noted that Stylianidis explained to him the region's economic possibilities.

"Thrace is becoming interesting from a business, energy and political perspective, and we are promoting this so that our friends and allies know the wealth our region possesses and, of course, to have it in mind when they decide in which direction - either their investments or their efforts - will be channeled when seeking constructive cooperation," Stylianidis said on his part.

Ries was accompanied during his visit to Thrace by the general consul of the U.S. in the city of Thessaloniki Dimitra Papas, as well as by diplomats and staff from the U.S. embassy.

[05] Greece supports greater role for UN Human Rights Committee, foreign ministry says

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

He said the Human Rights Council proposed as a replacement to the Human Rights Committee "could be the right solution".

"Greece supports proposals for upgrading the mechanisms to promote and protect human rights in the UN system, as presented in the UN Secretary-General's 'In larger Freedom' report on reforming the United Nations and in the draft conclusions for the UN Summit in September 2005," he said.

The spokesman said that both the report and the draft conclusions rightly gave human rights a central position and said that this should be equal to those of security and development.

"We believed that there cannot be development without security, and that neither of these benefits can exist without the simultaneous promotion and effective protection of human rights," Koumoutsakos said.

He said that the Human Rights Council should be an independent and autonomous body that cooperated directly with the UN General Assembly, retaining all the privileges of the Human Rights Committee - such as open communication with NGOs and the society of citizens - and having wider powers to deal effectively with all human rights issues.

Asked about the number of members on the new body and the way these should be elected, Koumoutsakos said Greece supported "the greatest possible effectiveness in combination with the widest possible legitimization".

[06] PM to meet EIB president on Wednesday

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

[07] SAE Oceania expresses concern over failure to solve persistent problems of Greeks in Australia

MELBOURNE, 29/06/2005 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)

According to a report from the ANA correspondent in Melbourne on Tuesday, it intends to put these concerns to the Greek government in writing, in accordance with a decision made at its last meeting in Adelaide.

A letter to Employment Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos will ask him to respond to the Australian government's latest proposal for the signature of a pension agreement between Greece and Australia.

The Council also referred to expatriates problems with tax forms and sundry issues.

Meanwhile, it was announced that a delegation of the Greek Orthodox Communities of Australia will depart on a visit to Greece on Sunday for talks with Greek officials on expatriate problems, such as education, pensions, social insurance, expatriates obligations for army service and cultural events.

The visit will last two weeks, during which members of the delegation will seek meetings with Deputy Foreign Minister for expatriate affairs Panagiotis Skandalakis, Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis, Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia and other members of the government.

[08] New Cyprus ambassador Georgis presents credentials

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

Papoulias welcomed the new Cypriot diplomat, who conveyed to the President, on behalf of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, his reaffirmation of the sentiments of friendship of the Cypriot people and himself.

Georgis is a professor at the University of Cyprus' History and Archaeology Department, with focus on political and diplomatic history, the history of the Cyprus national movement, and the history of the Republic of Cyprus in the period 1050-1974.

He is a recipient of several medals and awards by the Greek state and University of Athens for his contribution to the development of cultural relations between Greece and Cyprus and the advancement of Cypriot studies in Greece.

[09] EU ministerial council on energy adopts Greek proposals

BRUSSELS, 29/06/2005 (ANA/B.Demiris)

Regarding the trans-European energy networks, the council agreed on the promotion of electronic interconnectivity, EU funding of inter-regional networks and a greater penetration of renewable energy sources, all proposals put forth by Greece.

As for the European Parliament and Council directive regarding energy efficiency, Greece had proposed adopting the easier and cheaper alternative of assessing energy savings through horizontal rather than sectoral activities. The Greek proposal was accepted.

During the meeting, European Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs presented a Green Paper on Energy Efficiency that aims at saving 20% of energy consumption by 2020.

Deputy Development Minister George Salagoudis, who represented Greece at the meeting, presented the initiatives his ministry has taken so far in efforts to save energy.

These initiatives include installation of condensers in public buildings, incentives to businesses and industry to cut down on energy consumption during peak hours, the creation of Centers for Energy and Environmental Management, increasing public awareness and teaching children about the importance of energy conservation at school.

Additionally, Salagoudis also referred to the great amount of progress that has been made in the renewable energy sector, whereby the number of relevant projects licensed in the past year are equal to 25% of all projects licensed since 1994.

Britain's Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, who will also preside over the Energy Council when Britain assumes the EU Presidency on July 1, praised Greece's initiatives calling them realistic and effective. He said they should serve as an example for other EU member states.

The council also discussed the status of energy talks between the EU, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia regarding the cooperation among Baltic states in the energy sector and the Treaty for the Energy Community of Southeast Europe.

Salagoudis emphasized that Greece hopes to host the signing of the treaty in Athens in the fall of 2005. He also emphasized the importance of the recent political agreement for the construction of the Alexandroupolis-Burgas oil pipeline.

Salagoudis stressed that this project along with the natural gas pipeline that will run through Turkey, Greece and Italy, a segment of which will soon be inaugurated by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, help Greece establish itself as an energy transfer hub in southeast Europe.

Finally, during the working lunch that followed, Salagoudis referred to a proposal submitted in 2004 by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, whereby the special consumption tax on fuel would be automatically reduced when prices exceed certain levels for a specific period of time. He said that the proposal remains timely and could serve as the basis for future EU plans.

[10] Greek gov't agrees full disconnection of community subsidies to farm production

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Agricultural Development and Foods Minister Evangelos Basiakos said the inner cabinet accepted his recommendations. "We agreed to fully disconnect community subsidies from all farm products, excluding seeds, to ensure more community funds in the coming years".

The Greek minister stressed there would be a withholding rate of up to 10 percent for each farm product, aimed to strengthen Greek farming competitiveness and secure the farm sector's future.

The inner cabinet decided a full disconnection for olive oil, with community subsidy to be based on average production in the period 1999-2003, while for all other farm and livestock production, community subsidy will be based on a three-year average.

Community subsidy for tobacco will be fully disconnected, while cotton production will continue a partial connection system, totalling 35 percent.

Basiakos said the government decision was supported by the vast majority of farmers' unions and political parties. The Greek minister stressed that similar decisions were taken by other EU member-states, ensuring a common policy and the country's negotiating position when the European Union would discuss Common Agricultural Policy issues again in the future.

Farmers' trade group on government's agricultural policy: Tzanetos Karamichas, President of the trade group of farmers' cooperative PASEGES, commented on Tuesday on the government's decision to fully disconnect subsidies from agricultural production.

PASEGES had itself proposed disconnecting subsidies from production as the least damaging solution, but had also highlighted the risks involved for the Greek agricultural sector and the need to prepare for the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

PASEGES' Executive Board, which convened on Tuesday, stressed that the main issue concerning Greek farmers is the failure of the European Union during its recent summit, to agree on the budget.

According to PASEGES' board, this development has brought to the negotiation table much broader issues than the EU budget and disbursement of funds for the period 2006-2013.

The new CAP is effectively brought into question before it has even gone into effect and efforts are made to drastically reduce EU funds to the agricultural sector, PASEGES said in a statement.

Finally, the trade group called on the government to proceed dynamically, establishing alliances that will enable it to resist any efforts at CAP reductions.

[11] Gov't approves 57 investment plans

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

The approved plans are of a total of 204 applications the ministry had received as of June 23 under the new development law which was passed in 2004.

The majority of the plans approved concern the island of Crete (¬ 17.58 million), Eastern Macedonia-Thrace (¬ 12.46 million) and Western Macedonia (¬ 13.22 million).

[12] Greek manufacturers cautious over 2005 outlook

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

The report, titled "Greek manufacturing -estimates for 2004 and expectations for 2005", showed that small and medium-sized enterprises -with assets less than 30 million euros- were much more optimistic compared with bigger ones -with assets more than 30 million euros- excluding exports.

Sales are expected to rise by 6.3 percent this year (from 9.5 pct in 2004), while exports are expected to increase by 11.5 percent from 15.6 percent over the same period, respectively.

These forecasts were possibly based on a weakened euro currency during the first quarter of 2005, with producers' prices for the external market remaining stable during the same period.

Greek industries are planning a 19.1 percent increase in investments this year (up from 18.6 percent in 2004), with optimism coming mainly from small- and medium-sized enterprises. Larger enterprises, however, said they would contain their investment activity.

Employment remains stable and expected to rise by 0.2 percent this year from a -1.2 percent in 2004, while labor cost is forecast to increase by 3.3 percent from 1.5 pct in 2004.

Gross profits are forecast to rise by 6.8 pct this year, from 6.7 pct in 2004, and pre-tax profits to increase by 16.8 percent from 4.2 pct over the same period, respectively.

The manufacturing sector welcomes a government-sponsored new development law in the country, with 40.6 percent of company officials saying it would contribute in strengthening competitiveness and investments, and another 20.1 percent it would have only insignificant impact on the market.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises are showing more interest in submitting the investment plans with the new development law. A 23.7 percent of manufacturing companies said that lowering tax factors would strongly boost competitiveness and investments, 23.9 percent said there would be no significant impact and 7.5 percent said the impact would be negative.

More than 20 percent of Greek manufacturing production was exported in 2004. Around 18 percent of manufacturing companies said rising oil prices was the most serious development in 2004.

[13] Greek top 50 listed companies' average profits up 22.2 pct in 2004

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

The report said that 39 out of a total 50 listed groups saw their profits rise further in 2004, reflecting a 12.2 percent increase in average sales growth and slightly improvement in operating earnings margin to 18.7 percent over the same period.

Net profit margin was 12.2 percent last year, almost double compared with a 6.2 percent profit margin of average Greek listed companies.

The report said that the use of short-term bank loan rate eased to 11 percent as a percentage of sales in 2004 (compared with a 24 percent in the average market), although up from a 9.6 percent rate in 2003.

Liquidity rates were stable last year, the report said.

[14] Greek-Turkish tourism forum in Samos, Kusadasi this week

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

The actual forum begins here on Wednesday, with sessions moving to the adjacent Turkish coastal resort of Kusadasi on Thursday.

[15] Athens merchants call for measures due to bank strike

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

Additionally, the chamber called on the bankers' federation to take a series of measures, including the suspension of reporting "bounced" checks during the period that the strike continues to a central data system; extension of loan payment dates and suspension of penalty interest rates as well as prompt payment of customers' credit card purchases by banks.

[16] Aegean Airlines announces fuel surcharge on its fares

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

The Greek airline said it would add one euro on domestic fares and three euros on all international fares from July 18, 2005. Aegean Airlines said its average fare, domestic and international, including fuel surcharges, was lower compared with 2003 when the price of crude oil was 28 dollars per barrel.

[17] Security guards suspend strike action after meeting with minister

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

The meeting focused on the sector's problems related to the ministry and decided on the creation of a work group to examine the existing legal framework governing the employment of security staff and suggest changes, as well as the start of immediate inspections to uncover private security firms that did not abide by the law.

[18] ASE rebounds on blue chip gains

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

The composite index rose 0.98 percent to end at 3,059.38 points, with turnover a moderate 164 million euros.

The Banks (1.62 pct), Investments (1.57 pct), Telecoms (1.53 pct) and IT Solutions (1.06 pct) recorded the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Constructions (1.83 pct), IT (0.77 pct), Publications (0.46 pct) and Minerals-Cements (0.43 pct), suffered the heaviest losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.22 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.27 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.10 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 145 to 125 with another 60 issues unchanged.

[19] Jose Carreras, Sumi Jo perform together for first time, beneath the Acropolis

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

The program comprised excerpts from operas, musicals and canzonettes. The two opera stars were accompanied by the Athens State Orchestra, under the musical direction of maestro David Gimenez.

Addressing a press conference in Athens on Monday, Carreras said it was a great honor for him to return to the Herod Atticus five years after his previous performance there, adding: 'In Greece, I feel like home'.

Carreras also expressed pleasure at performing together with Sumi Jo, whom he called "an incredible soprano".

Sumi Jo, in turn, said it was a great honor for her to sing next to Jose Carreras, who she said was not only an "opera legend" but also a "wonderful person who, having fought for his own life, gives life to other people".

She said Tuesday's concert would be a "message of love".

Gimenez noted that Jose Carreras and Sumi Jo would for the first time together sing excerpts from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera Don Giovanni.

The program also included excerpts of works by Rossini, Gounod, Verdi, Lehar, Costa and Ribas.

[20] Oedipus Rex to be staged at Epidaurus ancient theatre

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

The production is directed by Yorgos Kimoulis, who also holds the title role of Oedipus, with Nonika Galinea as Jocasta, Tasos Halkias as Creon, and renowned singer George Dalaras as the Chorus leader, to a translation by K. Myris, with music by Goran Bregovic and lyrics by Lina Nikolakopoulou.

At a press conference in Athens on Monday, Kimoulis said he placed the highest position to music in this production of the classical tragedy, highlighting the role of the Chorus in ancient Greek tragedies.

Dalaras said he would be appearing at Epidaurus to reflect his love for ancient tragedy, adding that the music by Bregovic and lyrics by Nikolakopoulou offered a different dimension to the play's theme.

Tickets are available at the Hellenic Festival's central ticket office and at the Epidaurus theatre box office.

[21] Dario Fo and Franka Rame to appear at Herod Atticus Odeon in Athens

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

In a press conference held in Athens on Tuesday, the two artists said the performance sought to provide information about the use of masks as a tool of ancient theatre.

The worldwide premiere of the production is taking place under the aegis of the Athens municipality. Dario Fo will be on the stage alone, reciting the texts in ancient Greek, while Franka Rame will play the role of prompter - a role that she claims has been deeply misunderstood.

On stage to assist with them to assist with translation will be Stavros Papastavrou.

[22] Composting of sewage sludge begins

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

"A few days ago, we promised Attica residents and particularly those of Liossia, that we would adhere to specific timetables," Souflias said, referring to the composting process the sewage sludge is to undergo once it is transferred to the Ano Liossia landfill.

"Today, we have already proven that we keep our promises. I had personally promised that seven days after the transfer of the sludge to the landfill resumed, part of it would begin being turned into compost," he said.

According to Souflias, 80 tons of sludge began being processed on Monday and an increasing quantity will be processed on a daily basis.

"In six months, at the end of December 2005, as we have promised, the local community and its representatives will decide whether they want composting to continue. We'll use this six-month period to come up with an alternative solution," he said.

In May and early June, the Ano Liossia landfill, the only legal landfill in the greater Athens area, refused to accept Psyttalia sludge due to complaints from the local community of bad odors. The sludge was left piling up on the islet of Psyttalia, near Piraeus, causing concerns of possible leakage into the surrounding Saronic Gulf.

The landfill reopened and began accepting sludge on June 21, following judicial intervention.

[23] Gov't on Greek matches in punters' pools

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

However, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos also noted that OPAP will also "study and record" any conflict of interest arising, a direct reference to owners of football teams with business ties to the betting organization.

Asked if it was the government's intention to promote gambling, Roussopoulos countered that the exact opposite was true.

"The government has declared its decision to privatize OPAP, because it considers that gambling cannot be an endeavor in which the state should be involved," he added.

[24] Police discover illegal weapons laboratory

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

Police arrested a 32-year-old farmer in the town of Sparti in the Peloponnese, who was responsible for making the weapons, while the case also involved an executive of a weapons and ammunition company, a professor of literature and the latter's 16-year-old nephew.

A senior police officer disclosed on Tuesday that the case was revealed following investigations by the Electronic Crimes Squad which had detected a website on the Internet three months ago which promoted announcements and photographic material advertising the sale of weapons.

Sales took place through the website of a well-known auction company and the weapons were delivered to recipients through a courier firm and were paid for on delivery.

The farmer was arrested after a policeman posing as a buyer agreed to pay 1,000 euros for a pistol and 50 cartridges. A search followed of the farmer's laboratory in the town where special equipment was found for the making of pistols and "Uzi" machineguns, which were exact copies of those manufactured by known companies.

The farmer told police that he used to purchase the metal and process it in his laboratories, adding that he knew how to make weapons since having served in the military. The arrests of his accomplices followed afterwards, with the exception of the professor.

Police believe that the illegal laboratory has been operating for about 7-8 years, but have not yet ascertained how many weapons have been sold by the 32-year-old suspect.

[25] Employment ministry calls for plan to deal with worker heat stress during heat wave

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

It called on all bodies responsible for drawing up such contingency plans, including ministry services, workplace doctors, employers, safety technicians and employees to take all necessary precautions for protecting workers from high temperatures.

The ministry also pointed out that, on the basis of collective agreements, special precautions should be taken for high-risk health groups and those working outdoors, while all work must stop when temperatures in the workplace exceed 38 degrees in the shade without cutting pay.

[26] Protest rally by hearing impaired in Thessaloniki

Athens, 29/06/2005 (ANA)

A delegation from the federation met Macedonia-Thrace Minister Nikos Tsiartsionis and ministry general secretary Loukas Ananikas and presented their demands.

These included that a lifelong benefit for the hearing impaired that was not dependent on various conditions such as age or studies, as at present, an upgrade and better staffing for the National Foundation for the Deaf and an increase in the number of interpreters used by those with hearing disabilities in carrying out transactions with public-sector services.

[27] Cyprus spokesman dismisses Turkish Cypriot leader's claims

NICOSIA, 29/06/2005 (CNA/ANA)

The Spokesman reiterated the government's readiness for talks that would lead to a revised plan for a Cyprus settlement, which would take into consideration the concerns of the Greek Cypriot side and would serve the interests of both communities, not third parties, and called on Talat to be honest about the reasons that led the Turkish Cypriots into isolation, adding that the delay in opening new crossing points was not due to the Greek Cypriot side.

[28] Cyprus and Arab League hold extensive talks in Nicosia

NICOSIA, 29/06/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Iacovou said after the meeting that efforts were being made for an organized cooperation with the Arab League, and Moussa noted their common understanding regarding regional problems, noting that there were many serious issues on the international and regional scene that required such consultations.

[29] Sides working on agreement on exhumation of remains

NICOSIA, 29/06/2005 (CNA/ANA)

The two sides are discussing an outline of an agreement for a long-term program of exhumations of persons from both communities, listed as missing.

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