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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-12-14Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>December 14, 2005CONTENTS
[01] KYSEA council agrees to deal for 30 F-16 aircraft from the USATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) on Tuesday accepted an offer for the supply of 30 F-16 Block 52+ fighter aircraft from the United States through a bilateral agreement between the Greek and U.S. governments.The deal, which also provides for offset benefits on an operational level that include contracts for the domestic defence industry, was unanimously approved during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos said that the total cost of the programme will come to ¬ 1.625 billion and also cover support needs of 60 aircraft of the same type purchased under a previous programme under a contract signed in 2000. The minister stressed, meanwhile, that the necessary bank guarantees had been obtained for the first time. KYSEA's decision on Tuesday ensured the absence of middlemen from the specific contract and reaffirmed the government's commitment to transparency in armed forces' procurements, he added, while noting that the additional aircraft would preserve the balance of forces in the region. Breaking down the cost of the programme, Spiliotopoulos said that ¬ 1.1 billion represented the cost of the 30 aircraft, while the cost of supporting these and the other 60 aircraft purchased under the previous programme would come to ¬ 525 million. The new aircraft are due to be delivered in 2009 and will immediately enter full operational use and be equipped with a self-protection system. Spiliotopoulos said that the cost per aircraft under the current programme was ¬ 36.7 million, whereas the cost per aircraft in updated prices under the previous programme was ¬ 41.4 million. Additional offset benefits came to 132 pct, compared with 120 pct under the previous programme and would benefit the Greek defence industry, particulary the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB), he said. The minister also noted that the support programme included spare parts and consumables on each aircraft, which will increase their availability and that a downpayment for the order was due to be paid as soon as the contract was signed. According to alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, meanwhile, Greece would not be activating an option to purchase an additional 10 aircraft of the same type that was originally included in the deal. In response to questions, meanwhile, he told reporters that payments for the aircraft will be recorded in the budget as they occurred. The spokesman also claimed that Greece was saving a further ¬ 118 million by promptly placing the order for the aircraft before the production line for the specific model was closed. PASOK official criticises KYSEA decision on F-16 deal: Main opposition PASOK party foreign policy, security and defence sector chief Christos Papoutsis, commenting on Tuesday on the government's decision to purchase 30 F-16 warplanes from the United States, said it was proceeding with "a decision of high economic and political cost". "The government, with direct awarding without international tendering and in a status of confusion and lack of transparency, is proceeding with a decision of high economic and political cost. And at the same time with its decision it is undermining the ability of the Greek economy, the budgets of the state to finance growth, the social state and social solidarity," Papoutsis said. "We call on the government to bring this contract to Parliament as soon as possible and we want a full briefing on all political parametres and on the economic parametres," he added. Purchase of F-16 warplanes not taking place with defence needs as criterion, KKE says: The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said in an announce-ment on Tuesday that the purchase of F-16 warplanes is not taking place with defence needs as the criterion. "The government's decision to proceed with the purchase of the F-16s, a purchase which is not taking place with the country's defence needs as the criterion, shows that money exists and indeed plenty of it for NATO armaments, for sending and maintaining occupation troops in Afghanistan, Kosovo, etc,, for tax exemptions and incentives for the plutocracy," the announcement said. "Money does not exist only for the modern needs of those who produce wealth, for the working people and their children. Enough of mockery. The people must counter-attack," it added. In a similar statement, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party criticised the purchase of the F-16 aircraft from the United States. "We express our disagreement with the decision taken by the Government Foreign Affairs and Defence Council (KYSEA) to proceed with a direct award with the purchase of the 40 F-16s, imposing an unbearable burden on the Greek economy, without the real needs of our country's defence being served," said the Coalition party's foreign policy chief Panos Trigazis. [02] ND, Karamanlis hold onto lead in GPO opinion pollATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The ruling New Democracy party (ND) was leading over main opposition and preceding government PASOK by 1.3 percentage points with respect to voter intent, while three out of 10 PASOK voters have a positive view on current prime minister Costas Karamanlis, according to the results of an opinion poll by GPO released on television Monday night.According to the GPO poll, conducted by telephone between December 7-9 on a nationwide sampling of 1,000 people, Karamanlis also held a 12.6 percentage point lead over PASOK leader George Papandreou as "the most suited for prime minister", with 45.8 percent of those polled opting for Karamanlis against 33.2 percent opting for Papandreou. With respect to voter intent, meaning what party the respondent would vote for if elections were held tomorrow, the ruling ND led with 32.3 percentage points, followed by PASOK with 31.0 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 7.0 percent, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party with 4.7 percent, and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Progress (SYN) with 4.0 percent, while 12.1 percent of the respondents were "undecided". Premier Karamanlis remained the government's "strong card", with more than one out of two respondents giving him the thumbs up, as 55.1 percent had a positive view of him. With respect to a government reshuffle, 55.5 percent of the respondents were in favour, while 36.5 percent were against such a move. Finally, a majority 52.3 percent of the respondents felt that the financial situation of households would deteriorate in the coming months, while 35.9 percent felt it would remain the same, and just 10 percent felt it would improve. [03] New Jerusalem Patriarch meets with deputy FM SkandalakisATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The newly-elected Patriarch Theofilos of Jerusalem, who is on his first visit to Greece in his new capacity, on Tuesday met with deputy foreign minister Panayotis Skandalakis.The Patriarch briefed Skandalakis on the problems faced by the Jerusalem Patriarchate and, in statements to waiting reporters after the meeting, said that issues concerning the Patriarchate, with emphasis on its financial situation, were discussed. He said ways to contribute to the Patriarchate's smooth operation, based on transparency and averting a repetition of past scandals, were also examined. The new Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine Theophilos III, formerly Archbishop of Tabor, was enthroned on November 11, taking over the Patriarchate in difficult circum-stances following the removal of his predecessor Irineos, by unanimous vote of the Jerusalem Holy Synod in late August, in the wake of a scandal implicating him in the long-term lease and sale of Patriarchate land in the Old City of Jerusalem to Israeli interests. Theofilos noted that the situation was "paralysed", but expressed confidence that, with the help of God, the problems would be resolved. Skandalakis assured the new Patriarch that the Greek government would back the Patriarchate financially and in every way so that new foundations would be lain. He said the dialogue and proposals were part of a common line for the good of Orthodoxy and the Patriarchate. [04] Public justified in reactions against govt policy, main opposition leader saysATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The Greek public is justified in reacting against government policy, main opposition PASOK President George Papandreou said after the meeting of the party's Political Council on Tuesday and ahead of two days of nationwide strikes.According to Papandreou, "government policy negatively affects Greek househoulds, small and medium-sized businesses, farmers, workers, the economy and the country itself." Further, trade unions are protesting the measures taken by the administration of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis because "they create a sense of insecurity, a lack of potential and vision and a lack of transparency in government decision-making." PASOK, he said, will not allow Greece to reach an impasse. "We are and we will continue to be by the side of the working people," he said. [05] PASOK's Papandreou meets leadership of Athens journalists' unionATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Tuesday held talks with the presidency of the Athens journalists' union ESHEA, which briefed him on all the problems faced by the Greek press and Greek journalists.ESHEA president Panos Sobolos said the meeting with Papandreou had been "useful" and that it would contribute to a solution of journalists' problems. According to Sobolos, the main opposition leader had not expressed any complaints about press coverage of his party during the meeting. He said that ESHEA will take part in nationwide labour action planned by trade unions on Wednesday to protest against government policies of austerity, holding a four-hour work stoppage from 11:00 until 15:00 on that day, while the ESHEA board and journalists will attend the rally that will take place at Pedion tou Areos in Athens. [06] Coalition party official criticises government and PASOK over public utilities billATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) Political Office member Panayiotis Lafazanis, who is responsible for the party's economic and social policy, criticised both the government and the main opposition PASOK party over the bill on public utilities (DEKO), while addressing a conference on the budget on Tuesday."The anti-labour bill on public utilities which the government is hastily ratifying in Parliament obeys one and only doctrine:the total dissolution of labour relations so that what has been left of the public sector can be sold, and indeed with the most degrading of terms, to private interests," Lafazanis said. The Coalition party official said that the government of the New Democracy party, continuing the practices of the PASOK governments, is attempting with this bill to put a final end to the public sector of the economy, to open new fields of capital expansion and to deliver completely public services and public goods to the most savage profiteering. "This profiteering will be paid for heavily by the wide working classes with increases in all the public utilities invoices, from communications and transport to water, energy and telecommu-nications. Unfortunately, these antisocial 'antireforms' meet with the substantive consent of the main opposition party," Lafazanis added. [07] Police launch internal inquiry into response to Syntagma blastATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)Attica Police chief Vassilis Tsiatouras on Tuesday ordered an internal inquiry into the police response to Monday's bomb blast in Syntagma Square. The probe will focus on the actions of the officer at the Emergency Action Operations Centre that took the original call alerting police to the bomb's presence from the newspaper "Eleftherotypia".An anonymous caller had made two warning calls about the bomb to the newspaper prior to the explosion that injured two people. Closer inspection showed that the officer taking the call had not recorded full details in the incident card, so that the officers in charge of cordoning off the area did not give the right instructions. Police said they were also nonplussed concerning the bombers intent to cause injuries, since the second call received by the newspaper said the bomb was at the Finance ministry on Filellinon street, instead of the economy ministry on Nikis street, and the bomb exploded about seven minutes earlier than expected. Investigating officers said their findings concerning the modus operandi of the culprits and the detonating device used in the Syntagma Square hit pointed to the terror group "Revolutionary Struggle", which has been responsible for five terrorist strikes since it first appeared in 2003. Government on police response: Asked whether the government continued to believe that police had acted promptly in response to the bomb attack following the new evidence that led to the internal inquiry, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said that police had arrived promptly on the scene. "The police acted in accordance to the rules and were at the scene of the explosion on time," he said, while noting that the area was a "difficult environment" because it was both very busy and surrounded by dangerous buildings. [08] Gov't denies involvement in kidnappings of MuslimsATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)Deputy Government Spokesman Evangelos Antonaros and the Public Order Ministry both denied press reports that Muslim suspects had been arrested in Greece and questioned by foreign authorities, in separate statements issued on Tuesday.Antonaros said that Greek security forces have not been involved in any such matter nor has the public order ministry received any official claim regarding kidnappings. According to the public order ministry, the prosecutor's office has ordered an investigation into allegations of whether the kidnappings occurred or not. [09] Greece referred to European Court, receives warning letters from CommissionBRUSSELS, 14/12/2005 (ANA/M. Aroni/V. Demiris)Failure to abide by European Union directives related to environmental issues, have resulted in the European Commis-sion referring Greece to the European Court of Justice in one case and sending two warning letters in two others on Tuesday.Greece is being referred to the Court over its failure to shut down two illegal landfill sites on the island of Crete. According to the Commission, the Court had previously ruled against Greece in October 2003 over the same two landfills - Kouroupitos and Mesomouri. At the time, Greece had admitted that it had not checked the 1,125 landfill sites in the country. However, according to the Commission, the number of illegal landfill sites operating in Greece has increased, totalling 1,458 as of May 2005. Regarding the current situation, the Commission notes that the soil used to fill the Kouroupitos site has been washed away by rains, while waste incineration continues to be carried out which may result in toxic emissions. As for Mesomouri, where waste is being stored over a long period of time until proper waste management facilities are built, high levels of methane have been found, while liquids leaking from the stored waste run into the sea via a gorge. The Commission concludes that Greek authorities have not taken any measures to significantly improve the cleaning up of the two landfill sites and therefore refers Greece to the European Court for violating waste management-related EU legislation. Furthermore, the Commission sent Greece two warning letters regarding the protection of wild birds and water policy. According to the Commission, Greece has violated EU directive 1979/409 which calls for the creation of protection zones for wild birds and has been slow in adopting directive 2000/60 regarding the creation of a framework on water policy. [10] Turkish interior minister to pay official visit to AthensISTANBUL, 14/12/2005 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)Turkish Interior Minister Abdul Qadder Aksou will pay an official visit to Athens on December 14, according to an announcement by the Turkish interior ministry.The Turkish minister will participate in a meeting on "Illegal immigration and combatting illegal human trafficking." The meeting will begin on Wednesday and will continue until December 16. [11] Public prosecutor denies that 'November 17' crimes were politicalATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)Bench prosecutor Euterpe Koutzamani on Tuesday rejected arguments claiming that the crimes committed by the terror group "November 17" were political in nature and should therefore be tried by a mixed judge-and-jury court under the Greek constitution.She asked the Five-Member Appeals Court to dismiss a defence motion declaring it not qualified to try the case. According to Koutzamani, only crimes seeking to overturn a repressive state and establishment could be considered political but not crimes against a Parliamentary democracy, which provided alternative means to struggle for changes in society. The appeals trial before the five-member panel of judges began on December 2, with members of the urban guerrilla band seeking the reversal of multiple life sentences handed out in the first-instance trial in convictions for more than 2.500 crimes. Also on trial are defendants like Yiannis Serifis and Angeliki Sotiropoulou that were acquitted in the first trial, after the initial ruling was appealed by a public prosecutor. [12] Parliamentary committee approves ANA/MPA mergerATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The Parliamentary Committee on Public Administration debated and approved in principle the bill regarding the creation of a national audiovisual archive and the merger of the Athens News and Macedonian Press Agencies into one entity on Tuesday evening.According to Government Spokesman Theodoros Rousso-poulos, merging the two agencies will reinforce the national news agency. The main opposition also expressed its agreement regarding the merger during the committee discussion. Ruling New Democracy rapporteur Sofia Voultepsi said that the merging of the two agencies "will undoubtedly facilitate functionality and will benefit the news dissemination process." [13] Trade unions urge full participation in Wednesday's strikeATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The two largest trade union organisations in the country, the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) and the civil servants' union ADEDY, on Tuesday called for full participation in a 24-hour nationwide strike on Wednesday and a rally that will be held in front of GSEE's headquarters at Pedion tou Areos at 13:00.A separate rally has also been organised by the trade union grouping PAME, which is affiliated to the Communist Party of Greece, at the Athens Town Hall Square at 11:00. The strike has been called to protest against austerity measures in the new budget and to demand higher wages, curbs on high prices, increased social spending and lower taxes for wage earners. Trade unions are also seeking the reversal of recent laws that they feel undermines the institution of an eight-hour day and overtime pay. Also bitterly opposed is the recent draft bill for the reform of Greece's state-run public utility companies, known as DEKO. Workers in DEKO and public transport have extended Wednesday's strike to 48 hours to demand that the bill be withdrawn, while they plan a protest rally at 18:00 on Thursday outside Parliament against the bill. This means that public-sector companies and utilities will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday, while there will be no public transport on either day, except services on the Athens-Piraeus electric railway and the metro between 11:00 and 18:00 on Wednesday to facilitate strikers heading for the rally in central Athens. Trains will also not be running, except services for "social needs" and many flight cancellations are expected at airports, where there will only be one flight per destination. Hospitals and the ambulance service will operate with skeleton staff. [14] Municipal officials' protest unjustified, gov't says, KEDKE disagreesATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The protest of mayors and municipal officials announced for Thursday concerns a demand that has already been met, the Ministry of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentra-lisation said in a statement on Tuesday.According to the statement, the government has promised that the cost of converting fixed-term contracts to open-ended contracts will be assumed by the state budget. According to the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE), the issue remains open. KEDKE notes that Deputy Interior Minister Athanassios Nakos has explained that the reason the cost of the conversion has not been included in the budget is because the exact amount remains unknown. KEDKE claims that no provision has been made for the conversion in the 2006 budget, which is estimated to stand at ¬ 250 million for the hiring of 10,000 contract municipal employees. The Union calls on the government to resolve the issue, otherwise it threatens that Thursday's protest will be only the beginning in a long series of labour actions. [15] Greece failed to notify EU of working time measures in road transport, Commission findsBRUSSELS, 14/12/2005 (ANA/M. Aroni)Greece was one of 10 European Union member states to receive a reasoned opinion from the European Commission on Tuesday over its failure to notify the Commission regarding implementation of measures on working time for the road transport sector.Member states had to transpose Directive 2002/15/EC into their national legislation and inform the Commission of their actions by March 23, 2005. "Whereas we have since last week an agreement on more socially advanced driving and rest times and stronger controls, I regret that member states still have not implemented rules on working time that date back to 2002," Commission Vice President and Commissioner for Transport Jacques Barrot said. "The rules on working time include time for driving, loading and unloading, vehicle maintenance and administrative tasks," according to a Commission statement. "The aim of this legislation is to improve and harmonize social conditions of road transport workers on the European transport market thus contributing to better health and safety of workers, fair competition and enhanced road safety," the statement read. The other nine member states to receive a reasoned opinion - the last stage before an official complaint is filed with the European Court of Justice - are Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. [16] Cabinet decides to change hours of work rules for public servicesATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The inner Cabinet has decided to make changes to the system governing hours of work for public services based on the recommendations of the interior ministry, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos announced on Tuesday.Emerging from the meeting, Pavlopoulos said the system of summer and winter timetables will be abolished and working hours for public services will henceforth be either from 8:30 until 16:00 or from 9:00 until 16:30 throughout the year. He clarified that the changes would not affect services where special conditions applied, such as hospitals or schools, nor affect the rights of special categories of employees. The new system will begin to be applied from next July. Pavlopoulos said that talks with the civil service union ADEDY will continue in order to facilitate the transition for employees and make necessary changes, such as in day-care centres. The minister stressed that steps will be taken to avoid disruption and ensure continuity in the working hours of public services, while at the same time bringing them closer and enabling cooperation with European Union services. [17] Gov't to beef up competition commissionATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The government is planning to strengthen the competition commission to help it meet rising challenges, Deputy Development Minister Yiannis Papathanasiou said on Tuesday.Jobs at the commission are to almost double to 150 from 80 with new specialised posts to be added in fields including pricing, statistics and law, Papathanasiou told a seminar at the Athens Economics University. The beneficiaries will be consumers, he added. [18] European Commission steps up food safety checksATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The European Commission will be stepping up food safety checks within the EU in order to protect public health, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Markos Kyprianou announced on Tuesday.Kyprianou said that the Commission will be equally stringent in its checks of imported foodstuffs and feed as with those produced in the EU. Responding to questions posed by ruling New Democracy MEPs Antonis Trakatellis and Ioannis Glavakis regarding the safety of imported foods, Kyprianou said, "all food must be safe regardless of its origin." To this end, "the current framework provides for a strict approval procedure of imported foodstuffs," he added. Furthermore, the EU has increased funding for checks conducted at the borders as well as funding for new development plans and monitoring facilities, according to the Commissioner. Official checks of imported foodstuffs in all member states are being stepped up through a special credit sytsem, he said. [19] Germanos to build two accumulator clusters for Pakistani navyATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)Athens-quoted Germanos said on Tuesday that it had won an international tender to build one submarine battery accumulator type Agosta 90B and one X-Craft submarine accumulator for Pakistan's navy.Other defence contractors bidding for the Agosta included Seac and Exide, Germanos said in a statement. The Factory Acceptance Test for the Agosta 90B was held in Xanthi, Greece in November before senior officials of the Pakistani ministry of defense. Award of the two new projects has established Germanos' Sunlight operation among the largest suppliers in the submarine accumulator replacement market, the statement said. [20] Athens hotel occupancy rate rises in OctoberATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The hotel occupancy rate in Athens rose in October 2005 against the same month a year earlier, maintaining an increase in September, the Union of Attica Hoteliers said on Tuesday.Occupancy at five-star hotels was 58.78%, up 18%; at four-star units 57.87%, up 6.4%; three-star hotels, 52.39%, down 6%; and two-star facilities 49.59%, up 9.7%, the union said in a monthly report. In January-October, the occupancy rate was an average 64.5%, down 1.2% from the same period of 2004, which spanned the Athens Olympics, according to the report. [21] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop in pressure on blue chipsATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The Athens share index closed at 3,531.25 points, showing a decline of 0.20%. Turnover was 205.4 million euros.The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalisation shares ended 0.22% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.02 lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.25% up. Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 147 to 125 with 50 remaining unchanged. Stock Futures: Foreign Exchange Rates: Wednesday Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank: U.S. dollar 1.202 [22] Alternate culture minister continuing visit to ChinaBEIJING, 14/12/2005 (ANA/S. Aravopoulou)Visiting Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, accompanied by the Greek Olympic Cooperation Committee delegation, presented an informative proposal with the assistance of audiovisual means, providing Chinese authorities with a clear picture of Greek possibilities and of cooperation that they can offer for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.In all crucial sectors, from security to health, transport, information and infrastructures Greece gave on Tuesday, through an extensive presentation, explicit examples of know-how it had obtained from its own Olympic Games experience and of professionalism. Greek "recipes", which have been put to the test, attracted the interest of the Chinese Olympic Games and government delegation, about 50 people headed by Sports Minister Liu Peng and the Deputy Mayor of Beijing and executive vice president of the Olympic Games Committee Liu Jigmin and were sealed with the proposal for closer cooperation with their visit to Athens in 2006 at a time to be set through diplomatic channels. The Chinese sports minister also announced the official acceptance of the proposal made by Petralia in Beijing last July on the presentation of a big Greek exhibition on the Olympic Games in ancient times during the 2008 Olympic Games. [23] Athens Mayor Bakoyiannis awards students with special needsATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyiannis on Tuesday night awarded students with physical disabilities who succeeded in examinations for entry into instututes of higher education. The event was held at a Athens central hotel by the Municipality Office for People with Special Needs, on the occasion of World Day for People with Disabilities.Bakoyiannis expressed her admiration and support to these youth, while she noted that she knows at first hand what it means for a person to have problems in movement, given that her own mother has movement problems these past years. [24] FIX underground car park station in Athens begins operatingATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The operation of the underground car park station at the Syngrou-FIX Athens Metro formally began on Tuesday.It is one of the biggest car parks in Athens and the first of a series of such underground car park stations which are being built at Athens Metro stations so as to facilitate the public. Present at the inauguration of the FIX car park station was Transport and Communications Minister Michalis Liapis who stressed that the car park is one of the biggest and most modern in Athens and is incorporated in the integrated programme for the operation of car parks and which is advanced by the relevant ministries, following international models. The minister said that the aim of the programme is to facilitate users of public transport, to attract new passengers and for a solution to be found to the serious problem of car parking in Athens. The FIX underground car park has a capacity for more than 600 cars. It will operate daily from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and its price is very reasonable. [25] New painting exhibition by Dimitris MilionisATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The new, 7th individual exhibition by painter Dimitris Milionis, titled "Lefkolithos", was inaugurated at the Monohoro art gallery in the Athens suburb of New Psychico on the weekend.In this new exhibition, Milionis presents small-scale (30x40 cm) paintings from his new series of works covering the period 2002-2005, which is imbued by a unique Greek aura and relationship with Symbolic Art, which is representative of Milionis' paintings. A strongly surrealistic mood pervades his depicitions of the artist's timeless symbols in simple structured compositions which are the vehicle for insight into a personal mythology inspired by the Hellenic civilisation. The new series emphasizes simplicity of line and form, creating small esoteric social narrations in a representative presentation covering the artist's more than 20 years of creative pursuit. The works are characteristically Greek, imbued by an atmosphere potent with symbolism, allegory and memories of Milionis' spiritual sojourns between myth and reality, while his critically-acclaimed palette of earthen colours gives depth and an imposing aura of his metaphysical quest. A limited-edition painting by Dimitris Milionis was the gift presented by the "Patras Cultural Capital of Europe 2006" organisation executive committee coordinator Christos Roilos to Hellenic Radio/Television Organisation (ERT) president Christos Panagopoulos during the recent signing of the agreement under which ERT became a promotional sponsor for Patras 2006. ERT is due to be designated a "grand promotional sponsor" of the Patras Cultural Capital of Europe 2006 institution. Also, the issue of a series of six stamps by the ELTA (Hellenic Postal Service) in commemoration of "Patras Cultural Capital of Europe 2006", one of which will depict a painting by Dimitris Milionis, is currently being discussed. The exhibition, which will run at the Monohoro art gallery (www.monohoro.gr), 24 Agiou Georgiou street, Neo Psychico, tel: 210-6777980, through January 14, 2006, is open to the public from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Mondays, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. [26] Italian culture nights in GreeceATHENS, 14/12/2005 (ANA)The Italian Embassy in Athens is currently organising a series of cultural events throughout Greece, which began with a Tango Night at the Benaki Museum's new building on Pireos street in Athens, and continues on Tuesday with the theatrical performance "Sensaciones" (Sensations) at the Technis Theatre in central Athens, and a piano concert by Maestro Emanuele Arciuli, featuring a classical and jazz repertoire, at the Parnassos concert hall on Thursday."Una Noche de Tango", a Tango Night featuring the TANGartO quintet and two pairs of dancers enthused the audience at the new Benaki Museum facility's amphitheatre on Sunday, while a repeat performance Monday night at the Municipal Theatre in Volos received equal acclaim. The performance underlined Italy's influence on the tango, to which it has contributed the language of its lyrics, called "lunfardo", which is full of terms from Italian dialects, and also to its music through the Italians of Argentina and Uruguay, including Astor Piazzolla, Leopoldo Federico and Osvaldo Pugliese. On Tuesday, a performance of Sensaciones, directed and performed by theatrical actor and director Juan Jones, who is considered on of the most important promoters of the artistic and cultural bonds between Italy and Uruguay, will te staged at the Technis Theatre at 5 Pesmatzoglou street in central Athens. The performance will be repeated at the Ilektrikis Theatre in Volos on December 16, at the Kamperio Theatre in Ioannina on December 20, and at the Thessaloniki Municipal Library's amphitheatre on December 21. On Thursday, internationally-acclaimed Maestro Emanuele Arciuli, will perform classical and jazz music in a piano concert at the Parnassos Philological Society's concert hall at 8 Karytsis Square in central Athens. According to the organisers, each piece performed by Arciuli will be prologued by the internationally-renowned musicologist Acanfora Torrefranca, "in order to establish a closer communication between the artist and his music, and the audience. [27] 'Games without Frontiers' brings Greek and Turkish children togetherISTANBUL, 14/12/2005 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)Greek and Turkish children in Ankara celebrated the International Day of the Child with an event titled "Games without Frontiers" held at the Greek embassy on Tuesday.The event was organised by Athina Gennimata-Kritikou, wife of the Greek Ambassador to Ankara Yiorgos Gennimatas, in cooperation with the Music Academy Sevda Cenap and the Akyurt Children's Choir. [28] Cyprus President Papadopoulos: EU-Turkey partnership relation satisfyingNICOSIA, 14/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has described as satisfying the text of the EU -Turkey revised partnership relation, adopted by the EU Foreign Ministers.''What we had asked for and we could have asked for, that were on the agenda, have been incorporated and therefore it is satisfying," Papadopoulos said on Tuesday. Commenting the position expressed, that Turkey EU course should be linked with the settlement of the Cyprus question, Papadopoulos said that "other issues some raise are not on the agenda and cannot be added to it, as the issue of linking the partnership relation with the settlement of the Cyprus question." Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said that the references to the text as regards Turkey's obligations towards Cyprus are satisfying. He noted that all these obligations are included into Turkey's short-term obligations that have to be fulfilled during a short time of period, 1-2 years. Chrysostomides noted that the partnership relation text also refers to the EU counterstatement of September 21, which is now an integral part of the partnership relation. "The obligation of implementing the protocol and the normalization of relations with the Cyprus Republic as well is explicitly reiterated," he noted. He said "the implementation of these obligations, on the basis of the protocol, explicitly includes and the lifting of any obstacles and restrictions as regards the movement of goods, which refers to the potential of Cyprus ships to approach to Turkish ports and to the use of the air space'' of Turkey. The spokesman noted that ''Turkey must submit an action plan,'' as this consists "an explicit obligation on the basis of the partnership relation." He said this action plan must include the way by which Turkey is thinking of implementing its obligations towards Cyprus. He noted that as regards efforts to solve the Cyprus question, something new has been added, and the partnership relations say that Turkey has to ensure support to the efforts for a settlement. ''It is not only generally the support. This support must be ensured and this is refers to Turkey," he noted. Chrysostomides said that in the same paragraph it is stated that Turkey must contribute to the creation of a good climate to reach a settlement. He noted that as regards normalization it is said that there must be concrete measures by Turkey to this end. He also said that the partnership relation also includes the obligation of fully implement the European Court of Human Rights rulings and executing its decisions, apart from the obligation of complying with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights. [29] Cyprus president says Gambari's letter confirmation of UN positionsNICOSIA, 14/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos believes that a reply letter by Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim A. Gambari to a joint letter by the United DemocratsHonourary President and the leader of the Republican Turkish Party, is a confirmation of Kofi Annan's positions on Cyprus. In their letter, George Vassiliou and Ferdi Sabit Soyer invited the Secretary-General to renew his efforts towards the resumption of a process in search of a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of his proposal. In his reply dated October 24, Gambari recalled that the SG has on several occasions, "stressed the obligations of the parties themselves and the importance for both sides to focus on their overriding common interest, namely to agree on revisions so that the UN plan could command majority support not only in their community, but in the other too." Concluding, Gambari said he hoped that "your joint letter may be a step in that direction." In his statements on Tuesday, President Papadopoulos said "the reply given is a confirmation of the positions that I have ascertained so far." Noting he was not aware of the letter, President Papadopoulos said "I am sure, though, without knowing, that based on what I had discussed with the SG that this is his position." "However, this is another indication that no one can just undertake an initiative for a Cyprus settlement, especially at the SGÔs level," Papadopoulos added. To a remark that former President Vassiliou insists that contacts should take place between the two communities on a party leaders' level, President Papadopoulos replied that Vassiliou has his own views. "I am telling you that these initiatives yield the results we have just seen with this letter," the Cypriot President concluded. Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said there are serious chances to solve the Cyprus problem within 2006 if there is the necessary political will, mainly on the part of the occupation force. Commenting on Gambari's letter, Chrysostomides said the most formal document regarding the UN position is that of Gambari's predecessor Sir Kieran Prendergast. "This letter does not say anything different from that of Prendergast's report and what we must note is the indication by the UN to find a solution that can be accepted by both communities," the government spokesman said. He added that what is expected from the SG "is the start of a new procedure or an invitation to start a new procedure," noting that 'any new procedure, new negotiation should surely be held under the SG's auspices and within the framework of his mission of good offices." In a press conference earlier on Tuesday where he gave Gambari's letter to the press, Vassiliou said that as long as the Greek Cypriot side does not have any contact with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, and without preparation aiming at the resumption of the talks, Õwe are leading Cyprus with mathematical accuracy, to division under the worst possible conditions." He also criticized the Greek Cypriot side for not exhibiting great willingness to compromise for a solution and described the work by the occupation regime at Ledra Street in Nicosia as "unnecessary provocation." [30] Expansionist Turkish ambitions proved, says SpokesmanNICOSIA, 14/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides has stated that the Turks' aim to control Kykkos Street in Nicosia shows once again the expansionist ambitions of the occupation troops and the continued illegal occupation of part of the Republic of Cyprus.To a remark that it seems the Turks are pursuing to control Kykkos Street too, the spokesman said on Tuesday that it "proves once again the expansionist goals of the occupation troops and the continued illegal occupation of part of the Republic of Cyprus". To an observation that the commander of the occupation forces had made this clear to the UNFICYP commander, the spokesman said he had no official information on the issue. "However, I am aware of this and I repeat, it simply confirms the existence of the occupation and the expansionist aspirations of the Turkish army," the spokesman concluded. countgr: Command not found. 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