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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-06-26Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Tuesday, 26 June 2012 Issue No: 4105CONTENTS
[01] Obama, Samaras hold 20-minute talks by phoneUS President Barack Obama and new Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras spoke by phone on Monday, with the former congratulating the latter over his recent election victory and also asking about his health, given that Samaras underwent eye surgery on Saturday.The US president, according to reports, assured the Greek premier that Washington supports Greece's efforts to remain in the eurozone and to reform its economy, adding that the US will assist in this direction. The conversation lasted for 20 minutes, reports state. [02] PM accepts decision by Rapanos not to assume FinMin post (adds)Finance Minister-designate Vassilis Rapanos on Monday afternoon announced that he will not be able to assume the post, citing health reasons for his decision.Prime Minister Antonis Samaras accepted Rapanos' decision and sent him a letter of appreciation. "I want, first of all, to wish you a recovery from your health problem. I would like to thank you for the willingness with which you accepted the role ... and I hope that you will regain your strength soon and can contribute to the national effort. I know that we can count on your valuable services," Samaras wrote. [03] Papoulias to represent Greece at Summit (adds)President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias will head the Greek delegation at the European Union Summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, rather than Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, according to a statement issued by the prime minister's press office on Monday.The statement underlined that this decision is in compliance with European Union rules. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will have telephone communications with his counterparts within the framework of the preparations for the EU Summit meeting, the statement stressed. According to a ruling issued by the European Council legal service, the country had to be represented by the head of state. [04] PASOK, DIMAR leaders not to attend EU summit given PM's absence for health reasons (ADDS)PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left (Dem.Ar) leader Fotis Kouvelis, presidents of the two junior parties in Greece's three-party coalition government under prime minister Antonis Samaras, stated separately on Monday that they will not be accompanying the Greek negotiating team at the EU summit that opens Thursday in Brussels since the premier is unable to attend after undergoing eye surgery on Sunday. The three leaders will visit the Belgian and other EU capitals together when Samaras' health allows it, essentially to begin talks for renegotiating the terms of the Greek bailout.After a meeting with Venizelos on Monday, in which the prime minister also participated via intercom, Kouvelis announced their decision not to go to Brussels until the prime minister was able to join them. "We agreed that as soon as the prime minister has recovered we will go to Brussels together, to all of Europe, in order to negotiate and obviously strive for things that correspond with applying and implementiong all those things we have agreed in terms of the policy agreement, on policy convergence," Kouvelis said. Asked whether there was any change in plans to have banker Vassilis Rapanos sworn in as finance minister, following health issues that also saw Rapanos hospitalised over the weekend, Dem.Ar's leader said he considered the banker's recovery certain and wished him a speedy recovery. Venizelos said that visits to "decision-making centres" such as Brussels, Frankfurt, Washington and the capitals of major European countries playing a key role in the discussion on the Eurozone's future had been decided during the meeting. "We have to respect the health problem faced by Mr. Samaras, he has to follow his doctors' advice, developments are unfolding rapidly on a European and international level and we must monitor them closely and be ready to give the political instructions needed for Greeks to have a sense that there is a centre in the country that is governing politically with stability and prospects," he noted. Concerning the summit, PASOK's leader said that there would be no point in the leaders of the two junior parties in the coalition attending since there could not be any of the face-to-face meetings with EU leaders that would be more useful than the formal process of the summit. Venizelos said that he would visit Brussels on Thursday but only to attend the Party of European Socialists (PES) meeting taking place on the sidelines of the summit, where he would meet leaders of European socialist parties as PASOK president. He said that PASOK's proposals for a 'national negotiating team' was another issues discussed with Kouvelis and Samaras on Monday, adding that its formation would help set up a running dialogue with the opposition parties, with an standing open invitation to SYRIZA's leader Alexis Tsipras and other opposition parties to take part. Like Kouvelis, he wished Vassilis Rapanos a speedy recovery and said they had spoken repeatedly but not about politics. Also discussed during the meeting was the need to supervise the government's work in order to ensure its success for the benefit of society and the country. [05] Broad meeting on preparations ahead of EU SummitA broad meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and with the participation of State Minister Dimitris Stamatis, caretaker Finance Minister Giorgos Zannias, Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis, Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, Deputy Development Minister Notis Mitarakis and government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou, focusing on the preparation of the Greek delegation that will attend the EU Summit on June 28 in Brussels, was held at the Foreign Ministry on Monday.Discussed during the meeting were all the data, while the stance of the Greek side was also set out. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has been already briefed and will meet on Tuesday with Avramopoulos and the government's economic staff in order to give the final directions. A similar meeting will also take place on Wednesday morning at the foreign ministry. [06] SYRIZA once again rejects PASOK proposal for national negotiating teamThe Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) once again rejected on Monday, with a statement by party spokesman Panos Skourletis, the proposal by PASOK party president Evangelos Venizelos on the creation of a national negotiating team with the participation of SYRIZA president Alexis Tsipras as well."We want to remind for Mr.Venizelos that there can be no substantive and real negotiating at the European bodies as long as the commitments to the troika are valid and the policy of memorandums, unemployment and poverty is not questioned. Negotiating does not take place with wishes, vague intentions and contemporaneous oaths of faith in the memorandums," the SYRIZA spokesman said. [07] Gov't spokesman: Step-by-step renegotiation with TroikaThe renegotiation with the European Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) 'troika' will take place step by step, government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou clarified on Monday regarding the policy platform agreed by the three parties comprising Greece's new coalition government.Speaking on private VIMA radio station, Kedikoglou said that the agreement among the three parties backing the government covers a full four-year term in office, and explained that all the issues will not be put forward simultaneously. "For example, at this moment, the extension of the debt repayment is ripe for renegotiation, given that our partners have already begun to discuss this. We can put forward the issue of VAT reduction because we have figures that show that the increase of the VAT resulted in a reduction of state revenues, an increase in unemployment and a sharp rise in the number of enterprises that went out of business. These are matters that we believe can be put on the table on which we will find understanding and reach some other arrangement with our partners," he said. Kedikoglou added that the issue of taxation on investments will put on the table shortly, noting that "everyone agrees that Greece needs to attract investments, that it cannot be obliged to have a multiple rate of that in neighboring Bulgaria". The government spokesman further announced that designate finance minister Vassilis Rapanos will not be sworn in this week, due to the fact that prime minister Antonis Samaras, who underwent eye surgery on Sunday, has been instructed by his physicians to remain bedridden. Also, Samaras' physicians predict that the premier will be able to meet with the troika on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. [08] PM discharged from hospital after eye surgery, to have telephone discussion with Obama in afternoonPrime minister Antonis Samaras was discharged from hospital in the early afternoon on Monday following eye surgery the previous day, and is scheduled to have a telephone discussion with US president Barack Obama later in the day.The phone date with Obama is scheduled to take place at 18:50 local time. This will be the first discussion between the two leaders since Samaras assumed the helm of Greece's new three-party coalition government, and diplomatic sources said the talks will mainly focus on economic issues. Samaras' attending physicians said they are satisfied with the premier's post-operation progress, but said he must stay at home for the next few days and is prohibited from travelling to Brussels for the EU summit that opens on Thursday. [09] European Commission wishes PM speedy recovery, say troika mission to Athens soonBRUSSELS (AMNA - M. Aroni)Amadeu Altafaj, the spokesman of European Commissioner for economic affairs Olli Rehn, on Monday said the European Commission wished Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and prospective finance minister Vassilis Rapanos a speedy recovery and confirmed that the heads of the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) troika mission in Athens would be arriving "as soon as possible". Asked whether financing of Greece will continue, Altafaj noted that one billion euro in bailout loans held back pending the conclusion of the Greek elections will be disbursed through a decision of the Eurogroup within the next few days. From then on, he added, it was an issue of planning, with the need for an evaluation first and the briefing of the Eurogroup so that it could decide on whether to disburse the next tranche based on the troika's quarterly report. Concerning a Greek newspaper report claiming that 70,000 had been hired to the public sector in the last two years, the spokesman said that he was unable to confirm the number and clarified that the document leaked to the press had not been drafted by the European Commission. "Our priority is for the troika to go to Athens, in order to assess all areas of the Greek programme in detail," he said, adding that the structural reforms that needed to be carried out as a priority were the organisation of the public sector, which presented serious shortcomings. He also insisted on the need for a fairer and more cohesive taxation system, with the implementation of legislation to bring this about. [10] Prospective finance minister's medical exams normal, doctors reportTest results for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy carried out on Greece's prospective finance minister Vassilis Rapanos have come back absolutely normal, doctors attending the banker announced on Monday. Rapanos was admitted to hospital on Friday after feeling faint, one day after his appointment as finance minister was announced.He is due to be discharged from the private hospital where he is being treated on Tuesday but his swearing in - originally postponed until after the current finance minister George Zannias had returned for the Eurogroup finance ministers' meeting - will be further delayed to the illness of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who is recovering from serious eye surgery carried out on Saturday. [11] SYRIZA accuses gov't of being 'silent observer' of developmentsMain opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) on Monday accused the government of being a "silent observer" vis-a-vis developments in the European Union.Referring to Spain's decision to ask for eurozone aid to recapitalize its banks, SYRIZA stressed that this development "points at the European character of the crisis stemming from the exercised neo-liberal policy". The statement underlined that "the crisis will become deeper, condemning the European peoples to destitution and threatening the existence of the EU for as long as the dominant powers in the EU insist on austerity measures and fiscal discipline." SYRIZA stressed that "the Greek government should cease supporting the EU's dead end policy by being a silent observer of developments." The SYRIZA statement underlined that the exercised policy needs to be radically changed focusing on boosting economic growth and employment, by changing the role of the European Central Bank and the European Investment Bank, and on a European debt settlement that will put an end to the markets' impunity while, at the same time, introducing a new financial system architecture. [12] Dem.Ar does not object to privatising 'non-strategic' state companies, senior party official saysThe Democratic Left (DemAr) party is not necessarily opposed to the privatisation of Greece's state-owned betting and lotteries agency OPAP, senior party official Theodoros Margaritis told NET state radio on Monday."Privatisations that are related to issues of national strategic importance, such as energy and water, we do not agree with. On the contrary, privatisations on issues that do not impinge on strategic pillars of the public sector we can discuss. We bring gambling as an example," he said. He clarified, however, that while not opposed in principle, the party's final agreement would also depend on the conditions and sale price. "There are interesting proposals for public and private joint ventures, there is a field on which we can find alternative solutions," he said, adding that this was the only area on which the three parties in the governing coalition still had different approaches. [13] FM Avramopoulos visits Ecumenical PatriarchISTANBUL (AMNA/A. Kourkoulas)Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, who visited the Phanar in the afternoon, called for the blessing and the thought of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos for the success of the new government in Greece. Speaking after his meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Foreign minister said "the Patriarchate, apart from its historical role, has contributed decisively to the shaping of a new environment in the wider region as well," adding that "the creation of an environment of stability, peace and friendship with the neighbouring people of Turkey was always in our priorities." Avramopoulos referred to the new government in Greece and addressing Vartholomeos said "our country is experiencing difficullt moments at this time. Our society is suffering and a new government that expresses composition and unity has prepared a plan, a programmne that will once again open the path of optimism, recovery and progress." [14] DM holds talks through teleconference with Agathonissi NCO and Greek Afghanistan Force commanderDefence Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos spoke on Monday through a teleconference with the NCO of the Agathonissi guardpost and with the commander of the Greek Afghanistan Force in Kabul in the framework of his briefing from staff members of the Army, Navy and Air Force General Staffs on issues concerning the armed forces.Panayiotopoulos revealed through these talks that he will be visiting these units soon. Financial News [15] State Budget deficit at 10.874blm euros in 5-month period, lower than projected targetThe Greek state budget deficit amounted to 10.874 billion euros for the five-month period of January-May, lower by than the projected target of 12.896 billion euros, while the primary deficit stood at 2.349 billion euros in a substantial improvement against the target of 4.234 billion euros, the finance ministry said on Monday.The finance ministry said in an announcement that "according to the final data available for the execution of the State Budget for the five months January - May 2012, on a modified cash basis, the State Budget deficit amounted to 10.874 million Euros, a significant improvement relative to the target deficit of 12.896 million Euros set in the 2012 Supplementary Budget. During the same period, the State Budget primary deficit amounted to 2,349 million Euros, notably better relative to 4,234 million Euros primary deficit required to be in line with targets. Specifically, Ordinary Budget net revenues amounted to 18,173 million Euros for the five month period of January - May 2012, presenting a decrease of 661 million Euros comparing to the target (18,834 million Euros) set in the 2012 Supplementary Budget. This shortfall is in part due to lower income tax revenues relative to targets (by 305 million euros) following the extension given to corporations for submitting their tax declarations (until the 8th of June 2012). This revenue is expected to be collected in June. In addition, transaction taxes revenues were below their target (by 497 million Euros) due to the contraction in domestic demand while specific non-tax revenues also fell short of targets. Part of the above shortfall was offset by the receipts from vehicle taxes and the collection of indirect tax arrears due to intensified audits. Public Investment Program revenues amounted to 1,493 million Euros, against a target of 1,758 million Euros. This deviation of 265 million euros is due to delays in EU payments part of which is expected to be received in June. In total, State Budget net revenues amounted to 19,666 million Euros, undershooting the target set in the 2012 Supplementary Budget (20,592 million Euros) by 926 million Euros. This revenue shortfall was more than compensated for by the savings in State Budget expenditures for the first five months of 2012 that equaled to 30,541 million Euros, 2,947 million Euros lower than the year-to-date target (33,488 million Euros) forecast in the 2012 Supplementary Budget. This development reflects the significant containment of Ordinary Budget spending which are decreased by 1,510 million Euros, as well as the restriction of Public Investment spending by 1,437 million Euros. Specifically, ordinary budget expenditures decreased mainly due to the reduction of primary expenditures by 1,126 million Euros, military procurement (158 million Euros below the target) and net interest payments (136 million Euros below the target) comparing to the Supplementary Budget projections. [16] Trade deficit drops 14.2pct in AprilGreece's trade deficit fell by 14.2 percent in April, after several months of increases, the independent Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) said on Monday.ELSTAT, in a report, said that the total value of imports-arrivals, excluding oil products, in April 2012 amounted to 2316.9 million euros (3040.2 million dollars) in comparison with 2531.9 million euros (3645.6 million dollars) in April 2011, recording a drop, in euros, of 8.5%. The total value of exports-dispatches, excluding oil products, in April 2012 amounted to 1267.7 million euros (1673.6 million dollars) in comparison with 1309.6 million euros (1896.8 million dollars) in April 2011, recording a drop, in euros, of 3.2%. The deficit of the trade balance, excluding oil products, in April 2012 amounted to 1049.2 million euros (1366.6 million dollars) in comparison with 1222.3 million euros (1748.8 million dollars) in April 2011, recording a drop, in euros, of 14.2%. The total value of imports-arrivals, excluding oil products, for the 4-month period from January to April 2012 amounted to 9765.5 million euros (12782.7 million dollars) in comparison with 11023.3 million euros (15233.1 million dollars) for the corresponding period of the year 2011 recording a drop, in euros, of 11.4%. The total value of exports-dispatches, excluding oil products, for the 4-month period from January to April 2012 amounted to 5298.5 million euros (6977.6 million dollars) in comparison with 5085.1 million euros (7078.4 million dollars) for the corresponding period of the year 2011, recording an increase, in euros, of 4.2%. The deficit of the Trade Balance, excluding oil products, for the 4-month period from January to April 2012 amounted to 4467.0 million euros (5805.1 million dollars) in comparison with 5938.2 million euros (8154.7 million dollars) for the corresponding period of the year 2011, recording a drop, in euros, of 24.8%. [17] Finance ministry leadership meetingThe new political leadership of the finance ministry held a meeting on Monday to be updated on current major pending issues. No decisions were made in the meeting, which attended caretaker finance minister Giorgos Zanias, alternate minister Christos Staikouras, deputy minister Giorgos Mavraganis and ministry secretaries.[18] Greek industry federation president to meet EU officials on TuesdayThe head of the Greek Federation of Enterprises (SEV) Dimitris Daskalopoulos is due to visit Brussels on Tuesday, where he will have meetings with top European Commission officials on the sidelines of an event organised by the BusinessEurope group ahead of the European Union summit. They will include European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for economic affairs Olli Rehn.According to a SEV announcement, Daskalopoulos will stress the need to end uncertainty concerning relations between Greece and the EU and that this request major and bold decisions by European leaders to save the European 'edifice'. He will also note the need for Greece to reach agreement with its EU partners on a revised framework of actions that will ensure the fastest and most effective implementation of necessary structural reforms, combined with the need to deal with the repercussions of austerity and continued recession in the Greek economy and society. [19] SEV president to meet with leading EU officialsFederation of Hellenic Enterprises (SEV) president Dimitris Daskalopoulos will have meetings on Tuesday with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for economic and monetary affairs Olli Rehn.The meetings will take place within the framework of the presentation of the positions of the BusinessEurope employer organisation, ahead of the June 28-29 EU Summit. [20] Priorities of shipping & Aegean ministry outlinedSolution to the coastal shipping sector's problems of sustainability and privatisations of the country's ports top the list of priorities of newly appointed Shipping & Aegean Minister Costis Mousouroulis, who briefed reporters on Monday.He clarified that he will meet with all parties involved for open and honest cooperation, adding that the presidential decree defining the jurisdiction of the newly established ministry has not been signed yet. Referring to the sea cruise sector, he said that international experience should not be bypassed. Mousouroulis also underlined the importance of drawing up a 10-year operational programme for the ministry. [21] Report shows that Greek consumers have lost confidence in banks in 2011The vast majority of Greek consumers, or 81 percent, report that their confidence in banks lessened during 2011, based on the "Global Consumer Banking Survey 2012" published by Ernst & Young. The survey was carried out using a sample of 28,560 bank customers in 35 countries and included Greece for the first time. It showed that customers expect greater financial benefits in return for placing their faith in their bank.On a global level, only 44 percent of customers say that banks adapt their products and services to correspond to their needs and 70 percent would be willing to disclose more personal information if that would lead to an improved level of products and services. The global financial crisis has also dented Greek consumers' confidence in their banks, though 55 percent remain loyal to their main bank. Another 34 percent have changed banks and a further 10 percent say they intend to change banks within the next 12 months because of high bank transaction charges. Around 41 percent of Greek consumers have dealings with more than two banks and an overwhelming 95 percent of Greek consumers believe that there should be no charge for basic banking services. Around 45 percent of consumers believe that banks tried to adapt their products and services to the changing financial needs of their customers but without a satisfactory result. At the same time, 58 percent of Greek bank customers believe that a non-bank provider of products and services offers better interest rates for their deposits and 62 percent are Internet users or use social networking sites in order to learn about banking products and services. With respect to Greek bank branches, 83 percent of customers claim that branches should be staffed appropriately in order to provide better service to customers and 80 percent say they have not been registered in a programme rewarding their loyalty to the bank. [22] Stocks nosedive during Monday's session in AthensStocks suffered major losses on the Athens bourse on Monday, affected by the bearish climate in European markets as hopes started to wane that major decisions will be taken at a meeting of European leaders on Thursday and Friday in Brussels. Spain's request for assistance from bailout funds, though expected, generated anxiety and led to a rise in borrowing costs for Spain and Italy, while markets consider that Cyprus will also be forced to resort to the EU bailout mechanism after Fitch downgraded the country's economy. Within Greece, the health problems of the new prime minister and finance minister have heightened fears due to delays in taking decisions, as well as the arrival of the EU-IMF troika, while no decisions are expected to be taken concerning Greece at the EU summit in the absence of the PM.The composite index of the market nosedived 6.84 pct, falling below the 600-point barrier to end at 566.79 points. Turnover was a low 41.020 million euros. The Big Cap index fell 8.57 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 7.44 pct lower and all sector indices lost ground, with the greatest losses in Public Utilities (-15.09 pct), Telecommunications (-14.76 pct) and Banks (-13.88 pct). There were major losses for all blue chip stocks, with the greatest losses for PPC (-18.50 pct), Alpha Bank (-18.40 pct), Eurobank (-16.31 pct), OTE (-14.76 pct), NBG (-13.61 pct) and Ellaktor (-13.56 pct) suffered losses. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 95 to 26 with another 23 issues unchanged. Europaiki Pisti (ko) (16.00 pct), Lavipharm (15.19 pct) and Unibios (9.52 pct) were top gainers, while Hellenic Postbank (-20.32 pct), Tria Alpha (-19.87 pct) and SATO (19.64 pct) were top losers. Sector indices ended as follows: Industrials: -3.52% Commercial: -6.25% Construction: -6.55% Oil & Gas: -6.97% Personal & Household: -7.28% Raw Materials: -6.41% Travel & Leisure: -6.44% Technology: -3.44% Telecoms: -14.76% Banks: -13.88% Food & Beverages: -1.18% Health: -5.09% Utilities: -15.09% Financial Services: -8.36% The stocks with the highest turnover were Alpha Bank, National Bank, OTE and HBC Coca Cola. Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows: Alpha Bank: 1.02 Public Power Corp (PPC): 1.63 HBC Coca Cola: 13.50 Hellenic Petroleum: 4.24 National Bank of Greece: 1.27 EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 0.58 OPAP: 4.54 OTE: 1.79 Bank of Piraeus: 0.24 Titan: 12.34 [23] Greek bond market closing reportThe yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds widened to 25.29 pct in the domestic electronic secondary bond market on Monday, from 25.23 pct on Friday, with the Greek bond yielding 26.75 pct and the German Bund 1.46 pct.In interbank markets, interest rates remained mainly unchanged. The 12-month rate stood at 1.21 pct, the six-month rate was 0.92 pct, the three-month rate 0.65 pct and the one-month rate 0.37 pct. [24] ADEX closing reportThe September contract on the FTSE 20 index was trading at a discount of 0.72 pct in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday, with turnover rising to11.938 million euros. Volume on the Big Cap index totaled 5,464 contracts worth 5.865 million euros, with 19,872 open positions in the market.Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 45,157 worth 6.072 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Alpha Bank's contracts (18,479) followed by National Bank (13,664), Bank of Cyprus (2,727), PPC (2,259), OTE (1,841), Piraeus Bank (1,841), OPAP (1,349) and Mytilineos (846). [25] Foreign Exchange rates - MondayReference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:U.S. dollar 1.267 Pound sterling 0.814 Danish kroner 7.545 Swedish kroner 8.948 Japanese yen 101.06 Swiss franc 1.218 Norwegian kroner 7.610 Canadian dollar 1.305 Australian dollar 1.266 General News [26] Special event for Fulbright Program in AthensUS ambassador Daniel Bennett Smith, addressing a special ceremony in Athens last week, during which he honoured Greek and US graduates of the Fulbright Program, noted that educational exchanges not only promote arts and sciences but also promote mutual understanding.He said such cooperation marks one of the foundations of in the long-standing ties and friendship between the United States and Greece. Smith congratulated the 51 scholarship recipients, who hailed from universities throughout Greece, and who represent a wide spectrum of academic interests, including life sciences, cultural studies, engineerings, education, digital art, law, cinema studies and even landscape architecture. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bay Fang, a Fulbright scholar herself, was present at the event. [27] First governor of Greece's letters auctionedThirty seven letters written by the first governor of Modern Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias were sold for 26,000 euros at an auction by Vergis auction house.The letters were addressed to his close associate Alexandros Kondostavlos and were written between 1828 and 1830 and refer to Kapodistrias' huge efforts to put some order to the newly-established Greek state. [28] Two dead, two injured in shooting on CreteTwo persons died and two were injured following a clash late Sunday night in the Profitis Elias village of Iraklio prefecture, Crete island, where a strong police continent arrived early Monday morning to prevent the prospect of "vendetta" retaliations.According to early information, a 34-year-old municipal employee went to a local butcher's shop in order to settle his differences with the 52-year-old owner. The two men argued, and they started to throw punches, the butcher's 17-year-old son tried to separate them, but the 34-year-old pulled out a 9mm pistol and fired at least five shots, injuring the butcher in the legs, while one bullet wounded the teen boy in the neck and another bullet ricocheted, hitting a 64-year-old customer. The butcher ran to his car, took out a hunting gun and shot at least twice at the 34-year-old, killing him on the spot. The butcher, who had been shot in the legs earlier by the deceased, immediately turned himself in to police, telling them that he and his teenage son were the victims of an armed assault by the deceased and that he had acted in self-defence, forced to return the fire in order to save his and his son's lives. The butcher was taken to Rethymno Hospital, where he is under police guard, while the 64-year-old customer died later in intensive care unit (ICU) of nearby Venizelios Hospital. The teenager was reported to be in a non-life-threatening condition in the Venizelio Hospital's neurosurgery unit. A strong police contingent was dispatched to the village, but also the hospitals, in fear of a vendetta. [29] Robbers flee with 105,000 euros cashA Hellenic Railway Organisation (OSE) contractor, aged 50, was robbed by two unknown individuals on Monday morning in Thessaloniki, northern Greece. The victim was on his way to a bank branch in order to deposit in his account the cash he had received earlier in the morning from the Organisation's offices.According to police the robbers were riding on a bike, approached the man and grabbed from him a bag containing 105,000 euros. At about the same time two men robbed the female owner of a gas station. The woman was driving her car on the Lagyna-Laganas rural highway, near Thessaloniki, when another car cut her off, forcing her to stop. One of the suspects got of the car and after breaking her window, threw pepper spray at the woman and grabbed a bag containing 69,300 euros in cash and checks. The perpetrators of both incidents escaped. Police are conducting an investigation into the two incidents. [30] Wildfire on Mt. MainalosA wildfire broke out on Monday morning on Mt. Mainalos, Arcadia prefecture. According to the Fire Brigade the fire was caused by lightning.Four firefighting aircraft are dropping water, assisted by on the ground by five fire engines with a 12 member crew and a team on foot. Meanwhile the wildfire in Candia, near Nafplio on Monday was placed under control. A team of firefighters remain in the area to prevent rekindlings. [31] Winery Coop's bottling plant destroyed by wildfireThe damage caused to Tyrnavos Winery Cooperative premises from a wildfire that broke out in the area on Sunday afternoon has been estimated at one million euros, it was announced on Monday.The fire started on Sunday afternoon in a nearby area with brushland and spread to the winery's bottling plant and warehouse. The Fire Brigade rushed to the area and managed to set the blaze under control, however the bottling section of the winery was totally destroyed. [32] Fire at Papanicolaou Hospital forest extinguishedA small area covered with pine needles was charred by a low burning fire that broke out early afternoon on Monday in the pine tree forest surrounding Papanicolaou Hospital in Thessaloniki. Five fire engines and firefighters were immediately dispatched to the region and were able to extinguish it before spreading.[33] Rhodes shaken by 5.1 Richter earthquakeAn earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook the Aegean island of Rhodes at 4:10 p.m. on Monday. No damage or injuries have been reported.The epicentre of the quake was in the sea 25 kilometres east of the island. According to geology professor Efthymios Lekkas, the quake is part of the sequence of aftershocks that followed a 5.8-Richter earthquake on June 10. Though it was widely felt, it did not especially disturb residents and visitors on the island. [34] Homicide for insignifant reasonsTwo men aged 30 and 37 were arrested on Sunday for the fatal injury of a 37-year-old security firm employee early in the day in the Piraeus district of Rendis.During the investigation the two suspects confessed that they had a quarrel with the victim, who was patrolling the courtyard of a bank, and attacked and injured him with a sharp object in the chest. Residents called the police which found the victim covered with blood and took him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The two perpetrators will be sent before a Piraeus prosecutor. [35] Police raid nets 19 suspects in bank robberies probeA total of 19 suspects, including a Greek Police special guard, were arrested in Thessaloniki on Monday in relation to a series of recent armed bank robberies.The specific robberies were conducted by suspects fielding AK47-style assault rifles. Authorities said they seized assault rifles, handguns, explosives, ammunition, bullet-proof vests and cash, beiieved to be the loot of recent of robberies from several residences. The suspects are also accused of breaking open ATMs using explosives and attacking police officers. [36] Foreign executive arrested on VAT-related chargesAn Italian national, 56, was arrested on VAT fraud charges, it was announced on Monday. The man was identified as the president and CEO of a foodstuffs manufacturer based in the northern city of Yiannitsa. He was arrested for debts amounting to roughly 63,000 euros for the period May-Dec. 2011.[37] Turkish high society wedding on SamosThe eastern Aegean island of Samos hosted a high-society wedding last Saturday, with both the bride and groom, young attorneys Gozde ?ankaya and Ali Can Kolay, hailing from two of Istanbul's most prominent families.The guests included Turkish tycoon Rahmi Koc and his wife as well as Turkish celebrities, most of whom arrived on private yachts and with a specially chartered ferry boat sailing from the Turkish resort of Kusadasi to the island. The civil marriage ceremony was performed by Samos' mayor at the Doryssa seaside resort. [38] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceThe postponement of the troika (EC, ECB, IMF) delegation in Athens due to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' eye surgery as well as the crucial decisions for the Finance Ministry following Finance Minister-designate Vassilis Rapanos' illness, mostly dominated the headlines on Monday in Athens' newspapers.ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "No more taxes, no more salary reductions". AVRIANI: "Samaras' tough line in the". DIMOKRATIA: "The truth about Antonis' (Samaras) problem". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Medical thriller with political side effects". ESTIA: "Last chance for Greece". ETHNOS: "Finance Minister-designate Vassilis Rapanos the regulator of developments". IMERISSIA: "Finance Ministry's authority in mid-air (due to Rappanos illness)". TA NEA: "Greece in the doctor's office, euro in the hands of the EU top leadership". 36, TSOCHA ST. 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