Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-10-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] All Greek airports operating normally, CAA says

[02] Athens Stock Exchange opening: stocks plunge

[03] Work stoppage by hospital doctors until 2:00 p.m.

[04] Athens-Piraeus electric trains out of action until 2:00 p.m.

[05] Red Cross appeal for aid to Afghanistan, Tajikistan

[06] Stringent security measures in Greece following US strikes

[07] Thessaloniki residents alarmed by successive tremors

[08] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[09] Weather Forecast: Temperatures drop on Monday

[10] Premier Simitis says U.S. attacks unavoidable

[01] All Greek airports operating normally, CAA says

In an announcement on Monday, Greece's civil aviation authority (CAA)assured the public that all airports in the country were operating normally, albeit with heightened security measures.

[02] Athens Stock Exchange opening: stocks plunge

Equities plunged downward at the opening of trade Monday on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) as international markets responded to the United States attacks on Afghanistan with intense unease, exerting strong pressures on European markets and the Greek bourse.

The general share index fell 2.76 percent to 2,187.61 points at 12:25, while turnover stood at 11.2 million euros or 3.8 billion drachmas.

Individual sector indices were all moving down, with the biggest losses in textiles, down 5.91 percent; investments, down 4.96 percent; and IT solutions, down 4.86 percent.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was down 2.6 percent; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalisation paper was down 3.41 percent; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities was down 3.89 percent.

Of the stocks moved, only 4 were up, 300 were down and 4 were unchanged.

[03] Work stoppage by hospital doctors until 2:00 p.m.

Hospitals throughout Greece will be operating with a skeleton staff until 2:00 p.m. on Monday due to a work stoppage by hospital doctors.

Doctors unions throughout the country are now holding general assemblies to decide on further strike action to press financial and other demands.

[04] Athens-Piraeus electric trains out of action until 2:00 p.m.

The Athens-Piraeus electric railway (HSAP), a main transport link from Piraeus to the northern suburbs that connects with the new metro system, will remain at a standstill until 2:00 p.m. on Monday due to a work stoppage and general assembly by railway staff.

[05] Red Cross appeal for aid to Afghanistan, Tajikistan

The Greek branch of the Red Cross on Monday launched an appeal for aid to the drought-stricken regions of Tajikistan and Afghanistan, which will now come under additional pressures because of a harsh winter and the arrival of refugees and internally displaced persons.

Cash donations are accepted by the Red Cross at special bank accounts opened at Attica Bank and Commercial Bank, while it is also collecting winter clothing to send to Tajikistan.

[06] Stringent security measures in Greece following US strikes

Stringent security measures have been imposed throughout Greece on Monday, particularly in airports and military installations, following the start of United States air attacks against Afghanistan.

Transport minister Christos Verelis issued orders forbidding all flights by small private aircraft until further notice, while airports are on alert and passenger checks are exhaustive.

In addition, civil aviation authorities have been instructed to alert the Greek airforce so that it can identify and intercept aircraft that veer off course in Greek airspace.

Security has also been stepped up around possible NATO, US and western targets in the country, including US and NATO military bases on Crete, Aktion and in Larisa.

[07] Thessaloniki residents alarmed by successive tremors

Four successive earthquakes, the largest measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale, shook the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on Monday morning.

The epicentre of the quakes was located in a fault in the Asvestohori district, 15 kilometres northeast of the city.

The first quake, measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale, occurred at 7:50 a.m. and was followed by the largest quake, measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale, at 8.27 a.m. A quake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale followed just five minutes afterwards and a smaller quake of 3.2 took place at 8.36 a.m.

The succession of tremors alarmed Thessaloniki residents, most of whom were up and at work or in school, but no damage or injury has been reported at this time.

Seismologists at Thessaloniki University's Geophysics Lab suspect that the 4.2 tremor was the main one but are continuing to monitor developments.

They also said the Asvestohori fault was not very big, which was why it had never produced large earthquakes in the past.

[08] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

Indicative tourist buying rates until Monday

U.S. dollar 368.458

German mark 172.829

French franc 051.531

Pound sterling 544.851

Irish punt 429.202

Belgian franc 008.379

Luxembourg franc 008.379

Dutch guilder 153.389

Italian lira (100) 017.457

Austrian schilling 024.565

Danish kroner 45.464

Swedish kroner 34.725

Finnish mark 056.852

Spanish peseta 002.032

Portuguese escudo 001.686

Japanese yen (100) 306.429

Swiss franc 227.257

Norwegian kroner 041.886

Cyprus pound 588.331

Canadian dollar 235.032

Australian dollar 186.824

[09] Weather Forecast: Temperatures drop on Monday

Sunny weather is forecast in the west of the country on Monday, with scattered cloud in the rest of the country. Light easterly winds in western Greece, northerly moderate winds in the east turning to strong in the Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from 13C to 26C, in the west from 15C to 29C and in the rest of the country from 16C to 28C. Sunny in Athens, some cloud in the north and east, with temperatures between 19C and 28C. Cloudy in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 16C to 26C.

[10] Premier Simitis says U.S. attacks unavoidable

Prime minister Costas Simitis, returning to his home in Athens from his country house on Sunday, said "the response of the U.S. was unavoidable. Those who killed thousands of innocent citizens should be held accountable."

"Greece is struggling against terrorism and is participating in the framework of decisions taken by NATO and the EU," he said.

Simitis added that "we have requested that the response should be concentrated on specific targets" and said that U.S. vice President Dick Cheney reassured him of this and that humanitarian aid for refugees will be continued.

"I hope there will be no or few victims among the civilian population," he further said.

Simitis announced that the Government Council of Defence and Foreign Affairs (KYSEA) will convene on Monday to examine the situation but added that "the situation is under control, there is no need for any particular concern and there is no need for fear."

Replying to a question by the press on whether there will be a more active participation by Greece, he reiterated that the country is providing facilities at its airports in the framework of decisions taken by NATO and the EU.

"So far," he added, "there has been no request for further assistance. I hope it will not be necessary."

Simitis further said "the situation has changed the world's situation. One cannot say for sure that it will change for the worst."

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