Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-02-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens confirms UN pressure to wrap up Cyprus security issues

[02] FM Papandreou in Cairo to discuss Iraq crisis with Egyptian counterpart

[03] Deputy FM seats in event of ''National Prayer Breakfast'' addressed by

[04] Name of Constantine Karamanlis to be given to part of European

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday

[06] Weather Forecast: Rain, snow on Friday

[07] Greek stocks fall to new five-year lows on Thursday

[01] Athens confirms UN pressure to wrap up Cyprus security issues

The Greek government on Thursday confirmed the existence of a letter from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to Prime Minister Costas Simitis, in which the UN chief calls on Athens and Ankara wrap up talks on guarantees required under the UN plan for Cyprus.

According to government spokesman Christos Protopapas, Annan referred to the issue as a ''particularly urgent matter'' and invited the two sides to begin talks at the United Nations.

During Thursday's cabinet meeting, meanwhile, the prime minister had noted a statement by a Turkish foreign ministry spokesman calling for ''a compromise between guarantor countries (for security and guarantees) on Cyprus,'' Protopapas said.

Simitis pointed out that Athens had given a positive response when asked by visiting UN envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto if it was prepared to enter into talks with Turkey on the issue of Cyprus' security, specifically the number of troops on the island and where they would be based.

At that time, he added, Turkey had not been ready to give a similar reply.

The UN envoy had then asked if Athens would accept an initiative by the UN chief to send a letter on this issue and the Greek government had again replied positively.

Simitis concluded that Wednesday's statement by the Turkish official indicated a shift in Ankara's stance, and this had given rise to increased activity surrounding the Cyprus issue.

Simitis also noted a comment by the Turkish spokesman that it ''would be natural'' if there were a third Annan plan for Cyprus.

Protopapas then announced that Simitis will be meeting with Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Monday and said that Papandreou would be meeting the UN chief and four European members of the UN Security Council while in New York.

He also announced that Papandreou was due to depart for Cairo on Thursday for talks with the Egyptian government the following day.

[02] FM Papandreou in Cairo to discuss Iraq crisis with Egyptian counterpart

Foreign Minister and EU Council of Ministers president George Papandreou arrived on Thursday evening in Cairo where on Friday he will have talks with his Egyptian counterpartAhmed Mahir on the Iraq crisis, according to an AFP dispatch.

The AFP quoted MENA news agency as saying the two men will discuss ''the Iraq crisis and the means for the resumption of the peace process in the Middle East.''

The Greek foreign minister will also meetArab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.

Papandreou arrived in Cairo from New York where he attended at the UN Security Council U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell presenting information of Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction.

The Greek minister's visit to Egypt is within the framework of his tour of the region. He has already visited Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

[03] Deputy FM seats in event of ''National Prayer Breakfast'' addressed by Bush

WASHINGTON (ANA) - Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos, during his visit here sat in an event of the ''National Prayer Breakfast'', on Thursday addressed by U.S. President George Bush and U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

Representatives from 160 countries participated in this annual event.

[04] Name of Constantine Karamanlis to be given to part of European Parliament

BRUSSELS (ANA - V. Demiris) - The European Parliament's presidium has decided to name a part of the European Parliament after late president of the republic Constantine Karamanlis, according to an announcement issued by the main opposition New Democracy party's Eurodeputies on Thursday.

''The Presidium of the European Parliament, during its meeting on 29/1/2003, decided unanimously to give the name of Constantine Karamanlis to a part of the European Parliament, recognising the prolonged struggles of the founder of New Democracy party for European integration and his wise contribution to the European idea,'' the announcement said.

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.090

Pound sterling 0.664

Danish kroner 7.492

Swedish kroner 9.272

Japanese yen 130.6

Swiss franc 1.478

Norwegian kroner 7.574

Cyprus pound 0.584

Canadian dollar 1.661

Australian dollar 1.845

[06] Weather Forecast: Rain, snow on Friday

Rain and snow is forecast in all parts of the country, with storms in the eastern and southern Aegean. Heavy snow will fall on high ground in the north. Winds variable, strong to gale force. In the north, temperatures will range from -5 to 3C; on the rest of the mainland and Ionian from -2C to 8C; and in the islands from 6C to 12C. Snow in the northern suburbs of Athens, sleet in the rest of the city with temperatures between 0C and 6C. Cloud and sleet in Thessaloniki from 1C to 4C.

[07] Greek stocks fall to new five-year lows on Thursday

Greek stocks continued plunging to new five-year lows in the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday, reflecting investors' worries over economic and geopolitical developments.

The general index fell 0.26 percent to end at 1,653.05 points, with turnover a low 51.5 million euros.

The Telecommunications, Textile and IT Solution sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.52 percent, 1.23 percent and 1.08 percent, respectively), while the Holding, Construction and Retail sectors scored gains (1.28 percent, 1.24 percent and 0.98 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.46 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.13 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.16 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.33 percent lower.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 190 to 96 with another 68 issues unchanged.

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