Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-02-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Poll shows continued ND lead over PASOK, gap narrows

[02] South Africa's Mbeki urges Greek businesses to invest in his country

[03] Archbishop Christodoulos counters critics, allegations in prime-time interview; says he will not resign

[04] Hyatt Regency in Greece shows higher 2004 profit

[01] Poll shows continued ND lead over PASOK, gap narrows

Specifically, ND was preferred by 37.9 percent of respondents, as opposed to 33.9 percent for PASOK. As far as other parties are concerned, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) earned 6.6 percent, the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) 3.7 percent and the out-of-Parliament LA.OS party 2.9 percent, just shy of the of 3-percent ceiling needed for Parliament representation via a general election.

Undecided respondents in the poll totalled 13.9 percent.

Results showed a decrease in ND's lead over PASOK in the wake of a similar opinion poll in October, when ND then held a 6.1-percent edge over PASOK.

Conversely, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis continued to hold a commanding lead over PASOK leader and former foreign minister George Papandreou on the question of "most capable" for the premier's post, 42.5 percent to 29.8 percent, respectively.

Moreover, 50.7 percent of respondents said ND would win the next elections; 21.9 percent picked PASOK.

In terms of political leaders' popularity, Karamanlis leads with a 60.1-percent favorable rating; Papandreou follows with 56.8 percent. Newly elected Synaspismos president Alekos Alavanos garnered a 39.4 percent favorable rating and communist party general secretary Aleka Papariga 35.2 percent. Finally, LA.OS founder and leader George Karatzaferis, who also serves as his party's only Euro-MP, earned a 23.4 percent favorable rating amongst respondents.

Beyond the political scene, the opinion poll also apparently showed a significant slide in Archbishop Christodoulos' popularity, down to 41.7 percent from 65.5 percent only a few months ago.

The opinion poll -- conducted by the Athens-based Metron Analysis firm - gauged respondents' views amid the ongoing corruption furor plaguing the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece.

(Caption: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, foreground, stands outside his Maximos Mansion office on Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, with Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis minutes before officially greeting visiting South African President Thabo Mbeki)

[02] South Africa's Mbeki urges Greek businesses to invest in his country

Addressing an event organised by the Athens Commerce and Industry Chamber, the South African president said that both governments were fully prepared to facilitate business and trade activity. He also stressed that an EU-South Africa agreement was a significant factor in attracting Greek investments in South Africa.

Mbeki noted that macro-economic stability and the high level of infrastructure growth in South Africa guaranteed safe and attractive investments.

Chamber officials noted that Greece was the 12th largest foreign investor in Africa's biggest and most robust economy in the period 1999-2002, with investments totalling US$250 million.

South Africa's GDP is almost equal to Sweden's, officials said, while its budget deficit currently stands at 2.3 percent. Annual inflation is running at roughly 4 percent.

Finally, Greek exports to South Africa totalled $15 million, while imports reached the $45-million mark.

(Caption: Visiting South African President Thabo Mbeki in front of the Parthenon atop the Acropolis in Athens, Friday, February 25, 2005. Mbeki arrived in the Greek capital on Thursday for a three-day state visit. ANA/ANA/P. PAPAIOANNOU)

[03] Archbishop Christodoulos counters critics, allegations in prime-time interview; says he will not resign

Christodoulos made the statement to reporters as he entered the archbishopric in downtown Athens, where he characteristically said the "Archbishop does not resign, he is annihilated."

The influential and outspoken Archbishop also appeared in a closely watched taped television interview aired by the private "Alpha" station during its prime-time newscast on Friday evening. The exclusive interview was broadcast almost simultaneously with the resignation of Thessaliotidos (Karditsa area of central Greece) Metropolitan Theocletos had already informed him in the morning that he intended to resign.

[04] Hyatt Regency in Greece shows higher 2004 profit

Consolidated turnover increased by 28.3 percent to 297.5 million euros compared to 2003, the company said in a statement.

The group's net consolidated pretax profits before minorities and tax totalled 93.6 million euros. After deduction of 22.1 million euros in minorities, the figure is 71.5 million euros, up 10.2 percent versus 2003, the statement said.

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