Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-01-10

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis says no election talk before EMU entry issue settled

[02] Greek society cannot forge ahead with Simitis' 'oracles' opposition ND party says

[03] Magriotis echoes premier on elections

[04] Papandreou to hold talks in Cyprus on Cyprus issue and EU accession course

[05] ND to create non-profit private universities when it comes to power, Bakoyanni says

[06] Italy's D' Alema in Athens on Monday

[07] Greek President Stephanopoulos concludes visit to Jerusalem

[08] Greek-Turkish talks on cooperation in fish farming sector

[09] Business development Centre created in Thessaloniki

[10] Men do housework and women go out as the custom of "women's rule" is observed in north

[11] Honduras-flag freighter sinks after taking on water

[12] Weak earthquake in Athens

[13] Farmer arrested for pimping for foreign women

[14] Fire in Edessa destroys three houses but causes no casualties

[15] Anarchist group claims responsibility for arson attack

[16] Turkish Cypriot pilgrims pray at mosque in free areas

[17] House president to undergo heart surgery in US

[18] The Athens Sunday Newspapers at a glance

[01] Simitis says no election talk before EMU entry issue settled

Prime minister Costas Simitis said Sunday it was not possible to speak of general elections before the issue of Greece's entry into the European Union's economic and monetary union (EMU) was settled.

In an exclusive interview with Kathimerini newspaper appearing Sunday, Simitis said he could not commit himself to a specific date for elections, "but I can commit myself that I shall not leave the EMU issue to chance".

He said that up to the EU summit in Portugal (in June) "we will be in constant and tough negotiations with our EU partners, and no one can leave this matter in the middle. If this issue is not first settled, we cannot discuss elections".

Simitis said he was confident of the outcome of the elections although they would not be easy, but, like all elections, would be the culmination of tough battles.

He said EMU entry was not a purpose in itself, for his government, but "a means to complete the economic, social and institutional rebirth of Greece". The main targets, he added, were to ensure stability and growth, together with social security, just distribution of the wealth produced, and improved quality of life for the city and province dwellers.

The premier rejected the view that "a new middle class is emerging in Greece, marginalising substantial sections of society".

"Today, there are specific policies for the immediate as well as long-term confrontation of those existing problems. Our basic aim is the participation of everyone in the benefits of progress. A society that is exclusively determined by the market, a society in which the market is not a means but the purpose, inevitably leads to a society where a section of the population is marginalised," Simitis said.

"We reject such a society, and this is one of the basic dividing lines between our policy and conservatism," he added.

Replying to questions on the course of the Athens Stock Exchange, the prime minister said that the political parties should not interfere on the stock market, but rather ensure a healthy framework in the economy in which the market operated.

"In this respect, I believe that the stock market will, in the visible future, rid itself of the elements of exaggeration and the unforeseeable, and serve as a source of financing investments, in a mature and balanced framework," Simitis said.

He said the decline in interest rates, EMU entry, continuous improvement of the economy and the country's growth momentum were crucial factors for the Athens bourse. Turning to Greek-Turkish affairs and Greece's role in the Balkans, Simitis said Greece was "always prepared to confront the issue of the (Aegean) continental shelf, the only existing problem in our relations with Turkey"

However, he added, "peace, stability, development of the region, all require a new mentality of coexistence of peoples and states".

He said Greece supported the efforts of the other Balkan states to meet the targets of their European vocations, and it was necessary to "deepen our relations, undertake new investment and business initiatives, all forms of collaborations, but without vain attitudes.

"The Balkans do not need new patrons, but genuine friends," the premier added.

[02] Greek society cannot forge ahead with Simitis' 'oracles' opposition ND party says

Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos on Sunday criticized Prime Minister Costas Simitis on his interview with a Sunday newspaper, saying that Greek society cannot forge ahead with his oracles and great transformations.

"Greek society cannot forge ahead on Simitis' oracles and his transformations, sometimes supporting completion of the four-year period of office and sometimes embarking on vagueness," Spiliotopoulos said.

"It is evident that Mr. Simitis is having difficulty in defining the scene. And this is so because he realizes that whenever he holds elections he will lose them," he said, adding that it is the prime minister's "self-evident duty" towards Greek society to clarify his position.

Prime minister Costas Simitis said Sunday it was not possible to speak of general elections before the issue of Greece's entry into the European Union's economic and monetary union (EMU) was settled.

In an exclusive interview with Kathimerini newspaper appearing Sunday, Simitis said he could not commit himself to a specific date for elections, "but I can commit myself that I shall not leave the EMU issue to chance".

He said that up to the EU summit in Portugal (in June) "we will be in constant and tough negotiations with our EU partners, and no one can leave this matter in the middle. If this issue is not first settled, we cannot discuss elections".

General elections are normally due in September 2000.

[03] Magriotis echoes premier on elections

Macedonia-Thrace minister Yannis Magriotis on Sunday reiterated the prime minister's decision that general elections would not be called before Greece's EMU entry was finalized.

Magriotis explained that the EMU process commenced on March 15, 2000 with the submission of Greece's application for entry into the euro zone and would be completed, after three months of negotiations, on June 19. Speaking in Thessaloniki at the cutting of the traditional New Year cake by his political office staff, Magriotis reiterated the government's target that it complete its four-year term in office, after which the people would be called on to judge its work, but he avoided actually placing elections in September, when the term expires.

[04] Papandreou to hold talks in Cyprus on Cyprus issue and EU accession course

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou is expected in Cyprus on Tuesday to discuss the coordination of policies between Athens and Nicosia in light of a campaign to be launched by the two governments on the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' EU accession course.

Papandreou will also be exchanging views with the Cyprus government in view of the meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem in Ankara on January 20, at which the protracted Cyprus issue is expected to be discussed.

Papandreou will also discuss in Nicosia the EU partnership relation with Turkey in view of the Union's next Council of Ministers which will take place in Lisbon under Portugal's EU Presidency.

[05] ND to create non-profit private universities when it comes to power, Bakoyanni says

Main opposition New Democracy party plans to establish non-profit private universities when it becomes government, party MP Dora Bakoyanni said Saturday night.

Addressing a party event in Yannitsa, she said the move aimed at stopping the exodus of Greek youth abroad.

Bakoyanni also said the "New Democracy government will increase spectacularly the funding for secondary education". Turning to political developments, she expressed the wish that "in 2000 ND will be the government and Costas Karamanlis the prime minister".

[06] Italy's D' Alema in Athens on Monday

Italian Prime Minister Massimo D' Alema arrives in Athens on Monday for a two-day official visit.

D' Alema's talks with Greek counterpart Costas Simitis will focus on bilateral relations and European Union issues.

D' Alema told Greek reporters in Rome on Friday that Turkey's European Union accession was impossible as long as problems between Ankara and Athens remained unsolved and a solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem was not found.

[07] Greek President Stephanopoulos concludes visit to Jerusalem

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos concluded on Saturday a four-day visit to Jerusalem and returned to Athens later in the afternoon.

Stephanopoulos, who attended a gathering of all Orthodox Church leaders in Bethlehem celebrating the 2000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ, on Saturday morning visited a Greek Orthodox monastery near the Dead Sea. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis. During his visit, Stephanopoulos met with Israeli President Ezer Weizman in Jerusalem, and with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Bethlehem.

[08] Greek-Turkish talks on cooperation in fish farming sector

Talks have commenced between Greek and Turkish businessmen aimed at signing a cooperation agreement in the fish farming sector, president of the Turkish Union of Fish Farmers, Iskender Aruoba, said Sunday.

According to an ANA dispatch from Izmir, citing Turkey's Anadolu news agency, Aruoba said the Greeks were interested in fishing on the Aegean coasts. "If the collaboration takes place under equal conditions, it will be good. Otherwise, the big fish will eat the small fish," he said.

"The prices of fish farming products throughout the world are determined by Italy. Greece has the biggest production of fish farming products in the entire Mediterranean basin. There is Greek capital in the Italian distribution companies. Greek production ability is about 50,000 tons of fish a year, due to EU support," Aruoba said.

He stressed the health benefits of eating fish, noting that the average Greek consumed 24.5 kilos of fish and seafood a year, the average Italian and Frenchman 19 kilos, the Spaniard 42 kilos, and the Turk 4-5 kilos.

Aruoba also noted that fish farms did not pollute the environment.

He said the fish farming sector in Turkey had no support from the government, while fish farmers received meagre loans only from Ziraat Bank, which were insufficient.

[09] Business development Centre created in Thessaloniki

An agreement establishing a Small and Medium Enterprises Development Centre in the Stavroupoli district, Thessaloniki, was signed on Saturday between the Hellenic Small and Medium Enterprises Chamber (EOMMEX) and the district's municipality in the presence of Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

The Centre, the first to be established in Greece, will be created by funds emanating from the Third Community Support Framework and will be completed in two phases in a period of eight months.

According to the agreement, the new Centre will be managed by a non-profit society comprising representatives of professional organizations of the northern port city.

The Centre will house mainly services offering information and technical support to local enterprises.

[10] Men do housework and women go out as the custom of "women's rule" is observed in north

Men did housework, cooked meals and tended to the children, while women spent the day in coffee shops playing backgammon and cards, as the custom of "Women's rule" was revived in northern Greece again on Sunday.

The custom is observed every year, among others, in the villages of Proskynites and Xylagani in the Rodopi prefecture, Kessani in Xanthi, Nea Petra, Hamilo and Strymi in Komotini and in Monokklisia and Ano Kamila in Serres.

According to the custom, once a year women take "power" in their hands and men don aprons and stay at home to tend to household chores. It hails from Eastern Romylia and symbolizes fertility. Events focus on midwives, a symbol of perpetuation of life, who parade through village streets on carts.

Men accepted this reversal of roles for 24 hours to observe the tradition, but a few men defying the custom and taking to the streets were chased by women and drenched with bucketfuls of cold water.

The custom ended with feasts, dancing and plenty of food, while foreigners present videotaped events.

[11] Honduras-flag freighter sinks after taking on water

A Honduras-flagged freighter sank Sunday after it took on water while docked at Kalamata port, but its five-member crew were safe and accounted for, merchant marine sources said.

The sources said the "Mattheos" sank shortly after noon after two of its lower compartments took on water for as yet unknown reasons.

The freighter, loaded with 2,500 tons of iron, had arrived in Kalamata port for refueling stop, but was forced to remain in port due to a sailings bank prompted by gale-force winds in the area.

The sources said the ship's two Greek officers and three Tanzanian crew members were all unhurt, while the fuel was being pumped out of the sunken vessel to avoid a spill.

[12] Weak earthquake in Athens

A weak earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale was ecorded Sunday morning in Athens.

The Athens Observatory's Geodynamic Institute said the tremor, struck at 8: 32 am, with its epicenter in Parnitha, the same fault that produced the devastating 5.9 Richter earthquake that rocked Athens on September 7, 1999, killing some 120 people and leaving thousands homeless.

Migrant runner fined, sentenced

[13] Farmer arrested for pimping for foreign women

A 43-year-old farmer in Halkidiki, northern Greece, has been arrested on charges of pimping for foreign women, police said Sunday.

They said Constantine Constantinidis had set up seven young women from Romania and Moldova, aged 19 to 27, in a complex of rented rooms he owned in Nea Olynthos village. They women were illegally in the country.

Police said customers paid 25,000 dr. for each visit, of which Constantinidis kept 20,000 dr. for 'rent', and gave the remaining 5,000 to the women.

Constantinidis is charged with pimping, while the seven women are charged with illegally entering the country and will be deported.

[14] Fire in Edessa destroys three houses but causes no casualties

A fire raging in the town of Edessa for four hours Sunday destroyed three houses but caused no casualties, while damage exceeded 50 million drachmas. The houses were empty at the time of the fire.

The blaze, whose causes were not yet known, started in a two-storey house belonging to Dimitra Karavasili in a central town street and spread quickly to the two neighboring houses.

According to initial reports, the fire was started by an oil heater which Karavasili left on to go to the neighborhood's church. Twenty firemen, six fire-engines and a municipality tanker-truck were used to extinguish the fire which caused a turmoil in the town center.

[15] Anarchist group claims responsibility for arson attack

An organization calling itself "Anarchist faction" claimed responsibility on Saturday for an arson attack against a car belonging to a private security firm. The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday in the Glyfada residential district of Athens. The organization demanded the release of convicted self-styled anarchists Nikos Maziotis and Kostas Kalaremas.

Another two cars were set ablaze, a few hours later, in the Exarchia central Athens district by as of yet unidentified persons.

[16] Turkish Cypriot pilgrims pray at mosque in free areas

More than 1,600 Turkish Cypriots, living in Turkish occupied Cyprus, crossed Sunday morning into the southern government-controlled part of the island to pray at one of the holiest Islamic shrines, the Hala Sultan Mosque, on the southern coast.

The 1,685 Turkish Cypriots, including young people and children, were ferried in 33 buses supplied by the government of the Republic and were accompanied by the Cyprus police and UN vehicles.

Many Turkish Cypriots were obviously moved by their visit and expressed their wish to see Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, reunited.

After the mornings prayers, pilgrims had lunch at a nearby restaurant and returned in the occupied areas early afternoon.

Police told CNA that they encountered no problems during the visit. However, police took extra security measures in and around the Mosque.

[17] House president to undergo heart surgery in US

Spyros Kyprianou, President of the House of Representatives, will undergo heart surgery at a specialized US clinic in late January.

Kyprianou will be at the Cleverland Clinic Foundation, in Ohio on January 16 to undergo surgery on the mitral valve.

The proposal to have the operation at this particular clinic was made by his doctors in London as well as his doctors in Cyprus, who believe the Cleverland Clinic is the most suitable medical center for this type of surgery.

[18] The Athens Sunday Newspapers at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS (Mitsis): "Guide on the Tax Bureau - Everything you need to know about the taxation of salary and pension earners, SMEs and self-employed, VAT, and fines".

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS (Rizos): "Pensions and grants in the private sector - IKA state-run social security foundation opens the door to participation in the major insurance companies".

ACROPOLIS: "Elections-Athens Stock Exchange in slow motion - The political developments linked with the course of the Athens bourse".

APOGEVMATINI: "Recognition of degrees of Liberal Arts Laboratories collaborating with European universities".

AVGHI: "Games with the elections".

AVRIANI: "Solution is coming for the illegal buildings - Breather for thousands of owners".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Invitation of desperation from Karamanlis".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "The secrets of the new income tax statements".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "April 23, 2000 the most likely date for early general elections".

ETHNOS: "Upset of the real-estate market - Supreme Court's explosive decision, with retroactive effect".

KATHIMERINI: "Elections after EMU, premier Costas Simitis says in exclusive interview with the newspaper".

LOGOS: "The country's big social problems remain open...and the political parties hold congresses".

NIKI: "Electoral exercises by the political parties - Opinion polls and EMU to decide the date".

PARON: "Clinton 'killed' 486 children" in bombing of Serbia.

RIZOSPASTIS: "The dreams of the peoples incompatible with the imperialist plans".

TO VIMA: "Changes in the public sector hiring process - Presidential Decree sets out the new credentials".

VRADYNI: "Pensions and lump-sum retirement benefits being cut - The retirement age being gradually raised to 70".

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article