Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-07-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Stephanopoulos begins three-day Luxembourg visit

[02] President expresses grave concern over continuing crisis in Balkans

[03] Gov't spokesman covers several foreign policy questions, reshuffle query

[04] OSCE assembly decides to create Med stability and security committee

[05] PM, justice minister discuss judicial appointments

[06] Greek ambassadors accredited to EU countries discuss Greek EU presidency

[07] Greece to participate in NATO exercise in Austria

[08] Kazakhstan president to visit Greece July 16-18

[09] Greek military chief in Czech Republic, Slovakia this week

[10] Government fixed on new health reform measures

[11] International management conference begins in Athens

[12] Greece ranks 23rd in UN index on human development

[13] New Spata airport named best tourist establishment in Europe

[14] Milk not dangerous in relation to BSE decease, European report says

[15] Greece to take part in EU-backed trade fair in China

[16] Bidders named in gov’t tender for mobile phone license

[17] Foreign exchange from shipping rises in Jan-April

[18] Gov’t spokesman says inflation rise coincidental

[19] Postal Savings Bank to remain under state control, gov’t says

[20] Gov't promises that delayed Hymettus freeway ready by June '03

[21] Greek fruit exports rise sharply this year

[22] OSE Inter Rail offers on the web

[23] Papantoniou refuses to comment on slumping bourse

[24] Greek stocks plunge to new three-year lows

[25] French embassy in Greece to hold event honoring Greek D-Day veterans

[26] New edition of "Ithaca" literary review in circulation

[27] Cyprus students visit ancient Olympia, offer 600 pounds toward Athens 2004 Games

[28] Supreme Court rejects appeal by Prudentino against his extradition to Italy

[29] UN top envoy hopes for 'something soon' in Cyprus talks

[01] Stephanopoulos begins three-day Luxembourg visit

LUXEMBOURG, 11/07/2001 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

The Greek president met and held talks with the Great Duke Henri, Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker and Alternate Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lydie Polfer.

Discussions focused mainly on bilateral, European and Balkan issues.

The Greek president laid a wreath at a World War II Veteran’s monument, and attended a lunch held in his honor by Great Duke Henri.

Later in the day, Stephanopoulos met with Luxembourg City mayor and delivered an address at the City Hall, calling on the global community to honor international law and uphold human rights.

He said that "international law is not always enforced in the same manner in all situations. Many times it is not enforced at all, because international interests supercede (international law), which have the ability to overstep (international law) and to abolish it".

Turning his focus to the ongoing conflict in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Stephanopoulos said that the problems that have arisen because of the conflict in the neighboring nation have an impact on Greece.

The Greek president expressed the hope that “logic and common sense will prevail” in terms of finding a viable peace agreement for FYROM.

At the same time he noted that with the help of Europe and NATO, both sides of the conflict should seek to find a feasible solution that would benefit all concerned, which he described as essential for Europe and the Balkan region.

On Wednesday the Greek president is scheduled to once again meet with Prime Minister Juncker and pay a visit to the European Communities Court.

[02] President expresses grave concern over continuing crisis in Balkans

LUXEMBOURG, 11/07/2001 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

The bloody conflicts in the Balkans over the past decade are justifiably causing concern for our country, Stephanopoulos said and, referring to the crisis in FYROM, added "an end to hostilities, the finding of a political exit to the crisis, the preservation of the territorial integrity and respect for the sovereignty of the country are substantive preconditions for stability in southeastern Europe."

The president said the other European Union countries also share Greek concerns, while "necessary measures should be taken vigorously in time to safeguard peace and future prosperity in the region."

In his address, the Grand Duke Henri said that Greece "is undertaking a unique mission due to its geopolitical position", adding that "being at the intersection between southwestern and southeastern Europe, in the middle of the Balkans and the Mediterranean, who would be more suitable than the Greeks to understand the sensitivities and visions of these regions?"

The Grand Duke further said Greece has undertaken the irrevocable commitment to contribute to peace and reconciliation returning to the Balkans. Developments in this region are of crucial significance for the stability of the European continent in its entirety, he added.

President Stephanopoulos also said in his address that Athens desires the further improvement of its relations with Ankara and expressed the hope that Turkey's EU candidacy will facilitate its adjustment to European specifications and, subsequently, will contribute to the full normalization of Greek-Turkish relations and a solution to the Cyprus issue.

He went on to say that Greece places top priority on a solution to the Cyprus issue, based on UN resolutions, and reiterated that Athens considers the accession of Cyprus to the EU as soon as possible as being absolutely deserved and natural.

[03] Gov't spokesman covers several foreign policy questions, reshuffle query

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

Spokesman Dimitris Reppas spoke one day after a ruling PASOK central committee conference ratified an earlier executive bureau decision - proposed by the prime minister - moving up the ruling party's 6th congress six months to October 2000.

In an unrelated development, Reppas dismissed any notion of a "divergence of positions" between Athens and Nicosia as far as the handling of the protracted Cyprus issue is concerned.

He also underlined that both governments are dedicated to a specific set of major goals, especially the island republic's European Union accession, an area in which "Greece has played a major role".

In other foreign policy matters, Reppas said Athens hopes peace talks in the strife-torn Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) will lead to a viable solution, while noting that a cease-fire in the neighboring land-locked state is being mostly adhered to.

Finally, regarding the recent general election in neighboring Albania, Reppas said that based on an OSCE report, the vote was "held under satisfactory conditions."

Asked about Tirana's stance vis-a-vis the internationally recognized ethnic Greek minority in Albania's south, the spokesman said Athens believes the Albanian government "is following the minority's issues; and we hope that with its (Tirana) handling it will contribute to an improvement in Greek-Albanian relations."

[04] OSCE assembly decides to create Med stability and security committee

STRASBOURG, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

French Deputy Michel Voigen was unanimously elected President, Greek Deputy Panayiotis Kammenos joint President and Cypriot Deputy George Lilikas rapporteur.

The Greek Parliamentary delegation attending the assembly was composed of Deputies Sifis Valyrakis (heading the delegation), Evangelos Basiakos, Panayiotis Kammenos, Panayiotis Kosionis, Constantine Tsimas and Elpida Tsouri.

Following interventions by Greek deputies, the Parliamentary Assembly adopted in the text of the Paris resolution, ratified on Tuesday, amendments submitted by the Greek delegation.

The amendments proposed that neighboring countries avoid the use of minorities as a means of undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their neighboring countries, condemnation of tragic losses resulting from hunger strikes in Turkish prisons and the urging of the Turkish government to speed up the implementation of recent measures it had announced, including the amendment of article 16 of the anti-terrorism law aimed at curbing these practices.

Reassuring its full commitment on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), which should be respected for the interests of all its citizens, as well as for stability in the region.

During Tuesday's session, the Cypriot delegation distributed a written statement concerning the "serious dangers posed for the environment and the ecosystem by the British government's decision to go ahead with the establishment of a second radio transmitting antenna in the region of the British military base at Akrotiri", which was signed by a large number of deputies of various nationalities.

[05] PM, justice minister discuss judicial appointments

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

In statements afterwards, Minister Mihalis Stathopoulos said no specific candidates were discussed, only the criteria for selection. The same matter will be discussed at Thursday's cabinet meeting.

[06] Greek ambassadors accredited to EU countries discuss Greek EU presidency

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to the ambassadors, Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi referred to the targets of the Greek presidency and the particular importance attributed by the country to the speedy completion of enlargement, as well as the strengthening of cooperation between the western Balkans and the EU in the framework of their European perspective.

On the question of the future of Europe, she said Greece is participating in the relevant discussion with the purpose of promoting issues contributing to the EU's dynamic development with the deepening of its policies and its gradual turning into a political union.

The ambassadors were also addressed by European Affairs secretary general Ilias Plaskovitis on organizing issues concerning the Greek presidency, as well as by professor P. Ioakeimidis on the course of the discussion regarding the future of Europe.

A discussion followed on better organizing the presidency and the promotion by Greek embassies of priorities during that period.

[07] Greece to participate in NATO exercise in Austria

VIENNA, 11/07/2001 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

NATO and non-NATO countries will participate in the exercise, which will last from September 10 to 21 and will take place in existing training grounds of the Austrian armed forces.

[08] Kazakhstan president to visit Greece July 16-18

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

[09] Greek military chief in Czech Republic, Slovakia this week

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

The Greek chief of staff will meet with the political and military leaderships of both countries, including Slovakia's Gen. Milan Cerovsky and the Czech Republic's Gen. Jify Sedivi.

A tour of military facilities in the two neighboring countries, among others, is planned.

[10] Government fixed on new health reform measures

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis on a possible suspension of the strike by public medical staff of the Social Security Foundation (IKA), Papadopoulos said that the work stoppages have only brought the country to a standstill and inconvenienced tens of thousands of people.

"The Greek health care system should be represented by one ministry instead of many," he added.

State health workers to begin rolling strikes on Thursday: Staff of the Social Security Foundation (IKA) confirmed an earlier decision to begin rolling 24-hour strikes on Thursday in a call for recruitment in the state health sector.

The Federation of Staff Associations said in a statement on Tuesday that 3,509 positions in IKA were vacant and should be filled.

Workers are also seeking an allowance of 60,000 drachmas, the statement said.

[11] International management conference begins in Athens

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

The 25th International Management Sciences Conference will conclude on Friday and will deal with "Governance and Public Administration in the 21st century". This event takes place once every three years and focuses on developments in management in relation to new technologies.

Greek Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou address the opening day of the conference, on Monday night, saying that global developments forced the reexamination of public administration management techniques, which should aim to promote productivity and social cohesion.

[12] Greece ranks 23rd in UN index on human development

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

The composite index includes life expectancy, schooling, adult literacy and income. Norway came first, and Australia second this year.

Presenting a report accompanying the data, the officials also said that Greece was placed 26th among 72 countries in a newly created technology gauge, the Technology Achievement Index.

Ranking first was Finland, followed by the US.

[13] New Spata airport named best tourist establishment in Europe

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

An independent study of 15 European airports, the results of which were made public last week, placed the new Athens airport on top of the list as the leading tourist establishment in Europe.

Special remarks were made as to the impeccable check-in service at the Greek airport as well as the overall organization of the airport, the expertise of the personnel, the unique shops and eating establishments and the airport's cleanliness.

Commenting on the results, General Manager of the International Airport of Athens SA, Dr. Matthias Mitscherlich told reporters on Tuesday that all handling at the new airport is promising despite the meager problems that arose in the first few days of operation.

He added that because of this encouraging development, the airport is gaining the confidence of travelers every day. "We are proud," said Mitscherlich "for the positive feedback we have received on the effort we have made to satisfy our clients, the various airline companies as well as all travelers, in such a short time since we first began operations."

[14] Milk not dangerous in relation to BSE decease, European report says

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

The report notes that there is no evidence of "bovine spongiform encephalopathy" (BSE) being transmitted through milk, thus the scientific committee of the Union believes that dangers from milk are negligible.

Despite this statement the committee suggested that milk produced by cows suspect of BSE not be consumed.

The minister said that this report was compiled by March 15 and was made public now to avert any "thoughtless approaches of the subject".

[15] Greece to take part in EU-backed trade fair in China

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

Representatives of the firms from the European countries will have the chance to meet officials from 200 Chinese firms from a range of sectors, the association said.

The event is backed by the European Union's executive Com-mission.

[16] Bidders named in gov’t tender for mobile phone license

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

The companies are Cosmote, Infoquest, Panafon and Stet Hellas.

According to sources, Infoquest will bid for the one second gene-ration license on the auction block, and the other three firms for the third generation permits.

[17] Foreign exchange from shipping rises in Jan-April

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

In April, the inflows totalled 737.8 million US dollars, rising from 537.5 million dollars in the same month of 2000.

[18] Gov’t spokesman says inflation rise coincidental

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Reppas said he remained optimistic that a target for the inflation rate would be achieved by the end of the year.

Commenting on the stock market, Reppas said the market was an autonomous organization and said that the causes of its current crisis were complex. He also urged politicians to refrain from commenting on developments in the stock market.

[19] Postal Savings Bank to remain under state control, gov’t says

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

"The Postal Savings Bank will not be offered to private investors, it will seek to acquire new services to ensure its further growth," Verelis told reporters.

He stressed that the real value of the Postal Savings Bank would be revealed following it’s listing on the Athens Stock Exchange.

G. Goumi, the Savings Bank's president, said the bank would seek to establish a customer-oriented culture and to improve ser-vices to customers through the installment and completion of an online system to its 60 branches around the country.

Mrs. Goumi said the bank planned to install five ATMs and to offer a new series of consumer products and a credit card.

The Postal Savings Bank has currently 2,500,000 customers with deposits totalling three trillion drachmas.

[20] Gov't promises that delayed Hymettus freeway ready by June '03

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis on Tuesday said court challenges against the highway's construction filed by neighboring municipalities and a noted prep school delayed the project by 22 months and tacked on 25 billion drachmas (around $60 million) to its cost.

Laliotis said the total project cost now stands at 85 billion drachmas from an initial figure of 38 billion. He said redesigns to avoid the destruction of a stretch of forestland - one of the plaintiffs' demands - as well as potential noise pollution and environmental downgrading led to 7.5 kilometers of the 14-kilometre roadway being built with the "cut and cover" method.

The minister made the comments while escorting a group of reporters on the construction site.

[21] Greek fruit exports rise sharply this year

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

Exports of oranges totalled 347,191 tones (up 39.26%), lemons 28,472 tones (+27.17%), mandarins 33,780 tones (up 9.97%), kiwis 31,130 tones (+13,332%), apricots 6,624 tones (+10.0%), apples 24,403 tones (+106.0%) and watermelons 121,165 tones (+1.0%).

[22] OSE Inter Rail offers on the web

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

OSE also said that a website has also been set up by the 29 Rail networks taking part in the offer, at (www.interrailnet.com).

At both websites, passengers may find information on the Inter Rail offers (itineraries, discounts), information on the cost of living, sightseeing spots, events and others on each destination offered, and personal experiences of people who have traveled from one end of Europe to the other.

The Inter Rail offer is a card that offers passengers unlimited kilometers of travel, second class, on participating Rail organizations, throughout all of Europe or to specific geographical zones selected by the passenger.

The card's duration is designated by the passenger, who can choose a travel itinerary of 22 days or 1 month.

Special discounts are available for young people under 26 years of age and for children aged 4 to 12.

Inter Rail cards are sold at OSE travel offices, major rail stations, and travel agencies cooperating with OSE.

[23] Papantoniou refuses to comment on slumping bourse

BRUSSELS, 11/07/2001 (ANA / Y. Zitouniati)

"Concerning the bourse, I believe that too many political analyses and commentaries have been made. The most appropriate and responsible response would be to let the market find its own way in line with the favorable performance of the Greek economy and Greek firms," Papantoniou told journalists in reply to a question.

He was in Brussels to attend a meeting of European Union finance ministers.

"As you know, the Europeans are not like us. In Europe, ministers do not get involved with the performance of the stock exchange, because all ministers know that they cannot affect the psychology of the market," Papantoniou added.

Asked to comment on talk of a government reshuffle for economic portfolios sparked by the bourse's decline and a rise in inflation, the minister replied: "This scenario has already been played twice. I do not think that there is any sense in returning to it."

[24] Greek stocks plunge to new three-year lows

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

The general index ended 1.49 percent lower at 2,507.18 points, after falling as much as 3.0 percent early in the session. Turnover was an improved 43.5 billion drachmas.

Blue chip stocks remained under heavy pressure, with the banks index falling 2.87 percent, and the holdings index ending 2.83 percent lower. Textiles and Telecoms, however, managed to claw small gains (0.83 percent and 0.18 percent respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 2.10 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 1.22 percent and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP index eased 1.29 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 219 to 100 with another 40 issues unchanged.

Traders said market sentiment was undermined on Tuesday by rumors of a partial government reshuffle, with changes in the finance posts and the stock market.

A report by Merrill Lynch, indicating that the stock market's crisis would negatively affect Greek banks' results and recommending its customers to limit their positions in National Bank, Commercial Bank and Alpha Bank with a forecast for a 10-25 percent further decline of their share prices, was another factor undermining sentiment on the Greek bourse.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 0.85 percent down.

Of 359 stocks traded, decliners led advancers at 235 to 87 with another 37 issues unchanged.

Bond prices mixed in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished mixed in moderate trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.58 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 47 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 660 million euros (225.1 billion drachmas).

Buy orders accounted for around half of turnover.

ADEX joins IOSCO as affiliate member: The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), in its 26th annual conference, accepted the Athens Derivatives Exchange (ADEX) as an affiliate member along with the Pan-American Development Bank, the Union of Mutual Funds' Managers of Canada and the stock exchanges of Toronto, Chicago and Singapore.

IOSCO's members now total 172 markets.

At the Stockholm conference, June 23-29, Capital Markets’ Commission chairman, Stavros Thomadakis, represented Greece. A total of 650 participants from 97 countries attended the conference, titled "Capital Markets in the Information Era".

IOSCO published a survey on securities' transaction on the Inter-net and decided to form work groups to evaluate the implementation of cooperation between regulatory authorities, the role and behavior of market analysts, implementation of accounting standards for all securities products, and examining issues related to trading halts.

IOSCO accepted four new regular members: Vietnam's Capital Markets Commission, Bosnia-Serb Republic's Capital Markets Commission and the commissions from Estonia and Slovakia.

The next IOSCO conference will be held in Istanbul, May 18-24, 2002.

Greece's Capital Markets' Commission signed cooperation proto-cols with its counterpart in the Czech Republic and Bosnia-Herzegovina and had contacts with market authorities from Tunis, Canada, Turkey and Russia.

Equity futures slump in nervous trade: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange slumped by up to 2.0 percent in heavy, nervous trade on Tuesday with dumping focused mainly on blue chip contracts.

A sharply declining market in the Athens Stock Exchange dampened sentiment in derivatives.

Traded were 13,490 contracts on turnover of 88.7 million euros.

[25] French embassy in Greece to hold event honoring Greek D-Day veterans

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

French Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert will honor the Greek veterans, on the anniversary of France's national day. Ripert, in the name of the French people, will honor with commemorative medallions the Greek men that helped make that day possible, leading to the liberation of France and the continent from Nazi occupation.

In his message to the event, that will take place at the French School of Archaeology in Athens, Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos noted that this is the first time France honors, in this special way, the Greek veterans of that historic landing in Normandy, an operation of great "importance for the outcome of World War II".

On June 6, 1944, three Greek warships - Tombazis, Kriezis and St. Spyridon - participated in the landing of the allied forces in Normandy. Many hundreds of Greek soldiers and four commandeered merchant ships, together with the forces of another 17 nations, participated in the greatest naval operation in history.

"Many hundreds of Greek sailors, as crews of those ships, participated along with the forces of other nations in the greatest naval operation in history, which allowed for the liberation of Europe and the final victory of the allies," Stephanopoulos' message read.

French President Jacques Chirac, in his message, noted that "no one forgets that Greece participated in that amazing military operation. At the side of the forces of another 13 nations, with two warships and many hundreds of soldiers, Greece contributed to the final victory against fascism and proved, often with the sacrifice of its men, its willingness to defend the values of peace, freedom and dignity".

Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will be present at the event and will address the gathering, while Cpt. Grigoris Pavlakis, a survivor of that day, will voice his memories.

Pavlakis will relate the story of Kriezis' commander at the time, late admiral Dimitris Kiosses and Tombazis' commander at the time, late admiral George Panagiotopoulos as well as the story of his brothers in arms, most of whom are no longer alive.

The old sailor will remember Churchill's statement to the troops, which stressed in that inimitable voice and tone "Today, in the early hours naval forces of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, Poland, Norway, Holland and Greece landed in Europe. Operation are proceeding according to plan".

All nine survivors still alive today will be present at the event, which will precede the celebration of France's national day. Along with the nine men, the relatives of those that fell on that fateful day will be honored for their ultimate sacrifice.

[26] New edition of "Ithaca" literary review in circulation

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

The new volume focuses on the double-identity or indefinable syndrome in literature, which the writers of the publication, namely Artemis Leondi, Vasilis Lambropoulos and Vaggelis Kalotihos, claim does not only concern the science community.

The publication also features a special interview with Mario Viti, who speaks about his re-released scholarly demise "History of Modern Greek Literature". In a separate segment playwright Iakovos Kambanelis transports readers, through his own plays, to contemporary Greek theater works.

For its production, the new publication required the expertise of a score of university professors, novelists, literary critics and journalists.

[27] Cyprus students visit ancient Olympia, offer 600 pounds toward Athens 2004 Games

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

The 180 students delivered 600 Cyprus pounds to the ministry in support of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, these moneys were collected in 1999 during a fundraiser at the high school.

The same amount was returned to the students, toward their expenses incurred during their visit.

[28] Supreme Court rejects appeal by Prudentino against his extradition to Italy

Athens, 11/07/2001 (ANA)

The Italian authorities are seeking his extradition on grounds that he had created a gang with the purpose of smuggling cigarettes abroad and had bribed civil servants. He allegedly perpetrated these acts in the city of Ostuni, Italy, between 1996-1997.

The Supreme Court rejected the Italian's allegations that his extradition is being sought for political reasons and decided that the purpose is his penal punishment for actions subject to the penal law.

Following the court's ruling, it is in the discretion of the justice minister whether or not he will sign the decision to extradite Prudentino to Italy.

[29] UN top envoy hopes for 'something soon' in Cyprus talks

NICOSIA, 11/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

However, he expressed hope that there will be something soon, which could provide a pleasant surprise to people.

"There is nothing yet tangible, I hope there will be and I hope there will be soon and I hope people will be pleasantly surprised but there is nothing as of now," de Soto told CNA on Tuesday.

He was invited to comment on increasing press speculation on various scenarios relating to UN attempts to resume the stalled peace talks, interrupted by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash last year who declared the proximity talks process a waste of time.

The UN high-ranking diplomat described press reports on the matter as "just speculation".

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