Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-07

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] Security and economic growth take center stage in PM's TIF address

[02] N17 suspect Koufodinas taken before special magistrate

[03] Diamantopoulou in Israel, Palestinian territories early next week

[04] Prefect candidate thanks President for his position on German war reparations

[05] FYROM president forms team of experts to deal with name issue

[06] KKE says gov't not doing enough to help families affected by 1999 killer quake

[07] Foreign ministry event to commemorate Sept. 11 victims

[08] Greece, Bulgaria signal agreement on oil pipeline

[09] Olympic Catering's workers to strike over exclusion from sale talks

[10] Greek EU commissioner sees no room for complacency over jobs

[11] Gov't to set up employment commission

[12] Slow rise forecast in US investments in Greece

[13] Greek weekly economic review

[14] Greek stocks end week 2.92 percent lower

[15] ND candidate for Athens mayor visits head of ATHOC

[16] Meeting on sexual violence and human slavery at the EU offices in Athens

[17] Australian archbishop calls for boycott of church music concerts

[18] UN chief makes statement after meeting Clerides and Denktash

[01] Security and economic growth take center stage in PM's TIF address

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

''Security'' was the key word Simitis used, as he touched on the course of the country in general, the economy, the Greek family, the Greek citizen and the Greek society, in light of the successful efforts to eradicate terrorism.

'Today democracy eradicates terrorism and solidifies security for society,'' Simitis stressed, adding that terrorism is not ''resistance'', nor ''social revolution'', but a ''form of totalitarianism, an attempt to blackmail democracy and an effort to down rate those that fought for democracy''.

He called terrorists ''stowaways of left ideology'', while he stressed that the effort to politically take advantage of terrorism yields no results.

Simitis called for a more solidified national front against terrorism and reiterated that the aim of the government is the full and final clearing of every dark aspect of this case, underlining that ''terrorism is not a show, it is danger, which should be eradicated in a final manner''.

''Whoever works hard has results,'' he stressed.

Turning to the economy, Simitis spoke of the international environment, noting that it is turbulent, and underlined that there is a slowdown in the rate of growth, stagnation in new jobs creation and increase in unemployment rates which, due to the recession, increased in the United States and Europe as well.

In this adverse environment, Simitis said, Greece should react based on the principles of caution, claims and decisions, insistence on strong development and readiness for timely reaction.

The premier stressed that the aim of the government for this problem would be to make all the changes, through which security is obtained on the economic, social and national levels.

He said that the international crisis influenced the Greek economy and made specific mention of the decrease in the tourist arrivals and demand for Greek products, adding, however, that despite the problems the Greek economy grew more than twice as fast as that of the rest of the European Union and expressed the resolve of the government to maintain the same rates for the upcoming years.

In today's difficult conditions, he said, there is a necessity for understanding, consent and collaboration to win the battle of prosperity, noting that the government will forge faster ahead with structural changes in the economy, while the workers should contribute with their rightful demand for more jobs and greater participation in the prosperity, offering higher productivity.

In this effort in the economic front, Simitis said, the government provided the new taxation system as a key to competitiveness.

Speaking of Greece's convergence with the rest of the European Union, Simitis underlined that during the past ten years salaries in Greece increased from 68 per cent of the European Union's average to 80 per cent.

''Convergence in salaries comes with the convergence of the whole real economy, it is built in phases only with the increase in productivity and it can not be legislated with the signing of increases,'' he stressed.

He also spoke of Greek farmers, who, he said, were the focus of the government's policy, adding that Greece ranks first in receipts of financial support from the European Union per acre under cultivation.

The government, he added, in the framework of reforms of the common agricultural policy, aims to cut back on the support for the large farming ventures, so as to support the small and medium producers, who are the vast majority of the Greek farmers.

PASOK has unbreakable bonds with the farmers, he underlined.

As security was chosen to be the key word of this year's TIF speech, Simitis underlined that a priority of the governmental policy would be the security of the Greek family, noting that the most critical element toward the prosperity and cohesion of society is the support of the Greek family.

He noted that this support would manifest in increased security and fewer burdens on its income, saying that the recent taxation system reform benefits the salaried employees and pensioners.

He also made special mention of the European Union's enlargement and Greek-Turkish affairs, expressing fears and concern over the possibility of tension created by Turkey, in the event that the EU Copenhagen Summit does not set a date for the initiation of negotiations for that country's accession to the Union.

Simitis noted that the pre-election climate in the neighboring country has complicated matters even more so in regards to the European Union.

He spoke of the lack of will of the Turkish-Cypriot side to discuss substantial solutions based on UN resolutions, stressing that Greece's immediate priority is the enlargement of the Union with the accession of Cyprus in the first wave of ten candidate member-states.

He reiterated that the solution of the political problem is one of Greece's priorities, but does not constitute a pre-condition for Cyprus's accession to the Union. Simitis did not mention the possibility of Greece exercising its veto to block the enlargement process, but he did make clear that ''the enlargement begins with Cyprus as well''.

On this note, he said that Greece's priority during its EU presidency would be to conclude the enlargement process, and secondly to promote development and tighter social cohesion.

Another, priority of Greece's presidency, he said, would be the regulation of immigration.

In closing his speech Simitis spoke of Thessaloniki becoming the center of European developments in June 2003 as the northern port city will host the EU summit, and called for the continued effort toward the organizing of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Political parties highly critical of PM's address: Commenting on Prime Minister Costas Simitis' address at the inauguration of the 67th Thessaloniki International Fair, main opposition New Democracy (ND) party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos charged that Simitis ''insists closing his eyes'' to the problems of the people.

''Mr. Simitis insists closing his eyes in front of the major and real problems which the Greek citizens face daily. Problems which are noted with undeniable facts by the European Union, international organizations but also by members of his party,'' Roussopoulos said.

The ND spokesman said that at this moment of time five out of the ten poorest regions of Europe are Greek, two-and-a-half million Greeks are living under the poverty line and every Greek family has one or even two members unemployed.

''Is Mr. Simitis proud of this reality?" Roussopoulos questioned.

''By concealing the problems, insisting on the same policy of impasse, Mr. Simitis and his government not only render the aim of real convergence more difficult but also undermine even the nominal convergence,'' the ND spokesman added.

''The country's productive forces, the working people and the whole of Greek society today are seeking a different policy. A policy based on competitiveness, growth and social cohesion. It is now proved that the Simitis Government cannot guarantee such a policy,'' Roussopoulos concluded.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in an announcement charged that Simitis ''spoke as a neutral and irresponsible observer of socioeconomic developments.''

''Mr. Simitis spoke in Thessaloniki as a neutral and irresponsible observer of socioeconomic developments with his references to the problems of the economic recession, the low rate of growth, the issue of unemployment and the problems of agricultural economy. In essence he is preparing the working people to accept the new measures against them, which the government is advancing.''

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) said the prime minister in his speech showed ''a lack of courage'' to give a critical account on the course of the government's work ''and a complete lack of vision and prospects for the economic and social course of the country.''

The Coalition said that ''yet again there were no commitments and announcements,'' adding that ''he referred to the international economic environment without incorporating the Greek participation in the creation of this environment and without being aware of the serious repercussions the Greek economy is facing.''

PM arrives in Thessaloniki to inaugurate 67th TIF: Prime Minister Costas Simitis arrived in Thessaloniki on Friday to inaugurate the 67th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), the largest trade and commercial exhibition in Greece and traditionally the forum where the premier delivers a state-of-the-nation address and also outlines the government’s economic policy for the coming year.

Simitis arrived in the northern Greek port city accompanied by a government delegation, including most of the Cabinet members elected from Thessaloniki-area election districts.

The prime minister briefly referred to the city’s future prospects, citing it’s hosting of an EU summit next year and its bid to host the 2008 ‘World Expo’.

He was officially greeted at the airport by Thessaloniki prefect Costas Papadopoulos, who among others, called on Simitis to personally intervene in efforts to commence construction for the long-awaited metro project in the city. Additionally, he called for more decentralization and a strengthening of local governments’ standing and responsibilities.

Simitis will open the exhibition at 7 p.m., before making his address.

Simitis on Paris meeting on Cyprus: In his address at the 67th International Thessaloniki Fair, Prime Minister Costas Simitis expressed the hope that the decision taken in Paris by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to continue the intercommunal talks will finally lead the Turkish-Cypriot side to a different approach on the Cyprus issue.

In a statement issued after separate meetings with Clerides and Denktash, and a lunch he hosted for them in Paris on Friday, Annan said he asked the leaders of the two communities to return to Cyprus and work on the issues which he highlighted to them and meet him once again in New York on October 3 and 4, stressing that there is an opportunity at hand which is ''waiting to be seized'' towards resolving the protracted problem of the island republic.

Farmers rally outside Thessaloniki trade fair to protest government policy: Around 2,000 farmers on Friday rallied in front of the White Tower in Thessaloniki and later marched toward the convention center where Prime Minister Costas Simitis was marking the official opening of the 67th International Thessaloniki Fair, to protest the government’s agricultural policy and demand full reimbursement for cotton producers.

Shouting anti-government slogans and hurling bottles and wooden sticks against strong police forces deployed in front of the convention center, the farmers demanded to see the prime minister, but later dissolved the protest after their demand was not satisfied.

Meanwhile, police used tear-gas and two people were arrested when minor incidents broke out during an attempt by extra-parliamentary leftist protesters to break a police blockade and approach the “I. Vellidis” convention center.

[02] N17 suspect Koufodinas taken before special magistrate

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

Koufodinas, who surrendered voluntarily on Thursday when he arrived at police headquarters under his own steam in a taxi, was taken before Zervobeakas at around 13:30 on Friday.

His transfer to the appeals court building took place under heavy security with a large police escort, while a police helicopter began flying overhead several minutes before the convoy set out.

Koufodinas is alleged to be the 'N17' member with the codename 'Loukas' and stands of accused of taking part in 73 hits by the group, including 16 murders and 55 attempted murders.

Koufodinas remained in the examining magistrate's office for about 45 minutes, before being escorted back to police headquarters.

Reactions to top 'N17' suspect's surrender continue: The fallout from Thursday’s sudden surrender of Dimitris Koufodinas, apparently the last major “November 17” fugitive arrested, continued on Friday with numerous press reports printing the purported first conversations between the 44-year-old amateur beekeeper and members of the anti-terrorist squad.

According police sources liberally quoted in Friday’s newspapers, Koufodinas refused to answer questions on possible “N17” links with other local terror groups or offer any information regarding any other individual.

“A combatant does not give up his comrades and does not provide information to the police,” a source from the anti-terrorist squad quoted Koufodinas as saying. Moreover, authorities said the Serres native claimed he never personally had connections to any political figures, while also taking responsibility for all actions “N17” cited in its various proclamations. Finally, he reportedly said "November 17 is finished".

However, he denied any involvement in a series of bank and post office robberies blamed on “N17”, crimes confessed to by nearly a dozen suspects already in jail.

Koufodinas, who reportedly arrived at Greek Police’s headquarters early Thursday afternoon with a taxi from the port of Piraeus, later issued a statement – via an attorney -- claiming "political" responsibility for the deadly and until recently elusive terror band.

"The principle that determined his personal course was faith in building a revolutionary movement and his vision for a socialist society. He expressed his solidarity with all those that are held in custody in this case, justly or unjustly. He reminded that, in any case, the fundamental value of each combatant in such difficult times is dignity," attorney Yianna Kourtovik read on.

She also stressed that Koufodinas has informed her that he will not cooperate with authorities, "at least in the manner that was reported in the press.”

Simitis calls surrender of alleged ''N 17'' terrorist a significant success: Thursday’s sudden surrender of Dimitris Koufodinas, apparently the last major “November 17” fugitive arrested, was a significant success, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Friday, during his inaugural address at the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.

Simitis stressed that the surrender of the 44-year-old amateur beekeeper was due to continual and unceasing pressure applied by police, and criticized all those that cultivate fears and suspicions concerning terrorism issues.

He added that Koufondinas' surrender showed that the 'N17' core, its central group was disbanded.

N17 suspect Savvas Xiros fully retracts all previous testimony: Suspected ''November 17'' hit man Savvas Xiros, the first alleged member of the terrorist group to fall into police hands, on Friday issued a statement retracting everything he had said so far to the authorities.

In a statement released by his lawyer George Agiostratitis and co-signed by his brothers Vassilis and Christodoulos, Savvas Xiros said that the confessions he made were ''the product of one mind only'' and that the ''way in which they were imposed will be revealed as soon as we have regained our injured self-respect''.

''Soon there will be an account of everything that happened, what, how and why it happened, between June 29 (the day of his arrest) and September 5 (the day of Koufodinas' surrender). Responsibilities will be assigned within and outside the organization, beginning with the faces,'' the statement begins.

Xiros was caught in June after he was severely injured in an explosion in Piraeus, believed to be the result of a bungled bombing attempt. He has only recently been transferred to prison from hospital after multiple operations to his hands and eyes and many of the leads that helped police uncover the rest of the group were extracted from him through cross-examination while he was being treated in hospital.

[03] Diamantopoulou in Israel, Palestinian territories early next week

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

According to a press release from Diamantopoulou’s office, the EU Commissioner responsible for employment and social affairs will meet with several prominent personalities during her visit, including female politicians, peace activists and various representatives of NGOs.

Discussions are also expected touch on women's rights in general, both in the European Union as well as in Israel and the Palestinian territories -- including trafficking in women.

Diamantopoulou will have meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, Palestinian Minister of Labor Ghassan Khatib and Sari Nusseibeh, as well as leading members of the Israeli-Palestinian peace coalition.

Finally, she will visit women's organizations at the refugee camp in Ramallah and meet with the EU-Israel Forum press club and representatives of the Palestinian media.

[04] Prefect candidate thanks President for his position on German war reparations

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

During the meeting, Glezos thanked the President for the position he took on the issue of German war reparations last week at a ceremony held at Hortiatis, northeastern of Thessaloniki, where he said that as a moral vindication for the victims of the Nazi occupation of Greece, Germany should make reparations for the damages caused.

“We have specific proposals on how to effect such payment without harming the German economy”, Glezos said after the meeting. “Gemany cannot be self-excluded when both the Italians and the Bulgarians have already paid reparations to Greece”, he added.

[05] FYROM president forms team of experts to deal with name issue

SKOPJE 07/09/2002 (ANA- N. Frangopoulos)

In a written statement to the press, Trajkovski stressed that soon the public opinion of his country will be informed, on the measures he was willing to undertake for the future of the country, concerning the name issue.

An interim agreement that was reached between the two countries, pending a final resolution of the problem, expires on Sept. 13, but it is considered more than certain that it will remain in force with the silent agreement of both parties.

[06] KKE says gov't not doing enough to help families affected by 1999 killer quake

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

The KKE charged that the government had given negligible sums in compensation to affected families and for damages caused by the killer quake.

It added that the government has since not taken necessary legislative measures for protection from earthquakes.

''Three years later it is confirmed that the deaths, the dead, the injured was not the fateful result of an earthquake but the natural result of the policy implemented,'' the KKE announcement concluded.

[07] Foreign ministry event to commemorate Sept. 11 victims

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

Performing are Elli Papal (vocals), David Lynch (saxophone, flute, tympani) and Stavros Lantsias (piano, guitar, drums), directed by Yiannis Katomeris, backed by narrative by actors Themis Bazaka, Dimitris Petropoulos and Ian Robertson. The evening will also feature excerpts from the documentary "Ground Zero - Greek souls" with accounts by relatives of Sept. 11 victims.

[08] Greece, Bulgaria signal agreement on oil pipeline

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

''Oil is a fundament for both countries. We have formulated the necessary conditions for cooperation so that the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline may become a reality,'' Tsohatzopoulos told reporters after a meeting with Bulgaria's energy minister, Milko Kovachev, held in the northern port city of Thessaloniki.

The final decision to start construction of the pipeline that would traverse Bulgaria into northern Greece will be taken by the two countries' governments, Tsohatzopoulos added.

The wide-ranging talks between the two officials also covered natural gas, with both sides showing interest in a transit project for the fuel.

[09] Olympic Catering's workers to strike over exclusion from sale talks

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

Privatization negotiations are underway between Athens-quoted Everest SA and the government's consultant in a tender to sell a majority stake in the catering firm, whose owner is Olympic Airways.

Workers said in a statement on Friday that they had not been consulted during the negotiations, a promise they claimed had been made by Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis.

Ministry sources told the Athens News Agency that the pledge would be upheld.

Industry sources have said that Everest, a snacks retail chain, had upped its offer during the talks for purchase of a 51-67 percent stake in the airline's catering arm.

A final sale contract was likely in the near future, the sources added.

The other bidder in the tender was Grigoris Snacks SA with the Veroukas Group.

If bargaining with Everest breaks down, OA is expected to begin negotiations with snacks chain Grigoris and Veroukas, owner of a supermarket chain.

[10] Greek EU commissioner sees no room for complacency over jobs

BRUSSELS 07/09/2002 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

''A new enlarged Europe, with a high proportion of employment and major growth, is a realistic and feasible target. Nevertheless, there is no room for complacency,'' Diamantopoulou said in a statement.

Greece's commissioner was speaking after release of a report on employment in the EU this year that saw the future for jobs and the economy in the EU as uncertain, despite progress made in the second half of the 1990s.

[11] Gov't to set up employment commission

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

The commission will comprise representatives of the government, employers and workers, and non-government organizations, Reppas told reporters in the northern port city of Thessaloniki.

He was speaking after a meeting with officials of the Association of Northern Greek Industrialists.

[12] Slow rise forecast in US investments in Greece

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

Counselor Walter Hage of the US embassy in Athens also told a news conference in the northern port city of Thessaloniki that US companies were present in all stages of preparations for the Athens 2004 Olympics, including hotel renovation and infrastructure projects.

US firms were playing a key role in security for the games, Hage added.

He also said that adoption of the euro as a single currency in Europe had been welcomed by US investors, and would facilitate their activities.

The news conference by US embassy officials was called ahead of opening of the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, which begins on Saturday. Thirty US firms are taking part.

[13] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

In the week under review, the government unveiled a third and last package of tax reform aiming to achieve real economic convergence, social cohesion and boosting employment. Prime Minister Costas Simitis, presenting the plan, said that new tax measures aimed to benefit low income and small- and medium-sized enterprises. Simitis said that the total cost of tax cuts would reach 1.4 billion euros, or 1.0 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

Greek consumers participated massively in a call to boycott shopping on Tuesday, protesting against unjustified price increases in a series of basic products. INKA, Greece's largest consumer group, said that sales in food and supermarkets fell by 70 percent, while sales in the wholesale sector fell 80 percent in the day.

Main opposition ND political party leader Costas Karamanlis criticized the government's economic policy, accusing the prime minister of insisting that every was ok and hiding the series problems facing the country. Mr. Karamanlis noted that Greece was lagging all other European Union member-states in competitiveness, it was first in regional and social imbalances and faced a stubbornly high unemployment rate.

A new Athens international airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" at Spata ranked first in Europe and second worldwide in restaurant facilities and prices, according to an IATA report.

Social cohesion with the EU's average rates will be achieved after 23 years, if current growth rates and policies were maintained, a report by GSEE's Labor Institute said in the week.

[14] Greek stocks end week 2.92 percent lower

Athens, 07/09/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.14 percent higher at 2,066.84 points, after moving within the 2,050-2,080 support levels throughout the session.

Turnover was a low 82.4 million euros.

The Holding, IT Solution and Retail sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.94 percent, 1.88 percent and 1.53 percent, respectively), while the Bank, Textile and Food-Beverage sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.33 percent, 0.59 percent and 0.58 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.54 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.44 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.63 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 188 to 111 with another 58 issues unchanged. The general index ended the week with a net loss of 2.92 percent.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Coca Cola HBC, Intracom, Public Power Corporation, CPI, and Alpha Bank.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 71.5 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: