Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece celebrates rejection of Italian ultimatum in WWII

[02] FM Papandreou leads PASOK delegation at Socialist Int'l meeting in Brazil

[03] Greeks favor UN for Iraq's reconstruction, Eurobarometer poll finds

[04] Public order ministry issues report Olympic security

[05] Defense minister inaugurates new military school in N. Greece

[06] WINPEACE Greek and Turkish women's initiative: Common programs presented

[07] PPC's public offering 6.7 times oversubscribed, gov’t says

[08] Greece, Cyprus to cooperate in agriculture

[09] Social responsibility sought in EU textiles sector

[10] Dimosari Ravine on Evia ready to receive visitors after 'improvements'

[11] Successful PPC flotation leads ASE higher on Monday

[12] Attorneys for 'Thesprotia three' address court in N17 trial

[13] Bank robbers get away with 260,000 euros in central Athens

[14] Former premier awarded Athens agricultural university medal

[15] Cyprus demands implementation of ECHR ruling in Loizidou case

[16] Belgian Senate believes accession will boost Cyprus settlement

[01] Greece celebrates rejection of Italian ultimatum in WWII

Athens, 29/10/2003 (ANA)

Stephanopoulos told reporters after the event that key concepts of freedom, patriots, Greeks, and the national flag acquired significance when they matched sentiments.

On Monday, he told an officers' club in Thessaloniki that civil servants who failed to respect and serve the public could not be called patriots; or people who sought wealth illegitimately, including what he called ''parasites'' that fed on public money and went unpunished.

In a message for the October 28 holiday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said that gains needed to be consolidated; Greece was powerful enough today to take on new challenges.

The leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, said that Greece now faced a historic challenge as it had in 1940; that of striving in the front line for prosperity and security in Europe.

National Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said that the upgraded capacity of the armed forces attested to an ongoing modernization drive.

The Communist Party of Greece said the October 28 holiday only acquired real significance if timely conclusions were drawn from the historical event that matched the interests of the people; and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology under-lined that the spirit among Greeks of resistance against fascism had acquired a new, internationalist and global dimension.

A schoolchildren's parade was held in Athens to mark October 28 anniversary with Education Minister Petros Efthymiou and Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni looking on.

In Iraklion, Crete, Press and Mass Media Minister Christos Protopappas attended a celebration.

October 28 was also celebrated in Cyprus in an anniversary event led by President Tassos Papadopoulos.

In the US, the World Council of Hellenes Abroad lauded the heroic resistance of Greeks in 1940.

Ethnic Greeks in Albania also celebrated ''Ochi'' (''No'') Day.

Greece faces historic challenge, ND leader Karamanlis says in OCHI Day message: Greece today, just as in 1940, finds itself facing a historic challenge, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis said Monday, on the eve of the 63rd anniversary of the October 28, 1940 OCHI Day national holiday commemorating the historic day on which the country rejected Italy's ultimatum and joined the fight against Fascism in World War II.

Today, he said, Greece was facing the historic challenge of whether it would fight on the front line for a Europe of prosperity and security for all.

Greece's history, civilization and its place in Europe and the southeastern Mediterranean demanded that it take up the challenge, as did the country's vision for building a truly strong Greece and a society of growth, cohesion, progress and solidarity.

In 1940, he said, the Greeks fought not only for Greece, but with heroism and self-denial, optimism and strength, they fought on the front line of the free world's battle for peace, democracy and the dignity of the peoples. The Second World War, he continued, was the climax of a relentless international antagonism and the horrific outcome of the perception that one country's loss was the other country's gain. "It was a clear-cut lesson to all those who supported intolerance, isolationism and conflict".

Today, 63 years later, the ND leader continued, the people of Europe have transcended the enmities of the past, and the European Union is the biggest wager of the current century, both for the European continent and also the entire world.

He said that the Europeans were actively proving that the way to the values for which the Greeks fought in 1940 -- peace, democracy and human dignity -- could be achieved only through cooperation, and the building of relations of solidarity and confidence among the peoples.

President Stephanopoulos unveils memorial for Jews fallen in 1940-41: Greek President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Monday unveiled a memorial in Thessaloniki for Greek Jews that fell during the 1940-41 war by Greece against the Axis powers.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Macedonia-Thrace Minister Haris Kastanidis and main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis.

[02] FM Papandreou leads PASOK delegation at Socialist Int'l meeting in Brazil

SAO PAOLO 29/10/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou was scheduled to speak on the topic of “Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts in the New International Environment”.

Earlier, the Greek FM called da Silva, better known as Lula in South America’s largest country, as a “personality that inspires hope for a better world”. Discussions also turned to the issue of European integration, something that apparently interests the Brazilian leadership, while the latter expressed poorer countries’ displeasure with the American and European agriculture policy.

Moreover, da Silva signed the “Olympic Truce” declaration, an initiative under the IOC’s auspices that is being vigorously promoted by Athens and Papandreou personally.

“We are here in Brazil today representing Greece, during a significant moment, a moment when the world is passing from an era of insecurity, and where the social democratic position remains particularly timely – a guarantee for the promotion of a world of solidarity, a world that fights poverty, inequality, and promotes peace and multi-faceted diplomacy within the UN…” Papandreou said.

[03] Greeks favor UN for Iraq's reconstruction, Eurobarometer poll finds

BRUSSELS 29/10/2003 (ANA - V. Demiris)

Greeks are also disinclined to send troops to Iraq and are most likely to consider the US-British military campaign against Iraq unjustified, according to the poll released here on Monday.

The survey was carried out between October 8-16 in the 15 EU member-states, among a sample of 7,515 people overall and 500 in Greece.

Specifically, 42 per cent of Greeks consider that the United Nations should be responsible for Iraq's reconstruction, com-pared to 58 per cent of EU citizens overall, 32 per cent believe it should be Iraq's temporary government, compared to 44 per cent in the EU, 21 per cent favor the EU member-states, compared to 25 per cent in the EU, and 20 per cent say it should be the United States, compared to 18 per cent in the EU.

Over half of Greeks (52 per cent) are in favor of Greece contributing funds to Iraq's reconstruction against 54 per cent in the EU, while 47 per cent are against, compared to 45 per cent in the EU.

The funds for reconstruction should come from the United States according to 61 per cent of Greeks participating in the survey, the United Nations according to 34 per cent and the EU according to 19 per cent. The equivalent percentages for all EU member-states were 65 per cent, 44 per cent and 24 per cent.

About 29 per cent of Greeks in the survey were in favor of sending their country's troops to Iraq to keep the peace, compared to 44 per cent of Europeans over average, and 70 per cent were against, compared to 54 per cent in the EU on average.

After Germans, Greeks are the most opposed to sending national troops to Iraq, while those most in favor are the Danes (77 per cent for and 21 per cent against).

Only 4 per cent of Greeks consider the US-led operation against Iraq justified, compared to 29 per cent in the EU overall, which is the lowest support among all EU member-states. The highest levels of support were in Denmark, where 57 per cent consider the operation justified and 41 per cent consider it unjustified.

Over 68 per cent of Europeans and 96 per cent of Greeks consider the US-led operation to be unjustified.

Regarding the Middle East peace process, 90 per cent of Greeks would like to see the EU take a more active role, compared to 81 per cent in the EU overall.

[04] Public order ministry issues report Olympic security

Athens, 29/10/2003 (ANA)

The announcement came in response to a latest round of mostly negative press by international media on the sensitive matter of Olympic security as well as press reports.

As it stands, Athens’ Olympics will be the first in the post Sept. 11 era. Moreover, Greece, unlike far-off Australia, is situated in the eastern Mediterranean and Balkans, replete with hundreds of islands and the EU’s largest shoreline, elements that have made massive spending and preparations for security imperative.

In the latest response, the ministry again pointed to the establishment and work of a seven-nation advisory group on security, a consultative body that includes most of the countries considered anti-terrorism experts in the world today, and especially as far as Olympics security: the USA, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, France, Spain and Israel. Greek officials also reiterated that timetables for implementing the costliest and most complicated security blueprint in the history of the Olympics are being met.

[05] Defense minister inaugurates new military school in N. Greece

Athens, 29/10/2003 (ANA)

Addressing the army officers present, Papantoniou said the school was the culmination of a huge effort to modernize the Greek armed forces that began two years previously.

He also reported that the ministry had received 18,000 applications for the 5,700 positions for professional paid troops offered in the latest round of recruiting, which he said was an indication of the huge success of the institution and the effectiveness of ministry measures to support this.

[06] WINPEACE Greek and Turkish women's initiative: Common programs presented

Athens, 29/10/2003 (ANA)

WINPEACE is a six-year-old initiative by Greek and Turkish women devoted to creating and supporting a culture of peace through bi-cultural exchanges and education, joint meetings and projects, and seminars on alternative approaches to peace.

WINPEACE Greece representative Margaret Papandreou and WINPEACE Turkey representative Zeynep Oral presented the organization’s pilot program "education for peace", which was initially applied in two schools in Istanbul and will be expanded.

The purpose of the program is for pupils to be trained in self-knowledge, to pinpoint the causes that give rise to aggressiveness, and to seek out and diagnose prejudices. Ways are then sought to eliminate the prejudices and advance the view non-conflict between the two opposing sides is of benefit to both sides.

Several other programs were also outlined, including a summer camp program held in Greece, attended by children from the two communities on Cyprus, and women's agro-tourism cooperatives in Greece and Turkey.

[07] PPC's public offering 6.7 times oversubscribed, gov’t says

Athens, 29/10/2003 (ANA)

The public offering raised 636 million euros, raising the offering price to 17.5 euros per share, near the top-end of an offering price range set by the company (16.40-17.72 euros per share), reflecting strong buying interest from abroad.

Foreign institutional investors bid for 125.1 million shares (including demand for prometoha share swaps), while domestic private investors submitted more than 35,000 bids, seeking 28.3 million shares. Domestic institutional investors bid for 42.7 million euros.

A joint announcement by the Economy and Development Ministries said that domestic demand accounted for 46.1 percent of the public offering with the remaining 53.9 percent stake offered to foreign institutional investors.

A private placement with PPC's staff and board members was set at 15.75 euros per share with a 10 percent discount.

PPC's third flotation included offering of 36.5 million listed shares, with a nominal value of 4.60 euros per share, or 15.7 percent of the company's equity capital (including a green shoe of 5.4 million shares), raising its total equity stake offered to the public to 49.9 percent.

[08] Greece, Cyprus to cooperate in agriculture

NICOSIA 29/10/2003 (ANA/M.Kourmousis)

Signing the pacts were visiting Greek Agriculture Minister George Drys and the Cypriot minister of agriculture, natural resources and environment, Efthymios Efthymiou.

Under the terms of the first agreement, the two sides will arrange exchanges of experts in the field; work together in the research and veterinary sectors; and prepare Cyprus for implementation of the European Union's common agriculture policy when the country becomes a full member of the bloc next year.

The second pact between the two sides is a program for agricultural development covering 2004-2006.

[09] Social responsibility sought in EU textiles sector

BRUSSELS 29/10/2003 (ANA/B.Demiris)

''The main aspect of the Commission's proposals for the textiles industry is a focus on issues of corporate social responsibility, including industrial and environmental models, and responsible management of industrial change, including timely consultations with workers,'' said Diamantopoulou, who is responsible for social affairs.

The Commission's measures aim to reinforce competitiveness in textiles and clothing spurred by the abolition on January 1, 2005 of the World Trade Organization’s import quotas after nearly four decades.

[10] Dimosari Ravine on Evia ready to receive visitors after 'improvements'

Athens, 29/10/2003 (ANA)

The centre was inaugurated on Saturday in the presence of Evia Prefect Athanassios Bourandas, mayors from surrounding towns, MPs for Evia and the ordinary public.

It is the culmination of efforts began in 1996 to restore and 'improve' the ravine, which has been included in the European Union's NATURA program as an area of outstanding natural beauty and special ecological importance.

Access to the ravine for visitors has been improved by the widening and repair of footpaths running through it. This was preceded by an environmental study to establish protected zones for plant life and rare animals found within the ravine.

The area is near the towns of Marmari, Karystos and Styra, which are easy to reach from the Athens port of Rafina.

[11] Successful PPC flotation leads ASE higher on Monday

Athens, 29/10/2003 (ANA)

The general index rose 0.50 percent to end at 2,112.53 points, with turnover a disappointing low 82.8 million euros.

The Mineral-Cement, Investment and Bank sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.40 percent, 0.76 percent and 0.76 percent, respectively), while the IT, Base Metal and IT Solution sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.58 percent, 0.59 percent and 0.44 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.63 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.15 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.20 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 146 to 144 with another 64 issues unchanged.

Public Power Corporation's shares ended 3.86 percent higher, reflecting a successful completion of a third flotation scheme and a forecast by CSFB for a price-target of 22 euros per share, up 25 percent from the share offering's price of 17.50 euros.

The FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.46 percent higher at 2,457.71 points.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 47.1 mln euros Monday

Equity Index Futures: