Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM calls 'progressive forces' to rally to PASOK at hospital opening

[02] FM meets Parvanov, says Greece supports Bulgaria's EU accession course

[03] FM meets with Shimon Peres, discussions focus on ''Road Map''

[04] Peres addresses event organized by Karamanlis Institute for Democracy

[05] Shimon Peres backs R&D cooperation with Greece

[06] Greece works to ensure fully safe Games, U.S. state dept. says

[07] FBI awards Greek public order agencies, for successes against terrorism

[08] DM to meet counterparts from Albania and FYROM on Monday

[09] Greek labor minister says reunification of Cyprus a historic duty

[10] Turkish statement says Turkey's full EU membership a strategic goal

[11] Active participation of Europeans needed for integrated EU, FM says

[12] ND leader addresses social partners in Rethymno

[13] Deputy Interior minister Bistis begins New York visit, talks

[14] Lawyers to decide on further strike action next week

[15] Alpha Bank reports 35.1 pct rise in nine-month profits

[16] Gov’t reiterates expanded role for financial crimes' squad

[17] Greek weekly economic review

[18] Gov’t to reach decision on DEPA sale in next few days

[19] Financial crimes squad uncovers major bank auction, VAT scams

[20] Greek stocks end week 3.49 percent higher

[21] Meeting on anti-seismic protection for monuments begins in Irakleio

[22] Russia 'participates' in Greece's Cultural Olympiad

[23] Defense for Sotiropoulou urges court to acquit her

[24] Caller claims responsibility for Thursday's firebomb attacks

[25] Greek gov't presents award to Bizos, Madela's lawyer

[26] Brussels satisfied with Cyprus' harmonization with acquis

[27] Cyprus problem: 'red light' for Turkey's EU path, says spokesman

[01] PM calls 'progressive forces' to rally to PASOK at hospital opening

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

''Greece's progress needs all progressive and modernist social forces together, united behind common program goals. In a vision for Greece that is worth fighting for,'' Simitis said while inaugurating the new Serres General Prefectural Hospital, whose foundation stone he had laid himself in 1999.

According to the Prime Minister, the plan for real and social convergence over the next four years pivoted on Greece being able to consolidate and boost its economic political stability and development by moving toward the future with its major foreign policy issues solved.

The hospital inaugurated on Friday is a seven-storey building occupying 11.1 hectares of grounds, with a total area of 28,297 square meters. It cost 11.2 billion drachmas, the majority of which came from 2nd Community Support Framework funds.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated a new school for children with special needs built next door to the new hospital, which is comprised of a nursery, primary school and technical training school.

This occupied 8,000 square meters and cost 1.2 billion drachmas, while its facilities include workshops, a swimming pool, a hydrotherapy area, an indoor gym, kitchens and dormitories.

After inaugurating the hospital, Simitis visited the village of Rodolivos, where public works worth more than 500,000 euros have been carried out in the past three years, including the first and only all-day school to be built in the entire area from Thessaloniki to Evros.

Simitis was accompanied on his trip to Serres by Health Minister Costas Stefanis, Education Minister Petros Efthymiou and Macedonia-Thrace Minister Haris Kastanides, as well as Deputy Interior Minister Lambros Papadimas, Deputy Agriculture Minister Evangelos Argyris, Deputy Environment Minister Yiannis Tsakidis and Deputy Health Minister Ektoras Nasiokas.

[02] FM meets Parvanov, says Greece supports Bulgaria's EU accession course

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou said that even though Bulgaria had linked its accession course with that of Romania's, within the EU it was a principle that everyone progressed according to their own value.

''Of course, my hope is that in 2007 we will admit both Bulgaria and Romania, something that will depend on their performance. It is clear, however, that Bulgaria is progressing much faster than Romania but we hope that Romania will catch up soon,'' Papandreou said.

Referring to a report recently released by the European Commission on Bulgaria's progress toward accession, the Greek minister said that Greece, within the framework of the European Council in December, intends to support the drafting of a ''road map'' for Bulgaria in terms of its financial situation, as had been done for the other 10 countries that will officially join the EU in May 2004.

''I think this is noted in the recent report by the European Commission on this issue and we will agree with the Commission,'' Papandreou said.

He also expressed hope that the final chapters during accession negotiations with Bulgaria will be closed even before May 1, 2004.

Bulgarian President praises bilateral relations: Greek-Bulgarian relations have never reached so high levels before, Bulgarian President Mr Georgi Parvanov said on Friday.

Addressing a business forum held at the Zappeion Hall in Athens, including Greek and Bulgarian businessmen, Mr Parvanov noted that there was room for further improvement while he expressed his belief over closer relations regardless of who was governing in Sofia or in Athens.

"A direct expression of our good bilateral relations is the dozens bilateral agreements creating an excellent institutional framework to facilitate business activity," the Bulgarian president stressed.

Bilateral trade rose significantly in the last few years with Greece ranking fourth among Bulgaria's main business partners, while Greek investments are the biggest creating 70,000 jobs in the country, the Bulgarian president said.

Mr Parvanov said he expected economic relations to improve further after Bulgaria's entry in the EU in 2007 and thanked Greece for its support in Bulgaria's candidacy for entry in NATO and the EU.

He stressed, however, that there several targets still needed to be achieved, mainly in infrastructure and transport networks.

Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, addressing the conference, reiterated the country's position for Bulgaria's entry in the EU in 2007 and welcomed efforts to promote economic and social cooperation between the two countries as a main priority for the future of the region and Europe in general.

Mr Tsohatzopoulos particularly referred to the need of cooperating in creating integrated trans-European energy, electricity, natural gas, telecommunications and transport networks. "Our cooperation is expanding also to the information, banking and insurance sectors," the Greek minister stressed.

Commenting on the significant Greek business presence in the neighboring country, Mr Tsohatzopoulos emphasized the need to promoting inter-border cooperation between local social forces.

Bulgaria's average annual economic growth rate was 4.1 percent in the period 1998-2002, compared with -4.6 percent in the 1990-1997 period. The current period of economic growth in the country is characterized by a stable macro-economic environment, which combined with the promotion of structural reforms, achieved to contain inflation and to raise the private sector's participation in the country's gross domestic product.

[03] FM meets with Shimon Peres, discussions focus on ''Road Map''

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

''We observe the steps of implementation of the 'road map' both sides are making, which are forging forward having set a goal ... so that a Palestinian state may come to be,'' Papandreou said.

''The difficult part was to take the first steps of the road map's implementation. We believe that great efforts are being made toward that direction by both sides and that Israel has undertaken important commitments, concerning the issues of the settlements,'' he added.

On his part, Peres said that the ''first success of the road map was the fact that it enjoys wide support by everybody in the Middle East, while in Israel it is supported by all parties of the left and the right wing''.

Peres, however, asked for ''more initiatives by the Quartet (USA, EU, Russia, and the UN), which should operate as a catalyst, as an element of activation, so as to make progress, while we should not be content with the pointing out of a direction''.

Speaking on the recent opinion poll, in which 60 percent of European citizens said that Israel is a threat to peace, Peres spoke of the ''element of anti-Semitism, since Israel is not a greater danger than Iraq, North Korea or Libya.''

He also clarified that ''every opinion poll is not binding and we cannot build a new Europe on old attitudes and feelings''.

Papandreou, commenting on the same issue, said ''there are some elements of anti-Semitism which are connected with general criticism heard from many in Europe and concern mainly generalized policies that Israel may have implemented and especially the Sharon government''.

The two men also discussed conditions in Iraq and the course of the European Union's development, while Peres stressed his satisfaction for Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

''This I believe is an indication that Europe is moving towards the inclusion of the Mediterranean, something that will create a new Europe,'' Peres said.

[04] Peres addresses event organized by Karamanlis Institute for Democracy

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

''We may have made mistakes, but they were made on the way to peace, since we never refused peace,'' he said, recollecting the last 50 years of history.

Peres spoke of the necessity to strengthen the ''road map'' for the resolution of the Middle Eastern problem and insisted on his preference of the map, compared to the recent initiative that was named ''the agreement of Geneva''.

Explaining his preference, he said that the ''road map'' is real and has supporters, while the joint Israeli and Palestinian initiative, which was recently promoted, may be detailed, but does not have great support.

The 80-year-old veteran politician, who is still the leader of the labor party in his country, appeared optimistic, despite the fact that he admitted that the road to peace in the Middle East is long and fraught with many difficulties.

He stressed that both the former Palestinian premier Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen and the current Premier Ahmed Corei, also known as Abu Alah are moderates, they are against terrorism and for a peaceful resolution and should be supported by all sides.

Responding to a question of Palestinian envoy in Greece Abdallah Abdallah, who asked ''if mistakes have been made all these years in the Middle East'', Peres said that maybe the greatest mistake made in the history of the Jewish people was the occupation and dominance over the life of another people, that is the Palestinian people.

Parliament deputies, academics, former ministers and the mayor of Athens were present for the event.

Peres also met with main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis earlier in the day and discussed issues concerning the Middle East and the European Union.

[05] Shimon Peres backs R&D cooperation with Greece

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

Peres, a former premier of Israel, said investment in R&D could be effected through cooperation between the two countries' universities, research centers and businesses, with a focus on biotechnology.

He was speaking to representatives of the Association of Greek Industry (SEB) during a visit to Athens.

SEB said in a statement that the meeting allowed an exchange of views on global geopolitical changes.

[06] Greece works to ensure fully safe Games, U.S. state dept. says

WASHINGTON, 8/11/2003 (ANA/T. Ellis)

The question tabled was '' Are there plans for Diplomatic Security Personnel to provide security for American athletes at the Olympics?''

The written release of the State Department also noted that ''the U.S. has offered the expertise and resources of several of its agencies to Greece in order to ensure Olympic security. We are providing equipment and security training toward that end. The Greeks have the will and the resources to hold a secure and successful Olympics, and we have every confidence they will''.

''As part of this cooperation, the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security has been working closely with the Government of Greece to ensure the safety of American athletes participating in the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Discussions are ongoing with the Greek authorities. For security reasons, we will not be providing more specific information,'' it concluded.

[07] FBI awards Greek public order agencies, for successes against terrorism

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

Earlier in the day the FBI delegation, headed by Mueller met with Public Order Minister George Floridis and relevant security agencies to discuss the Olympic Games security, while sources said that they also discussed issues concerning the cooperation between the FBI and Greek agencies in efforts to combat organized crime.

[08] DM to meet counterparts from Albania and FYROM on Monday

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

Papantoniou will arrive at the airport of Argos Orestiko at 11:20 and travel to Greece's border with Albania and FYROM, at the Great Prespa lake, where he will welcome his counterparts.

The three ministers will have a private meeting in Kastoria, while a Military Cooperation Agreement will be signed between Greece and Albania.

It is a cooperation agreement covering the entire spectrum of defense ministries' activities, such as military training, joint exercises, the holding of seminars and the provision of expertise and know-how for the Albanian armed forces' quicker adjustment to European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

In the event weather conditions will not permit their entry into Greece at the Great Prespa Lake, the defense ministers of Albania and FYROM will travel by road to the Kastoria Guard's Officers Club where Papantoniou will be welcoming them.

[09] Greek labor minister says reunification of Cyprus a historic duty

NICOSIA, 8/11/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

In statements after meeting Parliament Speaker Dimitris Christofias, Reppas spoke of ''some who tried to use the occupation and the occupation troops to render Cyprus a hostage and who, as it appears with the correct moves and options on our part, have they become hostages of their own troops.''

Reppas, who is visiting Cyprus at the invitation of his counterpart Makis Keravnos, said that the European Com-mission's latest report on Cyprus was discussed during the meeting, as well as Turkey's EU accession prospects. He also said a mutual briefing took place on the Cyprus issue.

''This briefing is essential to enable all Greek politicians to be able to make references to the Cyprus issue, addressing the Greek people and wherever else in the world in a more substantiated and convincing way.''

Referring to the European Union's historic enlargement, he said ''it contributes to the overcoming of Europe's historic dissension.''

The minister further said a place has also been gained in the EU by ''Cyprus of freedom, democracy, development and progress'', adding that ''Cyprus deserves an even better place as a unified Cyprus in the international family.''

Christofias said he and Reppas jointly hailed the European Commission's latest report on Cyprus, while also commenting on ''positions taking place in relation to the prospect of Turkey's accession if and for as long as an occupation force remains in Cyprus.''

The Parliament Speaker also thanked ''in Mr. Reppas' person, the Prime Minister of Greece Costas Simitis, the Greek government and the Greek people for undivided support for the struggle of the people of Cyprus, particularly for the case of Cyprus' accession to the EU in which the role of Greece is catalytic.''

Reppas will be received by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Saturday morning.

[10] Turkish statement says Turkey's full EU membership a strategic goal

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

''Turkey's full membership to the EU is our main strategic goal. Our accession process is progressing in this direction. Today, what is on the agenda is not if our country will become a member of the EU, but rather the time frame within which it will complete the process of alignment necessary for full member-ship. As a first priority, our Government aims at securing a European Council decision in December 2004 to open accession negotiations. We are determined to fulfill the required objective criteria in due time and at a satisfactory level so that the EU Heads of State or Government can take a decision at the end of 2004 for the opening of the negotiations,'' the statement said.

It further said ''we will use the remaining period in the most effective manner leading up to the European Council in December 2004, to take the necessary steps to reach a satisfactory level also in the implementation of the Copenhagen political criteria.''

Focusing further on the issue of criteria, the statement said ''however, we also expect from the EU to adopt the same criteria for Turkey as it had for the other candidates, and to be constructive and encouraging in its assessments regarding Turkey.''

The statement concluded by saying ''as for the Commission's statements on Cyprus, Turkey's views on the settlement of this issue are well-known to all parties. The settlement of the Cyprus issue is not among the Copenhagen political criteria. Nonetheless, Turkey desires a just and sustainable solution on the island.''

[11] Active participation of Europeans needed for integrated EU, FM says

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

Outlining the challenges that lay ahead and the issues being examined within the framework of establishing an EU Constitution, he said that the new generation of Europeans will have an important role in the next steps concerning further integration of European values and principles and European nationality.

Papandreou said the draft European Constitution was attempting to establish new measures for transparency and greater democracy within the EU and stressed that this could only be created via its citizens.

Last, the foreign minister referred to the recent UN resolution for an Olympic Truce that was adopted by 190 countries, stressing that for the 16 days of the Olympics Games in Athens there would be a cessation of hostilities throughout the world.

It would be desirable if this peace could be extended beyond those 16 days, since many hotbeds of tension still existed in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere, for the benefit of the people's of the world, he added.

[12] ND leader addresses social partners in Rethymno

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

''We are aware what we want to do and we are confident we are moving in the right direction. We feel strong, we are well-prepared. We are not satisfied with winning the elections. We have more ambitious targets. We want to meet the increased demands of citizens trusting us. To vindicate the expectations of society,'' he said.

According to Karamanlis, the key to the success of this collective and consensual effort for the new start for a qualitative, effective and successful governance is the concept of ''confidence.''

Karamanlis criticized the government for its policy in all sectors and spoke of the need for the country to acquire a new prospect and referred to lost opportunities.

''Our decision is to create a government of all the Greeks. We are aware that the problems we shall be called on to face are many. We are not pretending to know everything or to be saviors. However, we are listening and measuring seriously,'' he said.

Karamanlis will be visiting the city of Hania on Saturday.

[13] Deputy Interior minister Bistis begins New York visit, talks

NEW YORK, 8/11/2003 (ANA-P. Panagiotou)

While in New York, Bistis will have meetings at the UN Headquarters on issues falling under his responsibility, and will also meet with the chairman of the Economic and Social Council as well as address a gathering of Greek-Americans in Astoria.

He is due to meet Friday evening with officials of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and other Greek-American organizations of New York.

On Sunday, he will attend a liturgy at the St. Demetrius cathedral in Astoria marking the church's 76th anniversary.

On Monday evening an event will be held in his honor at the headquarters of the Federation of Greek Associations of Greater New York.

Bistis will give a press conference for Greek correspondents and the Greek-American media on Tuesday in Manhattan, before returning to Greece.

Meanwhile, Greece's press and media ministry secretary general Dimitra Spiliopoulou was currently in New York to brief American media groups on the course of preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

[14] Lawyers to decide on further strike action next week

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

According to an announcement issued by the Athens Bar Association, where the meeting is to take place, the strike is being planned for November 13-14.

Not only had the state not exhibited any intention of paying its debt but was setting in motion solutions that would be dangerous and damaging for the Legal Professions Fund and those insured with it, the announcement said.

[15] Alpha Bank reports 35.1 pct rise in nine-month profits

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

Lending rose 15.2 percent, reflecting a 38 percent increase in housing and consumer credit in the January-September period, or 27 percent of total lending portfolio.

Housing loans rose 44.5 percent in the first nine months of the year, while consumer loans and credit card debt rose by 20 percent over the same period. Alpha Bank said its share in the domestic market of private lending rose to 13 percent from 9.6 percent in 2001.

Lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises rose by 15.7 percent in the January-September period, accounting for 53 percent of the bank's lending portfolio, while lending to large enterprises - including shipping - fell 1.5 percent reflecting repayment of a syndicated loan and a fall in the US dollar's exchange rate. Leasing and factoring lending rose by more than 6.0 and 34.0 percent, respectively, or more than 5.0 percent of total lending portfolio.

Yiannis Costopoulos, Alpha Bank's chairman and chief executive, said that "a rise in revenue reflected the bank's focus on offering uncompromising high-quality services to customers."

[16] Gov’t reiterates expanded role for financial crimes' squad

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

Mr. Christodoulakis, during an official visit to the squad's offices, said that the agency's work would focus on combatting financial crimes in the form of fraud and smuggling, tax-evasion, revenue loss by the public or the EU, money laundering, drugs trade, financial transactions through the Internet, real estate dealing, VAT payments and production and distribution of goods.

The Greek minister defended the Financial Crimes' Squad's operations saying that it did not service any political purpose and that it would continue operating on the grounds of transparency and professionalism.

[17] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

ND deputy, responsible for economic affairs, George Alogoskoufis, addressing the same conference said that the current high growth rates could not be maintained and warned of the danger of a collapse of the Greek economy after the Games. A survey by Kappa-Research, presented in the conference, showed that most Greek businessmen were pessimistic over the country's economic outlook after 2004.

In other headline news this week: Greece's state budget deficit totalled 6.537 billion euros in the first nine months of 2003, sharply up from 1.755 billion euros in the same period last year, reflecting slower public investment program's revenues and higher public spending in the January-September period.

Bank of Greece, the country's central bank, celebrated its 75th birthday on Monday with a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, its governor Nikolaos Garganas, European Central Bank's new president Jean-Claude Trichet and ECB's vice-president Lucas Papademos.

Aspis Bank, Marfin Bank and Societe Generale will participate in a next stage of a procedure to find a strategic partner for General Bank.

A total of 29 vessels raised the Greek flag in September and October, while 22 vessels were erased from the country's shipping register over the same period, Greece's Merchant Marine said in the week. Seventeen vessels, totalling 907,703 tons, with an average age of 8.5 years were registered in September, with another 12 vessels, totalling 313,412 tons, with an average age of 11 years were registered in October.

The rate of unemployed women is more than double the unemployed rate of men, official figures released by the Workforce Employment Organization said in the week. The rate for women is 14.64 percent compared with a 6.21 percent rate for men. A report showed that 57 percent of Greek unemployed were long-term unemployed, and an increase in part-time employment to 4.5 percent, although the figure is very low compared with eurozone average levels.

Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis urged public utilities and corporations (DEKO) to keep their rates pricing policy below the inflation rate in 2004. A meeting between Mr Christodoulakis with DEKO governors agreed to limit promotion expenses, particularly for loss-making corporations and to promote synergies between them.

[18] Gov’t to reach decision on DEPA sale in next few days

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

The government's economic team was examining thoroughly the bid submitted by Spanish Gas Natural Company. The Spanish company's bid totals 260 million euros.

[19] Financial crimes squad uncovers major bank auction, VAT scams

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

It also said it had uncovered a scam involving sales between offshore companies and fake firms in Greece, Britain and elsewhere that cost the state an estimated four million euros in lost VAT payments in 2002 alone.

SDOE said that an investigation of 1132 auctions linked to bank foreclosures had revealed that 22 people, including notaries, that were regularly involved as middlemen had illegally ensured the sales of real estate at extremely low prices, thus damaging both the banks and the owners of the properties in question.

They were then able to sell the same properties at market prices, making significant profits and also avoiding payment of taxes.

In 441 such cases, SDOE discovered, the property had been auctioned off at just 1,000 drachmas above the starting price and up to 50 per cent less than the market-value as assessed by the tax office.

Another 25 people are also under investigation in the same case.

In a separate case, SDOE inspectors said that 10 people were involved in a scam where precious metals and other goods were imported into Greece via a network of 41 fake firms in the EU and offshore companies in other countries, which are exempt from VAT payments.

The 41 firms in reality consisted of just one telephone line that was diverted to a mobile phone.

The goods were then sold to legitimate companies that paid VAT, which was then redirected to the fake firms via a complex tax procedure instead of being paid to the state.

[20] Greek stocks end week 3.49 percent higher

Athens, 8/11/2003 (ANA)

The general index rose 0.82 percent to end at 2,194.99 points, with turnover a heavy 135.8 million euros. The index ended the week with a net gain of 3.49 percent.

The Food-Beverage, Publication, Wholesale and Construction sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (0.94 percent, 0.40 percent, 0.20 percent and 0.16 percent), while the Base Metals, Retail and Telecommunications sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (2.30 percent, 1.15 percent and 0.87 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.85 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.49 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index was 0.29 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 175 to 118 with another 69 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, National Bank of Greece, Public Power Corporation, Football Pools Organisation and Alpha Bank.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover

at 94.0 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: