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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-11Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>November 11, 2003CONTENTS
[01] Greek bond market reports record turnover in OctoberAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Turnover in Greece's Electronic Secondary Securities' Market soared to a record-high of 79.72 billion euros in October, from 65.20 billion euros the previous month and 69.30 billion in October 2002, the Bank of Greece said on Monday.State bonds, with a maturity of between seven and 10 years, accounted for more than 50 percent of total turnover in October (52 percent), with the 10-year benchmark bond, maturing on May 20, 2013, recording the biggest turnover activity, totalling 23.2 billion euros, the central bank said in its monthly report on the domestic bond market. Bond prices fell in October, following a trend in other European market, the central bank said. A decision by Fitch ratings agency to upgrade Greece's long-term credit rating to A+ from A, had a small effect on Greek bond prices, with the yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German bond falling to 11 basis points in October from 12 bps in September, with the average monthly spread at 13 bps. Greek bond prices fell between 92-257 basis points in October, erasing all September's gains. The 10-year benchmark bond ended at 101.05 points, yielding 4.45 percent, from 103.27 points (4.17 percent) in September. The 20-year bond recorded the biggest monthly losses, ending at 112.61 points (yielding 4.87 percent) in October from 110.04 (5.06 percent in September. The three-year bond ended at 99.25 points (yielding 3.04 percent) in October, from 100.17 (2.68 percent) in September. [02] DMs from Greece, Albania, FYROM discuss trilateral cooperationAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Defense ministers from Greece, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) met in a northwestern lakeside town on Monday for talks aimed directly at strengthening bilateral and even trilateral military cooperation, days after Athens announced that it was formally altering its defense policy in the absence of any “northern threat”.Greek DM Yiannos Papantoniou received his Albanian and FYROM counterparts, Pandeli Majko and Vlado Buckovski, respectively, in the town of Kastoria, with the trio of ministers later saying that yearly contacts between defense ministers from the three neighboring states will be a regular occurrence. Both Majko and Buckovski also praised the fact that Greece’s defense ministry has decided to transfer active military units from its northern borders. On his part, Papantoniou again emphasized that Athens actively backs both countries’ accession to EU and NATO structures and organizations, while citing progress by both states in adapting to the Alliance’s military structures. He also referred to several bilateral agreements signed between Athens and Tirana. “I hope that the most powerful country in the Balkans, the Greek Republic, promotes the efforts made by Albania and FYROM for their adaptation to NATO’s and the EU’s structures,” Buckovski added. Asked about “nationalistic” tension in the often strike-plagued Balkans, the FYROM minister said cooperation is the key to averting “nationalistic, terrorist or extremist” incidents in the region. “And today that is what we are doing here, sending a clear message to those behind such efforts…” Furthermore, asked about the contentious issue of possible border changes in the region, Albanian minister Majko said: “Of course there are outstanding issues, where however, only dialogue, as is the case now, can serve as the solution, and always within the framework of European integration. If your question refers to Kosovo, again my answer is the framework of efforts that we are making towards European integration. That is also the official position of my government,” Majko said. DM Papantoniou on visit to Romania: National defense minister Yannos Papantoniou left Monday for a two-day official visit to Romania, during which he is due to sign a bilateral military cooperation accord between the two countries, a ministry press release said. On Monday afternoon, Papantoniou was scheduled to meet with his Romanian counterpart Ioan Mircea Pascu, while on Tuesday he was due to meet with the Romanian parliament's defense, public order and national security committee Razvan Ionescu. While in Romania, Papantoniou would also meet with prime minister Adrian Nastase, foreign minister Mircea Geoana, and the country's president Ion Iliescu. [03] FM spokesman calls attention to the repeat election in HimareAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis on Monday said that the ministry was closely monitoring the developments concerning the second round of municipal elections in the region of Himare, Albania, where a strong Greek community resides.''The message to the Albanian government is that itself and all agencies of our neighboring country, should refrain from any move that may undermine the election process and the expression of the free will of the residents of Himare,'' Beglitis said. He added that the Greek side is in close contact with the relevant committee of the OECD - which is monitoring the election process - as well as the European Commission, for the normal repeat of the elections in certain polling stations in Himare. [04] Deputy development minister Kalafatis addresses NY eventNEW YORK 11/11/2003 (ANA-P. Panagiotou)Greece's deputy development minister Alexandros Kalafatis on Sunday stressed that unity was what was being sought by societies and nations.Addressing an event hosted by the Cephallonian Fraternity "Aenos" of New York, Kalafatis noted that it was this unity that was also needed in Greece, adding that whenever the Greeks were united, they made great achievements. He conveyed a "message of love and appreciation from the Motherland", noting the importance, role and national contribution of the Greeks Abroad. On the "major national" undertaking of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Kalafatis said that next year Greece would be "judged on efficiency, security and a series of other parameters", which would spotlight "the ideals and virtues of Hellenism". [05] Press & Media sec. gen. Spiliopoulou's New York talksNEW YORK 11/11/2003 (ANA-P. Panagiotou)Issues concerning the preparations for hosting the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the picture of modern Greece in the US were discussed by Greece's visiting press and media ministry secretary general Dimitra Spiliopoulou with members of the local Greek-American organizations.Spiliopoulou in New York to brief American media groups on the course of preparations for the 2004 Games in Athens, also gave press conferences for the Greek-American media, during which she outlined the "new face" of Greece, the "developmental activity" taking place, and the "modernization of Greek society", noting particularly the progress that has been achieved in women's issues. She further stressed that developments in the fight against terrorism had "turned around the (negative) climate and disposition" of a large section of the foreign media vis-a-vis Greece. Spiliopoulou further visited the UN headquarters and was briefed on a variety of issues of concern to Greece. [06] 18th round of Greek-Turkish ''exploratory contacts'' begins, FM spokesman saysAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis on Monday said that the 18th round of ''exploratory contacts'' between Greece and Turkey began in Ankara between Foreign Ministry Secretary General, Ambassador Anastasios Skopelitis, and Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry of Turkey, Ambassador Ugur Ziyal.Concerning questions regarding comments made by Turkish Chief of Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkiok about Cyprus, Beglitis said that ''the Greek government and Foreign Minister George Papandreou have a solid communication with the government of Turkey and with its foreign minister''. He added that Turkey should realize that the best security investment for Cyprus, is the contribution of Ankara toward the resolution of the political problem of Cyprus and the accession of a re-united Cyprus to the European Union, for the benefit of both communities of the island republic. [07] Communist party calls for support from all leftists and progressivesAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Monday extended an invitation to ''every leftist and progressive person, regardless of differences he has with the party, to join us on the path of a struggling life stance'', particularly those who have passed through the ranks of KKE and its youth wing (KNE) in past years.The invitation is included in the proclamation publicized by KKE's Central Committee on Monday on the occasion of the party's 85th anniversary. The proclamation refers to the party's historic course, to changes which have taken place in Europe and to the prospects of the communist movement. It added that 85 years after its founding, KKE feels honor and pride since it remains standing, while the hopes and pursuits of those who prophesied its dissolution misfired and proved to be futile. Moreover, it added that KKE's proposition clashes with plutocracy, its parties and the imperialist organizations of NATO, the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The proclamation also noted that the popular social and political alliance proposed by KKE will organize the struggle for the rights of working people, it will inspire great class struggles and will open the door to prospects. [08] PM Simitis to meet America Archbishop Dimitrios this weekAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to meet visiting Orthodox Archbishop of America Dimitrios this Wednesday at 13:30, government spokesman Christos Protopapas announced while outlining the premier's agenda of meetings for the coming week.Earlier on Monday, Simitis inaugurated the General Files of State building in Athens and then entered a meeting with National Bank of Greece governor Theodoros Karatzas at 14:00. On Tuesday, Simitis is to meet PASOK Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis at 10:00, the head of the Union of Prefectures of Greece (ENAE) Fofi Gennimata at 11:00 and the head of the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) Gianna Angelopoulos at 11:30. At noon the same day, the premier will chair a meeting of the ministerial committee for Olympics preparations and at 19:30 on Tuesday evening he is scheduled to meet with Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis. Before his meeting with the Archbishop on Wednesday, Simitis will meet Emporiki Bank governor Yiannis Stournaras at 10:00, followed by Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis at 11:00. On Thursday morning, the premier will head a party meeting at PASOK's offices attended by ministers and party officials to discuss decentralization, regional organization and the electoral law. At 18:30 on Wednesday, he will chair a meeting of PASOK's electoral committee and at 19:00 a meeting of PASOK's Executive Bureau. [09] Greeks most informed Europeans on draft of EU ConstitutionBRUSSELS 11/11/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)Greeks maintained their first ranking among the most informed European Union citizens concerning the draft Constitution of the Union and are also of the most ardent supporters of a European-wide referendum for the final approval of the draft.According to a Eurobarometer opinion poll 38 per cent of those polled in Greece said that they were well informed on the constitution as compared with 29 per cent in the rest 24 European Union member-states. There was, however, a drop in the percentage of Greeks declaring so, since in June 57 per cent had declared they were well informed. In the question regarding the call for a referendum for the approval of the constitution, 75 per cent of those asked said that they would supported it, compared to 43 per cent throughout the Union. Similarly, 76 per cent of Greeks support the establishment of a constitution, compared to 67 per cent throughout the Union, and with Italy and Hungary recording 83 per cent and Spain 79 per cent. Finally, 67 per cent of the Greeks polled supported the establishment of a European Union foreign ministry post, with a European Union average of 53 per cent. [10] Greece condemns "murderous" attacks in RiyadhAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)The government on Monday condemned the car bomb attacks in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh in which 17 people were killed, and voiced Greece's support for Saudi Arabia.Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the Greek government "absolutely and categorically" condemned Sunday's "murderous" car-bomb attacks. He expressed Greece's support for Saud Arabia and its commitment to contribute as much as it could to strengthening the international effort to wipe out terrorism. Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis, speaking on behalf of the foreign ministry and Foreign Minister George Papandreou, also condemned in the most categorical way the terrorist attack that took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over the weekend. ''We condemn in the most absolute and categorical way this barbaric terrorist attack which cost the lives of many citizens in Riyadh. We express our condolences both to the government and the people of Saudi Arabia, as well as to the governments and peoples of those countries which had citizens of theirs among the victims,'' the spokesman said. Beglitis added that this latest terrorist attack confirms the need and the importance of strengthening international cooperation to combat international terrorism. This issue, as well as wider developments in Iraq, will be a topic of discussion at the European Union's Council of Foreign Ministers due to take place in Brussels on November 18-19. Foreign investors' share in Greek stocks totals 28.8 pct Greek investors' share in the Athens Stock Exchange fell to 71.208 percent in October, totalling 54.9 billion euros) from 51.393 billion euros or 71.471 percent of total capitalization in June, official figures said on Monday. A report by the Athens Stock Exchange said that 30.38 percent of total domestic investors' share was in the hands of private investors, 25.46 percent to legal entities and the remaining 15.35 percent to institutional investors. Foreign investors' share rose to 28.792 percent or 22.2 billion euros from 28.529 percent in June, with the majority share (16.424 percent) owned by institutional investors, the report said. Greek investors' share in the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks totalled 62.977 percent in October, or 27.2 billion euros, while foreign investors' share rose to 37.02 percent (16.04 billion euros). Foreign portfolio in Greek shares, based on nationality, was 55.2 percent from European Union member-states, 17 percent from the United States and 27 percent other countries. ASE said that 61.262 percent of total investor registration code numbers were active at the end of September (1,273,793 from a total of 2,079,247 codes). [11] Gov’t unveils tax reform draft legislationAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Greece's Economy and Finance ministry on Monday unveiled its long-awaited tax reform draft bill, envisaging new ways of tax inspections on companies, along with development and social policy tax incentives announced by the government in September.The draft legislation calls for the introduction of a point-system on tax inspections on companies, a reduction of tax factor to 25 percent for businesses making investments worth more than 30 million euros, setting-up special commissions for settlement of tax differences between tax agencies and taxpayers, simplifying procedures to sell real estate, offering housing subsidy to students studying away from home, and the abolition of tax burdens on vehicles. [12] Post Savings Bank's staff to strike this weekAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Greece's Post Savings Bank's staff on Monday announced a series of work stoppages and strikes this week protesting against government plans to sell a 35 percent equity stake to private investors.Post Savings Bank's staff said they would hold work stoppages on Tuesday, 11 November, and a 24-hour strike on Thursday, 13 November, while they asked for a meeting with Economy and Finance minister to express their views on the government privatization plan. Union representatives said they have collected 60,000 signatures by Post Savings Bank depositors who were against the privatization of the organization. Greece's Economy and Finance ministry plans to sell 35 percent of Post Savings Bank to private investors and is expected to unveil details of the procedure in the next few days. [13] Lawyers threaten 48-hour nationwide strike on Thursday, FridayAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Presidents of bar associations throughout the country on Monday decided to call lawyers down to another 48-hour nationwide strike on Thursday and Friday to demand the immediate return of 120 billion drachmas owed by the State to the Legal Professions' Fund.The strike was decided at a meeting of the coordinating committee for Greek bar association presidents at the offices of the Athens Bar Association on Monday. The boards of individual regional bar associations must now meet to decide whether their members will participate in the strike or not. There will also be a meeting next Saturday by the plenum of Greek bar association presidents to decide on further strike action. Lawyers claim the state has improperly withheld the sum owed to their fund since 1998 and consistently failed to return it, in spite of repeated assurances otherwise. Failure to include this sum in the 2004 budget will certainly lead to the collapse of the Legal Professions' Fund, they claim. In an announcement on Monday, they called for the immediate intervention of Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Another 48-hour strike over the same issue was held at the beginning of last week, while the repeated walkouts by defense attorneys in the high-profile ''November 17'' trial in order to join labor action called by their bar association has caused concerns that the 18-month period of detention before trial allowed by law will have expired before a verdict has been reached. [14] Electricity workers to strike on November 18Athens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Workers of the Athens-quoted Public Power Corporation are to stage a 24-hour strike on November 18, their union said in a statement on Monday.The walkout is to protest against the terms of a tender called by management of the state-run firm to secure electricity from the private sector ahead of increased power requirements for the Athens 2004 Olympics. The GENOP-DEH union claimed that the tender lacked transparency stemming from an express procedure; and breached statutory regulations introduced four months ago. [15] Greece backs EU consumer protectionBRUSSELS 11/11/2003 (ANA/G.Zitouniati)Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Monday that consumer protection in the European Union was a key issue and should be extended to misleading advertising.The minister was speaking after a meeting in the Belgian capital of the bloc's fair competition council that decided to draft a directive protecting European consumers from unfair business practices. [16] Transport minister meets Cyprus counterpart, House SpeakerNICOSIA 11/11/2003 (ANA/G. Leonidas)Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis said on Monday the creation of the Adriatic-Ionian-Cyprus sea corridor will begin to be implemented by the European Union sooner than all the other projects.Verelis made his statement after holding talks with Cyprus Communications Minister Kikis Kazamias, who said ''Cyprus is utilizing, at the maximum degree, the aid and experiences of Greece in the sectors of transport and communications.'' Kazamias thanked Verelis for assistance offered by his ministry and noted that ''it is now up to Cyprus to utilize it by sending ministry officials to Athens who will convey Greek experiences.'' Verelis also met with House of Representatives Speaker Demetris Christofias, who expressed the hope that the forces desiring the accession of Turkey to the European Union will be those that will determine Ankara's policy in the future. Christofias further said he hoped that the EU will continue, with consistency and in an even more official way, to exercise pressure on Turkey to enable Ankara to realize in this way that the non-solution of the Cyprus issue will constantly create obstacles regarding its accession course. [17] ASE announces new trading rulesAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)The Athens Stock Exchange on Monday unveiled a new set of rules aimed to strengthen the quality and quantity criteria of the Greek market.The main theme of the new rules is to form a new system of listing companies in the market, by multiplying capital for listing approval and introducing quality criteria. Under the new rules, the main market, the parallel market for smaller capitalization stocks and NEXA - the market for rapidly growing companies - will no longer be the main three categories of share trading in ASE. Listed companies will be categorized based on their business activity: 1. General category, including manufacturing, financial and investment companies, 2. Services category, and 3. Commercial firms category. The minimum level of equity capital for listing in the main market of the Athens Stock Exchange, for the first category, will be 11.738 million euros, for the second category 23.477 million euros and for the third category 35.216 million euros. Listing in the Parallel market for smaller capitalization stocks will need a minimum equity capital of 2.934 million euros for the first category, 5.869 million euros for the second and 8.804 million euros for the third category. The new regulations recommend the creation of two new special categories: the category of financial fluctuation and the category of special trading preconditions. The rules envisage a maximum time of stay in each of these categories and on actions need to be taken by company boards seeking exit from any special category. Companies included in the surveillance category will spend a maximum time of 18 months in this category, envisaging only one hour of trading. After the 18-month period, and if the company failed to deal with its problems, ASE will announce the indefinite suspension of trading on the stock. [18] Greek stocks end off lows on MondayAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks ended the first trading session of a new week slightly lower, as renewed buying demand for blue chip stocks, like National Bank, Alpha Bank, Emporiki Bank, OPAP and Cosmote, helped to a recovery of earlier biggest losses in the Athens Stock Exchange.The general index ended 0.08 percent lower at 2,193.17 points, with turnover a low 96.7 million euros. The Publications, Construction and IT sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.22 percent, 0.90 percent and 0.38 percent, respectively), while the Base Metals, Retail and Investment sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (2.12 percent, 0.73 percent and 0.71 percent, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.01 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.16 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.19 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 195 to 111 with another 61 issues unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover low on Monday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Buyers lag sellers on Monday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond [19] UK Olympic champions back return of Parthenon MarblesAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Two of Britain’s best-known Olympic medalists are set to endorse the idea of returning the Parthenon Marbles to Athens this week from atop the historic hill where the ancient friezes were sliced off and carried away two centuries ago – the venerable Acropolis.Olympic champions Alan Wells, the 100-metre gold medalist during the 1980 Moscow Games, and Steve Smith, the high jump bronze medalist during the 1996 Atlanta Games, arrived in Greece on Monday as representatives of a group of British Olympic medalists backing the repatriation of the Marbles from British Museum exile on the occasion of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Wells and Smith are expected to visit the Acropolis, where the Parthenon stands, on Tuesday, before touring various Olympics-related projects and venues on Wednesday. Another nine British Olympians are lending their support to the long-time demand by the official Greek state, various international dignitaries and classicists the world over, including Linford Christie, Jonathan Edwards, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Tessa Sanderson, David Hemery, Jason Quelly, Mark Richardson, Chris Hoy as well as Daley Thomson, according to a press release by the Greek culture ministry. [20] PM inaugurates new General State Archives buildingAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)The new General State Archives building was inaugurated on Monday by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.Afterwards, the premier toured the ultra-modern new building, accompanied by Education Minister Petros Efthymiou and Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris. According to the premier, the project was the culmination of efforts that led to ''one more step of progress'' for Greece and were part of the modernization desired and rapidly being promoted by the present government. The property in Paleo Psyhiko where the archives are housed was originally donated to the state by Prodromos Athanassiades Bodosakis in 1972 but all work on it was stalled until the year 2000 due to bureaucratic obstacles and inflexibility. The prime minister noted that, since that time, work had progressed at a record pace so that the building was met the special specifications needed to preserve the records of all acts that governed the course of Greek society. This was a vital resource, since memory and research on what had gone before helped society gain self-knowledge and illuminated the path to the future, Simitis added. [21] Plans for biometrical scanner at Athens int'l airport put on iceAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Plans to install a passenger biometrical scanner at Athens 'Eleftherios Venizelos' international airport have been put on ice following a ruling by the Personal Data Protection Authority that collecting such data was illegal.Plans were to install the biometrical scanner at the airport, as a pilot project until the end of the year, in the context of increased measures for flight security. The unit would automatically conduct fingerprinting and iris scans on passengers. Introduction of the system, which had been slated for installation at the airport this month, was shelved, however, after the Personal Data Protection Authority ruled as illegal the collection and processing of biometrical data -- such as fingerprints and iris scans -- of passengers, even if this was done with their consent. The system was to be installed in the context of a pilot progam in which participants included the International Association of Airlines, the Eleftherios Venizelos airport, the international airport in Milan, and the Italian airline Alitalia. Participating passengers would have done so on a voluntary basis. The Authority's decision casts doubts on a European-wide plan to issue "biometrical passports", which is being advanced by the EU in close cooperation with the US. [22] People trafficking discussed in US by foreign ministry official DollisWASHINGTON 11/11/2003 (ANA-T. Ellis)Greek foreign ministry secretary general for international economic relations Dimitris Dollis discussed the latest developments in the sensitive social issue of people-trafficking, which has taken on political dimensions, in his contacts over the past few days in the US capital.Dollis met with the director of the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, John Miller, and the White House deputy national security for terrorism, Frances Townsend, with whom he also discussed the latest developments concerning the fight against terrorism. Dollis detailed the measures taken recently by the Greek government to combat people trafficking, which Washington has welcomed as "positive steps" in the right direction and which resulted in Greece being removed from the list of countries falling short of the criteria of the relevant US legislation. The Greek official further met with representatives of Jewish organizations in Washington and discussed with them a recent announcement they had issued charging the existence of anti-Semitism in Greece and calling for steps to be taken against the country. [23] Archbishop Demetrios of America to be inducted to Academy of Athens in NY eventNEW YORK 11/11/2003 (ANA-P. Panagiotou)Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios of America will be inducted as a Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens during a special ceremony to be held in New York on Friday evening.The Archbishop will be inducted as a Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens as an “abroad-residing” Member in the Discipline of Theology in the Section of “Moral and Political Sciences''. The induction ceremony will be attended by several members of the Academy and many personalities of the Greek political and intellectual communities, while a greeting will be delivered by Academy president Prof. Gregorios Skalkeas. The Archbishop was unanimously elected to the Academy at a plenary session on November 28, 2002. The Academy of Athens is the highest scientific institution in Greece. It was established in 1926 as an independent body, and is considered to be the heir of Plato’s Academy. The main purpose of the Academy is to promote the sciences, humanities and arts. The Academy has three Sections or Classes: a) Natural and Applied Sciences, b) Humanities and Fine Arts, c) Moral and Political Sciences. The Academy elects its Regular Members whose tenure is for life. Their number varies from year to year, but cannot exceed 65 (25 for each of the sections (a) and (b) and 15 for section (c)). As part of its activities, the Academy honors eminent individuals by electing them as Fellows of the Academy or as Corresponding Members. It bestows awards to scientists and intellectuals for distinguished contributions in their field. [24] Council of Europe education ministers hold conference in AthensAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)The 21st session of the Council of Europe education ministers' Permanent Conference began in Athens on Monday, focusing on the issue of ''Intercultural ducation:management of differentiality, strengthening democracy.''The conference is attended by the education ministers and delegations of 46 member-states of the Council of Europe and it is the first time, since 1959 when the institution of the European education ministers' conference was established, that this session is being held in Greece. Delegates will discuss issues concerning analytical programs, additional training for teachers and the management of the school environment with the purpose of shaping a suitable school climate. Education Minister Petros Efthymiou said in an address ''we represent democratic countries which accept legality and which guarantee human rights and the fundamental freedoms of every person in the region of their responsibility.'' [25] 'N17' presiding judge criticizes imminent strike actionAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)A looming strike action by the Athens Bar Association this week caused a heated reaction on Monday by the presiding judge at the closely watched “November 17” terrorism trial, as the latter urged defense attorneys representing 19 defendants to obtain special permission and remain in court.The Bar Association has called on attorneys to abstain from their duties on Thursday and Friday, part of stepped up efforts by the former to settle outstanding issues with the state involving the solvency of their pension funds. In the face of defense attorneys’ refusal to heed his request, judge Mihalis Margaritis shot back, “I am going to denounce it (their refusal) … and let the international press write that we’re not capable of trying a case here.” Margaritis presides over the special appellate-level three-justice panel trying the high-profile case. In response, the chief attorney representing alleged “N17” leader Alexandros Giotopoulos -- aka “Michel Economou” -- Yiannis Rahiotis, maintained that next year’s budget is now being drafted, thereby forcing the industrial action. “...when are we going to strike, in December? The budget is being drafted now. The prosecutor should have already filed charges over this issue. What we’re dealing with here is embezzlement,” Rahiotis countered. “The state should take an interest in this issue, however, the matter (fund contributions) has dragged on. Did they now remember it? I cannot but link it with the (ongoing N17) trial,” Margaritis retorted. In terms of the strictly legal proceedings, one of the attorneys representing the trio of Xiros brothers on trial – Savvas, Christodoulos and Vassilis – again claimed that Savvas Xiros’ confessions to authorities were the product of psychological duress combined with the use of psychotropic drugs. Savvas Xiros’ capture, following his botched bomb attempt at the port of Piraeus in June 2002, led police directly to a couple of “N17” safehouses and the arrest of a handful of other terror suspects. As a result of what he called Savvas’ mistreatment, the Xiros brothers’ attorney opined that the specific evidence gathered from his client’s confessions in the pre-trial phase was illegally obtained. In his final argument before the court, attorney Yiannis Vlahos also echoed most of the other defense attorneys in claiming that the once-elusive terror band’s actions – including some two-dozen assassinations – were “political actions” devoid of personal expediencies. [26] Mitsotakis admitted to hospital after virus infectionAthens, 11/11/2003 (ANA)Honorary New Democracy President and former premier Constantine Mitsotakis was admitted to Evangelismos Hospital in Athens on Monday, suffering from dehydration caused by a severe bout of virally-induced gastroenteritis accompanied by fever.Doctors said the former premier had been put on an IV drip to restore his body fluids and would probably have to remain in hospital for at least two days before his system was fully restored. They stressed, however, that the patient's conditions was fully under control and did not engender cause for concern. [27] Greek Culture Foundation to promote Greek cinema in LondonLONDON 11/11/2003 (ANA)The Greek cinema will be promoted by the Greek Culture Foundation in London, in cooperation with the Greek Cinema Centre and the National Film Theatre (NFT), with two events.The first includes a presentation of films by film director Theodoros Angelopoulos (8/11-28/12) and a special night for the film director on November 25. The second event concerns the screening of the film ''Z'' on November 17 and a discussion with film director Costa Gavras. The dedication to Angelopoulos is taking place on the occasion of the completion of his new film titled ''Weeping Willow'', while the British public will be able to see 11 of Angelopoulos' films over a period of two months. [28] Cyprus spokesman says Ozkok shows true face of occupationNICOSIA 11/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said on Monday that Turkish armed forces chief Hilmi Ozkok has once again shown the true face of occupation in Cyprus and proven that Turkish Cypriots are not the main interest of the Turkish occupation troops.He was commenting on an interview by Ozkok with the Turkish newspaper 'Radikal' published on Monday, in which the Turkish general said the invasion and occupation of Cyprus' northern third was not illegal. Ozkok noted the strategic importance of the island for his country, as ''it is situated on a strategic line that starts from Britain and extends to Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus, the Suez Canal, India and Singapore'', Chrysostomides said that ''Ozkok is living in his own world''. Chrysostomides said the Turkish general ''ignores international public opinion and the fact that all countries of the world and all international law experts who have written about the Cyprus problem acknowledge the illegality of the invasion and the continued occupation, with the exception, it appears, of Turkey and Ozkok''. The spokesman added that Ozkok was also provoking the EU by saying that he could ''not conceive any European coming up and saying 'come on, this is European soil, get out of this place in a few days', nor he could conceive of any European going to Cyprus to fight and die there''. Chrysostomides called on Ozkok to ''acknowledge the importance of the messages'' included in the report on Turkey issued by the European Commission last week, which noted that an ''absence of a settlement (in Cyprus) could become a serious obstacle to Turkey's EU aspirations''. [29] Cyprus condemns terrorist attack in Saudi ArabiaNICOSIA 11/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs ''strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which led to the loss of innocent human lives''.In a statement on Monday, the ministry notes that ''the horrible act that shocked the entire international community is another tangible proof that terrorism targets innocent lives irrespective of nationality, race or religion'' and furthermore ''shows that no country in the world is safe from the malicious plans of terrorist networks''. The Cyprus government ''reaffirms its commitment to join with the rest of the international community in the fight against the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations'' and along with the people of Cyprus conveys its deep sympathy and condolences to the government and people of Saudi Arabia and the bereaved families of the victims. 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