Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cabinet approves proposed electoral law reform; PM on ND criticism

[02] Alternate FM concludes visit to Cyprus with press conference

[03] Three-day events marking November 17 anniversary beginning on Saturday

[04] ND leader addresses event on November 17 student uprising anniversary

[05] Gov't spokesman criticizes statement against Mikis Theodorakis by US ambassador

[06] Communist party calls for release of protesters arrested during June EU summit

[07] European Socialist Party presidium discusses preparations for 2004 Euroelections

[08] Gov’t report on EU fund absorption rate

[09] Greek SMEs reach European averages in computer, Internet use

[10] Thessaloniki to host Balkan-Black Sea Partenariat Nov 17-18

[11] Greek cheese wins first prize in World Cheese Awards 2003

[12] Hellenic Petroleum launches new unit in FYROM plant

[13] EU competitiveness needs to improve, Greek industry chief says

[14] UK betting operator eyes Greece

[15] Greek weekly economic review

[16] EU ombudsman rules against commission in contractual dispute

[17] Greek stocks end week with net loss of 1.44 pct

[18] ATHOC president briefs President Stephanopoulos on Olympic Games preparations

[19] Archbishop of America becomes Athens Academy associate member

[20] Series of actions underway for accession of economic immigrants to labor market

[21] Group claims barrage of firebomb attacks on bank branches, ND office

[22] Five Kurdish political refugees acquitted of illegal entry into country

[23] Annan to re-engage in Cyprus solution process if opportunity arises

[01] Cabinet approves proposed electoral law reform; PM on ND criticism

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

He said the new system introduced by the draft bill would give rise to stable governments and be fairer, with a greater degree of proportional representation, as well as allowing pre-electoral party collaboration and coalitions, increasing transparency and reducing injustices and imbalances at the expense of the smaller parties.

The bill will also split the 2nd Athens constituency into three and the rest of Attica into two separate constituencies, as well as a allowing a greater number of candidates and votes in constituencies with three or more seats.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Prime Minister Costas Simitis referred to main opposition New Democracy's rejection of the government-initiated reforms and its refusal to participate in debate on changing the electoral system.

Stressing that the new law would not apply until the elections in 2008 and not for the upcoming elections in 2004, Simitis said ND's argument that it would not discuss electoral reform before upcoming elections was just a ruse.

''What does this argument hide? It conceals that which they call for on other occasions when the government takes the initiative: an attempt to make the government withdraw and not take action on any problem, whether this is forests, illegal buildings, wage scales or electoral law. They wish to impose on us an agenda of inactivity,'' Simitis said.

He stressed, however, that the government would not succumb and remain ''an active social presence'' right up to the time when elections were announced, in accordance with the Constitution.

Presenting his proposals to the media later on Friday, Skandalidis said the draft bill said that 260 seats in Parliament, including the 12 seats allocated to state deputies, would be divided using strict proportional representation and the remaining 40 would all go to the party that came first in the elections.

He said the resulting parliament would be 88 per cent proportional, while at the same time ensuring stable governments with a strong enough majority to run the country.

Under the new law, a party could set up an independent government with 41 per cent of the overall vote.

Skandalidis said that cabinet had not approved ministry proposals for a double ballot box that would allow voters to vote for the party of the choice and the candidate of their choice separately, nor for "regional MPs", on the grounds that society was not yet ready for them.

The draft bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in its final form in about a week, the minister said.

Opposition parties criticize new electoral law: Opposition parties criticized changes in the electoral system decided during a cabinet meeting on Friday.

''The issue of the electoral law, which is being untimely and irresponsibly raised by the government, is reaching an unprecedented fiasco. We shall not participate in a travesty dialogue. We shall not legalize attempts to disorientate public opinion, methods of tactics, opportunism and petty partisanship,'' ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said.

The spokesman added that ''there can be no discussion on a change in the electoral law shortly before the elections'', adding that ''what the country needs today is not a change in the electoral law but a change in policy, a change in mentality and a change in page.''

In an announcement, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said it ''firmly supports a proportional representation system'' and stressed that the electoral law decided by the cabinet ''remains one which adulterates voting.''

In addition, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party Politburo member Stergios Pitsiorlas said the government's proposal on the electoral law ''constitutes even more proof of the morass in which the ruling party has found itself in and of its inability to make any serious move. PASOK is ultimately changing the electoral law to leave it the same.''

[02] Alternate FM concludes visit to Cyprus with press conference

NICOSIA 15/11/2003 (ANA - N. Melisova)

Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iakovou did not join Yiannitsis for the press conference as scheduled, since he was called away to a last-minute cabinet meeting regarding the arrival of Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the occupied territories on Saturday and rumors that the Turkish side was planning a series of moves for ''special effect'' to mark the 20th anniversary since it unilaterally declared an independent state in the north of Cyprus, which is recognized only by Ankara.

Referring to the stalled talks on the United Nations peace plan for Cyprus presented by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Yiannitsis said the resumption of dialogue would depend on the results of the so-called elections staged by the illegal regime but also on Ankara's intentions.

He said Greece was closely monitoring the development of the Titina Loizidou case, to whom Turkey was ordered to pay 640,000 dollars compensation by the European Court of Human Rights, in order to determine to what extent Turkey could make a commitment in the human rights sector and thus to European values as it strived to join the Community.

During his visit, Yiannitsis had meetings with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, Iakovou, Cyprus House of Representatives President Dimitris Christofias, the Cypriot Parliament's European Affairs Committee and the leaders of the political parties.

In talks with EU harmonization coordinator Takis Hatzidimitriou, meanwhile, Yiannitsis discussed the transfer of know-how from Greece to Cyprus so that the transition to the EU was made smoothly on May 1, 2004.

[03] Three-day events marking November 17 anniversary beginning on Saturday

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

Thousands of policemen have been provided to guard the event, particularly on Monday when the celebration will heighten with the march to the US embassy in Athens.

On Monday, the last day of celebrations, the Polytechnic gates will close at 2 p.m. and the main event will begin with speeches and then the march to the embassy will follow.

7,000 officers to police events for 30th polytechnic anniversary: Up to 7,000 officers will be deployed to police events on November 17 for the 30th anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising, especially the march to the American Embassy on Monday, police announced.

They said guards would be placed outside embassies, ministries and banks that are along the route of the march toward the American Embassy, while the campuses of Athens university schools will be guarded from Friday night.

On the day of the holiday, the centre of Athens will be divided into 11 sectors and 48 squads of riot police will be on alert all along the route of the march. Two police helicopters will also patrol the skies and keep the city under surveillance.

The events marking the polytechnic uprising are traditionally the scene of violent incidents between police and groups of anarchists that penetrate the march or barricade themselves within university campuses and cause extensive damage.

[04] ND leader addresses event on November 17 student uprising anniversary

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

Karamanlis said dangers currently facing democracy are different, adding that ''today's threats for the quality of democracy are concealed in underground transactions, they shimmer in the attempt to subdue public opinion by organized interests and manifest themselves with the separation of privileged and hunted.''

The ND leader said new types of struggle are required to shield democracy which have their own cost and noted that ''it is the obligation of all of us to stand frontally against vested interests and corruption.''

Karamanlis further said ''those who are trying to divert the attention of the people from the existing problems of the present to the non-existent ones of the past are revealing guilt, those who are trying to create rival social camps with half excluding or fearing the other half are not adding but are removing from the essence of democracy.''

[05] Gov't spokesman criticizes statement against Mikis Theodorakis by US ambassador

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

Miller had said ''it is sad and regrettable for a man of such a stature to make such comments.'' Speaking to Antenna television station on Thursday, Miller added ''I believe it is sad when anybody, to whatever ethnic group he may belong to, defames. I am amazed with these remarks. This is not the world I am living in. You do not like the policy of a country? That's fine that's democracy. But when you do not like policies and you begin to state this with ethnic terms this is sad and regrettable to me.'' Referring to the same issue, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis said on Friday ''the Jewish people have no relation with a policy which, as is known, the Greek people in their overwhelming majority do not approve.''

Kaklamanis further said ''Mr. Theodorakis said something which, however, he explained'', adding that ''Mr. Theodorakis explained that what he said concerns Mr. Sharon and not the Jewish people for which, as you know, we Greeks have given proof of our love. The Jewish people have no relation, neither the sufferings of the Jewish people nor the bonds our people have with the Jewish people, with a policy which, as it is known, the Greek people in their overwhelming majority do not approve.''

[06] Communist party calls for release of protesters arrested during June EU summit

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

''Justifiable questions on the government's targets and handlings in light of the celebration for the Polytechnic uprising are created by the continuing holding in custody of the seven defendants of Thessaloniki and, indeed, under conditions entailing risk for their health due to the hunger strike,'' said KKE Parliamentary representative Antonis Skyllakos.

He went on to say ''even more so when in other cases, concerning serious penal crimes, the measure of temporary detention was not applied'', adding that ''we demand the ending of their detention.''

[07] European Socialist Party presidium discusses preparations for 2004 Euroelections

BRUSSELS 15/11/2003 (ANA/Y. Zitouniati)

The European socialists referred to the program of events and initiatives for promoting their positions and coordination between the ''brother'' parties of member-states which will heighten with their congress here on April 23-24.

Tsohatzopoulos said PASOK will organize an international meeting in Athens on December 4-5 on the course of democratic socialism in our times, while in its election campaign for the national elections will be included conferences with a European agenda on the European model, progressive policy at global governance level, as well as democratic development, technology and innovation as elements of the economy's competitiveness.

On the question of the independent development of European security and defense policy, as a supplement for the NATO alliance, and relevant arrangements included in the European draft constitution, Tsohatzopoulos stressed the need for its selective promotion by countries in agreement and the increase in funds that it entails.

[08] Gov’t report on EU fund absorption rate

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

Community fund inflows totalled 5.4 billion euros in the year to October. The money were earmarked to finance 2,595 tourist projects, 219 energy investment and 1,100 plans by small enterprises, among other.

A finance ministry announcement said that EU funds' absorption rate was satisfactory for road networks, education, employment, culture and agriculture, and disappointing for programs in Northern Aegean (13%), Peloponnese (14%), Central Greece (12%) and Epirus (13%).

Absorption rates were also low in programs related with competitiveness (19%), environment (17%), health-welfare (15%) and information society (16%).

[09] Greek SMEs reach European averages in computer, Internet use

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

An annual report on the use of New Information Technologies & Communications by Greek SMEs, conducted in the framework of the e-Business forum and funded by an "Information Society" business program, showed that a Greek companies were increasingly satisfied with electronic transactions with the public sector.

Smaller enterprises, however, employing less than 10 workers, were showing less or no interest to new technologies, holding back efforts for a wider convergence between SMEs in Greece. The report underlined the need for more information and training of these businessmen to adopt new technologies.

The survey said that Greek companies linked to the Internet rose 28 percent in 2002 to 19.6 percent of total companies, up from 15.4 percent in the previous year.

Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises are reported a small increase in their use of computers (35.6 percent in 2002 from 34.2 percent in 2001).

The report also showed a surge by more than 10 percentage points in the rate of Internet use/computer use to 55.1 percent in 2002 from 44.9 percent in 2001, evidence of the rapid increase of businesses linking their computer systems to the Internet.

A 13 percent of SMEs wanted faster access to the Internet, while 60 percent of companies were using ISDN connection in 2002, up 36 percent from the previous year.

The report forecast a 5.0 percent increase in computer use and a 4.0 percent rise in Internet use in 2003 by Greek SMEs, with the use of computer reaching 41 percent of total and Internet use 23 percent during the current year.

[10] Thessaloniki to host Balkan-Black Sea Partenariat Nov 17-18

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

The organizers of the Partenariat said they have already scheduled more than 2,000 business meetings between companies seeking cooperation and predicted that business meetings would surpass 4,000 during the event.

The Partenariat is organized by the Inter-Balkan and Black Sea Business Centre and the Exporters' Union of Northern Greece. It is fully funded by the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Exhibitor companies come from Greece (59), Bulgaria (11), Albania (9), Romania (10), FYROM (25), Turkey (11), Ukraine (5) and Russia (1), and cover the Building Material and Construction sector (37%), Food and Beverage (21%), Clothing (16%), Machinery Equipment and Tools (26%).

The majority of companies seeking cooperation through the Partenariat system, seek cooperation in sales and marketing (31%), distribution networks (25%), joint ventures (17%), know-how (11%), research and development (10%) and licensing (6%).

[11] Greek cheese wins first prize in World Cheese Awards 2003

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

More than 1,000 cheese from around the world participated in this year's contest.

The Greek cheese won the trophy after competing, among others, with Swiss Gruyere, English Cheddar and Italian Parmesan cheese.

Cretalat-Kriaras also won the bronze medal for fresh soft cheese (Cretan Myzethra) in the category of new products in the English market for 2003.

[12] Hellenic Petroleum launches new unit in FYROM plant

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

The cost of the oil desulphurization unit was 22.5 million euros, which will help to supply environment-friendly diesel that complies with European specifications, the company said in a statement.

[13] EU competitiveness needs to improve, Greek industry chief says

BRUSSELS 15/11/2003 (ANA/A.Simatos)

Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, who is also head of the Association of Greek Industry, told a UNICE Compositeness Day event in the Belgian capital that one in two European citizens wanted to found their own business.

''Stumbling blocks and disincentives are a lack of entrepreneurial spirit; complex legislation; red tape; the high cost of setting up a business, developing and liquidating it; the tax burden; the high cost of employment; and lack of flexibility in the market,'' Kyriakopoulos said.

[14] UK betting operator eyes Greece

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

The company, which is a subsidiary of London-listed Stanley Leisure Plc, said the European Court had ruled that it had the right to operate sporting bets in countries of the EU.

"Our aim is to discuss the situation with the authorities and the monopoly of suppliers in Greece, in order to seek ways of creating competition in the Greek market, offering consumers much better products and a greater choice," the statement said.

[15] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

It should be noted, however, that several large foreign banks, like Barclays Bank, ABN Amro, NatWest and Credit Lyonnais have withdrawn from the Greek market in recent years.

In other headline news this week:

The government unveiled a new tax law aimed to offer more incentives to business activity as part of a plan to boost economic growth in the country.

The Athens Stock Exchange presented the key elements of its new book of regulations, aimed to create a new market, based on quality and quantity criteria.

The government will submit its 2004 budget plan to parliament next Tuesday, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said. The new budget will envisage a 4.2 percent growth rate in 2004, up from 4.0 percent this year, and a general government deficit of 1.2 percent of GDP, down from 1.4 percent in 2003.

Greek banks are charging their customers with the highest cost in interbank and cross-border transfer of money, Greece's largest consumer group said.

Greece's economy and finance ministry will issue a new tranche of special savings bonds, addressed to small depositors and offering tax-free returns of 3.6 percent.

Greece could achieve a goal of attracting 20.3 million tourists and collecting revenues of 15 billion US dollars by the year 2010, the country's tourist enterprises' union said this week. The union, however, stressed that this goal would only be achieved if authorities promoted special forms of tourism and extend the tourist season all year round. The union said Greece should have 46 golf courses, 15 autonomous conference centers, 24 sea spas and 42 marinas by 2010.

Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis urged governors of public utilities and corporations (DEKO) to adopt a tight rates price policy in 2004 and avoid new hirings during the pre-election period.

[16] EU ombudsman rules against commission in contractual dispute

BRUSSELS 15/11/2003 (ANA/A.Simatos)

The Commission neglected to examine a final report that modified the draft it had approved over one year earlier, the ombudsman said in a statement on Wednesday.

The complaint was lodged by a scientist on a research contract involving physical interaction between grey seals and fishing gear signed by the Irish Sea Fisheries Board and the Commission’s Directorate-General of Fisheries.

The Commission said that while it might be argued that it should not have accepted an ill-based and unjustified scientific conclusion, this could not be equated with maladministration. In its view, the terms of the contract had been respected.

The Ombudsman disagreed and found the Commission guilty of maladministration.

[17] Greek stocks end week with net loss of 1.44 pct

Athens, 15/11/2003 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.10 percent higher at 2,163.47 points, after moving within the 2,155-2,165 point range throughout the session. The general index ended the week 1.44 percent lower. Turnover was a moderate 114.3 million euros.

The Investment, Textile and IT sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day 1.41 percent, 0.59 percent and 0.57 percent, respectively, while the Construction, Food-Beverage and Telecommunications sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.16 percent, 1.12 percent and 0.45 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.13 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.05 percent lower and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.03 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 179 to 102 with another 78 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover 47.6 mln euros on Friday

Equity Index Futures: