Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-12-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Papandreou calls Powell's statements on EU defense ''mild''

[02] PM Simitis addresses conference on 'Modern socialists and new responses'

[03] Cook backs return of Parthenon Marbles in exchange of exhibition in UK

[04] Greek PM foresees tension at EU summit, says IGC must continue

[05] Karamanlis meets with Raffarin in Paris

[06] Greek dep. defense minister on visit to

[07] FM Papandreou announces establishment of commercial consular office in

[08] Parliamentary committee approves bill on Greek-Albanian defense ministry accord

[09] FM Papandreou backs Turkey's European prospects

[10] Christodoulos sharply assails Turkey's EU prospects

[11] Dep. Interior minister visits Thessaloniki, Thermi

[12] Cabinet meeting discusses shipping issues

[13] Greek gov’t denies acceptance of reviewed price in ETBAbank sale

[14] Greek farm minister meets with FEOGA representative

[15] Development minister announces plan against profiteering

[16] Greek gov’t presents new labor draft legislation

[17] Athens' Hoteliers counter criticism over prices

[18] OA to merge six flights on Friday due to ongoing strike

[19] ICAP study shows private insurance market capacity untapped

[20] Economist Bank Forum focuses on prospects of Greek banks

[21] Greek stocks end Thursday's session mixed to lower

[22] IOC allows shot-put in ancient Olympia for 2004 Games

[23] Parliament passes new Forestry Law

[24] Lawsuit by mass media minister against publisher discussed

[25] Athens municipality sets up Christmas website

[26] Byzantine hymns in NYC by Greek choir, Turkish musicians

[27] Brok: No Cyprus solution, no negotiations for Turkey

[28] Dutch Lower House warns Turkey on EU accession

[29] Akinci calls on Ankara to solve Cyprus issue

[01] FM Papandreou calls Powell's statements on EU defense ''mild''

BRUSSELS 05/12/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

Papandreou underlined that the differences of opinion in the meeting concerned, mainly, the establishment of a European headquarters and its development, on which several different possibilities were submitted.

''The large infrastructure has been ruled out and the thought for a lighter infrastructure is dominant, that of a nucleus-headquarters or of a European pillar within NATO's headquarters,'' Papandreou said, stressing, however, that the issue is still outstanding and that it was not discussed extensively.

He also said that disagreements were voiced within the EU, mainly by countries of Eastern Europe, while disagreements were also noted concerning a clause of mutual assistance.

Papandreou stressed, however, that an initiative of the Greek EU presidency was still in development at an experts level on the issue of a European Armaments Service, which was decided during the Thessaloniki EU Summit.

The Greek minister also said that the NATO ministers discussed the possibility of further NATO entanglement in Iraq, but no decision was made due to reservation expressed by some countries.

He also said that NATO General Secretary Lord Robertson's call for more military commitment in Afghanistan was discussed, noting that he reiterated Greece's negative response, adding, however, that this stance could be reexamined after the Olympic Games.

[02] PM Simitis addresses conference on 'Modern socialists and new responses'

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

Simitis said the modern socialists are the side capable of winning the wager of politics in the 21st century. Referring both to PASOK and other European socialist parties having experience in government, he said after this experience in government ''we are the responsible left'', the left which lives and is fuelled by its relation with life, which tries to turn its ideals into practice and to implement them in conditions which are changing constantly and which proposes and implements policies, as well as practical solutions.

The prime minister said this left is the one which can guarantee a safe future of prosperity for every citizen and for every person in this country.

He added that PASOK's benefit from the years it was in power is that it has learnt to be effective and not to give in to the ease of demagoguery.

Referring to the fundamental principles and the ideals of the socialists, Simitis said they remain unchanged.

''We are struggling and we shall always struggle for a government which secures equal autonomy, solidarity and social cohesion, which is based on the participation of all citizens and maintains equal and peaceful relations with the other countries.''

Simitis also said the socialist left renews and modernizes itself, it handles both the old and new forms of inequality and injustice and the new forms of exclusion and exploitation.

The prime minister outlined the targets and great challenges of the modern-day left, which include the continuation of the economy's growth, confronting unemployment and increasing employment and using new technologies in a way benefiting society and not harming individual rights.

Speaking at the same conference, PASOK's Central Committee secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis said the duty of a modern socialist party today is to guarantee the transition from the old to the new world with the least possible cost and the fewest consequences possible for the weaker classes.

Chrysohoidis said only a modern reformist left can sign a contract with European citizens which will regulate relations between social partners, safeguard social peace, rein in ''uncontrolled and selfish capital'', encourage creativity, and guarantee the rights of individuality and at the same time secure equal possibilities for all.

Focusing on the identity of a modern socialist party, the secretary said rusty party structures must be overcome, as well as phenomena of party bureaucracy.

Chrysohoidis further said socialists must show today that they are the side of imagination and realism, struggles and responsibility, firm management and social benefits, prosperity for all and of equal opportunities.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder also sent a message to the conference.

[03] Cook backs return of Parthenon Marbles in exchange of exhibition in UK

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

[04] Greek PM foresees tension at EU summit, says IGC must continue

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

He stressed, however, that agreement would have to be reached and that any interruption of the Intergovernmental Conference would have a wider negative impact.

Under the Convention proposals, decisions will require a 50 per cent plus one majority of EU member-states, provided these represent 60 per cent of the EU's total population.

Relaying the prime minister's opening remarks to Thursday's meeting of the cabinet, government spokesman Christos Protopapas also reiterated that Greece will be among the nucleus of EU countries taking part in ''structured cooperation'' in European defense.

[05] Karamanlis meets with Raffarin in Paris

PARIS 05/12/2003 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)

Karamanlis stressed that the critical issue is for Europe to forge forward and underlined that each member-state should have a Commissioner with full rights, while adding that there was indeed progress on the common defense and security issue.

Karamanlis also said a strong stipulation should be included prescribing mutual assistance in the event that a member-state is attacked, an issue of great importance for Greece.

The two men also discussed the Cyprus issue and the European prospects of Turkey. Speaking of the Cyprus issue, Karamanlis underlined that there should be a common effort to resolve the political problem, in accordance with the principles and values of Europe and the European acquis communautaire and Raffarin agreed.

As for Turkey's EU prospects there seemed to be skepticism.

[06] Greek dep. defense minister on visit to

FYROM SKOPJE 05/12/2003 (ANA - N. Fragopoulou)

During his meeting with Sulejmani, Lotidis signed a protocol for defense cooperation between Greece and FYROM in the year 2004.

Under the agreement, FYROM officers will attend military schools in Greece for further training and personnel from the country's newly-formed special forces will be trained at Greek army camps.

Lotidis expressed Greece's support for FYROM's efforts to become a member of NATO and said that Athens was in favor of the country's rapprochement with the European Union, pledging unstinting assistance for FYROM's incorporation into Euro-Atlantic structures.

Sulejmani said that FYROM hoped for a clear message at the upcoming NATO summit in Istanbul in June 2004 that it would soon be joining NATO.

On Thursday evening, Lotidis will visit the EU military force ''Concordia'' stationed in FYROM, which is to be replaced on December 15 by the EU police force ''Proxima'', made up of 200 officers from EU member-states.

[07] FM Papandreou announces establishment of commercial consular office in

FYROM BRUSSELS 05/12/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)

He said that the office will have a commercial and economic character, adding that FYROM will open a similar office in Thessaloniki.

Papandreou noted that ''the establishment of the office in Monastir and of the one in Thessaloniki is an action that contributes to the further development of bilateral relations''.

He also announced that Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos will arrive in Skopje on Tuesday to formalize the agreement.

[08] Parliamentary committee approves bill on Greek-Albanian defense ministry accord

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

Referring to the agreement, which has already been ratified by Albania's Parliament, the PASOK party's rapporteur Dimitris Apostolakis said Greece will carry out modernization work at the port of Bisht Palla and, in return, the Albanian government will provide docking facilities for Greek Navy ships.

He added that Turkey has made a similar move and has similar facilities on the Dalmatian coast.

Main opposition New Democracy party rapporteur Evgenios Haitidis expressed reservations on the accord and wondered whether it is necessary for Greece to spend 10-15 million euros to have the right to go to the ports of a country heading for accession to the NATO alliance.

[09] FM Papandreou backs Turkey's European prospects

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou reminded that Rigas' vision was the creation of a peaceful, free and democratic Balkan peninsula where all ethic groups and all religions - Orthodox believers, Catholics, Moslems and Jews - will have a place and added that this vision is currently becoming a reality with European Union integration and the participation of the Balkans.

The foreign minister further said this vision serves Greece's interests and security, it is supported by the great majority of the Greek people and the government is serving this vision with consistency and success.

[10] Christodoulos sharply assails Turkey's EU prospects

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

Speaking during a sermon in a central Athens cathedral during a service to celebrate the twin feast day of Aghia Varvara (St. Barbara) and Osios Serapheim (the Venerable Serapheim), Christodoulos noted that the latter achieved martyrdom, in fact, for his Christian beliefs during the dour Ottoman occupation, “that’s why they (Ottoman Turks) roasted him...”

“...And they now want to enter the European Union. Barbarians cannot enter the Christian family. We cannot live together. This isn’t out of spite, this is consistency, and we must retain it so we do not lose everything in the name of diplomacy. Diplomacy is good, but we cannot forget our history,” the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece stressed.

In a caustic reference to local proponents of Turkey’s European prospects, Christodoulos scolded them as “historically illiterate”.

“All these (people) judge from a safe distance, they judge because they are unaware of history...we cannot forget everything and betray the struggles of our forefathers,” he charged.

Christodoulos’ latest outburst against predominately Muslim Turkey’s advances towards the ever-growing European bloc came a day after Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos rejected a Church of Greece decision over ecclesiastical jurisdiction -- especially over the process for electing new bishops -- in the so-called “New Territories” of northern Greece and the eastern Aegean.

Vartholomeos, the “primus inter Pares” of Orthodox Christian leaders, has been a vocal and long-standing proponent of neighboring Turkey’s European orientation, despite a series of asphyxiating administrative restrictions placed on the Patriarchate by the Turkish state – i.e. closure of the Halki seminary in 1971, control of charitable organizations etc.

[11] Dep. Interior minister visits Thessaloniki, Thermi

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

He was received by Thessaloniki mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, who handed him a memorandum regarding the municipality's finances and its many financial problems.

The two men discussed the city's problems in general and major public works due to be carried out in Thessaloniki.

Visiting Thermi, he was received by its mayor Theodoros Papadopoulos and took part in a meeting on issues concerning the local authority.

[12] Cabinet meeting discusses shipping issues

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

During the meeting, Prime Minister Costas Simitis underlined that the Greek merchant fleet was currently the largest in the world and that careful handling was required to ensure that it retained its status and prime position.

He also noted that the issue of monohull tankers had been dealt with during the Greek European Union presidency.

Referring to an article in the French newspaper ''Le Monde'' that criticized Greece on commercial shipping issues, he said it was indicative of the suspicious attitudes toward Greece from certain quarters.

He stressed that there were two approaches regarding the operation of merchant shipping: one proposed preservation and protection of the environment and strengthened the prestige of Greek shipping, while the other was only interested in profits and the laws of the market.

Presenting an overview of ministry actions over the past four years, Merchant Marine Minister George Paschalidis stressed preparations for the country ports in view of the Athens Olympics in 2004, especially the new security systems being installed at all Olympic ports that will be monitored by a force of 4,000 men during the Games.

He particularly noted efforts to make the port of Piraeus a "European shipping metropolis" through projects to be used both during the Olympics and afterwards and Olympic preparations at eight ports around the country and the Flisvos Marina.

Among the ministry's initiatives, he listed the implementation of a safety code for ships and ports, starting with international voyages until July 1, 2004 and gradually extending to all ships and all Greek ports at a later date.

The minister also outlined incentives for the shipping sector, such as reduced tax for new builds and new ships, subsidies for training voyages and others.

[13] Greek gov’t denies acceptance of reviewed price in ETBAbank sale

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

Replying to an updated question by ND party's deputy Miltiades Evert in parliament, Mr Christodoulakis stressed that ''the privatization of ETBAbank was a very significant move in the privatization effort as it reduced the state's presence in the domestic banking system.''

The Greek minister noted that the government would seek to find a solution to a proposal by Piraeus Bank to review the share sale price, based on protecting the interests of both the Greek state and the bank's smaller shareholders.

Mr Evert said that the privatization of ETBAbank would badly damage smaller shareholders and stressed that although the initial deal was to sell the bank at a price of 5.10 euros per share to Piraeus Bank, the Greek state has accepted a new, reduced, price of around 3.20 euros per share to complete the sale.

Mr Evert accused the government of breaking the law.

Mr Christodoulakis noted that the government ''completed one of its most ambitious privatization programs this year, raising 2.7 billion euros so far,'' to add that the government was expected to announced the privatization of Tourist Real Estate SA in the next few days.

He defended the government's policy saying that ''the biggest part of privatization proceeds was used to reduce the country's public debt and not the government's fiscal deficits.''

[14] Greek farm minister meets with FEOGA representative

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

The Greek minister stressed that the government, in order to achieve a more effective absorption of FEOGA credits, has created an organization of inspecting payments and community subsidies in the country to ensure Greece's credibility in transactions with EU agencies.

The organization OPEKEPE was created to legally manage, with transparency, EU subsidies to Greek farmers, worth around 2.9 billion euros annually, to protect FEOGA and the country from fiscal corrections, Mr Drys said.

The Greek minister said he hoped that the European Commission "will acknowledge progress made by the government in monitoring absorption of EU funds."

[15] Development minister announces plan against profiteering

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

Speaking during a press conference at the offices of the Hellenic Tourist Organization in Athens, Tsohatzopoulos underlined the intention of the ministry to establish a clear cut ''framework'' which will bar or limit profiteering during the Games.

He also said that the ministry was cooperating with the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee and tour operators, so as to also find ways of curbing profiteering.

[16] Greek gov’t presents new labor draft legislation

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

Mr Reppas said the unemployment rate was currently at 8.9 percent of the workforce, three percentage points down compared with 1999 levels. The Greek minister said he was optimistic that positive developments in the Greek economy combined with more active employment policies would lead to higher employment levels in the country in the next few years.

Mr Reppas said that the government would submit its new social security draft bill to parliament in January and reiterated a pledge that the bill would include favorable adjustments for workers.

The new employment draft bill envisages offering subsidies to employers for hiring unemployment people, unemployed mothers with two children, exempting women farmers with two children from paying social security contributions, creating private employment consulting agencies and ensuring subsidies of 1.467 billion euros by the Greek state to Social Security Institution (IKA) to pay for IKA's debt third parties.

[17] Athens' Hoteliers counter criticism over prices

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

They stressed that 18,000 rooms in Attica were allocated to the Olympic Family, while only 10 per cent was sold at market prices directly to private individuals, stressing that these prices were controlled by the market rule of demand and supply.

[18] OA to merge six flights on Friday due to ongoing strike

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

The airline said it will be merging flights 145 and 147 from Athens-Brussels-Athens, flights 329 and 337 from Athens-Larnaca-Athens, flights 115 and 117 from Athens-Tirana-Athens, flights 506 and 510 from Athens-Iraklion-Athens, flights 514 and 518 from Athens-Iraklion-Athens and flights 570 and 572 from Athens-Mytilene-Athens.

OA announced that it would be able to carry out all 110 flights scheduled to depart from Athens airport on Friday.

Meanwhile, OA's dismissals board convened on Wednesday night and decided to fire flight attendants George Xanthopoulos and Dimitris Dimitriou for abusive behavior toward a female colleague, after she decided to join the crew on a flight from Athens to Toronto.

[19] ICAP study shows private insurance market capacity untapped

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

The study that was conducted for the Insurance Companies' Association stressed that two thirds of those employed in Greece declared that did not have any private insurance of any kind, be it life, pension or health.

If compared with the European Union's average the capacity of the Greek market was estimated at 7 to 8.5 billion euros or about six times more than today's levels.

[20] Economist Bank Forum focuses on prospects of Greek banks

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

Deputy National Bank Governor Theodoros Pantalakis said Greek banks, compared to many competitors of theirs in other developed economies, particularly those of the European Union, have considerable comparative advantages to show.

He said the pre-tax profits of the biggest Greek bank groups increased 34 percent during the first nine months in 2003. Organic profit-making, profits obtained from exclusive bank operations, improved by 33 percent over the same period in 2003 compared to the corresponding period last year.

Pantalakis also said bank loaning to households as a percentage of GDP remains relatively low, at 24 percent of GDP, compared to an average of 50 percent in the eurozone and over 70 percent in the United States.

The deputy governor also referred to the National Bank's presence in the Balkans. He said that with total assets amounting to 1.7 billion euros in the region, the National Bank Group has the most extensive presence compared to all the international competitors in the Balkans and currently possesses the biggest network of branch offices in southeastern Europe.

[21] Greek stocks end Thursday's session mixed to lower

Athens, 05/12/2003 (ANA)

Traders said that investment transferred money from blue chip to smaller capitalization stocks.

The general index fell 0.15 percent to end at 2,194.42 points, with turnover a heavy 224.8 million euros.

The Construction, Investment and Wholesale sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.37 percent, 1.14 percent and 1.03 percent, respectively), while the Insurance, Telecommunications and IT sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (0.99 percent, 0.95 percent and 0.85 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell by 0.51 percent, while the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.35 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.23 percent higher.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 184 to 118 with another 58 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Vodafone, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Alpha Bank and Coca Cola.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 75.8 million euros Thursday

Equity Index Futures: