Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-12-08

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis criticizes gov't, Protopapas reacts

[02] Communist party leader attacks mainstream parties during rally

[03] Christodoulos clarifies statements about Turkey' EU prospects

[04] Tsohatzopoulos comments on Christodoulos' statement about Turkey

[05] Development minister ends official two-day visit to Syria

[06] Olympic Airways announces resumption of regular schedule

[07] Taxi cub strike on Monday

[08] President participates in Navy's protector St. Nicolas' day celebrations

[09] 90th anniversary of Crete's incorporation to Greece celebrations

[10] Eurodeputy Myrsini Zorba and Foreign Press Association organizing event on Iraq

[11] Vartholomeos speaks of "United States of Europe" vision

[12] Three police special guards charged with attempted murder in Crete

[13] Petsalnikos comments on "N17" trial's procedure

[14] Balkan Conference of Journalists focuses on problems of the press

[15] Cyprus President discusses Cyprus issue with Blair

[16] French National Assembly delegation visits Cyprus

[01] Karamanlis criticizes gov't, Protopapas reacts

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

Speaking during an open rally in Menidi, northwestern Athens, he said "this is not the time for tactical openings (to voters), rather it is the time to open our hearts and reach out to all Greek voters".

"We are asking for the trust of even those that do not vote for us. Since, we need everyone's trust, if not their agreement, to implement our reformist work. We may disagree politically, but we do not hate each other and we can have coincidence of aims, one such example is to have all Greek children attend schools during the morning hours," he said.

Karamanlis stressed that his party has left behind the dividing lines of the past.

Commenting on the everyday problems and the critical problems of the Menidi region, he said that the time of promises has gone for good, adding that the political school of thought he subscribes to is allergic to pre-election promises.

He also spoke of unemployment, infrastructure problems, the bad condition of the road system and problems faced by the schools of the area, criticizing the government for delays in the compensation payment for land appropriations, which was necessary for the construction of the Olympic Village. He stressed that ND was committed to create a team to resolve the issue, if it does not get resolved by the elections.

The ND leader also spoke of work related accidents in construction projects in the area, the drug problem and the living conditions of repatriated Greeks settled in Menidi.

Mass Media Minister and government spokesman Christos Protopapas, responded to Karamanlis' criticism, noting that "it is good of Mr. Karamanlis that even now in 2003, he remembered that Greeks are not divided. But between parties there are political differences, concerning what each serves. He (Karamanlis) avoids this discussion, he hides it, because he knows that his policies do not serve the citizen, but only the big (economic) interests".

[02] Communist party leader attacks mainstream parties during rally

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

Papariga reiterated KKE's proposal on the need to create an alliance between anti-imperialist and anti-monopoly forces to enable the people's movement to become more effective.

Papariga said in her address that imperialism is not unbeatable. It is facing problems and all its weaknesses have become obvious, while it is finding difficulty in reproducing itself.

The KKE secretary general further said starvation, unemployment, poverty, insecurity, privatizations, intracapitalist conflicts, war, racism and the wave of immigration are not symptoms and consequences of a specific liberal or socialdemocrat management but are inseparable elements of the modern-day capitalist system itself.

Referring to the next general election in the country, normally due in spring, Papariga stressed that ''the next election must not be lost for the people during the crucial period we are going through.''

She also noted that ''nothing will change and matters will become worse if workers vote for ND to punish and give PASOK a lesson. The more one party continues to transfuse votes to the other the more the ordeal of the Greek people will increase.''

[03] Christodoulos clarifies statements about Turkey' EU prospects

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

He stressed that he respects all the peoples of the world and of course the Turkish people, saying, however, that ''in today's Turkey - especially in sections of the leadership and more so at those where the executive power is consolidated - attitudes and understandings, which are foreign to what the European Union represents, are dominant''.

''We should aim at Turkey's Europeanization. We hope that the neighboring country, and mainly its leadership, aligns with human rights and the other democratic practices that are in force in the European Union. We want a Turkey by us, different that what it is today, with democratic sensitivities, with European practices, with respect for the human being. This is our aim, to co-exist in peace, with friendship and harmoniously with the neighboring people,'' Christodoulos stressed.

[04] Tsohatzopoulos comments on Christodoulos' statement about Turkey

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

On Friday the Archbishop had said that Turkey cannot enter in the European Union, for cultural reasons.

Vartholomeos comments on recent ecclesiastical crisis ISTANBUL, 08/12/03 Kourkoulas)

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos spoke on Saturday of the recent ecclesiastical crisis, during a mass in the ancient church of St. Nicolaos at the south Aegean coast of Turkey.

"The Grand Church of Christ (that is the Ecumenical Patriarchate) rightly so remains, for ever, a supra-national and indeed an ecumenical institution, the rampart of unity and recourse of the Churches and the peoples, even though from time-to-time daughter churches 'give it bile to eat instead of meat, acid instead of water to drink," Vartholomeos said.

"The Grand Church of Christ, for many centuries has taught and taken care of, all the local churches, undertaking the responsibility and the burden of martyrdom and sorrow to do so," he added.

Vartholomeos also commented on Turkey's European prospects, saying that "within the framework of the new elements and of the European prospect of the country more (religious) homes will come to life, as the one here at Myra and we will see better days, peaceful days".

"Long ways from shortsightedness and daltonisms the people and neighbors at that, will be able to live in harmony and peace and love and will be able to enjoy the goods provided by God," he underlined.

St. Nicolas was a bishop of Myra, were he worked and died, but today his remains are kept in Bari, Italy, where they were taken in the 11th century.

Yiannitsis comments on future of Loizidou case NICOSIA, 08/12/03 (Leonidas)

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Sunday said that the resolution of the Council of Europe's permanent representatives' committee for the Loizidou case, concerning the human rights aspect, have brought about an overturning of the status quo.

In an interview to a local newspaper, Yiannitsis stressed the importance of the case noting that to path is opening for "a long-term, even though hard, overturning of the results of the 1974 invasion, in a very specialized, but not insignificant sector".

[05] Development minister ends official two-day visit to Syria

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

His talks with Syrian officials focused on regional security, developments in the wider region of the Middle East and southeastern Europe, the handling of problems created by world terrorism and bilateral economic and development cooperation between the two countries.

Tsohatzopoulos' visit to Syria occurred 10 days before the Syrian president's official visit to Greece, at the invitation of President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

During his stay in Damascus, the Greek minister held talks with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, the prime minister and a number of ministers.

Speaking after his talks with the Syrian president, Tsohatzopoulos said President Assad asked him to convey Syria's views and positions both to the president of the republic and to Prime Minister Costas Simitis to facilitate a substantive discussion between the two sides during his visit to Greece, primarily regarding the issues of regional security, peace and stabilization in the wider region and the handling of problems resulting from the activities of international terrorism.

President Assad also requested Greece's support for Syria's effort to complete negotiations underway and achieve his country's association agreement with the European Union.

Referring to the outcome of his talks with Syrian ministers, Tsohatzopoulos announced the signing of two cooperation protocols with Syria concerning cooperation in the energy sector, as well as cooperation in research and technology.

[06] Olympic Airways announces resumption of regular schedule

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

[07] Taxi cub strike on Monday

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

The strike will begin on Monday at 5 a.m. and will last until Tuesday 5 a.m., in addition taxis will refuse to service the Athens Airport on Sunday between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

[08] President participates in Navy's protector St. Nicolas' day celebrations

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

Former Prime Minister Tzanis Tzannetakis, Metropolitan of Piraeus Kallinikos, local authorities and the Greek Armed Forces Chiefs of Staff were also at hand for the events honoring both St. Nicolas and the Greek Navy.

The president wished the nation well, stressing that this day is not just a celebration of the Navy, but also a grand religious celebration.

On his part, Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stated that the Navy along with the army and the air force comprise a strong weapon in the hands of our country, for the promotion of its national strength.

[09] 90th anniversary of Crete's incorporation to Greece celebrations

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

He stressed that Crete is a bright an example of Greece's national course, adding that it was always a beacon of freedom and democracy.

Crete was incorporated to Greece on Dec. 1, 1913.

[10] Eurodeputy Myrsini Zorba and Foreign Press Association organizing event on Iraq

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

Ms. Zorba said ''2003 will stay in the memory of all of us as the year sealed by the war in Iraq. A short war which is continuing, however. The questioning of the necessity and expediency of this war was great and questions went unanswered. The weapons of mass destruction, the official cause of the war, were never found. Saddam got away, as was the case with Bin Laden, millions of people demonstrated in the streets against the 'pre-emptive' war, Europe was divided, the UN received a mortal blow, a deep rift was created with the Islamic world and we got yet another bitter taste of the war against terrorism.''

The event will be divided into two discussions. The first will focus on ''The war in Iraq:The new situation'' and the second on ''The independence of the mass media in conditions of crisis.''

The first discussion will be coordinated by Athens News Agency (ANA) managing director Nikolas Voulelis and the second by journalist Pavlos Tsimas. Arnet will participate in both discussions.

[11] Vartholomeos speaks of "United States of Europe" vision

ISTANBUL, 08/12/03 (ANA)

Speaking during a church service in southwestern Turkey, Vartholomeos stressed that "nations and people and customs all become a great big family, while technology, as you know, has minimized distances and all the world has become one big city, or a big village".

[12] Three police special guards charged with attempted murder in Crete

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

On Saturday, the special guards attempted to stop a car for a routine check, but when the car failed to stop, they opened fire injuring Iraklis Maragkakis, who is hospitalized at the intensive care ward of the Iraklion Hospital.

Following the incident relatives and friends of the injured man attacked the police car and later the police station where the guards were taken for the investigation, demanding judicial action.

The prosecutor also charged the two other passengers of the Maragkakis' car with drug trafficking and use.

[13] Petsalnikos comments on "N17" trial's procedure

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

Speaking during the regular general assembly of the Assistant Prosecutors' Union, which took place in Athens, Petsalnikos underlined that "following a trial, which as it is known lasted eight months, having had 162 sessions, the verdict is expected tomorrow".

"I would like to stress that in representing the state, the government, the justice ministry, we had the responsibility to secure all the preconditions of a trial that would take place and I believe took place, under all the preconditions of a prefect procedure, which secured and secures the protection of the rights of the defense of the defendants and of course of the function of all the elements of the trial," he said.

"It is self-evident that the justice ministry does not comment and I will not comment on any decision," he concluded.

[14] Balkan Conference of Journalists focuses on problems of the press

Athens, 08/12/03 (ANA)

The conference, which was organized by the Macedonian News Agency (MNA), focused on the problems faced by journalists in their countries and the new conditions that were formulated in the information sector with the proliferation of the internet.

Athens News Agency's (ANA) Managing Director Nicolas Voulelis stressed that digital technology has the ability to abolish borders and bring people closer together, but it does table questions, such as ''how true is this for all the citizens of the world? How great are the limitations in the dissemination of information and how drastic is the forced guidance of news coverage internationally?''

He presented data gathered in recent studies that were conducted in Europe, noting that today the Internet has overcome the periodical press and covers 10 per cent of the mass media market, while the market share of the magazines stood at 8 per cent, television at 41 per cent, radio at 28 per cent and newspapers at 13 per cent.

Voulelis also noted that the market is undergoing a critical phase of re-orientation of its role, in a framework that benefits and reproduces a new division and a new allocation between those that have more, better and more complete information and to those that do not.

On his part, MNA President Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos addressed the issue of the Turkish European course, calling for the formation of a joint committee that will promote the Turkish course toward the EU and will be composed of personages both from Greece and Turkey.

He stressed that the course of Balkan countries to the European Union is an one way street and Turkey can not be exempt from this prospect, to the contrary, he said, it is obligatory that it secures a ''ticket'' to united Europe on the basis of the same criteria and preconditions that are in force for the rest of the countries of Southeastern Europe and not with ''different measures and weights'' as proposed by several sides.

[15] Cyprus President discusses Cyprus issue with Blair

NICOSIA, 08/12/03 (CNA/ANA)

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides, who is in Abuja with the President, told CNA that during their short meeting, Papadopoulos and Blair discussed the Cyprus issue, as well as the reference on Cyprus, expected to be included in the CHOGM final communique, to be issued Monday.

Chrysostomides added that President Papadopoulos has also other meetings with Commonwealth heads of states.

President Papadopoulos is also accompanied to Nigeria by Foreign Minister Georgios Iacovou and Cyprus' High Commissioner in London Myrna Cleopa.

[16] French National Assembly delegation visits Cyprus

NICOSIA, 08/12/2003 (CNA/ANA)

During their stay here, deputies Eric Raoult, Jean-Marc Nesme and Rene Rouquet will be received by President of the House of Representatives and Acting President of the Republic Demetris Christofias.

The delegation will also meet with Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Nicos Anastasiades and members of the Committee as well as with the Chairman of the House European Affairs Committee Nicos Kleanthous and members of the Committee.

They will also have separate meetings with Takis Hadjidemetriou, Cyprus' Harmonisation Coordinator and Sotos Zakcheos, Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article