Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-06-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis tours Marathon region's archaeological sites, monuments

[02] PASOK party leader will honor renewal mandate

[03] UN Dep. General Secretary opens European Foundation Centre assembly in Athens

[04] Supreme Court excludes DIKKI from upcoming Euro-elections

[05] President Stephanopoulos to visit Normandy at invitation of French counterpart

[06] Coalition party leader calls for consumers' protection

[07] Athens mayor says all necessary measures taken to deal with terrorism

[08] Minoan boat carrying olive branch for Olympic Games Marathon race winner sets out from Crete

[09] Rio, Antirrio town councils meet at new bridge's midway point

[10] Suburban railway line to link Larissa station and Athens airport in 30 minutes

[11] PM Karamanlis visits holy monastery, inspects restoration work

[12] International journalists conference ends on Sunday

[13] Authorities investigate makeshift bomb blast at Larissa courthouse

[14] Pavarotti says he's beginning 'farewell tour' from Athens

[15] 2 would-be migrants stray into minefield; one fatality reported

[01] PM Karamanlis tours Marathon region's archaeological sites, monuments

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

The wider Marathon region also hosts new Olympic Rowing Centre at Schinias today.

Karamanlis, who kept the high-profile culture ministry portfolio for himself after winning the March 7 general elections to demonstrate the country's commitment to successfully hosting the upcoming 2004 Olympic Games, also visited the renovated Marathon Archaeological Museum and the area around the Marathon Tumulus, erected in the battle's wake to preserve the remains of the ancient Athenian citizen-soldiers that fell in battle against an invading Persian army some 25 centuries ago on the marshy Marathon plain.

"Our presence here today underlines the significance and attention that the government pays to our debt vis-a-vis these milestone sites; to preserve them; to showcase them; to deliver them to future generations intact," the prime minister told reporters afterwards.

"In roughly two and a half months, Marathon will be at the centre of international attention in light of the 2004 Olympic Games of Athens. Our guests, as well as the millions of television viewers around the world that will watch the Games, will have the opportunity to discover that Greece not only manages a very rich cultural heritage, but is also a country that conscientiously invests in culture; a country that has significant potential in the new era," he added.

PASOK party calls on government to show 'more modesty and humility': The main opposition PASOK party, in an announcement issued on Monday on the occasion of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' visit to various projects concerning the Olympic Games and nearing completion, called on the government to show ''more modesty and humility''.

The announcement further said Karamanlis and the present-day ministers "did nothing else in all the past years than deny, denounce, defame and speak of scandals in connection with every major and small project taking place in the country."

[02] PASOK party leader will honor renewal mandate

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou stressed that he will not back down, while the next step will be the party's congress which, as he said, will be democratic and open.

The PASOK party's leader criticizes the government and notes that the first victim of its policy will be the social state. He also accuses it of duplicity, inconsistency, contradictions and of lacking coordination.

Papandreou further said the ruling New Democracy party has chosen not to rule and wants to pass the Euroelections, due to take place on June 13, with demagoguery and promises.

Referring to his party, Papandreou said PASOK is open to dialogue and cooperation with parties of the Left.

[03] UN Dep. General Secretary opens European Foundation Centre assembly in Athens

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

She spoke during the opening plenary of the 15th annual general assembly of the European Foundation Centre, which is taking place this year in Athens and focusing on the overall theme of "The Athens Agora- Bridging civilizations and cultures"

In referring to the upcoming 2004 Olympic Games of Athens, Frechette expressed her conviction that Athens over the summer will become a symbol of friendship amongst the nations of the world, as countries ' athletes will all come together under the Olympic flame.

In greeting delegates, Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki welcomed the holding of the conference in Athens. The ATHOC chief was later praised by Frechette for "transforming Athens into a modern capital".

The centre was established in 1989 and comprises an independent European organization charged with supporting and coordinating some 200 charitable foundations and groups on the continent.

[04] Supreme Court excludes DIKKI from upcoming Euro-elections

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

The furor over whether or not DIKKI would in fact remain in existence erupted after the March 7 elections, when Tsovolas, its founder and president, said he was disbanding the party. A group of DIKKI's political secretariat members vowed to keep the party afloat against Tsovolas' wishes, in fact, prompting court battles for various restraining orders and often messy spats before television cameras.

The ruling held that the party's now defunct central political committee was solely responsible for tabling a list of Euro-parliament candidates with the Supreme Court.

The decision was immediately criticized by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos), as well as remaining DIKKI cadres, with the latter blaming main opposition PASOK for their party's demise.

Meanwhile, the Court approved 23 party tickets for the June 13 elections out of a total of 32 requests. Most of the parties rejected failed to meet deadlines for filing candidate lists or other legal requirements.

[05] President Stephanopoulos to visit Normandy at invitation of French counterpart

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

According to an announcement issued by the Presidency of the Republic, President Stephanopoulos will be participating, on June 6, in celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the allied invasion of Normandy during World War Two and the liberation of France.

[06] Coalition party leader calls for consumers' protection

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

"Life is difficult and expensive," he said, adding that Greek society "is watching the decades go by and the housewife's basket becoming more expensive and empty."

Referring to the June 13 Euroelections, the Coalition party leader said "we are requesting decisive support from the Greek citizens to enable us to take great initiatives."

Constantopoulos further said developments in Europe are not a one-way path, since there is another path which is being followed by the Coalition, the European Left and the European Social Forum which wants a different Europe in a different world.

[07] Athens mayor says all necessary measures taken to deal with terrorism

ROME 1/6/2004 (ANA)

"Security (for the Olympic Games) will cost Greece one billion euros, meaning 3.5 times more than the corresponding amount provided for the Sydney Olympic Games. The city of Athens will be protected by 700,000 men. NATO will patrol the coastline and keep airspace under surveillance with AWACS. Apart from this, we requested and received the cooperation of all European countries, of the United States and of Israel. Every measure possible has been taken to guarantee for us that all will go well."

Referring to recent incidents in Athens involving makeshift explosive devices, Bakoyianni said "the attempts of past days were not the doing of terrorists but of very small groups taking advantage of the occasion to make people talk about them. They are completely harmless."

[08] Minoan boat carrying olive branch for Olympic Games Marathon race winner sets out from Crete

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

The olive branch was delivered to Olympic Games medalist George Roumbanis by the Mayor of Kolymbari Manolis Rozmaris during a ceremony attended by local authorities and crowds of people.

The boat "Minoa", 17 metres long and an exact replica of the vessel used by the ancient Minoans, will cover a distance of 260 nautical miles in a journey lasting 20 days and is expected to sail into the port of Piraeus on June 18.

[09] Rio, Antirrio town councils meet at new bridge's midway point

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

Both delegations met in the middle of the bridge.

The impressive span bridge, which will connect the western mainland (Aetoloakarnania prefecture) with the western Peloponnese, is expected to be completed soon and ahead of time. The Gefyra consortium building the bridge is headed up by a French contractor.

On his part, Rio mayor Vassilis Zervas reminded that more than 1,000 workers were involved with construction over the past seven years without a single serious accident.

[10] Suburban railway line to link Larissa station and Athens airport in 30 minutes

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

Trains will have a capacity of 600 passengers and will be running every half an hour. In addition, trains running from D. Plakentias station to the airport will be able to carry about 1,000 passengers.

Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis and Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Tassos Nerantzis, accompanied by reporters, traveled on the new train on Friday to test the new facility.

Liapis said the new trains will begin regular runs on this route in mid-July, while providing many comforts for passengers and having a speed of up to 160 kilometers an hour.

[11] PM Karamanlis visits holy monastery, inspects restoration work

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis, accompanied by Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis and other officials, said "as a government and as a culture ministry, we have placed culture among our top priorities. Not only because it is the responsibility of all of us towards our great cultural heritage, but also because it must be realized by all that culture is an important means for the country to be promoted and developed."

The prime minister was given a guided tour of the premises and was briefed on the current stage of restoration work in progress.

"Restoration work is a difficult task. A delicate and sensitive one which requires high scientific precision," he said, adding that "we are determined to move with greater accuracy and determination."

The Daphne monastery, included in UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage Catalogue, dates back to the end of the 11th century and its mosaics have purely "Greek" characteristics.

It was damaged by the killer earthquake that struck the Attica prefecture on September 7, 1999. It has been closed to visitors since then due to the restoration work in progress.

[12] International journalists conference ends on Sunday

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

Nikos Mengrelis, ESHEA's secretary general, was elected a member of the Executive Committee. It is the first time that a Greek journalist will participate in the IJF's administration.

The IJF also ratified a resolution backing the struggles of journalistic unions in Greece to preserve jobs and safeguard the rights of professional journalists in the country.

[13] Authorities investigate makeshift bomb blast at Larissa courthouse

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

A pedestrian passing outside the building was slightly injured from flying glass.

No group or individual had claimed responsibility by Sunday afternoon.

In a later announcement, Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis stressed that the low-impact blast "doesn't merit any particular concern", although he noted that authorities are thoroughly investigating the incident.

[14] Pavarotti says he's beginning 'farewell tour' from Athens

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

The venerable Italian superstar, nevertheless, hinted that if "after two years I do not feel tired, then I may not say goodbye." Pavarotti spoke during a press conference a day before he takes the stage of the open-air amphitheatre with the Acropolis looming before him.

The buoyant tenor amused local reporters and fans with his comments during the press conference, saying, among others, that Greek blood flows through his veins; that he was taught Greek as a child, and that his love for the east Mediterranean country brought him again to Athens.

Pavarotti will perform in a concert for a local charity (Elpida) benefiting children with cancer.

Regarding the upcoming Olympic Games of Athens, he said that although he publicly supported Rome's bid for the 2004 Games, he nevertheless told Italian candidate-city officials that Greece and Athens would win the bid.

"It is very significant to tell your children and grandchildren that you were there … at the Olympic Games of Athens," the 69-year-old Modena native said.

[15] 2 would-be migrants stray into minefield; one fatality reported

Athens, 1/6/2004 (ANA)

Military officials said another Moldova, involved in the same incident, was being treated for minor injuries at an Alexandroupoli hospital.

Both men reportedly entered the minefield after jumping over two chain link fences marked, in Greek and English, with phosphorescent signs warning of landmines.

The incident occurred at 2:30 a.m. A unit of army sappers rescued the injured man and retrieved the victim's body. No names were given.

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