Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-06-28

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] Ecumenical patriarch sees theology school reopening this year

[02] Gov't rejects Turkish press report on Greek airspace cut

[03] Cyprus and Greco-Turkish ties are linked, officials say

[04] Parliament speaker seeks closer ties with Cypriot house

[05] New ruling party youth leader cites problems to tackle

[06] Coalition of Left leader blasts "US policy of permanent war"

[07] Memorial service for Andreas Papandreou

[08] Emporiki Bank to merge subsidiaries, up returns on equity

[09] London welcomes Olympic torch

[10] Public order minister says Olympics security well coordinated

[11] Greeks celebrate soccer victory over champion France

[12] PM pledges new treatment centers for drug addicts

[13] Earthquake in the north, no reports of injuries or damage

[01] Ecumenical patriarch sees theology school reopening this year

ISTANBUL, 28/6/2004 (ANA/A.Kourkoulas)

The patriarch said that earlier in the day he had met US President Bush, who informed him that he had discussed the matter with the Turkish government in Ankara.

The patriarch thanked Karamanlis for personal interest he had shown in the school, and that of his government.

Karamanlis and Bush are in Turkey for a NATO summit that begins in Istanbul on Monday.

In addition, the prime minister told Vartholomeos that preparations by Turkey for entry into the European Union, and membership itself, would benefit the Turkish people, adjoining countries and the European Union.

The two officials were discussing the outlook for the start of EU entry negotiations for Turkey.

[02] Gov't rejects Turkish press report on Greek airspace cut

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

"Purported statements by Mr Spiliotopoulos to the Turkish Hurriet newspaper, particularly concerning discussion of a possible reduction of national airspace to below 10 nautical miles are the product of the reporter's fertile imagination, and not worthy of refutation," the ministry said in a statement.

On Saturday, the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) had asked the government to make its position clear on reducing national airspace in the Aegean, saying the impression was left of a country without direction or strategy.

[03] Cyprus and Greco-Turkish ties are linked, officials say

Nicosia, 28/6/2004 (ANA/G.Leonidas)

''I do not see any benefit in separating the Cyprus problem from Greco-Turkish relations, which are objectively related whether we like it or not,'' Christofias told a joint news conference with visiting Greek Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benakis.

Christofias said that during his meetings with the Greek prime minister and foreign minister he was left with the impression that the Cyprus problem and Greco-Turkish relations would not be separated.

Psarouda-Benakis said that Greece's government had stated plainly that the Cyprus issue and Greco-Turkish relations were linked.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[04] Parliament speaker seeks closer ties with Cypriot house

NICOSIA, 28/6/2004 (ANA/M.Vihou)

Speaking after talks with Cyprus House of Representatives Speaker Demetris Christofias, the Greek parliamentary head told reporters that exchanges would be arranged in the near future between officials of the two institutions that would also include parliamentary correspondents.

In addition, the two houses would publish works on Antonis Samarakis containing references to Cyprus by the world renowned author.

Christofias, who said the two officials had discussed the Cyprus issue in terms of the EU, accepted Psarouda-Benaki's invitation to visit Greece.

On Friday, Psarouda-Benakis held talks with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos.

[05] New ruling party youth leader cites problems to tackle

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

"The previous (PASOK) government allowed these problems to drag on. They now need a stable and dynamic ombudsman under the new government, and this is the role for ONNED to play," Papanikolaou told the close of the youth movement congress that elected him on Saturday.

Born in 1977, Papanikolaou is a practicing lawyer.

[06] Coalition of Left leader blasts "US policy of permanent war"

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

"The subject that is taking up everyone's attention is massive, that is a strategy of permanent war and anti-terrorism laws imposed by the US, turning the whole planet into a minefield through this strategy," Constantopoulos told his party's central political committee.

He also sharply criticized the Greek government's security policy, including a new anti-terrorism bill and what he said was an intention to keep public surveillance systems in place after the Athens 2004 Olympics in August.

Constantopoulos repeated that he will not seek a new term as the party's leader.

[07] Memorial service for Andreas Papandreou

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

Addressing the service, his son and current PASOK leader George Papandreou described the late Papandreou as "father of all of us".

Beyond members of the public and family, attending the service were former ministers including Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Costas Laliotis.

[08] Emporiki Bank to merge subsidiaries, up returns on equity

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

"There will be a second wave of mergers involving subsidiaries. And we will not restrict ourselves to that. We will reduce our exposure in shares to more reasonable levels," Provopoulos told the Sunday Eleftherotypia newspaper in an interview.

"In this way, we will ensure capital for growth and lower the risk entailed in an unbridled exposure of assets," he said.

Management has already announced the absorption of 11 subsidiaries that is expected to reduce costs by at least 6.0 million euros annually.

"In 2003, Emporiki's investments in subsidiaries brought earnings of 1.0 per cent. If, however, the group bought into state bonds it would gain at least 4.5 per cent on invested capital with the same money, and with no risk at all," Provopoulos said.

"The medium-term objective is to double current returns on the group's shareholders' equity to more than 10.0 per cent or 12.0 per cent," he added.

[09] London welcomes Olympic torch

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

Despite rain, thousands of Londoners and visitors awaited along the Olympic flame's route on Saturday to cheer the torchbearers, who included celebrities from the worlds of sports, art and business such as 93-year-old Fauja Singh, who runs marathon races for charitable causes, actor Sir Ian McKellen, track champion Sebastian Coe, Heather Mills-McCartney and Sir Richard Branson.

The torchbearers ran for roughly 48 kilometers across eleven municipal districts of the UK capital, which hosted the Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948.

Athens 2004 representative George Bolos delivered the flame at Heathrow Airport to Sylvia Disley, who had participated in the 1948 London Games.

London Mayor Ken Livingston said: "The flame's arrival is a great honor for the torchbearers, for London, and for Great Britain. London is a city where the world comes together. Nearly every nation that will be participating in the Athens Games is represented by a community that will be cheering the athletes in August".

The torch relay began from Wimbledon, where British track legend, Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to break the four-minute mile barrier, handed the flame to current champion Tim Henman, cheered by 9,000 spectators.

Jonathan Edwards, the triple-jumper, then bore the flame to the seat of the British Olympic Committee.

The torch passed Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Big Ben, Chinatown, Oxford Street, Greenwich, Piccadilly Circus, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Soho, Brixton, Trafalgar Square, the Mall, London Bridge, Saint Paul's Cathedral, and the Cutty Sark, a famous 19th century tall ship that now serves as a museum.

Beyond the torchbearers, traditional London means of transport were used to carry the flame, such as a black London cab, a red double-decker bus and a rowboat that ferried the torch across the Thames.

The ceremonies peaked with the flame's arrival at the Mall, where the altar was lit by Britain's greatest Olympic medalist, Sir Steve Redgrave, who won five gold medals in Olympics rowing events.

Princess Anne told the ceremony: "As the flame continues on its journey to Greece we wish the best to the Athens Olympic Games".

According to estimates released by local authorities, more than 80,000 people gathered at the scene, where a concert was given by singers Rod Stewart and James Brown.

The torch will visit Madrid and Barcelona on June 27 and Rome on June 28.

Athens mayor at the scene

Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni was waiting at London's Millennium Bridge to welcome the flame, along with the Lord Mayor of London, Robert Finch.

As part of a visit to the UK capital that ended on Sunday aimed at promoting the Athens games in August, Bakoyianni met Livingstone for talks on cooperation between the two municipalities that focused on urban problems and investment.

The Athens mayor, who also met Britain's arts minister, welcomed Livingston's support for return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens.

Livingstone, who is to attend the August Olympics, told reporters on Saturday that he believed many Londoners would also head for the event.

[10] Public order minister says Olympics security well coordinated

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

Speaking after a meeting with the prime minister, Voulgarakis told reporters that the procedure for deploying police would be completed within days, and that numerous readiness exercises were being held in order to find any gaps in planning or operations.

In a related development, the Hellenic Coast Guard on Saturday took possession of the three high-technology patrol boats to be used as part of security for the games.

Given by the US government as part of an aid program to combat terrorism, the vessels were handed over at Faliro Marina near Athens at a ceremony attended by US Ambassador in Athens Thomas Miller, Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis, and US government officials, the embassy said in a statement.

[11] Greeks celebrate soccer victory over champion France

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

Originally a rank outsider that performed well earlier in the championship, the national team scored the only goal after 65 minutes in Friday's match when Angelos Haristeas powered a header past French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez from six meters.

Greeks took to the streets after the stunning victory, staging all-night impromptu parties in cities around the country, illuminated by fireworks.

The team's German coach, Otto Rehhagel, said his players had shown a correct use of strategy and tactics coupled with hard work and discipline.

It was the first time in its history that the Greek national team, which is now set to play against the Czech Republic or Denmark, qualified for the semi-finals in an international tournament; and the team was the first in the championship's history to beat both the holder and the host team, which was Portugal.

Welcoming the victory were politicians and public figures including Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, main opposition leader George Papandreou, national Olympics organizer Gianna Daskalaki-Angelopoulou, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou, Deputy Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, and Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece.

The president of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, also congratulated the team.

[12] PM pledges new treatment centers for drug addicts

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

During a visit to the Paremvassi treatment and rehabilitation community, Karamanlis also promised to scrap a waiting list currently in place for addicts to receive treatment.

"Our aim is to treat and rehabilitate drug users," he told reporters.

The prime minister later left for Istanbul, where is to attend a NATO summit.

[13] Earthquake in the north, no reports of injuries or damage

ATHENS, 28/6/2004 (ANA)

The tremor's undersea epicenter was located in the northeastern Aegean 25 kilometers south of Alexandroupolis, Thessaloniki University's Geophysical Laboratory said in a statement.

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