Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-09-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Prime Minister calls for reforms to ensure growth prospects

[02] PM pledges to realize campaign promises, stresses the necessity for reforms

[03] Political parties, trade unions voice displeasure over PM's speech at the TIF

[04] Gov't expresses grief over helicopter fatal accident, extends condolences to families of victims

[05] PM tells businessmen in Thessaloniki rash choices in economic policies are not an option

[06] Greek fiscal deficit to fall to 2.8 pct in 2005, FinMin says

[07] Ambassador Miller inaugurates U.S. pavilion at Thessaloniki International Fair

[08] Five illegal immigrants drown off Samos after vessel sinks

[09] Papadopoulos: content and not number of changes to UN plan important

[10] Cyprus President expresses sorrow at death of Patriarch of Alexandria

[01] Prime Minister calls for reforms to ensure growth prospects

Athens, 13/9/2004 (ANA)

In the traditional prime minister's speech to representatives of the country's producing sector, in the framework of the 69th Thessaloniki International Fair, Karamanlis stressed that his government has opted for the road of reforms. "With courage and without hesitation. With consensus and without surprises. With dialogue and without confrontation. With synthesis and without arrogance."

"We are steadily implementing our government program, which was approved by the Greek people in the March 7 general elections. A program fully realistic and it is our commitment to be completed within our four-year term," the Prime Minister said.

Karamanlis noted that Greece started a new chapter in 2004, as the Greek society expressed the need to move forward and to meet the future. "Our guide in this course is the citizens, their accomplishments and their needs. Our guide is the people who build a modern Greece. They demand not only a management of the past but to ensure conditions for a better future. Our guide is our vision for a new better Greece," he said.

The Greek premier summarized political developments in the country during the last 12 months. "A year ago, addressing the same crowd, I presented the goals and the plan of a New Governance and underlined its three main targets: transition into a modern state, closer to each citizen, implementing a New Economic and Development Policy aimed to expand growth throughout the country and investing in the country's human resources, education, culture, new technology and the new generation".

"Our goal was to create a really social state, a cohesive society with strong Greeks," Karamanlis said.

The prime minister said that the March 7 general elections and the June 13 Europarliament elections expanded a wide social alliance and stressed that in the six months that passed the government successfully faced issues of great national significance, such as the Cyprus problem, closer Greek-Turkish relations and achieved successful Olympic Games. "We' ve made it all together. And that's how we will continue to build a strong economy, a human state and the dynamic society that we dream of," Karamanlis stressed.

The premier criticized the previous governments for their handling of the economy saying that the condition in the wider public sector was heavily burdening the economy, undermining business activity, led to huge loss of funds and frustrated citizens. "Economic competitiveness was steadily falling, inflation remained almost double the EU average rate, unemployment stood firmly among the highest in the EU-15, social and regional imbalances widened, growth did not reach the country's regions," Karamanlis stressed.

He said that the country was facing an acute fiscal problem, no longer able to be hidden away. The country's real fiscal deficit was almost triple the presented figure in 2003, while for the current year things were even worst as a huge part of Olympic, social and other spending were not recorded with the state budget. The fiscal deficit was projected at 1.2 percent of GDP this year, only to be revised to 5.3 percent after the latest fiscal audit of the economy, while the country's public debt exploded to 112 percent of GDP or 184 billion euros. "Each family owes more than 50,000 euros," Karamanlis said.

The new strategy: "Our main strategy goal is a transition into a more responsible state, a state closer to the investor, farmer, worker, the citizen in need," the premier stressed. "We aim to expand the distribution of growth and to improve the quality of living. We have already adopted a series of measures aimed to make a more efficient use of new technologies, to boost efficiency and transparency, to combat bureaucracy, uncertainty and delays." Karamanlis noted that he aim was not to describe the ideal state but to highlight the self-evident.

The prime minister said that the government was promoting a series of measures aimed to limit an existing over-legislation in the country, to combat corruption in the public sector and to boost the role of local authorities through drafting a new development program and rescheduling their debt.

A new economic and development policy: The government has solved the problem with penalty interest rates on unpaid loans. It also activated a Guarantee Fund for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises, it has earmarked 80 million euros to SMEs from community funds and offered the opportunity to debt owners to reschedule repayment of their debt to the state, he said. "We are creating a new development environment. We face with determination and social responsibility the two big economic challenges: fiscal restructuring and expanding growth throughout the economy. We choose polices to add dynamism to the economy, supporting entrepreneurship, activate regional Greece. We also choose a mild fiscal adjustment, through a more effective management of the economy, from combatting state overspending and not through more taxes. That's what we pledged and that's what we do," Karamanlis said.

Karamanlis stressed that a mild fiscal adjustment would be implemented through ensuring fully transparency and honesty in management with a new regulatory and management framework for state procurements and tenders, a more strict inspection of local authorities, a restructuring in public health and a new legislation for defense spending.

"We also seek to contain public sector's consumer spending, to rationalize a Public Investments Program, to make a more efficient use of the state's real estate assets (including Olympic facilities) in cooperation with the private sector, promoting a new generation of privatizations that would accelerate growth and improve state revenues (expected around 1.5 billion euros next year). We are carefully selecting timing, procedures and methods to maximize benefits and to avoid any unwanted side-effects by highlighting the value of each company before its privatization and adopting all methods, such as strategic alliances, flotations, assignment contracts, full privatizations," he added.

Karamanlis said the government planned to increase the participation of the private sector in main infrastructure projects (ports, airports, national roads), to list shares of the Post Savings Bank in the Athens Stock Exchange, to privatize Olympic Airlines in coordination with the European Commission. "I emphasize that the group, following the creation of Olympic Airlines, has already accumulated deficits totalling 1.0 billion euros," Karamanlis noted.

He stressed that the government would seek a drastic reduction of tax-evasion and cut defense spending by around 400 million euros, while the government would also seek an even larger reduction in the next program (2006-2010).

"Our policy is focusing on three words: productivity, quality, competitiveness. We declare 2005 as a "Year of Competitiveness" to encourage a "quality revolution" in the production of goods and services. We aim to make Greece more competitive. To attract new investments. To create more jobs. To develop regional Greece," he said.

Karamanlis said that this goal would be achieved by: drastically reforming a tax system by reducing corporate profit tax factors to 25 percent (society anonymus and limited companies) and to 20 percent (personal companies). Adopting a new tax scale for households, significantly raising amortization factors on all fixed assets, adopting a new system of tax inspections based on electronic cross-checking, abolishing all personal tax inspections for self-employed people with a gross income of around 150,000 euros and small- and medium-sized enterprises with revenues of up to 300,000 euros, and creating a new agency to replace an economic crimes squad aimed to combat large-scale tax evasion, smuggling and informal commerce.

"A new development law will support small- and medium-sized enterprises, the steam-engine of regional growth, to boost employment around the country," Karamanlis said. He announced measures to offer increased financial support to SMEs, raising capital subsidies and tax incentives, promoting regional convergence, export orientation, technology and innovation, production of new product and services of high added value.

The government plans a new regulatory framework for the creation and operation of department stores, to support electronic commerce and to combat informal trade and smuggling. A new framework for co-funded and self-funded projects, deregulating energy markets (electricity and natural gas) a move to attract new large investments and create new jobs. "We give emphasis in supporting energy production from renewable sources," Karamanlis said.

The government has achieved a significant increase in the absorption rate from EU funds to 28 percent from 23 percent in March and promoted measures to boost transparency and competition. "We give emphasis to economic diplomacy. We promote our comparative advantages, support export orientation of businesses and fully cover the state's liabilities towards exporters," the prime minister noted.

"Our national strategy for regional development seeks to support farmers and enhance our products' position in the Greek and international markets. We seek to upgrade the quality of our tourism industry, to support shipping, to create and upgrade national road and railroad networks and to start new infrastructure projects in the region," Karamanlis said.

He said that the government would seek to invest in the country's human capital, placing priorities to education and culture. "We will raise spending to 5.0 percent of GDP from 3.5 percent currently," he said.

Government policies also seek to create a more human state, with a restructuring of public spending, in favor of education and health. "We agreed to pay all state hospitals' debt (exceeding 2.0 billion euros), to gradually cover all job needs and to abolish medicine lists by doctors," he said.

Karamanlis said that pay rises to workers and pensioners would exceed inflation, while pension funds would drastically cut the period of time needed to start payment of pensions to owners.

"Unemployment is the biggest economic and social problem of the country. We will support business activity to have more investments, new businesses and new jobs. We subsidise businesses to hire unemployed people, promote the role of local authorities and to have all young people, currently registered unemployed, to be under social protection for another two years," the premier said.

The government has strengthened the role and powers of a Competition Commission, increased inspections, and managed to contain inflation below last year's levels despite soaring prices in international oil markets.

Karamanlis also announced measures aimed to support people with special needs, such as implementing a "disability card", offering more incentives to families with more than two children.

The prime minister said that the government would offer increased tax discount on housing loans' interest, raise interest rate subsidies to lower income families, subsidise rent, offer more financial help to students and build houses for army officials.

"This is our vision. This is the road we choose. We have a common goal. A better future for all citizens throughout Greece," Karamanlis said.

[02] PM pledges to realize campaign promises, stresses the necessity for reforms

Athens, 13/9/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis was speaking at the customary press conference in the wake of his address at the inauguration of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) one day earlier.

He said his government's economic policy will fully develop within four years, placing special emphasis on the need for reforms on economic structures.

"The reforms will take place without any hesitation", he stressed.

He said he believed the people should know the truth about the economy and this was what prompted him to draw an actual picture of the situation, nevertheless, adding that he did not intend to proceed with any "shock therapies" or harsh measures, since his policy, as he said, is intended for "a fiscal house-keeping".

"We are not going to resort to tough social measures or violent adjustments, since it is our basic principle that the citizens cannot be the ones to pay for political mistakes", the premier stressed.

"The Greek economy is in need of reforms that will be borne out of an exchange of dialogue with the people", he added.

When asked where he placed himself on the "left-right" scale, he replied he did not like labels "which have no place in the modern era".

"Everyone has their political origins", he said.

"The Social Centre is a concept defined by social sensitivity and the rejection of extremes or surprises. This is the mark of the future sought by the vast majority of citizens, regardless of political beliefs", he added.

He said extensive partisanship was "a major problem and a misfortune in the public sector".

"Evaluation criteria should be based on merit, ability and character", he stressed.

Karamanlis also referred to his government's special emphasis on education, which he said will become apparent on the 2005 budget when the gradual increase in budget allowances will begin.

"Our government's policies will lead to an economic- take off- within the next years" he pledged.

Election for the President's office: Replying to a relative question, Karamanlis emphasized that his government had no intention in mixing the issue of the President's election with early national elections, stressing he supported the logic of consent which, in any case, is favored by the spirit of the Constitution.

"This is an untimely issue functioning in a misleading way", he said, while he refrained to be drawn into a "name game".

He also said this was not the time to discuss changes in the election law, but added that relative discussion would be possibly launched in the future.

Helicopter accident: Karamanlis said there was no political accountability regarding Saturday's fatal accident involving the military transport helicopter that crashed while carrying the Patriarch of Alexandria Petros and his delegation to Mt. Athos. He expressed his deep regret over the loss of the lives of the Patriarch, his 12-member delegation and five military members (crew). He said there was some dysfunction in the method of information by certain mechanisms and announced that the Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos had requested and received the resignation of the chief of the Air Force. He said that the defense minister had also submitted his resignation but it was not accepted.

Doping in sports: Karamanlis said that the messages to be given by the State on issues regarding sports will have to be very clear, adding that a way had to be found soon to do away with all doping incidents in sports.

Referring on the case of star sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, he said he was just as distressed and concerned as the rest of the Greek society.

"Star athletes function as role models for young people. They should not be role models merely for their physical ability or achievements, but also for their behavior", he stressed.

Karamanlis, however, stressed that doping in sports was not exhausted in Greece.

"It is a global issue", he said.

Both Kenteris and Thanou went missing from the Olympic Village on the eve of the Athens Olympic Games and did not show up for an International Olympic Committee (IOC) mandated doping test, surfacing hours later in an Athens hospital after an alleged motorbike accident that is now under investigation.

Turkey - EU: The premier insisted on his support for Turkey's European convergence, stressing that the issue of the continental shelf should not be dealt with the exclusive December deadlines. He said that failure to reach an agreement for 30 years does not mean that "we should shut-out Turkey's European prospects".

Thessaloniki projects: Karamanlis pledged that all the projects announced for the city of Thessaloniki in his address at the TIF inauguration on Friday would materialize by 2008.

He said that at his meeting with local key players he was asked about more projects that were not included in his address, for which he made no commitments.

"I decided to be rigid regarding the projects I pledged. My words were cautiously studied and I am committed. As for the rest I am open to hear them, but I cannot commit myself", he stressed.

Regarding the city's bidding for hosting EXPO 2008, he said the dossier submitted by Thessaloniki was very good, adding that the government was taking all necessary steps to win the contest.

[03] Political parties, trade unions voice displeasure over PM's speech at the TIF

Athens, 13/9/2004 (ANA)

PASOK accused Karamanlis of not keeping his pre-election promises, claiming that "he has transferred his commitments for the future, or if possible, up to the next elections."

On its part, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in an announcement on Saturday said that Karamanlis' proclamations at the Thessaloniki International Fair "constitute a clear position in support of Capital, which gives it the possibility of exploiting the working class even further."

The KKE added that in his speech, Karamanlis was "consistent with the anti-popular program of the New Democracy party and in harmony with the policy we knew under PASOK."

The main opposition PASOK party responding to the prime minister's interview on Sunday said: "Mr. Karamanlis will soon ascertain that through nice words it is not possible for him to cover up, either his mistaken policies, neither the gap of his policy and the weakness of the (ruling) New Democracy party to give answers to the problems of the country and of the working people. The ND government is leading the country backwards."

The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Progress (Synaspismos) in an announcement on Sunday said that "the calm adjustment" stated by Karamanlis in his speech seems to be "a guise" for backing "big economic interests."

Synaspismos added that Karamanlis' "reference to 'adjustment' towards the international environment is related to the new adverse realities which the American leadership imposes."

General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Polyzogopoulos said on Sunday that Karamanlis' speech spelt "increased austerity" and warned of strike action if the demands of the working people are not met.

"We are tolerant with the new government but we are not satisfied with the proclamations of the prime minister as he did not announce measures concerning the working people, the pensioners and the unemployed." GSEE president, who was speaking at a press conference, added that "on the contrary, the prime minister was specific regarding entrepreneurs."

On his part, Supreme Civil Servants Union (ADEDY) President Spyros Papaspyros underlined on Sunday that ''on the basis of the prime minister's speech, the decision which the ADEDY General Council had taken for a 24-hour strike in October is strengthened."

[04] Gov't expresses grief over helicopter fatal accident, extends condolences to families of victims

Athens, 13/9/2004 (ANA)

"This is a great loss for the Patriarchate, for Orthodoxy and for the Armed Forces", State Minister Theodoros Roussopoulos said, adding that at the request of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis a moment of silence was observed during the premier's official dinner later in the day with local businessmen in Thessaloniki.

Roussopoulos emphasized that Patriarch Petros with his work had supported Orthodoxy and had made a significant contribution to the African continent.

He said that search experts had recovered the remains of five bodies by 18.30 on Saturday, which would be transferred to a military hospital in the city of Larissa, central Greece, for easier access to relatives who will identify the bodies.

He offered the government's sincere condolences and unreserved support for the families of the victims, adding that Coast Guard vessels and Air Force aircraft would remain in the area to continue the search.

The Patriarch of Alexandria was traveling to Mt. Athos in response to an official invitation extended by the Vatopedio Monastery on Mt. Athos to participate in the officiating of a major religious celebration. This would be the Patriarch's first time on Mt. Athos -- also known as Holy Mountain - an autonomous monastic community on the easternmost promontory of the Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece.

The helicopter had taken off at 09.35 Saturday morning from a military base near Athens and was scheduled to land on Mt. Athos at 11.05; landing was nevertheless delayed due to the customary aerial tour over Mt. Athos at the request of the Patriarch of Alexandria.

His Beatitude Petros VII was born in the village of Sichari in Cyprus on 3 September 1949. In February 1997 he was elected Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria in succession to His Beatitude Parthenios III, who had died the previous year. Petros was enthroned to the ancient See of Alexandria -- founded by St. Mark in the 1st century -- on 9 March 1997. He was the 129th Pope in succession to St. Mark the Evangelist.

President Kostis Stephanopoulos: The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos also expressed grief over the tragic accident and extended condolences to the families of the victims, saying that Patriarch Petros had served the Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate of Alexandria "with all his soul and strength", but also the other victims had been important personalities that "served the Church and the country with dedication."

Archbishop of Athens Christodoulos: Archbishop of Athens Christodoulos said he was shaken by the death of "one of the most significant clerics of Orthodoxy". "We indeed grieve over the loss of the Patriarch, but also the other high-ranking members of the Patriarchate that accompanied him, as well as the priests, the young men, his deacon, his guard, everyone known and dear to all of us, as well as the military personnel aboard the fatal helicopter", the Archbishop said.

PASOK

Condolences were also offered by main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou in an announcement issued on Saturday. Papandreou said that the Patriarch's loss was a "blow for Orthodoxy, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Hellenes abroad, for Cyprus, for all of us."

Political party reactions over the Chinook helicopter crash: Concerning the Chinook helicopter crash on Saturday, the main opposition PASOK party in an announcement on Sunday said that "political responsibilities exist and they should have already been taken."

According to the PASOK Press Office, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis announced "with particular ease" that there were no political responsibilities regarding the tragic air accident, thus "ridding himself, the relevant ministers and the government" of political responsibility.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in an announcement on Sunday expressed its condolences to the Patriarchate of Alexandria over the tragic death of Patriarch Petros and his entourage as well as to the families of the clergymen and military officers who were on board the ill-fated helicopter.

The KKE noted the need for immediate and reliable answers to be given on the causes of the accident.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos expressed his grief over the Chinook helicopter crash which caused the death of Patriarch of Alexandria Petros and his entourage. Varthololomeos noted that he finds it difficult to believe that Patriarch Petros has passed away and described him as "dynamic and active."

Meanwhile, National Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos called for and received the resignation of Air Force Chief of Staff P. Papanicolaou, given that "he studied the entire data at his disposal with regard the delay in immediate response and location" of the helicopter.

Archbishop of Albania Anastasios sends condolences over death of Patriarch Petros VII: Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios, after hearing of the tragic death of Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros VII, sent a message of condolences on Sunday to the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

Anastasios said he was deeply grieved by the death of the patriarch and his clerical entourage who were on board the Chinook helicopter which crashed near Mount Athos on Saturday killing all 17 people on board.

[05] PM tells businessmen in Thessaloniki rash choices in economic policies are not an option

Athens, 13/9/2004 (ANA)

The premier was addressing a meeting with local businessmen, held on the opportunity of the inauguration of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

"We are not opting for austerity, harsh choices or new taxes, this is a key option, a strategic option", he said, emphasizing that any new measures will be based on absolute respect for the taxpayers, to ensure the intended fiscal balance.

"If we take steady steps, Greece will be ready for 'take-off' within two years", the premier said.

He asked that the businessmen have "good understanding on the basis of frankness", advising caution on matters touching upon fiscal costs.

"Rational management, relative restraint on priorities, not promises or proclamations just to make myself pleasant", Karamanlis emphasized, adding that rational management was necessary to prevent the easy adoption of demands.

PM meets with Helexpo and TIF management, says next two years decisive for Greek economy: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Thessaloniki on Saturday said that the next two years would be crucial for the Greek economy, while he emphasized the important role of the Thessaloniki International Fair in the government's overall economic strategy.

"The next two years are decisive for Greece's direction toward productivity, development, creativity and progress", the premier told the top leadership of Helexpo S.A. and the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) during a meeting at the local headquarters of the two companies.

He said that the International Fair was a pivotal institution with symbolic features for the history of Thessaloniki and the broader region, calling it the hallmark of the northern Greek capital.

"Since the government's central political choice is a turn toward regional Greece and an export orientation of the economy, the Fair is arguably taking a strategic role in that direction", he emphasized.

"You have a big challenge before of you, that Helexpo and TIF play a leading role in the Southeastern European region, but also within the logic to boost the peripheral development in our own country" he told the presidents of both companies.

Karamanlis arrived in Thessaloniki on Friday to inaugurate the Thessaloniki International Fair.

[06] Greek fiscal deficit to fall to 2.8 pct in 2005, FinMin says

Athens, 13/9/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after an informal ECOFIN meeting in Sevenigen, Holland, Alogoskoufis said that he informed his colleagues that Greece's fiscal deficit would reach 5.3 percent of GDP this year, reflecting increased spending related with the Athens Olympic Games. The Greek minister stressed that EU was worried over the condition of the Greek economy, due to the latest fiscal developments, but noted that EU officials also believed that the Greek economy was in a position to recover mildly to the road of fiscal consolidation, firstly because public spending would be much lower compared with 2004 and secondly because of a gradually prevailing view in favor of a more relaxed implementation of a Stability Pact on fiscal discipline.

Commenting on an ECOFIN statement over the credibility of national fiscal data, Alogoskoufis reiterated that the statement justified the Greek government's decision to carry a fiscal audit in the country.

[07] Ambassador Miller inaugurates U.S. pavilion at Thessaloniki International Fair

Athens, 13/9/2004 (ANA)

Miller congratulated the organization of the Fair as well as Greece for hosting a successful Olympic Games.

He expressed his love to the country which he is leaving in a few months time as his tenure as Ambassador to Greece is drawing to an end.

"I have made many friends in Greece and it was a very productive period for me," he said.

The inauguration of the pavilion was made in the presence of a number of ministers.

Miller also expressed his grief over the Chinook helicopter crash on Saturday and his condolences to the families of the 17 people killed in the accident.

[08] Five illegal immigrants drown off Samos after vessel sinks

Athens, 13/9/2004 (ANA)

Since Saturday afternoon patrol boats and passenger ships started searching for the Afghanis who according to one witness who survived thanks to the help of an inhabitant from the region of Kedros, the vessel had set off from the Turkish coast at dawn on Friday.

Up to now four bodies have been retrieved, but for one of them the waters of the Aegean have became his grave.

Six people have been rescued and are being treated in hospital in Samos.

The investigations are continuing as the exact number of people on board the wooden vessel is not known.

[09] Papadopoulos: content and not number of changes to UN plan important

NICOSIA 13/9/2004 (CNA/ANA)

''The number of changes to the Annan plan (UN solution plan) does not matter. The content of the changes that would render the plan functional and viable is important,'' he said, replying to questions.

President Papadopoulos said there are different views with regard to Turkey's European aspirations, among European Union member states.

''It is too premature to draw any conclusions on the issue,'' he said, when asked about an EU decision, due in December, on the start of accession negotiations with Turkey, a candidate country.

Papadopoulos is one of 25 EU leaders who will decide at their summit in December whether Turkey is ready to begin talks with the EU or not. Turkey continues to occupy nearly 40 per cent of Cyprus' territory.

Responding to questions, he said all political parties on the island want to see the question of Cyprus solved and described as ''healthy'' the fact that parties which support the government maintain their own views on certain matters.

Meanwhile, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis reiterated that Athens and Nicosia enjoy a ''very good, close and long standing cooperation and contact'', stressing that this did not imply that Greece dictates policies to Cyprus.

On Turkey's bid to begin membership talks with the EU, he said there are different views among EU members but pointed out that a European Turkey would be to the benefit of everybody and reiterated his support for Ankara's European aspirations.

Cyprus House President Demetris Christofias has said he believed that at the end of the day the EU would decide to begin accession talks with Turkey.

[10] Cyprus President expresses sorrow at death of Patriarch of Alexandria

NICOSIA 13/9/2004 (CNA/ANA)

"I wish to express my sorrow in public as well for the loss of the Patriarch, the Bishop of Maheras Monastery Arsenios and all the clergymen and the laymen, including the helicopter crew," he said on Sunday.

The death of the late Patriarch Petros VII, who was a Cypriot national, is "a big blow to religion and the Orthodox church as well as to the work he was doing" throughout the African continent and elsewhere, President Papadopoulos added.

Earlier on Sunday, at the morning church service Bishop of Kyko Monastery Nikiforos said he was too distraught to address the congregation as he would usually do on a Sunday.

He said the Patriarch of Alexandria was a humble, serene, wise, holy and just man who helped everybody and especially the people he was assigned to serve.

Nikiforos described the loss of Arsenios, bishop of Maheras monastery, "a painful loss" and led his congregation into prayer in the memory of those killed in the crash.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos sent sincere and heart-felt condolences to the late Patriarch's congregation and his family and the relatives of all the victims, saying that Petros VII was a "dynamic, active, loving father of Greeks in Africa and of the indigenous people of this continent whom he served."

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he was saddened to learn of the death of the Patriarch Petros and conveyed his condolences to his family and the Greek Orthodox community.

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