Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-09-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Foreign minister meets with Turkish counterpart, bilateral relations discussed

[02] US State Dept. notifies Congress of Greece's unauthorized transfer of US arms to Cyprus

[03] Gov't decides to raise crashed Chinook helicopter from sea bed

[04] Gov't again says discussion on presidential candidate premature

[05] PASOK party leader to chair National Reconstruction Committee Secretariat meeting on Tuesday

[06] Greek gov't seeks to upgrade Civil Aviation Agency

[07] PM and Parliament President congratulate Greek Paralympians

[08] PASOK president congratulates Greek medallists

[09] IPC fully satisfied with Games' attendance

[10] PM's pledges on social insurance stand, Finmin says in letter to GSEE

[11] Stocks nose up as high capitalisation index rises

[12] 'E-skills 2004' conference reports shortage of trained personnel for IT/telecoms sector

[13] Coalition party leader meets Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry president

[14] Two-day conference within the framework of 'Equal' programme on Friday, Saturday

[15] Thessaloniki's coastal Nikis highway to be closed to traffic Wednesday for European Day without Cars

[16] Three ships damaged in collision in commercial port of Souda

[17] Missing helicopter actually a radar mix-up, authorities report

[18] Coach at centre of doping probe questioned by prosecutors

[19] Five coast guard officers to face criminal charges for allowing 'Express Samina' to sail

[20] Car theft ring apparently funnelling luxury vehicles to Albania broken up

[21] Gov't crackdown on illegal hawking in Athens continues

[22] Appeals court finds former AEK owner not guilty of criminal forgery

[01] Foreign minister meets with Turkish counterpart, bilateral relations discussed

NEW YORK 21/9/2004 (ANA/P.Panayiotou)

In statements made to the press after the meeting, the two ministers expressed satisfaction with the improvement of relations between Greece and Turkey.

Molyviatis confirmed "the good relations" that exist between the two countries, citing the realization of two meetings over recent days as a small example.

As an example of the "good climate" existing between the two countries, the Greek minister emphasized that various military exercises had been canceled, most importantly a military exercise in Cyprus, which was cancelled in consultation with the Cypriot government - "an indication of the trust" that has developed between Greece and Turkey.

Gul said that the measures aimed at reinforcing trust between the two countries were discussed and the two ministers decided that this process needs to be accelerated.

Aside from Greek-Turkish relations, the Turkish minister said that the Cyprus issue was also discussed, as was Turkey's prospects for EU membership. He said that he and Molyviatis reviewed the Cyprus issue and discussed the issue of "EU reforms." Additionally, Gul reiterated the invitation he has extended to Molyviatis for an official visit to Ankara.

Finally, Gul said that the Iraq situation was also discussed and he presented the Greek minister with Turkey's position on the matter.

[02] US State Dept. notifies Congress of Greece's unauthorized transfer of US arms to Cyprus

WASHINGTON 21/9/2004 (ANA/A.Ellis)

Ereli explained that he did not have specifics about the type or number of military equipment included in the notification. However, the issue is that "arms provided to Greece under a certain license were transferred to third parties. And according to the license by which you provide those products to one country, they cannot transfer them to a third party. So if they do, we're required to notify Congress."

Ereli said that the US is not asking Greece to do anything and that there is no issue of disarmament of Greek soldiers in Cyprus.

Asked whether Congress had been notified of Turkey transferring US-sold arms to Cyprus, Ereli replied that: "As far as the assertion that Ankara has done the same thing, I'm not aware of any recent case that would meet the criteria of a violation of the license; therefore, no action was taken."

[03] Gov't decides to raise crashed Chinook helicopter from sea bed

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

The accident cost the life of all 17 people on board the aircraft, including Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros VII.

The operation to raise the twin-rotor CH-47D "Chinook" helicopter from a depth of more than 850 meters will come under the auspices of the national defense and development ministries, with the Hellenic Navy retaining overall coordination. A special committee was also established by the navy general staff in order to swiftly recommend the method and means by which the helicopter will be salvaged, as well as to oversee the entire operation.

Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos chaired a relevant meeting on Monday that opted for the salvaging operation.

[04] Gov't again says discussion on presidential candidate premature

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

Press speculation over the past month has mostly focused on the issue, as failure by a majority of 180 deputies to elect a new president will cause early elections.

In response to press questions during his regular briefing, government spokesman Thodoris Roussopoulos merely noted that the "spirit of the Constitution points to an individual of the greatest possible acceptance ... This is what we are striving for, and any discussion of specific individuals is premature."

In an unrelated matter, Roussopoulos said Greek diplomats have repeatedly discussed the issue of Turkey's European course and prospects with Turkish counterparts. "Nothing has changed in our position," he added, in answer to a question on whether the issue will again be brought up in talks this week between the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers in New York.

Finally, the spokesman said the always topical issue of land use in the east Mediterranean country will be the subject of an inner Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

[05] PASOK party leader to chair National Reconstruction Committee Secretariat meeting on Tuesday

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou is also expected to place emphasis on citizens' participation in processes ahead of the party's congress. Reports said he might be announcing the main slogan for the congress during Tuesday's meeting.

The PASOK party leader, who held talks on Monday with party members participating in the monitoring group responsible for congress processes, referred to recent opinion polls during a brief discussion with reporters, saying "the period of grace for the government is over."

[06] Greek gov't seeks to upgrade Civil Aviation Agency

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

A ministry announcement said a draft bill submitted to parliament on "responsibilities of the Tourism Development Ministry and other tourism issues" would seek to upgrade the country's civil aviation, currently at an international second category in flight safety standards.

[07] PM and Parliament President congratulate Greek Paralympians

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

"Constantinos Fykas, after his triumph in Sydney, remained at the top during the Athens Paralympic Games as well," Karamanlis said in a statement congratulating Greek swimmer Constantinos Fykas, who won the silver in the men's 100m freestyle S8 final.

The prime minister also congratulated Anthi Karagianni who won the silver in the women's 100m T13 final, emphasising that "with her great race today, she achieved a personal victory and won our admiration and love."

Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki also congratulated the Paralympians with the following statements.

Addressing Karagianni, Psarouda-Benaki stated: "You ran with determination and the will to win, achieving your high goal - a place among the winners. You have our sincere congratulations and admiration."

"You showed the inexhaustible reserves of willpower you possess. You won another medal at the Athens Paralympics, proving once again what a great athlete you are. My sincere congratulations on your victory which filled us with joy and pride," Psarouda-Benaki wrote to Fykas.

"Sincere congratulations on you're winning the bronze medal! You showed power, strength, and a fighting attitude that gave our country another major distinction," the parliament president said in a congratulatory note to Kantza.

[08] PASOK president congratulates Greek medallists

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

"Your victories fill us with pride and joy and prove the power of determination and continuous effort," Papandreou stated, addressing silver medallists Anthi Karagianni (women's 100m T13 category) and Constantinos Fykas (men's 100m freestyle S8); and bronze medallist Paraskevi Kantza (women's 100m T11).

[09] IPC fully satisfied with Games' attendance

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to the press, Wilkens said: "We saw many people yesterday at several venues of the Games. The swimming venue was packed; track and field was also popular as well as track cycling. We are very satisfied that Athenians, and not only, have embraced these Games with such warmth".

"We now have 2,700 accredited journalists and we expect this number to increase further," the IPC's press officer said. Wilkens said that a total of 209 anti-doping tests have been conducted so far without any positive samples. "All samples are tested at WADA's laboratories by the same personnel used in the Olympic Games," Wilkens added.

[10] PM's pledges on social insurance stand, Finmin says in letter to GSEE

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

He also noted that it would be possible for a meeting with Polyzogopoulos to be arranged at the beginning of next week if there were specific issues related to the social insurance issue that he wanted to discuss.

[11] Stocks nose up as high capitalisation index rises

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,356.71 points, showing an increase of 0.53 percent. Turnover was 94.7 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalisation shares ended 0.79 percent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.16 percent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.18 percent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 151 to 113 with 86 remaining unchanged.

[12] 'E-skills 2004' conference reports shortage of trained personnel for IT/telecoms sector

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

The survey estimated that 3.7 million Europeans were currently occupied in professions directly linked with ICT and that this number is expected to reach 5.1 million people by the year 2010. Demand in the job market for ICT-trained personnel was estimated at around 230,000 people a year but the number of ICT students at all levels was insufficient.

The seminar also noted that the lower income strata and women tended to be very under-represented in these professions in Europe.

Pointing out that training in e-skills was life-long rather than a one-off process; it proposed the established of Multi-stakeholder Partnerships between the bodies involved, such as state education foundations, private education and trade and industry associations.

[13] Coalition party leader meets Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry president

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

Constantopoulos said the working man, the small and medium-level businessman and business must be handled with a different policy, because continuous pressures on labour and the multiplying of the profit-making of enterprise constitute a major social, political and developmental problem.

The Coalition party leader further said policies for the working man, employment, just distribution and support for small and medium-size businesses is not a political sin, as certain neo-liberals believe.

[14] Two-day conference within the framework of 'Equal' programme on Friday, Saturday

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

Several speakers, including the vice-president of the National Radio-Television Council (ERS), Prof. Dimitris Haralambis, Athens University Prof. Mihalis Meimaris, the general secretary of the Athens Journalists' Union, Nikos Meggrelis, the president of the Foreign Press Association of Greece, Adriana Flores-Borquez, among others, will address the audience.

The conference will be coordinated by Athens News Agency (ANA) Managing Director Nicolas Voulelis.

The programme was approved in March 2001. For Attica prefecture, the total budget is 1.7 million euros. It aims to assist migrants and refugees in Attica prefecture adapt to the local job market and society, as well as to curb instances of racism and xenophobia.

The ANA has assumed a coordinating role vis-a-vis the programme. The conference will take place at the Titania Hotel in downtown Athens

[15] Thessaloniki's coastal Nikis highway to be closed to traffic Wednesday for European Day without Cars

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

The Thessaloniki Traffic Police appealed to all drivers to avoid using their vehicles in the wider region and the side roads along the highway on that day in order to avoid traffic problems.

[16] Three ships damaged in collision in commercial port of Souda

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

No seamen were wounded in the triple collision, as fortunately shortly before the accident a large crane had stopped unloading cargo from the "Ai Antonis."

According to initial assessments, the "Orlek", while being towed in the port, collided with the "Ai Antonis" which was moored at its anchorage. The "Ai Antonis" broke away from its moorings and, virtually drifting out of control, then collided with the "Artemis" which had also been moored.

The "Ai Antonis" sustained most of the damage as a result of the accident. All three ships will be examined thoroughly by Souda harbour officials, for their seaworthiness to be ascertained, while a preliminary enquiry has also been ordered to probe the causes of the accident.

[17] Missing helicopter actually a radar mix-up, authorities report

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

According to sources, the control tower was actually seeing the signal of a helicopter from a Navy frigate carrying out military exercises in the area, which disappeared from the Kythira radar screens during a dive down to sea level, causing them to sound an alarm.

Coastguard patrol boats were immediately dispatched to the area, while all nearby passenger, merchant and shipping vessels were also alerted.

A later investigation showed that the loss of the signal was not due to the crash of a private helicopter but involved a military helicopter that had gone out of the radar's range.

Mobilisation after unconfirmed report of possible missing helicopter: The Merchant Marine Ministry's Operations Room went on alert in the early afternoon Monday following an unconfirmed report that a helicopter has possibly gone missing between the islands of Elafonissos and Kythira.

Coastguard patrol boats were immediately dispatched to the area, while all nearby passenger, merchant and shipping vessels were also alerted.

[18] Coach at centre of doping probe questioned by prosecutors

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

Tzekos met with prosecutors for four hours and reportedly delivered a memorandum on the portion of the probe focusing on his involvement. He is under suspicion of illegally importing and distributing unlicensed nutritional supplements and performance-enhancing substances.

According to reports, state-run National Organization for Medicines (EOF) lab results have detected substances identified as anabolic steroids in at least 10 types of supplements confiscated from a warehouse belonging to a company owned by Tzekos.

In exiting the prosecutors' office, Tzekos -- the long-time trainer and agent of Greek sprinters Costas Kenteris (gold medal, Sydney, 200m) and Katerina Thanou (silver medal, Sydney, 100m) -- denied that he illegally imported the substances, although he did confirm that they had no EOF approval.

Asked about money funnelled by the previous sports ministry's administration to a small, private gymnasium -- the Aias (Ajax) sports club -- in central Athens, Tzekos responded:

"If somebody received five drachmas, it's not the end of the world if it helped children get involved with sports," he said.

Tzekos was fired by Kenteris days after the latter and Thanou failed to take an IOC-mandated doping test at the Olympic Village on Aug. 12. The pair, which trained together, turned up hours later at a north Athens hospital, saying they fell from a motorcycle.

Days later and just days before they would have competed in the Games, Kenteris and Thanou unceremoniously surrendered their Olympic accreditations rather than risk expulsion by the IOC's executive board.

[19] Five coast guard officers to face criminal charges for allowing 'Express Samina' to sail

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

The order was issued by the Piraeus Misdemeanours Council, which has also indicted two representatives of the shipping line that owned the "Express Samina" at the time, Costas Klironomou and Nikos Vikatos.

According to the order, the coast guard officers and coast guard chief were the only ones responsible for allowing the "Express Samina" to illegally set sail from Piraeus on July 18, 2000 without having the necessary documents to certify its seaworthiness, even though it was its first voyage after its annual inspection.

[20] Car theft ring apparently funnelling luxury vehicles to Albania broken up

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

Authorities said a 23-year-old man was arrested shortly after fleeing the scene of a traffic accident on the 38th kilometre of the Ioannina-Arta national roadway. Police later determined that the late-model Mercedes Benz driven by the suspect had been stolen hours earlier from an upscale northern Athens suburb.

He later confessed to a series of house burglaries and thefts of top model cars with another two accomplices over the past three months in several northern Athens districts, reports state.

The suspect was identified as Rustem Rusi.

[21] Gov't crackdown on illegal hawking in Athens continues

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

Mixed teams manned by officers of each of the above bodies were set out to all metro and electric railway stations in central Athens, as well as Omonia, Koliatsou and Monastiraki squares and other central roads in the city throughout August and carried out 25 confiscation orders for various types of goods that were taken by Athens municipality staff.

[22] Appeals court finds former AEK owner not guilty of criminal forgery

Athens, 21/9/2004 (ANA)

Psomiadis had originally been sentenced to serve 12 years in prison by a lower level court, based on a complaint filed against him by former environment minister Costas Laliotis. The charges were linked to an article run in February 1996 by the newspaper "To Onoma" published by Psomiadis, which accused Laliotis of receiving a sum of money in order to award the contract for the construction of the Athens international airport at Spata.

The article also reproduced an image of a check made out to Laliotis for the amount, which was in fact a fake.

According to the judges on the appeals court, no evidence had been produced that demanded the application of law 1608/50 and the charge against Psomiadis was converted to misdemeanour, which was then dismissed as statute-barred since as five years had elapsed since the offence was committed.

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