Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-10-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Parliament votes for ruling ND's proposal for the setting up of a factfinding committee on armaments procurements

[02] DM says government will denounce radar contract if qualitative characteristics not confirmed

[03] Gov't again points to ruling ND's unambiguous stance against corruption, 'vested interests'

[04] Gov't refers to Papandreou comments on presidential candidate as 'vague, but generally acceptable'

[05] Airships, street cameras

[06] Papandreou says gov't is creating more problems instead of solving them

[07] PM Karamanlis meets with Hungarian president Madl

[08] Trade ties dominate Greek president's talks in Bulgaria

[09] Government satisfied with results of business contacts in Bulgaria

[10] Erdogan sidesteps issue of Cyprus' recognition

[11] Violations of nat'l airspace, Athens FIR by Turkish warplanes reported

[12] ND, PASOK Europarliamentarians jointly table amendment on future of EU Reconstruction Service

[13] Eurostat delegation due on lightning visit

[14] Justice minister Papaligouras tours women's prison at Korydallos facility, comments on 17N convicts' hunger strike

[15] Greek Ombudsman's report on police violations of citizen's rights

[16] Meeting focuses on island policy

[17] KKE calls for stepping up of struggles for the rights of the working people

[18] Conference of European sports ministers in Budapest

[19] SAE president congratulates new Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria

[20] The profile of poverty in Greece: One in five households live under the poverty line

[21] Govt announces 5.6 mln-euro subsidy to PPC

[22] Development minister signs decision approving 453 training programmes for small businesses

[23] Gov't unveils highlights of tax reform bill

[24] European Court rules that Greece has violated EU legislation in agricultural sector

[25] Greek govt discusses transportation in Athens

[26] Visiting German Parliament comm't on tourism meets with minister

[27] Conference on tourism and development held in Athens

[28] Athens 2004 Olympic Games break all television rating records

[29] Greek Mining Enterprises urge gov't support for the industry

[30] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks nose down in wake of jittery European markets

[31] 60th anniversary of Athens' liberation from Nazi occupation commemorated

[32] Convicted ELA group suspects jailed pending appeal; 25-year sentences passed down

[33] Two arrests made in Bank of Greece theft from Kalamata branch

[34] Meeting in Turkish city of Movements for Greek-Turkish rapprochement

[35] Finnish Prime Minister says Cyprus reunification possible

[36] Cyprus FM: some issues need to be settled before Dec. EU summit

[37] Cyprus Government wants to see free movement

[01] Parliament votes for ruling ND's proposal for the setting up of a factfinding committee on armaments procurements

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Out of the 300-member House, 184 deputies voted for the ND proposal and 114 against while 134 deputies voted for a second proposal which had been submitted by PASOK MPs on the same issue while 164 deputies against. 298 deputies voted.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputies and the deputies from the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party voted for both the ND and PASOK proposals.

The parliamentary debate began on Tuesday night. The proposal made by 116 ND deputies for the creation of a factfinding committee concerned the probing of the contents of two files of proceedings on the contract for the procurement of 50 tracked TOR/M1 anti-aircraft missile systemsand the contract for the procurement of six anti-artillery "AN/TRQ-37 (V) 3" radars which were promoted when Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Yiannos Papantoniou were defence mi-nisters in previous PASOK governments.

The proposal made by 71 PASOK deputies concerned the pro-bing of the armaments programmes' implementation course, not only for past periods of governance but also until the day the committee's work will end.

The absolute majority of the total number of Parliamentary deputies (151/300) was necessary for the ratification of one or the other proposal. Parliament will also decide on the number of members for the committee and the period of time required for submitting the relevant report.

Parliamentary debate: ND's first speaker during the debate, Christos Zois, called for a two-month examination of the files of proceedings concerning the procurement of the Russian-built TOR anti-aircraft missiles and the U.S.-built TRQ radars with the creation of a Parliamentary factfinding committee.

Referring to the Russian anti-aircraft missiles, he wondered why they have not yet been received at almost the end of 2004 when after the crisis on the islet of Imia, in January 1996, the armed forces had pursued the immediate strengthening of the country's shielding, while almost the entire amount required has been paid.

As regards the radars, Zois said military comittees considered their prices to be very high in relation to their potential.

Zois said the truth is that "Greece was seeking a great deal, which was self-evident, and achieved unbelievably little."

PASOK's rapporteur Anna Diamantopoulou said "we shall work and we shall act to shed light on the truth, but we shall not permit the denigration of the party, of work and of our cadres."

Diamantopoulou further said "there shall be answers for all the issues, one by one, and extremely convincing answers, of course."

However, she stressed her party's interest in procedures which will not prolong the promotion of the probe to an extent that "the country's political life will be poisoned."

Diamantopoulou added that her party is also interested in an examination of the country's seven-month governance by ND "not to render the minister suspicious, or to send the present leadership of the armed forces to a public prosecutor" but for the clarification of what is the institutional framework which exists and functions today and for the ascertainment of the implemen-tation of programmes under way.

The representative of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Antonis Skylakos and of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology Alexandros Alavanos expressed support for both proposals made by ND and PASOK on the creation of factfin-ding committees for armaments programmes and the possible penal responsibilities of former defence ministers Yiannos Papantoniou and Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Skylakos said the discussion was ''thankless due to the negative experience obtained from the past, from corresponding factfinding committees existing during the 1989-1990 and 1990-1993 periods''.

"Scandals, graft and commissions are closely linked to the political and social system and there can be no shielding from an appropriate institutional framework since the boundaries of legislative arrangements are very limited," he said.

He added that what was an even greater scandal was the fact that the country's foreign and defence policies ''are subject to the NATO alliance''.

Skylakos stressed that the issue of scandal talk and vested interests "is an easy way of confrontation between the two major parties which put major popular problems aside in this way."

He also wondered whether the selection of weaponry systems from non-NATO countries is a penal offence.

Alavanos pointed to the absence of the defence minister and of the leaders of the two major parties from the debate and said that until now 15 factfinding committees have reached nowhere, adding that the creation of factfinding committees should not constitute a field of confrontation between the government and the main opposition party.

He went on to say that Greece spends 4.4 percent of GDP on armaments, meaning that it has the highest percentage of defence expenditures in the European Union at a time when France spends 2.5 percent of GDP and Britain 2.4 percent.

Alavanos also spoke of a "swamp" as regards the status governing defence armaments, particularly expenditures not listed in the budget and underlined "chaos, untransparency and the lack of control by Parliament."

He added that the shaping of an institutional framework and its implementation are of great importance and called on the government to provide tangible examples that it wants to bring changes to the defence armaments sector which is currently "a place lacking control, of unaccountability and of vested interests."

[02] DM says government will denounce radar contract if qualitative characteristics not confirmed

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Spiliotopoulos added that in such a case the government will ask for its money back from the U.S. manufacturing company Raytheon and stressed that in a few days' time the government will be in a position to announce the results of renegotiating another contract.

Elaborating on the contract signed by the previous government for the TPQ-37 radars, the minister said it brings the country to a disadvantageous position since it was signed with "burdensome terms for the Hellenic state."

Spiliotopoulos pointed out that 30 percent was paid as a downpayment, 10 percent within a period of 12 months and 50 percent within 45 days from the loading of the equipment at a port in the United States.

"In other words, before they come to Greece, before we can see if the systems work, the government paid 90 percent of the value and only 10 percent was left to be paid after the qualitative and quantitative receipt of the systems," he added.

Former PASOK defence ministers speak of 'slander and persecutions' regarding procurement of military equipment issue: Former PASOK National Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou appeared indignant in Parliament on Tuesday night on the contents on the public prosecutor reports regarding the military procurements of the Armed Forces.

He spoke of "wretched procedures, based on false data and the concealing of crucial facts or incidents which distort reality and falsify the truth."

In his speech, Papantoniou repeatedly criticised the ruling New Democracy party, discerning in its options a ''planned slander and staining of its political opponents.''

Regarding the contents of the public prosecutor reports, the former defence minister said that the purchase of the Russian TOR-M1 missiles had been decided before his installation at the ministry and that 92 percent of the value of the systems had been payed, while only 2 percent of the offset benefits programmes had been implemented. In order not to demerit these systems, Papantoniou added, until the settlement of the problems relating to their attachment together and since the annullement of the contract was ''practically impossible'' the ministry had opted for its amendment on the basis of the existing state guarantee.

With regard the TPQ 37 radars "the involvement of my name in the in the matter of their procurement is a product of sick fantacy and unbelievable political malice," he said.

On his part, former PASOK Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos in his speech said:"Such a massive persecution of members of the armed forces has never occured in the world. The last case was the persecutions under Stalin during the 1935-39 period with the known results."

"The cases of "Aspida" in the past, but also the "Purchase of the Century, in the most recent political history, speak the truth. That the conservative party, unfortunately for the political course of the country, is not taught, does not develop, does not modernise," Tsohatzopoulos said.

[03] Gov't again points to ruling ND's unambiguous stance against corruption, 'vested interests'

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

In answering another barrage of press questions on the specific topic during a regular press briefing, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antoranos said the government will use its Parliamentary mandate and majority to pass whatever legislation for necessary institutional safeguards.

Moreover, in response to questions over the prime minister's stance amid the growing national debate on "vested interests", Antonaros stressed that Premier Costas Karamanlis "does not bow to pressure".

Moreover, he said Karamanlis' invitation to other political camps for combating corruption and collusion "involves all of the (country's) political forces".

Finally, in answer to a relevant question involving main opposition leader and former foreign minister George Papandreou's recent statements on the issue, the government spokesman merely noted that "Mr. Papandreou has in the past expressed his position, which we have noted."

[04] Gov't refers to Papandreou comments on presidential candidate as 'vague, but generally acceptable'

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Spokesman Evangelos Antonaros replied to a press question during his regular briefing, when asked to comment on Papandreou's description of an "open-minded and progressive" individual, one that "should express modern Greece".

The second term of current President Kostis Stephanopoulos expires in the spring, with Parliament then set to elect a new head of state. One-hundred and eighty MPs must vote for a candidate, otherwise, Parliament will be dissolved and general elections called.

[05] Airships, street cameras

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Antonaros said cameras on board the airships and on roads close to Olympic venues are no longer operational.

Today's (Tuesday) flight over Athens was held on a private initiative, he added.

Concerning street cameras, he said a contract for their operation has also expired and that authorities have submitted two petitions to the Hellenic Data Protection Authority in order to renew their operation, while expressing a hope that the independent agency will respond quickly to the government's request.

[06] Papandreou says gov't is creating more problems instead of solving them

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou spoke after chairing a meeting of his party's coordination bureau.

In terms of the high-profile issue of establishing Parliament committees of inquiry to probe, among others, costly weapons purchases by the defence ministry's leadership during the previous Simitis government, Papandreou said a similar proposal by his party should be adopted instead, as it is more transparent.

"We will not allow the vilification of the political world, in general, and PASOK, specifically," he added.

[07] PM Karamanlis meets with Hungarian president Madl

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

The two men discussed bilateral relations and developments in the European Union.

No statements were made after the meeting.

[08] Trade ties dominate Greek president's talks in Bulgaria

Sofia 113/10/2004 (ANA/N.Megadoukas)

The president had earlier addressed an economic forum of Greek and Bulgarian businessmen, stressing the need for the further development of trade and economic ties between Greece and Bulgaria, which will be faciliated by Bulgaria's expected entry in the EU as well as the opening of three road tolls on the Greek-Bulgarian frontier.

Stephanopoulos also referred to the problem of the western Balkans and the need to strengthen peace, stability and democracy in the area, stressing the importance of EU membership for Bulgaria, Turkey and Romania. The president placed particular emphasis on Greek-Bulgarian relations, predicting that they would become a model for the rest of Europe and the Balkan region and noted that Greek businesmen could be active in Bulgaria, both safely and profitably.

Furthermore, Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis, speaking at the economic forum, emphasized that both the Greek and Bulgarian governments offer the necessary pre-conditions, that is the bilateral legal framework as well as a favourable political and economic environment for investment.

[09] Government satisfied with results of business contacts in Bulgaria

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Euripidis Stylianidis spoke about the "positive results" of these two day business meetings, in which the representatives of 50 Greek companies explored business opportunities in Bulgaria. Stylianidis added that the door had now been opened to other Greek products beyond those currently being promoted on the Bulgarian market.

Bulgarian companies were particularly interested in the Euro-pean technology and technical knowledge of Greek companies, particularly significant in the light of Bulgaria's upcoming EU membership. Stylianidis also discussed the rapid application of civil law decisions issued by the Bulgarian courts as well as special tax measures on products imported from Greece and other countries.

Finally, Stylianidis stated that the matter of the three road tolls on the Greek-Bulgarian border was progressing and that Greece was examining the feasability of a proposed rail connection between Thessaloniki and the port of Lom on the Danube.

[10] Erdogan sidesteps issue of Cyprus' recognition

Istanbul, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Ergodan's comments followed a string of articles in the local press quoting statements by Greek President Kostis Stephano-poulos over the weekend, namely, ones involving Greece's support vis-a-vis Turkey's aspirations as well as pre-accession conditions.

Press coverage cited Stephanopoulos' reference of Greek support for Turkey's EU course, while other articles mostly focused the remark about the necessary recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

When asked in the past about the possibility of the internatio-nally recognised Cyprus government vetoing the commencement of Turkey's long-coveted EU accession negotiations, Erdogan dismissed such a prospect, citing what he inferred from talks with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

Cyprus, one of 10 new European Union member-states, controls roughly two-thirds of the island republic's territory, whereas the other one-third is Turkish-occupied. A Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state nominally ruling over the occupied part of the east Mediterranean isle is recognised only by Ankara, the occupying power.

[11] Violations of nat'l airspace, Athens FIR by Turkish warplanes reported

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

According to the same reports, two six-plane formations of Turkish warplanes entered the Athens FIR on two separate occasions on Monday, first at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. In several instances, the intruders also violated Greek national airspace near the islands of eastern Aegean islands of Hios and Samos.

Greek air force fighter planes reportedly intercepted the Turkish aircraft on all occasions, with a number of mid-air engagements recorded as well.

[12] ND, PASOK Europarliamentarians jointly table amendment on future of EU Reconstruction Service

Strassburg, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

ND Europarliamentarian George Dimitrakopoulos and PASOK Euro-deputy Panos Beglitis tabled a joint amendment requesting that the European Commission table in the Europarliament, by June 2005, a report on the future of the European Reconstruction Service.

Also, Dimitrakopoulos accepted, in principle, the Commission's view regarding expansion of the Reconstruction Service's autho-rities to also include the management of economic assistance to the Turkish Cypriots, and called on the Commission to send the relevant proposal to the Europarliament promptly.

The Europarliament's committee on foreign affairs has decided that it would vote in favour of the report on the Reconstruction Service, as well as on the report for the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots during a special session coincideing with the Europarliament plenary meeting in Strasbourg.

[13] Eurostat delegation due on lightning visit

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

The Eurostat delegation's visit was a formality, according to ESYE, given that the current data, following a limited readjustment, did not alter the overall picture of the deficit for the period in question (1997-1999), and did not put the country's membership in the EMU at risk.

The Eurostat delegation was scheduled to depart on Wednesday morning.

[14] Justice minister Papaligouras tours women's prison at Korydallos facility, comments on 17N convicts' hunger strike

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

More specifically, women inmates are being separated into wings for: a) minors, b) mothers with infants, c) long-term convicts, d) women serving sentences for drug convictions, and e) other women inmates.

After the visit, Papaligouras told waiting reporters that the correctional role of the State was of particular importance, and decisive particlarly with respect to the younger aged prison inmates, to whom a second change for "hope for life" was due.

"We are proceeding with the materialisation of the separation of the inmates in accordance with gender, age, and length of senten-ce so that the jails will not be schools of corruption but, rather, meet their correctional role. We have begun (this process) with the women's prison at Korydallos," Papaligouras said.

The justice ministry's programme further envisages the gradual transfer of the Korydallos inmates to a new correctional facility currently under construction so as to de-congest the existing facility and, ultimately, close it down, in accordance with the government's commitment.

Asked to comment on an ongoing hunger strike by convicted 'November 17' terrorist group members -- most of whom are serving life sentences in a separate, maximum-security wing at the Korydallos facility -- the minister said that the 17N hunger strikers were attempting to impose their terms on the State "despite the fact that they enjoy better incarceration conditions than the other inmates".

He also said that, on his orders, significant interventions were recently made in the 17N convicts' yard facility, within the framework of their security needs and protection "for which the State is responsible".

Papaligouras stressed that the Greek State "is not vindictive, but it also does not give in to such practices".

[15] Greek Ombudsman's report on police violations of citizen's rights

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

The report, which is based on five years of study and research and includes 176 cases, concludes that although the Greek police has made great strides in its operations, it still needs to treat citizen's rights with more gravity. According to the report, the number of cases where responsibility was attributed to the police was negligible while sanctions imposed were disproportionately light.

The report includes statements by citizens who have questioned the legality of police action, particularly in areas such as police reluctance to investigate disciplinary responsibilities, police neutrality as well as the process of providing evidence.

[16] Meeting focuses on island policy

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

During the meeting, Athens' contribution, and in particular, the ministry of the Aegean, was emphasised in consolidating the unique aspects of island regions in the neophyte European Union constitution.

[17] KKE calls for stepping up of struggles for the rights of the working people

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Through its announcement, the KKE in essence proclaimed in advance its intention to escalate its opposition tactics in answer to what it termed "the disorientation by the (ruling) New Democracy party and the (main opposition) PASOK party for the matter of vested interests to become the epicentre of public opinion."

Referring to a KKE rally held in central Athens last Saturday, the KKE announcement said it "hails the tens of thousands of struggling people who came from all the parts of Greece and took part in the big rally which was organised by the Central Committee of the KKE with epicentre the great problems of the people and with the slogan 'no tolerance to poverty in the working people's family'."

[18] Conference of European sports ministers in Budapest

Budapest, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

The administration of sports, the securing of democratic principles, law and justice as well as transparency, make up the core of issues which will be discussed at the conference. The issue of doping and measures to comabt it will also be disussed.

[19] SAE president congratulates new Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria

13/10/2004 (ANA)

In an SAE press release issued on Monday, Athens said in his letter:"Your Beatitude, On behalf of the Board of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, the worldwide Hellenism abroad and myself, please accept our congratulations for your election at the throne of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa."

[20] The profile of poverty in Greece: One in five households live under the poverty line

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

According to the research, one in five households live under the poverty line, four in ten cannot cover expenses for heating, while one in three economise on food.

The unemployed, pensioners, large families and those with a low education are the groups of the population who are most threatened by poverty.

The research reveals that 19.3-22.6 percent of the population, that is, about one in five Greeks, lives under the poverty line.

According to the research, 0.82 percent of the population (about 85,000 citizens) have a daily income less than 70 cents (corresponding to about one dollar), while 7.2 percent (about 740,000 citizens survive on an income of less than 10.5 euros a day.

The poverty line income in Greece is (on the basis of data in 2002) 4,800 euros a year for one-member households, 8,640 euros for a couple with one child and 10,080 euros for four-member families. For one parent families with one child the limit is 6,240 euros.

The groups of the population who face the greatest danger of poverty are the elderly, pensioners, unemployed, those with a low standard of education and multi-member families.

Poor are 28.1 percent of people aged above 65, 28.1 percent of unemployed and 26.3 percent of pensioners, against 15.7 percent of employed.

[21] Govt announces 5.6 mln-euro subsidy to PPC

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

The money will come from a Public Investments Programme and it is the third intervention taken by the ministry to strengthen PPC's electricity grid this year. The first intervention was completed in April 23, envisaging a subsidy of 3.0 million euros, and the second in July 16 with a subsidy of 42.5 million euros, raising the total subsidy offered to PPC to 51,154,000 euros.

[22] Development minister signs decision approving 453 training programmes for small businesses

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

In this Cycle a total of 1,551 proposals were made by 287 Professional Training Centres (K.E.K.) and 1,325 from 283 K.E.K. were assessed. Of these, 1,307 programmes were appro-ved, reaching a total budget of 33,210,606 euros and the direct funding of 453 of a total budget of 11,490,868 euros for the training of 10,035 working people with 67,300 hours of training.

[23] Gov't unveils highlights of tax reform bill

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Addressing a seminar organised by the Greek-American Cham-ber of Commerce, the deputy minister said the draft legislation would be tabled in Parliament next month.

"The government's new tax policy will aim to strengthen competitiveness, to attract investments, reduce unemployment and ease tax burdens on lower-income classes," Regouzas said.

A new tax code will include a gradual reduction of tax factors for both businesses and individual taxpayers; changes in the method and criteria of tax audits aimed to combat tax-evasion, smuggling and corruption; establishing tax incentives to boost investments and to support entrepreneurship; introducing regulations to contain VAT evasion on imported products; changing a tax scale and rationalising deducted spending from annual tax incomes.

[24] European Court rules that Greece has violated EU legislation in agricultural sector

Brussels 13/10/2004 (ANA/V. Demiris)

According to a Council regulation, member-states were obliged to enact, before January 1, 1997, an integrated system which will include a computerised database. The obligation is part of the reform framework of common agricultural policy aimed at boosting effectiveness and performance.

In resorting against Greece, the European Commission claims that the Greek authorities have not yet enacted such an integrated system, while the alternative system they are applying to monitor land and payment applications has repeatedly been considered unsatisfactory.

[25] Greek govt discusses transportation in Athens

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said that the ministry was already in talks with all interested parties to draft a new transportation map of Athens and that final decision would be announced soon after a cooperation with the ministries of Public Works and Public Order. "Our aims is to maintain and improve a positive climate that prevailed during the Olympic Games and to achieve a goal of having one in two citizens of Athens to use public transportation from one in three currently," Liapis said.

The Greek minister announced that the government aimed to reduce road accidents by 50 percent by 2010 and said that a revised traffic code would envisage more austere penalties, such as re-introducing a point-system for drivers. Presenting a timetable for introducing electric trains in the country, Liapis said that the government plan aimed for the operation of a double track electric railway line stretching from Thessaloniki to Patras said that the railway line to Patras would be ready by 2011.

Commenting on the privatisation of Olympic Airlines, Liapis said that the government planned to open a new international tender to ensure the swift sale of the national carrier under the best possibe conditions for its staff and for the company.

[26] Visiting German Parliament comm't on tourism meets with minister

13/10/2004 (ANA)

Members of the German parliament group also offered their congratulations for the successful hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as for the Greek football team's capture of the Euro 2004 championship.

[27] Conference on tourism and development held in Athens

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

According to a draft marketing plan on Greek tourism presented by SETE, the increased recognition Greece currently enjoys due to the successful holding of the Olympic Games will "evaporate" to a great extent over the next three years.

Over this period, if Greek tourism wants to capitalise on the Games it must invest in organising and business structures, as well as in marketing activities whose cost has been estimated at 300 million euros.

Tourist Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said on his part that "Greece is the country of the four seasons", adding that the target of new government strategy for tourism is prolonging the tourist period and aspiring that Greece will achieve with tourism what Ireland achieved with its economy.

[28] Athens 2004 Olympic Games break all television rating records

Monaco, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

"In the sector of television rating, the Olympic Games of Athens marked significant success," International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge stated on Tuesday. He added: "3.9 billion television viewers watched the Games of A-thens, against 3.6 billion who saw the organisation of Sydney and 3 billion who observed that of Salt Lake City. The television rating constitutes a basic priority for the IOC as we must approach as many people as possible."

The IOC made public analytical data concerning the television rating on the basis of a world research conducted by the Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS).

- 3.9 billion television viewers throughout the world observed the Athens Games, against 3.6 billion in the organisation of Sydney

- 35,000 hours of television broadcasts were dedicated to the Games of Athens and constitute a 27 percent increase in relation to 29,600 hours of Sydney. The corresponding numbers were: 20,000 in Barcelona and 25,000 in Atlanta

- On a world level, each person observed on average a total of 12 hours of the Olympic Games

- There was a considerable increase in television rating in Central, South America and Asia, despite the time difference.

[29] Greek Mining Enterprises urge gov't support for the industry

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

The union also urged for a less complex legislation in licensing and operation of mining companies in Greece.

The issues were discussed during a meeting between the pre-sidency of the union and Economy ministry's secretary-general G.Mergos.

The union asked that a new development law, currently under discussion, would make specific note to research and preparatory projects by mining enterprises and to offer tax incentives and subsidies for research in innovative applications of industrial minerals. The proposals also included legislative support to Gre-ek companies' investments in their distribution networks abroad.

[30] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks nose down in wake of jittery European markets

Athens, 13/10/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,399.38 points, showing a decrease of 0.47 percent. Turnover was 74.2 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalisation shares ended 0.27 percent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 1.07 percent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.00 percent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 226 to 54 with 72 remaining unchanged.

Equity Index Futures: