Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-12-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] 9 Greeks officially missing after massive earthquake/tsunami disaster in SE Asia, as death toll climbs to more than 76,000

[02] Greece to send 25-man emergency rescue team to disaster-stricken South Asia

[03] Spiliotopoulos visits armed forces in Rhodes

[04] Deputy defense minister visits Elefsina airforce base

[05] Synaspismos and SYRIZA leftist movement discuss prospects for cooperation

[06] Gov't sources stress that 'primary shareholder' law will be fully compatible with EU law

[07] "No more national farm subsidies" Farm minister says

[08] Greek trade deficit up 19.3 pct in Jan-Sept, yr/yr

[09] MasterCard says transactions in Greece rose significantly in 3rd quarter

[10] ASE closing report: rally continues

[11] Culture ministry mulling changes to support Greek cinema and performing arts, sources say

[12] Hold up at Post Office in Thessaloniki

[13] Coroner says dead prison inmate may have been using drugs

[14] Cyprus House President: no arbitration, no strict deadlines

[01] 9 Greeks officially missing after massive earthquake/tsunami disaster in SE Asia, as death toll climbs to more than 76,000

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

The confirmed death toll of Sunday's massive earthquake and killer tsunami in the Indian Ocean is more than 76,000.

There are a number of Greeks vacationing in the area for whom information has not been cross-checked yet, Koumoutsakos emphasized.

Asked whether the names of those missing will be made public, Koumoutsakos replied: "This announcement, because of its seriousness, will take place only once information is completely definitive. We don't want to create additional anxiety nor undue joy. We respected the 72-hour deadline which is soon expiring and the principle of cross-checking information before classifying visitors to the region as missing."

Additionally, Koumoutsakos announced that 19 Greeks will be returning to Athens on Wednesday from Bangkok and two will be flying from Sri Lanka to Brussels.

Earlier on Wednesday, Koumoutsakos said the list of unaccounted for Greek holidaymakers was fluctuating throughout the past 24 hours, as instances of Greeks thought to be in the stricken area were reported, while others on the list were reported to be safe.

Koumoutsakos also said that a group of 17 Greek tourists had been located by Greek diplomatic personnel on Phuket and were all safe. Among those 17 were four Greeks reported to be lightly injured, one of whom remained in Phuket on doctors' orders while the other three were headed with headed for the Thai capital of Bangkok with the rest of the group.

The foreign ministry services are in constant contact with the relatives of the Greek tourists in the area, and it was learned that a three-member Greek family had departed Tuesday night for Male.

Another group of 25-30 Greeks was also located in the Maldives, who said they wished to continue their visit.

Koumoutsakos said that the foreign ministry had no credible information regarding serious injury or death among Greek tourists in the area, and noted that a C-130 military plane had left Athens Tuesday for the area carrying humanitarian aid and volunteers.

The spokesman explained that the C-130 had been ready for take-off from the onset of the disaster, but 48 hours had been required to secure the necessary permission for overflights over several countries.

He also said that a special Olympic Airlines flight dispatched to the region that brought back 135 Greeks and several other EU citizens from the area had been the first foreign flight to reach the stricken area.

Koumoutsakos noted the large extent of the stricken area, adding that many travelers did not wish their names to be made public, and also difficulties arising from the fact that others had traveled to the area individually via Bangkok or Germany instead of through travel agencies, and were possibly scattered throughout the area, noting for example that the Maldives comprised a complex of 1,200 small islands.

The spokesman further noted that the local authorities in the stricken area were unable to collect and provide confirmed information on the extent of the situation and the victims, adding that the foreign ministry would not relay data that had not been cross-checked.

[02] Greece to send 25-man emergency rescue team to disaster-stricken South Asia

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

It said the team would assist in efforts to locate persons missing after Sunday's disaster.

The spokesman also said that members of the public wishing to donate aid to the victims of the quake and tsunamis that struck countries all around the Indian Ocean should contact the ministry's International Developmental Cooperation service at the numbers 210 3683679, 210 3683681 and declare what they wanted to offer.

According to Koumoutsakos, at this phase the ministry will be making a record of all offers and will decide whether it was possible to collect them at a later date.

He also urged to the public to contact non-governmental relief and aid organizations.

Red Cross launches contact service for relatives of South Asia tsunami victims: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday announced that it has launched a website and other services to help families find out information about relatives and loved ones who were in South Asian countries struck by Sunday's killer quake and tsunamis and have no means of contacting them.

Access to the service in Greece is available to everyone, both Greek nationals and foreign immigrants, who can seek information about their loved ones either through the missing persons service at the Hellenic Red Cross (3rd Septemvriou 21, Tel. 210 5230043, 210 5242194, Fax. 210 5237700) or by accessing the ICRC English-language website at www.familylinks.icrc.org </familylinks>.

People in the affected countries can register on the site to inform their families that they are safe and well, and families can consult the list of people who have registered. It is also possible to search for names of relatives.

The Greek branch of the Red Cross is also continuing to assist in relief operations and is still appealing for cash donations, which should be deposited at a special bank account at the Agricultural Bank of Greece (Acc. no. 01704005437-32) with the indication 'Earthquake in Indonesia'.

FM briefs PASOK deputies on tsunami relief efforts: Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis on Thursday briefed PASOK deputies Anna Diamantopoulou and Andreas Loverdos over the ministry's efforts to locate Greek nationals in areas stricken by Sunday's tsunamis across the Indian Ocean.

He also briefed them on humanitarian aid efforts.

[03] Spiliotopoulos visits armed forces in Rhodes

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

Spiliotopoulos' scheduled visit to the islands of Symi and Kastelorizo was canceled due to bad weather.

The minister praised the armed forces' high level of training in statements he made during his visit.

[04] Deputy defense minister visits Elefsina airforce base

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

Lambropoulos also congratulated the crews of the C-130 aircraft for their continuous contribution within the multidimensional role of the Hellenic Airforce.

Lambropoulos' gifts to the officers were books on the Aegean and Asia Minor.

[05] Synaspismos and SYRIZA leftist movement discuss prospects for cooperation

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

After the meeting, Synaspismos leader Alekos Alavanos said they had expressed a common desire to rejuvenate SYRIZA's unifying effort on a more powerful and stable basis.

He said the common goal was to open new viaducts for dialogue, common action and cooperation between all leftist forces, without exception.

He also appealed to young people to form "a new left-wing generation that plans the future" and people of the Left that were currently not involved with any group but were "waiting for creative opportunities to once again become active".

"Our ambition is to jointly create a new major movement that will open new horizons in politics and the course of the country," he said.

SYN President meets with Dimas: The state deficit, environmental issues and the natural disaster in Indonesia were the major topics Alekos Alavanos, President of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party discussed with Greek European Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas during their meeting on Wednesday.

Alavanos called the meeting "very interesting" in statements he made afterwards and emphasized that he expressed his concern to Dimas that the European Union might pressure Greece into following an austerity policy due to the state deficit. Alavanos also said that waste management issues were discussed, a sector in which Greece lags behind its EU peers, as well as the issues resulting from the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis in Southeast Asia. Alavanos said that the need for the EU to intervene decisively was emphasized as well as the need for measures to be taken on a European, Mediterranean and Greek level.

On his part, Dimas thanked Alavanos and his associates for the exchange of views and expressed the hope that "our objectives will be realized for the good of our country."

[06] Gov't sources stress that 'primary shareholder' law will be fully compatible with EU law

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

According to reports, the "primary shareholder" legislation will be on the agenda of State Minister Thodoris Roussopoulos' visit next week with the board of the National Radio-Television Council (ERS). The government is reportedly interested in ERS' input and observations at improving the draft law.

The legislation is part of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis high-profile pre-election pledge to curb the influence of so-called "vested" or "inter-twined" interests in the country's political life.

Dimas comments on 'primary shareholder' bill: European Commissioner responsible for the Environment Stavros Dimas on Wednesday commented on the primary shareholder bill which was submitted to Greek Parliament for review on December 20 and which was the cause of a letter being sent to the Greek government by the European Commission, concerned that the bill might not be in line with EU law.

In response to related questions, Dimas said that the bill amends the existing law, noting that while it has been submitted in Parliament it has yet to be discussed. "I assume that members of parliament will discuss it and state their opinions and if they find that there are clauses that are not compatible with EU law then they will be corrected," he said. Dimas called for patience to see what Greek parliament decides before making any judgments.

Asked to comment on the European Commission's letter, Dimas said that the letter was sent before the bill was tabled in parliament and was seeking clarification. Furthermore, he added, that there are fundamental laws in EU legislation to which exceptions can be made provided there is a significant reason for protection of public interest. The measures taken must be judged in accordance with the desired goal, Dimas said, adding that this can also be decided by the courts.

Gov't spokesman comments on European Commission letter regarding "primary shareholder" bill: "The government has taken all precautions so that the new 'primary shareholder' law will be in line with the Greek Constitution first and also compatible with the EU's acquis communautaire," Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos emphasized on Wednesday in response to a letter sent by the European Commission on the matter.

Roussopoulos pointed out that the Commission sent the letter to the Greek government on December 17, three days before the bill was tabled in Parliament on December 20. Also, the letter's author does not take into account that electronic media in Greece are directly controlled by the state and therefore belong to the public sector. Finally, Roussopoulos also gave examples of discrepancies in the letter regarding the bill, which according to the government spokesman, reveal that the author of the letter is not familiar with the bill's content.

[07] "No more national farm subsidies" Farm minister says

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Basiakos said that the EU imposed penalties, worth 565 million euros, on 17 cases of bad implementation of EU rules over inadequate inspections, breach of EU legislation in olive oil, fruit and vegetables, cotton, cattle, wine, raisin, dairy products, processed peach, industrial tomato and early retirement of farmers. The Greek minister stressed that another case was currently under review against the country.

"This policy led to a financial hemorrhage of the country and has to be stopped," Basiakos said.

He underlined that adopting past policies would result to higher community penalties and weaken Greece's negotiating position in the EU. "Greek farmers receive around 1.1 billion euros in EU subsidies each year, around half their farm income," Basiakos said.

[08] Greek trade deficit up 19.3 pct in Jan-Sept, yr/yr

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

NSS, in its monthly report, said that the country's trade deficit totalled 21.281 billion euros in the first nine months of the year, up from 17.832 billion euros in the corresponding period in 2003.

The nine-month shortfall was the result of a 12.5 percent increase in import-arrivals in the January-September period to 30.119 billion euros, and 1.1 percent decline in export-deliveries over the same period to 8.837 billion euros.

NSS said the trade data covered only merchandise trade and they did not include services.

[09] MasterCard says transactions in Greece rose significantly in 3rd quarter

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

MasterCard said that the value growth rate in Greece exceeded the European average of 14.9 percent in the third quarter.

The credit card company said that MasterCard transactions in Greece totalled 15.16 million in the first nine months of 2004, up 7.9 pct from last year, while turnover totalled 1.36 billion euros, up 17 percent over the same period in 2003.

MasterCard said that transactions in Europe totalled 1.2 billion in the third quarter, up 13.2 percent from 2003, with a turnover of 82.9 billion euros, up 14.9 pct over the same period, double the US growth rate of 7.7 percent. Turnover in Europe totalled 178.1 billion euros in the first nine months of 2004.

MasterCard said credit card issuance totalled 108.7 million in the third quarter of 2004, up 16 percent from 2003.

[10] ASE closing report: rally continues

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

The index ended 0.62 percent higher at 2,788.67 points, nearing the 2,800-mark level, where analysts predicted it would end the year.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.54 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.56 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index jumped 1.78 percent.

All sector indices ended higher, with the Textile and Publications indices leading the way (3.38 pct and 2.55 pct, respectively), followed by IT Solutions (2.30 pct) and Industrials (1.05 pct).

Turnover was a moderate 118.7 million euros. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 227 to 56, with another 72 issues unchanged.

[11] Culture ministry mulling changes to support Greek cinema and performing arts, sources say

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

In a meeting with arts correspondents on Wednesday, Tatoulis said the ministry was currently working on a number of bills that will be tabled in Parliament by spring. He also referred to plans for an independent institute or "Academy of Arts" dedicated to the performing arts (cinema, music, theatre and dance), with classes by distinguished Greek and foreign teachers.

Deputy Culture Minister announces opening of an "Arts Academy": Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis on Wednesday announced the planned opening of an "Arts Academy", dedicated to the performing arts (dance, theatre, cinema and music) during a meeting he had with arts & leisure reporters. Tatoulis said that both Greek and distinguished foreigners will be teaching at the institute.

Additionally, the deputy minister said that the ministry will be placing emphasis on developing the Greek film industry and preparing a series of bills which will be submitted to Parliament by Spring 2005.

Finally, Tatoulis said that former Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos was personally responsible for the Cultural Olympiad, in response to related questions.

[12] Hold up at Post Office in Thessaloniki

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

They said the couple, who had their faces covered, entered the post office (ELTA) branch carrying hunting rifles, and grabbed 16,000 euros before escaping in a car.

Police were seeking the thieves. No one was injured in the hold-up.

[13] Coroner says dead prison inmate may have been using drugs

Athens, 30/12/2004 (ANA)

Forty-year-old Katerina Baila, originally incarcerated in July 2003 on drug-related charges, was found dead in her bunk by her cell-mate on Tuesday.

The coroner said the cause of death was pulmonary edema and an interruption of the flow of blood to the heart muscles that were consistent with narcotics use. A toxicology test will be carried out on Thursday to confirm the coroner's diagnosis.

Following the results of the autopsy, a public prosecutor visited the prison and took statements from 10 other inmates who tested positive for drug use late on Tuesday night, while the prosecutor's inquiry may well be extended to the guards at the prison.

[14] Cyprus House President: no arbitration, no strict deadlines

NICOSIA 30/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

In statement to the press on Wednesday, he also said that Turkey must delivery good will messages if indeed it wants a solution in Cyprus and should this be the case, October 3 could be a landmark date.

Turkey is set to begin accession negotiations with the European Union on 3 October, EU leaders decided at their summit in mid December.

They also called on Ankara to sign the protocol extending its customs union agreement with all ten new EU members, including Cyprus, which it does not recognize.

''We have to learn from our past experience and avoid past mistakes.

My understanding is that National Council members have advocated, almost unanimously, that arbitration and tight deadlines cannot be accepted,'' he said, responding to questions.

He said that Turkey should give proof of its genuine desire for changes to the Annan plan (a UN solution plan the Greek Cypriots have rejected) that would be substantive and meet the expectations of the Greek Cypriot but also serve the interests of the island's two communities (Greek and Turkish Cypriot).

His comments came in the wake of statements by Turkish and Turkish Cypriots that not a single Turkish soldier will leave Cyprus before a settlement is reached and that Ankara has no intention of recognizing the Republic of Cyprus.

Meanwhile Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said on Wednesday that the government continues to work towards the creation of those conditions that would justify the resumption of negotiations as soon as possible with a view at finding a bizonal bicommunal federation on the basis of a UN solution plan (the Annan plan).

He said this is a matter which the National Council, the top advisory body to President Tassos Papadopoulos on the handling of the question of Cyprus, will deal with.

The latest UN-led effort to find a negotiated settlement ended in failure following talks, carried out under tight deadlines, that produced, through UN arbitration, a plan which 76 per cent of Greek

Cypriots considered unfair and biased in favor of Turkey and consequently rejected in a referendum. The Turkish Cypriots approved the plan by 65 per cent.

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