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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-06-08Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>June 8, 2005CONTENTS
[01] EU, Greece in agreement on state project managementBRUSSELS 8/6/2005 (ANA/V Demiris/M Spinthourakis)The European Union said on Tuesday that agreement had been reached with Greece on the future management of national public works contracts, and that a financial correction would be made for past irregularities."Today, the Commission has decided on a financial correction for irregular expenditure declared by the Greek authorities in the period 2000 and 2004, amounting to ¬ 518 million. Repayment will be phased over four years to take account of the impact on the Greek budget," Danuta Hübner, the EU's regional policy commissioner, said in a statement. The corrections stem from public works contracts that have not been tendered or managed in accordance with European legislation. Greek authorities have undertaken to make further corrections estimated at about ¬ 220 million during the same four-year period. The government is also harmonizing national public procurement law with the EU, and has strengthened management and control procedures for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), providing a stable framework for completion of the third Community Support Framework (2000-2006) and preparation for the next program in 2007, the statement said. "I wish to acknowledge the considerable efforts made by the Greek authorities in recent months to establish the basis for a confident partnership from now on," Hübner said. "As a result, the Commission will not suspend interim payments by the ERDF to Greece, and expects to be in a position shortly to formally acknowledge the conformity of the management and control system established in Greece for the ERDF with regulatory requirements", she added. Finmin welcomes pact: In Luxembourg, visiting Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis welcomed the agreement. "The 518 million euros represents a third of the Commission's original intention - about 1.5 billion euros," Alogoskoufis told reporters. "The correction will be implemented gradually over the next four years, to avoid burdening the Greek budget," the minister said. Opposition lashes out: The main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) claimed the government was to blame for imposition of the fine. The problem had emerged because an agreement with the EU before Greece's March 2004 elections, which the ruling New Democracy party won, had not been adhered to, thereby creating difficulties with the 3rd CSF, spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said. In another statement, PASOK's economy department said that Tuesday's decision severely weakened Greece bargaining power over EU funds for 2007-2013. Separately, the Coalition of the Left and Progress stated that loss of the funds was a major blow to the country, especially as growth rates were declining, the economy was under EU supervision, and working people were enduring austerity. Spokesman Panayotis Lafazanis blamed both the PASOK and New Democracy governments for mishandling the issue. [02] PASOK party's Coordinating Body discusses government's plan on public and private sector cooperationAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The Coordinating Body of the main opposition PASOK party's Parliamentary Group convened on Tuesday, while the main topic of discussion was the plan being promoted by the government on cooperation between the public and private sectors.However, the issue created by statements by Mihalis Chrysohoidis on the lifting of permanent status in the wider public sector lingered throughout the duration of the meeting. According to reports, all who had participated in Monday's meeting criticized Chrysohoidis for his position and the time he chose to announce his views on the issue. Speakers noted that when issues concerning the competitiveness of business in the wider public sector are discussed the discussion on the operational plan comes first and at the end, when permanent status is the obstacle, this issue is also discussed. PASOK leader George Papandreou said fear and insecurity is also the major issue in Europe today as well, while the challenge is how a socialist party will combine progress with growth and social cohesion. Papandreou pointed out that what is also important is if someone is able to control the market for the benefit of society or if the market will be dominant everywhere. [03] President Papoulias begins three-day official visit to Austria on SundayVIENNA 8/6/2005 (ANA/D. Dimitrakoudis)President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias will pay an official visit to Austria from June 12-14, at the invitation of his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer.Papoulias' talks in Austria are expected to focus on Greece-Austria bilateral relations, the course of European integration following the referendums in France and The Netherlands on the European Constitution, the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations, the developments in the Balkans and the international political situation in general. The Greek president's interlocutors, during his three-day official visit to Austria, will be, among others, apart from Fischer, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and Parliament President Andreas Khol. Papoulias' program, who arrives in Vienna early Sunday afternoon, foresees for the first day a visit, accompanied by Fischer, to the federal state of Burgenland and meetings with the local leadership. On Monday, the main talks will follow between the two presidents and the meetings with the Austrian Chancellor and Parliament President. After the talks, the two presidents will give a press conference at Hofburg Palace. On Tuesday morning, the Greek president will meet with members of the Greek community in Austria. [04] Cabinet approves public order ministry bill for using Olympic security expertiseAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft bill prepared by the public order ministry on the post-Olympic use of security expertise gained during the Athens Olympic Games, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis said the bill established a Coordinating Centre for Security Studies that will cooperate with foreign governments and provide advice and know-how obtained during the Olympics to organize security for similar organizations and events. Voulgarakis said Greece would use the material it had acquired and the studies carried out on a global level, while noting that Greece was already cooperation with certain countries in this way. The bill will also reactivate the traffic control centre in order to deal with traffic congestion and emergencies. In addition, it sets up a council made up of police officers, judges and local government officials to monitor delinquency in each prefecture, so that individual problems that vary according to region can be dealt with more appropriately. Responding to questions concerning the security cameras installed during the Olympic Games, Voulgarakis said that applications for permission to operate these have been submitted to the Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and that, where this permission was given, they will be put into operation. The minister said that cameras monitoring vehicle traffic and others involved in the smooth running of the city were currently operating. [05] Gov't on issue of landfill useAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The government spokesman on Tuesday again commented on the controversial issue of tons of sewage sludge built up on a partially completed treatment plant located on a tiny islet (Psytallia) west of Piraeus, as the matter was directly behind the closing of the greater Athens area's only legal landfill over much of the past week.Local government officials in west Athens strenuously object to the prospect of the sludge being transferred and treated at the Ano Liosia landfill, although a blockade of the site was lifted on Monday following an urgent intervention by the Athens first instance prosecutor's office. On Tuesday, spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said the town planning and environment ministry has invited all interested mayors and local officials to Thessaloniki on Wednesday for a tour of a landfill in that area that has successfully treated sewage sludge over the past three years. He added that the Thessaloniki site employs EU standards and generates no environmental pollution. [06] Turkish and Greek justice ministers meet in Athens, prepare cooperation protocolAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek on Tuesday began a three-day official visit to Athens, returning an official visit carried out by Greek Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras to Ankara last February.During their initial contact on Tuesday, the two minister laid the groundwork for more specific and better coordinated cooperation between the Greek and Turkish justice ministries, as well as agreeing on the agenda for talks between the ministers and experts advisors to take place on Wednesday. These will be followed by the signature at noon of a cooperation protocol between the two ministries, the first to be signed by Greek and Turkish justice ministers since democratic government was restored in Greece in 1974. [07] DM and Russian ambassador discuss TOR-M1 anti-aircraft systemsAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The defense minister received the Russian ambassador Andrei Vdovin to Athens on a scheduled visit on Tuesday and, according to ministry sources, their talks included the issue of TOR-M1 anti-aircraft systems which have been purchased by the Greek military.The sources further said that the amendment of both the main contract and of the issue of offset benefits will be signed over the next 30 days. [08] DM addresses conference on Greek defense industryAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The defense minister and the relevant defense undersecretary, addressing a conference on the Greek defense industry organized by the magazine "International Economic Relations and Diplomacy" at the Zappeion Hall, expressed the will of the defense ministry's civil leadership to support the local defense industry with the enactment of a series of measures safeguarding healthy competition and free market rules.The defense minister referred to the new bill on investments being promoted by the ministry which defines, among other things, specific procedures for the delivery of procurements, and according to which armaments procurements exceeding 100 million euros will be brought to the attention of the Permanent Parliamentary Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee for consideration. "While in previous years, when the amount of armaments requirements was unprecedented for the country, local defense industries had a minimum participation, today, despite the 40 percent cutback in financing the armaments program, our industries are receiving 'the lion's share'," the defense minister said. The defense deputy minister said "our armaments programs, all that are scheduled for 2005, based on the real needs of the new structure of the armed forces are being implemented with the greatest possible participation of the local defense industry and with the full utilization of resulting offset benefits." [09] President Papoulias receives AHI delegation on TuesdayAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Tuesday received a delegation from the American-Hellenic Institute (AHI) led by its founder Evgenios Rossides.The president also received the head of the International Foundation of Olympic and Sports Education Antonis Tzikas. [10] Results of French, Dutch constitution referendums serious confidence crisis, Coalition party leader saysAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Coalition of the Left, Ecology and Movements party leader Alekos Alavanos, speaking at a press conference on the European union on Tuesday, said the results of the referenda in France and the Netherlands, and the picture prevailing in the EU in general, show that "it is a serious confidence crisis of peoples towards the model being built in Europe, which was not expressed as indifference for Europe or as national entrenchment, but as seeking and contesting anti-neoliberal policies and as a vision for a different Europe."According to Alavanos, the "Left European 'no' placed its seal on the picture created." [11] Bill on university evaluation ratified in principle at Parliamentary Cultural Affairs CommitteeAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The education ministry's bill on university evaluation was ratified in principle on Tuesday by the deputies of the ruling New Democracy party at the Parliamentary Cultural Affairs Committee.Opposition parties voted against the draft bill, terming it fragmental, ineffective and offhand and accusing the government of trying to control universities and abolish their independence. Deputy Education Minister Spyros Taliadouros said the draft bill was brought to Parliament following a dialogue at the National Education Council and fills in the vacuum that existed on the evaluation of the work of universities. "Its purpose is the upgrading of universities by safeguarding the quality of their work and securing transparency," he said. The deputy education minister also placed emphasis on the fact that the relevant evaluation procedures are repeated every four years and are carried out by the universities themselves with the participation of students. [12] Archbishop Christodoulos to visit Ecumenical Patriarch VartholomeosAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos will visit Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in Istanbul for the first time, to wish him well on his name day on Saturday.According to reports from the archdiocese, Archbishop Christodoulos will arrive at the Phanar on Friday and will stay until Saturday night. He will be accompanied on his visit by the Metropolitan of Xanthi Panteleimon, the Metropolitan of Sparti Efstathios and archdiocese clergyman Thomas Synodinos. [13] Greek-Australian academic to be next governor of Western AustraliaMELBOURNE 8/6/2005 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)The chancellor of the University of Western Australia, Dr. Ken Michael who hails from Greek descent, has been appointed as the new governor of Western Australia by the region's premier Geoff Gallop.Dr. Michael is the son of Greek immigrants from the Greek island of Kastellorizo and is due to take over from the present governor when his term ends on October 31. Accepting the offer, Dr. Michael said that the fact that someone of Greek descent was made governor of the state proved that Australian society was genuinely multicultural. He is the second person of Greek descent to become a governor of an Australian state, following the election of John Anictomatis as governor of the Northern Territory in 2000. [14] Gov't reiterates policy to meet 2005 budget goalsAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Deputy Finance Minister Adam Regouzas issued a sharp rejoinder late Monday evening to earlier opposition criticism over the rate of increase of state revenues for 2005, stressing that a previous PASOK government's projections for fiscal 2004 were utterly outdated.Regouzas referred to a shortfall of 2.2 billion euros (or 4 percent of the target) for that year, while stressing that the government's intent is to fully meet revenue goals until the end of the year by strictly executing the 2005 budget. Deputy finmin's statements referred to 2004 budget drawn up by PASOK, gov't says: Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Tuesday said that a statement made by Deputy Finance Minister Adam Regouzas the previous day, in which the minister noted failure to meet budget targets in 2004, referred to the over-ambitious 2004 budget drawn up by PASOK that had already been corrected for. Asked whether the statement was a problem for the government, Roussopoulos said the fact that the previous budget had "large doses of fakeness" had been amply proved by the general audit of government finances concluded in February 2005. "The predictions [of the 2004 budget] - as we showed in the initial figures of the government audit last autumn - were exaggerated. The government reduced the fake targets for revenues predicted by the PASOK government in September by 700 million euros and in March we publicly acknowledged the shortfall [in revenues] and proceeded with a difficult decision, to increase VAT by 1 per cent. The government has been absolutely honest and kept its promises and under no circumstances does it indulge in creative accounting," the spokesman stressed. In a statement on Monday, Regouzas said that the government had been unable to collect 1.3 billion euros in revenue, dismissing the specific budget target as "frivolous". The spokesman also rejected press reports that the statement was critical of Regouzas' fellow deputy finance minister Petros Doukas, saying there was no reference to Doukas' in Regouzas's statement. He also stressed that the 2005 budget was not based on the "unrealistic" basis of the previous budget, given that the unrealistic figures had been corrected. [15] Finance minister briefs EU counterparts on structural changes in Greek economyBRUSSELS 8/6/2005 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis, who represented Greece at the Council of European Union Finance Ministers in Luxembourg, briefed Commissioners Joakim Almunia and Charlie McCreevy on the course of promoting structural changes in Greece on Monday and his counterparts on Tuesday.The address by Alogoskoufis was part of the general discussion held on Tuesday by EU finance ministers on the state of the economies of the 25 member-states. The finance minister referred in particular to consultations taking place in Greece on reforming the social security system, while underlining satisfaction existing in the government's economic group on the continuing high rates of the Greek economy's growth during the first quarter of this year. Speaking to Greek reporters, Alogoskoufis said that he was satisfied with the climate prevailing in Luxembourg, but noted the existence of problems in the way tax levying apparatuses of the Greek state function. The minister also pointed to the upward trend of Greek exports, as well as to the effectiveness in joint action between the public and private sectors in Greece. Referring to the issue of fiscal prospects, Alogoskoufis said no extensive discussion was held and, as regards the euro, he believes that there is no question of it being thrown into doubt in the ranks of the EU. [16] EL.PE management, union fail to iron out new agreement, strike decision pendingAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Marathon negotiations between the management of the state-owned Hellenic Petroleum (EL.PE) petrochemical group and representatives of its workers' union failed to reach an agreement late Monday evening over a new collective bargaining agreement for 2005, according to reports.According to sources on the union side, a pay increase of 3.6 percent and a clause pegging wages to inflation was tabled by employees' representatives. Earlier reports had put the union's demand at an 8-percent pay hike. The same sources said the bourse-listed and heavily traded group's management also took back an earlier proposal for a reduction in the base salary of new hirings. The union has threatened a 10-day strike this month -- beginning on June 10 -- with a final decision expected on Thursday during a general assembly of workers' representatives. The primary grievance aired by the union over the past few weeks was management's proposal to hire new refinery workers with a monthly base salary of 610 euros, less than what the national collective bargaining agreement foresees. Conversely, EL.PE management later clarified that the group's employees enjoy 17.7 monthly pay checks, 3.7 more than the customary 14 months most employees receive under Greek labor law -- 12 monthly pay checks plus half a month's wages as an Easter bonus, another half month as a vacation bonus and an extra month's pay as a Christmas bonus. EL.PE also said workers are paid an additional 170-euro per month subsidy (multiplied by 17.7) for working in an industrial environment, among others. [17] Gov't: Greek-Romanian trade at US$1.1 billion in 2004Athens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Trade between Greece and Romania totaled US$1.1 billion in 2004, Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis told participants at the 3rd Greek-Romanian business forum here on Tuesday.The Greek minister noted that bilateral trade has more than doubled since 1999, when it stood at $421 million. "Our primary concern is to buttress investment cooperation with the presence of more Greek entrepreneurs in Romania, as well as to create consortia in various sectors of joint interest," Stylianidis told participants at the forum, entitled "South East Europe: Political Priorities for a Viable Regional Economic Development". In reference to Greek business activity in Romania, he said 600 Greek-Romanian or Greece-based firms operate in the latter, with total investment calculated at 2.5 billion euros. Banking, telecoms, foodstuffs, construction and energy apparently attract the greatest interest amongst Greek firms in Romania. [18] Intracom expands activities in the defense communications system sectorAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Intracom is expanding its international activities in the defense communications systems sector with its new intercom system WISPR (Wideband Intercom & Secure Packet Radio).The WISPR system was chosen by the Czech Republic's Defense ministry to supply its ARTHUR Weapon Locating System, marking the starting base of Intracom's export activity in intercom platforms. Intracom participated in an international conference-fair in Germany "Land Forces 2010- Pragmatic Approach to Network Enabled Capabilities" held in May, organized under the auspices of the German Army and the Military Vectronics Association. The conference brought together government and military officials from the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, US, Italy, Canada, South Africa, Holland, Sweden and Czech Republic. Intracom's WISPR system was demonstrated during NATO's "Combined Endeavor 2005" military exercise, held in Germany in May and at Forth Monmouth test field in the United States. [19] Greece, Egypt seek closer cooperation in the transport sectorAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Greece and Egypt on Tuesday signed a memorandum of cooperation in the transport sector, envisaging closer relations in the shipping sector and interconnecting the two countries' road and railway networks to an Inter-European transport network.The memorandum was signed between Greek Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis and Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis with Egypt's Transport Minister Essam Sharaf, currently on an official visit in Athens. A meeting between the three ministers discussed ways to further expand cooperation between Greek and Egyptian construction companies for infrastructure projects in Egypt. The Egyptian minister also met with Greek Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos. Greece, Egypt discuss package tours, air links: Tourism Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos on Tuesday met the visiting Egyptian transport minister, Essam Sharaf, for talks on arranging package tours to Greece and Egypt that would attract mainly travelers from China, Japan and India. The two officials also discussed air links between their two countries. Avramopoulos signed a bilateral tourism cooperation protocol with his Egyptian counterpart during a recent visit to Cairo. [20] 6th Greek-Turkish Tourism Forum on June 29-30Athens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The 6th Greek-Turkish Forum on Tourism will be held in the Greek island of Samos and the Turkish port of Kusandasi, June 29-30, bringing together Tourism ministers from the two countries along with tourism and travel officials.The Forum's agenda includes progress on cooperation in tourism, presenting preparatory work for a second joint tourism commission council, examining ways to further expand bilateral cooperation and signing of a joint declaration on tourism. A meeting between travel representatives in Kusandasi, June 30, is expected to sign a cooperation protocol. [21] Legal proceedings against seven supermarkets for price fixing policiesAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)An Athens prosecutor on Tuesday announced the start of legal proceedings against seven supermarket chains and the association of supermarkets SESME for adopting price fixing policies.A First Instance prosecutor, Evangelos Kassalias, started prosecutions against Veropoulos, Vassilopoulos, Atlantic, Sklavenitis, Masoutis, Trofino and Metro supermarkets. All seven supermarket chains had developed a common price strategy selling consumer products at prices higher compared with indicative prices on their selves. [22] Bank workers union cites strong strike turnout, new walkout calledAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The OTOE bank employees union said on Tuesday that turnout was strong on the first day of a 48-hour strike in a rift with management over pension funds. Another stoppage was called for next week.The union is seeking introduction of a single supplementary pension system for sector staff versus a piecemeal arrangement for each bank; and it opposes alignment of members' pensions with the main state fund, saying the move would bring lower pensions and a higher retirement age. Bank employees staged a series of weekly 24-hour strikes in January and February this year after rejecting proposals by employers, and then by the finance ministry. In the latest walkout, more than 80% of staff in state-run banks stayed off the job, and 50%-70% in the private sector, OTOE said in a statement. Employers cited a strike turnover of 50% in state-run Emporiki Bank; and about 30% in Alpha Bank, both quoted on the Athens bourse. Earlier in the day, strikers marched to the finance ministry and handed Deputy Finance Minister Christos Folias a list of demands. Fresh walkout next week: After a meeting late in the day, union leaders called a fresh 48-hour walkout next week on Thursday and Friday. In addition, the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE), the country's largest trade union umbrella group, said that its leaders will meet on Wednesday to debate calling a strike among other major state-run firms in solidarity with bank workers, saying that the government was trying to overturn collective labor pacts. The GSEE has called stoppages over the past few months to protest against government policy affecting incomes, pensions, and company restructuring in state-run corporations. It had warned of further industrial action if demands were not met. [23] Stocks drop in profit takingAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Stocks finished lower with institutionals selling high-capitalization paper, especially banks, in short-term profit taking, traders said.The Athens general share index closed at 3,047.64 points, marking a decline of 0.06%. Turnover was 200.0 million euros. The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.10% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.36% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.31% down. Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 165 to 86 with 77 remaining unchanged. [24] Public prosecutor's probe ends with string of charges against VavylisAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)A string of charges were brought against convicted felon Apostolos Vavylis on Tuesday, after a first-instance public prosecutor concluded a preliminary probe into the activities of the drug dealer and former aide of ousted former Jerusalem Patriarch Irineos, who also appeared to be at the centre of a Church scandal that erupted earlier this year.The charges include repeated counts of violating state secrets, repeated counts of forgery, fraud, being an accomplice to fraud, repeated counts of embezzling objects of great value entrusted to him by the manager of foreign property, being an accomplice to embezzlement, stealing a false certificate, theft, harboring a criminal, libel, perjury and unprovoked verbal abuse. The charges concern his activities in Greece, Israel and in Italy, while some also concern third parties involved in the case that will be called before an examining magistrate to provide explanations. Vavylis, whose career included stints as a police informant, a law enforcement equipment sales rep and even a monk, is currently being held in a Venetian jail after Italian police apprehended him in Bologna last April, where he is serving a seven-year sentence for a drug-smuggling conviction. A copy of the public prosecutor's report and the charges against Vavylis will now be sent to Italian authorities in order to back Athens' request for his extradition to Greece. Commenting on the latest developments in the case, Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras stressed that Vavylis must be brought to trial by Greek justice and said that the state was carried out all actions necessary - both on a judicial and political level - to have him extradited to Greece. "The Italian government knows, and I believe understands, our country's particular interest in this matter," he told reporters. Papaligouras said that he had personally raised the issue with his Italian counterpart Roberto Castelli during the EU justice and interior ministers' meeting in Luxembourg last week and received an initially positive response. [25] Ombudsman presents guidelines for unaccompanied children seeking asylum in GreeceAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)Greece's Ombudsman George Kaminis and a representative of the UN High Commission for Refugees in Greece, Karen Farkas, on Tuesday held a press conference to present a set of guidelines for the treatment of unaccompanied foreign children that arrive in Greece seeking asylum.According to official figures, 302 unaccompanied foreign minors arrived in Greece in 2004. The majority were from Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. Kaminis said the guidelines for their treatment were decided jointly with the UN High Commission for Refugees based on EU directives, which are in turn based on internationally agreed principles and the Declaration of Good Practice adopted by the European Program for Unaccompanied Minors. These guidelines were brought to the attention of the public order, health and interior ministers. Both the Ombudsman and the High Commission for Refugees stressed that government needed to devote immediate attention to the following areas: Informing public prosecuting authorities in cases of minors who seek asylum; establishing a working system for assigning custody of foreign unaccompanied minors; and creating adequate facilities for the reception of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum so as to avoid their incarceration and to minimize the risk of their disappearance or exploitation. [26] Greek NGOs declare faith in UN developmental targets during event in AthensAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)A joint declaration by 22 non-governmental organizations based in Greece concerning the eight developmental targets set by the United Nations for the year 2015 were presented at the War Museum in Athens on Tuesday by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and president of the Child and Family Foundation Marianna Vardinoyianni.The proclamation expresses their faith in collective responsibility and conscience and the right of all peoples on the planet to live in dignity, justice and equality, as well as their decision to join forces in order to bring about the fastest and most successful implementation of the eight UN developmental targets. The event, which was organized by Vardinoyianni under the aegis of the Greek foreign ministry, was addressed by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas representing the prime minister and the government, Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou, Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia and Deputy Health Minister George Konstantopoulos, as well as Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis and former minister Yiannis Magriotis representing main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou. The eight UN developmental targets up until the year 2015 include: The reduction by half of the number of people earning less than a dollar a day; the reduction by half of the number of people suffering from hunger; ensuring that girls and boys throughout the world complete primary education; eradicating differences between the two sexes at all levels of education; reducing mortality of children under five by two thirds; reducing deaths of women related to pregnancy, its termination and labor by three quarters; the reduction of HIV carriers by half; the reduction of cases of malaria and other deadly diseases by half. [27] Public prosecutor calls for acquittal of two defendants in Revolutionary Popular Struggle group's trialAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The public prosecutor of an Athens court on Tuesday called for the acquittal of Yiannis Serifis and Mihalis Kassimis from charges of participation in the activities of the Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) group, stressing that there was no incriminating evidence against them.The public prosecutor called for the conviction of Irini Athanasaki, Christos Tsigaridas, Angeletos Kanas and Constantine Agapiou for simple complicity in eight of the 10 explosions of ELA attributed to them. The alternate public prosecutor, sharing the views of the regular public prosecutor, said of Tsigaridas that he "is a clever man and scientist who had assumed the political responsibility for his participation in ELA", adding that this leads to the conclusion that he was the group's dogmatic guide who supported the decisions and activities of its members. The trial will continue on Friday with addresses by defense attorneys. [28] Heroin-trafficking ring uncovered by financial crimes squad, customs officialsAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)A gang of foreign nationals smuggling and trading heroin in Athens was uncovered in a joint operation by the Attica financial crimes squad narcotics section and customs official at Athens international airport.The bust was made on Monday after Greek authorities intercepted two packages mailed from Istanbul that contained 435 grammes of heroin in specially designed caches. Two Afghan nationals and one Iranian national, all three illegally resident in Greece, were arrested as suspects in the case and will be brought before a public prosecutor to be charged. Large cache of hashish seized in border prefecture: Police in the northwest prefecture of Kastoria on Tuesday announced the seizure of nearly 69 kilos of hashish this week. The drugs were found in a total of three satchels located in a remote rural site near the Greek-Albanian frontier. No suspects approached the bags during six days of surveillance, police added. Suppliers of ecstasy gang arrested: Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of the suspected suppliers of a five-member gang dealing in ecstasy, which was apprehended while dealing in the designer drug in nightclubs on the Athens coast. They said a 25-year-old man was apprehended in the Alimos area on Monday night and his 30-year-old accomplice on Tuesday morning. Both were found in possession of large quantities of illegal drugs of various kinds and are suspected of being the suppliers of the gang arrested earlier. [29] Olympia Forum organizes conference on political role of Hellenism after Olympic GamesAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The Olympia Forum organized a conference at the Zappeion Mansion on Monday night on "The political role of Hellenism after the Olympic Games and the role of expatriate Greeks as pioneers of Hellenism", focusing on the utilization of the Olympic Games by Greece and Expatriate Hellenism. The conference was held under the auspices of the culture and foreign ministries.Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia said in her address that the 2004 Athens Olympic Games constitute a starting point for post-Olympic Games Greece, adding that a relevant law has been ratified on post-Olympic Games utilization. Deputy Foreign Minister Panayiotis Skandalakis focused on the multifaceted role of Greek expatriates, terming them as a second Greece in 140 countries with incalculable value, while the Greek state needed many years to realize the great importance of its existence and momentum and to define a longstanding national strategy. [30] 'Museum Nights' initiative to begin in Athens and Thessaloniki on WednesdayAthens, 8/6/2005 (ANA)The "Museum Nights" initiative will begin on Wednesday with three museums in Athens and Thessaloniki that will inaugurate the new institution, opening their doors to the public for free of charge after 21:00.The museums kicking off the new practice of free nights are the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, the Archaeological Collection in Kifissia and the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. The event will also be marked by a concert held in each museum. Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis said the ministry hoped to continue the 'Museum Nights' initiative after Wednesday for the rest of the year, always accompanied by some event. [31] Kofi Annan recommends renewal of UNFICYP mandateUNITED NATIONS 8/6/2005 (CNA/ANA)UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has recommended a six month extension of the UN Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), until mid December, with the present authorized strength and concept of operations.He also says that the time is not ripe for him to appoint a full-time person dedicated to his good offices mission in Cyprus, adding that he intends to dispatch on an ad hoc basis a senior official from the Secretariat to visit Cyprus, Greece and Turkey to assess the situation on the ground in light of recent political developments. In his report to the Security Council, Annan describes the situation on the island ''stable, although the official contacts between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, which had ceased since the April 2004 referenda, have not been resumed and there is little sign of improvement in relations.'' He notes that the regular monthly meetings between political parties illustrated ''the differences on core issues of the Cyprus problem'' whereas separate meetings between parties produced ''no tangible progress beyond general declarations of support for a just settlement.'' ''There was no substantive change in the position of the sides on my mission of good offices,'' Annan says, and describes the election of Mehmet Ali Talat to the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community as ''a commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus issue.'' Annan says the Turkish Cypriot leadership and the government of Turkey have called for a resumption of talks and a solution based on his proposed solution plan. He notes that following informal consultations with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos a Greek Cypriot delegation went to New York to explore the possibility of resuming negotiations. On Cyprus' EU accession, the Secretary General says its benefits are becoming manifest but also notes that in the area of property ''it has opened up new fronts of litigation and acrimony'' with hundreds of Greek Cypriot claims against Turkey pending before the European Court of Human Rights. ''The prospect of an increase of litigations in property cases on either side poses a serious threat to people-to-people relationships and to the reconciliation process,'' Annan says. On the work of the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP), he said the modalities of an exhumation and identification program were discussed and points out that critical provisions pertaining to the CMP terms of reference and an agreement between the two sides on exhumation and identification of remains of missing persons ''have remained unimplemented.'' Annan says the overall military security situation continued to be stable, he does not consider the rotation of Turkish troops and their equipment a ''reinforcement'' and says the number of Turkish troops and the nature of their equipment remained unchanged. ''The defense budget in the south has declined,'' it added. The Secretary General refers to the clearing of National Guard minefields in the buffer zone and notes the absence of progress on arrangements for the clearing of Turkish forces minefields. The reports says that ''as at 20 May 2005, more than seven million crossings by Greek Cypriots to the north and Turkish Cypriots to the south have taken place, with remarkably few incidents.'' Trade across the buffer zone has been limited by ''technical and political hurdles, with goods worth less than half a million Cyprus pounds crossing the line since the EU's green line regulation came into effect last year.'' Annan says the Greek Cypriot side supports the EU aid package of 259 million euro for the north but the Turkish Cypriot side ''agrees to accept it only together with the Commission's recommendations on direct trade between the north of the island and the EU. The Greek Cypriot side continues to oppose such direct trade.'' On the UNFICYP budget, Annan proposes some 44.3 million dollars. Concluding his report, Annan describes the situation as ''calm'' noting that in the absence of a viable political process the distrust between the two sides had persisted. ''I continue to believe that the presence of UNFICYP on the island remains necessary for the maintenance of the ceasefire and to foster conditions conducive to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem,'' he says. [32] Cyprus government's initial reaction to UN reportNICOSIA 8/6/2005 (CNA/ANA)The government of Cyprus appeared satisfied on Tuesday that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recommends that the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus must remain at its present level, taking into consideration suggestions to amend the composition of the force.Acting Government Spokesman Marios Karoyan, in an initial response to Annan's report to the UN Security Council on the UN operation in Cyprus, said that the report includes provisions that must not by necessity be accepted either by the Greek Cypriot or the Turkish Cypriot side. Karoyan refrained from an in depth assessment of the report, saying that the government would study the contents of the report and then make further comment. He noted however that there are provisions in the report that give the right to each side to give its own interpretation. ''Everybody is of the opinion that the Turkish side, by virtue of its violation of international law and the presence of its occupation troops, is accountable for the maintenance of the current status quo, a source of concern not only for the Greek Cypriots but also for international law and order,'' Karoyan added. Responding to questions, he said Annan made his assessment that the time is not yet ripe to appoint a full time person dedicated to the question of Cyprus before the recent consultations with the UN had begun. Karoyan said the Turkish military had upgraded its occupation forces, in response to Annan's assertion that the nature of the Turkish army equipment had remained unchanged. In response to Annan's comment that the rotation of Turkish troops and their equipment did not imply a reinforcement, Karoyan noted that there are many ways to upgrade one's equipment without necessarily increasing the number of soldiers on the ground. Karoyan disagreed with Annan's view that a rise in litigations in property cases on either side poses a serious threat to people relationships and to the reconciliation process. ''We consider the right of every individual to claim his own property indelible. It is safeguarded by international conventions, and is a fundamental principle of international law,'' he pointed out. He said the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in occupied Cyprus creates no doubt additional problems. Karoyan noted the absence of any reference to what he described as a ''fiasco'' with regard to a failed attempt to locate remains of missing persons in Turkish occupied Cyprus, following wrong information given by the Turkish Cypriot side. Acting spokesman said the UN know that the government had cooperated in police investigations into the murder of three Turkish Cypriots, found dead in their car in the southern government part of the island. The report said that ''eight suspects were arrested in the north while all evidence remained in the south'' and refers to ''lack of cooperation'' between the two sides. [33] Cypriot government sees change of direction in Turkey's policyNICOSIA 8/6/2005 (CNA/ANA)Cypriot Acting Government Spokesman Marios Karoyan said on Tuesday the government sees contradictions and a change of direction in Turkey's policy on the Cyprus problem, adding that the Turkish side seems to have taken on a defensive stance.Commenting on Turkish demands, as they were set out in a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan by Turkey's Permanent Representative to the UN, Karoyan said that until recently Turkish officials and the Turkish Cypriot side were saying that they are interested in the reunification of Cyprus the soonest possible, noting however that ''after the initiatives our side took, which started some months ago and brought concrete results over the past few weeks, there was a change in direction.'' Karoyan said the Turkish side ''is giving the impression that reunification, to them, means the acceptance'' of the solution plan proposed by Annan in its latest form, which was rejected by the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriot side in a referendum in April 2004, while simultaneously accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side. ''I will not hide that our feeling, as that of many other observers, is that the Turkish side is in defense during this period because, with great care and patience, our side took concrete initiatives over the past few months, soundlessly but effectively,'' Karoyan said. Referring to the content of the Turkish letter to Annan, Karoyan said it clearly indicates the effort to upgrade the Turkish occupation regime with specific clauses that blatantly violate Cyprus' Accession Treaty to the EU. Karoyan noted that although the Greek Cypriot side is receiving challenges on a daily basis, it remains focused on a fundamental position, which is ''to properly prepare the procedures, so that when the negotiations begin we will be able to have good expectations that the UN Secretary General's new initiative could have a positive outcome.'' Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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