Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-10-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bank of Greece presents interim monetary policy report

[02] Support for FYROM's EuroAtlantic course depends on name issue, minister stresses

[03] U.S. State Department says it is not involved in UN mediation on FYROM name

[04] Nimetz does not plan to present new ideas at this moment on FYROM name issue

[05] FM to preside over SEECP informal summit on Friday

[06] Deputy FM discusses development aid, political relations with Cypriot gov't officials

[07] Greece to seek meeting of Black Sea health ministers on bird flu threat, EU poised to ban imports from Romania, ministers say after meeting with PM

[08] Gov't: No instances of bird flu in Greece

[09] PASOK leader Papandreou, ESP delegation meet with Turkish leadership

[10] PASOK party leader to tour Rodopi prefecture on Friday

[11] Spiliotopoulos attends informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Britain

[12] Greek and Romanian deputy defence ministers meet in Athens

[13] VPRC poll shows ruling ND ahead by 3.5 points

[14] SYN open to collaboration with other political parties

[15] Dep. Minister Salagoudis responds to charges of 'policy reversal' vis-a-vis mining contract

[16] Public Order Minister Voulgarakis meets with Roma representatives at Zefyri municipality

[17] Athens Bar Association president opposes European legislative framework concerning handling of crime

[18] GSEE, ADEDY call for mass rally on Saturday again the Bolkestein Directive and globalisation

[19] Finmin says 2006 budget to build on gains

[20] EU: Most self-employed found in Greek regions

[21] Greek state budget deficit down 8.5 pct in Jan-Aug

[22] Greek stocks end 1.14 pct lower

[23] Ombudsman stresses gaps in law for underage illegal immigrants

[24] Appeals court judges to try November 17 terrorist group to be announced on November 1

[25] Greek herbs, natural products effective in preventing cancer, osteoporosis

[26] Cyprus President hopes EU will stand by its decisions

[27] Cyprus to send aid to Pakistan

[01] Bank of Greece presents interim monetary policy report

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

The central bank's interim report on monetary policy in 2005, presented to parliament and the cabinet, stressed that Greek economy's problems could be dealt with efficiently through structural reforms, wage increases compatible with price stability, more efforts to restore fiscal balance and fiscal restructuring.

Consumer inflation is seen at 3.6-3.7 pct this year, while GDP growth at 3.5 pct, significantly above Euro zone's and EU's average growth rates.

The central bank's interim report forecast an increase in employment, mainly in the services sector, while unemployment rate fell -although it remained at high levels. The country's current accounts deficit, as a percentage of GDP, is expected to widen in 2005 due to higher energy costs and more interest payments and despite increase revenues from tourism and the shipping sector.

The Bank of Greece said that credit expansion growth to enterprises and households slowed in 2005, with bank loans to enterprises slowing to 6.6 pct in August from 8.6 pct in the fourth quarter of 2004 and the annual growth rate of loans to households easing to 24.7 pct in August from 28 pct in the fourth quarter of 2004.

The report stressed, however, that households' loan debt as a percentage of GDP rose to 32.5 pct in August, from 30.9 pct in December 2004, although it remained low compared with a 50 pct rate in Euro zone.

The country's banking system is healthy and its stability is secured, the report stressed. Capital adequacy rates, profitability and cash flow are in very satisfactory levels, although the central bank warned of risks in maintaining high growth rates in credit expansion in the face of rising interest rates in the medium-term and the impact on households' revenues from any slowdown in economic growth rates.

The report urged domestic banks to maintain strict criteria in the credit policies and households to be more careful in taking over more debt.

The central bank stressed that restoring fiscal balance, fiscal restructuring and ensuring price stability to boost productivity were "key preconditions" to strengthen Greek competitiveness, maintain high growth rates and boost employment.

The Bank of Greece urged for continued efforts on fiscal adjustment, with a permanent further improvement of the country's fiscal condition resulting to significant primary surpluses in the coming years, containing primary spending and boosting revenues. Greece must achieve significant primary surpluses permanently to succeed in efforts to reduce its public debt to 60 pct of GDP by 2015 at the latest, at a time when pension spending are expected to increase -as a percentage of GDP - due to ageing population in the country.

The report stressed that a difference in the inflation rates between Greece and the Euro zone undermined Greek economic competitiveness and urged for more careful steps in wage increases. The central bank also said more competition was needed in products markets to ensure fair levels in profit margins.

Efforts for structural reforms must continue to strengthen the potential productivity growth rate and to ensure high long-term economic growth rates, the central bank said.

Interim monetary policy report handed over to parliament: Parliament President Anna Benaki-Psarouda, commenting on Thursday on the content of the interim monetary policy report by the Bank of Greece, delivered to her by the establishment's governor Nikos Garganas, said it was a cause for discussion by the National Delegation regarding issues of politico-economic and monetary policy.

"We accept the good news with satisfaction, but the negative news with much concern and we are thinking that we must intensify our efforts even more," she said.

The parliament president mentioned that the report will be the object of study and discussion by deputies, who will make an analytical probe of the issues it is examining, particularly since the time when the budget will be tabled is approaching.

Garganas said that developments were "sastisfactory, generally speaking, taking into consideration the difficulties existing internationally." He added that "there is a decrease in the growth rate, but smaller than what both we and international organisations had expected."

The governor further noted that "inflation has been speeded up, partly due to the increase in the price of oil and partly due to the increase in V.A.T. rates, but less than what we had expected."

He pointed out that inflation is expected to be in the region of 3.7 percent for the whole year, compared to 4 percent that had been expected, while in September it was 3.9 percent.

Opposition accuses central bank of backing monetarism: The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology on Thursday accused the central bank of supporting the government's neo-liberal policies, also proposing an even more monetarist approach.

"These structural changes favour major business interests, further impunity for markets, and tough austerity at the expense of wage earners," party spokesman Panayiotis Lafazanis said in a statement.

Lafazanis was commenting on the Bank of Greece's interim monetary report for 2005 released earlier in the day.

Trade unions blast central bank report: The General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) on Thursday sharply criticised a routine report on monetary policy in 2005 by the Bank of Greece.

"We reject and condemn these proposals by the central bank governor, and we state that employees and the public have reached their limit in terms of shouldering financial burdens, austerity and cuts in social insurance," GSEE, the country's largest trade union umbrella group, said in a statement.

"These policies will be met with strength and decisiveness by employees in their entirety and society in general. In the near future, there will be intense opposition, climaxing in a strike and rally on December 14 in Athens," the statement said.

[02] Support for FYROM's EuroAtlantic course depends on name issue, minister stresses

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

"Otherwise, we draw a deep red line that we are determined not to cross. At the end of the negotiating process between Skopje and the EU, there is the option of holding a referendum, a useful institutional tool that Greece does not give up the right to," he added.

At another point, the minister underlined that the Greekness of the historic and cultural name 'Macedonia' was not negotiable and that this had been made clear by Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.

"We support FYROM's (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) Euro-Atlantic orientation, but only on the strict condition that it abandons its intransigent position and proceeds along the lines of a mutually-acceptable solution," Stylianides said.

"We hope and are making efforts so that in the coming period, the neighbouring country will display - as Greece has already done - active flexibility and good will so that the issue can be resolved and usher in a new period of stability and cooperation in the region," the minister noted.

He also criticised past PASOK governments for what he said was a "long period of inertia and impasses" when they were in power, which had led to some 100 unilateral recognitions of FYROM as 'Macedonia' with practically zero reaction from Greece.

Stylianidis stressed that the present government had inherited this impasse, which reached its peak with the unilateral recognition of FYROM as 'Macedonia' by the United States, and had immediately taken steps to correct the situation, highlighting its good will to reach a mutually acceptable solution and accepting the first proposal put forward by special UN mediator Matthew Nimetz as an acceptable basis for talks.

"The dogmatic and intransigent stance of the other side undermined the prospect of solving the issue and provoked a second proposal that was extremely one-sided and which we rejected as unacceptable," the minister explained.

"We wish to develop good neighbourly relations and cooperation with the neighbouring country, which is we are the top investors in the area. We express our good will by proposing a mutually acceptable solution for the name," the minister said.

The latest development in the long-running dispute between Greece and FYROM over its adopted name of 'Macedonia', which has dragged on unresolved since the tiny republic first broke away from former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s - was the Greek government's rejection of a proposal put forward by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz last week, which was ruled out as "one-sided" and "unacceptable".

Greece objects to FYROM's use of the name 'Macedonia' as historically unsound and opening the way for future expansionist designs against a northern Greek province of the same name. Greeks also take a dim view of attempts by FYROM Slavs to claim descent from Alexander the Great - the famous Macedonian general of antiquity who was born in the Greek province of Macedonia - seeing this as an attempt to 'usurp' a historical figure that is inalienably Greek.

Government spokesman: In comments on the issue during the regular press briefing on Thursday, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that the statements made by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis concerning FYROM "still apply in full".

He pointed out that under the interim agreement of 1995, Greece had fully preserved all rights to withhold its agreement if FYROM tried to join international organisations under any name other than FYROM.

He also stresed that the Greek government has adopted a position on the issue of FYROM and that all options must be kept open, while there was also the commitments arising from the interim agreement between Athens and Skopje.

[03] U.S. State Department says it is not involved in UN mediation on FYROM name

WASHINGTON, 14/10/2005 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Alternate spokesman Adam Ereli said that mediation between Athens and Skopje is developing within the framework of the UN and the U.S. is not involved in this.

"I would encourage all who are interested in this issue to realise the basic principle that the issue of the name of 'Macedonia' is an issue which the UN is processing, not the United States," he said.

"If you are trying to analyse what is happening and in what direction developments are moving, don't look at the U.S. for your assessment but look at what the UN is doing and what the two sides are saying and how they are reacting to the proposals of the UN. This is a procedure of the UN," he added.

Replying to another question, the State Department deputy spokesman said that is is "an issue for discussion between two sides and this is the correct way of handling the issue and for this reason we support this procedure."

Ereli called on the media "not to insist that it is a proposal by the U.S. because it is not. And don't say that the U.S. is involved in this procedure in any way because it is not involved, apart from expressing its support for what the UN is doing and the role the organisation is playing."

He concluded his statement by saying that Washington "believes that if countries wish to solve this problem the way to solve it is to work with Mr. Nimetz and to work between themselves to find a mutually acceptable solution."

[04] Nimetz does not plan to present new ideas at this moment on FYROM name issue

NEW YORK, 14/10/2005 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

The spokesman said that "Mr. Nimetz, given the present situation, believes that what is required is a period of calm in all the procedure at this moment of time."

Meanwhile, according to diplomatic sources from the UN headquarters, the permanent representative of Greece, Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis, had a meeting early this week with Nimetz, during which the Greek ambassador returned the latest proposal by the mediator on the FYROM name issue "as unacceptable."

[05] FM to preside over SEECP informal summit on Friday

RHODES, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

Issues on the agenda include strengthening political dialogue among member states, promoting regional cooperation, developing regional infrastructure, strengthening the SEECP's institutional role, as well as SEECP member states' European prospects.

Countries participating in the summit, aside from Greece, are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro, FYROM, Turkey and Moldova as observer.

Representatives of the European Union, the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe and the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) have also been invited to attend.

Earlier on Thursday, Molyviatis met with UNMIK Principal Deputy Special Representative Lawrence Rossin.

On Friday, the Greek minister will be meeting with his Albanian counterpart Besnik Mustafaj.

Greece holds the SEECP's presidency from June 2005 until July 2006.

Earlier on Thursday, Molyviatis had a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Philippe Douste-Blazy following the latter's initiative.

[06] Deputy FM discusses development aid, political relations with Cypriot gov't officials

NICOSIA, 14/10/2005 (ANA/A. Viketos)

According to Stylianidis, the two countries will be undertaking joint efforts to promote an "alternative type of diplomacy" towards emerging countries, "one which will reflect the humaneness and sensitivity of modern-day Greece."

On his part, Sarris expressed the Cypriot government's volition to work closely with Greece regarding aid to other countries.

"This cooperation will benefit, politically and economically, both Cyprus and Greece," Sarris added.

Political relations: The very good cooperation between Greece and Cyprus on a political level, smart negotiating and far-sighted policies have contributed to stability and cooperation within the greater region, Stylianidis said after his meeting with Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou.

Referring to Turkey's EU accession talks, Stylianidis said that "Turkey is being called upon to close 35 negotiation chapters and to do so it needs the consensus of Greece and Cyprus."

He noted that with access negotiations under way, Greece and Cyprus are being called on to judge Turkey.

Greece, Cyprus to strengthen development aid cooperation

Greece and Cyprus will look to strengthen their cooperation on economic matters and international development aid, Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis said upon his arrival to Larnaca on Thursday.

He said that during his meetings with Cypriot officials, further strengthening 'already excellent political relations' between Greece and Cyprus will also be discussed.

The Greek foreign ministry delegation is visiting Cyprus "in order to exchange ideas and to convey Greece's experience to the responsible officials of the Cypriot foreign ministry and lay the foundation for a tighter bilateral cooperation on issues related to international development cooperation and aid," Stylianidis said.

[07] Greece to seek meeting of Black Sea health ministers on bird flu threat, EU poised to ban imports from Romania, ministers say after meeting with PM

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

Kaklamanis told waiting reporters after the meeting that Karamanlis as well as the country's foreign minister Petros Molyviatis had approved his relevant proposal.

He noted that, due to the country's geopolitical position, the Balkan and Black Sea regions comprised gateways for migratory birds (which, like poultry, are carriers and can spread the virus), and consequently "we are interested in developing a joint action plan".

The minister said that the recent meeting in Istanbul, which was attended by Black Sea countries, had discussed the problem, but noted that "some countries are taken measures, but others aren't".

Kaklamanis announced that the contract for the purchase of the medicine that confronts the problem had been signed by Greece earlier on Thursday. He explained that the Perseus emergency action plan contained a a specific chapter on epidemics that outlined steps for confronting such situations and the specialised training of personnel and health personnel.

The minister also explained that, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the bird flu outbreak was expected to develop into an epidemic, but not a pandemic. He added, however, that "we cannot know when (the epidemic proportions would be reached) and the severity of the epidemic".

Kaklamanis further warned that the flu vaccine did not cover avian flu. He said that all those who do have the vaccine done -- referring to high-risk groups for other types of flu -- should continue with vaccinations, but added that the vaccine did not provide protection to other population groups against bird flu.

The minister said there was no need for panic, but "neither should we be complacent, as we must be prepared, on the basis of the plan, and purchase the medicine and train specialised personnel".

Bassiakos told reporters that all the necessary measnures have been taken in Greece, and that inspections and laboratory testing were continuously taking place, adding that "there has been no trace" of avian flu in Greece.

He further said that the European Commission was due to formally announce later Thursday new measures prohibiting imports from Romania.

The Commission earlier this week banned poultry imports from Turkey.

Everything was progressing normally in Greece, Bassiakos said, adding that all the necessary actions were being taken without any problems arising.

Bassiakos also said that the EU Council of Farm Ministers would bring up the issue of repercussions for farmers -- as a result of the action plan being implemented on the bird flu threat -- if such problems arose.

[08] Gov't: No instances of bird flu in Greece

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

Furthermore, Deputy Agriculture Minister Alexandros Kontos told Parliament that absolutely no instance of bird flu has been detected in the country.

His comments came hours before the European Union announced that the bird flu virus -- H5N1 -- was detected in Turkish poultry, the strain that scientists worry may mutate into a human virus and spark a flu outbreak.

"We have received now confirmation that the virus found in Turkey is avian flu H5N1 virus," EU Health Commissioner from Cyprus Markos Kyprianou said from Brussels.

In a related development, Bulgarian officials on Thursday said they would consider the establishment of a special emergency council in the event that bird flu was detected in neighbouring Romania.

Bulgaria has also banned, since Monday, the import of live poultry, meat or eggs from Romania and Turkey.

Dead birds found aboard container ship tested negative for bird flu: Dead birds found aboard a Portuguese-flag ship from Egypt that sailed into the port of Ikonio at Keratsini, near Piraeus, did not present any traces of bird flu virus after being tested by the Piraeus prefecture's Veterinary Service, Vassilis Stylas, Director of the Agricultural Development and Foods Ministry's Vet Services announced on Thursday.

The container ship "Mary Ann", carrying a foreign crew of 12, sailed into Ikonia port on Wednesday, and dock officials immediately informed the Piraeus Port Authority that there were migratory birds, possibly dead, on board the vessel.

The Veterinary Service was informed in turn, and sent a team to the container ship, from which four birds, three of which were still alive, were found aboard and removed for laboratory testing.

[09] PASOK leader Papandreou, ESP delegation meet with Turkish leadership

ANKARA, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

"It was a very significant opportunity to discuss several issues and to hear views over matters dealing with human rights, the rights of Kurds as well as issues that directly affect Greece," he said, while also citing the "need for a European solution exploiting past efforts" vis-a-vis the Cyprus problem.

Additionally, he referred to the issue of the (Aegean) continental shelf and Greek-Turkish bilateral relations.

After the contacts, which also included meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Turkish party leaders, NGOs, representatives of ethnic minorities and even trade union leaderships, Papandreou also emphasised the issue of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, saying the message to the Turkish people is that the Patriarchate is the "Mecca" for Christian Orthodoxy, and "they should view the Ecumenical Patriarch as a very significant ingredient of Turkish society, one that can serve only as a positive in the European Union".

The nine-member PES delegation met with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Wednesday in Istanbul, followed by other meetings with trade union leaderships and human rights-related NGO officials in the Bosporus metropolis.

In an unrelated development, Papandreou is due to tour the the Rhodopi prefecture of NE Greece upon his return from Turkey.

[10] PASOK party leader to tour Rodopi prefecture on Friday

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

According to his programme, Papandreou will begin his tour with a visit to the cotton gin of Meleti in the municipality of Egiros. At 12 noon he will arrive in the industrial region of the city of Komotini and at 2 p.m. in the municipality of Filyra.

Papandreou will also meet with party organisations in Thrace, while at 8.30 in the evening he will be making a political speech at the indoor stadium in Komotini.

[11] Spiliotopoulos attends informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Britain

LYNEHAM, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

Discussed at the meeting were issues mainly concerning the European Defence Agency and the EU's Althea peace mission.

According to a National Defence Ministry press release, Spiliotopoulos noted the to date success of the Althea peace mission, stressing that EUFOR must remain as a credible preventive force in Bosnia, to continue to contribute to the country's stability.

[12] Greek and Romanian deputy defence ministers meet in Athens

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

In a cordial and friendly atmoshphere, the two deputy defence ministers discussed issues concerning the The European Defence and Security Policy and NATO, according to a defence ministry press release.

The Romanian deputy defence minister is on a two-day visit to Greece.

[13] VPRC poll shows ruling ND ahead by 3.5 points

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

The poll was conducted on behalf of Sky radio station on October 10-11 via the phone interview method, using a sample of 950 people. It included questions referring to the resignation for former deputy finance minister Adam Regouzas, views on Olympic Airlines and the party-political 'client-system'.

The results show Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to retain the voter's confidence as most suitable premier by 48 per cent, against 25 per cent for PASOK leader George Papandreou. One fifth or 20 per cent of those responding said 'Neither of the two' and 7 per cent 'Don't know - won't answer'.

On intention to vote, 42.5 per cent said they would cast their vote for ND, against 39 per cent for PASOK. Next in line was the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 8 per cent, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology with 5 per cent, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) with 3 per cent and other parties with 2.5 per cent.

In a poll conducted on September 12-13, the distribution of votes had been: ND - 42.5 per cent, PASOK - 38.5 per cent, KKE - 7.5 per cent, Coalition - 5 per cent, LAOS - 3 per cent, other parties - 3.5 per cent.

Concerning Regouzas, 74 per cent of those responding said the decision to remove him had been right.

Asked about the differences in policy between the two main parties, 37 per cent said that the difference between the two parties was small, 24 per cent said that there was no difference, 22 per cent said that there were significant differences and 12 per cent said the differences were very great.

Concerning the fate of Olympic Airlines, 25 per cent said the airline should remain in state hands with participation by the private sector, 59 per cent said that OA "can probably be saved" and 28 per cent said the opposite.

On the airline's privatisation, 23 per cent said OA should be turned over to the private sector while the state retained some share, 23 per cent said that it should be exclusively private-sector and 21 per cent said said it should remain entirely state-sector.

In addition, 73 per cent said the country needs a state airline, while 20 per cent believes the opposite.

On corruption, 47 per cent replied that phenomena of corruption were the same as always and 32 per cent that they had increased, while 57 per cent believed that it was impossible to get results without knowing a politician or high-ranking official. At the same time, 88 per cent said that they had never happened to find a job through a politician.

[14] SYN open to collaboration with other political parties

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

"Cooperation of the Left - based on the island's traditions and the recent attempts in France and Germany - can be implemented on the islands and in Greece," he said.

"Whoever rejects cooperation is effectively benefitting the establishment. For example, problems in health care, education, agriculture are a common denominator despite disagreement on other levels, and they require that the Left cooperate [with other parties]," he added.

Alavanos also referred to the party's relationship with young constituents, saying that the core objective is "to break down the barrier that separates the Left from young people."

Asked about his impressions of Lesvos, Alavanos said that "we were disappointed by the problems that we witnessed."

In health care, he said there are essential gaps in the system despite honest efforts made by the island's medical personnel.

Regarding agriculture, Alavanos said "While there is a tradition in olive oil, ouzo and livestock breeding, producers have not received subsidies."

In order to support the local market, Alavanos suggested that a special fund be created that will support border regions and that the system applied in Thrace - that of subsidising companies' labour costs - be implemented on the Aegean islands as well.

[15] Dep. Minister Salagoudis responds to charges of 'policy reversal' vis-a-vis mining contract

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos referred directly to a lengthy eight-point reply by Salagoudis himself, namely, that a contract for the one-time Halkidiki gold mines to the firm Ellinikos Chryssos S.A. was awarded by the previous PASOK government (December 2003) and that a subsequent publication of the new company's shareholders precisely listed the share of each investor.

The shareholder in question, Frank Timic, according to Salagoudis' response, does not hold a managerial position within the company, although he holds 18 percent of the firm Paneuropean Goldfields, with the latter owning 65 percent of Ellinikos Chryssos S.A. The remaining 35 percent of the mining company is owned by the listed construction firm Aktor S.A.

"After clearing up questions over the share ownership of Ellinikos Chryssos S.A. and after the statements by the investor Mr. Timic, along with the explanations he gave regarding the charges against him, I judged that a substantial reason to terminate the contract no longer existed…" the deputy minister said.

Salagoudis also stressed that the strictest possible environ-mental impact study for the investment - 100 million euros, of which 65 million are a direct foreign investment -- was approved and signed by five separate ministers.

PASOK reaction: Conversely, main opposition PASOK reacted sharply to the article and Salagoudis' reaction, with a top PASOK deputy charging that the government was proceeding today with endeavors it sternly criticised when it was in the opposition.

"We're telling Mr. Salagoudis and his superiors that draculas do not become angels, and that there cannot be any political pardoning for drug dealers," deputy and former EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou said in reference to the deputy minister's quip of "dracula" when he was an opposition MP.

The article was carried in the satirical weekly "Pontiki".

[16] Public Order Minister Voulgarakis meets with Roma representatives at Zefyri municipality

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

Voulgarakis visited a primary school exclusively for Roma children and talked with pupils and teachers. He underlined that "we are interested very much in the part of the social accession and incorporation of these children... I wish to ask all the families to trust the Police, as the Police trust these families and the children because what is important and interests us in the final analysis is for them to be good Greek children."

The public order minister visited the Zafyri Roma Association "The Friendly Society" where he had talks with Roma representatives. He also met at the Zafyri Town Hall Mayor Papachristos, municipal counsellors and representatives of the region's Roma with whom he discussed the problems faced by the Roma, particularly in relation with the Public Order Ministry.

Voulgarakis said that "the Public Order Ministry has processed many plans against social exclusion, in support of social incorporation."

The visit by Voulgarakis to Zafyri is part of the Public Order Ministry's strategy against social exclusion, which includes a series of initiatives and actions on the part of the ministry, aimed at the smooth social accession of sensitive social groups.

[17] Athens Bar Association president opposes European legislative framework concerning handling of crime

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

"Following the summer statements by Britain's interior and justice minister on a substantive abolition of personal data, as a result of the latest terrorist attack in London, the European Commission has its turn now which presented the draft legislative framework," he said.

"In the framework of these statements, which had been announced in advance, I believe that the further making of security measures more strict will lead to even greater insecurity and fear among citizens," he added.

Paxinos further said that "for the sake of combatting crime and terrorism a unified system of stifling surveillance is being created in which all can be considered suspicious and without the assistance of a judicial authority being necessary."

"We are being led in this way to a continuous curbing of our legal culture, to disdain for human rights, to the downgrading of human dignity since anyone can become suspicious and, therefore, his entire personal life can be monitored, as well as that of his family, with the abolition of all kinds of constitutionally safeguarded protection for classified communication, free response and, in general, for individual rights which our constitution has anticipated," Paxinos stressed.

[18] GSEE, ADEDY call for mass rally on Saturday again the Bolkestein Directive and globalisation

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

The Bolkestein Directive covers all the civil services with the exception of the police, judiciary and the army, resulting, according to the trade unions, in the civil services henceforth becoming completely subjugated to the law of the market.

[19] Finmin says 2006 budget to build on gains

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

Two thirds of a decline in the fiscal deficit was attributable to structural measures and one third by temporary measures, the minister told a news conference.

He also said that the government would not offer any soft options to overdue debtors of the state, which is owed a total of 17 billion euros.

"Securitisation of debts to the public sector is a temporary measure for overdue debts to the public sector, in line with Eurostat rules," Alogoskoufis said.

"The time has come for all who have debts to pay, and for this phenomenon to come to a definitive end," he added.

Main opposition disputes government financial data: The main opposition PASOK party said on Thursday that it had severe doubts about the accuracy of government data showing that the budget deficit fell by 8.5% in January-August 2005 against the same period a year earlier.

On the basis of figures that have been released, there has been a 17.3% increase of the deficit and implementation of the 2005 budget, PASOK spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said in a statement.

He also noted that tax revenue had risen 4.6% when the targeted increase was 10%.

[20] EU: Most self-employed found in Greek regions

BRUSSELS, 14/10/2005 (ANA/V Demiris)

The regions with the highest shares were all in Greece: the Peloponnese (44.6%), Ionian islands (42.3%), northern Aegean (40.6%), and Thessaly and central mainland Greece (both 39.0%).

Concerning educational attainment levels in Greece, 7.8% of inhabitants aged 25-64 in central mainland Greece had attained a tertiary level education in 2002, one of the lowest rates.

Finally, on the perception of green space provision, the EU's urban audit showed that three Greek areas showed the lowest rates of satisfaction among the EU's regions; Iraklio (27), Athens (35) and Neapoli (38) with the satisfaction index showing a maximum of 100.

[21] Greek state budget deficit down 8.5 pct in Jan-Aug

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

The Accounting Office said tax revenues rebounded over the same period, recording a 4.6 percent rise in the first eight months of the year, compared with a 4.4 percent increase in the same period last year. Regular budget spending, however, rose by 6.7 percent, while primary spending were up 3.5 pct, over the same period.

Handouts in the government's public investments programme totalled 3.5 billion euros, while capital inflows from the EU totalled 1.285 billion euros in the January-August period.

[22] Greek stocks end 1.14 pct lower

ATHENS, 14/10/2005 (ANA)

The composite index fell 1.14 percent to end at 3,351.20 points, with turnover a heavy 210 million euros.

Sector indices ended lower with the Telecommunications (1.79 pct), Food-Beverage (1.73 pct), Holdings (1.30 pct) and Banks (1.28 pct) suffering the heaviest losses, while the IT Solutions (0.42 pct) and Metals (0.22 pct), scored gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 1.19 pct, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.71 pct and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.58 pct lower.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 176 to 86 with another 72 issues unchanged.

Stock Futures: