Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-11-02

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Meeting between Greek, Albanian presidents cancelled due to extremists' demonstration outside venue

[02] PM to attend ratification in Parliament of agreements for Bulgaria's and Romania's EU accession

[03] Greece and China to sign security cooperation memorandum in light of Beijing Olympic Games

[04] Parliament comm't passes revised 'primary shareholder' bill, PASOK MPs walk out of session

[05] Gov't dismisses criticism citing barrage of lawsuits against media

[06] Gov't again dismisses criticism over F-16 purchase

[07] DSCA informs Congress of approval of F-16s sale to Greece

[08] Justice Minister confers with Supreme Court president, prosecutor

[09] PASOK party's Coordinating Council discusses party positions on energy market

[10] KKE Secretary Papariga on municipal and prefectural elections

[11] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos to visit London, deliver speech at LSE

[12] Synaspismos expresses solidarity to Ecumenical Patriarch over attacks by extremist circles in Turkey

[13] Presentation of new Greek envoy to US during event honoring Negroponte

[14] Germany's new Ambassador to Greece holds talks in Thessaloniki

[15] German Constitutional Court president attends event at German School in Thessaloniki

[16] Japanese Ambassador to Athens hosts dinner party for Greek participants at world EXPO Aichi Japan 2005

[17] Greece's fiscal progress report to include more permanent measures, sources

[18] Greece and Australia sign social security cooperation memorandum

[19] Inner cabinet meeting approves draft bill on e-communications

[20] Inner Cabinet meeting focuses on telecoms draft bill

[21] Gov't repeats vow to strengthen role of women in job market

[22] Trade unions call on gov't to scrap austerity in 2006 budget

[23] Greek consumers' complaints over e-commerce rising

[24] Greek PMI rose to 52.8 in October

[25] Tourism Minister to inaugurate 21st Philoxenia on Thursday

[26] Four Greek bids in Bulgarian road project tender

[27] Chinese business delegation visits Cretan ports

[28] Intracom signs strategic agreement with Axxcelera

[29] Excel Maritime joins NYSE

[30] Greek stocks end 0.70 pct up

[31] Concert in Athens on Wednesday for cyclone-hit New Orleans

[32] Athens forum focuses on expanding Greece-Russia ties

[33] Multinational 'Dolphin 05' exercise completed successfully

[34] 'Constantine Mitsotakis' Greek Studies Faculty inauguration ceremony at Stanford University

[35] Memorial service for late statesman George Papandreou

[36] Cyprus President: EU should have active role in solution

[37] Cypriot spokesman says Talat's statements on EU mischievous

[38] British diplomat: EU must play important role in Cyprus solution

[39] Cypriot MEP removes Turkish flag from post

[01] Meeting between Greek, Albanian presidents cancelled due to extremists' demonstration outside venue

AGIOI SARANDA, 1/11/2005 (ANA)

By early afternoon, Papoulias had already returned to Greece, departing from Ioannina for a flight to Athens. The Greek president, however, declined to make statements to the press.

Conversely, according to reports, Moisiu reportedly called Papoulias after the latter had returned to Greece to express his regret and apologies for the meeting's cancellation. Additionally, the two presidents reportedly discussed the possibility of re-scheduling the meeting at a date to be determined.

Although Papoulias declined to make statements about the incident, a press release issued by the Greek presidency stated that "such behavior does not contribute to the mutual efforts for continually improving bilateral relations and Albania's European prospects."

The same announcement expressed the presidency's regrets over the cancellation of the informal meeting.

Meanwhile, according to an ANA dispatch from Sarande, the Albanian president's press office said the decision to cancel the meeting was based on an "unjustified pretence". The Albanian presidency continued by referring to a "peaceful protest of a small group of people belonging to the Chamuria organization in a square next to the hotel where the meeting was to take place."

Moreover, the statement noted that the Albanian president ex-pressed his deep displeasure over "this sudden and inexplicable decision by the Greek side, which was based on misinformation, and despite the assurances of the Albanian side that it was a peaceful demonstration of minor dimensions and under the complete supervision of security services."

Finally, the statement calls the decision "unprecedented", adding that Tirana believes in good Greek-Albanian relations and will work tirelessly in this direction.

Greek foreign ministry: In an earlier reaction, the Greek foreign ministry said the country's ambassador to Tirana had been instructed to lodge a demarche with the neighboring country because Albanian authorities failed to "take the necessary precautions so that the meeting between the Greek and Albanian Presidents could take place without hindrance."

The foreign ministry announcement also adds that Albanian authorities did not "take the necessary measures to discourage certain familiar extremist elements which, in their effort to obstruct the normal development of bilateral relations, continue to promote unacceptable and non-existent issues, at the very moment when Albania is attempting to proceed with steps fulfilling its European ambitions".

According to press reports, around 200 so-called "Chams" ringed a hotel in the coastal town of Sarande to press with their long-standing demands against Greece, claims that date from the end of World War II. The group had reportedly been bussed to the southwest Albanian town from the country's north.

The Chams, usually identified as a Muslim, Albanian-speaking group, collaborated with the fascist and Nazi occupation forces in extreme northwest Greece -- mostly in the Thesprotia border prefecture -- during the Second World War before fleeing the country for neighboring Albania after Greece's liberation. Members of the group have at various times raised claims against the Greek government for property abandoned or confiscated because of wartime collaboration and war crimes, among others.

Athens, moreover, dismisses the "Chams matter" as a non-existent issue.

Despite the specter of a WWII-era "thorn", Greece nevertheless hosts more than half a million Albanian guest workers on its territory and also serves as one of the biggest investors in the Balkan country to its northwest.

PASOK and KKE comment on cancellation of meeting between Greek and Albanian presidents: Main opposition PASOK party Foreign Policy, Security and Defense sector chief Christos Papoutsis, commenting on the cancellation of the meeting between President Karolos Papoulias and his Albanian counterpart Alfred Moysiou in Sarande, Albania, said on Tuesday that Greece will continue to work for good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between the two peoples.

In any case, however, the government of Albania must also prevent the activity of extremist elements in every way, which create problems in relations between the two peoples every time, he added.

In a similar announcement, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said that "abuse against President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias by a group of Albanians is no isolated event. It is part of the general negative framework being shaped in the region as a result of imperialist interventions and rivalries."

The Communist Party added that "the abuse is a link in the chain that includes the attack by the "Grey Wolves" against the Patriarch in Turkey, the provocative intervention by the United States in favor of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and, of course, the declaration by the UN Security Council which is leading to the independence of Kosovo, which constitutes a new change of borders in the Balkans."

SYN expresses concern: The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party in an announcement on Tuesday evening ex-pressed its concern over the unfavorable development in Greek-Albanian relations following the cancellation earlier in the day of Greek President Karolos Papoulias' scheduled meeting with Albanian President Alfred Moisiu in the southern town of Sarande.

"Today's incident should not have negative repercussions both in the relations between the two countries as well as between the two peoples who have the right to cohabitate in conditions of peace and friendship," the Synaspismos announcement said.

The Greek head of state was waiting for more than two hours at Greece's consulate in nearby Gjirokaster due to the presence of protestors outside a hotel in the former.

By early afternoon, Papoulias had already returned to Greece.

[02] PM to attend ratification in Parliament of agreements for Bulgaria's and Romania's EU accession

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Also present at the parliamentary procedure will be Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Romanian President Traian Basescu, and the prime minister will later host a luncheon in honor of the two presidents.

[03] Greece and China to sign security cooperation memorandum in light of Beijing Olympic Games

2/11/2005 (ANA)

Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis will be visiting Beijing for this reason as of Wednesday until November 6, accompanied by the Greek Police chief, the Security Studies Center's director and senior ministry officials.

During his visit to Beijing, the minister will be meeting with China's Public Security Minister Zhou Yongkang, Deputy State Security Minister Geng Huichang, representatives of the Olympic Games Organizing Committee and other senior dignitaries.

[04] Parliament comm't passes revised 'primary shareholder' bill, PASOK MPs walk out of session

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

PASOK's deputies left a Parliament committee session after the main opposition party's request for a wide-ranging debate on Wednesday by all interested MPs, instead of only each party's rapporteur, was rejected.

The draft bill was nevertheless passed by a relevant Parliament committee on Tuesday afternoon, with the legislation headed to a Parliament plenum on Wednesday.

In a later statement, Interior and Public Administration Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said the draft bill was urgently tabled pending swift ratification in order to avoid the creation of a "legal loophole". Additionally, representatives for the other two Parliament-represented parties, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos), criticized PASOK's MPs for exiting the chamber, while at the same time decrying what they called a limited debate on the draft bill.

"PASOK left a massive loophole. It did not defend transparency," Pavlopoulos added.

Asked about PASOK leader George Papandreou's call, a day earlier from Parliament's podium, that the draft bill be discussed during a full Parliament session, alternate government spokes-man Evangelos Antonaros said:

"Discussion has taken place at all levels. All of the issues have been exhausted and (each party's) views are well known. After the agreement (with the Commission) was achieved, it is important that we proceed substantively towards a vote on this bill ... There can be no more legal loopholes or uncertainties," he said.

Finally, he said the agreement confirmed the government's efforts to effectively fight vested interests.

In defending his party's walk-out, former minister Dimitris Reppas said the government "should be ashamed of this initiative, as it does not want a dialogue".

Interior minister criticizes PASOK on primary shareholder issue: The government's bill on the primary shareholder was ratified by a relevant Parliamentary Committee on Tuesday, while Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos accused the main opposition PASOK party of "hilarity because it fears that, at last, a solution has been found for cracking down on vested interests and the consolidation of transparency".

PASOK deputies walked out from the discussion on the bill in a relevant committee.

Pavlopoulos said that with the draft law produced in Parliament by the government "the base is being placed so that, after the law on concentration and final licensing, order will be secured on the chaotic radio and television scene which has lasted for so many years and, of course, it helped neither the objectivity of information nor the level of quality of our democracy."

The minister said the selection of the urgent procedure was "fully justified and substantiated" and pointed out that "it is a known fact that the extension of the suspension of validity of law 3310/2005 ended on October 31. Consequently, whatever delay would intensify the institutional anarchy I mentioned before. Which means that if we did not select the urgent procedure then many more problems would be created. Therefore, PASOK not only lacks arguments in this direction but it is literally proving its panic."

PASOK party withdraws from discussion on bill: Meanwhile, the PASOK party withdrew from the discussion on the bill with an attack on the government.

Speaking at a press conference, the party's coordinators Miltiadis Papaioannou, Andreas Loverdos, Telemachos Hytiris and Nikos Athanasakis stressed (as a result of the selection of an urgent procedure for the discussion on the bill with few sessions) that during the Psarouda-Benaki presidency "practices of weakening Parliament are increasing and deputies are muzzled and offended crudely."

Papaioannou said "how can it be that for something that is being discussed for 4-5 months with the European Union the government wants to discuss in the Greek Parliament in a hasty way", adding that "the reason is that it did not want and does not want a public discussion on this issue because it is exposed and it will become exposed even more because it does not want this issue to be news for more than one day."

Referring to the essence of the bill, Papaioannou said that the government is presenting the revised bill on the principal shareholder "for reasons of impression" since "incompatibility is being lifted."

[05] Gov't dismisses criticism citing barrage of lawsuits against media

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

"However, no on can dispute one's right to answer in the manner he sees fit when one's honor or reputation is challenged," alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros told reporters during a regular press briefing on Tuesday.

The questions came in the wake of a defamation suit brought by Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos against the new Athens daily "Press Time".

Asked if the government's "neutrality" on the specific issue bode ill for press pluralism in the country, Antonaros, the former long-time president of the Foreign Press Association of Greece, replied with a question of his own:

"Have we (government) ever compelled, recommended, or dictated to any mass media outlet what it should broadcast? Pluralism means that everyone has the right to express their opinion, at the same time, it means - everywhere in the world - respect for the boundaries of a code of ethics".

[06] Gov't again dismisses criticism over F-16 purchase

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

The statements by government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos accompanied an earlier press release by the ministry of defense which noted, firstly, that the purchase involves a "government-to-government" agreement, thereby excluding middlemen and commission costs, and was not a "direct assignment" (to the manufacturing company) as claimed by a section of the mass media.

The ministry noted, inter alia, that a similar procedure had been selected in the past by both a Mitsotakis (ND) and a Simitis (PASOK) government.

Moreover, Roussopoulos explained that the difference between a 1.1 billion euros purchase authorized by the government's top defense and foreign policy body -- the KYSEA Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense -- and the 3.1 billion dollars figure that the US Congress has been informed of referred to the costly weapons systems and self-protection systems that Greece has the option to order with the jetfighters.

The 1.1 billion euros is the "fly-away" cost for 30 planes, while the 3.1 billion dollars figure is the "not-to-exceed" price (the maximum price the entire deal could reach) for 40 (30 plus an option for 10 more) planes equipped with all the associated supplementary operational equipment and weapons systems, that the US Congress was informed of (by the US Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency-DSCA following the US Department of Defense's approval of the sale to Greece) and which it has been asked to approve.

The government stressed that the figure Congress was informed of refers to the maximum amount that the transaction can potentially reach, adding that the exact cost for this specific purchase will not reach that cost.

Roussopoulos said the exact amount of the deal would be announced following the conclusion of negotiations for the planes and the specific associated supplementary operational equipment and weapons systems, and the number of such equipment and systems, which would be decided by Greece.

[07] DSCA informs Congress of approval of F-16s sale to Greece

The US Department of Defense on October 27 informed Congress that it had approved the sale to Greece of 40 F-16 C/D jetfighters, noting that if Greece opted to also purchase all the associated supplementary operational equipment and weapons systems, the deal would value 3.1 billion dollars.

An announcement by the US Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said that Greece had requested the purchase of (a maximum of) 40 F-16 Block 52+ jetfighters with F100-PW-229 engines and APG-68(V)9 radars; night vision goggles, ground stations, reconnaissance pods and various weapons, including 4 AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapons.

A DSCA official told ANA that the notification to Congress of the Pentagon's approval of the sale was the first step in the procedure.

The next step would be examination of the proposed sale by Congress, which would have 15 days to block the sale -- an action that is very rare -- to Greece, given it is a NATO member country (a 30-day deadline is applied for such sales to non-NATO countries), following which the sale procedure would enter the next stage, which was negotiations between the Greek government and the contractors (Lockheed Martin Corp) on the specific associated equipment desired by Greece and relevant offset agreements.

According to the DSCA announcement, Greece had requested to acquire all the associated equipment and systems and, if it chose to do so, this would increase the effectiveness of the country's defense capabilities and its function in the framework of NATO, as well as enhance Greece's ability to patrol the nation's extensive coastline and borders and contribute to confronting international terrorism, and thus, by extension, contribute to the foreign policy and security objectives of the US.

The announcement further said that the sale of the weaponry to Greece would not upset the military balance in the region, nor negatively affect the ongoing efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Defense Ministry announcement: In an announcement on Monday, Greece's national defense ministry once again clarified that the procurement of the F-16 Block 52+ fighter jets was the result of a "government-to-government" agreement and not a "direct assignment", in reply to press reports claiming that the procurement of the fighter planes was being effected through direct assignment and that cutbacks would be made in critical weapons systems in the new planes.

The ministry further clarified that in Greece's Letter of Request (LOR) to the US government, the maximum number of operational and weapons systems had been cited so that the Hellenic Air Force would have the widest possible range in the final choice of systems, for the optimum operational and financial formulation of the relevant program with all the systems it actually requires.

"It is repeated once again that it is a Government to Government Agreement and not a 'direct assignment, as certain quarters purposely insist on presenting it. It is the same procedure applied in the past in purchases of the same type of plane by the governments of Constantine Mitsotakis and Costas Simitis," the announcement said.

It said that this specific type of agreement provided the following advantages for the Greek side: -- All kinds of middlemen and representatives are excluded, based on strict US legislation that provides heavy penalties, a fact that on the one hand excludes a burdening of the cost and on the other hand ensures transparency to the greatest degree. -- The know-how of the American services on matters of technical evaluation, testing, certification, incorporation of weapons systems, etc, is ensured. -- Quality control and quality assurance of the product is applied at all stages of designing and manufacturing by the corresponding US agencies. -- The negotiations between the manufacturing/supplying companies and the US government authorities are conducted based on the pricing of the same or comparative products for the US Armed Forces. Thus, clearly better prices are ensured in relation to other forms of commercial agreements, to the benefit of the purchasing country, since the negotiating position of the US government is stronger than that of any other state. -- Throughout the entire duration of materialization of the program, multiple levels of cost controls and application controls of the contractual obligations are carried out.

The ministry further said that a few days ago those who were trumpeting that the cost of the program would reach 3.1 billion dollars were now changing policy line - "obviously having ascertained that they would be fully belied" -- and were now adopting a scenario of lower cost due to "cutbacks" in systems.

"The truth, which we repeat, is that initially, in the Letter of Request (LOR) to the US side, the largest number of operational and weapons system was included. This was so in order that the Air Force -- apart from the basic cost of the aircraft (fly-away cost) -- would then have the broadest possible range of systems for its final selection, for the optimum operational and financial formulation of the program, with all the systems it actually requires," the announcement concluded.

[08] Justice Minister confers with Supreme Court president, prosecutor

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

After the meeting, Papaligouras announced that two more judicial functionaries have been charged with false declarations on their "source of wealth" forms and failing to declare assets.

The minister further said that investigations into six other judges and three lawyers had been completed and charges were due to be pressed immediately.

"There is a common and non-negotiable volition for definitive clean-up of the justice sector. And this volition is being proved daily in action. The investigations are continuing intensively, both in the judicial body and in the para-judicial circles," Papaligouras said.

"When the government says 'the knife will reach all the way to the bone', it means it, and this will happen," the minister added.

Linos said he had assured the minister that the effort for clean-up in the justice sector in every direction would continue, "because we want no shadow over it" (the justice system).

Kedikoglou said that the justice sector leadership, with the support of the State, was taking the necessary actins so that the Greek citizens would regain their confidence in the judicial functionaries, "the overwhelming majority of whom carry out their duties to the fullest".

[09] PASOK party's Coordinating Council discusses party positions on energy market

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Papandreou said that a future Coordinating Council meeting might have to be public with the presence of the media and to be broadcast by PASOK's Internet radio to enable people to know what work is being done by the party.

The discussion took place following a proposal presented by the relevant coordinator Rodoula Zissi, who referred both to what PASOK did in government and to what the New Democracy government is planning.

Zissi said that the result of PASOK's policy is that cheap electric power currently exists in the country, the price of the kilowatt for household use is the lowest among the European Union of the "15" member-states and for industrial use it is third behind Britain and Luxembourg.

[10] KKE Secretary Papariga on municipal and prefectural elections

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Papariga, who presented the recent positions of the party's Central Committee in view of the municipal and prefectural elections, said that next year's elections "have a general political character given that there are no ballots above the parties." She said that "therefore, the candidates are carriers of the policies of their parties, and for this reason the vote in these elections must be given on the basis of the country's general problems."

Also, the KKE Secretary called on the voters to further denounce the "partnership" between the ruling New Democracy party, the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party (Synaspismos), "because it is a very serious fact that these three parties are one voice and one punch against the people."

Papariga said that the mayors and prefects which have been supported by the three parties "support the taxation of the citizens and co-exist with capital."

[11] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos to visit London, deliver speech at LSE

ISTANBUL, 2/11/2005 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

During his stay in London, the Ecumenical Patriarch, who has been invited by the Society of Greek Scientists of Great Britain, will visit the headquarters of "The Economist" magazine and meet with Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams and the ambassadors to London of Greece and Turkey.

[12] Synaspismos expresses solidarity to Ecumenical Patriarch over attacks by extremist circles in Turkey

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

"We express our wholehearted solidarity to you and we condemn, in the most intensive way, the attacks sustained by the Patriarchate and you personally by the extremist nationalist circles of Turkey. Unfortunately, the Turkish government also has serious responsibilities for this situation with the stance which is adopting for the downgrading of the Patriarchate, despite commitments emanating from the framework of its accession negotiations with the European Union," the letter said.

"We call on the Turkish authorities to stop the provocations and threats against the Patriarchate immediately. The European Union and its bodies are called on to intervene for the Patriarchate's protection, to safeguard its property and to secure the free carrying out of its ecumenical role," it added.

[13] Presentation of new Greek envoy to US during event honoring Negroponte

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Negroponte was sworn in last April as America's first director of National Intelligence (DNI), a post that is responsible for coordinating US intelligence-gathering and law enforcement agencies, such as the CIA, FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

[14] Germany's new Ambassador to Greece holds talks in Thessaloniki

THESSALONIKI, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Particular reference at the meetings was given to Thessaloniki's role in the broader region and the possibility of cooperation between the agencies of Germany and Greece.

Psomiadis expressed interest in the reoperation of the inter-European road axis, known as "Axis 10", which links the northern city of Thessaloniki with Munich.

On his part, Ambassador Schulltheiss described Thessaloniki as a gateway to the Balkans and southeastern Europe, while he referred in particular to the presence in the region of many German companies.

The mayor of Thessaloniki briefed the German Ambassador on the city's development course with epicenter the Balkans and southeast Europe.

[15] German Constitutional Court president attends event at German School in Thessaloniki

THESSALONIKI, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Papier said that Europe needs a constitution and added that European integration will not lead to the abolition of the European Union's member-states, while also expressing skepticism over the fact that replies were not given in the Constitutional Treaty to basic questions regarding the future of Europe.

Skouris said that criticism voiced over the fact that the course of Europe's unification went ahead faster than the citizens themselves wanted has a base and attributed to it to xenophobic trends developed among European citizens. He also predicted that Europe will never have unified law.

Students asked questions on whether Europe, having so many social differences, can have a unified European constitution, which law will prevail, the national or the EU one, as well as questions on the operation of the German Constitutional Court.

[16] Japanese Ambassador to Athens hosts dinner party for Greek participants at world EXPO Aichi Japan 2005

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

According to a Japanese Embassy press release, the Greek government officials and businessmen who visited Japan and contributed to the event attended the dinner. Among others, were the Ministers of Economy & Finance, George Alogoskoufis, and Macedonia & Thrace, Nikos Tsiartsionis, and Deputy Ministers Panagiotis Skandalakis (Foreign Affairs), Petros Doukas (Economy & Finance) and Anastassios Liaskos (Tourism).

[17] Greece's fiscal progress report to include more permanent measures, sources

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Sources said the report would envisage reducing the country's fiscal deficit to 2.6 pct of GDP by the end of 2006, from a 2.8 pct initial forecast and spending cuts worth 400 million euros.

The submission of Greece's fiscal progress report will follow a European Commission's autumn economic estimates in November 17 and the tabling of the state budget to parliament in November 21.

The report offers a detailed plan over the Greek government's efforts to reduce its fiscal deficit. The Greek government's economic team considers raising the value of a debt securitization program to 2.1 billion euros from 1.8 billion, this year, to achieve a larger reduction of the country's fiscal deficit.

[18] Greece and Australia sign social security cooperation memorandum

2/11/2005 (ANA)

The memorandum contains the basic principles that will govern the bilateral agreement which will be prepared as soon as possible and will settle pending issues of a lifetime concerning the social insurance rights of thousands of members of the Greek community in Australia.

According to the framework of principles agreed upon, the agreement being shaped will not change arrangements concerning people already receiving an Australian old age pension, but aims at supporting people in Greece and Australia who, for the time being, are not entitled to a pension from the other country.

During his stay in Australia, Panayiotopoulos held consecutive meetings with representatives of the Greek community, as well as with representatives of the country's political world.

[19] Inner cabinet meeting approves draft bill on e-communications

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis noted that Greece was reacting rapidly to modern challenges in communications and stressed that the new draft bill would help upgrade living quality for citizens since it envisaged applications to combat bureaucracy and to facilitate access in education, health and banking transactions.

"We must conquer the highways of the future," Liapis said.

Deputy Minister Tasos Nerantzis said the draft bill aimed to improve Greece's position since the country's electronic communications factor was 0.8 compared with 7.8 of the European average. The Greek minister said the draft legislation would be unveiled on Wednesday.

[20] Inner Cabinet meeting focuses on telecoms draft bill

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Furthermore, alternate spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said the government's aim is to fully harmonies the legal framework in the country and to thoroughly modernize the telecoms sector.

The draft bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament by Transport and Telecommunications Minister Mihalis Liapis in the coming period.

[21] Gov't repeats vow to strengthen role of women in job market

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

"The goal set in the Lisbon Strategy is to boost the proportion of women in employment to 60% by 2010. The EU average is currently at 55% while Greece unfortunately shows a rate of 45% at a time when women account for 52% of the country's population. We therefore have to take rapid and major steps," the minister told a conference held by the General Secretariat for Equality.

The government had held consultations with influential trade groups including the Federation of Greek Industry and created a working group to help forge a common platform on the role of women in companies and equality of opportunity, he said.

Moves had also been made with Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, who told the same conference that he welcomed Pavlopoulos' work towards gender equality in the workplace.

[22] Trade unions call on gov't to scrap austerity in 2006 budget

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

In letters to the ministers of finance, development and employment and social protection, the GSEE's demands included a more equitable distribution of the tax burden, and a halt to cuts in social spending, especially the non-payment of cash the state social insurance system is owed by the state.

In addition, needed was award of a heating allowance to people on low wages and pensions.

Seeking a meeting with the ministers concerned, the GSEE's member trade unions also complained of high consumer prices, and stated that key national committees on employment and social protection had only met once.

[23] Greek consumers' complaints over e-commerce rising

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Presenting a report on the European Internet market "Consumers' complaints in 2004", the Greek minister said although the report did not offer figures for Greece in 2004, the European Consumer Centre in Greece handled 139 cases in the first months of 2005, and 28 complaints in electronic transactions with companies in the EU, of which 14 for non-delivery of products. In seven cases consumers complained over hotel, ticket and travel reservation services with e-companies failing to refund money after consumers cancelled their reservations.

The European report, conducted by the European Consumer Centers and coordinated by the Irish and Swedish centers, showed that European consumers were increasingly complained over the quality of their electronic transactions, with non-delivery of goods accounting for 31 percent of complaints and complaints over the quality of delivered product with 25 percent.

Most European consumers prefer to buy products from electronic commerce sites based in neighboring countries. Swedish and Finnish consumers filed the most complaints in 2004.

[24] Greek PMI rose to 52.8 in October

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

The PMI index compiled by NTC Research in cooperation with the Greek Supplies Institute attributed the increase to higher production and new orders, while delivery times remained unchanged from the previous month.

Production in the manufacturing sector rose for the 23rd consecutive month, while new orders recorded the highest growth rate in the last three months reflecting higher demand by foreign customers.

The manufacturing sector's workforce expanded for the fourth consecutive month in October, with companies hiring more staff to meet increased volume of business.

Import prices rose in October, due to higher oil costs with one third of manufacturing enterprises reporting higher costs and higher prices to customers. Inventories rose for the second time in three months, while inventories of ready products fell for the second month in a row in October.

Readings above 50 mark an expanding manufacturing sector, while readings below 50 show a shrinking sector.

[25] Tourism Minister to inaugurate 21st Philoxenia on Thursday

THESSALONIKI, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

A total of 696 exhibitors will participate in this year's Philoxenia, up from 671 last year, with foreign exhibitors from 20 countries. Speaking to reporters, Helexpo's chairman Aristotelis Thomopoulos, said a Hosted Buyers Program -covering 18 countries- was an innovation in this year's fair. The program will host 80 selected tour operators and agents specialized in Greece, including a significant number of tourist agencies specialized in conference tourism. Hosted buyers come from Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, FYROM, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK.

Other events scheduled during the Philoxenia fair is a meeting of Greece's National Tourism Organization's board, a meeting by the National Tourism Council and an international congress on conference tourism.

Stavros Andreadis, president of the Association of Hellenic Tourist Enterprises, said tourist arrivals rose by 7-8 percent this year. Nike Tsalouhidou, vice-president of Thessaloniki Hoteliers' Association, said overnight stays in the city were expected to fall this year and hotel occupancy rate to stay below 45 percent.

[26] Four Greek bids in Bulgarian road project tender

2/11/2005 (ANA)

The 148.4 million euros project is part of the Pan-European Road Project 4 and will have a length of 19 km.

Greek bidders include Terna (in a joint venture with Austrian Alpine Mayreder Bau GmbH), Aktor, Mohlos and J&P Avax.

Most Greek construction groups participating in the tender are experienced in infrastructure projects in Bulgaria, with Terna building a railway line (budgeted at 85.7 mln euros) and J&P Avax building a waste management unit worth 7.0 million euros.

Bids are expected to be open in mid-November. The project would be mainly financed by community funds (111.33 mln euros), with the Bulgarian government contributing the remaining 37.1 million euros.

[27] Chinese business delegation visits Cretan ports

2/11/2005 (ANA)

Also taking part in the trip are the chairman of China Shipping Europe (Holding) Co Ltd, Yu Zenggang; the head of the China Shipping Group's Mediterranean office, Zhu Jinze; and executives of the Hong Kong International Terminal, who will tour southern Crete including Ierapetra, where infrastructure may be built for a commercial port that would act as a new transit centre.

[28] Intracom signs strategic agreement with Axxcelera

2/11/2005 (ANA)

An Intracom announcement said the agreement aimed to "offer to telecommunications organizations in Europe, Middle East and Africa the opportunity to achieve fast and easy growth using cutting-edge wireless broadband technologies".

Alexandros Manos, Intracom's telecommunications systems manager, said his company opted an agreement with Axxcelera because the US company was at the top of WiMAX systems industry.

"Axxcelera participates in the first wave of WiMAX certification group in Cetecom, Spain, and has pledged for a very attractive range of products with Intracom," he said.

Jamal Hamdani, Axxcelera's chairman and chief executive, said the agreement with Intracom will help give more emphasis to revenue sources and developing WiMAX technology.

"Intracom has a strong expertise and timely delivery of large scale telecoms projects," he noted.

[29] Excel Maritime joins NYSE

2/11/2005 (ANA)

Among company officials ringing the opening bell was Gabriel Panayotides, Chairman and Director, following the firm's NYSE entry on September 15, 2005.

Excel is an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and a provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, such as iron ore, coal and grains, bauxite, fertilizers and steel products.

Its current fleet comprises 18 vessels - one Capesize, ten Panamax and seven Handymax vessels - with a total carrying capacity of 1,112,070 dwt.

The company was incorporated in 1988 and its common stock listed on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) in 1998.

National Securities ranks top in brokerage turnover National Securities ranked top in overall brokerage turnover in October 2005, gaining 18.20% of the market, authorities said on Tuesday.

Next came Eurobank Securities (17.01%), P&K Securities (9.78%), and Piraeus Sigma Devletoglou Securities (9.34%).

Excluding block trades in October, Eurobank Securities ranked first (18.01%) followed by National Securities (11.15%).

[30] Greek stocks end 0.70 pct up

ATHENS, 2/11/2005 (ANA)

Sector indices ended higher with the Textiles (1.56 pct), Constructions (1.44 pct), Publications (1.33 pct) and Cement-Mineral (1.20 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day. The Insurance (0.59 pct), IT (0.44 pct), Real Estate (0.29 pct) and IT Solutions (0.27 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.75 pct, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.59 pct higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.31 pct up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 157 to 102 with another 70 issues unchanged.