Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-11-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ethnic differences not inevitable cause for conflict, President Papoulias says after memorial service for Macedonian fighter Kapetan Kottas

[02] Reshuffle not a priority for PM Karamanlis, party secretary Meimarakis says - Constitutional revision in the works

[03] ND holds 2.4 pct lead over PASOK, according to RASS opinion poll

[04] Former ND party leader Miltiades Evert calls for faster pace for institutional changes

[05] PASOK secretary critices gov't policy, speaks on local elections

[06] Albanian PM says Greek counterpart Costas Karamanlis will visit Albania at end of November

[07] DM defends F-16 purchase decision, procedures

[08] Coalition party leader addresses Central Political Committee meeting

[09] Coalition party's Central Political Committee selects Alexis Tsipras as candidate for Athens mayorship

[10] Areios Pagos prosecutor recommends extradition of Greek citizen to Britain to stand trial on money laundering charges

[11] Conference on September 1955 events in Istanbul held in Athens

[12] Extracts of book by former PM Costas Simitis appear in press

[13] Philoxenia commercial visitors mark 50 percent increase

[14] Greek tourists visiting Czech Republic double in first quarter of 2005

[15] German-Greek Business Federation holds annual conference in Duesseldorf

[16] PASOK party delegations tour country in framework of 'High cost of living day'

[17] Syngelidis Group announces representation of Chinese Chery automobile industry

[18] Interior minister signs circular on accessibility for handicapped people

[19] Greek Cultural Centre in Cairo celebrates three years of operation

[20] Hungarian envoy hosts Hungarian National Day ballet performance

[21] Police arrest passenger at Athens airport for possession of drugs

[22] Firebomb damages bank branch

[23] Kenya's Saina wins 23rd Athens Marathon race

[24] Papadopoulos sees better international climate for Cyprus

[25] President Papadopoulos wraps up official visit to France

[26] Cyprus FM: Turkey encourages illegal immigration to Cyprus

[01] Ethnic differences not inevitable cause for conflict, President Papoulias says after memorial service for Macedonian fighter Kapetan Kottas

FLORINA, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

Papoulias was speaking at the village of Kotta, in Krystallopighi, Florina prefecture, where he attended a memorial service marking the 100th anniversary of the death of the Macedonian fighter Kapetan Kottas, who was a Slavophone and was killed by a Turkish firing squad, and for whom the village is named.

"A heavy legacy was left to us by Kapetan Kottas, the most significant figure on the eves of the Macedonian Struggle," Papoulias said.

"When we remember this great personality, it is good to retain two things: That he was a Slavophone shows that ethnic differences are not inevitable causes for conflict, while his lamentable end by the Turkish firing squad, betrayed by his own fellow fighters, shows that many times in history the small things, discord and intollerence, kill the big things.

Kapetan Kottas tragic end, which contributed much to Hellenism, teaches, beyoned everything else, that in turbulent periods in time recognition of the historic truth becomes difficult," Papoulias said during a luncheon held in his honour by Florina prefect Yannis Stratakis at the Officers' Club.

Papoulias also referred to developments in the Balkans, in view of the efforts for finalising Kosovo's future status, noting that Greece believes in the European prospect of the Balkan countries and was working in that direction.

On the occasion of the anniversary of Florina's liberation from Ottoman rule, he said the anniversary concides with a period of awaiting developments in the Balkan region, in view of the finalisation of the status of Kosovo. He said the Aimos peninsula had been sorely tried by civil strife, wars, racial and religious clashes, which are, naturally, not attributed to elements of the Balkan mentality, as is often said, but rather to a tough battle between foreign powers for the distribution of power and influence.

"We honestly believe in the European prospect of all the Balkan countries, and are working for the conversion of our neighbourhood into a region of peaceful coexistence and cooperation, prosperity and progress. The European path is the only way for upgrading the quality of life of the Balkan peoples and the consolidation of stability. This path pases through respect of the rules and principles of the European Union. It will perhaps be a long and difficult path, but I am certain that its final destination mobilises and inspires the Balkan societies," Papoulias said.

Addressing the President, Stratakis stressed that the Florina region was the last region in Greece that was still paying the consequences of the civil war. He said there was still an outstanding matter with the political refugees living in FYROM who could not return to Greece, and called for a solution.

Greece, he said, had nothing to fear from a few elderly men who wished to return to be buried in the homeland, and proposed that this chapter be closed with the erection of a monument of National Reconciliation.

Stratakis also said that the prefecture of Florina was suffering negative repercussions from the outstanding FYROM name issue, which were visible at economic level and in the movement of people and goods. "Florina needs immediate measures that will boost the region's economy and give it prospects for growth," he added.

Earlier, Papoulias laid a wreath at the monument of Kapetan Kottas, after which he was given a tour of the hero's home, which has been turned into a museum, by Kottas' great-granddaughter Zoe Kotta.

Also present at the memorial were Macedonia-Thrace minister Nikos Tsiartsonis, MPs Nikos Kortsaris, Anestis Angelis, George Lianis, and Philippos Petsalnikos, western Macedonia regional chief Andreas Leoudis, Florina prefect Yannis Stratakis, and Florina mayor Stefanos Papanastasiou.

He also inaugurated an exhibition of paintings and documents related to Florina's liberation from the Turkish yoke at the "Aristotelis" Cultural Association building.

Papoulias said at the inauguration that Greece was not threatened by anyone, but it must remain vigilant in order to maintain its sovereign rights.

At the same time, he lauded the efforts being made in the Greek periphery -- "I am also a child of the Greek periphery," he noted -- adding that without the periphery, there could be no Greece.

[02] Reshuffle not a priority for PM Karamanlis, party secretary Meimarakis says - Constitutional revision in the works

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

He further said, in a the interview with the Sunday edition of Eleftherotypia newspaper, that there was no issue of appointing a coordinator in the government, noting that rumours to that effect "have no basis".

More specifically, Meimarakis said that the government, at this time, was in a "period of resolving very important problems which we have evaluated and prioritised, and I do not that that that (a reshuffle) is in the plans". He further urged the "present scheme to cooperate more harmoniously and more efficiently".

"Our political word must be specialised and uniform", he said, and called for "preservation of the preparedness in order to manage the unexpected that arises every day", opining that "informally, this is being done at the initiative of the minister of state, and with exceptional success in many matters".

As for the so-called "comradely backstabbing", Meimarakis said that they would be confronted "mainly through dialogue", reminiding that "the citizens are the final judges".

Referring to the recent resignations of deputy national economy and finance minister Adam Regouzas, state-run IKA social insurance foundation deputy governor Nikos Gerasimou, and ND MP for Piraeus Petros Mantouvalos who in a surprise announcement left the ND parliamentary group and retained his seat in parliament as an independent -- and was later expelled from ND by Meimarakis for failing to have informed the government of his intention -- Meimarakis said that those cases, "all together, obscure our image", although an effort for the "exaggerated presentation" of those cases "is apparent".

At the same time, he criticised main opposition PASOK for its stance on those isolated incidents, saying that "such 'exceptions' had been part of its (preceding PASOK governments') everyday reality" and accused PASOK of having created a climate of decay, corruption and cover-up.

Further, Meimarakis said that on the horizon was a government initiative for the commencement of a dialogue for revision of the Constitution, in accordance with the government's platform for "the establishment of non-state universities of a non-profit nature, provided the Constitutional obstacle is lifted".

He said that would limit the "haemorrhage" of foreign exchange flowing out of the country and also develop a healthy competition within which the public university would upgrade its studies.

" I believe that, with a government initiative, dialogue is necessary for revision of the Constitution on this specific matter, but not only on that," Meimarakis said.

On the local government elections slated for autumn 2006, Meimarakis reiterated that ND would not enter into any "core agreements" with other political parties, but would encourage cooperations at local level on the basis of 'platform principles'.

Asked to comment on the 'political message' of the municipal and prefectural elections, Meimarakis noted that ND had never attributed a "partisan character" to the local government elections, adding that the conclusions from this specific electoral process "are not absolutely safe, given that other factors also affect the local government elections".

[03] ND holds 2.4 pct lead over PASOK, according to RASS opinion poll

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

According to the poll, conducted between October 31 and November 2, the respondents consider PASOK to blame for the bad state of the economy, and ND for negative developments in the national issues, whereas they also said that the mass media back the main opposition party more than the government.

More specifically, with respect to intended vote (how the respondents would vote if general elections were held tomorrow), New Democracy led by 2.4 percentage points over PASOK, with 32.9 percent for the ruling power against 30.5 percent for the main opposition party. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) amassed 6.1 percent of the respondents' preference, and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) 2.9 percent, while the Popular Orthodox Rally party (LAOS), which is currently not represented in parliament, garnered 4.2 percent. Another 1.9 percent said they would vote for another party, while 21.5 percent said they were undecided or would cast blank ballots.

Regarding who was the most suitable for prime minister, current premier Costas Karamanlis amassed 46 percent, holding an 18.9 percentage point lead over main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, who amassed 27.1 percent, followed by LAOS leader George Karatzaferis with 5.8 percent, KKE leader Aleka Papariga with 3.0 percent, and SYN leader Alekos Alavanos with 2.2 percent, while 15.9 percent did not reply.

Also, 49.8 percent of the respondents believe that PASOK is to blame for the present state of the economy, while 40.9 percent feel that ND is to blame.

In addition, 42.9 percent consider ND to be more responsible over the negative developments in the national issues, against 30.8 percent that hold PASOK responsible.

Further, 35.5 percent believe that the situation in the country would have been worse if PASOK had won the last general elections, while 27.5 percent believe the situation would have been better, and 33.8 percent believe the situation would have been the same as now.

To another question, 45.8 percent consider PASOK to be more responsible for the phenomena of corruption that continue to exist today, while 34.4 percent consider ND to be more responsible, while 3.6 percent put the blame on other parties, and 16.2 percent did not reply.

To a question on which party has 'better relations' with the so-called special interests, 38.1 percent said PASOK, and 37.9 percent said ND, while 0.7 percent said the KKE, 0.2 percent said SYN, and 1.3 percent said another party, whereas 19.6 percent said the did not know.

An overwhelming 97.2 percent of the respondents believe that scandals took place under PASOK's term in government, of which 71.6 percent believe that the then government did not want to refer the scandals to justice, while 21.5 percent believe that there was not enough evidence.

According to 59.1 percent of the respondents, the field of politics has the biggest relationship to special interests, while 26 percent said the justice sector, and 10 percent said the press sector. At the same time, 44.4 percent believe that the phenomenon of corruption was more intense in the political sector, 27.1 percent in the public sector, 15.2 percent in the justice sector, and 8.6 percent in the media sector.

Commenting on the stance of the mass media, 44.9 percent of the respondents believe that the media exaggerates the incidents of corruption, 36 percent that it conceals the incidents of corruption in accordance with their own interests, and 18 percent that the media is correctly presenting the incidents of corruption, while 1.1 percent did not reply.

Moreover, 44.3 percent of the respondents believe that the media is favouring PASOK, 24.9 percent that it is favouring ND, 2.7 percent that it is favouring the KKE, 1.3 percent that it is favouring SYN, and 2.9 percent that it is favouring other parties, while 23.9 percent did not reply.

With respect to the municipal elections, the most favoured (prospective) candidates from ND are current health minister Nikitas Kaklamanis (who is reportedly slated to run for mayor of Athens, with ND backing, if current mayor Dora Bakoyannis chooses not to run for re-election), Dora Bakoyannis, and current public order minister George Voulgarakis, while the most favoured (prospective) candidates from PASOK are current AThens-Piraeus supra-prefect Fofi Gennimata, former minister Evangelos Venizelos, and former EU commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou.

Finally, to a question on which official better defends his/her party's positions, leading were, from ND, health minister Nikitas Kaklamanis, environment, town planning and public works minister George Souflias, national economy and finance minister George Alogoskoufis, ND central committee secretary Vangelis Meimarakis, public order minister George Voulgarakis, press and information minister and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, and interior, public admi-nistration and decentralisation minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos; from PASOK, former ministers Evangelos Venizelos and Theodoros Pangalos, former EU commissioner and former Europarliamentarian Anna Diamantopoulou, former deputy foreign minister Andreas Loverdos, and former ministers Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Haris Kastanidis; and from the KKE prominent journalist and MP Liana Kaneli.

[04] Former ND party leader Miltiades Evert calls for faster pace for institutional changes

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

Evert ascertained that the government has "certain weaknesses" in handling day-to-day problems, but opposed a possible cabinet reshuffle at the moment since "it is necessay for institutional changes to move ahead."

Referring to the crackdown on tax evasion, the former leader said "certainly, a morbid situation lasting for decades cannot be handled in a year and a half", while on the question of the bill on the principal shareholder, he said "the government did not fear a confrontation with vested interests and to a certain degree it achieved its target. Of course, it did not succeed absolutely due to the institutional framework of the European Union."

[05] PASOK secretary critices gov't policy, speaks on local elections

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

She said that PASOK had commenced a "great, victorous course to the people", that it was "forging ahead and building the future".

During a press conference in the western port city of Patras, where she was due to attend a meeting of the party's local Municipal Council for an account of prefect Dimitris Katsikopoulos' work and confirmation of his candidacy for re-election in the autumn 2006 local government elections, Xenoyannakopoulou referred at length to the procedures commencing in PASOK for the elections.

She said a major political process was beginning with planning and proposals for the local government, adding that the goal was to forge a "different path for local government through a reformist plan, and to liberate the developmental forces".

Xenoyannakopoulou said that democratic procedures would be followed in selecting the candidates for mayor and prefect that PASOK would back, with the acceptance of the local societies.

As for the major cities, the decisions wuld be taken by the Electoral Procedures Committee "due to their special political importance".

[06] Albanian PM says Greek counterpart Costas Karamanlis will visit Albania at end of November

TIRANA, 7/11/2005 (ANA - I. Patso)

However, despite assurances by the Albanian prime minister, Greek foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos had stated on Thursday that "the programme concerning the prime minister's visits abroad has not been finalised."

Albanian PM comments on crucial situation in energy sector: Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said on Saturday that due to the very crucial situation prevailing in the energy sector, his government has requested assistance from Turkey as one of the countries from which electric power can be purchased.

Berisha said that despite the darkness that the country has been plunged into, his government will not allow Albania to sink into chaos since it is continuing to take necessary measures to improve the situation.

The Albanian prime minister further said that negotiations have already begun with Greece to enable energy to be conveyed from other countries through the Greek network.

Lastly, Berisha said that Belgrade has promised to allow the transportation of energy from other countries to Albania through its electric power network.

[07] DM defends F-16 purchase decision, procedures

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters in the western port city of Patras, he reiterated that he would present in detail in parliament on Wednesday all the facts and figures on the planned acquisition, adding that all the correct, effective, useful and beneficial decisions were being taken, explaining that today, all the purchases of military materiele were made in the framework of government-to-government agreements without middlemen, resulting in lower cost.

The minister announced that the KYSEA was soon expected to approve two five-year armaments programmes, stressing that the recommendations for the purchases would be submitted "by the users themselves", namely the Armed Forces.

On the policy being followed by the national defence ministry, he stressed that "we are devoted to the government programme and have already covered 95 percent".

He further said that the tenet being followed was that of "detterence and defence", while he noted that the interceptions in the Aegean (of jetfighters infringing the Athens Flight Information Region-FIR and violating Greek national airspace) were a "costly process", citing as an example that in one month alone five million euros had been spent for fuel for the Greek jets intercepting the infringers.

Regarding the viability of the Greek defence industries, he said that they have "a lot of work" today.

On the current political situation, the minister said that the government would be judged at the end of its four-year term, adding that the present period was a difficult one. he further noted that although the rate of unemployment had shown a small decline, it continued to concern society and was the top issue on the government's agenda.

Regarding Achaia prefecture, of which Patras is the capital, he stressed the prime minister's incessant interest for the prefecture itself, as well as the preparations by Patras, which has been designated as the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2006.

[08] Coalition party leader addresses Central Political Committee meeting

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

Alavanos repeated his call for the candidacy of Alexis Tsipras for the Athens mayorship and challenged all who are opposed to this candidacy to request a referendum within the ranks of the party.

On his part, Mihalis Papayiannakis, boosted by the decision taken by the Prefectural Committee of the first Athens constituency, refused to back down and demanded that the party's charter be respected.

Commenting on press reports concerning developments in the first Athens constituency organisation, Alavanos said that he did not feel defeated.

He pointed out that defeat occurs when the feeling of solidarity which must be maintained, particularly during moments when different options exist, evaporates.

The Central Political Committee will complete its deliberations on Sunday afternoon.

[09] Coalition party's Central Political Committee selects Alexis Tsipras as candidate for Athens mayorship

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

At the same time it rejected the decision by the Prefectural Committee of the First Athens constituency which supported the candidacy of Mihalis Papayiannakis.

In other ballots held, the Central Political Committee decided to support the candidacies of T. Kourakis in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, and Th. Dritsas in Piraeus.

The candidacy of Tsipras received 68 votes, while seven abstained. Earlier, party leader Alekos Alavanos said that the discussion at the Central Political Committee was very good, despite tension and referred to the "problems" faced by the party's leader when he is called upon to manage views and proposals.

Alavanos supported his proposal for the candidacy of Tsipras, adding that the president's role is not only to "express the majority but also to sow seeds". He also proposed a public dialogue on the party's candidate for the post of supraprefect.

Alexis Tsipras was born in Athens in 1974 and received a degree in civil engineering from the National Metsovion Polytechnic. In 2004 he was elected a member of the party's Central Political Committee and later on a member of the Political Secretariat responsible for education and youth issues.

[10] Areios Pagos prosecutor recommends extradition of Greek citizen to Britain to stand trial on money laundering charges

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

The extradition was requested on the basis of a European warrant for the Greek citizen so that he could stand trial on charges of laundering of nine million pounds emanating from the drug trade by a racket in which he was allegedly involved.

If found guilty, the accused could, under British legislation, face imprisonment of up to 14 years.

According to the prosecutor's recommendation, law 3251/2004 was constitutional, and consequently the extradition of a Greek citizen to another European country, under specific conditions, could not be obstructed.

During the hearing of the case in the Areios Pagos, the extraditee's defence lawyer claimed that Law 3251/2004 was unconstitutional.

Law 3251/2004, a new law on extradition, implementation of the European Arrest Warrant, and Combatting terrorism entered into force in July, 2004, upon its publication in the Government Gazette (FEK).

The lawyer said that the European Warrant could not be executed since the activities for which the British authorities sought the man's extradition had been perpetrated in early 2003, one year before the European Warrant was incorporated in Greek legislation.

It is noted that these defence claims have been rejected by the Council of Appeals, prior to the extraditee's recourse to the Areios Pagos, the public prosecutor of which also rejects the claims in his recommendation.

Both the Appeals Council ruling and the Areios Pagos prosecutor's recommendation note that the Constitutional provisions do not consolidate non-extradition of a Greek citizen, unless the extraditee is wanted for actions in favour of freedom, while they also maintain that the conditions for extradition of a Greek citizen are met given that, prior to the issue of the European Warrant, prosecution had not been initiated in Greece for the extraditee for the same offence, in which case the accused's trial in Greece on the same charges would have to take precedent.

[11] Conference on September 1955 events in Istanbul held in Athens

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

Speakers at the event, most of them university professors, referred to the various aspects of the policy of Turkish conversion which was aimed at "purging" Istanbul of Christians and Jews and which signalled the end of religious pluralism in Turkey.

The speakers also noted how much the factor of Cyprus had worsened the disturbances in 1955, as well as the contribution of the British government to the preparation of the events with the purpose of involving Turkey dynamically in the issue of Cyprus, particularly in light of the London Summit on September 8, 1955.

[12] Extracts of book by former PM Costas Simitis appear in press

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

Among other issues, Simitis refers to succession in the PASOK party, the issue of cooperation with the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party, relations between PASOK and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), vested interests, the crisis with Turkey over the islets of Imia in January 1996 and the Ocalan case, while also sharply criticising the New Democracy party.

The former prime minister terms the governance of the ND party a "return to the past" and proposes a plan that will express the needs of the new generation and the world of labour.

Simitis indirectly criticises Cyprus President Tassos Papado-poulos for his position regarding the Annan plan, while also criticising Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for his policy on the issue of Cyprus and on Greek-Turkish relations.

[13] Philoxenia commercial visitors mark 50 percent increase

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

Avramopoulos made the statement to Eastern Macedonia-Thrace regional secretary general Michalis Angelopoulos during a visit to the regional authority's pavilion.

Angelopoulos escorted the minister on a tour of the pavilion, and presented him with copies of two photographic publications on the region containing a DVD and CD with the sites, traditional songs and music of the region.

He told reporters that this year's pavilion focused on the region's tourism policy, highlighting the region's tourism product and its comparative advantages so as to render Eastern Macedonia-Thrace one of the most important destinations for alternative and specialised tourism.

Angelopoulos said emphasis was placed on incorporating the cultural aspect in local development and developing the dual concept of tourism-culture, through highlighting the regions archaeological sites and monuments, and the restoration and exploitation of traditional buildings and neighborhoods for cultural purposes.

Also targeted was increase of the tourism flow and the duration of visits through the establishment of new tourism destinations and the creation of infrastructures for the development of thematic and alternative forms of tourism, such as agrotourism, ecotourism, spa tourism, adventure tourism, etc.

Angelopoulos further outlined the plans for a racing car rally planned for spring. He said the rally itself would be preceded by five exhibitional events staged by racing cars in the capitals of the region's five prefectures, aimed at promoting the main rally in the spring, which was expected to attract a large number of racing fans.

[14] Greek tourists visiting Czech Republic double in first quarter of 2005

7/11/2005 (ANA)

According to data provided by the Czech Tourist Organisation, presented in the framework of its participation in the 21st Philoxenia tourist exhibition in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, the number of Greek visitors during this period amounted to 11,300, who made 34,000 overnight stays.

Moreover, Greece holds 19th place among nationalities visiting this central European country. The first three countries are Germany, Britain and Italy.

The Czech Organisation's director in Greece, Panayiotis Meletis, said that its main targets over the next five years are for the number of Greeks visiting the Czech Republic to increase from 40,000 annually to 75,000 and their average stay to increase by 1-2 days (from the current four days), as well as the widening of the Greek tourist's destinations, apart from Prague.

[15] German-Greek Business Federation holds annual conference in Duesseldorf

7/11/2005 (ANA)

The conference focused on "The real estate market in Greece after the Olympic Games - present, future and prospects of development of the sector." Its aim, according to DHW president, Eurodeputy George Hajimarkakis, was the promotion of the Greek real estate market in Germany.

The event was attended by Deputy Finance Minister Antonis Bezas, representatives of the region of Macedonia and Thrace and other personalities, while local state authorities were also represented.

The deputy president of SAE said that what is necessary is the further strengthening of entrepreneurship and the investment activity of the Greek community in Germany.

[16] PASOK party delegations tour country in framework of 'High cost of living day'

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

PASOK's National Council Secretary Mariliza Xenoyiannako-poulou, heading a party delegation, visited on Saturday the market and trade centre in Piraeus.

"Together with citizens we are highlighting the major problems of the country daily, the deadlocks of the conservative, anti-popular and failed policy of New Democracy," she said.

"The government is being proved on a daily basis incapable and inadequate to face the problems of profiteering. To have an effective supervision of the market, to protect the Greek consumer," Xenoyiannakopoulou added.

[17] Syngelidis Group announces representation of Chinese Chery automobile industry

7/11/2005 (ANA)

The announcement was made during the 4th International Automobile Conference organised by the Economist over the weekend. The first cars are expected to arrive in Greece and Europe in 2007.

Foreign Exchange Rates: Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released

by the European Central Bank:

U.S. dollar 1.202

[18] Interior minister signs circular on accessibility for handicapped people

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

The circular, sent to all relevant ministry departments and special secretariats, as well as local administration departments in all regions of the country, calls for the creation of programmes for the accessibility of handicapped people in the sector of their duties with an implementation timetable for 2006.

It also stresses that public services, legal entities of public law and local administration bodies must take necessary measures to secure accessibility and other facilities for handicapped people in their workplaces.

[19] Greek Cultural Centre in Cairo celebrates three years of operation

CAIRO, 7/11/2005 (ANA/N. Katsikas)

The Cultural Centre operates with joint support from the Greek state and the Greek community in Cairo.

Addressing an event held on the occasion of the end of the Ramadan, Vlassopoulos said "the undertaking of the Greek Cultural Centre of Cairo has become a model, which the ministries of foreign affairs and culture of Greece are following with the establishment of Greek Cultural Centres in other countries."

The ambassador also stressed that the three-year operation of the Greek Cultural Centre of Cairo has contributed "to the deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries."

[20] Hungarian envoy hosts Hungarian National Day ballet performance

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

The Gyor Ballet Company is the most prominent modern ballet company in Hungary.

The programme included Stabath Mater, Troyan Games, and Carmina Burana, and was attended by Greece's President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, members of the Hellenic parliament, ambassadors accredited to Greece, Church representatives, Hellenic Armed Forces commanders, and other distinguished representatives of political, diplomatic and business life, the press release said.

[21] Police arrest passenger at Athens airport for possession of drugs

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

The drugs were found in the passenger's suitcase. Enquiries are continuing to ascertain whether more people are involved in the case.

[22] Firebomb damages bank branch

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

The home-made firebomb, according to witnesses, was thrown at the Bank of Cyprus branch on central Academias street in Athens approximately a half-hour after midnight Saturday by unidentified young men, which caused a fire in the bank's interior.

The perpetrators quickly fled, while the fire was extinguished a short while later by the Fire Department.

The damage to the bank is estimated at more than 100,000 euros.

[23] Kenya's Saina wins 23rd Athens Marathon race

ATHENS, 7/11/2005 (ANA)

Second and third places were won by Saina's compatriots Sammy Chemweno in two hours, 16 minutes and 14 seconds and Paul Kanda in two hours, 16 minutes and 57 seconds respectively.

Ethiopia's Sisay Measo finished 21st but first among the women contestants in two hours, 38 minutes and 39 seconds.

Results of the Greek first division soccer championship matches played over the weekend:

Larissa - Atromitos Athens 2-1

AEK Athens - Kallithea Athens 2-0

Levadiakos Livadia - Akratitos Athens 1-1

Ionikos Piraeus - Apollon Kalamaria 2-0

OFI Crete - Panathinaikos Athens 0-2

PAOK Thessaloniki - Panionios Athens 1-0

Olympiakos Piraeus - Xanthi 2-0

Egaleo Athens - Iraklis Thessaloniki

(Match to be played on Monday November 7)

The point standings after nine weeks of play:

Olympiakos 21

AÅÊ 20

Xanthi 19

Panathinaikos 17

PAOK 15

Larissa 12

Atromitos 12

Egaleo 11 (8 matches played)

Ionikos 11

Iraklis 10 (8matches played)

Levadiakos 10

OFI 9

Panionios 8

Apollon Kalamaria 8

Akratitos 6 and Kallithea 4

[24] Papadopoulos sees better international climate for Cyprus

LARNACA, 7/11/2005 (CNA/ANA)

In statements upon his return from France on Saturday, where he paid a three-day official visit, the Cypriot president said that "France supports our positions", noting that there is a convergence of views between Nicosia and Paris.

"For some time now, our views converge with France. The coalitions in the EU, differ according to the various issues and the time periods. I believe that there is an important improvement in the climate that existed before, about Cyprus after the results of the referendum for the Annan plan in 2004. Now the climate is much better", he noted.

President Papadopoulos was also invited to say whether French President Jacques Chirac's statements that France's main goal is to protect the interests of the EU member states and then the ones of its friends, constitute a message to Ankara.

"If serious issues of a member state are at risk, the general position is that the member state should have the first word and with this statement (Chirac's) the climate of support is expressed", he said.

Apart from the Cyprus issue, President Papadopoulos discussed with his French counterpart Turkey's EU course, the Middle East and bilateral relations.

Referring to Cyprus' national air carrier, Cyprus Airways, and the financial difficulties it faces, he said that those who may be seriously interested to buy the airline, should be well informed about its accounts, debts and its commitments towards the personnel.

[25] President Papadopoulos wraps up official visit to France

PARIS, 7/11/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Saturday morning, President Papadopoulos and his entourage attended a church ceremony at the Metropolitan Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Stephanos in Paris.

After the ceremony President Papadopoulos reassured that he would do his utmost to reach a settlement of the Cyprus issue, adding that the decision of the Greek Cypriots to reject the UN envisaged Annan plan should be respected.

"The people rejected the plan because it did not meet the concerns of the Cypriots and did not lead to real reunification", he noted.

He also said that the Church has always stood by Cypriots in their efforts for a settlement.

French Bishop Emmanuel praised the Cypriot President for his efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the island.

''Our prayers and love accompany you in your struggle for Cyprus", the Bishop said.

[26] Cyprus FM: Turkey encourages illegal immigration to Cyprus

NICOSIA, 7/11/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at the informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the EU Mediterranean countries in Toulouse late last week, Iacovou called upon his European counterparts to help end this Turkish policy.

"Illegal immigrants who come to Cyprus via Turkey and the occupied areas, come with the tolerance or even the encouragement of Turkey and the occupation regime in northern Cyprus. Turkey even refuses to take back Turkish nationals who have come to Cyprus in this way", he underlined.

Iacovou explained that after the government had agreed the return of illegal immigrants back to Syria and Lebanon, the criminal networks have turned to Turkey, using it to transfer people through the occupied areas to the government controlled areas of Cyprus.

This does not constitute a problem only for Cyprus, but for the whole of Europe, since many of these asylum seekers aim to live later on in other EU countries, like Italy and Britain, he noted.

The Cypriot FM said that the measures taken by the government as well as the cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Britain, have helped reduce the number of the asylum seekers in Cyprus in the past years, but due to Turkey, this number has increased again.

The informal meeting took place ahead of the Heads of States and Governments meeting of the Euro Mediterranean Cooperation to be held in Barcelona, November 28-29, that will discuss the prospect of promoting cooperation in the framework of the EuroMediterranean Cooperation and immigration issues.

The EU meeting also examined the economic and financing engagement of the EU for the Mediterranean after 2007, issues of security in the Mediterranean and associating the EuroMediterranean Cooperation with the rest of initiatives of the region.

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