Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-11-10

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] Foreign ministry satisfied with way European Commission's reports refer to Turkey and FYROM

[02] EU Commission's annual progress report on Turkey stresses need for lifting casus belli against Greece

[03] Commission OKs candidate status for FYROM but no date for talks

[04] Greek diplomats satisfied with contents of European Commission's reports on Turkey and FYROM

[05] Rehn: Turkey's commitments on Cyprus not negotiable

[06] Visiting Armenian President Kocharian holds talks with Greek leadership

[07] President Papoulias hosts dinner in honour of Armenian counterpart Kocharian, comments on Greek foreign policy

[08] Parliament President Benaki-Psarouda holds talks with Armenian President Kocharian

[09] PM Karamanlis leaves on four-day official visit to Japan

[10] Athens again points to Turkish military provocations over Aegean

[11] US will continue pressing Turkey for reopening of Halki Seminary School

[12] Greece can play important role in Kosovo developments, State Dept. official Burns tells Senate committee

[13] US Senator Snowe protests Secretary of State's recent meeting with T/C leader in Washington

[14] State Department annual report on religious freedoms positive for Greece

[15] Second Peace and Religious Tolerance meeting ends

[16] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos to attend inter-religious conference in Vienna on 'Islam in a pluralistic world'

[17] DM discusses F-16 purchase at Parliamentary Defence Committee

[18] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos presents programme for modernisation of Greek public administration

[19] Cooperation in the public administration sector discussed with Turkish delegation

[20] PASOK Secretary accuses interior ministry of attempting to manipulate local government

[21] Parliament lifts immunity for three MPs facing prosecution

[22] PASOK party leader attends presentation of former PM Costas Simitis' book

[23] Gov't latest to respond to comments in Simitis book

[24] U.S. Embassy in Athens denies that chemical weapons were used in Falluja, Iraq

[25] Gov't to decide next week on fate of Olympic Airlines sale tender

[26] Deficit forecast to drop to 3.6 per cent in 2005, gov't says

[27] Greece to submit batch of project studies for EU funding

[28] Greek inflation rose to 3.8 pct in October, yr/yr

[29] Survey shows Greek companies could save money from telecom services

[30] Intracom signs 4.0 mln US dollar contract with Digitel in the Philippines

[31] Athens hotel occupancy rates up in September, yr/yr

[32] Gov't confirms closure of two customs posts on FYROM border

[33] Gov't sees room for growth in trade ties with Netherlands

[34] Civil servants' union calls 24-hour strike for Thursday

[35] PASOK secretary meets harbour authority, police and fire brigade federations

[36] Greek stocks move cautiously higher

[37] Athens mayor inaugurates road safety campaign

[38] Greek actor Alexandrakis to be laid to rest on Friday

[39] Stiff fines for parking on wheelchair ramps in the wings

[40] More than 270 dealers arrested, 1,500 kilograms of drugs, and 9,600 narcotic pills seized by Thessaloniki police in last 10 months

[41] Photo exhibition on Polytechnic uprising organised in Kaisariani

[42] US embassy closed on Friday

[43] CoE Congress plenary adopts report on Cyprus

[44] Cyprus National Guard Chief to attend EU meeting

[01] Foreign ministry satisfied with way European Commission's reports refer to Turkey and FYROM

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

The spokesman further said that "the same goes for the European Commission's opinion on FYROM, in which Greek pursuits are incorporated."

The announcement issued by the foreign ministry on these reports, titled "Progress report and revised partnership relation for Turkey" and "Opinion on FYROM", stresses that Turkey's relations of "good neighbourliness" with Greece are now becoming a "clear criterion for the progress of its accession course."

The same also applies with regard to "the issues of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and protection of minorities and of their property. And, of course, to the issue of the Halki School of Theology."

It was further noted in the announcement that "for the first time, indeed in an official EU document, special mention is made of the issue of 'casus belli'. A fact of evident importance." Turkey is also called on to handle whatever sources of friction with its neighbours, abstaining from relevant actions.

The foreign ministry's announcement said with regard to Cyprus that "it is stressed that the recognition of all EU member-states by Turkey constitutes a necessary element of its accession effort", adding that "it is also pointed out that the implementation of the Customs Union Protocol also constitutes a commitment and a criterion" and that "Turkey's full compliance will constitute, in 2006, an object of assiduous and continuous monitoring by the European Union."

The foreign ministry's announcement also said that "Greece, once again, wishes to stress that the successful outcome of these efforts by the neighbouring country will benefit the region and Greek-Turkish relations, as well as the Turkish people. We support this prospect."

The announcement went on to say that "as regards the European pursuits of Skopje (FYROM), the European Commission's opinion makes it absolutely clear that this long course is continuing under the name of 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia'," adding that the European Commis-sion stresses that "the neighbouring country must cooperate in the effort to find a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of the name" and that "this issue now constitutes a political criterion."

It was also stressed in the announcement that "this has always been the Greek position as well" and it concluded by saying that "we remain firm on it, having proved our constructive disposition. Only with the achievement of a mutually acceptable solution will the further improvement of bilateral relations and regional stability, as well as the European prospect of our neighbouring country be facilitated."

[02] EU Commission's annual progress report on Turkey stresses need for lifting casus belli against Greece

BRUSSELS, 11/10/2005 (ANA /V. Demiris)

The specific paragraph "hails the statement made in April 2005 by the president of the Turkish Parliment on the lifting of the casus belli, a statement that was reiterated afterwards by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul." However, the Commission adds that "no continuation has been given by the Turkish side ever since."

The 20-page revised partnership relation document sets a series of short-term and medium-term obligations for Ankara and, in essence, it constitutes the "road map" of accession negotiations between Turkey and the European Union.

The document will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval, which will reach its decision with a special majority.

On the question of Greek-Turkish relations, short-term preconditioons, contained in the document of the revised partnership relation which Turkey is called upon to fulfill, include reference to the peaceful settlement of border differences and Turkey is requested "to continue efforts for a solution to whatever border differences are pending in accordance with the principle of the peaceful settlement of differences and in accordance with the UN Charter, including, if necessary, the jurisdiction of the International Court."

Turkey's short-term obligations also include securing the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with emphasis being placed on protection for religious foundations and the reopening of the Halki School of Theology. Reference is also made to the protection of the rights of the Greek minority, such as to issues concerning education and property for the Greek minority.

As regards Cyprus, the document contains points of the counter-statement made by the "25" on September 21 to the unilateral declaration by Turkey (July 29, 2004) on the non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

Ankara is called upon in particular to go ahead with the implementation of the Customs Union Protocol and open, among other things, its ports to Cypriot ships.

Turkey's short-term obligations also include the normalisation of its relations with all EU member-states and reference is made to the need for Turkey to recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

In connection with the issue of Cyprus, Turkey is called upon to support efforts for the finding of an overall solution to the problem of Cyprus in the framework of the UN, also based on the principles on which the EU has been built.

[03] Commission OKs candidate status for FYROM but no date for talks

BRUSSELS, 11/10/2005 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

A Commission Opinion on FYROM's application for EU membership noted the country's significant progress toward European integration - just four years after facing a major security crisis - but said that accession talks with FYROM should begin once it has reached a sufficient degree of compliance with membership criteria.

According to the ANA correspondent in Brussels, the Commission's Opinion also refers to the outstanding dispute between FYROM and Greece over its adopted name "Republic of Macedonia", calling for a solution to the problem and noting that FYROM cannot join international organisations with any name other than that currently used at the United Nations.

FYROM's candidate status will be officially finalised at the EU summit in December.

In its report on enlargement strategy for the EU, also released on Wednesday, the Commission urged Turkey to step up the pace of reforms, noting a slowdown since the start of accession talks on October 4. It particularly emphasised the need for progress on basic human rights issues, urging Turkey to show zero tolerance toward torture.

The 100-page report on Turkey noted the significant progress made over the past year and for the first time described Turkey as a "functioning market economy" but stressed the need to continue reform efforts and also referred to its relations with Greece and the Cyprus Republic.

Regarding EU candidate-member Croatia, the report emphasises the need to improve cooperation with the Interna-tional Tribunal for the war in former Yugoslavia and for respect of human and minority rights, while it also calls on Croatia to improve its relations with its neighbouring countries. On an economic level, it urges further improvements in macroecono-mic policies and fiscal stability.

With respect to the western Balkans, finally, the report stresses that they have a "clear European perspective" and proposes a road map for realising this, beginning with a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) as a fundamental step.

[04] Greek diplomats satisfied with contents of European Commission's reports on Turkey and FYROM

BRUSSELS,11/10/2005 (ANA/V. Demiris-M. Spinthourakis)

Speaking to the press, Greece's permanent representative at the European Union Vassilis Kaskarellis said that the documents adopted by the Commission on Wednesday contain very positive references for Greek positions and pursuits.

Greek diplomacy is also pleased over a series of references contained in the Commission's opinion document regarding the accession of FYROM to the EU.

Ambassador Kaskarellis said the issue of the solution to the problem of the name has great importance now, similar to such issues as the way Parliamentary elections are held in FYROM, the effective implementation of the Ohrid agreement, the independence of justice, etc.

[05] Rehn: Turkey's commitments on Cyprus not negotiable

BRUSSELS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

''That is not under negotiation, that is a commitment and we expect that Turkey will stick to that commitment,'' Rehn underlined, adding that this issue is not linked with the two EU regulations on economic aid and direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots.

He also said that the Commission continues to work on the adoption of two regulations for the Turkish Cypriot community and ''thus also pave the way for the resumption of the talks on a comprehensive settlement on the island.''

''We are working on this issue with the UK presidency and I expect we can see results also shortly,'' he added.

Rehn presented on Wednesday the Commission's overall enlargement policy for the candidate countries Croatia and Turkey, and the potential

candidate countries in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro and Kosovo, describing Turkey's progress report as ''objective and balanced.''

On Turkey's reform process, Rehn said that the Commission's progress report ''states that Turkey continues to sufficiently fulfill the political criteria of Copenhagen,'' adding however that ''the pace of change has slowed in 2005 and even though there is progress in implementation it still remains uneven.''

''Therefore significant further efforts are needed especially as regards freedom of expression, women's rights, religious freedoms, trade unions and the rights of non-Moslems religious communities,'' Rehn added.

Replying to a question, Rehn said that ''there are still major problems to be tackled,'' and he focused mainly on the need for Turkey to enhance the rule of law and human rights.

Furthermore, Rehn noted that this phase of enlargement takes into account the EU's absorption capacity, noting that ''the absorption capacity is reinforced in the Commission documents.''

[06] Visiting Armenian President Kocharian holds talks with Greek leadership

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

peaking to reporters after the meeting, Papoulias spoke of the excellent bilateral relations between Greece and Armenia, and on the two countries' cooperation in the economic and tourism sectors, in which he said there were significant prospects.

Papoulias further said he was impressed by the interest displayed by Armenian youth in the Greek language.

Kocharian expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by Greece to his country, and said he was satisfied with the discussions he had with Papoulias on bilateral matters as well as on the developments in the Balkans and the southern Caucasus.

The Armenian president met afterwards with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

The official welcome for the Armenian presidential couple at the Presidential Mansion was attended by Parliament's second vice-president George Sourlas, Tourism Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Valinakis, Deputy National Economy Minister Christos Folias, Deputy Agricultural Development Minister Alekos Kontos, and the leaders of the Hellenic Armed Forces and law enforcement authorities.

Papoulias and his wife, May, will host an official dinner in honor of Kocharian and his wife, Bella Kocharian, on Wednesday night.

The Armenian head of state later met with main opposition leader George Papandreou, with Greek-Armenian ties on the agenda of talks along with major international issues. No statements were made afterwards.

[07] President Papoulias hosts dinner in honour of Armenian counterpart Kocharian, comments on Greek foreign policy

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

In his address, President Papoulias expounded on the Greek positions on matters of foreign policy.

On the Caucasus issue, he stressed that "today, in the transitional period the countries of the region are going through, Greece is interested and supports, among other things, the consolidation of democracy, good governance, the development of the state of law and the peaceful solution of the differences which exist in the Caucasus."

On Greek-Turkish relations, having stressed the dedication of Greece to international legality and its support to the implementation of the principles and rules of international law, the respect of sovereignty and of territorial integrity, the inviolability of borders and the peaceful solution of differences, as well as the protection and respect of human rights and of democratic principles, Papoulias noted:"My country follows a stable policy for the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations, with objective their complete smothing out in the context of those principles and rules which I mentioned."

Papoulias added:"From October 3 we are already in a new phase of Turkey's course towards Europe. This course depends primarilly on Turkey itself. We await from Turkey to show the necessary political volition and to proceed in the fulfillment of all its obligations towards the European Union." The president said that Turkey has undertaken a clear committment for relations of good neighbourliness and the peaceful solution of any differences, as foreseen by the United Nations Charter. Papoulias said that "its (Turkey's) obligations to secure the respect of religious and minority rights, as well the right of freedom of expression for all the citizens, have been repeatedly stressed."

The president also called on Turkey to recognise the Armenian genocide.

On the Cyprus problem, Papoulias underlined that "our firm aim is the finding of an agreed, just, functional and viable solution to the problem, under the auspices of the United Nations, on the basis of the Security Council resolutions and the fundamental principles of the European Union." He added that "our aim is the reunification of the island, so that the whole of the Cypriot people, Greek Cypriotrs and Turkish Cypriots, enjoy the benefits of the accession to the European Union, in a framework of security and prosperity, which will constitute a model of peace and stability for the broader region."

On the Balkans, the president said that Greece supports the European prospects of the region's countries, while on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), he said "my country has exhausted all the margins of conciliatoriness and flexibility, taking important steps for finding a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue," noting that a solution henceforth depends only on the Skopje leadership.

Concluding, he referred to the issue of Kosovo and underlined:"Our attention is also turned to the question of Kosovo, the handling of which requires substantial and smooth dialogue, as well as respect of the rights of the minorities and of the framework of the United Nations."

[08] Parliament President Benaki-Psarouda holds talks with Armenian President Kocharian

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

Welcoming Kochain at her office, Benaki-Psarouda gave emphasis to the close historic relations between the two countries and underlined that "Greece appreciates both the effoirts of Armenia's leadership and people for the consolidfation of public security and peaceful co-existence."

The Greek parliament president added:"On a parliamentary level we can have closer contacts. Apart from our cooperatiion in international organisations and within the framework of the European Union and parallel with the parliamentary Greece-Armenia Friendship Committee, we can extend our cooperation through the specialised committees of our parliaments, such as the Public Administration, Justice and Public Order Committee so that the exchange to be made on a specific matter."

On his part, the president of Armenia referred to the high level of bilateral relations and thanked the parliament president for the contribution of the Greek Parliament for the further development of parliamentary activity.

Athens mayor meets Armenian President : Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyiannis received Armenian President Robert Kocharian, his wife and Armenian government ministers at the Town Hall on Wednesday in the framework of the Armenian president's official visit to Greece.

It is the second time that President Kocharian visits Athens and the municipality of Athens and he had already been awarded the Gold Medal of Merit of the City of Athens by the mayor during his previous visit.

Addressing her visitors, Bakoyiannis said "the Greeks have considered the Armenian people literally as being a fraternal people for centuries. We have experienced many common sufferings. We have shared common experiences. We adopted and promoted Christianity at about the same era."

She added that "in parallel, we have experienced two genocides in the 20th century, of which the most massive and tragic was the one experienced by the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire."

[09] PM Karamanlis leaves on four-day official visit to Japan

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

During his stay in Tokyo, Karamanlis will hold talks with Koizumi on international issues.

The prime minister and his wife Natasha, who is accompanying him, will also be received by the Japanese imperial couple, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Karamanlis will further give interviews to major Japanese newspapers and television networks, while he will also attend a working lunch to be hosted in his honour by the Japanese business confederation Keindaren.

The Greek premier will also meet with the chairperson of the Japanese Diet (bi-cameral parliament), and visit the city of Nikko.

[10] Athens again points to Turkish military provocations over Aegean

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos made the comment when asked about a series of violations by Turkish warplanes a day earlier.

[11] US will continue pressing Turkey for reopening of Halki Seminary School

WASHINGTON, 11/10/2005 (ANA/T. Ellis)

"It is an issue we have brought up many times, and will continue to put to the Turkish government," Hanford replied to a question by the ANA, adding that "I have met with Turkish officials, and we have put forward these problems, as well as the property problems, which go hand-in-hand."

Replying to other questions, Hanford said that Washington was already pressing, and intended to continue to do so, for the reopening of the Halki Seminary, and opined that "we have some reasons to believe that it will be resolved", but admitted that he felt "despair that this matter has not progressed more quickly".

Turning to the occasional attacks against the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Hanford said this was a "difficult" matter given that the perpetrators of such attacks were "private individuals". he said he and his associates "feel it is part of our responsiblity, and part of that which is dectated by the legislation on which our Office was set up, to encourage governments to protect citizens who suffer attacks by private individuals, and this is such a case".

[12] Greece can play important role in Kosovo developments, State Dept. official Burns tells Senate committee

WASHINGTON, 11/10/2005 (ANA/T. Ellis)

To another question by Sarbanes -- who is a senior member on the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations -- on the prospect of a meeting of the Contact Group with the SE Europe Cooperation Process member countries, Burns said it considered it good for contact with those countries to be maintained.

"At bilateral level, we are doing this. The US has had talks with the Greek foreign minister and with the Greek ambassador to the US concerning what our strategy and expectations should be. I hope those countries become involved. It is a good idea for the Contact Group and the SE Europe Cooperation Process countries to meet. I have no objections to that. But this has not occurred, to date," said Burns, who is also a former US embassador to Greece.

Burns also said he was aware that former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, who has been appointed the UN special envoy to lead the talks on the future status of Kosovo -- endorsement of his appointment by the UN Security Council is pending this week -- would seek the contribution not only of the Contact Group but also of the neighbouring countries.

In that framework, he stressed that FYROM had much to offer from its "experience in promoting multi-culturalism", as did Albania, which he described as "significant in the formulation of the end result".

Turning to the economic aspects of determination of Kosovo's future status, Burns, who is third in rank at the State Department, stressed the need to strengthen transactions and investments, calling Greece a "leading investment force".

[13] US Senator Snowe protests Secretary of State's recent meeting with T/C leader in Washington

WASHINGTON, 11/10/2005 (ANA/T.Ellis)

Snowe (R-Maine) strongly disapproved of the State Department leader's decision to receive the "self-styled 'president' of the so-called 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'," which took place on October 28.

"I heard the State Department spokesman attempting to justify the meeting, saying that the Secretary received Talat in his capacity as 'leader of the Turkish Cypriot community', and that their contact did not signal a change in US policy on Cyprus," Snowe said, calling the explanations "disappointing".

In her statement, Snowe called the decision "extremely unfortunate", noting that for more than 30 years, it had been a tenet of US foreign policy "not to extend de jure or de facto recognition to the self-declared government, which exists only because of the forcible occupation of the northern one-third of Cyprus by more than 43,000 Turkish troops".

Stressing the fact that 43,000 Turkish troops continued to remain on the island and making reference to the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act, which establishes the US policy of supporting a free government in Cyprus, demanding the withdrawal of all Turkish occupation troops and seeking the reunification of the island, the Senator noted: "I rise today because I fear the State Department is now embarked on a different course, a course that may irreparably damage the prospects for a peaceful reunification of Cyprus".

Snowe pointed out that the Cyprus Government has undertaken numerous initiatives designed to bring the two communities together whereas, at the same time,"Turkey and its rump state have been working in the opposite direction".

She further pointed out Turkey's continuing refusal to acknowledge the Republic of Cyprus, despite the fact that Ankara has commenced accession negotiations with the EU, of which Cyprus is a full member, and criticised Turkey's and the Turkish Cypriots' insistence of the commencement of direct flights to the occupied sector, warning that such moves were not compatible with the efforts for the reunification of Cyprus.

The Senator called for the avoidance of actions which were sure to be used by the Turkish side for the international upgrading of the occupied sector of Cyprus.

[14] State Department annual report on religious freedoms positive for Greece

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

The report said that there was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered in the report, and that the generally amicable relationship among religions in society contributed to religious freedom.

It noted that in 2005, a series of scandals alleging the theft of antiquities, trial-fixing, and other illegal and immoral behavior by high-ranking Greek Orthodox clerics shook the powerful Orthodox Church, and renewed discussion in the media of a separation of church and state.

The report said that Western Thrace has secular Turkish-language bilingual schools and two Qur'anic schools funded by the state. As of 2004, approximately 7,000 Muslim students are enrolled in Turkish bilingual grammar schools and 953 attend minority high schools. Another 280 students, many of whom become schoolteachers, attend the Islamic schools. The majority of Thrace Muslim students, approximately 3,650, attend public secondary schools which are deemed better preparation for Greek-language universities.

It further noted that special consideration is given to Thrace Muslims for admission to technical institutes and universities that set aside 0.5 percent of the total number of places for them annually. Approximately 900 Thrace Muslim students take advantage of this affirmative action program; a small number choose to attend university in Turkey. In April 2005, the Minister of Education announced that ten full scholarships for the academic year 2005-2006 would be offered for Muslim students who will enter universities.

But unlike in Thrace, the report continued, the growing Muslim community in Athens still does not have an official mosque. Although the Parliament approved a bill in 2000 allowing construction of the first Islamic cultural center and mosque in the Athens suburb of Peania, construction had not started by the end of the period covered by this report, it said, adding that the Archbishop of Greece and members of the Orthodox Church have made public their opposition to the cultural center.

The report also mentioned progress against anti-semiticsm, noting that there were a number of Holocaust commemorative events throughout the country during the period covered by this report. Two new Holocaust monuments were inaugurated, in Arta in July 2004, and in Komotini in May 2005. The Government passed legislation in 2003 establishing January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day, and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer was the keynote speaker at a national commemorative event in Thessaloniki in 2005. The Ministry of Education distributed materials to schools on the history of the Holocaust to be read in all schools on Holocaust Remembrance Day. For the first time, the Jewish Communities of Greece celebrated Chanukah at a public square in Athens in December 2004.

But it said that despite the progress, the pnemonenon continued to exist, particularly in extremist media which frequently did not make the distintuishment between criticising the policy of Israel and negative comments on Jews. In this context, it made specific mention of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party and its leader George Karatzaferis, noting that it promotes radical nationalism, anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia, while Karatzaferis himself regularly attributed negative events involving the country to international Jewish plots.

[15] Second Peace and Religious Tolerance meeting ends

ISTANBUL, 11/10/2005 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

"I is up to us, the children of Abraham to decrease ethnic and religious tensions," the final communique said.

The meeting praised the initiative by the UN secretary general to create an "alliance of cultures" committee and called on all the religious leaders of southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia to contribute to the peaceful coexistence of all religions.

"The religious communities must support suffering children, sick elderly people, regardless of the religion they believe in and help them find a spiritual, psychological and natural cure," it was added.

The final communque was signed by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, Rabbi Arthur Snaier and Sheikh Alashour Pasazade, president of the Moslem Committee of the Caucasus.

[16] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos to attend inter-religious conference in Vienna on 'Islam in a pluralistic world'

VIENNA, 11/10/2005 (ANA/D. Dimitrakoudis)

During his visit, Patriarch Vartholomeos will meet with Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, Austrian Parliament President Andreas Khol and Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, while he will speak at the Inter-Religious Conference on Wednesday morning.

[17] DM discusses F-16 purchase at Parliamentary Defence Committee

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

"For the first time in the history of weaponry systems orders there will be an aircraft that will be ready upon delivery, which will enter the Aegean ready to confront threats and ready to receive the most modern weapons which we shall choose," the defence minister said.

Spiliotopoulos attributed the option of the purchase of the U.S. warplanes to the relevant decision taken by the Government Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee (KYSEA), following proposals by the Supreme Military Council for this warplane to be chosen and replace tens of aircraft of the air force which are being withdawn due to age.

The minister reiterated, commenting on contrary reports in the press, that the price of the main equipment of each aircraft will not exceed 1.1 billion euros and, in any case, they will cost cheaper than the F-16s purchased in 2000 by the then PASOK government.

[18] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos presents programme for modernisation of Greek public administration

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

Pavlopoulos stressed that through this specific programme, "it is possible for bureaucracy to be dealt a blow effectively and for public administration to be converted from a despot to a servant of the people."

The minister described the "Syzevxis" programme as a project "which will constitute the threshold of the entry of public administration into the 21st Century." He noted that it is the ministry's first major project in the business programme "Society of Information" which begins operating.

The Public Administration National Network "Syzevxis" is implemented by the "Society of Information S.A.", is financed by the Business Programme "Society of Information" by 75 per cent and by the Public Investments Programme by 25 per cent. Its budget amounts to 100,000,000 euros, while the profit for the state comes to 65 million euros. The project can be used by 2,500 agencies of Public Administration and by 150,000 members of Public Administration, as well as by all the Greek citizens and businesses.

[19] Cooperation in the public administration sector discussed with Turkish delegation

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

Greece's chief ombudsman, Prof. George Kaminis, also attended the talks.

Among others, the Greek minister briefed the Turkish delega-tion on the operation of numerous one-stop-shops (KEP) used by citizens for accessing a wide variety of government, local government and ministries' services.

[20] PASOK Secretary accuses interior ministry of attempting to manipulate local government

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

She was referring to the ministry's draft law which was made public on Wednesday and which regulates matters of national, prefectural and municipal elections.

PASOK's National Council secretary added that "the government is manifesting its anxiety, due to the rapid change in the political climate due to its policies, of the insecurity and uncertainty which it creates to the citizens."

In response to the comments by Xenoyiannakopoulou, the interior ministry in an announcement said that "the government remains firm in defending the institutions and at the same time places the foundations for strong local government, in contrast to PASOK which remains fixed on a logic of tactics."

[21] Parliament lifts immunity for three MPs facing prosecution

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

These include main opposition PASOK MP Markos Bolaris, accused of responsibility in a traffic accident, ruling New Democracy MP Costas Bantouvas for illegally siting a fuel tank and PASOK MP Thanassis Papageorgiou for breach of faith while he was a deputy governor of the Agricultural Bank of Greece.

The charges are linked to his involvement in three loans given to the Alamanis Group and to group-owner Alamanis himself.

The first two MPs asked for their immunity to be lifted, while according to Papageorgiou, the charges amounted to "political persecution" and that the loan had been given because Alamanis had the required collateral.

The Committee rejected applications to lift immunity for another two MPs, ND MP Margaritis Tzimas for not paying VAT while mayor of Drama and PASOK MP George Dolios for staff hired while he was prefect in Evros.

[22] PASOK party leader attends presentation of former PM Costas Simitis' book

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

Speaking after the presentation of the book, which he said he watched with interest, Papandreou said "we are looking ahead and not back" and that it is his responsibility to look ahead because this was the reason he was elected.

"We change and we continue on with changes," Papandreou added.

Simitis, who was prime minister between 1996 and 2004, said that he and George Papandreou have a common target which is victory in the next elections, adding that he is "politically present" which means telling his opinion and helping the party.

Speaking during the presentation of the book, whose first edition is already out of print, Simitis said he did not have and does not have the intention of remaining silent, adding that "it is time for political discourse to prevail and confrontation on political targets on the agenda of political life, instead of talk of ethics and the effort to separate politicians into good and bad.

He further said that the writing of a book by a former prime minister is not unusual and has nothing to do with the effort, on the part of the writer, to impose his version of things.

Giving an example, he mentioned the writing of books by Helmut Kohl, Jacques Delors, Michel Rocard and Helmut Schmidt.

Asked whether he was hasty in presenting his views, Simitis replied that his decision has to do with the fact that "the conservative party wants to disdain the effort of the previous government and show that all that had happened in the country at the time had been a gloss of modernisation ."

The former prime minister said that it would be a mistake for one to believe that the New Democracy party has turned page and that the conservative forces alone can write an account of developments.

Simitis conceded that different assessments exist on what had happened during the eight years he was prime minister and stressed that he is not seeking the agreement of all with his views.

[23] Gov't latest to respond to comments in Simitis book

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

Asked about the former PASOK leader's statement that "ND served and serves vested interests", government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos merely told reporters that "it's well known who served and serves vested interests in the political and business fields".

Queried about specific parties that the ex-premier favored, Roussopoulos told reporters they should look up a handful of major addresses by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, when the latter was the main opposition leader and the main political rival to Simitis.

Excerpts of Simitis' book, which focuses on his eight-year (1996-2004) term as prime minister, have been published in a handful of Athens dailies over the past few days. An official launching is set for Wednesday afternoon, with the ex-prime minister himself presenting the edition.

[24] U.S. Embassy in Athens denies that chemical weapons were used in Falluja, Iraq

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

The announcement said that the Italian television documentary "wrongly claims that American forces used chemical weapons during the operations against rebels in Falluja, in Iraq, in November 2004."

The announcement further said:"The U.S. forces which participate in the allied Operation Liberation of Iraq continue to use only legal conventional weapons against military targets."

[25] Gov't to decide next week on fate of Olympic Airlines sale tender

BRUSSELS, 11/10/2005 (ANA/V Demiris)

The move follows a recommendation by Lazard, consultant in the tender, Liapis said after briefing EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot on the sale process.

The government will seek approval from the Commission regardless of the outcome of the tender on what action to take next, Liapis added.

[26] Deficit forecast to drop to 3.6 per cent in 2005, gov't says

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

According to the spokesman, the massive 6.6 per cent of GDP deficit in 2004 was forecast to fall to 3.6 per cent of GDP in 2005 and 2.6 per cent of GDP by the end of 2006 as a result of the government's policies.

"It is a policy of overall adjustment that will bring about a 4 percentage point drop in the deficit, of which 3.5 percentage points will be attributable to structural reforms of a permanent nature," he said.

Roussopoulos was responding to a question concerning the "supervision" of the Greek economy by the European Commis-sion and whether this was likely to continue after 2006.

[27] Greece to submit batch of project studies for EU funding

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

The project studies cover roads, ports and urban development, the minister said in a statement.

"This is the first time Greece has devised such a large, unified programme of studies," he noted.

"It is also the first time that Greece has shown such correct and timely preparation for major projects that are to be co-financed from national and EU funds," Souflias added.

The projects include new construction and improvements to the country's central motorway linking south and north; and extensions to the Athens and Thessaloniki metro.

[28] Greek inflation rose to 3.8 pct in October, yr/yr

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

NSS, in is monthly report, said the CPI rose 0.7 percent in October from September. Presenting the figures, NSS's secretary-general Manolis Kontopyrakis said the impact of higher fuel prices on the consumer price index was one percentage point in October and predicted that average inflation would end 2005 at 3.6 percent.

NSS attributed the 3.8 percent increase in the consumer price index in October to an 8.8 percent rise in housing prices, a 3.7 pct increase in clothing and footwear, a 3.9 pct rise in healthcare prices and a 4.4 percent increase in transportation prices.

Greece's harmonised inflation rate rose to 3.7 percent in October, compared with the same month last year.

NSS said heating oil prices were up 30.2 percent in October compared with the corresponding month in 2004, footwear rose 4.1 percent, clothing was up 3.6 pct, fresh potato prices rose 22.9 percent, olive oil prices were up 5.4 percent, and education prices rose 4.0 percent over the same period.

Speaking to reporters, Kontopyrakis said the Greek statistics service has asked Eurostat to offer more information over the way to drafting a contract on debt securitization and stressed that revenues from debt securitization schemes in Portugal and Italy were considered as regular budget revenues.

[29] Survey shows Greek companies could save money from telecom services

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

The survey, conduced in the first nine months of 2005, showed that the average savings rate totalled 29 percent.

Average spending per worker totalled 1,274 euros, which telecommunications spending accounted for 0.5 percent of turnover and 8.2 percent of pre-tax profits. Telecompare said savings offered by its services totalled 27 percent in fixed telephony projects, 22 percent in mobile telephony and 53 percent in Internet services.

The survey was conducted on the analysis of 15 Telecom Audit projects including private sector enterprises.

Telecompare is a telecommunications consultant.

[30] Intracom signs 4.0 mln US dollar contract with Digitel in the Philippines

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

Digitel is the main alternative telecommunications provider in the Philippines offering voice, data and Internet services.

Under the agreement, Intracom will supply FASTmux 2000 and IBAS broadband access systems and a BBMS management system to Digitel. The Philippine company plans to offer broadband (xDSL) services in the wider region of Manila.

[31] Athens hotel occupancy rates up in September, yr/yr

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

A monthly report by the Attica Hoteliers' Association said that five star hotels' occupancy rose to 66.31 percent in September from 55.35 percent last year, an increase of 19.8 percent, four-star hotels' occupancy rate rose 10.8 percent to 65.74 percent, three-star hotels' rose 11 percent to 71.56 percent and two-star hotels jumped 26.9 percent to 62.56 percent.

The Association attributed the improved occupancy rate figures in September to the organising of a large conference in Athens while it urged for more measures to support conference tourism in Attica with the creation of a Metropolitan Conference Centre.

[32] Gov't confirms closure of two customs posts on FYROM border

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

Roussopoulos said that the decision to move goods through other customs posts was taken because of limited inspection capabilities on the FYROM side.

The spokesman also clarified a statement by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday about "reducing corruption", noting that this was a "constant effort that concerned changing attitudes as well as submitting specific legislation".

"This effort will not end easily, since transparency is a constant demand in public life," he added.

[33] Gov't sees room for growth in trade ties with Netherlands

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

The minister was addressing a business luncheon arranged by the Greek-Dutch Association of Trade and Industry.

PM briefed by deputy economy minister Folias

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday was briefed by Deputy Economy Minister Christos Folias, with the emphasis squarely on the rate of absorption of EU funds by the east Mediterranean country.

[34] Civil servants' union calls 24-hour strike for Thursday

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

Besides pay hikes, the civil servants' union is demanding starting pay at 1,200 euros for new hirings, among others.

[35] PASOK secretary meets harbour authority, police and fire brigade federations

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

"The problems are many. They are accumulating continuously and they ultimately undermine the very effectiveness of the security forces and the harbour authority during a period that increased security issues exist," Xenoyiannakopoulou said, adding that "there is great inconsistency between the words and actions of the government in relation to its election commitments."

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga also met with the same federations and expressed her "wholehearted support" for their administrations.

Papariga said afterwards that "once again we stated to the federations of the Police, Harbour Authority and Fire Brigade that we are prepared to contribute, to claim and to pressure for the solution of certain immediate claims which are absolutely realistic and just."

[36] Greek stocks move cautiously higher

ATHENS, 11/10/2005 (ANA)

The composite index rose 0.05 percent to end at 3,417.73 points, with turnover a moderate 184.6 million euros.

Sector indices ended lower with the Textiles (1.17 pct), IT Solutions (1.05 pct), Holdings (0.82 pct) and Wholesale (0.75 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while the IT (0.76 pct), Food-Beverage (0.63 pct), Investments (0.51 pct) and Telecommunications (0.49 pct) scored gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.16 percent, while the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell by 0.19 percent and 0.38 percent, respectively.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 157 to 106 with another 68 issues unchanged.

Stock Futures: