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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-12-06Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>December 6, 2005CONTENTS
[01] Debate begins in Parliament on Tuesday on DEKO draft lawATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Debate begins in Parliament on Tuesday of the new draft law concerning Public Utilities and Corporations (DEKO), which brings radical changes in companies of the broader public sector.The first aim is to curb waste in expenditures and the improvement of the obliged public utilities and corporations. The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the Civil Servants' Administrative Council (ADEDY) have announced a strike on December 14, in reaction to the intended changes in DEKO and argue that these changes will overturn labor rights. Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis in statements on Monday said that the draft law advanced by the government "constitutes the greatest reform effort of the past years." He underlined that "the provocative economic privileges of the administrations will be cut," adding that DEKO heads who do not perform will be removed. Alogoskoufis said:"Despite reactions by trade union organizations, the philosophy of Article 14 will not change. If there are proposals which can improve it, they are most welcome. This is why a dialogue is being held." Responding to reporters' questions regarding increases in pensions and salaries, the minister committed himself "that they will be the highest possible which the margins of inflation permit." [02] Bakoyannis named 2005 World MayorATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Mayor of Athens Dora Bakoyannis was named World Mayor 2005 in an annual contest organized by the London-based City Mayors organization.Bakoyannis was one of 65 mayors from all over the world who made it to the final stage of the competition, out of an initial 550 contestants. The runner up is Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga (Ontario/Canada). In third place is Alvaro Arzu, Mayor of Guatemala City, with Oscar Samson Rodriguez, Mayor of San Fernando (Pampanga/Philippines) in fourth place. More than 85,000 people voted online between June and October 2005 to select the winner based on who they thought had done the most in contributing to his/her city's prosperity and proving to be an effective mayor. The contest aims to raise the profile of mayors worldwide as well as to honor those who have served their communities well and who have made contributions to the well-being of cities nationally and internationally. In 2004, Edi Rama, Mayor of Tirana, won the Award. [03] Greek Balkan Economic Reconstruction Plan to be reactivatedATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)The Greek Balkan Economic Reconstruction Plan will be reactivated, following three years of delay due to economic, institutional, technical and political weaknesses."By order of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, who requested that we respect the continuation of our foreign policy and protect the credibility of Greece towards is neighbors, Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis and the relevant staff of the foreign ministry worked intensively in past months, producing the first positive results," a foreign ministry press release said on Monday. It said that the absorption rate of the total plan amounting to 550 million euros has increased from 2.4 percent to 10.4 percent in the past months. "As regards private investments, 100 percent of capital concerning Bulgaria has been absorbed, 95 percent concerning Romania, 75 percent concerning Albania, 16.5 percent concerning FYROM (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and 6.5 percent concerning Serbia-Montenegro," the press release further said. Many small projects have already been inaugurated, while others are being implemented. As regards the major projects, the implementation of the first project has already begun, which is the Greece-Bosnia-Herzegovina Friendship Building in Sarajevo which will house the country's central government. The Axis 10 road corridor, which will link the cities of Thessaloniki, Skopje and Belgrade with central Europe, is being planned with joint financing by the European Investment Bank. Lastly, the study concerning the road scheduled to link Sarande, Konispoli and Sayada is being evaluated. "We have renegotiated with almost all the Balkan countries the priorities of the National Balkan Economic Reconstruction Plan, raising for the first time the element of the reciprocity of the projects for both our national strategy and our national economy as a criterion as well," the press release said. [04] Greece, US partners in development aid in Balkans, Black Sea regionATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)The Greek Foreign Ministry's Hellenic Aid agency and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed an agreement on Monday aimed at promoting development programs in the Balkans and the Black Sea region.The agreement was signed by Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis and USAID Deputy Inspector General Woody Meford during a meeting, attended by US Ambassador to Greece Charles Ries, in Athens. Stylianidis and Ries expressed satisfaction with the signing of the agreement, since it opens the way for the joint funding and implementation of programs aimed at meeting the Millennium Goals as they were redefined during the last September Summit in New York. "I believe that we can proceed with specific programs that we will jointly fund in developing countries and in the Balkans; programs that effectively promote implementation of the Millennium Goals and which create a better relationship from which Greece stands to gain expertise, due to the States' extensive experience in development cooperation," Stylianidis said after the meeting. The agreement also creates positive relations necessary for fighting poverty, Stylianidis added. Referring to the Balkans, the deputy minister said that Greece can play an important role in helping to re-build infrastructure and to establish proper governance. He added that USAID's contribution will prove valuable to this end. As for Albania, Stylianidis said: "We are already present [there] and we have spent ¬ 183 million over the past four years in development aid, including a network of bilingual Greek schools; we are also proceeding with infrastructure that will help not only those of Greek origin, but also Albanian citizens, to live under better conditions. Relations between the two countries are very good and I believe that through this cooperation they will be strengthened further." [05] Paleokrassas clarifies graft allegations in press conferenceATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)The former head of Greece's state-run power utility Public Power Corporation (PPC), a heavily traded share on the Athens bourse, clarified his earlier statements concerning high-level graft within the PPC and his criticism of the government during a press conference on Monday.Paleokrassas continued to hold Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas responsible for imposing Stergios Nezis and Avraam Mizan to the PPC's managerial structure, pointing out that both men were involved in cases that he later referred to the public prosecutor. At the same time, he explained that he was not accusing the high-ranking politicians he had referred to in an interview with the Greek daily "Kathimerini" of corruption but of being responsible for a campaign against him, personally. The veteran politician and former PPC chief also stressed that he did not consider that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis had disappointed his hopes or deceived him, while adding that others were responsible for the decision to have him removed. Elaborating on his allegations concerning the internal workings of the PPC, Paleokrassas said the problem lay with executives within the organization and particularly within the Production Department. He accused them of organizing rigged tenders, where the requirements were tailor-made to fit specific companies, so that there were no more than two and sometimes only one company left in the bidding at the final stage. After the year 2000, the rigged tenders were replaced by the direct award of contracts to a select few companies that he had referred to in his resignation letter as "national suppliers", the former PPC chief alleged. Paleokrassas presented figures showing that, in the past five years, the PPC had awarded projects worth ¬ 520 million to the company METKA alone, while a further ¬ 196 million had been given to Athena, ¬ 102 million to AEGEK and ¬ 4.3 million to Damco Energy. He also referred at length to the seven cases that he had sent to the public prosecutor in February that had led to Nezis resigning and accused the board of the PPC of refusing to change the way that projects and supply contracts were awarded. Another issue raised by Paleokrassas were the hefty fees paid out by the PPC to outside legal counsel over cases - such as that of the Lavrio power station - that had been referred to EU courts, even though it had its own legal service with 100 staff. The claim was partly disputed by PPC's legal consultant A. Economou, who said that the PPC legal service was made up of 53 and not 100 lawyers and that it had handled all its own cases since he had come on board in February this year, though seeking outside legal advice was not ruled out as an option. Asked to comment on warnings by Sioufas and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis that they would sue, Paleokrassas replied: "Let them sue then, but I can't understand why". Concerning a statement last week by government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, who said that the incidents of corruption referred to by the head of the PPC were in the past, Paleokrassas admitted having talked with Roussopoulos on the issue but denied that the graft had stopped when the government changed. "Graft has deep roots and is continuing," he told reporters. Paleokrassas, a former minister under previous New Democracy governments, was essentially forced to resign as head of the PPC last week when the government and prime minister insisted that he either submits evidence of alleged corruption in the PPC within hours or quit. His career at the helm of the PPC has been controversial at best, with rumors running rife of disputes and opposition among its top management, while the company's financial performance during that time has been disappointing. Paleokrassas' letter of resignation, submitted on Friday, was on Monday sent to the head of the Athens First-Instance Court Public Prosecutor's Office Dimitris Papangelopoulos. The letter had originally been sent by Alogoskoufis to Supreme Court Public Prosecutor Dimitris Linos, who is currently away on a trip abroad. [06] Sioufas and Alogoskoufis replyATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas responded with a detailed reply to each of the points raised by Paleokrassas later on Monday, especially criticism that targeted himself.Concerning the decision to keep Nezis on at the PPC after the Olympic Games, Sioufas said that the managing director would have been replaced by the government at an opportune time that best served the company's interests and with a person that would have been approved by Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and Paleokrassas himself. Nezis had a contract with the PPC until the year 2007. On the appointment of Mizan to head the Production Department, meanwhile, the minister stressed that the selection of PPC general managers was an internal affair of the company and that he had informed Paleokrassas verbally and in writing that he could not intervene as minister. Sioufas pointed out that the choice was made by a majority vote of the PPC board, whose members been approved by Paleokrassas, with only Paleokrassas voting against it. Concerning the handling of the Lavrio power station case before the European Commission, Sioufas said that the development ministry's standing practice was to deal with these issues based on the recommendations of the company's own services. The minister noted that no new evidence had been presented on Monday concerning the seven cases referred by Paleokrassas to justice and that the government was waiting for the results of the ongoing judicial investigation. Replying to Paleokrassas' criticism that the higher electricity rates approved by the government were not enough to cover the PPC's rising production costs, Sioufas said that the ministry took into account the interests of shareholders but also of consumers and businesses. Alogoskoufis commented briefly on the press conference before his departure for Brussels, saying that his concern as a shareholder was the drop in the PPC's capitalization. He pointed out that the former head of the PPC had not revealed anything that was not already mentioned in his letter of resignation, which he sent to the public prosecutor. [07] Government backs Sioufas, says transparency is 'for all'ATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)In a reaction to the press conference and the responses by the ministers, the government gave Sioufas its full backing and reiterated its position in favor of "transparency everywhere and for all".Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos underlined that Sioufas was well known for his "high moral standing, industriousness and efficiency, as well as his absolute dedication to good management and transparency". Roussopoulos stressed that the government's position on issues of transparency was given: anyone having evidence of corruption should give it to justice. "No action by the government has departed or will depart from this principle," he stressed. Issues concerning the internal management of the PPC were governed by business management principles as was the case in all European countries, he added. The spokesman stressed, meanwhile, that the cause of transparency was not helped by vague and general accusations that were not backed by specific facts or evidence. He strongly denied, meanwhile, that the government's stance was the equivalent of earlier challenges by then premier Costas Simitis to his critics in New Democracy to submit evidence of accusations to justice. "Mr. Simitis was addressing the main opposition when he referred them to justice. This government is addressing its own members and officials, telling them that any evidence they find must not be covered up but must be sent to justice. There is a discernible difference," he said. At another point, the spokesman said that those talking about graft had an obligation to put a name to their accusations, since "vague and general accusations that could not be proved lead to a series of mistaken impressions." Concerning the former minister's future within the ruling party, Roussopoulos said he was not aware of any discussion within ND for his expulsion but said that the government had no present plans to use him in another position. Opposition parties: Reacting to Paleokrassas' press conference, main opposition PASOK press spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said that the prime minister was "aware of, a participant and jointly responsible for all the things being discussed today". "To use Paleokrassas' own phrase, for compromise with graft," Athanassakis added. He accused the ruling party of using corruption as a "tool" for petty party politics and of refusing PASOK's offers for a common stance and joint action against the problem. According to Athanassakis, the government had vainly tried to present the issue as concerning the past but Monday's statements by Paleokrassas made it clear that it was a present problem that concerned the present government. The spokesman also stressed the PPC's ailing financial performance under ND's governance, saying this was another aspect of the "failure of its economic policies". The press conference was also commented on by the left-wing parties in Parliament, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology. KKE's announcement said it once again highlighted the "anti-working-class face of the 'deregulation' of the energy sector being promoted by the two main parties, in accordance with the directions given by the European Union and 'plutocracy'. It also points to attempts to "shift the burden on popular consumption" by claiming that price hikes are necessary and "attempts to demolish the rights of workers in the energy sector". According to the Coalition, Paleokrassas' resignation letter and press conference raised "major political issues for the government and great questions concerning the survival and reproduction of phenomena of graft within the PPC and, by extension, in state-run public utilities generally. [08] Gov't comments on assault rifle contractATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)The government on Monday dismissed same-day criticism by a portion of the local press over the selection of a new assault rifle for the Greek armed forces, after the defense ministry awarded a large contract for nearly 113,000 German-designed units via a bilateral deal.According to government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, an international tender was first called, with six firms initially expressing interest, of which three participated in the process. He emphasized that only one contractor submitted a final bid. Press reports state that Athens has chosen the Heckler & Koch (H&K) G36 assault rifle (5.56mm x 45) to replace its aging inventory of G3 rifles. "In order to protect the state's interests, the Greek side came into contact with the German state and concluded a bilateral agreement with more favorable terms than the offer submitted by the last bidder. Based on this agreement, production of the assault rifles will take place at the Hellenic Arms Industry S.A.'s plant in Egio under favorable terms ... Let me just remind you that the bilateral (country-to-country) agreement was a pre-election commitment by New Democracy for the procurement of weapons systems," Roussopoulos told reporters during his daily press briefing. [09] PASOK party leader addresses National Inspiration and Dialogue Committee for young generationATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou addressed the first meeting of the National Inspiration and Dialogue Committee for the young generation at a downtown Athens hotel on Monday.The meeting marked the beginning of the effort to re-establish PASOK's youth wing, whose dissolution had been announced by Papandreou at an event held on the occasion of the party's 31st anniversary last September. Papandreou visited all the tables in the hall where the event was held and spoke with young people who had come to listen to his speech, which focused on the position of the young generation in Greek society, its visions, hopes and prospects. The PASOK leader encouraged the young people present, who will bear the burden of the PASOK youth wing's re-establishment, to question everything, even himself. He further said that young people do not compromise and do not negotiate when the future of the country is at risk and called on them to reject old-style politics. Papandreou also called on young people to assume initiatives at all levels, adding that the only thing youth has to fear is fear and called on them to reject the ideologies of fear. "I look forward to you for a 'revolution of values'," Papandreou said and promised his full support in this respect. [10] Deputy DM Vassilis Mihaloliakos visits offices of Archdiocese of AmericaNEW YORK, 6/12/2005 (ANA - P. Panagiotou)Deputy Defense Minister Vassilis Mihaloliakos visited the offices of the Archdiocese of America on Monday and met with the primate of the Greek Orthodox Church Dimitrios.Ensuing talks focused on issues concerning Greek expatriates and Greek-American relations. According to a statement by an Archdiocese representative, Mihaloliakos showed great interest in issues related to efforts aimed at perpetuating the Greek element and the issue of education in particular. During his brief stay in New York, the deputy defense minister held a meeting on Sunday with board members of the Federation of Greek Societies in New York at the Federation's offices in Astoria. Mihaloliakos was accompanied during his contacts by Greece's general consul in New York Ekaterini Boura. He took the opportunity during his meetings to praise the role played by Greek expatriates in promoting national issues and defending the just causes of Hellenism. The deputy defense minister is due to leave for Washington on Monday to represent Greece at the 10th annual conference of defense ministers from countries in southeastern Europe (SEDM), scheduled to take place between December 5-7. The conference will be attended by ministers from 11 SEDM member-states and from the three countries that have been invited as observers: Moldova, Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. [11] AHEPA forum focuses on US-Greek cooperation in BalkansWASHINGTON, 6/12/2005 (ANA/A. Ellis)The strategic cooperation between Greece and the US in the Balkans was the focus of discussion at a forum organized here by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) on Monday.Speakers included Greek Ambassador to the US Alexandros Mallias, US State Department Director of Southern European Affairs Douglas Silliman, German Marshall Fund Vice President Philip Henderson and others. During his speech, Mallias said that 2006 will be crucial for stability in the Balkans, particularly in view of the Kosovo issue. He stressed that Greece has strategic, political and economic interests in the region; is the greatest foreign investor in the Balkans, with private investments totalling $8 billion; has 800 troops as part of the KFOR mission and is helping countries in the region in joining Euro-Atlantic organizations. Mallias emphasized the need for cautious steps and the involvement of all neighboring countries in the 'shaping' of the region, based not only on the need for stability in Kosovo but in Serbia as well. Kosovo must become a multi-ethnic society that protects human rights as well as the cultural and religious monuments in the region, he said. Regarding the dispute over the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's name, Mallias noted that it must be resolved through negotiations for a mutually-acceptable solution, adding that the proposal submitted by former UN mediator Matthew Nimetz last March is a good starting point. On his part, Silliman referred to the Greek-US strategic cooperation which now extends to the Balkans and praised Greece's constructive role in the region and the plan for southeast European countries' integration in Euro-Atlantic organizations. [12] KKE leader criticizes government and opposition parties during press conference in PatraATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga criticized both the government and opposition parties during a press conference held in the city of Patra, western Greece, on Monday."New Democracy (the ruling party) blames everything on PASOK (the main opposition party), but in essence it is continuing the same policy," Papariga said, referring to the government's policy. As regards PASOK, she said "the main opposition party as well blames everything on the government, but although it claims that it guarantees a different path, we have already seen this path." Referring to next year's local elections, Papariga said "the upcoming struggle is a great opportunity for condemning the tickets of ND and PASOK" and appealed for backing for KKE's tickets, while at the same time ruling out cooperation with the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party due to its policy. [13] Interior ministry bill tabled in ParliamentATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)A bill drafted by the Ministry of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization regarding use of public sector information and regulation of issues falling under the ministry's jurisdiction, was tabled in Parliament on Monday.If passed, the bill would mean the adoption of European Parliament directive 2003/98. According to a ministry statement, the bill "reverses two Constitutional and EU legislation violations committed by PASOK governments," which concern a quota for the hiring of women municipal police officers and gender equality. [14] Justice Minister provides overview of judicial reformATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Justice Minister Anastassios Papaligouras provided an overview of the judicial reforms implemented so far in a speech he delivered at the Constantine Karamanlis Foundation on Monday.Papaligouras used the term "land mine" to describe the state in which New Democracy found the judiciary when it came into power in March 2004. Among the most serious problems that had to be dealt with, Papaligouras cited graft and corruption; a slow court system; 'abandoned' infrastructure, such as prisons and court houses; and overcrowding of jails. The minister then described actions taken since he assumed the post in order to upgrade the legal system, speed up the legal process, eliminate graft, and improve infrastructure among other things. [15] EU budget dominates OECD ministerial summitLJUBLJIANA, 6/12/2005 (ANA/N. Melissova)The European Union budget dominated the discussion during the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Ministerial Summit held here on Monday, where foreign ministers from the OECD member states convened to discuss European security issues.An agreement on the EU budget for the 2007-2013 period is expected to be reached during the summit in Brussels next week. "No opportunity should be missed, and we will not allow any to go unexploited in this difficult battle regarding EU funds," Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis, representing Greece at the OECD meeting, said. OECD ministers stressed the need for the organization to become more effective in promoting security and democracy in Europe. Speaking to reporters, Valinakis said that the OECD is interested in "providing answers to issues related to security, democracy, human rights and in the monitoring of democratic elections." He added that "on the sidelines of these meetings we also have the opportunity to discuss important issues, such as the budget which is an immediate concern for the EU." Regarding the British EU Presidency's EU budget proposal, Valinakis said that the closer it is to the Luxembourg Presidency's proposal the more likely an agreement will be. However, according to initial indications, the British presidency seems to have drifted quite far from the suggestions presented by Luxembourg in June, Valinakis said. He nonetheless expressed optimism that the British presidency would propose a budget on which everyone will agree. "We would like to think that Greece will gain - from this agreement - that which it deserves from the distribution of EU funds," Valinakis said. On the sidelines of the OECD meeting, the deputy minister met with US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, with whom he discussed Greek-US relations. [16] Conference of Central and SE Europe Capitals Union ends in AthensATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)The 9th Conference of the Union of Capitals of Central and Southeastern Europe ended in Athens on Monday with the ratification of a proclamation on "the importance of economic decentralization for better services to be provided for citizens."The conference was attended by mayors and representatives of theirs from 13 cities in the wider Balkan region. Athens was represented by Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyiannis and Deputy Mayor Katerina Katrivanou. "Greece played a decisive role in the completion of negotiations for the enlargement of the European Union with the new member-states," Bakoyiannis said while welcoming the foreign delegates at the Athens Town Hall, adding that "Greece believes that only if all the Balkan countries anchor in Europe with safety will we be able to look to the future with stability and prosperity in this one-time troubled part of our world." With the proclamation, the mayors of the 13 cities confirm their determination to strengthen cooperation between the capitals and European organizations to promote political stability and support a just and viable solution for Kosovo. [17] Greek, Serbian Capital Market Committees sign cooperation protocolATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)A bilateral cooperation protocol was signed Monday between the Capital Market Committees of Greece and Serbia.The purpose of the protocol is the consolidation and implementation of a process of assistance between the two supervisory bodies to facilitate the exercise of their duties regarding securities issues. On the basis of the protocol, confidential information useful to the supervisory authorities may be exchanged between the two Committees, for the purpose of exercising supervision over and adaptation of the supervised entities to standing legislation. Cooperation protocols between supervisory authorities of different countries facilitates the international cooperation among stockmarkets, companies and other capital market entities, and consequently is the first stage in the consolidation and further improvement of capital market relations between those countries. A delegation of the Serbian Capital Market Committee, headed by its chairman Milko Stimac, visited the Greek Capital Market Committee for the signing ceremony, which was also attended by president of the Greece-Serbia Chamber Christos Theodoropoulos. [18] Corruption hurts competition, industry chief saysATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Corruption and vested interests in Greece have hurt competition, the head of the Federation of Greek Industry (SEB), Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, said on Monday."We must find viable solutions, which society could accept, as without consensus we cannot do anything," Kyriakopoulos told reporters on the sidelines of a forum on growth and competitiveness arranged by SEB. The industry leader was replying to a reporter's question on state corporations following the resignation last week of the chairman of Athens-quoted Public Power Corporation, Ioannis Paleokrassas, whose allegations of corruption in the state firm have gone to the judiciary. Addressing the forum, Kyriakopoulos noted that a lack of domestic competitiveness had especially pressured small- and medium-sized enterprises. [19] Bank of America focuses on investment banking in GreeceATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Bank of America has placed emphasis on investment banking in its Greek operation, senior corporate executives said on Monday.William Fall, president for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and the general director in Greece, Marios Koliopoulos, noted at a news conference that over the last two years Bank of America in Greece had focused on tapping capital, risk management and consultancy services. At the same time, the operation maintained its corporate banking services and products. "Bank of America opened a new market for tapping capital for Greek enterprises - private bond placements to institutional investors in America - offering its customers an alternative source of medium-term to long-term financing," Koliopoulos said. [20] Intralot plans further expansion abroadATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Athens-quoted Intralot SA, a member of the Intracom Group, is planning further expansion abroad through the Stihima betting game and national lotteries, a senior company executive said on Monday.Ilias Athanasiou, director of economic analysis and investment relations, also said that Intralot had raised its stake in Inteltek, which operates Stihima in Turkey, to 45% from 25%. In addition, Intralot may bid for a licence to be issued by the Turkish government for management of the state lottery, said Athanasiou, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar in Thessaloniki arranged by Hrima, a business magazine. [21] EBRD presents annual report on Europe's transition economiesATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Monday presented its annual report for 2005 on Europe's transition economies to a Greek audience.The presentation at the Bank of Greece, or central bank, was made by Peter Sanfey, a senior ERBD executive responsible for Balkan countries. [22] EU sees Greece lagging in information societyATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Greece is lagging in implementing the information society, which has hurt domestic business, the European Union's information society and media commissioner, Viviane Reding, said in Athens on Monday.Initiatives that have been taken should be applied more rapidly, Reding told a forum on growth and competitiveness arranged by the Federation of Greek Industry. An example of the delay was that broadband use in Greece was 1.0% against an EU average of 11.0%, leaving the country in 24th place among the bloc's 25 member states, Reding noted. In addition, Greece was behind in ADSL internet use, with the rapid access system covering only 10% of the population. It was also highly priced and uncompetitiveness, Reding said. "It is no surprise that only 22% of Greek households have internet access versus an average of 49% in the EU," she added. [23] EU agrees on airlines blacklistBRUSSELS, 6/12/2005 (ANA/D Kambasis)The European Union on Monday reached agreement on forming an airline blacklist to boost safety and offer passengers information about the identity of the air carrier which is operating their flight, Greek Transport Mihalis Liapis said.Speaking to reporters after a meeting of EU transport ministers, Liapis said the agreement had been made by the 25-nation bloc's executive Commission, parliament and council. The legislation is likely to be adopted by the end of the year. Liapis also reported that the EU's transport ministers also agreed to deregulate international rail passenger transport from January 1, 2010. [24] Athens Bourse Close: Marginal riseATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)The Athens share index closed at 3,508.07 points on Monday, posting an increase of 0.24%. Turnover was 146 million euros.The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.44% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.24% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.70% up. Of stocks traded, declines led advances by 168 to 102 with 57 remaining unchanged. Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Buyers outstrip sellers Foreign Exchange Rates: Tuesday Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank: U.S. dollar 1.186 [25] PM meets with nat'l group representing people with special needsATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Monday received the leadership of the country's national confederation of people with special needs, with talks focusing squarely on a need for a constitutional revision to ensure equal access for all citizens as well as other issues.On his part, relevant Deputy Health Minister George Constantopoulos said the government was committed to submitting an executive law of Article 21 of the constitution laying out the new framework for the rights of people with disabilities. "We'll ask for the participation of all the parties of Parliament, and of course, the confederation. This is a commitment of ours, one for which we received a green light by the prime minister himself, who showed a particular interest on the subject," Constantopoulos said. In an unrelated development, the Inner Cabinet will convene on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Karamanlis to focus on health care-related issues, specifically the government's policy in the pharmaceutical sector and the health of children. [26] Papoulias attends event at Athens-area school for pupils with special needsATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias participated at a special event on Monday at an Athens-area special junior high and high school on the occasion of Saturday's world day for people with special needs.Papoulias, along with Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou and political party representatives, watched a performance by pupils at the school. [27] Merchant Marine Minister wishes seamen safe travels on occasion of St. Nicholas DayATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis wished Greek seamen, health, success, happiness and safe travels on occasion of St. Nicholas Day, the patron saint of seamen, celebrated on December 6."I would like to reiterate once again your great contribution to your country and to assure you that the state will continue to be by your side, helping and supporting you in your daily struggles," Kefalogiannis said. "May St. Nicholas give you strength, patience, and courage to continue your difficult endeavor and to calm the seas over which you sail," he continued. [28] November 17 appeals trial resumesATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Proceedings continued on Monday at the recently commenced appeals trial of nearly a score of "November 17" terrorists and a couple of individuals acquitted during the first instance trial -- a verdict appealed by a prosecutor.Preliminary matters, including a request by attorneys that transcripts be electronically recorded, along with discussion over a bevy of defense motions, dominated Monday's session at a specially modified courtroom within the women's section of the Korydallos penitentiary. The president of the five-judge appellate level court told attorneys that, in principle, he would not have an objection to the request, as long as all the parties connected with the proceedings agree on the manner and entity chosen to fulfill the task. Several defense attorneys, meanwhile, said the association of Athens daily newspapers was willing to offer technical assistance -- similar to the practice used in the first instance trial -- whereas prosecutor Euterpe Koutzamani (not Goutzamani as previously reported) expressed concerns over the procedure by which the court selects a private firm to implement the project. As far as the motions are concerned, mostly for acquitting a variety of first instance convictions, Koutzamani proposed a rejection for all. [29] State Council to submit proposal on sewage sludge on WednesdayATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)State Council Advisor I. Mantzouranis is to propose on Wedensday that sewage sludge from the Psytallia Waste Treatment Plant be disposed of at the Ano Liossia landfill site, thus requesting the reversal of the decision previously taken by the Association of Municipalities and Communities of Attica (ESDKNA).According to Mantzouranis, the relevant ministerial decision issued in 2003, says that the Ano Liossia landfill can refuse to accept the sludge only if there are problems with its composition, quality or quantity. Mantzouranis, however, says that the sludge is processed in accordance with scientific standards and that 300 tons of sludge are transferred to the landfill site daily, the quantity previously agreed upon with ESDKNA. [30] Seminar focuses on scourge of human traffickingATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Estimates of human trafficking victims in Greece range from 16,000 to 20,000, participants at a one-day seminar in Thessaloniki focusing on the problem announced on Monday.According to Thessaloniki area police director Stergios Apostolidis, women that fall prey to human trafficking/prostitution rings are very often psychologically scarred for the rest of their lives. Additionally, he said an anti-trafficking police unit has recorded 151 arrests since being formed in 2003, whereas 45 women -- aged between 17 to 33 -- have been hosted at various hotels and shelters in the Thessaloniki area. Participants from neighboring countries -- Albania, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro and Turkey -- underlined that an exact number of victims is difficult to pinpoint One account, by a representative from Moldova, was particularly upsetting, as he said six instances of suspected organ removals were recorded in the first nine months of 2006 in his country, especially liver and kidney removals. Moldovan Pavel Concear said paid donors were paid anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 euros. The seminar, entitled "Immigrants, Rights, Legal Framework, Illegal Human Trafficking and Child Pornography", was organized by the national section of the International Union of Police, under the foreign ministry's auspices. [31] Goethe Institute event on balancing protection of civil liberties, fight against terrorismATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)An event hosted by the Goethe Institute in Athens on Monday focused on protecting civil liberties while waging a war against terrorism.Speaking at the event, Spyros Simitis, Professor at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, made a reference to the European Commission's recent decision regarding telecommunications data storage, noting that this is not the first time that the fight against terrorism is being used as an excuse for the processing of personal data. He stressed that the term 'terrorism' is vague as is the term "national authorities" which are to have access to personal data. Simitis said that the risk of civil liberties violations could be reduced if the term 'data' and the 'authorities' which are meant to have access to it are more clearly defined. On his part, Walter Rudolf, President of the Personal Data Protection Agency in Rhineland-Palatinate, noted that since the 2001 terrorist attacks in the US, the balance has tipped in favor of security. He said that specific boundaries must be set between civil liberties and security. The data that is collected must be done so for a specific purpose, not stored indefinitely, he added. Lilian Mitrou, Assistant Professor at the University of the Aegean, agreed that security issues have taken precedence over civil liberties and that the latter are undergoing a 'crisis.' "If the protection of personal data ends up being a 'luxury' during times of peace then in times of danger the foundation of Democracy itself will be at risk," she noted. German Ambassador to Athens, former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the Supreme Court's Chief Justice were among those attending the event. Journalist Tassos Teloglou served as moderator. [32] Four Albanians arrested, 60 kilos hashish seized in drug bustATHENS, 6/12/2005 (ANA)Four Albanian nationals were arrested, and 60 kilos of hashish were confiscated, in a drug bust in central Thessaloniki, local police said Monday.Thessaloniki security police said drug squad officers, posing as buyers, contacted the four Albanians by phone and set up a rendezvous in the city centre. The four were arrested during a coordinated raid as the 'transaction' was taking place. Police were continuing investigations for possible accomplices. [33] Sarcophagus dinosaurs of S. France exhibition on Lesvos 6/12/2005 (ANA)A unique for Greece exhibition titled "The sarcophagus dinosaurs of Southern France" opened Monday at the Lesvos Petrified Forest information center's newly-renovated premises at Kioski, opposite the town's new archeological museum.The exhibition, presented in Greece for the first time, in collaboration between the Lesvos Petrified Forest Museum of Natural History and the Reserve Geologique de Haute-Provence, refers to the sarcophagus dinosaurs of southern France that lived in the Provence region more than 100 million years ago. The exhibition features three-dimensional reproductions of this unique dinosaur, depictions of the most representative plants and landscape of the region during the dinosaur era, casts of fossils of other organisms, such as the Ichthyosaurus, found in the area, and samples of rock formations and other informational material. The exhibition, which runs through March 2006, is open to the public seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The official inauguration of the exhibition will take place later in December. [34] Cyprus President: Turkish occupation forces violate buffer zoneNICOSIA, 6/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos stressed on Monday that the Turkish occupation forces violate the buffer zone with work in the Ledra Street area, noting that tolerance does not bring validation.Invited to comment on the continued violations in the area, the president said "it is a total violation of the buffer zone. We hope that they realize that tolerance does not bring validation," he said. Invited to comment on removal by the occupation forces of barriers in the area that were earlier set up by the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) the President wondered "what do you want me to comment on? It is another example of Turkish Cypriots not even respecting UNFICYP," he added. Meanwhile Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said after the cabinet meeting that the fact that the occupation forces are planning to annex even half of the buffer zone, is something which derives from their behavior. He reminded that their advance began at various sites, first at Strovilia, then Louroutzina and now there is the same intention in the Ledra Street area. He cited the delay until the opening of the Zodia crossing point and now with the way they want to open Ledra Street crossing. "You see the way they want to open the crossing. First by establishing the existence of the occupation, i.e. interfering in the buffer zone, just like they did in many other areas, and I think that for this reason we must be very careful and clear because the buffer zone is not under the Turkish forces' occupation," he said. "The occupation regime does not miss an opportunity to arrogantly exhibit that it can enforce its power. However," he added, this comes through the use of military force which is still illegal. [35] Cypriot government cannot accept violation of buffer zoneLARNACA, 6/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)Foreign Minister of Foreign George Iacovou has said that the Republic of Cyprus could not accept the violation of the buffer zone by the Turkish occupation forces in Ledra Street, Nicosia, adding that the government was waiting for the UN Secretary General's Special Representative Zbigniew Wlosowicz to return from New York ''to see what will happen.''Speaking on Sunday at Larnaca Airport, Iacovou said the government would stand by its position, which is crystal clear, and explained that in 1964 the Green Line was drawn and no one questions where the Turkish occupation troops were in 1964. He added that in 1974 the Turks took over part of the UN protected zone and that due to the fighting there the UN had withdrawn. Iacovou pointed out that the Turks were not justified in taking over territory under UN administration and that Cyprus had strongly complained about this action. He said no-one could obtain legitimate rights through an illegality, adding that ''as thieves cannot obtain ownership of something they have stolen, the Turks cannot obtain any rights over what they have blatantly violated.'' ''We cannot accept this violation,'' Iacovou said. [36] Cyprus not to apply for NATO membership yetLARNACA, 6/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)Foreign Minister George Iacovou has said that for the time being the Republic of Cyprus would not be applying for NATO membership, adding that there was no possibility of Turkey accepting Cyprus to join the North-Atlantic Alliance.Referring to the EU budget, Iacovou said that by December 16 it would be decided what Cyprus would be contributing to the Community budget and what it would be benefiting, that is if it would be a net contributor, a neutral party or on the receiving end of assistance. He added that the Republic of Cyprus aimed at being a contributor, since ''we know we have a high living standard, we know there are maybe eleven countries with a low living standard and I believe we are very close to this equilibrium.'' Iacovou was speaking on Sunday at Larnaca Airport before departing for Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he will participate in the meeting of OSCE Ministers of Foreign Affairs. He said they would discuss Turkey's veto against Cyprus joining the Open Skies agreement. ''For us, it is a matter of principle. Turkey continues to violate its commitment that it will not block Cyprus' accession to various organizations and agreements,'' Iacovou noted. Replying to questions, Iacovou said that for a country to join NATO, all member states must agree, including Turkey. ''In my opinion, at the moment there is not even an internal issue for such an application, or the possibility for Turkey to accept Cyprus to become a NATO member, and that also goes for the Partnership for Peace,'' he said. On Tuesday, Iacovou will fly to Brussels, where the EU budget and fiscal prospects are to be discussed, which he said were of immediate concern to the Republic of Cyprus. On Wednesday, he will attend the NATO-EU-EEA (European Economic Area) dinner, to be attended by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. 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