Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-12-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Blair and Karamanlis meet in bid to break EU budget deadlock

[02] Greece, Bulgaria inaugurate Exochi tunnel border-crossing

[03] SE Europe interest in developments reflected by SEECP troika initiative

[04] PM issues message on International Human Rights Day

[05] PASOK party leader issues message on International Human Rights Day

[06] Gov't, foreign ministry field press questions over US envoy's comments

[07] on statements by U.S. ambassador

[08] Gov't spokesman: Elections at end of 4-year term

[09] Pavlopoulos cites gov't efforts to tackle corruption

[10] KKE Secretary General on local government

[11] Koumoutsakos: Possible loss of funds does not worry Turkish Cypriots

[12] UNFICYP's presence on Cyprus still necessary, Athens stresses

[13] Thessaloniki Municipal Council calls for Greek veto to FYROM's EU, NATO membership efforts

[14] Event held in Thessaloniki on FYROM issue

[15] Government denies plans to introduce cremation

[16] Main opposition leader visits Mt. Athos

[17] Austria announces compensation figures for WWII slave, forced laborers

[18] Mobile Greek surgery unit operating in Kabul

[19] Finmin: Next EU package may be "last chance" for major funding

[20] Greece awarded state subsidies of 500 mln euros in 2004, EU says

[21] SE European energy ministers plan social dimension for projects

[22] Development minister dismisses PASOK pledge to repeal government laws

[23] Main opposition spokesman on govt's economic policy

[24] GDP, exports mark rise in 3rd quarter 2005

[25] Gov't links tourism, exports

[26] Greece wins top prize at Chinese travel fair

[27] Biotechnical Chamber of Thessaloniki's renovated facilities inaugurated

[28] Two-day strike against government economic policy

[29] Industrial output up 3.5 pct

[30] Corporate social responsibility debated in Athens

[31] Dangerous aerosol party foam withdrawn

[32] Athens Bourse Close: Marginal rise

[33] Coordination key in preparing for possible bird flu pandemic, health minister says

[34] N17 attorneys file motion over appeals court's composition

[35] European Drugs Monitoring Centre carries out research for 2005

[36] Pupils and students hold rally in Athens, call for increased credits for education

[37] Two men killed in minefield explosion

[38] Greek violinist performs with Toronto's Symphony Orchestra

[39] Greek film awarded at Cairo Film Festival

[40] T/C leadership responsible for possible loss of EU funds, says spokesman

[41] EU Commissioner: Implementation of Customs Union by Turkey is important

[42] Government proposal on Ledra Street not isolated act

[01] Blair and Karamanlis meet in bid to break EU budget deadlock

LONDON 10/12/2005 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

Commenting on the process after the meeting, Karamanlis said he could not rule out an agreement before the EU summit next week, while underlining that EU leaders had now entered a "very delicate and very sensitive phase of a tough and grueling negotiation".

The Greek premier was received by Blair on Friday for a working dinner, which was preceded by a 10-minute private meeting without the presence of their advisors.

In statements afterward, Karamanlis stressed that achieving an agreement on the Community's economic prospects and budget would be an extremely difficult and delicate task, especially after the failure to reach agreement at the EU Summit in June.

"Fiscal prospects were the main issue we discussed with Mr. Blair. It is very hard by definition to find a common ground between 25 countries, since each one has its own views and priorities," he noted.

The Greek premier said that he had presented and insisted on Greece's positions and arguments during the meeting, while noting that Athens intended to fight its battle, take initiatives and create alliances with other countries within the EU in order to secure its interests.

He said that Athens was seeking cohesion for Europe, which meant policies of convergence for the poorer member-states, and wanted a fair method for sharing out the cost of enlargement.

Main opposition calls for tough negotiations over EU budget: Main opposition PASOK Spokesman Nikos Athanassakis on Friday called on the government to engage in tough negotiations over the European Union budget in comments he made after the meeting of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"The country cannot afford to lose another battle," Athanassakis said.

He accused the government of failing to announce its goals in relation to the negotiations, "as [the government] tends to do in most cases involving negotiations."

Finally, Athanassakis said that the government and Karamanlis have an obligation to defend what PASOK "succeeded in securing when in office for the country's future".

[02] Greece, Bulgaria inaugurate Exochi tunnel border-crossing

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

The two presidents addressed messages of friendship to the crowds from both sides of the border that had gathered to watch the inauguration.

"We are exemplary partners. Let us forget any sins of the past and, using the strength given by our peoples, build up the friendship between Greece and Bulgaria," Papoulias under-lined.

Parvanov said that the opening of the tunnel was a strong message to all people in the area that relations of friendship were being created in this place.

After the ceremony, the two presidents and the delegations accompanying them traveled to the customs post on the Bulgarian side of the border, where they received a warm welcome with traditional dances and had a brief meeting.

Earlier the same day, the two presidents had signed an agreement for the opening of the "Friendship Tunnel" that will pass under the mountainous border between the two countries at Exochi, along with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Evripides Stylianides and his Bulgarian counterpart Lyubomir Kyuchukov.

The signing ceremony took place in the Drama prefecture amphitheatre, where the two presidents underlined the significance of the new border crossing and the opportunities it offers for further developing bilateral relations and growth.

"This border crossing is a symbol of the dynamic development of Greek-Bulgarian relations and shows that we are prepared to go through mountains to tread the paths of friendship," Parvanov said, noting that he hoped to welcome more than million Greek tourists a year in Bulgaria.

Papoulias said that he was very touched to sign the agreement, which was the culmination of an initiative begun 10 years earlier when he was foreign minister when he had signed an agreement with his Bulgarian counterpart in December 1995 for the opening of three border crossings, one of which was the Exochi tunnel.

Other speakers at the ceremony were Greek Transport Minister Mihalis Liapis and Stylianides, as well as Bulgaria's Regional Development Minister Asen Gagaouzov.

Both sides underlined their governments' desire to actively develop bilateral ties, while Bulgarian officials pointed out that Greece was the top foreign investors in their country, as well as substantially assisting Bulgaria's efforts to join the EU.

The ceremony was also attended by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Nikos Tsiartsionis and Bulgarian Transport Minister Peter Moutafchiev, as well as local officials. Immediately afterward, the two heads of state departed for the new border crossing in order to inaugurate the 448-metre two-way tunnel, named the Greek-Bulgarian Friendship Tunnel.

The new Ilinden-Exochi crossing will link the northern Greek town of Drama with neighboring Bulgarian district of Goce Delcev.

The tunnel's construction was co-financed by the EU's Interreg program and the Greek state.

It is the first of three new border checkpoints between Greece and Bulgaria provided for in the 1995 bilateral agreement, aimed at alleviating congestion at the other busy border posts between the two countries. Besides the actual tunnel, another 800 meters of roadway, state-of-the-art customs posts as well as related administration buildings were constructed.

Two new border crossings are expected to link Komotini, further to the east, with Kurdzhali, as well as the Thracian town of Xanthi with Rudozem.

[03] SE Europe interest in developments reflected by SEECP troika initiative

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Greek Foreign minister Petros Molyviatis, together with Romania's State Secretary for European Affairs Lucian Leustean and Croatia's State Secretary Hidajet (Hido) Biscevic, visited Pristina and Belgrade on Tuesday and Wednesday, as an informal Troika of the SEECP, where they held talks on Kosovo's future with the UN secretary general's special representative to Kosovo and head of the UNMIK (UN interim administration Mission in Kosovo) Soren Jessen-Petersen, Kosovo president Ibrahim Rugova, prime minister Bajram Kosumi, 'Serb Ticket for Kosovo and Metohija' (SKLM) leader Oliver Ivanovic, and opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo chairman Hashim Thaci while in Pristina, and with Serb president Boris Tadic, prime minister Vojislav Kostunica, and Serbia-Montenegro foreign minister Vuk Draskovic in Belgrade

The aim of the SEECP troika's visit was to signal the continued interest of Balkan-area countries in the issue of Kosovo, to brief the countries of the surrounding region on the situation and the views of the various sides involved, and to underline the need for frequent and meaningful consultation with neighboring countries.

Koumoutsakos told reporters that the crux of the discussions taking place regarding the future status of Kosovo was to ensure that any effort put forward would not operate at the expense of stabilization of the wider region.

Replying to questions, the spokesman said that the countries directly affected needed to be briefed regularly and constitute a part of the discussion.

He said the initiative for sending the informal troika for contacts with all the sides involved was warmly welcomed by all the sides, adding that the outcome of the meetings confirmed that there would be continuity.

Asked to comment on recent statements by EU High Commissioner for foreign policy and security Javier Solana earlier in the week that "there's room for new states in Europe", which has been construed by some quarters at intimating at a shift in the Balkans, Koumoutsakos said that there was much obscurity and confusion over precisely what Solana had said, noting that the statements came as Molyviatis was in Belgrade with the SEECP troika.

Koumoutsakos added, however, that if such a meaning had been intended by the statement, it was clearly in deviation of that which is being sought.

[04] PM issues message on International Human Rights Day

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Karamanlis termed the universal recognition of human rights as the "greatest achievement of liberal democracy and the most important step for safeguarding terms and conditions for a world of peace, security, prosperity and justice for all".

The prime minister further said that Greece, "the cradle of democracy, pays paramount importance on the defending of individual, collective, political, cultural, social and economic rights and of fundamental liberties, the shielding of democratic institutions and the effective functioning of a state of law".

"The Greek women and men believe that governance is successful when it succeeds in substantively widening the horizon of the rights of citizens," Karamanlis also said.

[05] PASOK party leader issues message on International Human Rights Day

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Papandreou said that the Greek socialists "recognize that the upsurge of the phenomenon of international terrorism has changed factors concerning the protection of rights, but they do not accept the theory that the end justifies the means."

He added that PASOK categorically condemns methods which degrade man, such as torture, unjustified detentions and the disregarding of the criterion of innocence, particularly their upgrading to official or unofficial state policy.

"Next to the rights of work, education and health, there are three main issues in the current era that are raised internationally as well as in our country:the balance between security and individual and collective liberties, the degree of safeguarding human dignity and the defending of difference in its various forms," Papandreou said in his message.

Torture cannot be an instrument against terror, UN Secretary General says:

Torture can never be used as an instrument against terror, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan stressed in a message issued on Friday on occasion of Human Rights Day.

"Fifty-seven years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights prohibited all forms of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, torture remains unacceptably common," he said.

"Recent times have witnessed an especially disturbing trend of countries claiming exceptions to the prohibition on torture based on their own national security perceptions. Let us be clear: torture can never be an instrument to fight terror, for torture is an instrument of terror," he continued.

Annan noted that international law prohibits the use of torture, adding that the law is "unambiguous and absolute" and "binding on all States."

He also referred to the practice of rendition, saying that no "state [may] condone torture by a third party. This means that individuals must never be rendered to another State if there is any danger that doing so may subject them to torture."

He called on the international community to speak out against torture and called on countries that have not ratified the Convention against Torture, and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as well as the Optional Protocol to the Torture Convention, to do so.

While acknowledging the threat of terror, Annan noted that "fear of terrorists can never justify adopting their methods."

In closing, he urged the international community to "recommit ourselves to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and let us rededicate ourselves to wiping the scourge of torture from the face of the earth."

[06] Gov't, foreign ministry field press questions over US envoy's comments

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

"The modern-day Republic of Greece, in both its bilateral and multilateral relations, does not allow interventions in its internal affairs," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said during a regular press briefing in reply to a reporter's question.

The spokesman, who also holds the minister of state portfolio, added that foreign envoys in the modern era also exercise "trade diplomacy".

His responses came amid queries on whether the US side is pressuring Athens over the sale of 40 new F-16 fighter planes, an issue that has drawn considerable flak from the opposition since the country-to-country agreement was announced.

Roussopoulos noted that bilateral affairs, in general, were discussed by Karamanlis and the US ambassador. On Thursday, the spokesman confirmed that the meeting had been sought by the US side for some time.

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos had earlier on Friday more-or-less used the same language when answering reporters' questions.

"Greece, as an active member of the international community, enjoys a quality of relations with all countries, and does not leave any margins for interventions in its internal affairs, even more so amongst friends and allies."

The foreign ministry spokesman declined to comment on the envoy's specific references to transparency in the country or even the F-16s sale, while adding that Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis did not attend the Wednesday meeting because he was on a diplomatic mission to Belgrade and Pristina, although the FM was fully aware of the issues discussed.

Among others, a couple of top PASOK deputies, Miltiades Papaioannou and Vasso Papandreou, both high-ranking ministers of past PASOK governments, sharply criticized the envoy for "exceeding his role" as a foreign diplomat in the country. Both PASOK MPs also said the government should have reacted much more vigorously to Ries' statements.

The other Ries comment that drew criticism involved a remark on Thursday at a conference of Greek exporters, where he said a lack of transparency remains a stumbling block for investment activity in Greece.

PASOK reaction: In a later statement, main opposition PASOK spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said "in this country it would be better for everyone to mind his own business so as not to cause negative reactions, especially since there are historical precedents for Greece..."

Athanassakis also echoed other PASOK cadres' criticism of the government, saying ruling ND recently celebrated what it called an upgrading of relations with Washington, while at the moment it is "helplessly" viewing and reacting to this latest development.

Asked about the F-16 purchase, he said PASOK has already voiced its opposition, in terms of the substance of the deal, the number of planes involved and the procedure of buying directly from another government.

Communist, Coalition parties comment

[07] on statements by U.S. ambassador

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

"To the dilemma which arms dealer they must choose:The U.S. or the European Union, the F-16s or the Eurofighters? our people must reply:Neither," KKE said in a statement.

KKE further said that "the people must not pay for imperialist plannings, for weapons which do not serve actual defense" and called for a "struggle for disengagement from imperialist organizations and the weakening of parties serving them."

Coalition party spokesman Nikos Voutsis, commenting on Ries statements, said that "the ambassador of the U.S. is appearing in the role of an arms dealer, a sponsor of anti-terrorist hysteria and a prompter of control terms to subordinates on all matters" and accused the government of "remaining speechless and bare."

[08] Gov't spokesman: Elections at end of 4-year term

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Asked whether the government was "listening" to the citizens "who want a (government) reshuffle", according to the results of a recent opinion poll appearing in newspapers, Roussopoulos said that a government always listens to the will of the citizens, but added that a reshuffle was "the decision of the prime minister".

[09] Pavlopoulos cites gov't efforts to tackle corruption

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

"Defending transparency and the related struggle to stamp out corruption are a standing obligation by the state in favor of democracy and the inviolable rights of citizens ... this obligation has a greater significance for our country and society, as in previous years transparency was sorely tested, unfortunately, via the rapid expansion of graft and corruption, and with all the well-known consequences," Pavlopoulos said in indirectly criticizing the former PASOK governments.

In citing a handful of initiatives, he mainly pointed to the institutional strengthening of regulatory mechanisms for the wider the public, while adding that reports by both international and domestic anti-corruption watchdog groups appear to show a reversal in the trend, as he said.

[10] KKE Secretary General on local government

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

She stressed that the 2006 local government elections are of a general political nature and called on voters "to free themselves from [ruling] New Democracy and [main opposition] PASOK."

Papariga said that the two major parties must be defeated in the upcoming elections, otherwise the "anti-popular" measures will continue.

She accused both ND and PASOK of avoiding to address problems concerning local government.

She also reiterated KKE's firm refusal to cooperate in any way with ND, PASOK, or the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party in the 2006 elections.

[11] Koumoutsakos: Possible loss of funds does not worry Turkish Cypriots

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

He noted that the aim is not to strengthen the Turkish Cypriots, as is publicly stated, but instead it is a political position.

Koumoutsakos told reporters that it seems there is a reversal of the momentum exhibited in the past days, that there could be a way to disassociate the regulations that were associated procedurally for a long period of time.

''This momentum is not confirmed and currently there is a return to the previous stalemate concerning the two regulations,'' Koumoutsakos

said, pointing out that the possibility of losing funds from the current capital of the financial regulation ''does not seem to worry the Turkish Cypriot side.''

For this reason, he said, ''I reach the conclusion that the aim is not to strengthen the Turkish Cypriots, as is publicly stated, but instead it is a political position.''

[12] UNFICYP's presence on Cyprus still necessary, Athens stresses

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said that Athens agreed with the proposals made by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on renewing UNFICYP's mandate, because the UN force had a specific and important role to play.

Koumoutsakos also underlined that the core of the Cyprus problem - which was the continued military presence on the island by Turkey - remained unchanged and UNFICYP should therefore stay on without any change to its numbers or structure.

[13] Thessaloniki Municipal Council calls for Greek veto to FYROM's EU, NATO membership efforts

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

The call was contained in a Resolution -- tabled by Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos -- that was adopted by majority vote by the Council in its meeting on Friday.

The Resolution calls on the Greek government to exercise its right of veto on every effort by FYROM for members in the EU and NATO and, if need be, to hold a referendum on exercising the veto, clarifying that such a referendum should be held in the event that Greece came under international pressure to not exercise its right of veto.

The Resolution further stressed that the state of FYROM was: "monopolizing the name Macedonia for expansionist purposes"; refusing to accept a mutually acceptable name, despite its international legal commitment, and declaring at every opportunity that it would not change its stance; usurping Greek history and the Greek civilization heritage; systematically engaging in irredentist propaganda "against our homeland the Greek Macedonia"; and maintaining "its hostile propaganda in the schoolbooks at all levels of its educational system".

"With this specific tactic by Skopje, it has become crystal clear that, it there are no drastic interventions, our neighboring country will not change its tactic, not even in the framework of its European course," the Resolution warned.

The Thessaloniki Municipal Council, in its Resolution, "appeals to the Greek political parties, the mass media, the educational community, the youth, and all Greek citizens, as well as the Worldwide Council for Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and all the Greeks of the Diaspora to support, actively and with indivisible unity, the Greek interests that are under attack and the proposed policy on this specific issue".

[14] Event held in Thessaloniki on FYROM issue

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

The event was organized by Macedonian unions while the main speaker was Thessaloniki Metropolitan Anthimos.

[15] Government denies plans to introduce cremation

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos stressed that cremation was a "complex issue" that the government was not considering at this time, while adding that the government would announce its positions after it was discussed in Parliament.

[16] Main opposition leader visits Mt. Athos

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

On Saturday, Papandreou will be meeting with high-ranking clerics to discuss issues that concern the Mt. Athos community.

[17] Austria announces compensation figures for WWII slave, forced laborers

The government here this week announced that some 435 Greek citizens have been paid compensation for their forced labor in Nazi Germany during WWII, with roughly 1.5 million euros paid out to them by the Austrian state from a special fund.

Payments ranged from 1,450 to 7,630 euros, with the latter amount awarded to individuals that suffered from particularly brutal conditions under the ultimately defeated Nazi regime.

According to government figures, a total of around 132,000 victims, mostly from eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, of forced and slave labor have been compensated by the Austrian state following the passage of a relevant law in 2000. A total of 352.6 million euros has been allocated.

Vienna followed Germany's example dealing with the issue of compensation for former slave and forced laborers under the Nazis, with the Austrian government commissioning historians to research slave and forced labor in the country - annexed by Nazi Germany prior in 1938 -- during the Second World War.

The fund, approved by the Austrian Parliament, is entitled "Austrian Fund for Reconciliation, Peace and Cooperation."

[18] Mobile Greek surgery unit operating in Kabul

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Cases handled by the unit include that of a 14-year-old Afghani, who suffered from a serious form of peritonitis, as well of three Afghans who had been seriously injured by an explosion in a minefield.

Over 800 Afghanis have been treated by the unit so far, while its staff has inoculated sheep and goats, examined pupils at schools around Kabul and taken all necessary measures to prevent the spreading of foot and mouth disease.

[19] Finmin: Next EU package may be "last chance" for major funding

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

"With this funding we are obliged to take major steps forward in order to strengthen the country's production base and allow the economy to approach the EU average more rapidly," Alogoskoufis told a meeting of the national development council.

"We don't yet know how much funding we will have from the 4th CSF. But we have prepared well and I believe we can see a good outcome," the minister said.

In a statement, the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement's spokesman, Nikos Athanassakis, said that his party had sounded the alarm over negotiations for the next round of EU funding, but the government was unwilling to act.

[20] Greece awarded state subsidies of 500 mln euros in 2004, EU says

BRUSSELS 10/12/2005 (ANA/M Aroni)

The total represents 0.29% of national gross domestic product, the data on all EU member states showed.

The figure was lower than for certain other EU members but it falls short of the Lisbon strategy goal for a drop in subsidies.

The bulk of Greek subsidies went to manufacturing (66%) and agriculture (28%), with 3.0% to services, 2.0% to fisheries, and 1.0% to sectors excluding manufacturing.

[21] SE European energy ministers plan social dimension for projects

SOFIA 10/12/2005 (ANA/B Borisov)

The paper, which was presented a meeting of regional energy ministers in the Bulgarian capital, is due for finalization at the next meeting, which will be chaired by Croatia, Salagoudis said.

Ministers at the Sofia meeting agreed that it was imperative to speed up harmonization to European Union law as part of forming the energy community, a plan supported by the EU.

The charter for the community's creation was signed in Athens on October 25.

[22] Development minister dismisses PASOK pledge to repeal government laws

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

"Mr. Papandreou will not repeal any laws because he simply won't get the chance," Sioufas told reporters.

He also claimed that the three laws would soon bring about such positive results that the critics would be forced to change their position.

"These are laws that boost the economy and the country's developmental course, while they contribute to increasing employment and decreasing joblessness," Sioufas underlined.

[23] Main opposition spokesman on govt's economic policy

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

"The government is not implementing any reforms, but rather it is upsetting labor relations and effectively waging an attack against workers and society," Athanassakis said.

"The only thing that can come of the government's legislative initiatives is social upheaval, which is why social partners have taken a negative stance against the government's initiatives," he added.

[24] GDP, exports mark rise in 3rd quarter 2005

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

More specifically, GDP in the third quarter of the year marked a 3.8 percent increase over the third quarter of 2004, a 3.7 percent increase over the second quarter of 2005, and a 3.5 percent increase over the first quarter of the year.

According to ESYE's quarterly national indicators, investments in the third quarter of 2005 fell by 1.0 percentage point over the corresponding quarter last year, and follows a 4.5 percentage point decline in the second quarter of the year over the same quarter in 2004, and a 1.0 percentage pint decline in the first quarter of 2005 over the first quarter of 2004.

On imports and exports, ESYE said that exports rose by 1.6 percent in the third quarter of 2005 over the corresponding quarter in 2004, while imports in the third quarter of the year fell by 2.2 percentage points over the corresponding quarter last year.

[25] Gov't links tourism, exports

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

"The two sectors bring foreign currency to the nation's economy, and they affect each other given that Greek products are the best advertisement for Greek tourism," Liaskos told a conference of the Panhellenic Exporters' Association.

Work to resolve problems in the tourism industry should involve coordination between the state and sector industries, he noted.

[26] Greece wins top prize at Chinese travel fair

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Taking part in the trade fair in November were 98 countries.

China's tourism minister, Shao Qiwei, congratulated his Greek counterpart, Dimitris Avramopoulos, for the country pavilion, adding that Greece would be the featured country each year at Beijing's travel fair until the 2008 Olympics.

[27] Biotechnical Chamber of Thessaloniki's renovated facilities inaugurated

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Addressing the event, Tsiartsionis said the government is determined to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in practice with the adoption of an aggressive economic policy, as well as with the full utilization of all European programs.

He added that the government will also implement policies that form a new development model, encourage enterprise, strengthen regional development, support the agricultural sector, provide tourism with a new momentum and boost employment.

[28] Two-day strike against government economic policy

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

The focus of the walkout is to oppose industrial relations policy and practice, a bill to overhaul public corporations currently in parliament, and moves to undermine free collective bargaining, GSEE said in a statement.

[29] Industrial output up 3.5 pct

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Indices comprising the general index moved as follows vs October 2004:

üð Mines and quarries: + 1.7%

üð Manufacturing: + 5.3%

üð Electricity, natural gas and water: -3.1%

[30] Corporate social responsibility debated in Athens

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

President of the ICCA is the chairman and managing director of Athens-quoted National Bank of Greece, Takis Arapoglou.

[31] Dangerous aerosol party foam withdrawn

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Consumers who have bought the product are asked to avoid using it and return it to the shop where it was bought.

Shop owners have been instructed to ensure that unsold or returned units of the product are returned to the supplier and that they do not go on sale.

[32] Athens Bourse Close: Marginal rise

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.18% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.49 higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.22% up.

Of the stocks traded, advances led declines by 137 to 114 with 73 remaining unchanged.

Foreign Exchange Rates: Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released

by the European Central Bank:

U.S. dollar 1.187

[33] Coordination key in preparing for possible bird flu pandemic, health minister says

BRUSSELS 10/12/2005 (ANA/V. Demiris)

Kaklamanis proposed that the European Commission and the European Food Safety Agency take on the role of coordinator, agreeing with Belgium's proposal.

He also supported France's proposal regarding anti-viral drugs and Austria's proposal to appoint a representative who will negotiate with the pharmaceuticals industry on behalf of EU member states.

Further, Kaklamanis recommended that a reserve of anti-viral drugs and shots be created and managed through a protocol procedure.

The reserve would be available to all EU member states and their neighboring countries. To this end, Kaklamanis suggested that a solidarity fund be set up.

He suggested that the issue be discussed further at the next summit, since - according to him - there is no point in deciding in creating a reserve of anti-viral medicine if the endeavor is not backed financially.

The health ministers' council also discussed mental health, nutrition and other health-related topics.

EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou presented the Commission's Green paper on "Improving the mental health of the population: Towards a strategy on mental health for the European Union," while Kaklamanis referred to the Greek action plan on mental health which targets the same goals as outlined in the Green paper.

Kaklamanis expressed his support of the Commission's guidelines and suggested actions, but recommended that high-quality mental health care services be included in primary care.

Additionally, the council reached political agreement on a proposal aimed at improving medicines for children through high-quality research and development of such medicines. For this purpose, the proposal provides a series of regulations and incentives for the pharmaceuticals industry.

Finally, on the issue of obesity, the Committee presented its relevant Green paper, while Kaklamanis presented the main activities of the Greek Committee on National Nutritional Policy.

He explained that a special team was recently established at the ministry charged with creating a list of appropriate foods to be distributed to school canteens, while other ministries and relevant organizations have also been active in addressing the problem.

[34] N17 attorneys file motion over appeals court's composition

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

Appellate-level prosecutor Euterpe Koutzamani said pre-selection of a pool of qualified judges and a subsequent random draw is a procedure left to the plenum of appellate justices, as prescribed by a relevant law -- which, she said, was followed.

Meanwhile, tension surfaced on the fifth day of proceedings between one of the more notorious convicted N17 terrorists, arch-assassin Dimitris Koufodinas, aka "Loukas", and an attorney representing the families of American victims as well as the widow of slain British defense attaché Stephen Saunders, the last individual gunned down by the ultra-leftist urban terror band before its eradication.

Victims' attorney Ilias Anagnostopoulos chided defense attorney Ippokratis Mylonas, the counsel for Vassilis Tzior-tzatos, when the latter referred to him as "a representative of the Americans".

"I have a given name and a surname, and they can call me by those. Quips along the lines of 'representative of the Americans' means that human life is ranked based on national descent. N17 showed intolerance when it said 'we kill Americans'."

Koufodinas, a self-described beekeeper who was finishing a pricy two-storey environment-friendly country home north of Athens when authorities pinpointed his identity, then took the opportunity to attack Anagnostopoulos by charging that he is representing "American imperialism", among others.

[35] European Drugs Monitoring Centre carries out research for 2005

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

The use of cocaine in Greece appears stable in 2005, with a slightly downward trend.

This was revealed by the head of the coordinating and monitoring service of the Prevention Centres of Northern Greece, Theodoros Gigelopoulos, while addressing a conference held at the municipality of Sykies in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, at the initiative of the "Pyxida" Prevention Centre from Dependence on Drugs and the Promotion of Health.

Maro Vassara, who is in charge of scientific matters at the "Pyxida" Centre, spoke of a definite decrease in the use of illegal substances among pupils between 1998 and 2003. She also referred to the activities of prevention centres which began to operate in 1997.

The conference was addressed, among other personalities, by the Metropolitan of Neapoli and Stavroupoli Varnavas and the prefect of Thessaloniki Panayiotis Psomiadis.

[36] Pupils and students hold rally in Athens, call for increased credits for education

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

The demonstrators demanded unified free 12-year education and increases in credits provided for education. Pupils and teachers also reminded of shortages at schools and of the need for the adequate supply of books and building facilities.

A sit-down demonstration was held outside Parliament for a few minutes, while representatives of the demonstrators met with the education deputy minister and handed him a list of their demands.

As a result of the rally and the ensuing march, downtown Athens was blocked and traffic was in a state of confusion until noon.

[37] Two men killed in minefield explosion

Athens 10/12/2005 (ANA)

The local Military Administration took charge and specialized staff collected the bodies and transferred them to a hospital in the city of Didimotiho. The operation to collect the bodies was completed at 1700 hours.

The minefield was marked with signs in both the Greek and English language and had a double fence.

In another development, border guards arrested a 27-year-old Greek after he was found carrying 75 illegal immigrants in a tanker truck he was driving. The illegal immigrants, who had come from Turkey, entered the country in the agricultural region of Kastanies. The young man intended to take them inland in return for a fee.

All the arrested persons, 64 Pakistanis and 11 Afghanis, were brought before a public prosecutor in the city of Orestiada.

[38] Greek violinist performs with Toronto's Symphony Orchestra

MONTREAL 10/12/2005 (ANA/I. Fragouli)

The concert, his third appearance in Toronto, was organized by Toronto's Consulate-General of Greece and sponsored by the Hellenic Heritage Foundation, AHEPA, the Ontario Pan-Macedonian Union and other organizations.

Consul-General Makis Efthymiadis hosted a dinner in Kavakos' honor on Thursday evening, with guests including members of the Greek expatriate community and members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

"Leonidas Kavakos' presence in Toronto has contributed to a great extent to the promotion of the modern image of Greece, both towards the expatriate community as well as towards the general Canadian public," Efthymiadis said.

[39] Greek film awarded at Cairo Film Festival

CAIRO 10/12/2005 (ANA/N.Katsikas)

The Greek film was nominated for best direction, best screenplay, best actress and second best film.

Speaking to the ANA, Siskopoulou expressed her satisfaction saying that "Greece travels abroad and makes an impact".

[40] T/C leadership responsible for possible loss of EU funds, says spokesman

NICOSIA 10/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)

"The reaction is clear and I must stress that they undertake the responsibility for canceling the funding to the Turkish Cypriot community and show exactly their political thoughts and pursuit of the Turkish Cypriot leadership and not its sincere interest to upgrade the Turkish Cypriots' situation", said Chrysostomides.

"We must stress this and I think it is clear that they are responsible for the possible loss for economically strengthening the Turkish Cypriot community", he added.

The spokesman did not rule out the issue to be examined again at the COREPER meeting of the 21st December.

[41] EU Commissioner: Implementation of Customs Union by Turkey is important

NICOSIA 10/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Borg, on the island for a working visit, met Friday with Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Timis Efithimiou, and in statements after the meeting he said that the implementation of the Customs Union Protocol by Turkey is important.

He clarified though, that the implementation of the Protocol is not directly linked with his portofolio, since there are other General Directorates that are more involved in the issue.

"The issue (of implementation) is dealt with by Commissioners of Transport and Enlargement, because Turkey is a candidate country for membership. I will work closely with the other Commissioners in order to see to that things move forward in that regard", he said.

In statements after the meeting, Cypriot Minister said that they discussed issues concerning fisheries and bill amendments for the implementation of a common fisheries policy.

Efthimiou also noted that Cyprus is facing problems due to its geographic distance from Europe, regarding the transport of goods.

European Commissioner said that during his meetings in Cyprus he would discuss the common fisheries policy and take into consideration the concerns of the people working in the area, so that a viable policy is implemented in the end.

Regarding the European Fisheries Fund, Borg said that the allocation for every member state would be clarified when there is a decision on the EU financial perspectives.

Later on Borg held a meeting with representatives of governmental departments to review the situation of fisheries in Cyprus as well as the provisions of the European Fisheries Fund.

[42] Government proposal on Ledra Street not isolated act

NICOSIA 10/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Measures were announced, the government had stressed that a necessary condition to open Ledra Street would be the transfer or withdrawal of all military posts in the region.

He also said that another condition was the demining of the area and the removal of all obstacles.

For this reason, he said, the government's proposal to the UN to break the deadlock on the Ledra Street issue is not an isolated act but a continued effort since July 2004 to ease communication between the two communities.

"Efforts and contacts on these issues continue", said Chrysostomides.

Asked if work by the occupation forces has ceased at Ledra Street following Thursday's announcement by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) that construction works undertaken by the Turkish side to open a crossing point at Ledra Street should cease, and that unilateral initiatives are incompatible with the spirit of the confidence building measures, the spokesman replied "I expect they will cease".

Regarding the government's new proposal to open Ledra Street, the spokesman said "we wish and hope that it will proceed so that another crossing point will be established".

Chrysostomides said that works must cease and "negotiations should begin so there is unimpeded access to the occupied and free areas."

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