Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin unveils three export policy targets

[02] Government on additional list of tapped phones

[03] Coalition (SYN) sees U.S. behind phone tap affair

[04] Former Vodafone IT security chief questioned by prosecutor

[05] PASOK leader says gov't adding to citizens' insecurity

[06] PASOK leader chairs party's Coordinating Body meeting

[07] CoE's Van der Linden begins Athens visit by meeting FM Molyviatis

[08] Gov't on Kosovo comment by senior British diplomat

[09] Molyviatis and Ries have lunch in central Athens hotel

[10] Education minister on universities, church-state relations

[11] Prefectural administration duties discussed by interior ministry leadership

[12] Athens mayor on achievements during office term

[13] SEECP justice and interior ministers' meeting ends with joint communique

[14] Greece-Serbia judicial cooperation protocol to be signed on Thursday

[15] Turkish warplanes violate Greek national air space

[16] Greek exports surged to 50-year highs in 2005

[17] Commission opens formal investigation into Greece's contribution to OTE early retirement plan

[18] Hellenic Telecommunications Organization said early retirement scheme to proceed as planned

[19] Avramopoulos departs for US visit

[20] Agricultural machinery manufacturers call for 'autumn' Agrotica exhibition

[21] Thessaloniki mayor: Transport projects imperative for 2016 Expo bid

[22] Customer Service Centre employees to stage 48-hour nationwide strike on February 10-11

[23] Lambrakis buys more stock in Tiletypos

[24] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise, hit five-year high

[25] Cold front snaps, weather-related problems abate

[26] Ano Liossia landfill to close for three days

[27] Paris court again postpones decision on Bourboulia's extradition

[28] Archbishop inaugurates 'Solidarity' Cultural Orientation Sector

[29] Illegal immigrant arrests on Samos

[01] FinMin unveils three export policy targets

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Addressing a meeting of the National Export Council, the Greek minister stressed that Greece must stop its inward looking adding "we must look outwards".

Alogoskoufis noted it was not enough to become competitive in cost terms but to achieve a greater percentage of know-how and quality and to adopt more effective methods to boost exports. The Greek minister said the government's main export policy targets were: -Focusing on large foreign markets, -Coordinating agency actions and -Promoting an advertising campaign of Greek products abroad.

Alogoskoufis underlined that much work still needed to be done to boost Greek exports and praised the role of the Export Promotion Organization in efforts to promote Greek products abroad.

He urged the National Export Council to agree on a "National Business Delegations Program" and said that a total of 31 business delegations have been scheduled for the current year.

Greek economic diplomacy aims to open markets: A key target of Greek economic diplomacy is to open key markets in the Mediterranean, along with the US and India, in 2006, Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis said on Wednesday.

Addressing a meeting of the National Exports Council, Stylianidis reported that he was hoping to obtain an additional nine million euros in government funding to boost operations at Greek embassy economy and trade sections.

The diplomatic departments were the grass roots of the country's economic diplomacy drive, which was led by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis himself, Stylianidis noted.

Greece's economic presence in the Balkans has been strengthened with exports to the region up by 10.6% against an average rate of increase of 1.12% over the last decade, the minister said.

The country has a positive balance of trade in nine of the ten Balkan countries, and a spectacular rise in the balance with Turkey, he added.

[02] Government on additional list of tapped phones

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

He was responding to questions concerning a list of 10 additional names of people with wire-tapped phones that were revealed by Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis while briefing a Parliamentary Committee on the phone-tapping affair the day before.

All 10 names given by Voulgarakis were senior officers of the Greek police force, including former and current Greek Police chiefs Fotis Nasiakos and George Angelakos, the former head of the anti-terrorism squad Stelios Syrros and his successor, the head of security for the Olympic Games, as well as a car phone used by the head of the Greek intelligence service EYP.

Roussopoulos denied that there was any discrepancy between the statements made by the government and Voulgarakis on this issue, noting that the existence of additional phones belonging to organizations was made known from the start and the public order minister had clarified this further, revealing that the list included nearly all telephones used by the leadership of the national defense and public order ministries.

The spokesman said Voulgarakis had given the names as "examples" of the people being monitored, in response to questions by MPs.

Roussopoulos did not confirm reports that journalists and business people were also among those under surveillance.

Concerning an alleged difference of position between Voulgarakis and Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras concerning possible links between the phone-taps and the suicide of a Vodafone systems manager, Roussopoulos urged reporters to read the parliamentary transcripts more carefully. He said that "unanswered questions" concerning the suicide referred to by Papaligouras clearly applied to the judicial investigation that was still underway and not the police investigation, which had concluded.

The spokesman also denied that the government had any problem with comments made by Voulgarakis concerning Vodafone's stance, or that it had informed the U.S. Embassy about the affair before it was made public.

In a surprise move last week, the government revealed that the mobile phones of senior members of government, including the prime minister, and nearly a hundred other phones had been illegally tapped for about a year before the surveillance was discovered in March 2005 and that a subsequent 11-month investigation had failed to trace of those responsible.

[03] Coalition (SYN) sees U.S. behind phone tap affair

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Replying to questions, Alavanos said that government was greatly responsible because it had covered up both this and the Pakistani abductions.

The Coalition leader said the evidence of U.S. involvement could also be gleaned from the Senate Judiciary Committee that was now looking into a secret domestic phone-tap program authorized by U.S. President George Bush, in which the chairman Sen. Arlen Specter said similar eavesdropping was also taking place abroad.

The senate inquiry has also revealed that U.S. phone companies had handed over their networks to the NSA.

"These are all important conclusions and must be taken into account by judicial authorities and all of us," Alavanos said.

According to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), meanwhile, the phone taps were just a small part of a "generalized system of spying and policing that was strengthened even more on the pretext of fighting terrorism and serves the goals of big business groups for domination".

The current furore about phone taps in the media aimed to distract and disorient the people, a KKE announcement claimed.

"The world has not changed after September 11, 2001 as the governments and parties of the U.S. and the EU claim in order to familiarize their peoples with the so-called anti-terrorist measures. September 11 became a pretext for a stronger attack by imperialism against peoples and countries, a pretext for the institutional legalization of surveillance and wire-taps, of invasion into personal life," it added.

[04] Former Vodafone IT security chief questioned by prosecutor

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

G. Konstantopoulos, now an executive with the state-run telephony utility OTE, resigned from mobile phone provider Vodafone in December 2004, citing "personal reasons".

The entire bugging operation was discovered in early March 2005 and subsequently revealed by the company's leadership to the government, as Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis along with several ministers, among many others, were targeted by the illegal mobile phone surveillance operation.

In statements to reporters after exiting a meeting with prosecutor Yiannis Diotis - the same prosecutor who headed the initial "November 17" terrorist organization investigation - Konstantopoulos called the suicide of his one-time colleague at Vodafone, Costas Tsalikidis, a "very serious affair".

"There's no one that that does not link the suicide with the phone-tapping," he said, adding that Tsalikidis -- who was discovered hanging in his central Athens apartment on March 9 -- would have been in a position to spot any immediate tampering with Vodafone's computer systems.

[05] PASOK leader says gov't adding to citizens' insecurity

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papandreou, who on Wednesday marked the second anniversary of his assumption of PASOK's leadership, said the government of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis was perpetuating the "insecurity of the Greek citizens", and was not protecting incomes, democratic rights or the democratic institutions, and was also not ensuring the proper and smooth operation of institutions.

Turning to the ongoing phone-tapping furor dominating the country's political developments, Papandreou said that every time relevant ministers spoke, suspicions that the truth was being concealed were confirmed, while he cited what he described as "inconsistencies" in statements made by a pair of ministers during Tuesday's meeting of a parliamentary committee on institutions and transparency.

He was referring to the briefing by Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis and Justice Minister Anastasis Papaligouras.

PASOK, he said, demanded that the entire truth be revealed, adding that beyond the legal aspects of the case, there were also immense political responsibilities for the prime minister as well as the relevant ministers.

Papandreou said the prime minister also had increased responsibilities vis-ŕ-vis as series of major problems affecting citizens, such as unemployment, high prices and the decline in incomes.

Karamanlis, he continued, was occupying himself with a government reshuffle "which for months is in the process of being reshuffled", and "it appears that this is his top priority".

Conversely, Papandreou said PASOK's priority was the problems faced by the citizens, the economy, the "attack" on incomes, and what he called the country's "wrong course" on the international stage.

He said that in the two years since his assumption of the PASOK's helm, the party had made "leaps", which he attributed to collective efforts.

Government reaction: In a later reply to Papandreou's comments, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos merely noted that "the policy of major structural reforms will continue, because this is what Greek citizens demanded in the 2004 election, and because this guarantees a strong and competitive economy, an economy that generates more jobs, greater national wealth and a greater social dividend."

[06] PASOK leader chairs party's Coordinating Body meeting

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papandreou said the issue must be highlighted, which does not only concern security for telecommunications or security provided by the police but security in day-to-day life as well, either it concerns labor relations or income policy, health, education and the functioning of institutions.

Referring to the phone-tapping issue in particular, the PASOK leader said that at some moment Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis must speak about all that is taking place in his government.

Papandreou linked the issue of security for citizens and the country with all that is taking place as a result of the cartoons about Mohammed as well, and with the way the government handled the issue of the Pakistanis, an issue which might involve the country in undesirable affairs.

He stressed the danger of a confrontation between religions and cultures and noted that the cartoon issue is becoming an object of exploitation by extremist elements on both sides. He further added that Greece can become a bridge which will facilitate contact and understanding between the two sides.

As regards economic issues, which were included in the meeting's agenda, Papandreou said that PASOK must highlight them since, as he said, there is a great distance between the economy's general indicators and what the Greek citizen experiences every day.

[07] CoE's Van der Linden begins Athens visit by meeting FM Molyviatis

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to a press release, issues that Van der Linden will address during the visit include Greece's contribution to stability in its region, prospects for a Cyprus settlement and the promotion of inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue.

He is scheduled to meeting Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis at 12:30 on Thursday.

[08] Gov't on Kosovo comment by senior British diplomat

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos made the statement in response to reporters' questions over a recent statement by a senior British diplomat, who reportedly told Belgrade that independence of the disputed Serbian province would be the best solution.

The Greek spokesman added that the result of negotiations must be acceptable to both sides and that a solution should not be imposed.

[09] Molyviatis and Ries have lunch in central Athens hotel

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The meeting was described as one of a series of "regular, informal contacts" between them that was conducted in a particularly friendly atmosphere and covered a number of issues in current world affairs, particularly developments in the Balkans, Kosovo, the Middle East and the Cyprus issue.

[10] Education minister on universities, church-state relations

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"We want an educational system that completes the individual," Giannakou said, adding that the government's focus is on education and culture.

She also announced that the legislative framework regarding universities will be publicized in June.

Referring to non-state universities, Giannakou said that after the constitutional revision, these institutions will operate under stringent criteria and noted that higher education will always fall under the state's jurisdiction.

As for the evaluation of universities, the minister said that this will take place "at all costs."

Furthermore, she said that the possibility of increasing the number of scholarships granted is under review.

Giannakou also referred to the issue of low funding for the educational sector, for which teachers and academics blame the government, saying that scheduled protests will not prove successful, since the majority of teaching professionals understand the changes the government is trying to implement and agree to them.

Asked whether a mosque will be built in Athens, Giannakou said that the matter is being discussed.

"I know that on some issues we have not been making large strides. The same is true in Muslim countries regarding Christianity. But we live in an era in which inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue must be strengthened, something the Orthodox Church is doing both on a domestic and international level," she said.

Regarding church-state relations, Giannakou said "I do not foresee a divorce."

She also referred to the upgrading of Greek studies throughout the world, with Greek Studies departments operating in numerous countries.

Finally, she announced an upcoming visit to China.

[11] Prefectural administration duties discussed by interior ministry leadership

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Speaking after the meeting, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said that the duties of prefectural administration are being shielded and that no other duty will be removed, while those removed, provided no changes in conditions which necessitated them take place, will be returned through the process of preparing the prefectural administration code.

As regards finances, the interior minister said that great progress has been achieved in this sector, compared to past years, since net funds for prefectural administration have tripled, from 2004 until now, from 110 million euros to over 440 million euros.

[12] Athens mayor on achievements during office term

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Bakoyannis said she delivered on her promise to make the Greek capital more modern, more friendly, more functional for both visitors and residents and to prepare the Olympic host city successfully, realizing the greatest investment program ever undertaken in Athens.

Additionally, she underlined the importance of Moody's rating of the city and the fact that in 2005, Athens achieved a primary surplus of ¬ 7 million for the first time.

Aside from the projects already completed, Bakoyannis also referred to the works currently under way, such as the reconstruction of the Votanikos district and part of Alexandras avenue due to the building of a new stadium for the Panathinaikos soccer club, while preparations are being made for the creation of a Metropolitan Park in Goudi.

The mayor also referred to the publicity and promotion Athens enjoyed abroad, following the infrastructure upgrade leading up to the 2004 Olympics.

However, she also spoke about the problems that remain unresolved, such as waste, which is one of the biggest problems facing local government and society.

In light of the West Attica prefecture coordinating body's decision to shut down the Ano Liossia landfill for three days, Bakoyannis noted that this situation cannot continue.

"Greece cannot be the only country in the European Union in which recycling effectively does not exist; it cannot be the only country where illegal landfills operate,» she said, adding that "We - the local government and central government - must seek new policies and we must move forward."

Bakoyannis also referred to the creation of a municipal police force, the creation of a shelter for the homeless as well as a series of initiatives aimed at improving citizens' quality of life as more examples of the municipality's achievements.

In closing, she thanked all those Athenians who helped the municipality achieve its goals.

[13] SEECP justice and interior ministers' meeting ends with joint communique

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The meeting of SEECP ministers had focused on ways to jointly tackle human-trafficking, organized crime, corruption and terrorism.

The joint communique referred to boosting action against terrorism and human-trafficking, reinforcing existing agreements and measures, greater cross-border cooperation against organized crime and terrorism and greater cooperation with EUROJUST and EUROPOL in southeast Europe, among others.

Taking part were ministers of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey. The meeting was chaired by Greek Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras and Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis.

[14] Greece-Serbia judicial cooperation protocol to be signed on Thursday

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Greek Justice Minister Anastasis Papaligouras will sign the protocol on behalf of Greece, with Serbian Justice Minister Zoran Stojkovic signing on behalf of Belgrade.

[15] Turkish warplanes violate Greek national air space

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In all cases, the 12 Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek air force jets. Two of the Turkish formations were armed. The Turkish aircraft left the Athens FIR south of the island of Rhodes.

[16] Greek exports surged to 50-year highs in 2005

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The report, presented during a meeting of the National Export Council, showed that Greek exports jumped to Italy, France, Spain, Poland, the US and Turkey, while it rose strongly towards China and India.

The Middle East and North Africa regions recorded the biggest percentage growth rates in 2005 (31.3 percent), while exports to Singapore are expected to surpass 150 million euros. Exports to the United Arab Emirates are also expected to surpass 200 million euros.

Fuel exports jumped 56 percent last year, while exports of farm produce rose 24.2 percent and exports of chemicals were up 26 percent in 2005.

Exports of industrial products rose 7.7 percent, trailing the average growth rates. The Exporters' Association said it expected exports to continue growing in 2006 because of supportive measures taken by the government and businesses.

Greek exporters, however, urged for more initiatives, such as new products, to establish Greek products in overseas markets.

[17] Commission opens formal investigation into Greece's contribution to OTE early retirement plan

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

An EU executive's announcement said the Commission believed that the ¬ 360 million money offered by the Greek state might exceed what was necessary to relieve OTE of alleged extra costs resulting from higher labor costs due to the quasi-civil-servant status of OTE s employees. The opening of an in-depth investigation will allow interested parties to comment on the measures. It does not prejudge the Commission's final decision, the announcement said.

"The Commission favors measures which help former monopolists adapt to a liberalized market environment, provided that they are limited to what is necessary to create a true level playing field," EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told reporters.

Following an agreement between OTE and the trade unions on a voluntary early retirement scheme (VRS), Greece endorsed OTE employees' rights by law (i.e. immediate pension payments by the public Pension Fund TAP-OTE) and regulated the obligations of OTE and the Greek state to compensate the fund for the extra costs due to the VRS. The VRS concerns around 5,500 employees and its costs amount to approximately ¬ 1 billion. Greece contributes to these costs by transferring 4% of its shares in OTE, worth approximately ¬ 360 million, to the pension fund. The remaining costs are borne by OTE.

Greece claims that the financial contribution does not constitute state aid, in particular because the financial contribution only relieved OTE from extraordinary charges due to the specific status of OTE employees. As OTE employees cannot be dismissed due to their permanent employment status, OTE put into place a voluntary early retirement scheme which was much costlier than redundancy packages offered in the private sector.

The Commission has doubts that Greece's financial contribution to the VRS is limited to relieving OTE of extra costs compared to other operators offering redundancy/early retirement schemes to their employees. Furthermore, OTE may have benefited from other advantages, such as an exemption from unemployment charges or relief from pension obligations, which would neutralize the alleged surcharges. OTE might also derive supplementary benefits from its former monopoly position, in particular with regard to its fixed telecom network.

[18] Hellenic Telecommunications Organization said early retirement scheme to proceed as planned

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

An OTE announcement said a Commission investigation over any state aid to the organization's pension fund would not affect progress of an early retirement scheme. OTE underlined that the plan would continue as planned and reassured its workers -participating in the early retirement program- that the organization would fully cover the cost of the program without expecting any state aid.

[19] Avramopoulos departs for US visit

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

During his stay, the minister is expected to meet with tourism executives and representatives of the ethnic Greek community in the United States.

[20] Agricultural machinery manufacturers call for 'autumn' Agrotica exhibition

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

EKAYEM proposes that the exhibition should take place in November instead of January or February, when weather conditions are better.

"Inclement bad weather before this year's exhibition created a climate of uncertainty and difficulties for the transportation and setting up of pavilions, while snowfall on the last day of the exhibition and on the following days after the exhibition created great difficulty for exhibitors transporting towed vehicles, which are usually heavy," the Union's administration said, but termed the exhibition successful and the organizing "very good."

According to representatives of the agricultural machinery manufacturers, a month in autumn has also been chosen for the two biggest exhibitions in this sector in the world, EIMA in Bologna and Agritechnica in Hanover.

[21] Thessaloniki mayor: Transport projects imperative for 2016 Expo bid

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, speaking months before he is widely expected to stand for re-election, also cited various measures to improve traffic and parking conditions in the congested northern city.

The city had unsuccessfully vied for the 2008 World Expo, which was eventually awarded to the Spanish city of Saragossa.

Finally, in a related development, a majority of council members approved of Thessaloniki's new flag, which will feature a likeness of Alexander the Great and the bastions of the city's best known fortress on a background of blue and white.

[22] Customer Service Centre employees to stage 48-hour nationwide strike on February 10-11

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

An announcement by KEP contract employee unions also said that "the promises of the government have been forgotten and the crude reality is emerging clearly from the mouths of officials, since the latest arrangements are leaving 1,074 employees out."

[23] Lambrakis buys more stock in Tiletypos

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

As a result of Wednesday's transaction Lambrakis said it now held 20,864% of Tiletypos' share capital and voting rights (6,517,332 common registered voting shares) compared to 19,615% (6,127,332 common registered voting shares) before the purchase.

Both firms are quoted on the Athens bourse.

[24] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise, hit five-year high

ATHENS, 9/2/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.61% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.10% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.86% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 190 to 105 with 31 remaining unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Intracom top in stock futures trade