Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-04-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU: Greek fiscal deficit down sharply in 2005

[02] Condoleezza Rice for talks in Athens Tuesday

[03] Main opposition backs peaceful solution for Iran

[04] Opposition to Condoleezza Rice's visit to Athens

[05] Tight security in Athens for Condoleezza Rice visit

[06] Turkey needs policy-shift to normalize Greek ties, President Papoulias says

[07] Gov't calls on Turkey to respect international law

[08] PM says government policy starting to pay off

[09] No Greek casualties so far in Egyptian blasts

[10] Main opposition leader spends Easter with Air Force

[11] Jerusalem's Holy Light lands safely in Greece

[12] Ruling party marks military dictatorship anniversary

[13] US newspaper sees Greek tourism revival

[14] President Papoulias to meet tsunami-stricken children

[15] Anti-State Struggle claims arson attacks

[16] Police find hashish haul near border

[17] National rail operator complains of vandalism

[01] EU: Greek fiscal deficit down sharply in 2005

BRUSSELS, 25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

At the same time, the Greek deficit was the third highest in the EU25, following Hungary (6.1%) and Portugal (6.0%) but ahead of Italy (4.1%). Another three member states recorded a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, the bloc's target ceiling - the United Kingdom (3.6%), Germany (3.3%) and Malta (3.3%), Eurostat said in a report.

In 2005, the government deficit in the eurozone decreased from 2.8% of GDP in 2004 to 2.4% in 2005; and in the EU25, it fell from 2.6% to 2.3%. In the eurozone the government debt to GDP ratio rose from 69.8% in 2004 to 70.8% in 2005; and in the EU25 from 62.4% to 63.4%.

Greece's public debt in 2005 totaled 107.5% of GDP, the highest in the bloc, followed by Italy (106.4%), Belgium (93.3%), Malta (74.7%), and Cyprus (70.3%).

For Greece, Eurostat said it had to undertake further examination of deficit and debt data. The increase in the country's deficit in 2004 was mainly due to a change in the working balance of the state budget and a downward revision of the surplus for social security funds.

"Despite the recent improvement in the statistical processes and good co-operation between Eurostat and the national statistical authorities of Greece, issues remain related to the Greek government accounts of a structural and systemic nature. Eurostat will undertake a methodological visit in coming weeks in order to clarify the pending issues," the statement noted.

Eurostat was providing government debt and deficit data based on figures reported in the first 2006 notification by EU member states for 2002-2005 in implementation of the excessive deficit procedure, based on the ESA95 system of national accounts.

In 2005, government expenditure in the eurozone was equivalent to 47.5% of GDP, and government revenue to 45.1%. The figures for the EU25 were 47.2% and 44.9% respectively. Between 2004 and 2005 the government expenditure ratio in the eurozone stayed the same whereas the government revenue ratio increased.

Progress welcomed in accuracy of Greek data: A spokeswoman for the EU's executive Commission, Amelia Torres, welcomed major progress that Greece has made in the credibility of fiscal data given to the authorities, and she forecast that outstanding issues would be resolved in the near future.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel," Torres told reporters.

Pending were the financial status of local authorities and social insurance funds, due for discussion in May when Eurostat officials visited Athens, Torres added.

Gov't says EU report confirms deficit drop: Economic data released by Eurostat for the European Union's 25 members confirms that Greece's fiscal deficit posted a major decline to 4.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2005 from 6.9% a year earlier, the finance ministry said on Monday.

"Improvement in the trend of fiscal revitalization is also continuing at a brisk pace this year, as shown by implementation of the budget in the first quarter," the ministry said in a statement.

"Reduction of the deficit to below 3.0% of GDP in 2006 is feasible, without requiring new measures. No revision is needed of the budget's goal, which is consistent with the country's commitment as a member of the eurozone," the statement said.

In addition to deficit reduction, a major improvement had also been seen in the transparency of fiscal finances over the past two years, as mentioned by the EU's executive Commission and group of finance ministers.

Outstanding matters in local government finances and social insurance funds would be resolved with Eurostat, as in the case of other problems inherited from the previous Panhellenic Socialist Movement, which lost national elections in March 2004, the ministry noted.

"From Eurostat's announcement emerges the fiscal chaos and poor management that the previous government left behind," according to the statement.

"One of the factors that affected the 2005 deficit was a fine that Greece paid for poor management of funds under the Third Community Support Framework in 2000-2003, which had to be entered under 2005 in full under the rules," it added.

Main opposition attacks finmin over deficits: The main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement on Mon-day charged Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis with denouncing his own country to the European Union, responding to the release of fiscal data by Eurostat earlier in the day.

According to a statement by the party's economics section, Alogoskoufis was rejoicing at having needlessly brought the country under fiscal supervision; keeping his budgets in the air due to repeated revisions; and slashing public investment and real income for working people.

The minister had also slowed growth but increased joblessness and consumer prices, the statement noted.

Opposition party raps past governments over deficit: The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology on Monday accused the ruling and main opposition parties of increasing the country's deficits whenever in government.

"For years these governments and Eurostat have underlined the country's fiscal progress. But each time they annul the progress they have welcomed, and 'hidden' deficits keep emerging for use as a pretext by the EU Commission, and mainly by the governments, to slap tough austerity policies on wages and pensions," the party's economics spokesman, Panayiotis Lafazanis, said in a statement.

"Fiscal revitalization has deteriorated into a ruse in poor taste aimed at only lowering incomes and the standard of living of the masses," Lafazanis noted.

[02] Condoleezza Rice for talks in Athens Tuesday

ATHENS, 25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Rice will be received by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, and hold talks with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The US official was also scheduled to visit Ankara and Sofia, where she will take part in a NATO foreign ministers meeting on April 24-28, the State Department announced last week.

Talks with Greek officials were expected to cover Iran's nuclear program, on the agenda for discussion on April 28 by the UN Security Council, where Greece is a non-permanent member.

Other items on the agenda were the next steps in the Cyprus issue; the future of Kosovo; the situation in the Balkans; Turkey's bid for EU entry and the policies of Greece and Cyprus in the matter; Greece's role in the rapprochement effort with Muslim countries; and Greece's role in the transfer of energy to the West.

PM confers with minister before Condoleezza Rice visit: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is to confer with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis at 10:00 hours on Tuesday shortly before her meeting with the US secretary of state.

Condoleezza Rice is due to arrive in Athens in the early morning hours of the same day.

The prime minister is to meet Rice after her appointment with Bakoyannis.

[03] Main opposition backs peaceful solution for Iran

25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

"It must be made clear that the Greek people is opposed to any prospect of war. We desire peace, respect for international law and the role of the United Nations, cooperation and friendship among peoples," Christos Papoutsis, PASOK's foreign policy, security and defense spokesman, said in a statement.

"Within that framework, we insist on and back every effort that will bring a de-escalation of tension with Iran, control of its nuclear program only for peaceful use, moves by Turkey and the western Balkans towards EU entry, resolution of the Cyprus issue, and evolving ties for the USA with Greece and the EU," Papoutsis noted.

[04] Opposition to Condoleezza Rice's visit to Athens

25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

"Collectively and in a variety of manners, working people and youth should show their opposition to the visit by Condoleezza Rice, a classic representative of imperialist wars and the slaughter of peoples," the party said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Rice is to pay a working visit to Athens, where she will be received by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, and confer with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis. Talks are expected to cover Iran's nuclear program, on the agenda for discussion on April 28 by the UN Security Council, where Greece is a non-permanent member.

The KKE called on the public to demonstrate against Greece's participation in an offensive it said the USA and its allies were preparing against Iran in a demonstration and march to the US embassy in Athens arranged by the party at 10:00 hours on Tuesday; and at 19:00 hours in the northern port city of Thessaloniki.

"We should receive Condoleezza Rice as we received (former US president Bill) Clinton, arch-murderer of the Yugoslav people. Rice is a persona non grata, her visit runs contrary to the interests of peoples. It heralds only suffering," the statement added.

In a separate announcement, the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) also called Rice a persona non grata.

"The USA's policy of adventurism has taken on a new dimension with plans to use nuclear weapons in Iran," SYN's leader, Alekos Alavanos, said.

"We do not wish to revisit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We do not want a new, fiercer version of Iraq. We want to see diplomatic, political solutions to international differences and not more wars," Alavanos stated.

In addition, the Greek Social Forum announced that it had called a demonstration in Athens and march to the US embassy, also on Tuesday morning.

Other items on the agenda for Rice's talks in Greece were Cyprus, Kosovo and the Balkans; Turkey's bid for EU entry along with Greek and Cypriot policies on the issue; Greece's role in rapprochement with Muslim countries; and the country's role in the transfer of energy to the West. She was also scheduled to visit Ankara and Sofia, to take part in a NATO foreign ministers meeting on April 24-28.

[05] Tight security in Athens for Condoleezza Rice visit

ATHENS, 25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Around 5,000 police officers will be on top alert from the early hours of the morning, when Rice is due to arrive at Athens International Airport, until her anticipated departure late in the afternoon.

Demonstrations to the US embassy have been banned, along with vehicle and passenger traffic and parking in central highways that Rice is expected to traverse.

The secretary of state will stay at the Intercontinental Hotel in Syngou Avenue, and visit the foreign ministry, prime minister's office, and the US ambassador's residence.

Other US offices and businesses will also receive special protection.

Closed at unspecified times will be the Attiki Odos motorway, Kifissias Avenue, the western Hymettus ringroad, Katehaki Avenue, Mesoyion Avenue, Vassilissis Sophias Avenue, Herod Atticus Street, Vasileos Konstandinou Avenue, Vassilissis Olgas Avenue, Amalias Avenue, Syngou Avenue and side streets around the US embassy.

KKE: Ban illegal on protest march to US mission: A deputy of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Orestes Kolozov, charged on Monday that the government had illegally banned a march to the US embassy in protest at an upcoming visit by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The evening demonstration in Athens of about 300 people had grouped at the start of Vassilissis Sophias, the avenue in which the US embassy is located. Police sealed off the avenue to stop protesters approaching the diplomatic mission.

Kolozov had sought contact with Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras, who refused to allow the demonstrators to pass.

"This is illegal. It totally breaches the constitution and the rights of the third largest political party in parliament, to stage demonstrations wherever it wishes," he charged.

A second smaller KKE protest was staged at the Athens Concert Hall near the embassy. Riot police was stationed on the building's roof and in the street dividing the hall from the mission.

Both marches ended peacefully.

[06] Turkey needs policy-shift to normalize Greek ties, President Papoulias says

25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

"Greece is optimistic that Turkey's course towards Europe will also end in a full normalization of our bilateral relations, but for this course to be completed, Ankara has to revise standing positions in its foreign policy and effect a real revolution in its domestic affairs," the president said in an Orthodox Easter address to army officers.

"We hope that the required will exists. If it does not, then this course will stop in the middle. The European Union has a responsibility towards its citizens not to accept entry by states that fail fully to adapt to the (bloc's) system of principles and values," Papoulias told a reception at the Soufli army officers' club in the border prefecture of Evros.

The president noted that the country was looking forward to the day when it would no longer have to spend so much on armaments, allowing defense funds to be spent on helping people in need.

"When that day will come does not depend exclusively on Greece, which is a force for peace and stability in the wider region," he added.

The president also congratulated troops in Evros for their assistance in natural disasters, including rescue and repair work when the Evros river broke its banks.

Papoulias celebrated Easter Sunday with officers, NCOs and servicemen of the 50th mechanized brigade near the border with Turkey after attending a resurrection service at Aghios Georgios Church on Saturday, followed by the officers' club reception.

The president visited a military outpost in Lavara before heading for the brigade's headquarters in Soufli for Easter lunch with troops.

Cypriot president backs Papoulias' statements: In Nicosia, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said that Papoulias' statements were in line with the island republic's position on Turkey.

"Turkey must fully meet its obligations to Cyprus with no exchanges, as it is obliged to do, within the framework of its course towards Europe," Papadopoulos told reporters.

[07] Gov't calls on Turkey to respect international law

ATHENS, 25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The people of both Greece and Turkey would benefit from peaceful cohabitation and co-existence.

"Greece has offered the hand of friendship and an olive branch in all directions and to all its neighbors...It genuinely desires Turkey's entry into the European Union but Turkey must respect democratic institutions, international law, Greek history and the principles of neighborly relations and cooperation," Lambropoulos noted.

"This is how we shall move ahead, this is how it will become a member of the European Union," he added.

In Crete, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis visited military units, accompanied by parliamentary deputies Christos Markoyiannakis and Stelios Nikiforakis.

[08] PM says government policy starting to pay off

25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

He was speaking at an Easter reception aboard the Greek frigate "Kanaris" in the island of Tinos.

"Today, Greeks are in the middle of a great, difficult and painful endeavor, which, however, is already bearing fruit and tangible results. Resolute and united, we can claim the future we deserve for a better Greece," Karamanlis told crew aboard the "Kanaris", a Hellenic Navy frigate in Tinos.

On Good Friday, the prime minister and his wife Natasha attended a service at the island's cathedral, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary; and on Saturday a resurrection service at Kechrovounio Monastery.

The prime minister returns to Athens on Tuesday to chair an inner cabinet meeting on a bill by the ministry of state on share ownership in media companies, and nationwide broadcasting licenses.

[09] No Greek casualties so far in Egyptian blasts

25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The ministry came in touch with Greek diplomatic authorities in Egypt as soon as news of the blasts emerged, Koumoutsakos said.

Dahab is not a frequent destination for Greek travelers, the spokesman noted.

The death toll in the blasts is estimated at 30 so far, according to rescue officials quoted by Reuters.

[10] Main opposition leader spends Easter with Air Force

25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Greeting Papandreou at the facility was Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis.

The two officials attended the Air Force's official Easter celebration, muted this year due to the death of a pilot last week.

The opposition Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology was represented at the military's Easter events by MP Thanassis Levendis at Dekelia and Political Bureau member Panos Trigazis at the Special Forces Training Centre, Nea Peramos.

[11] Jerusalem's Holy Light lands safely in Greece

ATHENS, 22/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

On Saturday evening, the Holy Light arrived at Athens airport in an Olympic Airlines jet chartered by the foreign ministry before its passage to locations around the country in 17 flights arriving before Resurrection services at midnight.

In a ceremony earlier on Saturday conducted at Jerusalem's Church of the Resurrection by Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos, Deputy Foreign Minister Thodoros Kassimis received the Holy Light on behalf of the nation.

A packed congregation then poured into the streets of Jerusalem bearing lighted candles amid ringing church bells.

Many orthodox pilgrims from Greece, Cyprus, Australia, and the USA have spent holy week in the city. Among the patriarch's visitors was a representative of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

"The Easter holiday, and especially the Holy Light ceremony will take place in a spirit of serenity, far from incidents and protests," the patriarch told the ANA-MPA.

[12] Ruling party marks military dictatorship anniversary

ATHENS, 25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

"We honor all these people, regardless of ideological stand or party membership, who strove and sacrificed for the restoration of democracy, so that the dividing lines would fall, so that we could move ahead, avoiding fanaticism and employing dialogue and understanding," ND said in a statement.

Today's society faced new kinds of difficulties that required collective action.

"This in no way should compromise human rights or political freedom. Our obligations to the new generation are tremendous. Our duty is to take the country one step forward, proceeding with reform and strengthening social cohesion and social justice," the statement said.

"We are moving with certainty and effectiveness in the right direction to resolve the public's problems, to meet the challenges of the future," ND added.

[13] US newspaper sees Greek tourism revival

WASHINGTON, 25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA/A Ellis)

In an article headlined "Greece Rebounds", the newspaper carried statements by Tourism Minister Fanny Palli-Petralia during a recent visit to the US.

"Essentially, what happened in Greece with the Olympic Games was the largest rebranding operation that has even been accomplished in a member country of the European Union," said the newspaper, echoing Palli-Petralia.

The article also carried a call by the minister on US residents to visit Greece.

[14] President Papoulias to meet tsunami-stricken children

ATHENS, 25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The children are being hosted by the ministry of education and religion, the president's office said in a statement on Monday.

[15] Anti-State Struggle claims arson attacks

25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The caller told Mega TV that the attacks were to protest against a visit to Athens on Tuesday by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; and to show solidarity with people resisting capitalist expansionism.

In the early morning hours, a makeshift explosive device made of gas canisters went off under an automobile without license plates parked outside a Renault showroom in the suburb of Halandri. The vehicle was badly damaged.

A second device planted under a nearby automobile failed to explode.

On Saturday, a third device planted outside an outlet of the McDonald's fast food chain in Aghia Paraskevi also failed to explode.

[16] Police find hashish haul near border

25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The guards on a routine patrol for illegal migrants and drug traffickers followed horse-hoof tracks in the mud that led them to the stash on Thursday in Prespa, Florina. The hashish was stuffed into 11 sacks, apparently awaiting dispatch, the authorities said.

Police, who seized the goods after a period of surveillance, are searching for anyone connected with the crime.

[17] National rail operator complains of vandalism

25/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

On Thursday, OSE staff at the level crossing in Drama saw that electricity cables had been slashed overnight, which carry power to the bars stopping traffic from passing over the track when a train is expected.

Also disabled were warning lights and beepers linked to the electricity cables. Destruction of a control panel meant that no safety controls were operational, management said.

OSE's managing director, Dionysis Hionis, told the ANA-MPA that over the last few months the company had reported to police a number of instances of extensive willful damage in the nationwide rail network.

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