Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-07-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Papoulias appeals to int'l diplomacy to end violence in Middle East

[02] EU Commissioner Dimas due in Cyprus to coordinate ongoing evacuation of foreign nationals from Lebanon

[03] Middle East crisis will have unpredictable impact, Palestinian diplomat tells ANA-MPA

[04] Papandreou in Rome for talks with Prodi, D'Alema

[05] KKE leader, Lebanese envoy call for end to hostilities in Midle East

[06] European Left delegation to leave Athens for Beirut on Monday evening

[07] Humanitarian aid for suffering civilians in Middle East

[08] ESHEA on Israel's attack against Lebanon and the region's mass media

[09] PM and education minister meet heads of technological institutes

[10] Deputy FM Valinakis convenes meeting on Turkey's and Croatia's accession talks with the EU

[11] Development minister, Russian ambassador discuss energy issues

[12] Papaligouras attends EU justice ministers meeting on the 'Hague Program'

[13] Scope for further cooperation between Greece's and Bulgaria's defense industries

[14] U.S. congresswoman on FYROM name issue

[15] VPRC poll foresees ND's candidate for Athens mayor Kaklamanis will win from first round

[16] Police officers, firemen and port authority workers hold protest rally in Athens

[17] Group calls for abolition of Turkey's 'F-type' prisons

[18] Privatization procedure for Emporiki Bank in crucial phase, Greek FinMin says

[19] Opposition asks gov't to explain use of EU funds

[20] Gov't funding for broadband, internet growth

[21] Aeronautics repair centre opens

[22] Aspis Bank to boost share capital

[23] Building cost up 5.9 pct in June, yr/yr

[24] Bidders named in state telecom tender

[25] Romanian tourists turn to Greece, Spain, as top holiday destinations

[26] Mytilineos Group in public offer to buy 100 pct of Delta Project

[27] Delta Holdings buys 45.8 pct stake in Christies Dairies Ltd in Cyprus

[28] Greek stocks end 0.46 pct higher on Monday

[29] Liza Minelli in Athens for Hellenic Festival appearances

[30] Riverboat cruises down Pinios River

[31] Airborne particles above EU limits near Tagarades, Thessalonica

[32] INKA criticizes EU decision to delay withdrawal of carcinogenic hair dyes

[33] Autonomous Civil Protection Unit on the island of Samothrace

[34] Book with foreword by PM launched at Zappion

[35] Drug arrests in Thessalonica

[36] Illegal immigrants intercepted at Methana

[37] Evacuees arriving in Cyprus faster than they are departing

[38] Rice thanks Cyprus for cooperation in Lebanon crisis

[39] Rice returns to Cyprus and catches plane for Israel, Egeland expected

[01] President Papoulias appeals to int'l diplomacy to end violence in Middle East

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

Addressing a reception Monday evening at the Presidential Monsion marking the 32nd anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece on July 24, 1974, the president said that "after World War Two the international community hoped that the logic of collective punishment would never return. Each child, each non-combatant killed, each refugee is not simply a number in the list of victims, but a burden on our conscience and a guilt for the international diplomacy."

Papoulias also referred to the "Cyprus drama which began with the coup against president Makarios and still persists because of the Turkish occupation which still divides the island." On the occasion, he welcomed at the reception students from two Cypriot high schools.

"The anniversary of the restoration of democracy," Papoulias said, "is of particular importance...It obliges us to a process of political self-criticism, to reflect on the years that elapsed since it occurred until now. We owe to the people that fought against the dictatorship that are either among us now or sorrowfully absent, a sincere and brave criticism on the weaknesses of present-day democracy. For democracy to function correctly, active citizens are needed, with a critical thought and interested in public affairs. The distancing of citizens from public affairs constitutes today one of the main threats against democracy."

The president also referred to educational issues saying that "what we want is an education system which offers equal opportunities to the child of the worker and the child of the industrialist, an education system capable of forging healthy personalities and citizens with ideals and supra-individual goals, who will not seek personal completion through accumulation of consumer goods and material power."

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias hosted a reception marking the 32nd anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece on July 24, 1974, at the Presidential Mansion in Athens on Monday evening.

The Middle East crisis prevailed in the discussions between the guests. Papoulias opened the reception with an address in which he referred to the situation in Lebanon, the Cyprus issue and education.

Present at the reception were Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, main opposition Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou, Parliament President Anna Benaki-Psarouda, former president of the republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, many Cabinet members and representatives of the political, business and cultural field.

About 5,000 guests were invited to this year's reception, among them resistance fighters, relatives of victims of the Athens Polytechnic uprising and students from two high schools from Cyprus. Addressing himself to the Cypriot students, Papoulias wished that the day will soon come when they will not have occupation troops in their island.

PASOK leader issues message on restoration of democracy anniversary: Main opposition Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou said it was "necessary that Greece becomes powerful again, with strong institutions, development, progress, prosperity and social cohesion, particularly in a period characterized by increased challenges in the broader region with the ongoing war in the Middle East."

In a message, Monday, marking the 32nd anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece on July 24, 1974, Papandreou also said that the seven-year dictatorship of the colonels collapsed thirty-two years ago following the tragedy of Cyprus.

"In the years that followed until today, our country had a stead-fast democratic course. Our democracy has been consolidated. We have shaped a modern parliamentary democracy with powerful democratic institutions. We have strengthened the prestige and the presence of our country within the European Union and in our region," Papandreou noted.

"The safeguarding of human and social rights, the deepening of democracy, decentralization, reinforcing local government, the effective participation of citizens, social justice and solidarity and securing our national issues constitute today a demand for the present and the future," the PASOK leader concluded.

Political party messages for restoration of democracy anniversary: In messages to mark the 32nd anniversary since the fall of a seven-year military junta and the return of democracy to Greece, the smaller left-wing parties on Monday stressed that more work needed to be done for greater democratization, both within and outside Greece.

According to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the rights of the working class and lower classes were not recognized and even basic rights were "under ruthless attack from the forces of capital and their political parties".

"The conclusion is single and clear: the contemporary needs of the working-lower class family cannot be met in the present sociopolitical framework. An alliance of the working class with the lower classes of the city and village is a necessary prerequisite for overturning imperialist dominion...," a KKE announcement said.

The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party (SYN) called for the restoration of democracy in international relations, an end to wars, defeat of the imperialist policies of the United States, reduction in regional inequalities and action to deal with the consequences of Neoliberal globalization, to establish and deepen the gains of social democracy, and a rollback of 'anti-terrorist hysteria' among other demands.

Event commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the restoration of Democracy in Greece: An event commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the fall of the dictatorship and the restoration of Democracy in Greece was held on Sunday by the Imprisoned and Exiled Resistance Fighters Association 1967-1974 (SFEA).

Music composer Mikis Theodorakis was honored at the event, held at the site of the former EAT-ESA camp at Eleftheria Park in Athens, in the shadow of the bloodshed in Lebanon and the waves of refugees flooding into Cyprus.

The horror of the new massacre was experienced by a SFEA delegation during its visit to Cyprus, at the invitation of the Cyprus Republic President, on the occasion of the events held on the island in condemnation of the coup d'etat, the anniversary of which coincided with the Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

[02] EU Commissioner Dimas due in Cyprus to coordinate ongoing evacuation of foreign nationals from Lebanon

NICOSIA, 25/7/2006 (ANA-MPA/A. Viketos)

Dimas will visit Larnaca's port and airport where most of the foreign nationals evacuated from Lebanon arrive.

Cypriot Foreign Ministry European Affairs Office Director ambassador Alexandros Zinon announced that Dimas will attend a broad meeting, to be attended by Cyprus Foreign Minister Giorgos Lillikas and other officials, to discuss the better coordination of humanitarian aid for foreign nationals arriving in Cyprus from Lebanon, while he will also visit Larnaca port and airport, where most of the foreign nationals fleeing Lebanon are arriving.

Zinon stated that all problems stemming from the mass arrivals of foreign nationals on Cyprus are being handled in the best possible way by government agencies.

Meanwhile, over 5,500 foreign nationals arrived at the port of Larnaca between 8pm on Sunday and 6am on Monday.

The French tank landing craft Sirocco brought 1,000 French nationals, the Greek cruise ship Ierapetra 1,200 French and British nationals, while three Indian ships carried 300 Indian nationals each. The USS also Nashville sailed into the port of Limassol with 1,100 foreign nationals from Lebanon.

Larnaca Airport has been overwhelmed by foreign nationals wishing to return to their countries. During the past few days, a minimum of 30 airplanes have been landing daily at Larnaca Airport, against a daily maximum of 15 flights under normal circumstances.

The Israeli air raids on Beirut have caused problems to the evacuation of foreign nationals from Lebanon. Two warships, an American and a British, and a third ship chartered to evacuate US citizens, were forced to cancel their arrival at the port of Limassol because they were unable to pick up passengers. For the same reason, two more ships sailed into the port with delays.

In total, more than 12 ships arrived in Limassol and Larnaca on Sunday carrying over 6,000 people who departed for their countries on 25 special flights.

Britain and the United States, meanwhile, have begun deescalating the operation for the evacuation of their citizens from Lebanon. Britain has already evacuated around 5,000 of its nationals who departed for their country from the Akrotiri Air Force Base, while hundreds of Americans are still at the facilities of the International Fair of Cyprus waiting for their turn to fly back home.

[03] Middle East crisis will have unpredictable impact, Palestinian diplomat tells ANA-MPA

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

This conflict would have winners and losers and would not be limited to a compromise solution, he predicted.

"What was once a utopia for Arab peoples, oppressed and wronged Arab peoples in which such a great sense of wrong has accumulated, will spill over very unpredictably, unpleasantly for some but pleasantly for them and every person that has no other interest and nothing to lose," he said.

Sabri made the statements in Thessalonica, where he was attending a Media Terra organization meeting.

He also expressed conviction that this would spread to surrounding regions:

"Even with the current positions adopted by Arab states and the differentiation of some of the total - and I speak of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt - American and 'European' desires to confine the conflict within the framework that they would like are not satisfied," he said.

According to Sabri, Israel was now faced with a new situation unlike those it had faced before.

"Lebanon in '82 is not Lebanon in 2006. Hezbollah is not Hezbollah in 2000 and the Lebanese people are rallying around Hezbollah, regardless of their political beliefs, with the exception of a few leaders of the Druze. The important thing is that [Hezbollah] has the support and sympathy of the entire Arab and Moslem world," he said.

He also warned that this sense of wrong was giving rise to more than just a desire to resist but also a desire for revenge, emphasizing the hundreds of innocent victims of this new conflict in the Middle East and the international community's passive response to suffering inflicted by Israel.

"We live today in an age of mutated colonialism, which pushes people to inventing ways to fight back and get revenge. And this is very sad," he added.

[04] Papandreou in Rome for talks with Prodi, D'Alema

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The talks will be held in light of an international conference on the war in Lebanon which convenes in the Italian capital on Wednesday.

Papandreou chairs PASOK meeting on Middle East crisis: Main opposition Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou said on Monday he would most probably visit war-torn Lebanon soon.

Papandreou made the announcement while addressing a meeting of his party's foreign policy and defense section. A party delegation headed by deputy and Doctor Aris Mousionis was expected to depart Monday evening for Lebanon to evaluate the living conditions of war refugees and the situation prevailing in the country's hospitals.

Papandreou, on his part, on Monday contacted by telephone Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.

The PASOK leader, who is also Socialist International (SI) president, reiterated that his party and the SI had from the very beginning called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. "The attacks against non-combatants and infrastructures cause a humanitarian disaster which goes beyond any right to self-defense," Papandreou said.

"The international community must act immediately and in a resolute manner for peace in the region," he said, reiterating his own, PASOK's and SI's "opposition to a new Iraq".

[05] KKE leader, Lebanese envoy call for end to hostilities in Midle East

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

"There is only one solution: an end to the Israeli raid. There is no other way out. A problem is also created by the fact that Israel's allies are using it (Israel) as an advance outpost at the expense of the people of Lebanon, Palestine, and the peoples of the Middle East more generally," the KKE leader told reporters after the meeting with Habib.

Papariga stressed that she had no confidence in the Rome conference -- referring to the emergency international conference on the Middle East crisis to take place in Rome on Wednesday -- and considers that it will be used as a means of pressure on Lebanon and Palestine and as a show of sympathy, if not tolerance, to the Israeli leadership.

She also expressed opposition to the solution being advanced by the US and Israel for a NATO presence in southern Lebanon, as well to any Greek participation in such a force.

"Since 1990, the peacekeeping forces in most cases take the side of the attacker. If there was a peacekeeping force that would help the people of Lebanon and Palestine, we would want Greek participation," Papariga said.

She further said that the time has come for the peoples to exert pressure on the governments, and for a broader support "from a distance", but with aid and visits to Lebanon itself.

Ambassador Habib also appealed for an end to the war and for a political settlement.

"Stop the war, if you truly care about this region, its people, the innocent citizens, and a political settlement. Each day of war renders a political settlement more difficult," Habib stressed.

He also said that "the destruction of Lebanon will not bring any result, as new groups will appear after this war". The solution, he said, was the "immediate cessation of the war, because what will happen tomorrow is even more dangerous".

Habib further stressed that the people of Lebanon must be left to solve its problems itself, without outside interventions, noting that "if it were not for the fact of the three Lebanese imprisoned in Israel since 1980 and a part of Lebanon had not been under Israeli occupation for years, Hezbollah would have had no excuse for action".

Returning KKE delegation paints dire picture of situation in Middle East: Members of a Communist Party of Greece (KKE) mission to Israel and the Palestinian territories that returned to the northern Greek city of Thessalonica on Monday painted a dire picture of the prevailing situation in the Middle East.

During a visit to the region on July 20-22, representatives of KKE visited Jerusalem and Ramallah and held talks with other left-wing parties and pacifist organizations but were not allowed access to Nablus and the Gaza Strip because of the bombardments that were underway.

"What we found was that Palestinian morale remains high, in spite of the total war in which Israeli forces have engaged, flattening entire districts and arrested any innocent citizen," Thessalonica Labor Centre secretary Sotiris Zarianopoulos said.

"Their aim is to destroy anything that makes the Palestinian areas viable and so as to push [Palestinians] into a new wave of refugees," he asserted.

KKE members said that demonstrations of support for the Palestinian and Lebanese people in Thessalonica would continue with a rally on Tuesday afternoon organized by KKE and PAME.

[06] European Left delegation to leave Athens for Beirut on Monday evening

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The purpose of the delegation is to express solidarity with the people of Lebanon and assist in the humanitarian efforts in the region, and also to express the European peoples demand for peace, according to a Coalition of the Left, Movements and Progress (SYN, leader of the SYRIZA movement) announce-ent

SYN leader Alekos Alavanos, in a press conference on Monday, said this was the first large delegation to visit Lebanon from the EU, and one of the goals was for the parties of the European Left to be informed on the situation prevailing, so that new initiatives could be taken at the European Parliament and in the national parliaments, and for the formation of a large peace movement "similar to that which we saw in the days of Iraq in all the European countries, in order to be able to move the European governments from their negative positions".

In that framework, he said, an appeal signed by 500 personalities from all the European countries would be released soon, demanding the immediate cessation of hostilities.

Alavanos further expressed his party's opposition to the dispatch of NATO forces to southern Lebanon, stressing that a peacekeeping force should be sent only within the framework of the United Nations.

The European Left's demands regarding the situation in the Middle East are:

1) Immediate cessation of hostilities, in accordance with international law and the UN principles.

2) Release of the captives, by all sides.

3) Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and Gaza.

4) Dispatch of a UN peacekeeping force for security and stability in the region, in the framework of advancing a comprehensive solution.

5) Organization of an international conference on the Middle East that would focus on the Palestinian problem.

6) Halt of exports of arms to the region.

7) Urgent dispatch of humanitarian aid by the UN.

8) Development of a wider anti-war movement.

9) Formulation of a demand to the EU and the governments of the EU member countries for a policy that would be independent of the US, which would look to a peaceful solution of the Middle East problem through diplomatic means.

Veteran leftist politician and outstanding WWII figure Manolis Glezos, a signatory of the 500-personality appeal, stressed that the self-determination of peoples was the foundation stone of the UN, and must be applied also in the case of the Palestinians.

He added that there should be no soldier outside the borders of his own country, and that military bases and military blocks should be abolished, while he also called for an immediate reduction of armaments.

[07] Humanitarian aid for suffering civilians in Middle East

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The humanitarian aid - preserved food (no pork meat), milk, baby food, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies (fever suppressants, analgesics, antibiotics, sterilized gauzes, disposable surgical gloves, etc) - will be collected at Pavilion 5 in the Thessalonica International Fair.

[08] ESHEA on Israel's attack against Lebanon and the region's mass media

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

ESHEA noted that despite the appeals directed by the International Federation of Journalists for the protection of mass media representatives, attacks against them continuously increase. ESHEA said that the mass media suffered its first casualty when a 23 year-old Lebanese woman photoreporter was killed on Sunday during an Israeli air raid.

[09] PM and education minister meet heads of technological institutes

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

Afterwards, Yiannakou said the meeting had been productive and stressed that Greece's tertiary education system was based on the twin pillars of university studies and technological studies.

She reiterated that no TEI would close and that any mergers necessary would be carried out in collaboration with TEI presidents.

The minister said the discussion on Monday had covered the academic character of TEI and making their academic profile complete, which would include establishing independent postgraduate courses offered by TEI.

Also discussed were the professional rights of various TEI. The minister announced that decrees for the professional rights of two departments in northern Greece (for wood-processing, furniture and textiles studies) had already been published in the government gazette, while more decrees for nine economics departments and 14 IT departments were on their way toward publication.

The president of the TEI congress Panagiotis Kikilias said the presidents had raised current problems facing TEI during the meeting, such as funding and improvements to provide a comprehensive academic profile.

He said TEI heads were in favor of assessment for higher education institutes and agreed with the minimum passmark of 10, provided measures were taken to counteract negative repercussions.

According to Kilikias, Karamanlis had promised to keep funding at the same levels as the previous year, within the framework of the country's fiscal state.

Other TEI heads noted that this was the first time that the prime minister had received them and talked to them for such a long time (three hours), giving all present at the meeting a chance to present their problems and state their concerns.

[10] Deputy FM Valinakis convenes meeting on Turkey's and Croatia's accession talks with the EU

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

"The negotiations of Croatia and Turkey with the European Union started some months ago. This procedure is important because it concerns the further enlargement of the European Union towards our neighborhood," Valinakis said.

The deputy foreign minister added that "the matters, political and technical, which are raised, are of particular importance for all the sides."

He noted: "The foreign Ministry which is competent for the holding of the negotiations, all this period, is moving systematically and methodically. Our effort aims at the best possible preparation and the timely mobilization where and when it is needed. Today's meeting had exactly this purpose: That is, the evaluation of the present-day situation, the underlining of the difficulties and finally the quickest coordination between those ministries which are directly involved with the 35 chapters in which the acquis communautaire has been divided."

"What are required are the most possible effective intervention and contribution of our country in this long procedure. The issues of Greek interest are quite a lot and are incorporated in the framework defined by the European Union for the progress of these countries, of Croatia and Turkey, towards Europe, under the known terms," the deputy foreign minister concluded.

[11] Development minister, Russian ambassador discuss energy issues

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

Sioufas met with the outgoing Italian ambassador to Athens: Bilateral issues, with a special reference to cooperation in the energy sector, were discussed in the meeting Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas had on Monday with Italian ambassador to Athens Gian Paolo Caravai whose term in Greece ends soon.

The development minister stated that cooperation with Italy on issues of mutual interest and with ambassador Caravai personally was impeccable, stressing that hopefully the excellent cooperation shared will continue with the new Italian ambassador to Athens.

Polydoras attends EU meeting on illegal immigration, situation in Lebanon

BRUSSELS, 25/7/2006 (ANA-MPA/ M. Spinthourakis)

Regarding the developments in Lebanon, Polydoras stressed that Greece was one of the first countries which sent humanitarian aid, underlining also Cyprus' special role in this sector.

With regard illegal immigration, Polydoras observed that Greece, in the eastern Aegean, confronts 500 illegal immigrants weekly and desires European attention.

Public order SG meets Finnish envoy:

Public Order Ministry General Secretary Kostis Elianos met on Monday with Finnish Ambassador to Athens Ole Norrback.

Talks focused on the Finnish European Union presidency's priorities in public order issues. Ambassador Norrback was accompanied by the embassy's First Secretary Ktiseina Kuvaja.

[12] Papaligouras attends EU justice ministers meeting on the 'Hague Program'

BRUSSELS, 25/7/2006 (ANA-MPA/V. Demiris)

At the meeting, but also in contacts he had with EU counterparts, Papaligouras expressed the hope that the historic principles which were set for the sector of freedom, justice and security at the Summit in the Finnish city of Tampere in 1999, to be reconfirmed in the coming ministerial meeting in the same city in September.

As Papaligouras stated, from Tampere started the initiatives for the implementation of an authentic European field of justice, with the adoption of the principles of mutual recognition of judicial decisions, of the policies for preventing crime and facilitating the access to justice of all European citizens.

[13] Scope for further cooperation between Greece's and Bulgaria's defense industries

SOFIA, 25/7/2006 (ANA-MPA/B. Borisov)

This was stated on Monday to ANA-MPA by the Greek Embassy's outgoing defense attaché Constantine Kalimeridis, during the official ceremony of his awarding of a medal by Bulgaria's defense ministry.

[14] U.S. congresswoman on FYROM name issue

WASHINGTON, 25/7/2006 (ANA-MPA/T.Ellis)

In an article published in the National Review magazine, Ros-Lehtinen said that the UN's proposed name "Republika Makedonija-Skopje" should be accepted by FYROM as a basis for serious negotiations so as Greece and the neighboring country agree on a mutually acceptable solution.

[15] VPRC poll foresees ND's candidate for Athens mayor Kaklamanis will win from first round

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The poll, conducted between July 13-17, on behalf of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party, shows that Kaklamanis is leading with 42 per cent, followed by main opposition Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) candidate Costas Skandalidis with 20 per cent, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) candidate Spyros Halvatzis with 6 per cent and Synaspismos candidate Alekos Tzipras with 5 per cent. The undecided stands at 11 per cent and blank votes at 7 per cent.

[16] Police officers, firemen and port authority workers hold protest rally in Athens

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The demonstrators gathered at 17:30 behind the War Museum and later held a march up to the junction of Herod Atticus and Vasilissis Sofias without disrupting traffic.

A delegation of the demonstrators met with President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias to whom they handed a protest resolution. The same resolution was delivered to Parliament.

[17] Group calls for abolition of Turkey's 'F-type' prisons

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The committee members in a press conference they gave on the occasion of their recent visit to hunger strikers Behic Asci and Gulcan Giururoglu held in the prisons of Istanbul and Adana, called on political parties, bar associations and academics to mobilize and bring the F-type prison abolition request to international organizations. They also called for an end to persecutions in Turkey and for legal and tangible guarantees to the unhindered expression and dissemination of ideas.

The delegation members referred to the atmosphere inside the Turkish jails, the horror of the isolation cells where a total of 122 people lost their lives since October 20, 2000, the persistence of hunger strikers and the solidarity expressed by the literary world. They clarified that the solidarity movement was launched by the association of families of political prisoners and now has the support of 300 unions, institutes and personalities.

[18] Privatization procedure for Emporiki Bank in crucial phase, Greek FinMin says

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, the Greek minister said there was only one bid submitted for the purchase of Emporiki Bank, from Credit Agricole, which owns 9.0 percent in the Greek bank. "This offer is seriously examined while the government's consultants will examine if there are other candidates before a decision is taken with full transparency and designed to serve the state's interests," Alogoskoufis said.

A delegation of Credit Agricole's executives, headed by George Pauget the French bank's chief executive officer, is expected in Athens on Tuesday to discuss its offer for Emporiki Bank.

[19] Opposition asks gov't to explain use of EU funds

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

"Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis should explain about the failure of the New Democracy party over Third Community Support Framework funds, instead of attacking the party's leader, George Papandreou. He should also see what can be fixed, as this money belongs neither to PASOK nor the ND. It belongs to the Greek people," spokesman Nikos Athanasakis said in a statement.

On Sunday, Papandreou had expressed concern that substantial EU funds earmarked for Greece would be lost, speaking after a meeting with European Commissioner for regional policy Danuta Hubner on the sidelines of a conference.

[20] Gov't funding for broadband, internet growth

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The funding is for the development of broadband infrastructure outside the country's main urban centers, and to spur the adoption of rapid internet services, a move backed by the European Union's executive Commission at the start of the month.

The broadband segment of 160 million euros is to be awarded from the government's information society program. The remainder destined for fast internet services will be 50% financed from national and EU funds and 50% by companies.

[21] Aeronautics repair centre opens

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The centre was created by 1 Source Aero Services, comprising EAB and Pratt & Whitney, the Greek company said in a statement.

The centre services F100-PW-220, F100-PW-229, PW-2000 and CFM-56 engines. Already on the premises for attention are CFM-56s, which are used in Boeing 737s and the A-320 Airbus, the statement said.

[22] Aspis Bank to boost share capital

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The increase will be affected via cash payment and pre-emptive rights in favor of existing shareholders at a ratio of 3 new to 10 old shares, management said in a statement.

A total of 14,649,093 new common registered shares are for issue at an offer price of 3.60 euros each, the statement said.

Total funds to be raised are 52,736,734.80 euros. Emporiki Bank will act as lead manager for the offer, management added.

[23] Building cost up 5.9 pct in June, yr/yr

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

NSS, in a report, said the building materials' cost index rose 0.6 pct in June from May.

[24] Bidders named in state telecom tender

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The seven firms that have been clear for bidding after expressing interest are Tellas, Vodafone, Hellas On Line, Forthnet, Athens International Airport, Cosmoline and Clearwire Europe, the commission said in a statement on Monday.

[25] Romanian tourists turn to Greece, Spain, as top holiday destinations

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The article noted that Greece's image has been boosted following the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, while another reason for selecting Greece as a vacation destination was the fear of terrorist attacks in rival tourism countries, whereas Greece is regarded as a "safe tourist destination".

Spain was also a top destination for Romanian holidaymakers in the first half of the year, according to the article.

Cotidianul also highlighted the beauty of Greek islands such as Crete, Rhodes and Corfu, as well as the abundance of archaeological monuments scattered throughout the country and pointed out that the number of tourists visiting neighboring countries has dropped.

Turkey recorded the biggest decline in arrivals (10 percent) compared to the same period in 2005, the article said.

[26] Mytilineos Group in public offer to buy 100 pct of Delta Project

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

Mytilineos Group is committed to acquire up to 5,922,000 shares of Delta Project in addition to the 6,578,000 shares it acquired in June 19.

The Group said it would not seek to strike off Delta Project's shares from the Athens Stock Exchange.

[27] Delta Holdings buys 45.8 pct stake in Christies Dairies Ltd in Cyprus

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

A Delta Holdings announcement said an audit inspection would be carried out before signing a final agreement while the deal is subject to competition authorities' permission. After completion of the deal, Delta Holdings will submit a public offer for the purchase of the remaining shares of Christies Dairies Public Ltd.

Delta Holdings will be renamed into Vivartia after completion of a merger agreement with Chipita International, Goody's, General Foods and Delta Dairy. Vivartia will be the 35th largest food company in Europe and the biggest in the food sector in Greece.

[28] Greek stocks end 0.46 pct higher on Monday

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The composite index rose 0.46 pct to end at 3,610.25 points with turnover a moderate 137.6 million euros.

Sector indices ended higher with the Food-Beverage (1.86 pct), Constructions (1.47 pct), Utilities (1.44 pct) and Raw Materials (1.18 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Personal-Home Products (0.49 pct), Health (0.34 pct), Media (0.21 pct) and Oil (0.06 pct) sectors suffered losses.

The Big Cap index rose 0.28 pct the Mid Cap index ended 1.02 pct and the Small Cap index ended 0.43 percent higher. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 144 to 92 with another 63 issues unchanged.

Foreign Exchange Rates:

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:

U.S. dollar 1.273

[29] Liza Minelli in Athens for Hellenic Festival appearances

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

At a press conference at a central Athens hotel, she expressed herself excited and proud to be in Greece - "a magical country that combines color, romance and courtesy, lots of music and dance".

According to Hellenic Festival director Georgios Loukos, the organizers had saved the best for last and were closing the festival "with a superstar".

He thanked Minelli and U.S. Ambassador to Athens Charles Ries for his help in organizing the two concerts by the multi-talented artist, which are taking place in collaboration with the American-Hellenic Arts Centre of Halandri and the American Community School (ACS) in Athens.

He said the revenue raised by the concerts would go to support the activities of the arts centre, since the U.S. Embassy supported cultural programs in the conviction that Art was a universal language uniting all peoples.

This is the second time that Minelli will be performing in Athens, while her appearance here will be part of a major European tour that the artist began in February this year in Munich. After Athens, she is due to appear in Moscow and finally in Montreal. Her Athens performances will also be an opportunity for Minelli to take a 10-day trip in Greece.

[30] Riverboat cruises down Pinios River

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The Agia Paraskevi riverboat, named after the St. Paraskevi chapel situated on the river banks, cruises down a 4.5km-long majestic river route between Mounts Olympus and Kisavos. The same route will be followed by a local recreation train using the old Hellenic Railways (OSE) line.

[31] Airborne particles above EU limits near Tagarades, Thessalonica

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

Meanwhile, local authorities said that the fire was now confined only to a lake of leachate and that the last traces of smoke will have been eliminated in the next two to three days.

According to measurements taken at seven monitoring stations set up in response to the fire, airborne particles exceeded safety

limits in Vasilika, Tagarades and the residential area of Kalamaria on July 21, and again in Kalamaria on July 22-23 when they peaked at 64 micrograms per cubic meter of air on Saturday.

According to Central Macedonia Region General Secretary George Tsiotras, however, the high counts could not be definitely attributed to the fire, since there were no earlier air-quality measurements from the areas they could be compared to.

During a meeting at the Central Macedonia Region authority, meanwhile, a decision was made to reopen the landfill to take the city's refuse, which has been piling up on the streets during the fire. Local mayors appeared satisfied with the state's response to their problems and a pledge of ¬ 3.0 million for the restoration of the landfill.

[32] INKA criticizes EU decision to delay withdrawal of carcinogenic hair dyes

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

In an announcement, INKA asserted that the decision was protecting the economic interests of the cosmetics industry rather than the health of European citizens.

"INKA Macedonia condemns this practice by the European Commission and the industries," the announcement says, while pointing out that hair dyes are used by seven in 10 women and by 5-10 percent of men.

It also advised consumers buying dyes for use at home to test if they are allergic to the dye using the coloring substance neat, without the activating cream, while noting that consumers should avoid inhaling the fumes produced by peroxide and ammonia in dyes.

Finally, it points out that all dyes are aggressive and tend to dehydrate hair, damaging its structure.

[33] Autonomous Civil Protection Unit on the island of Samothrace

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The unit features a special 250,000-euro multiple use vehicle and smaller machinery.

A 5-million-euro project for the construction of a drainage system and the biological purification of liquid waste will also be funded.

[34] Book with foreword by PM launched at Zappion

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

[35] Drug arrests in Thessalonica

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

The two were arrested while one of them was trying to sell 1,040 grams of heroin to the other.

An additional 4.5 grams of heroin were found in the car of one of the detainees.

[36] Illegal immigrants intercepted at Methana

ATHENS, 25/7/2006 (ANA)

Two foreign nationals, believed to be immigrant-smugglers, found on board were placed under arrest.

The craft was intercepted on Sunday at Kalloni Bay near Epidavros, by Methana coast guard in collaboration with the Merchant Marine ministry.

[37] Evacuees arriving in Cyprus faster than they are departing

NICOSIA, 25/7/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

According to Police figures, over 35,000 foreign nationals, the majority being US, French, Swedish, British, Canadian and Australian citizens, have arrived in Cyprus since the Israeli assault on Lebanon began, with about 23,000 departing so far for other destinations.

Evacuees are arriving on ships by the thousands and are waiting at the airport for a flight out. Larnaca Airport is working at full blast, serving nearly as many passengers as large airports abroad.

Minister of the Interior Andreas Christou visited Larnaca Airport on Monday to inspect all units working there. He added that there have been some applications by Lebanese citizens seeking political asylum in Cyprus.

Christou congratulated everyone and expressed hope that peace would prevail in the Middle East.

Asked if Israel would stop allowing passenger ships to dock in Beirut and would allow evacuees to leave only on warships, Christou replied in the negative.

Replying to questions about difficulties encountered in hosting foreign nationals, Christou said everything possible was being done to solve any problems but pointed out that each country was responsible for the place and conditions of hosting their citizens.

Minister of Communications and Works Charis Thrasou said the Cypriot authorities have reached their limit in facilitating the evacuees from war-ravaged Lebanon.

Thrasou renewed Cyprus' call for more planes so that the wave of evacuees could be transferred to their destinations, relieving Cyprus which is under strain.

Civil Aviation Department Director Leonidas Leonidou said coordination was needed between the Cypriot authorities and the embassies bringing evacuees to the island, in order to avoid delays between their arrival and departure.

Leonidou told CNA that a Department meeting took place Monday in Nicosia with the participation of foreign diplomats. ''We expect that after today's (Monday) meeting there will be better movement of passengers,'' he said, adding that the aim was ''to improve the existing coordination.''

Referring to the situation at the airports, Leonidou said that ''for the past four days we have been working to our limits'' and that about 5,000 passengers more than the normal load were being served.

Head of Civil Aviation at Larnaca Airport Antonis Lemesianos said things were tough at the airport, noting that better coordination on behalf of the embassies was necessary, so that the arrival of ships with evacuees and the departure of flights to take them hope were better scheduled.

He noted that on Sunday there were 300 flights with 150 planes, as well as about 40 helicopter flights.

Lemesianos said these were record numbers for Cyprus and indicated that ''in 24 hours we are reaching 70% to 80% of the operation of Eleftherios Venizelos Airport on its busy day.''

Head of the Crisis Team at Larnaca Port Omiros Mavrommatis said there seems to be abatement in the arrival of ships carrying evacuees from Lebanon and that on the whole the vessels are coming and going without any particular problems.

He added that three Indian warships docked in Larnaca Port Monday carrying 900 Indians, who were to be driven to Larnaca Airport to return home on two Indian Airways jumbos.

Mavrommatis said India's High Commissioner to Cyprus Neelan Sabherwal is at Larnaca Port and will remain there until all Indians have departed for Larnaca Airport.

He said ships sailing for Lebanon were taking humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, the British High Commission to Cyprus has announced that operations to get British and other citizens out of Lebanon are reaching their conclusion.

According to a press release, British High Commissioner Peter Millet said the operation was successful and met the goals set both in numbers and in time.

''We could not have met this aim without the excellent cooperation and assistance provided by the Cypriot authorities,'' he said.

Over the past week, Britain withdrew some 5,000 people, mostly British, from Lebanon. About 2,500 have already returned to Britain on chartered flights, while others preferred to make their own arrangements. There are still some British citizens heading to Cyprus.

Furthermore, with a view to fully exploit the transport means of the EU countries, in order to transfer away foreign nationals arriving in Cyprus from war-torn Lebanon, the European Commission has sent to Cyprus three Civil Defense officers, while Tuesday, European Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas is due to arrive in Cyprus, as the Commissioner responsible for Civil Protection.

In statements to CNA, Head of the European Commission's Representation to Nicosia Themis Themistocleous said Commissioner Dimas will participate. Dimas in a meeting with Lillikas and the Ministry's Crisis Team decided to coordinate efforts to evacuate people from Lebanon.

Meanwhile, a Cypriot team of Doctors of the World is in Lebanon with four tons of medical and pharmaceutical aid, to be handed over to hospitals in southern Lebanon.

[38] Rice thanks Cyprus for cooperation in Lebanon crisis

NICOSIA, 25/7/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Rice expressed her thanks to Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas, during a short meeting they had at Larnaca airport on Monday, where Rice made a stop before heading to Lebanon and Israel.

A press release by the US Embassy in Nicosia said "Foreign Minister George Lillikas met Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on her arrival at Larnaca International Airport".

"The Secretary of State took the opportunity to express the gratitude of the US for the remarkable cooperation in the assisted departure efforts", it added.

The press release noted that "the two governments will remain in close touch on issues related to the situation in Lebanon and Israel".

According to an official press release in Cyprus, the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and Lillikas reassured his American counterpart that Cyprus will continue to put its available infrastructure and means at the disposal of foreign governments for repatriating their citizens.

[39] Rice returns to Cyprus and catches plane for Israel, Egeland expected

NICOSIA, 25/7/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Rice disembarked her military helicopter and boarded a US plane destined for Israel, for talks with the Israeli government.

It was her second stop over in Cyprus today. Meanwhile, Jan Egeland, the U.N. emergency relief coordinator, was also expected at Larnaca Airport on Monday evening from Beirut on route to Israel.

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