Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-08-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't accepts Credit Agricole's offer for Emporiki Bank stock

[02] Alavanos reiterates objections to selling Emporiki

[03] FM Bakoyannis satisfied by EU decision on Lebanon crisis

[04] Bakoyannis stresses need for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon

[05] SYN leader demands off-the-agenda debate on Middle East

[06] Meimarakis on sending peacekeeping force to Lebanon

[07] Hellenic Aid initiative to raise money for humanitarian aid to Lebanon

[08] Aegean Airlines offers humanitarian aid to Lebanon

[09] Demonstration organized in solidarity with Lebanese, Palestinian peoples

[10] IFJ condemns Israeli army attacks against Arab TV crews

[11] Valinakis addresses the Greek ambassadors' conference

[12] Economic diplomacy a key tool, Stylianidis tells ambassadors

[13] Parliament Vice-President Tragakis on appeal regarding TOR-M1 missiles issue

[14] KKE's Papariga wishes quick recovery to Fidel Castro

[15] Ecumenical Patriarch to visit Samos on August 16-20

[16] Finmin: Privatization to help brake public debt

[17] Inner cabinet discusses agricultural issues

[18] PASOK slams government policy on agriculture

[19] Interior minister signs decision for collection of data on unleaded gasoline prices

[20] Tsitouridis orders checks on TV channel 9 and other mass media

[21] PASOK delegation visits LARKO mining company

[22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks up

[23] Authorities on standby for possible oil slick from Lebanon

[24] Greek-Italian cooperation for dealing with natural dangers in the Mediterranean

[25] Greek language and culture lessons for foreign scientists and students

[26] The parents of savagely beaten 7-year-old jailed

[27] Two men arrested for attempting to smuggle illegal immigrants into the country

[28] Second anniversary of Athens Olympics celebrated

[29] Cyprus points out to General Affairs Council EU role in Middle East

[30] G/C and T/C representatives continue meetings to move process forward

[31] Britain urges Cyprus sides to take advantage of recent agreement

[32] Cypriot government: Lebanon oil spill unlikely to reach Cyprus

[33] No cloud with enriched uranium hovering over Cyprus, says Labor Ministry

[01] Gov't accepts Credit Agricole's offer for Emporiki Bank stock

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

"The inner cabinet evaluated Credit Agricole's revised offer, which was a great improvement in terms of price versus the original proposal. This is an offer that truly reflects the value of Emporiki Bank," Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis told reporters after the meeting.

Acceptance of the offer was in line with a recommendation by the government's consultants in the sale, and by Emporiki's board, which on Monday backed the deal in a statement to bourse authorities. The French bank is already a strategic investor in Emporiki.

According to management, the new price of 25.00 euros per share at 1.5 euros higher than initially offered was favorable as it lay in the middle of the fair price range and included a premium of 8.7% against the range's lower end, and a premium of 2.25% against the stock's average market price for the month before announcement of the tender offer.

"The inner cabinet's decision was taken on the basis of the public interest, spurring competitiveness in the banking sector, and boosting compositeness and an outward-looking approach in the national economy," Alogoskoufis noted.

"Credit Agricole's offer is a sign of confidence in reform being undertaken and in the outlook for the Greek economy, the Greek banking system, and Emporiki Bank itself," he said.

The tender process had followed Greek and European Union law on public offers, ensuring transparency, the minister added.

Parliamentary opposition parties have vigorously opposed the sale.

The Panhellenic Socialist Movement has stated that Credit Agricole's improved offer was below a fair value range stated by Emporiki's privatization consultant of 28.4-31.5 euros per share, and that any sale would damage the state and other shareholders.

According to the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology, the first to suffer from the likely sale of Emporiki to Credit Agricole was a subsidiary, Hellenic Fertilizers Industry, which would be downsized and then sold.

[02] Alavanos reiterates objections to selling Emporiki

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

He also urged the government "to stop handing over public property to major economic interests, especially foreign ones, in the name of the free market."

Alavanos asked the government to submit "political proposals, like those submitted by SYN" for restructuring Emporiki and establishing a partnership with the Post Offices Savings Fund, so that the bank might have a developmental and social role in the country.

[03] FM Bakoyannis satisfied by EU decision on Lebanon crisis

BRUSSELS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

"The European Union has today in front of it a double challenge to which it responded with success. On the one hand it maintained its political cohesion while on the other, it has sent a clear message in favor of the cessation of hostilities paving in parallel the next steps," Bakoyannis told reporters at the end of an emergency meeting of the 25-nation EU.

The Greek foreign minister underlined that Tuesday's decision "satisfies Greek diplomacy to the extent that it is on the same wavelength with the five-point proposal that Athens has recently submitted."

"The 25 have taken a position in favor of the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East so as the UN Security Council be able afterwards to take the necessary decisions, starting with the deployment of an international military force in the region," Bakoyannis explained.

On this perspective, the foreign minister clarified that the international peacekeeping force would not be a NATO force, it would not be deployed in a war zone and that the cessation of hostilities from both sides was an indispensable precondition in order for it to have the UN Security Council's approval.

Greece, Bakoyannis said, wants the UN Security Council to convene as soon as possible and that in "general terms agreed with the proposal submitted recently by France."

"The fact that after today's (Tuesday's) meeting, the EU will present itself with a single voice in the Security Council constitutes an extremely positive development," the Greek foreign minister added.

Referring to the Middle East in general, Bakoyannis underlined that a necessary precondition for a comprehensive handling of existing problems was the solution of the Palestinian issue, indicating that the situation in the Gaza Strip was continuously deteriorating.

She also underlined that all involved parties, including Syria and Iran, should participate in efforts to resolve the Middle East crisis, and expressed satisfaction on the fact that EU High Commissioner on Foreign Policy Javier Solana was ordered on Tuesday by the Council to begin contacts with all interested parties in the region including Damascus and Tehran.

Referring to a possible dispatch of an international military force to Lebanon, the foreign minister said that it should be the broadest possible and not only be "Christian" but also include as many Muslim and Arab countries as possible.

[04] Bakoyannis stresses need for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon

BRUSSELS 2/8/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Speaking to reporters shortly before the council meeting began, Bakoyannis said that Greece was among the countries desiring an immediate ceasefire.

Greek foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos explained that Greece wants the United Nations Security Council to take over responsibility for Lebanon's future as soon as a decision for a ceasefire was made, with an immediate meeting to decide the deployment of an international peacekeeping force in the area.

He also stressed that Athens wanted this international force to be made up of the broadest possible range of countries and, given the complex situation in the area, was opposed to the a priori exclusion of any country that wanted to contribute to efforts for peace in the region, including Syria and Iran.

Regarding Greece's possible role for peace in the Middle East, the ministry spokesman said that Greece had positive intentions, especially with regard to the humanitarian aid sector and action to deal with Lebanon's urgent healthcare needs.

On the medium-term prospects for peace, Koumoutsakos said that Greece favored a gradual resumption of efforts to solve the Palestinian problem, initially by reactivating the "road map" for peace, and stressed that all countries involved in the Palestinian problem should actively participate in this process, without a priori exclusions.

[05] SYN leader demands off-the-agenda debate on Middle East

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

Humanitarian aid to Lebanon was important but the most important humanitarian aid would be an immediate stop to Israel's military incursion, he stressed.

"At the end of the day, it ends up being ridiculous to have the Americans destroy, the British consent, the Israelis destroy and for the international community to confine itself only to issues of humanitarian support - though these are hugely important when we see the events in Qana," Alavanos said.

SYN's leader also criticized the European Union's decision to freeze all funding to the Palestinian government because the Palestinians had elected Hamas - noting that this was "politically completely incorrect and unjustified" - while pointing out that the EU was at the same time doing nothing regarding EU agreements with Israel.

Alavanos also called for a response from Socialist International and its president, Greek main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, given that Israel's defense minister Amir Peretz, who ordered the attack on Qana with its heavy civilian casualties was the head of the Israeli labor party and belonged to Socialist International.

Regarding the Ombudsman's report, Alavanos referred to the "chaotic situation" regarding the new passports issued by police and demanded an ombudsman's office for Thessaloniki.

[06] Meimarakis on sending peacekeeping force to Lebanon

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

He pointed out that all discussion so far were on a theoretical level and added, responding to another question, that if such a request is made based on a UN Security Council decision then it will be a serious matter. He underlined that the government has set specific parameters such as a relevant UN Security Council decision, the consent of both sides in the region and a ceasefire.

Responding to a comment by a member of the press that the soldiers will be sent to the frontline, Meimarakis added that there is no frontline during a ceasefire.

KKE on sending peacekeeping force to Lebanon: The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) reacted to statements Tuesday by Defense Minister Evangelos Maimarakis on the terms of a Greek participation in a possible peacekeeping force in Lebanon, by calling on to the "people to reject the statements as unacceptable and aligning with the general imperialistic plans against the peoples of Lebanon and Palestine."

"The UN Security Council is being manipulated by the leading forces of imperialism. Given that the aim of the governments of the EU and the U.S., as well as of Israel, is the attack against and the eradication of the popular resistance in the Middle East, it is obvious that the Security Council will take the relevant decisions after the imperialists' terms will have been imposed at all costs," the KKE said in a statement.

[07] Hellenic Aid initiative to raise money for humanitarian aid to Lebanon

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

Agencies, private individuals and non-governmental organizations which wish to contribute in this humanitarian effort, can deposit money to the following accounts: - National Bank of Greece: 040/483100-41 - Emporiki Bank: 85601920 - Alpha Bank: 101002001000610

[08] Aegean Airlines offers humanitarian aid to Lebanon

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

At the same time, as stated in the company's announcement, its 1,700 personnel have responded immediately and are collecting special categories of foodstuffs and medicine, which they will deliver to the Foreign Ministry, which has undertaken the mission of humanitarian aid.

[09] Demonstration organized in solidarity with Lebanese, Palestinian peoples

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

Various peace movements also participated in the demonstration.

[10] IFJ condemns Israeli army attacks against Arab TV crews

2/8/2006 (ANA)

ESHEA added that it was the sixth Israeli army attack against members of the region's mass media in the past three weeks.

The IFJ, the ESHEA announcement added, has called on Israel to investigate into the attacks against the mass media and to put an end to the practice with which employees in the mass media become military targets.

"It is unacceptable that the gunfire of the army is turned against unarmed journalists in order to terrorize Arab journalists which cover what is going on in Palestinian regions and in Lebanon," the ESHEA announcement said.

ESHEA added:"Another Palestinian cameraman was seriously injured when the Israeli forces turned against the news crew of the television station 'Palestine TV', east of the Gaza Strip."

[11] Valinakis addresses the Greek ambassadors' conference

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

The peculiarities of the candidate states and the evolution of the EU itself during the past few years made the process even more political.

There are not only the known Copenhagen criteria, as candidate-states are also being evaluated on their ability to meet specific requirements of a political nature, added Valinakis in his address to the two-day Greek ambassadors conference taking place at the foreign ministry in Athens.

Referring to Turkey’s European prospects, he stressed that Ankara did not enjoy blind or unconditional support and that Greece was a demanding, strict and fair judge.

Valinakis underlined the importance of the European Commission's progress report on Turkey expected in the autumn, noting that the progress reports and the October 2005 Negotiating Framework and Partnership Relation are the cornerstones of Turkey's EU accession hopes.

For Greece, Turkey’s tangible commitment to observing good neighborly relations’ and refraining from threats of violence constitute the most crucial measure for Ankara’s evaluation, he said.

Referring to the Additional Protocol in the Ankara Agreement, Valinakis emphasized that Turkey must open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and aircraft and that this was definitely not negotiable.

The EU made it clear with its statement in September 21, 2005, that Turkey’s non-implementation of the Protocol will have repercussions on the negotiating process, the deputy minister added.

He also referred to EU aspirations for a single maritime policy, for which the European Commission had recently presented a Green Paper. He underlined that Greece hopes to play a leading role in drawing up this policy, adding that the sea is an ingredient of Greece’s identity and a source of wealth and culture as well as problems.

Valinakis also referred to the establishment of acquis in the sector of Justice and Interior, adding that on Greece’s part, a priority is given to close cooperation aimed at the more effective control of the EU external borders with an emphasis on sea borders.

Regarding the European Constitutional Treaty, he said that the ratification process should continue and the temptation to abandon it or selectively implement certain points of it should be avoided, stressing that Greece will contribute with all its powers to the effort for the greatest possible progress in settling this pending issue. Greece must remain part of Europe’s hard core, he stressed.

Valinakis called on the diplomats to not be limited to simply managing challenges in an era when “the only certainty is uncertainty itself” and to foresee and plan actions ahead to protect national interests in the best possible way thus enhancing the country’s international prestige.

[12] Economic diplomacy a key tool, Stylianidis tells ambassadors

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

"From the 20 countries in which we operated in the last 28 months, the Greek economy gained €3.5 billion from exports alone, while the benefits from repatriated capital from the Balkans come to €2.0 billion. This is the contribution made by the foreign ministry," Stylianidis stressed, pointing out that the aim was to earn more income for the national economy.

He encouraged ambassadors to view economic diplomacy and developmental cooperation as a inseparable part of their work, to carefully monitor projects involving Greek funds and to ensure that Greece's role in projects it assisted abroad was properly publicized and promoted.

"It is the obligation of the non-governmental organizations who undertake to carry out projects to keep you informed, to consult with you and to bear the logo of Hellenic Aid [the Greek foreign ministry development aid service] on all the projects they undertake. You must be present when a project starts and when it ends. It is, above all, a work of Greece," he said.

Regarding future trends in Greece's immediate neighborhood, Stylianidis referred to an apparent shift of Greek businesses in the Balkans, where Greece was among the top investors, toward the service sector, while noting that an emphasis on energy diplomacy in Black Sea countries had increased Greece's potential role as an energy junction and Athens was now seeking to promote the idea of a single economic area in the region.

He also pointed to the good results of Greece's overtures to Russia, China, Japan and Turkey, that had led to an increase in exports.

For Turkey, in particular, exports increased by a spectacular 50.8% according to Greek figures and 58% according to Turkish figures, greatly improving the balance of trade deficit for Greece.

The government's next goal was an opening toward Latin America in 2007, to be followed by India, Australia, South Africa and - ultimately - the United States.

"The aim is to promote Greece's image, the Greek economy and foreign policy," the minister concluded.

[13] Parliament Vice-President Tragakis on appeal regarding TOR-M1 missiles issue

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

Parliament Vice-President Yiannis Tragakis who chairs the committee which follows the judicial investigation, said on Tuesday that ten minutes before the expiry of the relevant deadline, last Friday, a Swiss barrister's office submitted an appeal against the decision of Bern's public prosecutor for the opening of the accounts.

The in question capital, amounting to 25 million dollars, which was initially deposited to Russian banks by the manufacturers of the Russian TOR-M1 missiles, was released so as to be used in the implementation of the offset benefits agreements which accompanied the purchase, without, however, it ever reaching its destination.

"The appeal means that certain individuals are hiding behind the accounts," said Tragakis, assessing, however, that "the only thing that they can gain is a short period of time. If this time exceeds the deadline of September 28, the penal responsibilities of any political figures involved in the case, will be written off. The only thing that will remain will be their political death and the political condemnation of the party which nourished and covered them," he noted.

[14] KKE's Papariga wishes quick recovery to Fidel Castro

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

The Greek communists "have learned with great emotion the news of the sudden surgery you underwent. I want to express our joy for the successful outcome of the operation and to wish a quick recovery," Papariga said, reiterating her party's "steadfast solidarity with the revolution and the people of Socialist Cuba."

[15] Ecumenical Patriarch to visit Samos on August 16-20

2/8/2006 (ANA)

The Patriarch will be welcomed on the island by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos.

[16] Finmin: Privatization to help brake public debt

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

"As out public debt is very high, the revenue will help to slow its rise and reduce the figure as a proportion of gross domestic product," Alogoskoufis told a conference of Greek ambassadors arranged by the foreign ministry.

"This revenue will not be used to lower deficits. In any case, this is forbidden by the European Union," he noted.

The privatization plan, which aims mainly to restructure the economy and spur competition, brought 2.1 billion euros in 2005, up 30% from a target of 1.6 billion euros.

"The program is being implemented successfully this year also, with emphasis mainly on banks," the minister reported.

Turning to Athens-quoted Emporiki Bank, he said the hoped-for privatization would have national significance. Credit Agricole of France is seen likely to acquire the state-run Greek bank.

"We would be talking about a strategic privatization for the country, with participation by one of the largest banks internationally, which also shows confidence in the outlook for Greece's economy and banking system, as well as in the bank itself, which is a key credit institution for the country," he added.

[17] Inner cabinet discusses agricultural issues

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

Agricultural Development and Foods Minister Evangelos Basiakos underlined that they examined all aspects of the government’s agricultural policy program and that apart from subsidies and compensations to be received soon by those eligible they also discussed issues concerning the promotion of farm products.

Basiakos referred to the support given to organic farming using "reasonable amounts" of fertilizers to protect both the consumer and the environment. He added that the government program is being observed, stressing that the overall picture in rural regions is positive.

Basiakos referred to the studies made on the comprehensive management of water resources, pointing out that cotton has a specific cultivation framework.

Responding to a question concerning profiteering practices affecting farm products, he said that farmers want good prices for their products adding that what takes place in the market and the prices of goods when they reach the supermarket shelves are a totally different thing.

Basiakos added that new cultivations are being promoted based on quality and competitiveness.

[18] PASOK slams government policy on agriculture

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

Responding to statements made earlier by Agricultural Development Minister Evangelos Basiakos after a meeting of the inner cabinet, Chrysohoidis said Basiakos was trying to provide an answer to their problems by bringing up issue of organic farming before the inner cabinet.

But the real issue for the Greek farmers was the 5 percent drop in their income in the past two years when, based on a European Commission Agriculture Directorate study, farming revenues were expected to rise by 3.2 percent a year on average through implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy, CAP.

In Greece, on the contrary, implementation of the new CAP has turned from a reform venture to a bureaucratic and tax-collecting nightmare for the farmers, stressed Chrisochoidis.

Organic farming and mainly stockbreeding is indeed a strategic development goal for the Greek farm production and it should be supported by the state with clear and target-based policies and total utilization of relevant community programs, he said.

However, an unfair, incompetent and ineffective government, like the ND government, can only use organic farming as a pretext to avoid any substantive discussion on the major and grave problems it has caused to the Greek farmers, added Chrisochoidis.

[19] Interior minister signs decision for collection of data on unleaded gasoline prices

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

The Interior Ministry, as stated in the decision, actively promoting the Electronic Governance, will grant to the country's prefecture local authorities the appropriate informatics infrastructure for the daily collection and registration of the sale prices of unleaded gasoline, with the ultimate purpose the diffusion of information so that they can be briefed and for consumers to be protected from profiteering.

According to the decision, the prefects are called on to appoint a relevant employee who will operate as a link with the Interior Ministry and the Development Ministry with the objective of immediately solving any problems that may arise in the course of implementation.

[20] Tsitouridis orders checks on TV channel 9 and other mass media

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

In a meeting he had with the Coordinating Committee of Trade Unions, having first noted "the improvement of the State's performance regarding the checking and the implementation of the existing legislation in the field of the mass media as well," warned of "the invalidation of the post of presidents or of managers of social insurance funds who do not draft their balance sheets and actuarial studies in time."

[21] PASOK delegation visits LARKO mining company

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

On the part of PASOK, taking part were Christos Protopapas, coordinator of the Development Sector of the Parliamentary Group, Dimitris Pipergias, Development rapportuer of the Parliamentary Group and Tonia Antoniou, Secretary of the Consumer Sector.

The delegation said that LARKO's officials assured them that the company is viable and makes a profit and has all the potential to develop, given that in 2005, as well as in 2006, the company achieved particularly high profits (this year it is expected to exceed 80 million euros), which must be used for the necessary new investments.

The PASOK delegation noted that the main shareholders, the State, the Public Power Corporation and the National Bank of Greece "did not allow these profits to be used for the investments program to proceed so that the company be henceforth fully healthy and for the necessary investments to be made."

[22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks up

ATHENS, 2/8/2006 (ANA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.27% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.58% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.15% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 135 to 124 with 52 remaining unchanged.

Stock Futures: