Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-10-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Results from Sunday's first round local gov't elections

[02] PM briefed on first round of local government elections

[03] PM to chair ND political council meeting on local government elections

[04] Premier confers with FM ahead of Tuesday's Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg

[05] Government again appeals to teachers to return to classrooms

[06] Ecumenical Patriarch visits Bank of Greece, Archbishop

[07] Rehn urges Turkey to fulfill its EU obligations regarding Cyprus

[08] Greece won't block FYROM's EuroAtlantic hopes, according to FYROM minister

[09] Turkey's chief of staff to visit Athens

[10] Foreign direct investment down in Greece

[11] Development Ministry's 'e-Business' Program

[12] IMF officials discuss Greek economy prospects

[13] Bank of Piraeus successful issues 500 mln-euro bond loan

[14] European Commission threatening Greece with second reference to European Court

[15] Greek Tourist Organization president due to receive award in New York

[16] 'Tourism and Development' conference begins

[17] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop

[18] Tripartite meeting of experts for Evros River

[19] Greek composer honored for Turkish film at Ghent film festival

[20] 'Apollo's Song' Greek concert in Vienna

[21] Western Greece regional delegation to attend Atlanta International Conference

[22] Journalists' union decries barrage of lawsuits against press by state officials

[23] Journalist Andreas Iosif, a former minister, dies aged 91

[24] Onassis Foundation awards to 3 Hellenic studies institutes, physicist Nanopoulos

[25] Cypriot FM hopes Finnish proposal will yield results

[26] Cyprus will not accept proposal that excludes Varosha

[27] ICF and ISF President: Turkish embargo on Cypriot ships illegal

[01] Results from Sunday's first round local gov't elections

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The first round's tally leaves ND two prefectures short of its 2002 showing, 28 prefectures, although seven prefectural seats will go to a second round on Sunday, Oct. 22, namely: Arcadia, Karditsa, Cephallonia, Lefkada, Magnesia, Serres and Hania. Conversely, PASOK picked up 21 prefectures during the 2002 elections.

PASOK-backed Fofi Yennimata easily won the Athens-Piraeus supra-prefecture, while ND-backed Panayiotis Psomiadis fended off last week's negative media barrage to take Thessaloniki prefecture in the first round.

Eight prefectures changed political "camps": Aetoloakarnania and Pella passed from ND to PASOK, whereas Thesprotia, Corfu, Kozani, Florina, Halkidiki and Grevena passed from PASOK to ND.

In 52 prefecture capitals, 31 mayoral candidates were elected in the first round, meaning that the top candidate garnered more than 42 percent of the vote. The second round will be necessary for the remaining 21 prefectural capitals.

Out of the 31 former cities, ruling New Democracy-backed candidates won in 13 out of the 31 races; main opposition PASOK-backed candidates in nine races; four independent candidates hailing from ND won their races, while four independent candidates supported by PASOK and the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) won their races. Exactly one candidate, the winner in the Samos mayoral race, lacked a strict party affiliation.

Meanwhile, after first-round election victories posted in both Athens (Nikitas Kaklamanis) and Piraeus (Panayiotis Fassoulas), Thessaloniki ranks as the biggest municipality where the mayoral race will go to a second round, with incumbent Vassilis Papageorgopoulos just missing the cut with 41.43 percent of the vote to PASOK deputy Chryssa Arapoglou's 21.59 percent.

On his part, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Monday said the level of voter turnout on Sunday reached 72.43 percent, marginally down from 72.62 percent in the last local government poll of 2002. The figures more-or-less dispute certain press reports citing voter apathy near the 40-percent mark.

As of Monday, he said the number of votes counted in the prefectural elections was 98.6 percent of the total; 98 percent for mayoral races, with 247 municipalities and communities up for grabs on Sunday.

Finally, two new Parliament deputies will be sworn in to replace ND's Kaklamanis and newly elected Irakleio (Crete) prefect Evangelia Schinaraki-Iliaki, with Greek silver screen veteran Maro Kontou set to replace the former and Ioannis Skoulas replacing the latter for PASOK.

Gov't spokesman: In comments during his regular press briefing, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos echoed Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' televised statements from the previous evening, noting that "these elections shouldn't be politicized, but if someone, however, wanted to politicize them, then you'd have to refer to a large number of prefectures that chose candidates backed by the ruling party..."

Asked about the premier's reference to "mistakes" during his address less than 24 hours, Roussopoulos stressed:

"We're not inerrable; we're aiming at the best. We're constantly assessing ourselves, we're receiving criticism by all sides and we're constantly struggling for something better. The sum of our policy is correct, generating tangible results. The primary axis of our direction, one chosen by the citizens in national elections, is reform, and this is continuing," he added.

PASOK: In a reaction, PASOK Secretary Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou repeated comments by PASOK leader George Papandreou from a day earlier, namely, that a "change in the country's political landscape" resulted from Sunday evening's results, a "message", she added, that is "clear and strong", but one that the premier and government are not receiving.

On his part, PASOK spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said this "political message" was aimed at all of ruling ND's policies.

Xenoyiannakopoulou also said that the local administration and mass movements sector is a privileged sector for gathering and cooperation between wider progressive forces.

Asked whether responsibilities exist regarding the selection of PASOK candidates, she said that the final assessments will be made after the second round of the municipal and prefectural elections.

Responding to a question on whether personal choices by the party's president were rejected, she explained the processes and the way candidates supported by PASOK were selected, stressing that "there are not some choices of the president and some which are not."

Called on to explain why PASOK does not benefit from the "fatigue" of the ruling New Democracy party, Xenoyiannakopoulou said that according to the "net" results of the prefectural elections the difference with ND disappears, adding that the struggle in light of the next Parliamentary elections "will begin from a zero basis".

KKE evaluates local election results: The Communist Party of Greece's (KKE) Central Committee convened on Monday to make an initial evaluation of Sunday's local election results in the country, stressing its satisfaction over the performance of tickets backed by the party together with other leftist groups.

The Central Committee assessed that, compared to the previous local elections, the party entered the local election struggle from better positions, against the dominating trend for which the mainstream New Democracy and PASOK parties were responsible, as well as the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party.

As regards this Sunday's runoff elections, KKE urges its supporters to cast blank or invalid votes in municipalities and prefectures where tickets of the two big parties are clashing or tickets supported by the Coalition party.

Coalition party satisfied with local election results: The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party expressed satisfaction over the results of the municipal end prefectural elections in an announcement issued by its Political Secretariat following its meeting on Monday.

"The Coalition's decision to support groups jointly composed with other leftist movement and ecological forces was rewarded by the electorate," the announcement said, adding that "data obtained from the first Sunday already show the clear upward trend of our forces, as well as a widening of its presence in local administration."

[02] PM briefed on first round of local government elections

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Pavlopoulos said that voter turnout remained at roughly the same levels as in 2002, with 72.43 percent participating in the 2006 elections, compared with 72.62 percent in 2002.

He also noted that the running of the elections went smoothly in a very good climate, indicating the satisfactory level of Greece's political culture and the quality of Greek democracy.

Pavlopoulos reported that the collection, counting and transmission of the results was 40 percent faster during both the municipal and prefecture elections on Sunday, compared with the previous local government elections in 2002.

Specifically, results were in for 14,600 polling stations out of a total of 24,747 polling stations in 964 municipalities by 2:40 on Monday morning in the 2006 elections, whereas in 2002 the equivalent figures was 10,142 out of a total of 24,393 polling stations in 912 municipalities, he said.

By 13:30 on Monday afternoon, 98.6 percent of the votes for prefecture elections had been counted and 98 percent of the vote for municipal elections, while the elections were over in the first round in 43 prefectures and 787 municipalities and communities. Elections will go to a second round in seven prefectures and 247 municipalities and communities, Pavlopoulos added.

According to the minister, the elections results showed that the public had voted using local government criteria and indicated the electorate's confidence in local government.

Asked if any "political conclusions" might be drawn from the election results, the minister noted that local government elections did not indicate the results of the parliamentary elections but did send political messages, which he stressed that all had received.

[03] PM to chair ND political council meeting on local government elections

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The first round of the elections for mayor, community leaders and prefects was held on Sunday, while the results will be finalized in the second round held next Sunday.

[04] Premier confers with FM ahead of Tuesday's Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Replying to questions on Sunday's nationwide local government elections in Greece, and particularly on whether the election results indicated problems in the main opposition PASOK party, Bakoyannis said that PASOK will conduct its own analysis as to the citizens' support of the candidates the party had chosen to back.

She said that the choices of the ruling New Democracy party (ND) had been vindicated, adding that one should not forget that Sunday's elections were for the local governments, in which the individual candidates themselves plead a significant role.

Asked to comment on barbs among ministers, Bakoyannis said that she had been on a number of televised panel discussions on Sunday, and no such barbs had been voiced by ND ministers.

She added, however, that cadres who are linked by common struggles and have cooperated in the past would cooperate closely again in the immediate future.

[05] Government again appeals to teachers to return to classrooms

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"The government has clearly said, presenting the figures, that it cannot follow another economic policy at present," he told reporters during the regular press briefing.

"This difficult economic situation did not arise suddenly. It arose because of the real figures of the economy, which Greek citizens and the European Commission are aware of. This situation allows a certain degree of movement and no more. Is there anyone who would not want to pay the €105 [benefit sought by teachers] immediately? However, the needs of the economy dictate that we act in a specific way, which was not imposed especially on teachers as an exception. The government has stated this outright," he said.

The spokesman also defended statements made by Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou concerning the evaluation of teachers:

"There is no Greek citizen that would not accept that evaluations are necessary, since they are linked to the quality of studies. This is an unavoidable necessity in a competitive world," he noted.

Meanwhile, a meeting has been scheduled on Tuesday between Yiannakou and the leadership of the two teachers' union federations OLME and DOE, which represent high-school teachers and primary school and kindergarten teachers, respectively.

Both unions federations have called a strike starting on Tuesday and ending on October 19. All schools throughout the country were closed on Friday and Monday, in order that they could be turned over for use as polling stations in the local government elections held on Sunday. Several may also be closed next Friday for the second round of elections.

OLME has sent out a letter to parents listing its demands and seeking their support, while stressing the "repercussions of the drastically low public spending on education, with 'grey-zone' schools without infrastructure of heating". They say that they are seeking an increase in the monthly pay so that they can "live on their salaries with dignity".

To back up their strike action, both unions are planning another rally on Wednesday in central Athens and other large cities throughout Greece.

High-school teachers have joined their colleagues in primary school, who on Tuesday embark on their fifth straight week of strike action, in demands for a rise in base pay for newly-appointed teachers to €1,400 net a month (up from €950 at present), full pension after 30 years of work and an increase in spending on education to 5 percent of GDP.

Primary school teachers are also striving to secure the immediate payment of a €105 benefit that the government has offered to pay in six increments spread over three years.

[06] Ecumenical Patriarch visits Bank of Greece, Archbishop

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

This was the first-ever visit by an ecumenical Patriarch to the country's central bank.

During the opening address, Bartholomew referred to relations between society and the economy, he said that the economy should serve society and the "economy of relationships that generate culture". Pointing to the major monuments bequeathed to the nation by benefactors in years gone by, he said they confirmed the view that the economy in the past did not operate autonomously with the sole aim of accumulating wealth.

This was not the case at present, he added, when the economy acted independently of social benefit, leading to the "inhumanity of the global economy".

The seminar was subsequently addressed by Bank of Greece Governor Nikos Garganas, who noted the Patriarchate's role as a "protective shell" for the productive and creative activities of Greeks during the years of Ottoman occupation and rule, fostering the development of the major Greek trade and financial houses of the East, the establishment of the first banks and in bringing businesses and human resources to the newly founded Greek state, thus forming the basis for its economic growth.

The seminar was attended by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece, European Central Bank vice-president Loukas Papademos, Patriarchate benefactor Theodoros Angelopoulos, members of the Athens Academy and representatives of other religions and denominations.

Earlier, the Patriarch had paid a visit to Archbishop Christodoulos, the head of the autocephalous Church of Greece.

During their meeting, Christodoulos underlined the unwavering support of the Greek Church and the Greek people for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, saying that it considered any attempt to undermine the Patriarchate's ecumenical status a "personal issue".

"Constantinople (Greek name for Istanbul) is the mother of the Churches and the first in the order of Holy Orthodox Churches," Christodoulos stressed.

Deputy FM meets with Patriarch Vartholomeos: Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis met on Monday with visiting Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, a foreign ministry press release said.

Talks focused on issues relating to the functioning of the Patriarchate.

[07] Rehn urges Turkey to fulfill its EU obligations regarding Cyprus

BRUSSELS, 17/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

In a joint press conference after the meeting, Rehn asked of Turkey to support the formula of the Finnish EU Presidency, which he described as "balanced and realistic" and as "the only solution that exists on the negotiating table."

At the same time, Commissioner Rehn called on all the EU member-states to support the efforts of the Finnish Presidency, noting that they may constitute “the last for many years window of opportunity."

Finnish Foreign Minister, Erkki Tuomioja, whose country holds the EU rotating Presidency, refrained from elaborating on the Finnish proposals, but described.

In his statements, Gul said that Turkey follows a constructive stance and called upon the two communities in Cyprus to show the same constructive spirit.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Turkey, a country aspiring to become an EU member state, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and refuses to implement the EU-Turkey Customs Union Protocol, by opening its ports and airports to Cyprus.

According to reports, the Finnish EU Presidency is working on a draft proposal, providing for the opening of the Turkish occupied port of Famagusta under EU administration for 24 months, in combination with the opening of Turkish ports to ships carrying the Cypriot flag and the transfer of the closed city of Varosha to the UN.

[08] Greece won't block FYROM's EuroAtlantic hopes, according to FYROM minister

SKOPJE, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to a report by ANA-MPA correspondent in Skopje on Monday, Milososki considers that incorporating the region into EuroAtlantic structures is a strategic goal for Greece, while noting that relations between Greece and its small, landlocked northern neighbor have never been better.

"The 1995 interim agreement of New York precisely defines how one side must behave regarding the other's accession to international organizations that one country belongs to and the other does not. It is clear that no one has the right to obstruct the other in this course. On the contrary, cooperation must be sought and developed," Milososki is reported as saying.

"What I stress is that in terms of cooperation in the shipping, defense, culture and tourism sectors and via investments, the movement of persons and exchange of ideas, relations between Greece and FYROM have never been better in the past 16 years, he said.

Greek ministers and the Greek foreign ministry have repeatedly stated that Greece cannot accept the use of the name 'Macedonia' by FYROM, which is also shared by a Greek province on the tiny state's border with Greece, and stress that the two sides must find a mutually acceptable solution via a process of UN-mediated talks.

FYROM officials have so far refused to consider changing the name they adopted when the state broke away from the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, while Greek officials point out that no Greek Parliament will ratify FYROM's entry into the EU or NATO under the name 'Macedonia'.

[09] Turkey's chief of staff to visit Athens

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Buyukanit's visit from November 1 to 4 will be in return of an official visit by Hinofotis to Turkey in July this year.

The two chiefs of staff will exchange views on matters of common interest, and will investigate ways to strengthen mutual confidence and understanding, a GEETHA announcement said.

[10] Foreign direct investment down in Greece

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to the organization’s World Investment Report, FDI inflows into Greece in 2005 were 607 million US dollars from 2,101 million dollars in 2004 and 1,275 million in 2003. Last year, Greece ranked 23rd in the EU-25, above Malta and Slovenia.

The report is a detailed account of activity by multi-nationals and the cross-border flow of foreign capital for productive investment.

FDI outflows from Greece, or funds for investment in other countries, in 2005 totaled 1,451 million dollars - more than double the inflows - from 1,029 million dollars in 2004 and 412 million in 2003, confirming the continuing globalization of Greek firms.

Investment outflows took Greece to 15th place in investment export for 2005.

Also last year, FDI stocks entering Greece were 29,312 million dollars from 14,113 million in 2000 and 5,681 million in 1990; and Greek stocks leaving the country totaled 13,345 million dollars versus 6,094 million in 2000 and 2,882 million in 1990, the report said.

Greenfield investments in Greece (plans for the creation of new output units from scratch) in 2005 totaled 27 plans from abroad, down from 57 in 2003 and 42 in 2003, and 26 in 2002. In 2005, Greece ranked 20th in the EU-25.

Greenfield investments by Greece totaled 38 in 2005 against 43 in 2004, 73 in 2003 and 64 in 2002, giving Greece 14th place in the EU-25.

In cross-border mergers and acquisitions in 2004, Greek companies and holdings worth 1,295 million dollars were sold to foreign investors against 1,455 million dollars in 2004 and 943 million dollars in 2003. Cross-border M&As by Greek firms targeting companies abroad totaled 408 million dollars versus 74 million in 2004 and 371 million in 2003 according to UNCTAD.

Greece took the following places in UNCTAD rankings: Inward FDI Performance Index 2005, 121th; and Inward FDI Potential Index 2004, 36th;

According to the last available data in 2003, 170 multinationals are based in Greece, and 750 subsidiaries of foreign multinationals operate in the country, UNCTAD reported.

[11] Development Ministry's 'e-Business' Program

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The total amount of investments which have been completed come to 7,288,000 euros, while the state expenditure is 2,915,000 euros.

With the "e-Business" Program of the A' and B' Cycle, the development ministry is proceeding in the implementation of its strategy for the improvement of the competitiveness of Greek small and medium-size businesses, with the electrification and computerization of their operation.

The "e-Business" Program is the greatest support program which is financed by the "Society of Information" Operational Program and is directed to small and medium-size businesses.

[12] IMF officials discuss Greek economy prospects

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The Greek side briefed the IMF officials on its intentions regarding the social security issue and on the next steps to be taken following the revision of the GDP.

The IMF officials will be visiting Washington during the next few weeks to prepare their report in two months' time, at the latest, that will be publicized later.

A new study on the social security issue will be prepared in cooperation with the international employment office, it was revealed after the IMF officials' talks at the finance ministry.

The "Committee of Wise Men" created on the social security issue has already convened twice and has prepared a work plan.

Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis has addressed a letter to funds, requesting updated data on the number of people insured with them and on their expenditures. The data will be provided by the end of December.

[13] Bank of Piraeus successful issues 500 mln-euro bond loan

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The book-building process totaled 750 million euros, with 73 investors from 18 countries. Bank of Piraeus said 75 percent of the bond was offered to banks and institutional investors abroad and further enhanced the bank's presence as an international issuer in foreign capital markets.

The five-year bond loans carry a floating interest rates (three-month Euribor plus 25 bps) and will be listed in the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Natexis Banques Populaires acted as underwriters to the issue.

[14] European Commission threatening Greece with second reference to European Court

BRUSSELS, 17/10/2006 (ANA-MPA/M. Aroni)

According to an announcement by the Commission, in April 2005 the European Court decided that Greece had to convey directive 2002/77/EK, concerning the deregulation of electronic communications, to its national law.

It added that a year and a half after the Court's decision, Greece has not yet notified the European Commission of any measure regarding the implementation of this directive.

Consequently, the Commission sent an avis to the Greek authorities on Monday, calling for Greece's compliance with the European Court's decision before the end of December.

[15] Greek Tourist Organization president due to receive award in New York

NEW YORK, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The selection was made following a vote by the "Conde Nast Traveler" magazine, one of the most prestigious traveler’s magazines in the United States, on the promotion of the best and most famous islands all over the world.

[16] 'Tourism and Development' conference begins

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The main speaker was Dr. Don Hawkins, tourism policy professor at George Washington University.

Hawkins said that according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the value of the international tourism market is estimated at 1.6 trillion dollars and is expected to increase by 4.5 per cent every year during the next decade.

Furthermore, according to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), tourism corresponds to 40 per cent of the total of services which are exported throughout the world. Tourism revenue has increased much more than the corresponding international trade revenue.

WTO also notes that international tourist arrivals, from 25 million in 1950, reached 808 million in 2005.

On Tuesday, second day of the conference, there will be an analysis on why and how much the competitiveness of Greek tourism depends on new investments.

[17] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop

ATHENS, 17/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.53% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks 0.41% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.57% down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 153 to 84 with 65 remaining unchanged.

Stock Futures: