Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-10-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Annual 'OXI Day' commemorations honor Greece's entry into WWII

[02] Greece to assume Med Forum one-year presidency

[03] FM Bakoyannis outlines Athens' positions vis-à-vis 'name issue' to Skopje daily

[04] Police eye 'series of errors' in UK family's poisoning

[05] PM briefed on Niarchos Foundation initiatives

[06] Roussopoulos meets with Archbishop of America Demetrios

[07] Pavlopoulos addresses EPP conference on immigration

[08] PASOK needs 'cultural revolution', party sec't says

[09] Secondary teachers' union proposal for strike rejected

[10] Development minister meets with Algerian, Japanese envoys

[11] Seminal Internet Governance Forum (IGF) begins in Athens on Mon.

[12] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks fall

[13] Two drug smugglers arrested on Greek-Albanian frontier

[14] Police intercept truck loaded with illegals

[15] Large cache of contraband cigs found on N. Korean-flagged ship

[16] Greek Super League soccer results

[17] Spokesman: Finnish initiative cannot succeed without return of Famagusta

[01] Annual 'OXI Day' commemorations honor Greece's entry into WWII

ATHENS, 30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In Thessaloniki, the annual military parade was held in the presence of President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis and main opposition leader George Papandreou, with several other top ministers and local political and religious leaders on a review stand.

Immediately after the parade, Papoulias greeted handicapped veterans and National Resistance fighters.

"Our military is a pre-emptive force to be reckoned with by those that may think they can dispute our country's sovereign rights," Papoulias told reporters, while adding that the armed forces are also a creative force for peace in the region, “a force of peace that is based on a respect for international law, treaties and pacts..."

Papoulias arrived in the northern port city of Thessaloniki on Thursday to attend three-day celebrations marking the feast day of the city's patron saint, Aghios Demetrius (St. Demetrius), the anniversary of the city's liberation from Ottoman rule (1912) and the anniversary of Greece's entry into WWII (1940).

On his part, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Thursday stressed that the Greek people are proud of Thessaloniki for its tradition and history, dynamism and culture, adding that “it is our duty to do everything in our power to enable Thessaloniki to evolve in the near future into a major financial, education and cultural hub in the SE Europe we are visualizing”.

Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, in a message on the occasion of the Oct. 28 national holiday, said on Thursday that the "No" of 1940 -- rejection of an ultimatum by the Mussolini regime and the ensuing war -- confirmed a tradition of Greeks' love for their homeland and an adherence to the non-negotiable value of freedom.

"The Greeks fought in adverse conditions with determination and courage. They fought for freedom, independence, justice, dignity, democracy and human rights," he said.

Parliament Speaker: Parliament Speaker, Anna Psarouda-Benaki, stressed that the Oct. 28 anniversary was an opportunity to recollect the heroic events of 1940, including Greece's defiant 'no' to the Axis powers, its victory against invading Italian forces and fierce resistance during the Nazi occupation of WWII.

She noted that honor was due to tiny Greece and its few inhabitants, which in the midst of an international conflagration dared to once again declare their allegiance to freedom and pit themselves against the mighty Axis forces.

KKE, Synaspismos

On its part, the Communist Party issued a message referring to the "people's no" in the face of Italian fascism and imperialism during WWII, while referring to the present by again stressing the party's unequivocal opposition to the creation of private, non-profit universities in the country.

"The best honor for this year's commemoration by workers and the working classes is to rally together side by side with pupils, students and teachers: No to a revision of Article XVI (preventing non-state universities); no to education that serve the profits of business people..." the KKE message read.

The Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) hailed Greece's historic 'no' vis-à-vis an Axis demand on Oct. 28, 1940 and Greece's struggle against fascism and for national independence during WWII. It also noted that the Greek-Italian conflict in Albania, where Greece repelled an Axis invasion, was also followed by the major struggle of the Greek resistance.

Memorial service in southern Albania: In a related development, the approximately 11,000 Greek servicemen that died on the Albanian front were honored on Saturday during a memorial service at a military cemetery in the village of Vouliarati, in the Gjirokastr district of southern Albania.

Relatives of the fallen servicemen from throughout Greece, ethnic Greek politicians in the Albanian government and parliament as well as local officials and Greece's diplomatic mission in Tirana attended the service.

In brief comments, Greece's ambassador to Tirana expressed his optimism that a proper burial ground will soon be created in the neighboring country for Greece's 1940-41 war dead.

Other events were held in Tirana, Sarande and Himare by ethnic Greek groups.

[02] Greece to assume Med Forum one-year presidency

Alicante, Spain 30/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The development occurred at the Med Forum being held in Alicante, in southern Spain, at the foreign ministers' level, with cooperation amongst all of the basin's countries was high on the agenda.

The forum's sessions focused on the situation in the Middle East and prospects for the Mideast wider region; increasing bilateral cooperation between Mediterranean countries and electing a new presidency.

On her part, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis noted that Greece's election to the one-year post is a nod by friends and partners for Athens to promote issues affecting the entire Mediterranean.

"This forum aims to deal with the problems of the Middle East, where our country has a significant presence, particularly after Greece's chairmanship of the UNSC. Our goal is for Mediterranean issues to come to the forefront of the EU's attention," she said.

The Med Forum is an informal gathering of foreign ministers of Mediterranean countries - Malta, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey.

[03] FM Bakoyannis outlines Athens' positions vis-à-vis 'name issue' to Skopje daily

SKOPJE, 30/10/2006 (ANA-MPA / N. Frangopoulos)

She qualified her statement by adding that both sides must, however, demonstrate the necessary volition in "open and productive talks".

"As far as the Greek side is concerned, I can guarantee you that we have continually approached these talks with the best and most sincere intent ... The Greek people want a solution that will lead to a full normalization of our bilateral relations; one that will facilitate the neighboring country's course towards Euro-Atlantic institutions and strengthens stability and cooperation in our region," she was quoted as saying by the Skopje mass daily "Dnevnik".

Beyond the "name issue", Bakoyannis said the level of Greece-FYROM cooperation is excellent, with Greek investments in its landlocked neighbor to the north reaching one billion euros, among others.

In terms of FYROM's Euro-Atlantic prospects, the Greek foreign minister was emphatic:

"We want to see your country within the framework of NATO and the European Union, and this is why the Greek Parliament ratified an EU-FYROM association and stability agreement. This development was a significant step in your country's European course. We want a strong country on our border; a country with healthy economic development; with an entrenched rule of law and with effective institutions that all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity, can trust," she added, while reminding of Athens' vigorous support for the EU accession of Bulgaria and Romania.

"You can be sure that Greece's Parliament will be the first to ratify your country's accession to NATO and the EU when a mutually acceptable solution to the 'name issue' is reached."

Conversely, Bakoyannis, the former mayor of Athens and one of the leading cadres of ruling New Democracy (ND) party, flatly dismissed any notion of a "Macedonian minority" in Greece, a claim often regurgitated by irredentist circles in the neighboring country and a handful of fringe websites purporting the existence of "tens of thousands of Slavic speakers" in the western part of Greece's northern province of Macedonia.

"I am proud of the quality of democracy in Greece. All of Greece's citizens enjoy equal rights. I am also certain that it is well known to you that there is only one minority in Greece: the Muslims of western Thrace," she underlined.

"There is no so-called 'Macedonian minority'. Whenever any political formation emerged in the name of such a so-called 'minority' it failed to garner any popular support, whatsoever," she said.

Finally, asked about Kosovo, Bakoyannis said any strict timetable for negotiations should be avoided.

"If there is a need for more time by the two sides in order to reach the best possible results, I consider that this time must be given," she said, adding that all criteria for the smooth functioning of democratic institutions in Kosovo, as well as respect for human rights, "especially the protection of minorities" must be met.

[04] Police eye 'series of errors' in UK family's poisoning

30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Police commander Dimitris Bineris said a written report by two mechanical engineers who inspected the bungalow suite where the two children's bodies were found will be completed later this week. Authorities have also requested verification of toxicology findings from a specialized clinic in Athens to back up initial conclusions presented by a coroner in a nearby mainland city on Saturday morning.

The bodies of Christianne and Robert Shepherd, 7 and 6, were found in the room, while their father, Neil, 38, and his second wife, Ruth Beatson, 28, were transported in a comatose condition to a Corfu city intensive care unit. Doctors said the two adults were conscious on Saturday afternoon and recovering.

In comments the same day, authorities said they were now focusing on a series of inter-related mishaps that reportedly led to the tragedy, namely, a small but constant leak in a gas-fired boiler located in a tiny enclosed utility room -- adjacent to the bungalow -- that caused the unit to overwork; lack of sufficient ventilation in the utility room that caused an accumulation of noxious carbon monoxide generated from the boiler's operation; an opening in the wall allowing pipes to pass between the utility room and the bungalow suite was not completely sealed; the suite's A/C unit apparently did not channel fresh air into the room but rather circulated and re-circulated air between the utility room.

According to other reports from Corfu, the local prosecutor's office has more-or-less indicated that manslaughter or criminal negligence charges will be filed against the owners of the hotel, its manager, the head of maintenance and those responsible for the construction of the complex once the police indictment is received by the prosecutor's office. Corfu prosecutors will ultimately decide if and what charges to file and against which individuals.

Hours earlier on Saturday, coroner Theodoros Vouyiouklakis was categorical in ruling carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death, speaking during a press conference in the northwest city of Ioannina.

The incident occurred at the Louis Corcyra Beach resort of Gouvia, north of the harbor of Corfu and on the island's east coast. The four holiday-makers from Britain arrived on the island Oct. 23 to begin a seven-day vacation.

Tourism minister's comments

Meanwhile, in an ANA dispatch from Moscow, Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia on Sunday stressed that authorities will not hesitate to rescind the resort's operating license if its management is held liable for the unprecedented incident.

Petralia, who wound up an official visit to the Russian capital over the past week, added that she has already spoken with her British counterpart to convey whatever new information the ministry has collected regarding the incident.

[05] PM briefed on Niarchos Foundation initiatives

ATHENS, 30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Specifically, Farmakis briefed the Greek premier on the Niarchos Foundation's aim to fund the construction of a new opera house, national library and cultural-educational park on 20 hectares of land in the so-called Faliro Delta, a tract of land in southern coastal Athens that for several decades before the 2004 Olympic Games hosted Greece's only horse race track. The latter was transferred to the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Complex ahead of the 2004 Games.

An initial study is pending, with the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the state and the foundation being the next step. The foundation is named after its creator, the late Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos.

[06] Roussopoulos meets with Archbishop of America Demetrios

NEW YORK, 30/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

[07] Pavlopoulos addresses EPP conference on immigration

MADRID, 30/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Pavlopoulos cited the UN's annual report on the world's populations to note that immigrants account for 3 percent of the world's population and that the percentage moving to Europe is in the region of 7.7 percent, while the percentage in southern Europe is on the increase.

The minister further said that Greece has acquired a complete institutional framework, particularly with law 3386/2005, which incorporates the basic principles and views of a "modern and effective immigration policy", as he said.

Elaborating on the institutional framework, Pavlopoulos said the basic axis of the new law is that the immigrant constitutes neither a problem nor a threat to society.

[08] PASOK needs 'cultural revolution', party sec't says

ATHENS, 30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

She added that PASOK will move in this direction in the near future with the aim of "us once again finding the meaning of collectiveness and the joy of political action and social initiative."

In response to criticism aimed at her, Xenoyiannakopoulou said results of recent municipal and prefectural elections were "positive for PASOK", while "showing considerable attrition for New Democracy."

She also attributed PASOK's relatively small gains, as she said, to the fact that "portions of the people who have now turned their backs on ND are still observing a wait-and-see position towards us."

[09] Secondary teachers' union proposal for strike rejected

ATHENS, 30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

OLME had called a strike in solidarity to a six-week industrial action by the primary teachers’ union, DOE, which demanded pay increases from the government, among others.

DOE voted to suspend its strike last week, although a motion for one-day strikes on Nov. 3 and 9 were approved.

[10] Development minister meets with Algerian, Japanese envoys

ATHENS, 30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Cooperation within the Euro-Med framework and the Barcelona Process, along with energy issues, dominated talks during Sioufas' meeting with the Algerian envoy.

A further promotion of bilateral trade ties, including Japanese investments in SE Europe energy projects, was discussed with the Japanese envoy, in the wake of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis recent visit to the Far East country. Finally, the development ministry on Friday announced that the signing of a five-year recurring bilateral research and technology cooperation agreement between Greece and South Africa will be signed on Monday in Athens by Sioufas and visiting South African Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena.

[11] Seminal Internet Governance Forum (IGF) begins in Athens on Mon.

ATHENS, 30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will inaugurate the forum on Monday.

Athens won the honor to host the inaugural IGF forum during an UN-sponsored meeting last year in Tunis regarding the information society.

The main issue of the forum is entitled "Internet Governance for Development."

Some 1,200 representatives of governments, corporate executives, academics and IT experts are expected to attend.

Earlier, Karamanlis will meet with EU Commissioner for the information society and media Viviane Reding.

Liapis said the target of the inaugural forum is the promotion and facilitation of open and multilateral dialogue between all sides regarding joint policies and the shaping of an agency that will supervise the operation of the Internet, one apart from government interventions.

Replying to questions, Liapis focused on efforts being made by the government over past years for the development and proliferation of broadband services in Greece.

He admitted that Greece lags behind other European Union countries, but noted that over the past year the country has ranked first internationally regarding growth in ADSL access, adding that broadband infrastructures will be completed in the entire country in about a year.

[12] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks fall

ATHENS, 30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.52% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks 0.78% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.83% down.

Of stocks traded, advances trailed declines at 86 to 184 with 37 remaining unchanged.

[13] Two drug smugglers arrested on Greek-Albanian frontier

30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Another four suspects fled back into neighboring Albania under the cover of darkness.

According to reports, authorities also used a K-9 unit during the operation.

[14] Police intercept truck loaded with illegals

30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The 25-year-old suspect is charged with transporting 23 illegal immigrants into the back of a truck, 16 of who were Iraqis, three Afghans, two Mauritanians and two Palestinians.

Police said the illegals had each paid 2,500 US dollars to an accomplice in Istanbul to help them cross into Greece.

[15] Large cache of contraband cigs found on N. Korean-flagged ship

ATHENS, 30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The vessel was identified as the M/V Bana. All six crewmembers, Ukrainian nationals, were arrested.

The undeclared cigarettes were loaded on two truck trailers aboard the vessel with Bulgarian plates.

[16] Greek Super League soccer results

ATHENS, 30/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In other action:

AEK Athens - Apollon Kalamaria 1-0

Ionikos Piraeus - Atromitos Athens 1-4

Kerkyra - Panionios Athens 0-1

Larissa - PAOK Thessaloniki 1-2

Egaleo Athens - Xanthi 1-0

OFI Crete - Aris Thessaloniki 1-0

Iraklis Thessaloniki - Panathinaikos Athens 0-1

Standings after eight weeks of play:

Olympiakos 21 points

Panathinaikos 16

AEK 15

Egaleo 15

PAOK 12

Larissa 12

Kerkyra 12

Ergotelis 11

Atromitos 10

OFI 10

Aris 9

Panionios 9

Apollon 6

Xanthi 3

Ionikos 3

Iraklis 2

[17] Spokesman: Finnish initiative cannot succeed without return of Famagusta

LONDON, 30/10/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Addressing a gathering of the Greek Orthodox Communities Association in Britain to mark the anniversary of October 28, 1940, Pashiardis said that Turkey cannot claim that the return of Famagusta must be part of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, when Ankara itself demands the opening of the town's port before a final settlement.

''Turkey is obliged to fulfill the commitments it assumed. If it cannot do so or denies to do so why should Cyprus pay any price to facilitate Turkey's EU bid?'' Pashiardis wondered.

He also said the Greek Cypriot side's objective is a functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem according to the UN principles and the EU values and the agreed basis of a bizonal and bicommunal federation, which would truly reunite the people and the country and that would establish peace, security and prosperity for all the people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

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

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 to the UN.

The fenced-off area (Varosha) of Famagusta is under Turkish military administration. Security Council resolution 550 (11 May 1984) ''considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha (Famagusta) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations.”

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