Athens News Agency: News Bulletin in English, 07-02-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Inner Cabinet discusses Economy and Finance ministry issues

[02] PASOK official criticises statements by FinMin on GDP revision

[03] Finance ministry replies to statements by PASOK party officials

[04] PM Karamanlis addresses National Telecommunications and Post Offices Committee event

[05] FM Dora Bakoyannis continues tour of Thrace

[06] US: FYROM must resolve difference with Greece over name issue if NATO membership is to proceed

[07] Gov't: Tabling of education reforms bill imminent

[08] Ministry responds to negative reports on financing of education

[09] Immigration bill ratified in principle

[10] Defence minister dismisses talk of early general elections

[11] Papoulias receives Kaklamanis

[12] Athens mayor meets with US ambassador

[13] FM Bakoyannis comments on incidents outside Athens Town Hall

[14] Undersecretaries Nakos and Nerantzis in U.S.; letter vote by expatriots

[15] PASOK leader admitted to hospital with high fever

[16] Deputy FM Valynakis analyses prospects of European constitution

[17] DM holds telephone consultation with Cyprus official

[18] Officials to initial tripartite agreement on Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline

[19] FinMin Alogoskoufis departs Wednesday for India on business mission

[20] Hellenic Petroleum issues US$1.18-bln syndicated loan

[21] Protesters end sit-in at power plant in Kozani

[22] Hellenic Bank unveils expansion plan

[23] Insurance companies shut down in Larisa

[24] Interamerican: Compensations totalled 293.14 bln euros in 2006

[25] Greek mutual funds' assets slightly up in January

[26] Tourism minister meets directors of GNTO offices abroad

[27] New car sales up 6.3 pct in January, yr/yr

[28] Iaso Group announces 10-mln-euro share capital increase plan

[29] Alumil Mylonas met with int'l fund managers in London

[30] Building activity down 2.6 pct in Jan-Nov 2006, yr/yr

[31] Unibrain in 2.1-mln-US dollar contract with MacPower

[32] Greek stocks fall 0.84 pct on Tuesday

[33] ADEX closing report

[34] Greek bond market closing report

[35] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[36] Free vaccines against cervical cancer for girls 12-13 years of age

[37] PM Karamanlis attends concert in honour of composer Hadjidakis

[38] Draft mural depicting Lenin causes furor at northern Greece church

[39] New SAE board to meet in Thessaloniki

[40] N17 group defendant Alexandros Yiotopoulos makes plea before court

[41] Gang trafficks large quantities of contraband cigarettes from Greece to rest of Europe

[42] Two police officers accused of issuing ID card for fugitive from justice

[43] Drug-related arrests in Athens

[44] Greek students in Quebec universities receive scholarships

[45] Bank ATMs torched

[46] Orfanos attends UNESCO meeting in Paris on anti-doping

[47] Weather forecast: Light cloud on Wednesday

[48] Cyprus bound only by the Law of the Sea, says Foreign Minister

[49] Chinese NPC official: China supports Cyprus in Security Council

[50] EFJ protests attack on journalist in Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas

[01] Inner Cabinet discusses Economy and Finance ministry issues

National economy and finance minister George Alogoskoufis told reporters after the meeting that he briefed the Inner Cabinet on the course of the 2006 state budget which, he said, had at its close fallen inside the forecasts regar-ding tax revenues as well.

He stressed that the New Democracy government's policy on taxation, which was accompanied by a reduction of the taxation rates, had "a signi-ficant axis, which is the confrontation of tax-evasion".

Alogoskoufis added that "with the cross-checking and the better audits, and with the incentives we gave, we had a very good course in tax revenues in 2006 as well as in the first month of 2007".

However, he stressed, "tax evasion is a matter of social justice, because the tax revenues, to a large degree, finance all the prio-rities of the social state, Education, Health, etc.".

The minister also underlined that efforts would no focus on changing the attitude of and convincing all the Greeks that they must ask for receipts, and at the same time castigate the attitude of the tax-evaders, adding that "tax evasion is considered in our country, in a way, as 'cleverness', while in reality it is an anti-social attitude".

Questioned on a negative comment by CNN regarding the revision of the Greek GDP (based on new accounting methods), Alogoskoufis said that "some people take inconsequential press articles and attempt to create domestic issues".

"We have a long history of negative press articles on Greece in many foreign media, for various expediencies. What is important is that we are doing the right thing. The specific matter referred to by CNN is also a matter of tax evasion. Just as we ask of everyone to declare their incomes, so must a country that respects itself declare its revenues correctly, know what its GDP is, even though this entails some obligations in the framework of its international participation," Alogoskoufis explained.

Asked whether the ministry had outstanding matters that needed to be closed in view of elections, Alogoskoufis said that "the ministry's programme is progressing normally and being materialised in accordance with the planning".

[02] PASOK official criticises statements by FinMin on GDP revision

Papandreou further said that "we became a laughing stock internationally, once again, with the trick of revising GDP, that was characterised by the CNN as one of the greatest blunders in the world. This trick has a great cost that the Greek citizens will be called on to pay."

Also referring to the issue of tax evasion, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party Political Bureau member and economic and social policy chief Panayiotis Lafazanis said that "the government's election announcements made by Mr. George Alogoskoufis on cracking down on tax evasion are characterised by profound hypocrisy, since the government, all these years, has been strengthening the tax immunity of big capital with its policy, the tax raid on working classes and on all who pay their taxes and with beneficial arrangements for the big debtors of the state, while making the tax system all the more intricate and, primarily, more unfair."

[03] Finance ministry replies to statements by PASOK party officials

The ministry referred to a recent report by the newspaper Wall Street Journal titled "The European 'patient' is getting well. Greece is decreasing the deficit, maintaining strong growth. Should it be a lesson for others?".

The article, as the ministry points out, makes it clear that the state in which the government received the economy in 2004 was very bad, while it is noted that the economic policy being applied by the current government is producing results.

[04] PM Karamanlis addresses National Telecommunications and Post Offices Committee event

"The societies that do not dare to utilise possibilities provided by the present to the fullest possible degree, the societies that do not dare to claim a better future dynamically are condemned to the swamp of stagnation and underdevelopment," the prime minister said, adding that the digital rift must close and all citizens must be given the possibility of access to the digital era.

Karamanlis pointed out that the target is to create new opportu-nities for education, entrepreneurship and the streng-thening of the quality of democracy in the new era.

He also referred to measures taken by relevant ministries to boost European broadband infiltration. Karamanlis noted that, despite whatever difficulties, lost ground will be covered and the wager for the future shall be won.

Addressing the event, Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis said that the development of European broad-band infrastructures and services constitutes a national mandate for the country and the duty of the government, since not only is economic activity upgraded through them but, primarily, the citizen's quality of life.

Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou had also been invited to attend the event, but he did not participate due to illness. The president of the Hellenic Telecommu-nications Organisation (OTE) and representatives of mobile telephony companies and of alternative services were present.

[05] FM Dora Bakoyannis continues tour of Thrace

Bakoyannis, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Evri-pidis Stylianidis, Deputy Agricultural Development Mini-ster Alexandros Kontos, ruling New Democracy party Deputy Filippos Tsalidis, regional governor Mihalis Angelopoulos and other officials, went to Smynthi, Glafki, Pachni and Ehinos, where she held meetings with mayors and community presi-dents and visited schools and talked to minority women in their homes.

During her visit to the school complex in Glafki, where five hundred elementary, junior and senior high school pupils are housed from 20 settlements in the mountain region of Xanthi, the principal outlined the adverse conditions under which pupils come to school and attend lessons.

In discussions she had in villages, the minister stressed that "the children of the minority must have the education they deserve" and reassured that the government is determined to provide decisive help in this effort.

Bakoyannis visited moslem women in their homes in Pachni and Ehinos for talks on problems facing their local societies. Speaking on this issue at a gathering in Ehinos, the minister said that "the women of the minority must join the production process and the development effort that is underway in Thrace."

Earlier, addressing the community president during a luncheon in Pachni, she said that "the policy of equality before the law started by the New Democracy government in 1991 in Thrace and continued by the PASOK governments, will be completed and will also provide answers to the last weaknesses of the minority."

Bakoyannis visited the prefectural office and the town hall in the afternoon and in the evening she spoke to social partner representatives at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Xanthi.

Analysing government policy in the region, she said that it delineates the future of Thrace and determines its development prospects.

"It is a policy of full reversal of the past negative situation. It creates the preconditions, lays the foundations and provides opportunities for the evolution of Thrace from a border region of Greece to a development centre of southeastern Europe," she said.

Bakoyannis also held meetings with the Metropolitan and mufti of Xanthi later in the evening.

Her tour of the region will be concluded on Wednesday with visits to villages located in the prefecture's plains.

[06] US: FYROM must resolve difference with Greece over name issue if NATO membership is to proceed

FYROM must resolve its difference with Greece over the name issue if it's NATO membership is to proceed, US state depart-ment spokesman Sean McCormack said Monday, replying to questions during a regular press briefing, in the most clear-cut position stated by the US government on the issue.

"Eventually, as we have said, that NATO has an open door and we clearly have -- are engaged in discussions with other non-member states right now about the potential for membership down the road, one of those issues between 'Macedonia' and Greece would have to be the name issue. And if you were ever to get to membership for Macedonia in NATO, you would have to get all member NATO states agreeing that Macedonia should enter. So... if you ever do get to that point, it's an issue that would need to be resolved between 'Macedonia' and Greece since NATO is a consensus organization," McCormack said.

He noted that FYROM "is part of the Membership Action Plan (MAP), so there is some interaction ongoing between NATO as an organization, its individual member-states and 'Macedonia'. We ourselves have made a decision with respect to the name of 'Macedonia'."

To another question, McCormack replied that regardless of the US decision to recognise FYROM as 'Macedonia', the name nevertheless was not an issue for the US, but it was one that clearly concerned the Greek government.

"With respect to the name, we have made our decision with respect to the name. Now, the UN is involved in this issue as well and there have to be discussions as to what 'Macedonia' would be referred to in the UN as well. Again, those need to be worked out. These are issues that are not a -- it's not a bilateral issue at this point between the U.S. and 'Macedonia'. As an organization and as a member-state, this issue is not an issue for us, but clearly it is for the Greek Governmentm" he said.

"It (the name issue) would need to be resolved if 'Macedonia' were ever to proceed further down the pathway to NATO membership," the state department spokesman stressed.

"That is not the only issue," he added. "There are a number of other issues that are part of the Membership Action Plan that 'Macedonia' would have to resolve before it could even get close to membership. So it's one among a number of different issues that NATO countries, as a whole, have with 'Macedonia', McCormack concluded.

This was the most clear-cut placement by the US government on the FYROM name issue to date, according to political analysts, and clearly indicates that FYROM's membership in NATO is not ensured but is dependent on agreement with Athens over the name issue, while it also intimates that FYROM must display flexibility in the UN-brokered name negotiations under the UN secretary general's special mediator Matthew Nimetz.

[07] Gov't: Tabling of education reforms bill imminent

Asked about continuing takeovers and sit-ins at various university campuses by students and activists mostly affiliated with leftist parties, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos referred to a 'prejudice of those reacting without even seeing the final plan, therefore, they simply do not want any changes.'

Moreover, the spokesman said ruling ND is the political force in the country insisting on reforms, something also desired by the majority of citizens.

[08] Ministry responds to negative reports on financing of education

The ministry was responding to reports which projected comaparative data on a European Union (EU) level on the public financing of education so as to support the claim that Greece is last in expenditure for education in the EU.

The ministry announced that overall in 2007, from the regular budget and the programme of public investments, the sums spent for education in billions of euros are 6,459 and 819, totalling 7,278 .

Regarding the public financing of higher education, these past few years it is moving on average at 1.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (OECD data), "a percentage which is the highest among the EU countries," the ministry said.

On the public financing for research and development, Greece is amongst the highest positions in the EU countries, the education ministry added.

[09] Immigration bill ratified in principle

However, deputies of the two mainstream parties participated en masse in the discussion on the bill.

The main point of disagreement was the arrangement by which the authorities have the right to reject an immigrant's request for legalisation for public security reasons, if he has been convicted for a misdemeanour involving a prison sentence of at least a year.

[10] Defence minister dismisses talk of early general elections

"The government has a great deal of work ahead of it. And now the work which it had made in the three-year period will bear fruit. I don't believe that there is a climate of elections. There may be talk of elections, but a climate of elections has not been created. Consequently, the government will complete its tenure and the elections will take place at their time," Meimarakis told reporters.

[11] Papoulias receives Kaklamanis

Specifically, Kaklamanis said he briefed the Greek president on his programme for increasing green spaces in the increasingly congested capital, as well as next year's holding of an international conference in Athens on the issue of combating global poverty.

Papoulias, on his part, accepted an invitation to inaugurate the conference's sessions.

[12] Athens mayor meets with US ambassador

Kaklamanis, the former health minister, noted afterwards that the US ambassador expressed a willingness to assist in efforts at improving Athens' overall image and quality of life.

The Athens mayor has already met with his counterparts from Chicago and Nashville, while a request has been made for a meeting with the mayor of Los Angeles. Both Chicago and Los Angeles are bidding for the hosting of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, in a related development, groups of protesters affiliated with the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) demon-strated outside city hall during Ries' visit, while riot police were called in to keep the protesters at bay.

[13] FM Bakoyannis comments on incidents outside Athens Town Hall

"It is sad to have attacks against foreign citizens in Greece, not to say against people who represent their country here," Bako-yannis said.

[14] Undersecretaries Nakos and Nerantzis in U.S.; letter vote by expatriots

Greece's Deputy Interior, Public Administration and Decentra-lisation Minister Athanasios Nakos and Deputy Development Minister Anastasios Nerantzis are currently visiting the United States.

"The procedure of voting by the expatriots will be simple," said Nakos who will visit New York to attend the 13th annual dance of his compatriots, the Association of Magnesia Prefecture "Argonaftes" on Saturday.

On the occasion of his visit, Nakos gave an interview to the American-Hellenic weekly newspaper Greek News, stressing that "first of all, the right to vote will be given to those who are registered or will be registered in the electoral catalogues, until two months before the elections, who will also declare at the consulates if they vote in Greece or the U.S."

Nerantzis also spoke to the same newspaper on the occasion of his visit to Washington. He said:"We cannot talk about the completion of the government's work, firstly because the time has not been completed and secondly, because in order to be able to complete such an ambitious plan, you must have managed to change the infrastructures."

[15] PASOK leader admitted to hospital with high fever

Due to a previous case, (pneumonia), it was deemed necessary for him to be hospitalised in order for the necessary tests to be conducted.

However, PASOK sources said, it is possible that he may leave the hospital on Tuesday night, noting that "he is not a person who will remain in bed."

[16] Deputy FM Valynakis analyses prospects of European constitution

The deputy foreign minister said that Greece participates actively in initiatives for the Constitutional treaty, such as that of Madrid, stressing that the ratification process must be continued and whatever "renegotiation must look ahead. The proposals and ideas for minimalistic approaches that will be limited to solving institutional issues (mini treaty) or the selective implementation of the Treaty (cherry picking) do not respond to the expectations and anxieties of citizens."

Valynakis further stressed that "the challenge we have before us is to revitalise both what we are and what we can do."

[17] DM holds telephone consultation with Cyprus official

Greece's national defence minister Evangelos Meimarakis had a telephone conversation on Tuesday with the chairman of the Cyprus parliamentary defence committee and EDEK party leader Yannakis Omirou on the planned (Greek) Presidential Decree that will pay tribute to members of the Hellenic Armed Forces who fought in Cyprus during the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island republic.

According to an EDEK announcement, Meimarakis assured Omirou that the Presidential Decree will in no instance include officers who took part in the July 15, 1974 coup against the Cypriot ethnarch, Archbishop Makarios, "and the legal govern-ment of Cyprus".

The announcement further added that EDEK leader Omirou expressed his satisfaction to Meimarakis.

Financial News

[18] Officials to initial tripartite agreement on Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline

Bulgaria's Deputy Regional Development and Town Planning Minister Kalin Rogatchev, Russia's Deputy Industry and Energy Minister Andrei Dementiev and Greece's Development Ministry Secretary-General Nikos Stefanou are expected to initial at Burgas on Wednesday the tripartitate agreement for the construction of the Burgas-Alexadroupolis oil pipeline.

The agreement determines the form of cooperation between the three countries in the planning and construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, according to an announcement on Tuesday by the Bulgarian Regional Development Ministry.

The pipeline will transport 35 million tonnes of crude oil per year with the possibility of increasing the output to 50 million tonnes. It will be 280 kilometres long, of which 155 kilometres will be in Bulgarian territory.

[19] FinMin Alogoskoufis departs Wednesday for India on business mission

He will meet on Thursady with India's Finance Minister Pala-niappan Chidambaram and Foreign Minister Anand Sharma. On Friday, Alogoskoufis will meet with India's Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath and Deputy Industry Minister Ashwani Kumar.

The aim of the business mission is to broaden the growth potential of commercial relations between Greece and India.

During the stay, until Sunday, of the business mission in New Delhi, a memorandum of cooperation will be signed between representatives of the Federation of Greek Industries and representatives of India's corresponding federation.

[20] Hellenic Petroleum issues US$1.18-bln syndicated loan

The loan will be used to cover corporate actions and a refinancing of Hellenic Petroleum's existing bank debt. The loan, worth 1.18 billion US dollars, was 50 percent increased from initial targets since Hellenic Petroleum -in cooperation with the Mandated Lead Arrangers- agreed to satisfy increased demand for the syndicated loan issue.

The five-year loan can be extended for another two years. It carries a Libor/Euribor plus a margin of 0.18-0.25 pct annually according to financial borrowing indexes.

It is the biggest syndicated loan issue (excluding banks and shipping companies) by a Greek company in recent years and the first significant transaction by Hellenic Petroleum in international capital markets. The Greek company completed a roadshow in London and Athens to promote its strategic plan.

Arrangers of the loan were Alpha Bank, Bank of America Securities Limited, BNP Paribas, CALYON, EFG Telesis Finance, HSBC Bank plc and National Bank of Greece.

Banks based in the European Union accounted for 53 percent of the syndicated loan; US-based banks for 8.0 percent and Japan-based banks for 7.0 pct.

[21] Protesters end sit-in at power plant in Kozani

Representatives of the protesters are expected in Athens laterTuesday for separate talks with the Public Power Corp. (DEH) management and the leadership of the ministry of deve-lopment.

The three-day mobilizations were held by local people demanding that the state-run DEH hire more employees from a handful of local villages in the environmentally downgraded district.

[22] Hellenic Bank unveils expansion plan

'Thessaloniki is of great importance to Hellenic Bank, as a growth axis of both northern Greece and the Balkans,' he said.

Addressing an event to celebrate the bank's 30 years of operation, Keravnos said Hellenic Bank planned expansion in the Balkans via an autonomous course.

He said the bank's results for 2006, due to be published soon, will exceed forecasts and noted that the bank's share price soared by 500 percent, while return on capital almost tripled. Keravnos said the bank also planned to strengthen its presence in Russia.

Hellenic Bank operates a branch network of 25 units, four of which are located in Thessaloniki.

[23] Insurance companies shut down in Larisa

The two companies, which are part of the same group, were placed outside the insurance market because they were deemed unfit to obtain a certificate of reliability, thus leaving exposed approximately 80,000 insurance policy holders in the central Greek region of Thessaly and roughly 340,000 nationwide.

[24] Interamerican: Compensations totalled 293.14 bln euros in 2006

The company covered 52,289 cases with compensations totalling 123.53 million euros in the life insurance sector, while maturing life insurance contracts totalled 7,368, worth 30.6 million euros.

In the health care sector, Interamerican paid 78.86 million euros in 2006, while in the general insurance sector compensations totalled 59.95 million euros.

[25] Greek mutual funds' assets slightly up in January

A monthly report by the Association of Institutional Investors said the Greek market welcomed 10 new mutual funds in January, five Greek and another five foreign funds, while Alico AIG Mutual Funds took over the management of Hellenic Trust Mutual Fund's eight funds.

The foreign capital markets category recorded a spectacular 124.7 percent increase in assets, followed by the foreign money markets (+4%), domestic equity funds (+3.4%) and domestic combined (+3.3%). Combined Funds of Funds (-41.2%) and Foreign Equity (-14.9%) recorded the biggest percentage losses in assets in January.

The average return of domestic equity mutual funds totalled 6.14 percent at the end of January, down from a 7.19 pct increase of the composite index in the Athens Stock Exchange, while 10 equity funds surpassed the composite index with returns ranging from 7.25% to 8.24% in the month.

[26] Tourism minister meets directors of GNTO offices abroad

Taking part in the meeting was GNTO Secretary-General Athanasios Ikonomou and GNTO President Dimitris Laba-darios.

Discusssed at the meeting was data on the flow of tourists to Greece, the strategy for the growth of tourism, as well as the new advertising campaign. Directives were also given for the tourism period.

[27] New car sales up 6.3 pct in January, yr/yr

Toyota led the list with the most sales in January (3,770), followed by Opel (2,869), VW (2,584), Hyundai (2,091) and Suzuki (1,766). Toyota Corolla was the most popular car model in January with 1,421 sales.

[28] Iaso Group announces 10-mln-euro share capital increase plan

The capital will be used to build a new clinic in the southern suburbs of Athens.

[29] Alumil Mylonas met with int'l fund managers in London

A company announcement said foreign institutional investors expressed interest for its Romanian subsidiary's prospects (Alumil Rom) and its forthcoming listing on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, as well as for the Group's prospects in Romania, the wider Black Sea region and the Gulf states.

[30] Building activity down 2.6 pct in Jan-Nov 2006, yr/yr

The statistics service said building activity in the public sector accounted for 2.5 percent of total activity (in volume.

Epirus (-11 pct), west Macedonia (-13.4 pct) and north Aegean (-10.7 pct) recorded the biggest percentage declines in building activity (in permits), while only the Ionian Islands (11.3 pct) recorded increase in activity.

[31] Unibrain in 2.1-mln-US dollar contract with MacPower

[32] Greek stocks fall 0.84 pct on Tuesday

Sector indices ended lower with the Food-Beverage (3.22 pct), Telecoms (2.42 pct) and Financial Services (1.78 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while the Chemicals (3.05 pct), Insurance (1.96 pct) and Constructions (1.03 pct) scoring gains.

The Big Cap index eased 0.84 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.46 pct lower and the Small Cap index fell 0.85 pct.

Tria Alpha (16.67 pct), Nikas (11.36 pct) and Plias (11.11 pct) were top gainers, while Desmos (10.71 pct), Veterin (9.35 pct) and Ikona-Ihos (8.0 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 191 to 79 with another 38 issues unchanged

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +1.96%

Industrials: -1.11%

Commercial: -0.49%

Construction: +1.03%

Media: -1.11%

Oil & Gas: -0.10%

Personal & Household: -0.21%

Raw Materials: -0.50%

Travel & Leisure: +0.12%

Technology: -1.44%

Telecoms: -2.42%

Banks: -0.49%

Food & Beverages: -3.22%

Health: -0.42%

Utilities: +0.23%

Chemicals: +3.05%

Financial Services: -1.78%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Piraeus Bank, National Bank, OTE and OPAP.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 24.70

ATEbank: 4.24

Public Power Corp (PPC): 21.30

HBC Coca Cola: 30.92

Hellenic Petroleum: 11.12

Emporiki Bank: 22.56

National Bank of Greece: 40.20

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 31.30

Intralot: 25.30

Cosmote: 23.18

OPAP: 29.10

OTE: 23.00

Titan Cement Company: 45.50

[33] ADEX closing report

The February contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at a discount of 0.47 pct and on the FTSE 40 index at a discount of 0.58 pct.

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totalled 7,736 contracts worth 100.33 million euros, with 21,516 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 600 contracts worth 17.05 million euros woth 1,665 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totalled 7,069 contracts worth 6.196 million euros, with investment interest focusing on GEK's contracts (979), followed by Eurobank (183), OTE (404), PPC (258), OPAP (529), Piraeus Bank (628), National Bank (370), Alpha Bank (700), Intracom (680) and ATEbank (608).

Volume in stock repos totalled 6,369 contracts and in reverse stock repos 4,166 contracts.

[34] Greek bond market closing report

Trading activity focused on the 10-year benchmark bond (July 20, 2016), with a turnover of 935 million euros, while the yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German bonds was 0.254 percent. The Greek bond yielded 4.30 pct and the German bund 4.04 pct.

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 3.57 pct, the two-day rate eased to 3.57 pct from 3.58 pct, the one-month rate was 3.60 pct and the 12-month rate 4.06 pct.

[35] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.305

Pound sterling 0.663

Danish kroner 7.513

Swedish kroner 9.209

Japanese yen 156.8

Swiss franc 1.622

Norwegian kroner 8.176

Cyprus pound 0.583

Canadian dollar 1.544

Australian dollar 1.680

General News

[36] Free vaccines against cervical cancer for girls 12-13 years of age

The cost of the vaccine will be shouldered by social security funds, while as the health minister explained, no uninsured immigrant or indigent person will be left outside the arrangement, since there shall be a provision for free vaccines for these categories as well.

The National Vaccine Committee will be examing data in the days to come and will be announcing the details, the minister said.

Experts attending Tuesday's press conference, said that even women of a greater age can have the vaccine, but at their own cost, although stressing that if they have been infected by HPV viruses it will have a reduced effect.

It has been estimated that at least 160,000 vaccines will be required every year, while the health ministry has started a struggle to renegotiate its sale price in Greece.

Avramopoulos also spoke of tough arrangements to restrict smoking and alcohol, while, referring to bird flu, he said that the ministry is vigilant since the issue is not over.

Main opposition PASOK party officials Christos Protopapas and Maria Damanaki said that the vaccine against womb cancer must be provided for all young women between 12-26 years of age.

"Prevention cannot have quotas. It must be universal. Nor is it possible for young women over 13 to be abandoned who, indeed, cannot afford to pay for the expensive vaccine," Protopapas said.

Damanaki said on her part "will social security funds ask for participation from the insured and how much. This is a question over which the government has remained silent so far."

Minister of State inaugurates 'Thessaloniki: Photographic Archive 1900-1980' exhibition

Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Tuesday evening inaugurated an exhibition titled "Thessaloniki: Photographic Archive 1900-1980".

The exhibition is being hosted at the Cultural Centre of Athens Municipality and was organised by the Communications General Secretariat-Information General Secretariat and the Athens Municipality's cultural agency.

Roussopoulos in his address said that the use of all the archive which exists at the General Secretariat (photographic, audio-visual) will take place with the creation of the National Audio-Visual Archive which will enable all to have access through the Internet.

On his part, historian Evangelos Hekimoglou said that the photographs which are presented at the exhibition constitute a significant part of history, noting that the first photographs of Thessaloniki were taken in 1890.

The exhibition will last until February 14.

[37] PM Karamanlis attends concert in honour of composer Hadjidakis

The concert was organised by the Constantine Karamanlis Institute for Democracy.

[38] Draft mural depicting Lenin causes furor at northern Greece church

The unfinished draft mural shows Lenin leaning over the handcuffed and kneeling priest and using scissors to cut off his beard, a symbolic depiction that generated heated reactions in the local community of Axioupolis, Kilkis prefecture, as well as subsequent coverage by Athens' television stations. Most of the criticism centred on the use of the controversial revolutionary's likeness in a Christian holy place.

In defending his works, mural painter and fine arts professor Konstandinos Vafiadis said the depiction of figures who are not saints or martyrs has been employed by the Orthodox Church since the dawn of the Byzantine era to demonise, among others, persecutors of Christians and Christianity. He cited Roman emperor Diocletian as one example, whose likeness is often included in murals depicting St. George's (Aghios Georgios) execution and martyrdom.

Other criticism focused on a black-and-white depiction of Greek poet Costas Varnalis, a noted Marxist literary figure in the country throughout much of the 20th century, high on a wall in the sanctum. Vafiadis defended this mural by saying that Greek Orthodox artistic tradition has allowed the depiction of pre-Christian or secular thinkers, such as ancient Greek philosophers, sages, playwrights and even scholars upon church walls.

Finally, in a series of television news appearances, the painter also defended his depiction of the Madonna breastfeeding the Baby Jesus, saying the scene is found in several medieval churches and chapels around the east Mediterranean nation.

[39] New SAE board to meet in Thessaloniki

The SAE action plan, based on the 6th world convention conclusions, will be discussed at the meeting the SAE presiding board will have with Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis.

On Feb. 11, the SAE presiding board will have scheduled meetings with Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Kalantzis and local authorities.

Ahead of its meeting in Thessaloniki, the SAE presiding board will have contacts in Athens with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou, Culture Minister George Voulgarakis and Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia.

[40] N17 group defendant Alexandros Yiotopoulos makes plea before court

Yiotopoulos, who refused to answer questions, read out an eight-page manuscript, saying among other things that "my conviction to a 21-count life sentence and 25 years imprison-ment by the first stage court violates innocence evidence, the right of proof and constitutes a judicial scandal. With a provocative reversal of conditions, the court considered that it does not have the obligation to substantiate even one of the 21 acts of moral complicity, but that I am guilty, since in its view I was unable to prove my innocence."

Yiotopoulos also claimed that he was tried and convicted as being the leader, "in essence by the police, through the mass media and not by justice" and termed the first stage trial a "makebelieve trial" and a "theatrical trial" and the conclusion drawn during the first stage verdict a "monument of high-handedness", "injustice" and a "regrettable jumble of distortions, silencing and deliberate lies."

[41] Gang trafficks large quantities of contraband cigarettes from Greece to rest of Europe

A container was located in Igoumenitsa, northern Greece, on Tuesday which was transporting to Italy's Bari more than 18,000 packets of cigarettes.

The container's route began from Thessaloniki, central Macedonia, stopped at Aspropyrgos, where it changed driver and later arrived in Igoumenitsa.

It is believed that England would have been the final destination given that the brand of cigarettes which were found circulate in that country.

The container's driver was led before the Igoumenitsa public prosecutor, while investigations are continuing.

[42] Two police officers accused of issuing ID card for fugitive from justice

The case will be brought to justice and according to evidence, a police officer from the Nikea precinct in Athens (transferred from the Korydallos precinct last summer), appeared on January 4 at the Petroupoli precinct -where the second police officer was serving- accompanied by Vasilios Stephanakos, a fugitive since last December, pending a court sentence of 14 years and 6 months for extortion and other crimes. The Nikea precinct police officer asked his colleague to issue an ID card for Stephanakos, which he did.

The case came to light ten days ago when the ID card copies arrived at the responsible Greek Police departments where the fugitive was identified.

Both police officers have been temporarily discharged and a special inquiry is underway.

[43] Drug-related arrests in Athens

Police confiscated 8 kilos and 840 grams of unprocessed cannabis while after searching the homes of the suspects they confiscated an additional 3 kilos and 52 grams of cannabis, 400 grams of heroin, 21.6 grams of heroin in individual doses, pills and an unspecified amount of money. Police also seized three private cars and a truck.

[44] Greek students in Quebec universities receive scholarships

A new scholarship was awarded for the first time for non-Greek students enrolled in courses offered by the inter-university Modern Greek Studies Centre.

[45] Bank ATMs torched

Both ATMs were damaged by the explosions and fire that followed.

Sports

[46] Orfanos attends UNESCO meeting in Paris on anti-doping

"The first issue concerned the list of forbidden substances. WADA's proposal was adopted. We must note that our country is one step ahead, given that by ministerial decision, from last December, we have approved the specific list of forbidden substances," Orfanos said.

Regarding the way of checking the implementation of the UNESCO Agreement, Orfanos underlined:"The final decision which was taken, activates the checking of 45 member-countries, which have approved the specific agreement, with the procedures foreseen by the Constitution of each country."

[47] Weather forecast: Light cloud on Wednesday

Cyprus Affairs

[48] Cyprus bound only by the Law of the Sea, says Foreign Minister

Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs George Lillikas said on Tuesday that the Republic of Cyprus is bound only by the international convention for the Law of the Sea.

Lillikas was commenting on a statement by State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack, during Monday's briefing, that the issue of petroleum reserves exploitation in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus ''gets very quickly into complicated issues related to the Law of the Sea.''

''There are international conventions for the Law of Sea, which Cyprus has signed along with a total of 146 countries and Turkey has not signed them,'' Lillikas said, replying to questions, adding that Cyprus is bound by the Convention of the Law of the Sea and the mechanisms the Convention provides for.

''We have implemented precisely the Convention, and the agreements we singed are in full harmony with the international Convention,'' he added.

According to Lillikas, each country has the right to perform studies on international or other issues regarding other countries. He added however that this ''does not mean that the studies lead to or create obligations or commitments of the country concerned.''

Replying to a question whether the companies that expressed interest in the possible oil reserves in Cyprus' territorial waters have withdrawn their interest after Turkish protests, Lillikas said that he was not aware of such information.

''What I am aware of is that there is great interest on behalf of petroleum companies,'' he added.

Invited to comment on McCormack's written statement that the State Department has no recommendations as to whether American companies

should participate in the bidding process, Lillikas said that the US is a democratic country with a free market economy, in which ''the governments do not decide on behalf of the companies.''

Cyprus has already singed agreements for the delimitation of its Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Lebanon and is expected to proclaim an international bidding competition on February 15.

[49] Chinese NPC official: China supports Cyprus in Security Council

The People's Republic of China supports the Cyprus case in the UN Security Council, Vice Chairman of the Law Committee of the National People's Congress of China Li Changan said on Tuesday, adding that his country wishes for the reunification of the island.

Li Changan welcomed Cypriot House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias, who arrived in Beijing for an official visit at the invitation of Wu Bangguo, President of the National People's Congress.

In his remarks, Li Changan referred to his last visit to Cyprus and his tour of the Green line in Ledra Street, noting he encountered the situation with grief.

''We feel the sentiments of the Cypriot people and wish for the reunification of the island,'' he added.

Li Changan also thanked Christofias for Cyprus' support to China over the issue of Taiwan.

Christofias underlined the importance and value of the support by a country, permanent member of the UN Security Council, for the Cyprus problem ''for which we are deeply grateful.''

The Cypriot House President briefed the Chinese official on the latest developments regarding the possible opening of a crossing point in Ledra Street.

''We did not manage to open it yet. There are several security issues and there must be disengagement,'' Christofias noted, adding that he waits ''the United Nations to assume the initia-tive.''

He underlined that a possible opening of Ledra Street ''does not terminate the occupation and does not reunite the country.''

''Therefore, I must say that the fate of Cyprus and China is basically similar and parallel. China has Taiwan and we have the Turkish occupation, which must be terminated so our country will be reunited,'' Christofias said, adding that ''this brings us closer, apart from the cultural tradition and apart from the friendship created during the era of Makarios (first President of the Republic of Cyprus) and Mao Zedong.''

Christofias and Li Changan also referred to the close friendship between the two countries and their ancient culture.

The Cypriot House President said that thousands of archeological findings, exhibited in various museums in the world, were stolen before Cyprus' independence.

''What is sad is that after the 1974 Turkish invasion and the occupation of 37% of the Cyprus territory, a huge cultural heritage has been destroyed,'' Christofias added, noting that the Cypriot authorities are exerting efforts to repatriate various archeological objects which have been sold abroad.

According to Christofias, the Turkish invasion inflicted a big damage to the Cyprus Byzantine heritage, with Cypriot churches desecrated, many of which have been transformed to stables or mosques. ''This is a brutality, the very opposite of culture,'' Christofias concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[50] EFJ protests attack on journalist in Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) condemned on Tuesday the attack on Huseyin Chakmak, a cartoonist and columnist for Turkish Cypriot newspaper Afrika.

Chakmak, President of the Association of Turkish Cypriot cartoonists, well known for his struggles for freedom of expression and the reunification of Cyprus and cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, was attacked on 31 January by nationalists who were upset by his articles and ideas, according to the Union of Cyprus Journalists (UCJ).

''This incident shows that freedom of expression is under attack in the northern part of Cyprus,'' EFJ Chairman Arne Konig said, adding that ''we are supporting our colleague Huseyin Chakmak and his right to express his views in print and for all journalists in northern Cyprus to write and report independently.''

Afrika has faced problems in the past for its publication of stories on political topics.

In the recent incident, Chakmak was walking in a neigh-bourhood in the Turkish occupied part of Nicosia, when a group of men threw stones and tomatoes at him. The cartoonist wrote down the license plate number on their car and gave it to the so-called police of the illegal regime, who told him they could not reveal the names of the attackers.

The UCJ condemned the latest attack on Chakmak, which it said ''is an attack directly against press freedom,'' and expressed its solidarity with the journalists working for Afrika.

The EFJ is calling on the so-called police in the occupied areas to bring the attackers in this case to justice and to ensure that any further threats against Chakmak or other Afrika staff are fully investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

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