Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-08-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] August holiday exodus peaks over the weekend, ferries and airplanes booked solid

[02] SI delegation on visit to Middle East

[03] KKE leader criticises government, PASOK

[04] SYN leader Alavanos to vie for parliament as candidate from Iraklion, Crete

[05] Cypriot justice and public order minister visits Xanthi Police Department

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[07] Most fires in Greece abating, new blaze in Albania approaching border

[08] Last fires extinguished in western Macedonia

[09] Corn crops in Serres destroyed by rampaging boars from Bulgaria

[10] Hailstorm destroys crops in Nigrita

[11] Inclement weather disrupts Thessaloniki's 'Macedonia Airport'

[12] Increase of visitors to museums in Chania, Crete

[13] Former Areios Pagos prosecutor Kroustallakis dies at 71

[14] Arrest of youth for fraud through Internet

[15] Overcast, windy on Monday

[16] Cyprus says Turkey violating international law regarding hydrocarbons Politics

[01] August holiday exodus peaks over the weekend, ferries and airplanes booked solid

The traffic police had taken extraordinary measures on the national highways to facilitate the holidaymakers, as more than 120,000 cars passed through the toll post at Elefsis and another 60,000 through the toll post at Afidness.

A total of 64 ships left the port of Piraeus over the weekend, heading for the islands of the Aegean and Crete, most of them booked to full capacity, while another 24 routes had been scheduled from the port of Rafina to the Cyclades islands. Flights leaving Athens from the Eleftherios Venizelos international airport were also booked solid.

According to Port Authority figures, some two million passengers travelled by ferry in the month of July alone.

Flights from Athens' international airport were booked solid, while the OSE railways also added more cars to its inter-city trains to facilitate the increased demand.

[02] SI delegation on visit to Middle East

During their visit, they will meet with the leaders of the region's SI member parties Mahmoud Abbas (Fatah, and ), Ehud Barak (Israel's Labour Party) and Yossi Beilin (Meretz party, Israel), as well as with Israeli president Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority prime minister Salam Fayyad, and Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni.

With this visit, the SI desires to support the member parties and the peace process, as well as the efforts for advancing political and economic cooperation in the region, the press release said.

The SI delegation will also discuss the SIMEC's further actions and its contribution to the dialogue and negotiations underway for a solution of the Palestinian problem, the press release added.

[03] KKE leader criticises government, PASOK

Papariga said that the "two-party argument will exceed the boundaries of depravity we have known thus far", adding that both mainstream parties -- the ruling New Democracy (ND) party and main opposition PASOK -- "are dangerous in the pre-electoral period".

Referring to the government's announcements, Papariga said that they were being presented by ND as 'benefits' to specific categories of the population, but in actuality were "breadcrumbs", and were not accompanied by explanations as to where the money for those benefits would be found or whether the budget could withstand such benefits.

The KKE, she said, is radically opposed to the way in which the government's announcements were faced by PASOK and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Progress (SYN).

Papariga added that the announcements (of benefits planned) contained in the ND and PASOK platforms and the talk about the minimum guaranteed income, minimum national pension, etc., the "benefits" that were being given to unmarried mothers, single-parent families, etc., "take us back to the era of 1950, when Frideriki (former queen) shared out booklets to the poor unwed young women and rode a donkey around the villages meting out such subsidies".

"This is exactly the rationale that they are moving along. That is why we say that they are degrading, ludicrous benefits, and also politically dangerous," she said.

Turning to the social insurance system reforms, Papariga said that the government was concealing the fact that there will be radical changes to the system -- "and this holds true all over Europe for the same class reasons" -- according to which the retirement ages will increase, pensions will decline, insurance contributions will increase and, chiefly, "through the so-called reforms and modernisations in education, health and all the other social sectors, the working people will be paying more and the businessmen will be earning even more".

She predicted that over the coming years the collective labour agreements will be abolished, as has taken place in many other countries in Europe, flexible employment and part-time employment will be extended, and consequently the minimum national pension was being introduced to supposedly answer the question of how the people who are 40 or 35 years old or younger to day will be able to live.

The KKE's reply, Papariga continued, is that "we cannot have a minimum pension, for example, below 1,050 euro, and ensuring that means that the minimum salary cannot be, under the present conditions, less than 1,300 euro". Thus, she added, the KKE was fighting for the workers' rights and demands, taking into consideration the present-day needs, but chiefly the large profits that exist.

"The money exists. That is the substance," she stressed.

On the political climate, Papariga said that the country was in a pre-electoral period, in which the "two-party argument will exceed the boundaries of depravity we know today".

"Both (the two mainstream parties) are dangerous in this pre-electoral period, because in order to secure victory for themselves, they will not hesitate to use any means suitable to them. And the isue is not the relations between them, the argument between them. Their argument turns against the people, in order to contain the losses that the two parties have, so as to obstruct leaks (of voters) which will affect the two-party system," she said.

"The KKE insists that on election night both ND and PASOK must fell the earth trembling beneath their feet. Both must suffer losses. There must be no transfer of forces from the one to the other party. They are both dangerous, in their economic, and social, and foreign policy, and they are dangerous particularly because they both want to obstruct the people's awakening and counterattack at all means, and without hesitation," Papariga said.

[04] SYN leader Alavanos to vie for parliament as candidate from Iraklion, Crete

Speaking at a press conference during a visit to Heraklion, Alavanos said that both his party and the other political forces comprising the Coalition of the Radical Left had decided, at his own proposal, that the candidacy of the parliamentary group's president and head of the electoral effort would not be in one of the 'secure' districts of Athens, Piraeus, Attica or Thessaloniki.

The goal, he said, was not another marginal presence in parliament of the Coalition of the Radical Left -- which he said would amount to a political failure -- but, rather, to achieve such a parliamentary strength that would correspond to the protagonistic role those political forces have had through the years.

"For me, personally, my candidacy in districts in which the election of an MP requires nearly the doubling of our strength, means that I am shouldering my responsibility in advance, in relation to a positive turn on the Coalition of the Radical Left's course and a more general change in the role of the Left in the country's political map," Alavanos said.

Thus, he continued, it was with joy and honour that he accepted the proposal by the party's prefectural committee and by the other forces the coalition to be a candidate from Heraklion prefecture in the coming elections.

Alavanos noted that he felt at home on Crete, not only because of the island's world-renowned hospitality and his own long-standing bonds, but also because Crete, throughout its history, has been a land of liberty, political activity and revolutionary changes. Crete was, and will be, the harbinger of and springboard for the major political changes that the country needs, he added.

Alavanos also announced that the second electoral district in which the party parliamentary group's president will be a candidate from will be in northern Greece, while the specific prefecture will be announced in the next few days.

[05] Cypriot justice and public order minister visits Xanthi Police Department

The two men exchanged views on the problems and crimes of concern to the police forces of both countries, and ways of confronting them in the framework of bilaterl and international cooperation.

Financial News

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.380

Pound sterling 0.678

Danish kroner 7.501

Swedish kroner 9.287

Japanese yen 164.55

Swiss franc 1.663

Norwegian kroner 7.993

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.458

Australian dollar 1.611

General News

[07] Most fires in Greece abating, new blaze in Albania approaching border

Meanwhile, a fire in Amarantos, Konitsa, was burning for the 15th consecutive day, as the area's inaccessible terrain has hampered efforts both by land and by air, coupled by minefields interspersed in the area.

Also, a fire also broke out at noon in a forest expanse in Kalyvakia, Ilia prefecture, under unknown circumstances, while the blaze at Krystallopighi in Florina has been extinguished.

Also, the fires in Fteri, the Pieria Mountains and in Platanakia, Serres, were abating, while the blaze in Mavroplagia, Kilkis, has been partially contained.

The fires in Palia Kotyili (Nestorio) and on the Goulios-Kodakas peak on Mt. Grammos have been fully contained, although firefighters remained on the spot to prevent the blaze from rekindling.

Meanwhile, a new fire on Albanian territory -- across the border with Greece -- was burning Saturday with 5-6 large fonts, and heading towards the Grek-Albanian borders. If the fire crosses the border, it will immediately threaten the areas of Tsamanta, in Thesprotia prefecture, and Aghia Marina, in Ioannina. At time of press, the fire was approximately 4 kilometres from the border with Greece but spreading quickly due to high winds in the area.

The Albanian firefighting services are unable to contain the blaze, while a strong force of firefighters had been deployed along the border on the Greek side, ready to intervene to keep it from spreading to Greek territory.

Also, the Hellenic Airforce has sent two Canadair CL-215 helicopters to Albania to help contain a fire that has broken out in Gjirokastr, while Greece will also be sending an Ericson firefighting helicopter promptly.

[08] Last fires extinguished in western Macedonia

In Kastoria prefecture, the two firess in Palia Kotyli, Nestorio municipality, and in Gourliou Kozaka region, Arrenon municipality, had been fully extinguished by 5:30 p.m. Sunday. According to initial estimates, the Kotyli fire burned down 10,000 stremma of forestland and 200 stremma of pasture land, while the Gouliou Kozaka blaze destroyed 6,000 stremma of forestland.

In Florina prefecture, the fire at Smardesi, Krystallopighi region, was fully extinguished by early morning Sunday, after buring 5,000 stremma of forestland. The fire at Varda Sfika, in Prespes municipality, was also extinguished by early afternoon on Sunday, after burning an estimated 500 stremma of forestland, and another 500 stremma of pasture land.

In Kozani prefecture, the fire at Velventos was finally extinguished on Sunday morning, after burning for nearly three weeks and destroying 15,000 stremma of forestland and 2,000 stremma of pasture land.

The fires at Mavroplagia, Kilkis prefecture, and at Fteri, Pieria prefecture have also been extinguished.

Meanwhile, a new fire broke out on Saturday afternoon, for reasons as yet unknown, in the Profitis Elias forest in Oropos, outside of Athens, near an inhabited area.

A strong force of 45 firefighters with 15 fire engines, assisted by two firefighting planes and 3 helicopters, were battling the blaze, in an effort to contain it before it spread to homes.

In a related development, the Airforce General Staff (GEN) announced that two Canadair CL-215 firefighting helicopters it had sent to Gjirokastr on Saturday to help battle a blaze that broke out there have returned to their base in Preveza, as high winds in the area did not allow water dropping operations to be carried out.

[09] Corn crops in Serres destroyed by rampaging boars from Bulgaria

The boars crossed the border from Bulgaria into Greece after a fire that broke out in the neighbouring country.

Local residents have asked for the assistance of the Serres prefectural authority to confront the destruction and for the immediate payment of compensation for the destroyed crops.

[10] Hailstorm destroys crops in Nigrita

More than 5,000 stremma of tobacco crops, vineyards, olive oil groves and watermelon patches were completely devastated in the hailstorm, which lasted only a few minutes.

Farmers on Sunday were taking account of the damage, while local tobacco producers were in despair as the hailstorm came just before the reaped their crop.

Officials from the ELGA (state agricultural insurance fund) and the Serres prefectural authority were due to go to Nigrita on Monday and assess the extend of the damage.

[11] Inclement weather disrupts Thessaloniki's 'Macedonia Airport'

Due to low cloud at the airport's region, ten flights did not manage to land, resulting in eight aircraft landing in Athens and two in Kavala.

Due to a strong storm, the Fire Brigade has received many calls to pump up water, particularly in basements, while a tree fell, causing damage to four cars.

[12] Increase of visitors to museums in Chania, Crete

According to data, 21,327 people visited the archaeological museum from January to July 2007, compared to 19,496 in the corresponding period last year.

Visitors to the Byzantine and post-Byzantine collection, which is housed at the church of San Salvatore, numbered 3,230 against 2,445 during the same period in 2006.

According to estimates, by the end of the year, more than 55,000 people will have visited the two museums.

[13] Former Areios Pagos prosecutor Kroustallakis dies at 71

Kroustallakis was born in 1936 in Thebes, and entered the Judicial Corps in 1962, where he was promoted to the rank of Areios Pagos judge in August 1992.

In January 2000 he was appointed general director of the National Judiciary Academy, and in October 2001 was presented with an honourary PhD by the Democritian University of Thrace.

He was the author of numerous published scientific studies, and also served as chairman of several law-drafting committees, most recently that on the reform of the Criminal Procedure Code.

In 1989 he was one of the special appeals examining magistrates who investigated the Koskotas banking scandal, focusing on involvement of DEKO (public utlities and organisations) governors in the scandal.

In July 2002 he was appointed as supreme court prosecutor, and retired one year later.

Justice minister Anastasis Papaligouras, in a message upon learning of Kroustallakis' death, said that Kroustallakis had been an example of a capable judicial functionary with integrity. With his knowledge, morality and sense of justice, he was an honour to his function as very few have been, Papaligouras said, and expressed his deepest condolences to Kroustallakis' family.

Kroustallakis' funeral will be held Monday morning at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Thebes.

[14] Arrest of youth for fraud through Internet

Police said the electronics student illegally used systems of correspondence through a specific company and sent messages to users of the network, which falsely, were sent by a financial foundation abroad.

According to this electronic message, the recipients could receive from this foundation the sum of 221.65 dollars, under the prerequisite that they pay in advance 3.26 dollars as transfer expenses.

The culprit also intended to forge an identity card so as to use to open a bank account to the country where he would deposit the profits from his illegal activities.

Weather Forecast

[15] Overcast, windy on Monday

Cyprus Affairs

[16] Cyprus says Turkey violating international law regarding hydrocarbons

Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas said on Sunday that the Republic of Cyprus was exercising its sovereign rights and conducting explorations in the context of international law and agreements regarding tenders for the extraction of hydrocarbons, noting that Turkey is violating international law and had not even signed the Law of the Sea.

Commenting on Turkish Cypriot press reports that Turkey would be sending out more research vessels at the end of August to find possible hydrocarbon deposits, Palmas said ''Turkey's behaviour is unacceptable.''

''The Republic of Cyprus is doing nothing more and nothing less than exercising its sovereign rights and carrying out explorations within the framework provided for by international law and international conventions,'' he said, adding that ''it is Turkey that is violating international law and has not even signed the Law of the Sea.''

''So, such deafening statements and approaches on behalf of Turkey leave us unaffected and we will continue, within the context of international legality, to exercise our sovereign rights,'' he noted.

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