Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-10-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Solana meets Bakoyannis, promises 'EU solidarity' over FYROM 'name issue'

[02] Bakoyannis meets EU's Rehn

[03] PM Karamanlis confers with FinMin, Development minister

[04] Premier Karamanlis receives Jack Lang

[05] Karamanlis briefed by ND sec't

[06] Prime minister receives outgoing Turkish envoy

[07] Papandreou congratulates Italy's Veltroni

[08] Venizelos outlines plan for PASOK's organisational restructuring

[09] KKE's Papariga reiterates opposition to constitutional treaty

[10] Parliament president meets Egyptian counterpart

[11] Exclusive interview with Cyprus' former president Clerides

[12] Greece, Cyprus initial memorandum on police cooperation

[13] Justice minister to meet Cypriot, Chinese counterparts

[14] Gov't on social security issue, speculation over VAT hike

[15] Employment minister invites social partners to dialogue on pension system

[16] President Papoulias addresses Euro-Med Summit of ESCs in Athens

[17] Black Sea enterprises seek closer relations with EU

[18] SE Europe ministers focus on high-speed rail connection

[19] Athens-FAO agreement for East Med Fisheries Centre

[20] Marfin Popular Bank buys 43 pct in Malta's LBM for 48.3 mln euros

[21] Seven groups expressed interest in first Greek ETF

[22] Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling announces 60-mln-euro share capital increase plan

[23] E-shop.gr reports increase in sales

[24] Greek stocks end 0.15 pct down on Monday

[25] ADEX closing report

[26] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[27] Greek natural disasters proposal finds support at EU Council

[28] Holy Synod statement on Archbishop Christodoulos' health

[29] Cultural Year of Greece in China begins on Oct. 19

[30] Dedication to Thessaloniki Film Festival to be hosted in America

[31] Bomb scare at Employment ministry

[32] Hoax of bomb at Athens Metro

[33] Drunken man arrested for airplane bomb hoax

[34] Arsonists target local ND offices and bank ATM

[35] Drug arrest in southern Greece

[36] More illegal immigrant arrests on Samos

[37] Mostly fair, windy on Tuesday

[38] Revised government proposal on crossing points submitted to UN

[39] European Greens call for immediate implementation of July agreement Politics

[01] Solana meets Bakoyannis, promises 'EU solidarity' over FYROM 'name issue'

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Monday promised that Greece will enjoy the European Union's full solidarity with respect to the difference with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) over the thorny name issue , following his meeting here with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

The EU's High Representative for a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) made the statement after meeting Bakoyannis on the sidelines of EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

Commenting on the meeting, Solana said he very constructive talks with the Greek foreign minister and stressed that things have now reached a stage when, in his view, "the time has come to find a solution" to the name issue .

He forecast that there would be developments in the near future and that the time had come to undertake all efforts in this direction, adding that he would be in contact with the United Nations and its special envoy for the Greece-FYROM dispute.

The top EU official said he would also be having "frank" talks on the name issue with the government in Skopje, in order to make the situation and its urgent nature clear and to outline the time frame that the EU envisaged.

Bakoyannis said she had presented Solana with the "very clear Greek positions" regarding the name issue, while expressing confidence that "all efforts on the part of the EU and Mr. Solana will be made so that there is a solution to the problem that exists with Skopje". She also noted that Greece was counting on the Union's solidarity.

Conversely, she declined to comment on statements made earlier the same day by her FYROM counterpart, Antonio Milososki, while she stressed that "our country's messages in every direction are positive".

Also on Bakoyannis' agenda while in Luxembourg is a meeting with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin and EU Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn.

Greece objects to the use of the name 'Macedonia' by FYROM on the grounds that it conceals irredentist ambitions against the large northern Greek province of the same name, Macedonia, which shares a border with FYROM and has access to the northern Aegean Sea. Greeks also object to what they view as historically misleading attempts by FYROM authorities to establish a connection to ancient Macedon and Alexander the Great, through moves such as featuring, at one point, the Vergina Sun as the country's symbol or renaming Skopje airport after Alexander, among others.

Gov't spokesman

Meanwhile, in Athens, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said the government's position over the 'name issue' is standing and well-known, reminding that the re-elected Karamanlis government received a vote of confidence in Parliament just last month.

Additionally, asked if a specific proposal regarding a "composite name" was on the negotiating table, Roussopoulos merely noted that "two and a half years ago, in response to a then proposal by Mr. (Matthew) Nimetz (the UN mediator), we had outlined what the government's limits were, and we had accepted, as a basis for discussion, a proposal made at the time by Mr. Nimetz It is up to the other side to say what its views are".

[02] Bakoyannis meets EU's Rehn

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis met here on Monday with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn with talks focusing on the Kosovo issue, Serbia's European course and the Union's enlargement.

The European Commission is expected to publicise its reports on Turkey's and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) progress.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos said that during the meeting, Bakoyannis had the opportunity to present to Commissioner Rehn the "Greek positions on the name of FYROM in their clarity."

[03] PM Karamanlis confers with FinMin, Development minister

Asked by reporters after the meeting to comment on a press report alleging a secret agreement between himself and EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia for an increase in VAT, Alogoskoufis said that "there is no secret agreement", adding that "there is nothing new regarding taxation policy".

Alogoskoufis stressed that fiscal streamlining remained the goal of the government's economic policy.

[04] Premier Karamanlis receives Jack Lang

He also told reporters that he discussed with Premier Karamanlis the French proposal on the creation of a Mediterranean Union.

Responding to a relevant question, the French former culture minister, reminded of his close friendship with late Greek counterpart Melina Mercouri, adding that Greece's demand for the return of the Parthenon Marbles, currently exposed at the British Museum, is a "fair case", adding that the British "must accept the Greek demand" for their return.

[05] Karamanlis briefed by ND sec't

Afterwards, Zagoritis stated that ND's MPs are not expressing different views and reminded that all of the ruling party's 152 Parliament deputies recently voted in favor of the government's policy statements in Parliament, the first vote of confidence for the second term Karamanlis government.

The statement comes in response to fairly recent press reports and opinions -- mostly carried in pro-opposition newspapers -- claiming a "rift" within the fragile ND majority in Parliament.

Responding to a similar question, Zagoritis said the premier has had and will continue to hold private meetings and contacts with the party's MPs.

[06] Prime minister receives outgoing Turkish envoy

Burcuoglu said his visit to the premier was a courtesy call, adding that he "is grateful to the prime minister".

Responding to relevant questions, Burcuoglu said that he discussed with Karamanlis "in a general manner" about the latter's visit to Ankara, adding however that "there is the wish on our part to have (Turkish) Foreign Minister Mr. (Ali) Babacan visiting Athens first and having Mr. Karamanlis' trip to Ankara afterwards."

[07] Papandreou congratulates Italy's Veltroni

Papandreou also notes that he would be by Veltroni's side in his political effort.

"The process which you have chosen for the election of leadership, a process open to all members and friends of democratic and progressive forces in Italy, is an essential step towards the reinforcement of democratic participation and of the autonomy of politics, in which I profoundly believe," he added.

Rome's Mayor Walter Veltroni was elected on Sunday to lead Italy's new Democratic Party, formed from the merger of two major parties in the ruling coalition, after more than three million centre-left supporters cast their votes.

[08] Venizelos outlines plan for PASOK's organisational restructuring

Among others, he called for the election of a party president via a general vote of all of PASOK's registered and "verified" friends and members. Additionally, he called for the election of the party secretary and political council members via a scheduled party congress every three years.

Venizelos, a Thessaloniki-area MP and former minister in repeated PASOK governments, also proposed a maximum three-term limit -- only two successive terms -- for tenure on the party's internal committees, whereas he said the party secretary should serve for four-year terms.

An attorney with an emphasis on constitutional law, Venizelos also said he would create a "shadow government".

In answer to press questions, he said the current Karamanlis government has "desperately narrow (political) horizons" when asked if he would demand early elections if elected to PASOK's helm in the Nov. 11 party election. Moreover, he said ruling New Democracy's (ND) 152 MPs - out of a total of 300 in Parliament - constitutes a "marginal majority".

He said Euro-parliament elections in 18 months should cause PASOK to be in constant readiness.

[09] KKE's Papariga reiterates opposition to constitutional treaty

Papariga commented that the two major parties, ruling New Democracy and main opposition PASOK, are in favor of the treaty and support the "anti-popular view" that its adoption will safeguard the unity of Europe.

Referring to the Coalition of the Radical Left, SYRIZA, she said it exercises sharp but superficial criticism on the treaty.

KKE rejects the new treaty because it adopts the American imperialism strategy on preemptive war, backs the further militarization of the EU, relinquishes more sovereign rights of EU member states to EU bodies, abolishes the veto power and establishes a special majority benefiting the stronger states while hurting the national independence of the EU states.

Papariga also stated that the new treaty guarantees the superiority of the EU law over state legislation adding that her party rejects any form of European Constitution and is in favor of a referendum on the issue.

[10] Parliament president meets Egyptian counterpart

Their talks focused on the Middle East problem and the Cyprus issue, while they also discussed Greek-Egyptian cooperation in the energy sector.

"Egypt and Greece contribute with their efforts to establishing security, peace and stability in the wider region of the Mediterranean," Sioufas said after the meeting.

He said the meeting had also served to exchange views and ideas on how to ensure maximum success in achieving the goals of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly that is due to take place in Athens in March next year.

Sorour pledged to do everything in his power to enhance relations between the Greek and Egyptian Parliaments and noted Egypt's "steadfast support for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus issue and for an independent Cyprus without occupation troops".

The two men also exchanged and accepted invitations for formal visits to their respective Parliaments.

[11] Exclusive interview with Cyprus' former president Clerides

Former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Glafkos Clerides, expressed his views on the Cyprus problem and the Athens-Nicosia relations in an exclusive interview with ANA-MPA ahead of his visit to Athens for the launch of his book on Wednesday titled "The Documents of an era, 1993-2003".

The event will be addressed by former prime ministers Constantine Mitsotakis and Costas Simitis, and Athens University professor emeritus Theodoros Kouloumbis.

Clerides, whose name was associated with Cyprus' full accession to the EU, expressed concern stressing that if the Cyprus issue is not solved soon, the fait accompli of the Turkish invasion and occupation will be further consolidated, posing a risk for a 'two separate states' solution. Referring to the July 8, 2006 agreement between Cyprus Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, he stated that it cannot be a cure-all leading to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

He underlined the importance of confidence-building-measures and added that the leaders of the two sides should hold talks on the main aspects of the Cyprus problem. The correctness of this approach is confirmed by the fact that the roughly 50 meetings held over a 14-month period by the advisors of President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat have yielded no substantive results, he commented.

The deadlock in the Cyprus issue will be overcome only if the UN is convinced that the political will for a solution exists on both sides, he stated.

Clerides expressed optimism for a viable and functional solution in Cyprus if there are no delays making a consensus solution harder to reach, stressing that in Ankara there are two opposing tendencies backing and opposing such a settlement.

Regarding the Athens-Nicosia relations, he underlined that a firm common course on the Cyprus issue presupposes that both sides will not accuse each other of exerting pressures for a compromise. He also advised Athens and Nicosia to discuss all issues openly and in depth before reaching a common position.

Clerides said that he wrote his book in an effort to present a real picture of what has already been done and what is possible to be accomplished through the UN while keeping in mind the international organization's inability to enforce the implementation of the resolutions on Cyprus. In other words, he said, the UN efforts are limited to bringing the two sides together to reach a mutually acceptable solution under the auspices of the UN GenSec regardless of which side is right or wrong.

Clerides said that he chose Mitsotakis and Simitis to present his book in recognition of their deep knowledge of the Cyprus problem and because he had an excellent cooperation with them during his term in the Cyprus Republic presidency.

The happiest moment for him as the Cyprus President was in 2002 at the Copenhagen Summit meeting when a decision was reached making Cyprus a full EU member on May 1, 2004. Among the most unpleasant moments was when the four Gulf states warned that they would recognize the Turkish Cypriot state if the Cyprus problem was not solved within six months.

[12] Greece, Cyprus initial memorandum on police cooperation

Pavlopoulos said that through the agreement Greece's know-how on security matters, acquired during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, will be transferred to Cyprus.

Greek Police planning on Olympic security will be handed over to the Cyprus Police for use in carrying out its tasks, he explained.

Cooperation will also cover the training of Cypriot police officers in Greece's police academy and dealing with illegal immigration and human trafficking.

The Cypriot minister termed the agreement "extremely important" as it will deal with "open challenges", such as illegal immigration, terrorism, drugs and money laundering.

The memorandum will be officially signed in Nicosia next month.

[13] Justice minister to meet Cypriot, Chinese counterparts

According to the announcement, Hatzigakis is also to meet visiting Chinese Deputy Justice Minister Hao Chiyong, heading a six-member delegation, on Thursday.

Financial News

[14] Gov't on social security issue, speculation over VAT hike

Roussopoulos stated that a total of no less than 175 pension funds will have to merge, pointing out that the government intends to enter into a dialogue on the social insurance issue, "while taking under consideration all different views before reaching the best possible solution."

Roussopoulos also said the state will cover its outstanding debts to the Social Insurance Foundation (IKA), whereas the goal to contribute the legally mandated 1 percent of the GDP.

"Public finances are being reformed, while the social state is being reinforced," he said, stressing that 3.5 years is not enough time for any government attempting to settle debts accumulated over a number of years.

Following repeated questions by reporters on the likelihood of an increase in the VAT rate, Roussopoulos merely pointed to statements made by the finance minister after his meeting with the prime minister.

[15] Employment minister invites social partners to dialogue on pension system

Magginas says in his letter that the dialogue's aim is to "approach the relevant issues in a systematic and organised manner, searching for feasible solutions in order to secure a just, modern and viable social security scheme."

[16] President Papoulias addresses Euro-Med Summit of ESCs in Athens

Greece's Economic and Social Committee (ESC), in cooperation with the European Economic and Social Committee, organised the two-day 2007 Euro-Mediterranean Summit of ESCs in which 120 delegates from ESCs of European Union member-states and Mediterranean countries are participating.

"No society can really prosper when there are explosive economic inequalities which dynamite social cohesion," Papoulias said.

"The citizens of Europe and the Mediterranean are anxious about the future of labour and of social security and are struggling for social justice," the Greek president added.

"The fact is that no strategic development will have results if it is not centred on the individual. That is, if it does not start from the principle of the protection of the weaker and the acceptance that the operation of the market cannot be the only regulating factor. If it does not upgrade the quality of education, reasearch and new technologies," the president further said.

[17] Black Sea enterprises seek closer relations with EU

SBE, a founding member and a vice-chairman of UBCCE, is promoting closer relations with the European Union with the gaol to facilitate business access and to promote investment and trade deals. Thanassis Lavidas, SEB's secretary-general for International Actions and vice-chairman of UBCCE, in a statement stressed the talks highlighted the private sector's interest in developing investment and trade deals with European enterprises, while talks also focused on EU policies aimed at promoting regional development, sustainable growth and social cohesion.

Fabrizio Barbaso, deputy director of Energy Commissioner Andreij Piebalgs, said the meeting discussed different aspects of European energy policy, aimed at ensuring availability of energy sources with alternative suppliers and the need to promote new clean technologies.

Greek EU Commission on the Environment, Stavros Dimas, underlined a prevailing new view that environment protection policies go hand-in-hand with economic growth and under Black Sea member states to press in favor of signing an international agreement on global emissions by 2012.

A meeting with EU Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, focused on the European social model and its implementation in the Black Sea region.

[18] SE Europe ministers focus on high-speed rail connection

The southeast European region needs to develop a high-speed train network, transport ministers from the Central European Initiative and the Cooperation Process of SE Europe, reiterated on Monday, as ministers from Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Montenegro and FYROM gathered in Varna, Bulgaria for a meeting.

"We have to work hard and systematically to achieve specific results in developing a railway network in Southeastern Europe," Greek Transport Minister Costis Hatzidakis told the forum.

The Greek minister urged his counterparts to make every effort to convince their governments that political will was needed to implement the Thessaloniki Pact, signed by 11 leaders from the region last year.

Hatzidakis underlined that the project was an EU priority and noted that the European Union viewed the railwayó as an economic, effective and environmental-friendly form of mass transportation.

He noted that Greece would continue efforts to rapidly complete a strategic plan to upgrade railway infrastructure in SE Europe and urged all interested countries to do the same.

Bulgarian Transport Minister Petar Mutaftsiev said construction of a trans-European transport network (TEN-Ta), along with implementing all principles and regulations of a single domestic market, were pivotal in the competitiveness and the steady growth of a united Europe.

The Bulgarian minister said his countries will invest five billion euros by 2015 to upgrade transport infrastructure.

The ministers were joined by leading experts from 11 states in Central & Eastern Europe and Turkey.

[19] Athens-FAO agreement for East Med Fisheries Centre

"The way is open for very close cooperation with the FAO," Doukas said after the signing of the memorandum, adding that the establishment of the fisheries centre will be completed within 2008.

According to the minister, the agreement institutionally enhanced Greece's cooperation with the FAO and underscored the country's dynamic presence as a developmental force, while the aim was to achieve the first Millenium target goal for fighting world hunger.

In addition to setting up the fisheries centre, the cooperation agreement also provides for a programme to promote food security and the management of water resources, given that less than 4 percent of land in sub-Saharan Africa can be cultivated.

Greece's contribution is expected to be most significant in the fish-farming sector and in terms of water resource management by the Athens water and sewage company EYDAP, Doukas added.

Diouf confirmed that Greek experience and expertise could be valuable and praised its role as a developmental force in the fight against hunger.

The agreement signed on Monday also lists the countries that will be given priority funding by Greece, with Albania, Armenia, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

[20] Marfin Popular Bank buys 43 pct in Malta's LBM for 48.3 mln euros

MPB said LBM is the third largest bank in Malta, listed in the local market. It was founded in 1969 in Valetta. It offer a full range of banking services through its network of six branches. Its capital and reserves totaled 47.2 million euros in June 30, 2007, while savings and loans totaled 410.4 million and 331.6 million euros, respectively.

The deal is subject to approval from Malta's competition authorities.

[21] Seven groups expressed interest in first Greek ETF

The winner will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 1. The first EFT will be issued on the FTSE/ASE 20 index, the benchmark for the Greek market. The first Greek ETF is expected to be presented by the end of the year.

[22] Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling announces 60-mln-euro share capital increase plan

[23] E-shop.gr reports increase in sales

[24] Greek stocks end 0.15 pct down on Monday

Most sectors ended lower with the Telecommunications (2.84 pct), Utilities (1.80 pct) and Technology (1.20 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Chemicals (1.40 pct), Industrial Products (0.59 pct) and Financial Services (0.56 pct) scored gains.

The Big Cap index eased 0.03 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.17 pct lower and the Small Cap index rose 0.03 percent. Sato (9.71 pct), Grigoris Snacks (8.0 pct) and Minerva (6.0 pct) were top gainers, while Euroline (9.58 pct), Hatzikraniotis (7.63 pct) and Vis (6.45 percent) were to losers.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 147 to 97 with another 51 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -0.10%

Industrials: +0.59%

Commercial: -0.73%

Construction: -0.66%

Media: -0.73%

Oil & Gas: +0.32%

Personal & Household: -0.81%

Raw Materials: +0.01%

Travel & Leisure: +0.46%

Technology: -1.20%

Telecoms: -2.84%

Banks: +0.51

Food & Beverages: +0.48%

Health: +0.03%

Utilities: -1.80%

Chemicals: +1.40%

Financial Services: +0.56%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Ellinika Chrimatistiria, National Bank, OTE and Alpha Bank.

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

Alpha Bank: 25.10

ATEbank: 4.06

Public Power Corp (PPC): 28.28

HBC Coca Cola: 40.90

Hellenic Petroleum: 11.58

Emporiki Bank: 20.26

National Bank of Greece: 45.78

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 26.70

Intralot: 29.90

Cosmote: 24.40

OPAP: 28.16

OTE: 26.10

Titan Cement Company: 35.30

[25] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 4,641 contracts worth 64.336 million euros, with 34,067 open positions in the market, while in the FTSE 40 index volume was 332 contracts worth 11.268 million euros, with 1,774 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 8,299 contracts worth 11.385 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Marfin Popular Bank's contracts (3,276), followed by Marfin Investment Bank (1,025), OTE (348), PPC (343), Intracom (309), GEK (422) and ATEbank (549).

[26] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.434

Pound sterling 0.702

Danish kroner 7.510

Swedish kroner 9.165

Japanese yen 168.86

Swiss franc 1.692

Norwegian kroner 7.722

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.394

Australian dollar 1.581

General News

[27] Greek natural disasters proposal finds support at EU Council

A Greek proposal for enhancing the European Union's ability to respond to and handle emergency situations and natural disasters received a positive response at the EU General Affairs Council on Monday.

The Greek proposal was supported by Austria, Romania, France, Spain, Slovakia, Estonia, Cyprus, Finland, Poland and was viewed positively by the European Commission. German opposition to the idea was also eroded, in relation to before.

A reference to the Greek initiative was included in the Council's conclusions, which asked the EU Commission to examine the next steps to be taken.

[28] Holy Synod statement on Archbishop Christodoulos' health

According to a statement outlining the particulars of the Archbishop's treatment since he arrived in the United States, Christodoulos was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami on Aug. 21, 2007 to complete pre-transplant medical checks in view of a liver transplant.

"The results were satisfactory and the patient was registered on the transplant wait list in accordance with federal US regulations. In the period between Aug. 21 and Oct. 7, 2007, the Archbishop's clinical condition was stable and he was an outside patient monitored by the transplant team," the statement read, adding:

"On Oct. 7, 2007 at 18.00 (local time), the Archbishop was admitted to the hospital soon after a suitable match for liver transplant was found. During surgery, a team of doctors headed by Dr. Andreas Jackis had to abort the transplant after finding that the cancer had spread. A transplant operation was carried out successfully on the next in line patient waiting for a compatible liver donor."

The statement concludes by noting that the Archbishop received the "appropriate medical care" and after remaining in the ICU for 48 hours he was transferred to a regular hospital room.

The Archbishop was released from hospital on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007.

[29] Cultural Year of Greece in China begins on Oct. 19

The Cultural Year aims at opening communication with China in sectors such as culture, tourism and the economy.

Culture Minister Mihalis Liapis departed on Monday for China, the country which will host the 2008 Olympic Games, to inaugurate the Cultural Year.

[30] Dedication to Thessaloniki Film Festival to be hosted in America

Major points of the dedication is Yale University, Chicago and Toronto, where at the same time of the projection, the exhibition "The Greeks of the Diaspora 15th-21st Centuries", which was inaugurated in the Greek Parliament on December 2006, will also be presented.

The first stop in America is Chicago, where the dedication is being held in cooperation with the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center, the Gene Siskel Film Center and the Chicago Greek Film Festival. The premiere will be on Tuesday and the projections will continue during the period between November 2-9 (Gene Siskel Film Center, Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center).

The dedication at Yale University will take place between October 18-21, while at the same time, the conference of the Modern Greek Studies Association will be held.

[31] Bomb scare at Employment ministry

A man called the ministry switchboard at 10:45 a.m. claiming that a bomb would explode in 40 minutes (at 11:25), prompting the immediate evacuation of the premises as police also cordoned off the surrounding Pireos and Deligiorgi streets.

No explosion occured at the stated time, while security police bomb disposal experts and officers with sniffer dogs combing the building have not turned up any explosive device at this time.

[32] Hoax of bomb at Athens Metro

An anonymous caller telephoned the Police and the Fire Brigade at 9:10 p.m. and said that a bomb had been placed at the Syntagma Metro station. Thus, the route came to a halt and the station was evacuated.

The man who phoned said that the bomb would explode in one hour. Bomb disposal experts went to the station and conucted a search to detect whether it was a hoax or was really a threat.

An hour after the phone call, the station started refunctioning and the lines moved as normal to the specific point. The green light for the re-operation of the station was given following the search conducted by the crew, during which nothing was found.

Thus, from 10:10 p.m. the Merto routes continued as normal from Syntagma station.

[33] Drunken man arrested for airplane bomb hoax

Charter flight PFL 326 belonging to a Dutch airline, with 288 passengers on board, took off from Kos airport at 9:35 on Sunday night headed for Amsterdam, but made a forced landing in Athens after a call-in bomb threat. The plane finally resumed the flight to its destination at 00:48 a.m. Monday after a stringent search, as the bomb scare turned out to be a hoax.

The 40-year-old man was later arrested on Kos.

According to police, the detainee had attempted to board the plane at 8:00 p.m., but was not allowed entrance because he was drunk. Shortly afterwards he called the duty police officer at the Kos police station and claimed there was a bomb on board the airplane headed to Amsterdam. The plane's pilot was contacted immediately and ordered to land in Athens for a search, while two other planes awaiting take-off for Amsterdam at Kos Airport were also checked and found to be safe.

[34] Arsonists target local ND offices and bank ATM

In a separate incident 10 minutes earlier, propane canisters were used to torch a National Bank of Greece bank ATM cash machine in downtown Thessaloniki.

The fire that broke out caused limited damage to the bank facade and to two motorcycles parked nearby.

[35] Drug arrest in southern Greece

Police found in his possession roughly 17 kilos of hashish coming from his cannabis plantation.

[36] More illegal immigrant arrests on Samos

According to reports, the illegals said they had disembarked from the nearby Turkish coast in order to reach Samos -- one of the closest Greek isles to Asia Minor, and therefore, a favorite "destination" for scores of mostly Third World migrants attempting to reach Greece and the European Union via Turkey.

Weather Forecast

[37] Mostly fair, windy on Tuesday

Cyprus Affairs

[38] Revised government proposal on crossing points submitted to UN

The Cyprus government has submitted a new revised proposal to the UN to facilitate the opening of a crossing point in the capital, leading to the northern Turkish occupied areas, and of another crossing point on the north-west of the country.

The proposal was handed by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon during their September meeting in New York, Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas announced here Monday.

Palmas said the proposal provides for an agreement between the Turkish military and the National Guard (the Republic's armed forces) that the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) will exercise to the full the mandate it has received from the Security Council in the buffer zone, as this area is marked out in UNFICYP maps.

According to the revised proposal, the crossing point at Ledra street in Nicosia will open without any side laying down any terms or preconditions on UNFICYP.

Furthermore, pending an agreement to determine precisely the ceasefire line of the Turkish occupation forces and the National Guard, which will define the limits of the buffer zone in the area, the two military sides will agree that UNFICYP will fully exercise its mandate from the Security Council in that area of the buffer zone as this is marked out in UNFICYP maps.

The crossing point will open as soon as the practical arrangements meet all necessary safety precautions, as set out by UNFICYP, after consultations with the interested parties.

In addition to the above, the proposal also provides for a crossing point in the Pyrgos-Limnitis area to open as soon as possible and in any case by the end of 2007.

Palmas explained that the new element in the proposal is that, despite differences regarding the exact limits of the ceasefire lines, the Greek Cypriot side will accept the UNFICYP map in order to open the Ledra street crossing point, until an agreement is reached between the UN and the two military sides.

He added that the government was ready to open the Pyrgos-Limnitis crossing point as soon as infrastructure work in the area is completed.

The Spokesman recalled that following a UN brokered agreement in July last year with the Turkish Cypriot side, President Papadopoulos conveyed to the UN a set of proposals, providing for the demining of the buffer zone and Cyprus in general, the demanning of sensitive areas and the withdrawal of military forces from such areas.

''Our proposals remain on the table and we are ready to discuss them,'' Palmas said, adding that ''it is important at this moment to implement the July 8 agreement without further delay.''

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

President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of UN official Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

[39] European Greens call for immediate implementation of July agreement

The European Green Party has called for the immediate implementation of an agreement reached in July last year, between the Cyprus President and the Turkish Cypriot leader, under UN auspices.

In a resolution adopted during the European Green Party's 7th Council Meeting, held in Austria, European Greens expressed support to the July agreement and asked for its immediate implementation through the establishment of technical committees and working groups to prepare the process aiming at reaching a Cyprus settlement, based on UN resolutions and EU principles.

They also called for Nicosia's demilitarisation and the protection of the peninsulas of Akamas, on the north west, and Karpasia, on the north east, in Cyprus.

The European Green Party also advocated acceleration of the process of identification of remains of persons listed as missing in Cyprus.

The German Green party Budnis90/Die Grunen opposed the motion.

The General Secretary of Cyprus Environmentalists Movement George Perdikis was among delegates who attended the meeting, which dealt with climate changes, 2009 Euro elections and global economy.

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