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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-02-18Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Monday, 18 February 2008 Issue No: 2822CONTENTS
[01] Winter storm blankets Greece with snowHeavy snowfall blanketed much of Greece on Sunday, as meteorologists' earlier predictions of a severe winter storm passing through the east Mediterranean proved extremely accurate.The primary goal for state services over the weekend was to keep the main north-south road axis in the country -- the Athens-Thessaloniki highway -- open, even if that meant only for four-wheel drive vehicles or vehicles fitted with snow chains. In the greater Athens area, the mountains surrounding the capital were completely cut off due to the snow, which piled up even in the city's centre up to 30 cm. Snowfall continued unabated in Athens throughout the afternoon, although most forms of mass transit were unaffected, sans bus routes to northern Athens. Additionally, the Athens metro was due to remain open all night on Sunday through Monday morning. Conversely, the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport of Athens cancelled most outbound and incoming flights at roughly 5 p.m. on Sunday until further notice due to low visibility in the area, east of Athens proper. Passengers travelling on Monday were asked to confirm whether their flights were take place as scheduled. Furthermore, schools in the greater Athens-Piraeus area were ordered closed on Monday, while most sports events scheduled for Sunday, including three Super League football matches, were cancelled. As opposed to central and southern Greece, sunshine and low temperatures greeted residents in Thessaloniki and central Macedonia. Conditions on provincial roadways, especially in mountainous regions, were reported as perilous, with authorities warning the public to stay off the roads if possible. The forecast for Monday called for clear weather in much of northern Greece with subsiding snowfall elsewhere, also clearing by evening. A frost warning for much of the country was also forecast, however. [02] New Church of Greece head Ieronymos enthronedNew Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos on Saturday called on the faithful to struggle for common targets, speaking during his enthronement ceremony in Athens.Ieronymos added that it is vital for the Church and state to cooperate and preserve their distinct roles. The newly elected Archbishop arrived at 11 a.m. at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral for the ceremony. As soon as Ieronymos entered the Cathedral a circular issued by the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece's Holy Synod and a presidential decree on his election were read out by Archimandrite Cyrrilos Missiakoulis. Metropolitan of Karystia and Skyros Serapheim made the first address followed by Ecumenical Patriarchate delegate Ioannis Metropolitan of Pergamos, followed by Education & Religious Affairs Minister Evripidis Stylianidis, Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas and Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis. Ieronymos stressed that the Church's duty is to enunciate the gospels and not to challenge institutions or take political positions, expressing at the same time his support towards the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou also attended the ceremony. Patriarch on Ieroymos' enthronement Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos (Bartholomew) on Saturday viewed the enthronement of new Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos while at the Patriarchate's Orthodox Centre in Chambésy, near Geneva. "It was with particular emotion that we heard today (Saturday) what he (Ieronymos) said about the Ecumenical Patriarchate -- which, contrary to what is said many occasions and because of misunderstandings about the role and actions (of the Patriarchate) -- does not want to turn into a centre of power within Eastern Orthodoxy, but wants to always remain a centre of comfort and contribution, far from papal ambitions attributed to us from time to time" [03] KKE, Synaspismos denounce Kosovo declarationThe Communist Party of Greece (KKE), in an announcement on Sunday referring to the same-day declaration of independence in Kosovo, charged that the act is "guided, controlled and enforced" by the United States and European Union in order to create a "protectorate state"."This was one of their goals for their unbridled invasions and criminal wars in the Balkans," KKE charged. "This development in Kosovo is very dangerous for peoples, because it changes borders and sparks new sources of tension and instability. Furthermore, it signals the heightening of imperialistic aggressiveness and creates negative situations for peoples struggling for their rights, such as in the Cyprus issue, Palestine issue etc." The Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) referred to Kosovo's independence by saying that "the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo is a grave blow for international law and an insult to the UN Charter. It contravenes UN Security Council resolution 1244/99. This development could destabilise the situation in the western Balkans. Moreover, the unilateral declaration will establish a negative precedent for other international problems that several countries in Europe and other continents face." Both parties called on the Greek government not to recognise the declaration. [04] Venizelos refers to 'institutional crisis'High-ranking main opposition PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos on Sunday addressed supporters in the northern city of Thessaloniki, his election district, where he unveiled a new book entitled "We are not all the same".Venizelos, who unsuccessfully vied for PASOK presidency last November, noted that "Greece is a Third World country in terms of corruption and transparency the Zachopoulos case revealed the limits of the system's operation. The crisis in which the country finds itself (today) is not just political, but institutional. It is a crisis of trust". Venizelos added that a "comprehensive political plan" is now necessary to fight corruption and better ensure transparency. [05] Tsipras on Synaspismos' futureThe new leader of the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) party, Alexis Tsipras, was quoted over the weekend as saying that his party is politically targeting the formation of an "alternative solution" with a "leftist direction", in an interview released on Sunday by an Athens daily.Referring to the political climate in the country, Tsipras predicted that "It will be restructured one way or another", while stressing that "in the near future markets' domination over society will be seriously questioned..." Moreover, he clarified that his party's main target is the government's reforms in social security, labour relations, education, the environment, as well as democratic and social rights, as he said, adding that this is Synaspismos' "battle line". Financial News [06] FinMin: Int'l offers for ports received; airports' privatisation pendingLONDON (ANA-MPA/L. Tsirigotakis)The latest developments in the Greek economy, reforms in the banking system and the ongoing privatisation programme were the main points cited by Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis during an address here to the Greek Bankers Union of Britain. "Reform of the banking system is one of the Greek government's top priorities. It was the target when we privatised National Bank in 2004, and it was our target when we did the same with Emporiki Bank in 2006. It was the same incentive when we restructured ATEBank and the Post Office Bank, before it was listed on the Athens Stock Exchange." Referring to the government's privatisation drive, the FinMin stressed: "We are now entering into the second stage of the privatisation programme. We have already received international offers for the ports of Thessaloniki and Piraeus, the largest port of the country. These offers will focus on the modernisation and improvement of the ports' infrastructure. A similar project regarding the privatisation of airports is also pending. Negotiations concerning Athens airport have already begun," he said. Meanwhile, in a published interview on Sunday, Alogoskoufis expressed his optimism on government's social security reforms, adding that he believes that a draft bill will be passed by Parliament without any problems. He also said that ruling New Democracy's marginal majority in Parliament -- it retains 151 MPs plus one affiliated independent -- will not hinder social security reforms or the government, in general. Finally, he forecast that the Karamanlis government can proceed and complete its four-year term. General News [07] Light quake near AthensA light earthquake, measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 3:33 a.m. on Sunday morning, according the Athens observatory. The epicentre was pinpointed as 16 kilometers northwest of central Athens, in the Fyli district, in the foothills of Mt. Parnitha.The quake comes days after a strong quake, 6.5 on the Richter scale, shook much of southern Greece on Thursday. [08] Wildfire aid from Greek-Canadian communitiesMONTREAL (ANA-MPA)Greek-Canadian communities have donated a total of one million dollars for wildfire-stricken residents of Greece, according to a press release here over the weekend by the Greek-Canadian Congress. The money has been collected by the Canadian Emergency Fund for Greece. [09] Illegal immigrants arrested in OrestiadaAuthorities in Orestiada, in Evros prefecture on the frontier with Turkey, on Saturday arrested three foreign nationals on migrant smuggling charges, along with seven would-be migrants that illegally entered the country by crossing the Evros River from the Turkish side. Police said the 10 suspects are due to face a local prosecutor, while a vehicle and plastic dinghy used to cross the river were confiscated[10] Illegals arrested after car chase in EvrosAuthorities Evros prefecture on Saturday arrested six illegal migrants loaded into a vehicle with forged license plates after its driver initially led police on a chase.The illegals reportedly entered the country by crossing the Evros River with a dinghy and help by two foreign smugglers that guided them into Greek territory for 3,000 euros per person. The smugglers subsequently slipped back into Turkey. According to reports, border guards saw the group of illegals board a vehicle in the early morning, before signaling the driver to stop. A car chase ensured, with the driver subsequently abandoning the vehicle and fleeing into the countryside. The illegals are due to face a local prosecutor. [11] Bulgarian burned to deathA 21 year-old Bulgarian national was burned to death when a shack he lived in caught fire in a village in Achaia prefecture, southwest Greece, on Friday.The victim was reportedly a farm worker in the area. Soccer [12] Snow cancels 3 games in Super LeagueOlympiakos Piraeus returned to the top of the Greek first division (Super League) football standings over the weekend with a 1-0 victory at home on Saturday over top relegation candidate Ergotelis Crete, as rivals Panathinaikos Athens and AEK Athens remained idle on Sunday after their games were cancelled due to snow-covered pitches. Olympiakos picked up the win over a feisty Ergotelis side with a rebound into the net in the 27th minute after a penalty kick -- following a controversial referee's call -- was blocked by the visiting team's keeper.Results of other matches played over the weekend: Larissa - Panionios Athens 1-0 OFI Crete - Veria 3-0 Apollon Kalamarias - PAOK Thessaloniki 0-2 Aris Thessaloniki - Asteras Tripoli 2-0 AEK - Xanthi cancelled Levadiakos - Iraklis Thessaloniki cancelled Atromitos Athens - Panathinaikos cancelled Standings after 21 weeks of play: Olympiakos 47 (20 games) Panathinaikos 46 points (20 games) AEK 42 (20 games) Aris 35 Asteras 32 Xanthi 31 (20 games) PAOK 29 Panionios 28 Larissa 28 Iraklis 23 (20 games) OFI 23 Atromitos 22 (20 games) Levadiakos 18 (20 games) Veria 17 Kalamaria 16 (20 games) Ergotelis 14 Weather Forecast [13] Frost, cold on MondayFrost in north and central Greece is forecast on Monday, although winter storm conditions are expected to abate in most of the country. Temperatures in the north between -15C to 3C; -8C to 9C in the rest of the mainland and -3C to 7C on the islands. Snowfall in Athens will gradually subside, -3C to 6C; fair in Thessaloniki, -5C to 3C.[14] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesProposed social security reforms, the ongoing Zachopoulos blackmailing affair and the issue of widespread heating oil smuggling, a nagging problem for almost two decades, dominated the headlines in the Sunday edition of Athens' dailies.ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Pension rates for 25-year-olds, 40-somethings and 50-somethings based on newly proposed social security figures". APOGEVMATINI: "Pension reform affects two million insured". AVGHI: "The left's time has come". AVRIANI: "Early elections set -- Alter for two successive ballots with goal being a new government with a wider Parliamentary mandate". CHORA: "Forecast for major earthquake, over 6.5 on the Richter scale, by VAN group in next two months". ETHNOS: "Hurricane 'Tsipras' overcoming ND, PASOK", a reference to the new and youthful (34) leader of the leftist Synaspismos grouping, Alexis Tsipras. ELEFTHEROS: "Working mothers and 45 year-olds will be the first victims of the social security reforms". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Operation 'black money' ", a headline claiming that US and British experts are in Athens to probe cases involving fuel smuggling and suspicious capital from Arab sources. ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "New and shocking evidence in Zachopoulos case in latest indictment against Evi Tsekou". EPOCHI: "Silent consensus amid high-pitched rhetoric -- Agreement over VAT hike, funds and privatisations" KATHIMERINI: "War on fuel smuggling rings". LOGOS: "Indications of political establishment's overturning". NIKI: "Karamanlis' people in key (government) posts". PARON: "Tsekou outmanoeuvres blackmailers", a reference to the jailed former culture ministry contract employee at the centre of an alleged blackmailing ring that targeted resigned ministry general secretary Christos Zachopoulos. PROTO THEMA: "Turks broke a Greek teacher's hand in Evros Prefecture!" RIZOSPASTIS: "Surge in struggle against anti-social security attack". TO VIMA: " 'We won't fall like Mitsotakis (a reference to the 1990-93 government of ex-PM Constantine Mitsotakis),' FinMin George Alogoskoufis declares". VRADYNI: "VAT rate up 2 percentage points to finance fund in favor of poor". Cyprus Affairs [15] Kasoulides, Christofias in run-off electionNICOSIA (ANA-MPA/CNA)With nearly all the votes counted, Former Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and House President and AKEL Secretary General Demetris Christofias are all but set to go through to the second round of presidential elections. Though the final results have not been officially announced, Christofias and Kasoulides have secured most of the vote while incumbent President Tassos Papadopoulos is trailing in third place. With 95.2 percent of the vote counted, Kasoulides ranks first with 33.4 percent, followed by Christofias with 33.34 percent and Papadopoulos third with 31.7 percent. Since none of the two leading candidates can secure more than 50 percent of the vote, Kasoulides and Christofias will compete in the run-off election next Sunday, in which the candidate with the largest number of votes will be declared President of the Republic. Turnout in today's elections reached 89.42 percent, with Cyprus' interior minister expressing satisfaction with ''the impeccable elections.'' President Papadopoulos was backed by the Democratic Party (DIKO), which he led for a number of years, the Social Democrats Movement EDEK, the European Party and the Ecologists. Christofias candidacy marked the first time AKEL put forth its own candidate for the presidency. AKEL, a former government coalition partner, announced its decision to contest the elections with Christofias in the summer. Two other parties also backed Christofias candidacy, the Front for the Center's Reconstruction and the United Democrats. Euro MP and former foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides was backed by the Democratic Rally party and other smaller movements, offshoots of the party. Euro MP and independent candidate Marios Matsakis came in fourth with 0.7 percent. 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana-mpa.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: GEORGE TAMBAKOPOULOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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