Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-02-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek state, political leadership congratulate Christofias on election as Cyprus President

[02] Parliament president congratulates new Cyprus President

[03] LA.OS leader comments on Cyprus' presidential election result

[04] FM Bakoyannis visits Maghreb countries

[05] Greek FM Bakoyannis on FYROM name issue

[06] DM: Greece devoted to dialogue and peaceful resolution, but also ready to resist threats

[07] PASOK leader: No to double name for FYROM

[08] KKE leader blasts ND, PASOK, SYN

[09] KKE rally on Balkan developments

[10] New SYN leader urges Left unity, overture to Church, at first meeting of new Central Committee

[11] SYRIZA leader visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

[12] Opinion polls on FYROM name issue

[13] ND posts 2.7 point lead in opinion poll

[14] Greek Ambassador to U.S. visits Los Angeles

[15] Minister addresses event on promoting fresh produce on market

[16] Effort to promote innovative 'made in Greece' products

[17] Weather Investments shows interest in expanding its operations in Greece

[18] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[19] Bomb at environment ministry building, no injuries

[20] PASOK condemns bomb attack at ministry

[21] Drug arrests in N. Greece

[22] Event at Rio-Antirrio bridge for the protection of the Corinthian Gulf

[23] Athens Bar Association elections for new president, board

[24] Sports

[25] Fair on Monday

[26] New Cyprus President Christofias: collective work needed to reunify Cyprus

[01] Greek state, political leadership congratulate Christofias on election as Cyprus President

President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias congratulated Christofias on his election, in a telephone call following the announcement of the election results in Cyprus.

Prime minister Costas Karamanlis, too, congratulated Chrisofias on his election, in a telephone call after the election results in Cyprus were finalized.

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou also telephoned Christofias to congratulate him, and in a statement issued later congratulated the "friend and comrade".

"His victory is a victory for a just society in Cyprus, for a just solution to the Cyprus issue. We are continuing the struggle for a solution to the Cyprus issue based on International Law, the UN Resolutions, and with respect for the EU acquis. A solution that will be founded on the will of the Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike," Papandreou said in his message.

Papandreou further pledged that PASOK will support all the efforts of the people of Cyprus and its new President, adding that "we are optimistic, the Cyprus issue will once again be at the center of the international political scene".

"PASOK, and I, personally, as always, are at the side of the Cypriot people and the government of Cyprus," he concluded.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga also telephoned Christofias to congratulate him on his election, and wished him every success in his new, difficult duties.

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) leader Alexis Tsipras sent a message of congratulations to Christofias, in which he said that "your historical victory is a message of hope for the entire Cypriot people".

He said it was also a message of optimism for the forces of the Left in all of Europe.

"In a small country of the EU, the Left is changing the correlations and proving that nothing is impossible," Tsipras said.

On behalf of SYN, Tsipras wished Christofias success in the difficult task he was undertaking "to open roads for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus issue, to prove that an alternative Left governance is not only necessary but also feasible, in these difficult days".

Coalition of the Radical Left (the SYN-led parliamentary alliance SYRIZA) parliamentary group leader Alekos Alavanos also sent a message of congratulations to the newly-elected president of Cyprus.

In his message, Alavanos said that all of SYRIZA shared "the joy over today's great success".

"We believe that, in this great test for the Cypriot Left, to govern with an alternative platform and way and to put its seal on the resolution of the major problems such as the Cyprus issue and the reconciliation of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, you will respond with full success, thus giving momentum to the overall European Left endeavour," Alavanos said.

[02] Parliament president congratulates new Cyprus President

Sioufas thanked Christofias, who is the speaker of the Cyprus House of Representatives (parliament), for their close cooperate to date, and expressed his conviction that this cooperation will continue even more closely with the assumption of Christofias' new duties.

He wished Christofias absolute success in the task of utmost responsibility he was undertaking.

Sioufas also expressed hope that "in this new period commencing, we will achieve a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus issue".

"The Hellenic Parliament, all its wings, all the colleague MPs, will always be at your side. We will always be at the side of the Cypriot people," the parliament president concluded.

[03] LA.OS leader comments on Cyprus' presidential election result

"Europe has acquired the first communist Head of State. The decision of the people of Cyprus is respected. I wish that at the end of the new president's term, the Cypriots will be satisfied with the choice they made today. Good luck to the Republic of Cyprus," Karatzaferis said.

[04] FM Bakoyannis visits Maghreb countries

During her tour of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, she will discuss Greek bilateral political, cultural, economic and energy relations with the three countries, issues of international interest such as developments in the Middle East, Iran, Iraq, immigration and terrorism, as well as EU0Morocco and EU-Arab League relations, the Mediterranean Union, and the Barcelona Process.

In Morocco, Bakoyannis will be received by King Mohamed VI, and will have meetings with prime minister Abbas El Fassi, speaker of the house of representatives Mustafa Al-Mansouri, speaker of the chamber of counselors (upper house) Mustafa Ikasha, and foreign minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri.

In Algeria, she is scheduled to meet with president Abdelazia Boutefika, prime minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, foreign minister Mourad Medelci, and finance minister Karim Djoudi.

In Tunisia, she is scheduled to meet with president of the republic Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, speaker of the house of representatives Fouad Mbazaa, and foreign minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah.

[05] Greek FM Bakoyannis on FYROM name issue

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Sunday referred to the name issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) saying that Greece's "objective is a solution which will be based on consensus, reality and national dignity."

"Greece has a clear position and we know very well what we seek in the negotiations," Bakoyannis said, noting that both sides have "red lines".

Her statements to the journalists were made during her flight to Morocco where Bakoyannis as of Monday will conduct a working visit. On Monday evening, she will depart for Algeria and later to Tunisia, with which she will conclude her three-day visit to the region.

At the meetings which she will be having with the leadership of the three countries, she will discuss bilateral relations, political, economic, cultural and energy issues, as well as issues of international interest, such as developments in the Middle East and the issue of the Mediterranean Union, which enters a particularly interesting phase with the summit which will be held in Paris on July 13.

Spokesman denies alleged difference of opinion in gov't on FYROM name issue

Minister of state and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos rejected as ungrounded press articles alleging a "distance of views within the government" over the FYROM name issue.

He said the reports were "completely unfounded", warning also that "they do not help in the difficult negotiation we have before us".

The government's policy on the FYROM issue is uniform, and its positions crystal-clear, Roussopoulos added.

Meanwhile, Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party leader George Karatzaferis called on the Greek government to immediately veto FYROM accession to NATO and the European Union.

He also called for the convening of the Council of Political Party Leaders, under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic, and also for a referendum on whether the citizens were in favor of or against a composite name for FYROM.

In the event that the people voted against a composite name, the prime minister should call early general elections, Karatzaferis said.

[06] DM: Greece devoted to dialogue and peaceful resolution, but also ready to resist threats

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of new conscripts at the Armoured Corps Training Centre in Avlona on Saturday, Meimarakis further said that Greece does not negotiate its borders, nor its quality of life.

"Our primary responsibility is the security and prosperity of our citizens," he said.

At a similar ceremony for new conscripts of the 11th Infantry Regiment in Tripolis, deputy defence minister Yannis Plakiotakis stressed the need for the conscription term to become more constructive, announcing that the ministry was studying actions so that the conscription term would acquire another, more creative and beneficial dimension, given that conscription, in addition to serving the country, could also serve as preparation for the conscripts' civilian life afterwards.

[07] PASOK leader: No to double name for FYROM

He further spoke of PASOK's prospects following its latest Congress, and noted an "open" possibility for cooperation with the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN), while he also said he was unwavering on the issue of transparency.

Papandreou said that PASOK, both as government in the past and as the main opposition today, explicitly ruled out the prospect of a double name for FYROM, and accused the government of "agreeing to negotiate a double-name solution". He also described as a "most adverse development" the "unilateral recognition (by countries) of Kosovo, outside the framework of the UN", and called on the government not to unilaterally recognise Kosovo independence.

He also endorsed the undertaking of "all the necessary initiatives in the UN and the EU for resolution of the Cyprus issue" and pledged that he will be at the side of the new President of Cyprus to emerge from this weekend's run-off election, both as president of PASOK and as president of Socialist International (SI).

Papandreou further differentiated himself from the stance of former (PASOK) prime minister Costas Simitis, who had backed a special relationship between the EU and Turkey, stressing that "our stance must remain that Turkey has the right to become a member of the EU, but also the obligation to fulfill, without divergence, the commitments it has undertaken towards all the EU member states".

To a question on there being possible political expediency behind PASOK's proposal for the setting up of a parliamentary fact-finding commission on the Siemens scandal, Papandreou replied that "our proposals are not revengeful", adding that "PASOK has nothing to fear in the Siemens case" and that his party "has not hesitated in taking difficult decisions in matters of transparency".

Asked whether members who had taken sides with Evangelos Venizelos or Costas Skandalidis in their candidacies for the party leadership against Papandreou would also be included in the PASOK organs, he said that "everyone has their work, role and responsibilities", while clarifying at the same time that "the rationale of sharing out positions and posts does not suit us".

Asked whether the idea of governmental cooperation with SYN had permanently collapsed, Papandreou replied that "the ability of programmatic cooperation is, for us, open...the quandary lies with the other side".

PASOK Members, Friends, voting Sunday for delegates to party's 8th Congress

Polls opened Sunday morning in the main opposition PASOK party, for the election of more than 4,500 delegates to the party's 8th Congress, to take place March 13-16.

The polls closed at 5:30 p.m., and eligible to vote are all the registered Members and Friends of the party, who will cast their ballots at polling stations designated by the PASOK municipal organizations to which they belong.

Voters are also casting their ballots, in a separate ballot box, to elect a Secretary and Alternate Secretary to each of the Prefectural Coordinating Secretariats of the PASOK Youth organization.

PASOK leader George Papandreou cast his vote at noon at the Cultural Centre in Nea Erythrea.

He said afterwards that Sunday's polls "are a new step in our course, in the course we are commencing, a new course in which our target is a change of direction for Greece, which is sinking today, and to give hope once again to the country".

[08] KKE leader blasts ND, PASOK, SYN

At the same time, she expressed optimism over the KKE's course, noting that there was a "mobility against ND and PASOK", which should be taken advantage of, for the people's sake.

Papariga said that there was an evident decline of both ND and PASOK, noting that the decline was larger in the main opposition party, adding that in such times a "wave of doubt" arises.

She said that the KKE felt vindicated, given that its pre-electoral predictions have been confirmed regarding the decline of the two mainstream parties, as well as its slogan of "weak government and weak opposition".

To a very broad extent, the working people were ascertaining that there were no differences between the two mainstream parties, she said, adding that the KKE would not engage in "trading in hope", but would do what was right. Just as the KKE had succeeded in doing in 1991, so again in 2008 it would not lose its way, she continued, adding that the KKE was a mature party, with a 90-year-history, and "must not make mistakes".

Noting that there was "mobility" against ND and PASOK, Papariga said the issue was how to take advantage of that mobility, to the benefit of the people. This was the reason why the KKE's proposal for creating a "front" that would wage a major battle, "which means victory at the level of governance and authority" was a timely one, she said, and called on the working people to "realize that the building of this Front -- regardless of their individual views and the party to which they belong -- is in their interest".

Rejecting once again a "Centre-Left scenario", Papariga said that, hypothetically speaking "even if the KKE went mad and took part in such a government", the working people would ask for work, which we would not be able to give them unless there was growth determined by the people's interests. The reason, she continued, was that such a government would not be able to abolish the laws that led to the privatization of major public corporations and the overturn of the labor relations and workers' rights.

"For all those reasons, the 'thermometer' of the clash with the bourgeois class is rising because the KKE tells the truth to the people," she said.

On the various speculations over the political developments, Papariga said that ND had nothing more to promise, adding that the ruling party "still persists in single-party governments, but in certain parties inside ND, a collaboration with PASOK is maturing", while, regarding the prospect of a PASOK-SYRIZA collaboration, she said that PASOK, with its proposal for cooperation, was trying to keep its voters, whereas as SYN appears in the eyes of the bourgeois class as being capable of "mending the other leg" (PASOK) of the two-party system.

Responding to press speculation on the effects that the political developments could have on the KKE, Papariga said that "we fee no panic", adding that her party had the maturity and determination to counter-attack.

[09] KKE rally on Balkan developments

The demonstration and march were organized by the KKE and its youth organization KNE.

"Kosovo is one more result of imperialistic policies, with the singularity that it comprises an American protectorate with a European army," Papariga said, addressing demonstrators gathered outside Athens University in downtown Athens.

"However, not only is imperialistic war tragic, but also imperialistic peace, which closes the mouths of the peoples," she said, and called on the Greek government to not recognize Kosovo independence and to not approve Greek participation "in the new occupation army in the region".

She spoke of a commencement of mass mobilizations in the Balkans in order to avert "the climate of war being cultivated by the major powers, in the name of their anti-popular interests".

Referring also to the FYROM name issue, Papariga accused the government of "lying about the exercise of a veto on the name issue" because "it is playing its own game with the US and the EU".

The demonstrators marched afterwards to the EU offices on central Vassilissis Sophias Avenue, with the main slogan "Rejection of US and NATO", and then on to the US Embassy on the same street.

Demonstrators also burned American flags as they gathered outside the Embassy, before dispersing.

[10] New SYN leader urges Left unity, overture to Church, at first meeting of new Central Committee

In his opening address, Tsipras criticized the government over its stance on major issue that have already been "shelved", such as the telephone tapings and the case of the Pakistanis while, with respect to the Siemens graft case, he charged that the two mainstream parties (the ruling New Democracy party and main opposition PASOK) were refusing to "cut the umbilical cord with collusion".

Tsipras stressed the necessity of promoting unity of the Left, and blamed the government for the high cost of living, which he attributed to the "action of cartels".

On the FYROM name issue, he said that SYN's positions had been vindicated, and called on the prime minister to select a composite name containing a geographical determination, adding that prime minister Costas Karamanlis must abandon any thought of "exchange of the FYROM name with recognition of Kosovo".

Tsipras, who was elected to the SYN helm during the party's recent 5th Congress, said that "we want the Church at our side", adding that the change in the Church's stance with the new Archbishop was "encouraging", given that "we did not see calls for rallies on the FYROM issue". He also spoke positively of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, stressing the primate's "ecological sensitivities" and calling him a "Green Patriarch".

The new SYN leader further proposed the establishment of a new elected party organ, an Executive Secretariat, which would be responsible for materialization of the party's decisions, and which would comprise 17 members -- 15 members responsible, one each, for every region of the country, plus the president and the Secretary of the party.

The proposed Executive Secretariat should also have a sufficient period of time -- two years, for example -- to make an account of its actions and, if required, a new Secretariat should be elected at that time.

Tsipras also proposed the re-election of Nikos Hountis as party Secretary, who was later elected to a second term in the post with 88 votes for and 37 blank ballots.

The new Political Secretariat, which was elected on Saturday evening, comprises: Vangelis Apostolou, Andreas Karitzis, Tasos Koronakis, Panagiotis Lafazanis, Stathis Leoutsakos, Spyros Lykoudis, Theodoros Margaritis, Costas Marmatakis, Stefanos Bageorgos, Yannis Balafas, Sophie Papadogianni, Michalis Sambatakis, Dimitris Stratoulis, Efkleides Tsakalotos, and Alekos Flambouraris.

[11] SYRIZA leader visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) parliamentary alliance leader Alekos Alavanos, currently on a visit to Turkey, was received on Saturday by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, whom he called "an old and respected acquaintance of the Left".

"Patriarch Varthomeos (Bartholomew) is an old and respected acquaintance of the Greek Left, and of SYRIZA," Alavanos said, and stressed the "immense efforts" that were made for the Ecumenical Patriarch to visit and address the European Parliament.

"With our presence here today, we wish to underline the importance we place on the institution of the Patriarchate," Alavanos said, stressing the need for its "ecumenicality to be recognized, the need for the Halki seminary to reopen, and for an end to the manifestations of violence by nationalistic groups against the Patriarchate".

Alavanos warned that the above problems definitely posed obstacles to Turkey's road to the EU, in statements later to ANA-MPA.

Alavanos is accompanied by a SYRIZA delegation comprising veteran Left politician Yannis Banias, a member of the Greek parliament's standing committee on foreign affairs and defence, and by Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party MP and member of the SYN Central Political Committee responsible for foreign policy Panos Trigazis.

The SYRIZA delegation met on Friday with Turkish foreign minister Ali Babacan, Turkish national assembly speaker Koksal Toptan, and Turkish ODP party (Freedom and Solidarity Party) leader and MP Ufuk Uras.

"Greece and Turkey invest in armaments instead of investing in education and social policy," Alavanos said in Ankara on Friday after his meeting with Uras.

[12] Opinion polls on FYROM name issue

According to the results of a nationwide telephone poll conducted by RASS, the results of which appeared in the Sunday weekly newspaper TO PARON, 59.3 percent of the responsdents said that Athens should exercise its veto against FYROM membership in NATO if the US put pressure on Greece to accept the recent proposal submitted by UN special mediator on the FYROM name issue Matthew Nimetz.

Also, 24.9 percent of the respondents said that the government should hold a referendum on the issue, while 8.4 percent said it should call early general elections (invoking the 'national issue' clause), and 5.3 percent said it should accept the Nimetz proposal.

Further, an overwhelming 88.3 percent of the respondents considered the FYROM name issue to be serious ('very serious' or 'quite serious') because 'the name Macedonia is part of our national identity' (52.5 percent) or because 'backing down on the name Macedonia could give the neighboring country the right to put forward claims at Greece's expense' (46.1 percent).

The respondents also urged the government and political parties to convene the Council of Political Party Leaders as the most appropriate action.

The poll was conducted by telephone on February 20-21, on a sampling of 600 people nationwide, on behalf of the newspaper.

In a similar poll conducted by ALCO, the results of which were published in the Proto Thema weekly newspaper on Sunday, an overwhelming 81.7 percent of the respondents said that the government should never stop seeking international recognition of the Greek just rights with respect to the FYROM name issue.

Also, 70.4 percent of the respondents rejected the prospect of the term 'Macedonia' being included in a name for FYROM, and 66.6 percent of the respondents, to another question, rejected a double name.

The poll was conducted from February 20 to 22 by telephone on a sampling of 1,000 people nationwide on behalf of the newspaper.

[13] ND posts 2.7 point lead in opinion poll

The poll was conducted by telephone between February 14 and 20 among a sampling of 1,019 people, on behalf of the newspaper.

According to the results, with respect to voter intent (which party the respondent would vote for if elections were to be held tomorrow), ND amassed 31.0 percent of the respondents' preference, against 28.3 percent for PASOK, followed by the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) with 16.2 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 7.1 percent, and the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party with 3.8 percent, while 2.4 percent of the respondents opted for other parties. Blank or invalid votes were nearly 3.7 percent, while 7.5 percent of the respondents were undecided.

With respect to popularity, newly-elected Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN, which leads the SYRIZA parliamentary alliance) was leading with 65.1 percent, followed by SYRIZA leader and former SYN leader Alekos Alavanos with 54.8 percent, prime minister and ND leader Costas Karamanlis with 53.6 percent, PASOK leader George Papandreou with 42.6 percent, LAOS leader George Karatzaferis with 39.2 percent, and KKE leader Aleka Papariga with 38.1 percent.

To a question on how satisfied they were with the ND government, 55.3 percent of the respondents said "not at all", 21.3 percent said "a little", 15.1 percent said "rather satisfied", and 8.0 percent said "very satisfied".

To another question on how things would have been in PASOK was in government, 45.5 percent of the respondents said "more or less the same", 30.2 percent said "worse", and 22.6 percent said "better".

[14] Greek Ambassador to U.S. visits Los Angeles

Greek Ambassador to the United States Alexandros Mallias, during his two day visit to Los Angeles, attended the official inauguration of the exhibition titled "The hidden children in Greece under occupation", which was held at Los Angeles' Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel.

The exhibition portrays the adventure of saving the lives of 16 Jews from all over Greece thanks to the actions and support of their Greek neighbours during the German occupation. The exhibition will remain open until April 18.

The exhibition is being held under the auspices of the Los Angeles Greek General Consulate.

Addresses at the exhibition were made by rabbi Daniel Bouskila, San Francisco Metropolitan Gerasimos, Greek Ambassador to the U.S. Alexandros Mallias, the President of the Union of the American friends of the Jewish Museum of Greece, Solomon Asser, former governor of Massachusetts Michael Dukakis and his wife Kitty, the President of the Central Israelite Council of Greece M. Konstantinis and university professor J. Petropoulos.

In his address, the Greek ambassador said that more than a year ago, in September 2006, at the office of Congressman Tom Lantos, decision was reached for the transfer of the exhibition to the Western coast of the U.S., after its presentation in the Greek Embassy in Washington in December 2006.

Financial News

[15] Minister addresses event on promoting fresh produce on market

The meeting was also attended by producer groups from Katerini and Imathia, at the minister's invitation, as the the two prefectures are noted for their exports of fresh produce.

Views were also exchanged on how agricultural products may be promoted via the cooperatives.

Kontos will be the main speaker at a ruling New Democracy (ND) party local organisation event in Agia on Saturday night.

[16] Effort to promote innovative 'made in Greece' products

"Our target is for the Greek patents to increase in number and to find their way to international recognition and consolidation," deputy development minister Stavros Kalafatis said Saturday, speaking at an event organised by the Technical Chamber of Greece's (TEE) Central Macedonia Division (TEE/TKM) in Thessaloniki.

Kalafatis said that the effort has already begun to bear fruit, noting that whereas the submission of applications for Greek patents had declined by 16 percent in the period 2001-2004, it jumped by 50 percent in the period of 2004-2007.

The deputy minister reminded that the government's target was to increase state expenditure for research and development to 1.5 percentage points of GDP over the next few years.

Conceding that Greece presented a chronic insufficiency in the area of commercial exploitation of patents, he explained that this trend applied to all of Europe, which despite its noteworthy scientific potential was behind in the exploitation of research in practice.

"Greece started out very late, and despite the progress of the past four years, we still have a long way ahead of us, Kalafatis said, noting that for the first time a strategic plan for development of research and technology was being drafted and submitted, covering the period 2007-2013.

TEE/TKM president Tasos Konaklidis, in turn, said that just six Greek businesses were on the December 2006 list of 1,000 European companies with outstanding performances in research and innovation. "Although Greece has a high level of researchers, we are lagging in exploitation of the results of research," he said.

Listing the reasons for this lag, he particularly cited the lack of cooperation among research agencies, structures, foundations and companies, isolation of the research activity of universities and research centres, the bureaucratic structure of public agencies, and the frequently conservative perceptions of the businessmen.

[17] Weather Investments shows interest in expanding its operations in Greece

The president of the group Weather Investments, Nagib Sawiris, on Sunday announced his interest in expanding his operations in Greece in the banking sector as well. He also has in his possession Wind Hellas and Tellas.

In a meeting he had with journalists at the group's offices in Cairo, Sawiris said that he is negotiating with a small Greek bank, which he did not name, stressing that the target of this move is the development of mobile banking services through Wind's mobile telephones.

In reply to questions, he said that he is not interested in Olympic Airlines because it is a market which he does not know of, while for the Hellenic Communications Organisation (OTE) he said that he does not want to get involved in a buyout of an enterprise which depends on the Greek public sector and the trade unions.

On Tellas, he expressed his optimism that its course will be positive, although he admitted that its restructuring after its complete buyout, is delaying due to the procedure of the merger with Wind.

[18] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.496

Pound sterling 0.760

Danish kroner 7.514

Swedish kroner 9.378

Japanese yen 160.03

Swiss franc 1.622

Norwegian kroner 7.952

Canadian dollar 1.511

Australian dollar 1.620

General News

[19] Bomb at environment ministry building, no injuries

The attack was condemned by the government.

"The government unequivocally condemns such actions as today's bomb attack on the environment, town planning and public works ministry offices which, in the bottom line, are directed against Democracy itself," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said.

"In the particularly sensitive period the country is in, such actions meet with the resounding and unanimous condemnation of the democratically-thinking Greek citizens. The circumstances of the attack, as is self-evident, will be fully investigated, so that the perpetrators may be led before Justice," Roussopoulos said.

The device exploded at 4:50 p.m.

Earlier, at 4:25 p.m., an anonymous caller telephoned the Eleftherotypia daily newspaper, warning that a bomb would go off at the ministry's building at the corner of Amaliados and Pouliou streets in Ambelokipi in 25 minutes. The caller stressed that the call was not a hoax, but did not claim responsibility on behalf of any organisation.

The newspaper immediately alerted police, who vacated the ministry secretary general and a handful of employees who were in the building at the time.

The bomb exploded at the time cited by the caller, but it was as yet unclear where the device had been planted.

Security police bomb disposal experts and a team from the counter-terrorism squad were on the spot investigating the incident.

[20] PASOK condemns bomb attack at ministry

"We condemn in the most categorical manner today's bomb attack against the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works ministry...Competent state services must investigate instantly into the matter and bring before justice those responsible," PASOK spokesman Yiannis Ragoussis said in a statement.

[21] Drug arrests in N. Greece

A 43-year-old man was arrested in Serres on drug trafficking charges after 58 ecstacy (XTC) pills were found in his possession.

Police also confiscated the pills, which were what remained of a stash of 100 pills procured by the 43-year-old man from an unidentified foreign national.

In a second incident a couple were arrested in Thessaloniki after police found 16 packets of cannabis weighing a total 3.137 kilos in their apartment. The 34-year-old man and his 27-year-old woman companion were arrested and the drug confiscated.

In a third incident, a 29-year-old man was arrested in Pylea, Thessaloniki, after a packet containing 605 grams of heroin were found hidden in his car.

[22] Event at Rio-Antirrio bridge for the protection of the Corinthian Gulf

The participants held Greek and black flags as well as placards for the protection of the Corinthian Gulf and the sea life.

During the event, a message was read out of EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas which stressed "it is necessary for all of us to protect the seas from pollution."

The demand of the representatives of the agencies and of the organisations was for electric power plants using anthracite not to be built because as they claimed, the sea pollution will increase.

[23] Athens Bar Association elections for new president, board

Voting, at the DSA premises in central Athens, open at dawn and close at sunset on both days.

[24] Sports

In other results of matches played over the weekend:

Panionios Athens - Ergotelis Crete 2-1

Xanthi - Larissa 1-1

Asteras Tripoli - Apollon Kalamaria 1-1

Veria - Aris Thessaloniki 1-0

OFI Crete - Atromitos Athens 0-1

Standings after 22 weeks of play:

Panathinaikos 49 points (21 games)

Olympiakos 48 (21 games)

AEK 45 (21 games)

Aris 35

Asteras 33

Xanthi 32 (21 games)

Panionios 31

PAOK 30

Larissa 29

Atromitos 25 (21 games)

Iraklis 23

OFI 23

Levadiakos 21

Veria 20

Kalamaria 17 (21 games)

Ergotelis 14

Weather Forecast

[25] Fair on Monday

Fair in Athens, with northerly 3-5 beaufort winds and temperatures ranging from 7C to 20C. Same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures ranging from 5C to 18C.

Cyprus Affairs

[26] New Cyprus President Christofias: collective work needed to reunify Cyprus

Demetris Christofias, newly-elected President of Cyprus, has called for collective action to help reunify Cyprus and said that unity will help achieve this goal.

Addressing the crowd that gathered outside his election office to cheer him, Christofias said his election victory belongs not only to the party he has led for years now AKEL but also to all the forces that supported his candidacy.

''Tomorrow a new day will dawn. We will encounter many difficulties ahead. As of tomorrow we join forces. We work collectively and with unity to achieve the reunification of our homeland,'' Christofias said.

He added that ''at this time we only have one ideology, Cyprus and its salvation and a fairer society,'' and thanked his opponent, Ioannis Kasoulides, as well as outgoing President Tassos Papadopoulos, who came third in the first round of the elections.

In a statement after conceding defeat, Kasoulides said he had contacted Christofias to congratulate him, assuring that he would always stand by him in the struggle to solve the Cyprus problem.

Kasoulides thanked all those who honoured him with their vote and said he was proud because the values he held high during the pre-election period were embraced by many people, especially the young.

''We did not win this great battle, but our party, the Democratic Rally, is now stronger,'' he said and called on his supporters to come closer to the party and its leadership.

He furthermore said he would be present in all the struggles of the people of Cyprus for progress, justice and freedom.

President of the Democratic Rally (DISY) Nicos Anastasiades, whose party backed Ioannis Kasoulides, said ''we are ready to cooperate with the new government and all the political forces above all for the Cyprus problem and in an effort to reunite our homeland,'' adding that the decision of the people was fully respected and ''we expect the new President to implement everything he has been declaring.'' He also congratulated Kasoulides on his ''efforts and clear political word'' during the pre-election period.

President of the Democratic Party (DIKO) Marios Karoyan said DIKO, which supported Christofias in the runoff election, was committed to continue struggling with determination to defend the rights of the people and guarantee the right course of a Cyprus settlement.

The people of Cyprus have given Christofias and the political forces that supported him a clear mandate, he added.

President of the Movement of Social Democrats EDEK Yiannakis Omirou, whose party supported Christofias in the runoff election, expressed satisfaction over the result of the elections, adding that ''we will be present, with creative participation, in the new government.''

Christofias won 53.36% of the vote and Kasoulides 46.64%.

Christofias, a historian, was born in 1946 in the village of Dikomo and studied history in Moscow. He joined the AKEL ranks at an early age and has served the party youth branch. In 1982, he was elected member of the party Central Committee, in 1986 of the Political Bureau and a year later to the Secretariat of the Committee. In April 1988, he was elected to the post of General Secretary of AKEL, a post to which he was re-elected four more times. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in May 1991 and in 2001 was elected President of the House, a post he still holds.

He is the seventh President of the Republic.

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