Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-03-14

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou proposes new national strategy for country

[02] Athanassakis declares start of PASOK's 8th congress

[03] PM in Brussels for EU, EPP summits; reference to FYROM

[04] Bakoyannis and Gruevski meet on sidelines of EPP meeting

[05] Gov't on FYROM 'name issue'

[06] Nimetz to meet representatives of Greece and FYROM

[07] President Papoulias meets larger trade union presidiums

[08] Deputy Interior Minister Zois visits Tripolis

[09] KKE leader attacks EU

[10] SYRIZA outlines goals of first nationwide conference

[11] Archbishop Ieronymos meets deputies, justice minister

[12] Development minister discusses South Stream pipeline with Russian deputy energy minister

[13] Professions, journalists to continue strike action next week

[14] Mayors demonstrate in downtown Athens

[15] Gov't calls sanitation workers' strike 'unjustifiable'

[16] Bank Employees Union Federation calls 48-hour strike on Monday, Tuesday

[17] Greek-Chinese Chamber of Commerce receiving protests over port strikes

[18] Foreign investors' participation in ASE eases to 50.8% in Feb.

[19] Athens hotels' occupancy rates up 0.7 pct in January

[20] S&B says profits up 13.3 pct in 2007

[21] Greek stocks plunged 3.78 pct on Thursday

[22] ADEX closing report

[23] Greek bond market closing report

[24] Liapis officially inaugurates Minoan exhibition in New York

[25] Int'l conference in Athens on 'Return of Cultural Property to its Country of Origin'

[26] Tour boat runs aground in Saronic Gulf during day-cruise

[27] Stranded tour boat in Saronic Gulf successfully evacuated

[28] Greece a pioneer in highlighting climatic change repercussions

[29] World Consumer Day dedicated to consumers with disabilities

[30] New Philippi finds presented

[31] Baltsa performance postponed due to strikes

[32] RV loaded with illegals intercepted in NW Greece

[33] Olympic Flame arrives in Thessaloniki on March 27

[34] First Olympic Torchbearer for 2008 Games a martial arts athlete

[35] Mostly fair on Friday

[36] President Christofias briefs British PM on Cyprus

[37] EP supports Cyprus President in efforts to reunite the country

[38] Patriarchate of Alexandria arrives to Cyprus on an official visit

[39] ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΗΣΗ ΤΥΠΟΥ ΤΗΣ 14/3/2008

[40] ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΟΣ ΤΥΠΟΣ Politics

[01] Papandreou proposes new national strategy for country

Papandreou outlined the main points of "a new national strategy" and criticized the New Democracy party government, while referring to differences "between the progressive and the conservative party", as well as to foreign policy issues and international developments.

The PASOK leader appealed to the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) for cooperation, but stressed at the same time that PASOK's aim is to achieve an absolute majority, "because solutions are not provided by party alliances and big formations but by a strong government which, however, can seek paths of cooperation with other parties and mainly with the Coalition."

Papandreou called on the 7,100 delegates to sanction deep reforms and radical changes in the party immediately after the congress and referred to certain specific changes.

He went on to say that the composition of the new political council will consolidate renewal, unity and meritocracy, while this will also apply to all the other bodies.

Papandreou further underlined that PASOK will wage a struggle for the independence of the mass media, regardless of how they treat his party and noted that the new political council will examine the way with which PASOK will acquire its own media.

Commenting on political developments, Papandreou said that PASOK wants a majority government and a majority among the Greek people to "enable the Greek citizen to have hope and to put an end to the country's downhill trend".

He also proposed that the first step in cooperation between PASOK and the Coalition should be cooperation between the two Parliamentary groups that should have a steady contact and consultations and make joint moves. He further said that there could be greater convergences along the way, as well as the shaping of a joint governance program.

Referring to preconditions for the creation of "Greece of values", Papandreeou pointed to a new model of development that will invest in knowledge and the country's culture, the promotion of the principles of Socialism and Ecology, announcing the imposition of a green tax on those emitting carbon dioxide, and investing in culture and linking it with the production process.

Papandreou said that the axis of PASOK's new national strategy will be the social state that will guarantee growth with reallocation and reallocation with growth.

He also announced the abolition "of all the arrangements being carried out by the government now with the disorganizing plan," as he termed it, adding that PASOK will not increase retirement age and will not decrease pensions, while farmers will be pensioned at the age of 60.

Papandreou also spoke of taxing wealth, decreasing indirect taxes and reshaping taxes for big real estate.

He said that companies' dividends will be taxed with the rate with which salaries are taxed and companies' undistributed profits which will be invested will be taxed with a low rate.

The PASOK leader further said that a four-year entrance contract to the labor force will be established for young people and the state will undertake to pay social security contributions over this period.

Turning to foreign policy issues, Papandreou said that Greece's position in Europe and worldwide "must be restored and it must seek a dynamic role on the international scene again."

He expressed the hope that there will be a democratic reversal in the United States and that there will be a government which will "implement preventive diplomacy and not preventive wars".

Papandreou pointed out that if rules of international behavior are not shaped on the basis of international law, there will be disarray and wild conflict on the international scene which will be intensified with confrontations over such issues as energy, water resources and environmental crises.

Referring to the Balkans, he criticized the government "because the country's important role has been lost through the negligence and fear shown by the New Democracy party, resulting in us reaching the present deadlocks over the issue with Skopje, in which case a veto is now imperative."

On the question of Kosovo, he said that its unilateral recognition is a flagrant violation of international law and added that Greece's insistence on international law is a profoundly patriotic stance.

As regards Turkey, Papandreou said that his party "has always observed a stance of principles towards the neighboring country and brought the issues of Greek-Turkish relations in the field of the European Union and of international law and not in the field of conflict and military confrontations, as Turkey had wanted."

Messages were earlier read out by Socialist International Secretary General Luis Ayala, ruling New Democracy Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis, who conveyed a message by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Political Bureau member Costas Paraskevas, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology President Alexis Tsipras. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero also sent messages.

Gov't reaction

Minister of State and Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos in a response to Papandreou's speech said:

"Mr. Papandreou today, yet again, failed to formulate concrete political proposals. He also failed to address the Greek citizens and their real problems. He made a congress to direct himself to (Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology) Synaspismos. However, this issue concerns himself and his impasses. The Greek citizens trust the New Democracy, which with a clear political speech and decisiveness is continuing the reforms which the country needs," Roussopoulos said.

[02] Athanassakis declares start of PASOK's 8th congress

"We are all here with our heart and soul and with full knowledge of our collective and personal responsibility," Athanassakis said.

He warmly greeted the congress' guests, the representatives of the other parties, the secretary of Socialist International Louis Ayala, the representatives of the Socialist International's Women and of the European Socialist Party, while he particularly hailed the presence of Cyprus veteran socialist leader Vassos Lyssarides.

Athanassakis also greeted "all working people who are in labour action against a policy which harms their rights and wants to undermine social security."

Referring to the congress, Athanassakis said that "we want it to be a decisive milestone in our course," while he spoke of "the double obligation of PASOK to rid the country from the conservative government and to again open the road for the Greece of values."

[03] PM in Brussels for EU, EPP summits; reference to FYROM

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis arrived here at noon for the European Union spring summit and the European People's Party (EPP) meeting.

Arriving for the EPP session, Karamanlis indirectly sent a message to the leadership in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), reiterating Greece's keen interest in the stability of its own neighborhood, the Balkans, while underlining that stability is based mostly on good-neighborly relations and avoiding provocations.

The PM added that this "European way of conduct" has to be respected by all countries aspiring to become members of Euro-Atlantic institutions and the European family.

Turning the to the summit focus of climate change and energy, he noted that that the EPP has actively focused on the issue, beginning last June with an EPP congress on climate change held in the NW Greece lake-side city of Ioannina.

European leaders will also focus on the Lisbon Treaty ratification process and the French idea proposal of a Mediterranean Union.

[04] Bakoyannis and Gruevski meet on sidelines of EPP meeting

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Thursday met the prime minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Nikola Gruevski on the sidelines of a European Peoples' Party (EPP) meeting.

During the brief meeting, Bakoyannis and Gruevski exchanged views on the preparations for the next round of UN-sponsored talks between the Greek and FYROM negotiators to find a solution to the name dispute.

The meeting was arranged through the intercession of the United States' permanent representative to NATO Victoria Nuland.

In statements after the meeting, Bakoyannis announced that a meeting between the UN mediator on the issue Matthew Nimetz with Greek and FYROM negotiators will be taking place in Vienna on this coming Monday, March 17.

Bakoyannis said that she and Gruevski exchanged views "in a sincere and open discussion", during which she expressed Greece's positions and the neighboring country's prime minister his own, but with no specific result.

Bakoyannis further said that Skopje is insisting on its positions, while underlining that from the beginning Greece has approached the whole issue in a positive spirit.

[05] Gov't on FYROM 'name issue'

Speaking during a daily press briefing, Antonaros declined to speculate on an ongoing government crisis in Skopje, reminding that he does not comment on the internal affairs of a foreign country.

[06] Nimetz to meet representatives of Greece and FYROM

The General Secretariat of the United Nations announced on Thursday that UN special mediator on the name issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Matthew Nimetz, will meet with the representatives of Greece and FYROM in Vienna on Monday.

[07] President Papoulias meets larger trade union presidiums

The two unions outlined their positions regarding the government's proposed social insurance system reforms.

In statements after meeting the president, GSEE President Yiannis Panagopoulos said that Papoulias had emphasized issues of social cohesion and expressed support for a welfare state that dealt with social problems and balanced extremes.

According to Panagopoulos, the president also expressed concern that the current clash would reduce social cohesion.

The representative of ADEDY Ilias Vrettakos said that the government's proposed reforms were "demolishing social insurance" and underlined that the trade unions would continue to fight the bill even after it was passed.

In a conversation held with trade unionists in the presence of cameras, the President said that he looked forward to a resolution of the problems.

Immediately afterwards, Papoulias also received the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kostas Mihalos.

Michalos told reporters that he had informed the president about an non-governmental organization named "Support" (Stirixi) that was being set up to fight poverty.

[08] Deputy Interior Minister Zois visits Tripolis

Commenting on the ongoing public sanitation workers' strike called by POE-OTA (federation of local government employees' unions), he stated that public sanitation workers have been included in the 'heavy and hazardous' professions based on a government-sponsored amendment tabled in parliament on Wednesday.

He added that this was not a last-ditch effort by the government to win over the strikers, but a materialization of an earlier pledge of which the sanitation department employees were aware of since the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities, KEDKE, conference last November.

Later in the afternoon, the deputy minister will address postgraduate students at the University of Peloponnese and a postgraduate program implemented in cooperation with the civil servants' trade unions supreme administrative council, ADEDY.

[09] KKE leader attacks EU

Speaking at a press conference ahead of a two-day meeting of 23 communist and leftist parties from EU member-states, beginning in Athens on Friday, Papariga said that Euroscepticism was not enough.

"Expressing the idea of Euroscepticism only, is not enough. Speaking simply for another Europe is a trap and an illusion. Only the perspective of a rift with the European Union can offer solutions to its peoples," Papariga noted.

The KKE leader also attacked the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party saying that its program "is a socialdemocratic program which evolves into a right-wing one."

[10] SYRIZA outlines goals of first nationwide conference

"We pledge to fight alongside the people to overturn neoliberalism," Rinaldi stressed, presenting the agenda for the conference taking place on March 14-16 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Paleo Faliro, on the Athenian coast.

He emphasized the "great demand" for an active role in demonstrations, mobilizations and proposals at some 200 general assemblies held throughout Greece, in which people belonging to main opposition PASOK and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) had also taken part.

According to the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) leader Alexis Tsipras, whose party is far and away the largest and most influential member in the SYRIZA Parliamentary coalition, the conference beginning on Thursday is "an important stage in an interesting experiment that has begun some time ago, bringing together political groupings of the Left as well as unaffiliated citizens that wish to join forces in order to change the present situation."

[11] Archbishop Ieronymos meets deputies, justice minister

The deputies briefed the Archbishop on their goals and activities, on the occasion of the meeting of the Organization's International Secretariat in Athens next week.

The Archbishop then met with Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis, who briefed him on a bill that is being promoted and which includes the Pact on free concubinage.

Archbishop Ieronymos said after the meeting that on this issue the Church makes no discounts or deviations, adding that "there is, of course, the opinion of people planning their lives as they wish and the Church cannot interfere."

The minister said, on his part, that there is respect for the family institution which, in any case, the ministry will support, but noted that needs require arrangements. Also replying to a relevant question, Hatzigakis said that the State does not accept same sex marriages.

Financial News

[12] Development minister discusses South Stream pipeline with Russian deputy energy minister

According to an announcement by the ministry, during the meeting "issues were discussed which concern the energy sector and the strong political will was jointly manifested for the effective handling of pending issues of the past."

On the issue of the South Stream natural gas pipeline, an exchange of views took place on the shape which cooperation between the two countries should take.

[13] Professions, journalists to continue strike action next week

In a press conference, the head of the Athens Bar Association Dimitris Paxinos warned that a five-day strike by lawyers in the coming week was on the cards, while journalists and media staff said they would join in the 24-hour strike called by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the civil servants' union ADEDY next Wednesday.

The unions and associations representing the various professions stressed that they would not stop fighting against a merger of their separate social insurance funds into a single "Scientists Fund" that the government is attempting to pass into law, underlining that the "it presaged unfavorable repercussions for all the country's expert professions".

They also announced that they had requested a meeting with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and the leaders of the political parties and that they would be steadfast in opposing the planned changes, in cooperation with all the bodies affected by the measures in the draft bill for pension system reforms.

The head of the Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA) Panos Sobolos said the government had agreed to the journalists' demand that they be merged with a similar sector rather than the professions but that this did not mean the problems were automatically solved.

"We began a struggle with the professional sectors and just because we were exempted, this does not mean we are pulling out. The negative aspects of the draft bill are many and we continue to have problems," Sobolos said.

The president of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) executive committee Yannis Alavanos said that engineers would stick to their demands so that no fund's property was affected, while all the groups present pledged to take part in strike action to be voted by the councils in their respective fields.

[14] Mayors demonstrate in downtown Athens

A KEDKE delegation headed by Kaklamanis met afterwards with interior minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, to whom they presented a resolution containing their demands, which mainly concerned financial matters, and particularly the ensurance of funds to cover the expenses of the welfare infrastructures and cost of the contract employees in the municipalities.

Pavlopoulos said after the meeting that he considered the ongoing strike by municipal employees "unjustified", given that an amendment was tabled in parliament on Wednesday under which the municipal sanitation workers would be incorporated into the 'heavy and hazardous' mobs category, thus fulfilling one of the local government employees' primary demands.

"It is inconceivable that there are such pictures (referring to the growing mounds of garbage on the streets) and that the mobilizations are continuing at a moment when the problems (of the municipal workers) are being solved," Pavlopoulos said.

Kaklamanis called on the minister to fulfill KEDKE's demands, which he noted were not new demands but have been long-standing.

The mayors then congregated outside the finance ministry to deliver a similar resolution to economy and finance minister George Alogoskoufis who, however, was currently out of the country, and thus they decided to seek a meeting with Alogoskoufis next week.

[15] Gov't calls sanitation workers' strike 'unjustifiable'

Alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said that over the past four years the government has met a total of 25 demands, claims lingering for roughly 17 years.

He also repeated a statement by government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos that strikers will not be ordered back to work via legal action, adding that they should "do their duty and return to their posts."

[16] Bank Employees Union Federation calls 48-hour strike on Monday, Tuesday

It also decided to participate in the 24-hour strike called by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) on Wednesday, March 19.

OTOE also decided to hold a nationwide survey on the theme of "How the whole of society views the social security bill." The results of the survey, that will be completed this coming Monday, will be presented at a press conference on Tuesday, March 18.

[17] Greek-Chinese Chamber of Commerce receiving protests over port strikes

Data provided by the Chamber revealed that all products coming to Greece from China have a cost which is about 10 percent greater, since they are transported by road or are being stored in other ports, such as of Italy and Egypt, while containers are also "blocked", that are carrying raw materials for industry which are in the top positions of Greek commodity exports.

"The moves by all relevant agencies to boost exports and foreign investments in our country are failing with the situation at ports and, if this continues, the Greek ports can remain anything else but transit centers. On the contrary, they have found themselves on blacklists of foreign companies," the Chamber stressed.

[18] Foreign investors' participation in ASE eases to 50.8% in Feb.

The Athens Stock Exchange, in its monthly report, said the Greek market suffered a net outflow of foreign investment capital, worth 104.5 million euros in February. Foreign investors' participation in the Big Cap index rose to 59.8 pct in February, up slightly from 59.7 pct in January; it fell in the Mid Cap index to 46.9 pct from 47.4 pct and rose sharply in the Small Cap index, to 43.7 pct from 43.3 pct over the same period, respectively.

ASE's capitalisation totalled 159.9 billion euros on Feb. 29, with capitalisation of the Big Cap index totalling 105.8 billion euros (down 6.2 pct from January), for the Mid Cap index at 21.1 billion euros (down 3.7pct) and for the Small Cap index at 10.2 billion euros (down 1.3 pct).

The value of transactions in February 7.666 billion euros, down 33 pct from the previous month and down 19.7 pct compared with February 2007. Daily average turnover, on a monthly basis, stood at365.04 million euros in February, down from 519.8 million in January, while daily average turnover, on an annual basis 444.2 million euros.

[19] Athens hotels' occupancy rates up 0.7 pct in January

Only high-class hotels (four and five star) reported increases in occupancy rates in January, reflecting a more flexible room price policy. The Athens Hotels' Association sounded a pessimistic note over developments in the coming months, saying they did not expected any substantial increases in tourist arrivals, nor revenues.

An Association statement said tourism trends in Athens did not reflect the city's capabilities to attract more and better visitors, nor official expectations for Athens to establish itself as a city-break destination.

[20] S&B says profits up 13.3 pct in 2007

The Group said net profits after minorities totaled 25.7 million euros, up 16.2 pct, while earnings per share rose to 0.84 euros in 2007, from 0.73 euros in 2006.

Industrial minerals' actitivities, accounting for 94.3 pct of sales, reported a 19.1 pct increase in sales to 423.3 million euros last year, while EBITDA rose 9.5 pct to 64.5 million euros.

The Group attributed its improved results to a 10.2 pct increase in organic growth last year, improved productivity rates and a more efficient product composition of sales.

S&B said it planned to pay a 0.31 euros per share dividend to shareholders, up from 0.30 euros in the previous year.

[21] Greek stocks plunged 3.78 pct on Thursday

Most sectors ended lower with the exception of Personal/Home Products (0.10 pct) and Media (0.04 pct), which ended higher. Raw Materials (5.52 pct), Financial Services (4.70 pct), Telecommunications (4.54 pct) and Industrial Products (4.24 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

The Big Cap index dropped 4.10 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 2.41 pct lower and the Small Cap index fell 1.55 pct. Elfico (5.56 pct), Allatini Ceramics (5.33 pct) and Lambrakis Press (5.19 pct) were top gainers, while ANEK (25.77 pct), Livanis Publications (19.65 pct) and AEGEK (15.38 pct) were top losers. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 241 to 27 with another 18 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -2.58%

Industrials: -4.24%

Commercial: -1.12%

Construction: -1.53%

Media: +0.04%

Oil & Gas: -0.46%

Personal & Household: +0.10%

Raw Materials: -5.52%

Travel & Leisure: -4.06%

Technology: -4.23%

Telecoms: -4.54%

Banks: -4.54%

Food & Beverages: -3.73%

Health: -1.25%

Utilities: -3.92%

Chemicals: -2.51%

Financial Services: -4.70%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Alpha Bank, HBC Coca Cola and Public Power Corp (PPC).

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

Alpha Bank: 19.42

ATEbank: 2.85

VIOHALCO: 7.06

ELTEX: 7.60

Public Power Corp (PPC): 25.20

HBC Coca Cola: 27.60

Hellenic Petroleum: 9.08

National Bank of Greece: 35.02

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 17.96

Bank of Cyprus: 7.60

Intralot: 11.30

OPAP: 19.30

OTE: 18.52

Titan Cement Company: 26.58

[22] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 10,115 contracts worth 101.844 million euros, with 28,356 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 128 contracts worth 3.043 million euros, with 463 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 17,019 contracts worth 18.754 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Marfin Investment Group's contracts (4,210), followed by Eurobank (594), OTE (428), OPAP (418), Hellenic Exchanges (477), National Bank (1,779), Intracom (755), Marfin Popular Bank (1,830), Hellenic Petroleum (572) and ATEbank (1,665).

[23] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.07 pct, the two-day rate fell to 4.07 pct from 4.12 pct on Wednesday, the one-month rate eased to 4.32 pct from 4.33 pct and the 12-month rate rose to 4.59 pct from 4.57 pct.

General News

[24] Liapis officially inaugurates Minoan exhibition in New York

Culture Minister Mihalis Liapis officially inaugurated here on Thursday morning (Greek time) an exhibition titled "From the Land of the Labyrinth: Minoan Crete, 3000-1100 B.C." in the presence of many U.S. and Greek personalities.

The exhibition, which will run until September 13, is being hosted at the Cultural centre of the "Alexandros Onassis" Foundation in Manhattan.

"Most of the exhibited artifacts have never been displayed outside Greece," Liapis noted in his inauguration speech, highlighting at the same time the "historic and archaeological importance" of Minoan civilization.

"Ancient Greek civilization is synonym with the achievements of the classical period and the Athenian Democracy of the 5th century B.C. Nevertheless, ancient Greece was marked by other historical periods of civilizations which flourished, before the classical era, such as the Minoan Civilization," the minister said.

The 280 handmade artifacts which are being exhibited "reveal the history of the luminous Minoan Civilization of Crete, which constititutes the first developed civilization recognized in Europe," Liapis added.

Among those present at the inauguration were the president of the "Alexandros Onassis" Foundation Antonis Papadimitriou, former prime minister and honorary president of the ruling New Democracy (ND) party Constantine Mitsotakis and Archbishop of America Dimitrios.

[25] Int'l conference in Athens on 'Return of Cultural Property to its Country of Origin'

The two-day conference, which is organized by the Greek Culture Ministry in cooperation with UNESCO, will be opened in the presence of President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, Culture Minister Mihalis Liapis, the president of the General Conference of UNESCO, George Anastassopoulos and UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Culture, Francoise Riviere.

The conference participants will reflect upon and exchange experiences on the issue of the return of cultural property, examining several successful return cases, including: the Axum Obelisk from Italy to Ethiopia, the return of the Stone Birds of Great Zimbabwe from Germany to Zimbabwe, the return of human remains to the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal tribe of South Australia, the "Utimut" cooperation project for the return of cultural objects from Denmark to Greenland, the reunification of a Neo-Sumerian alabaster figure (cooperation project between the Louvre Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of New York) and the case of the ceremonial mask of the Kwakwaka'wakw people of Vancouver Island between the British Museum and Canada,

On the second day, four thematic workshops will debate: Ethical and Legal Aspects, Mediation and Cultural Diplomacy, Museums, Sites and Cultural Context and International Cooperation and Research.

Discussions will also take place on ways to strengthen the action of the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of Illicit Appropriation.

Established by UNESCO in 1978, the Intergovernmental Committee provides a framework for discussion and negotiation on the return or restitution of cultural property. The committee, composed of 22 elected member states, remains strictly advisory, establishing forums for debate and offering non-legally binding recommendations.

[26] Tour boat runs aground in Saronic Gulf during day-cruise

Coast guard vessels have been sent to assist, while other ships sailing nearby have also responded to the distress call. Also sent to the scene were four Navy mine-sweepers and one torpedo boat, a C-130 aircraft, three Sikorsky helicopters and four Super-Puma all-weather helicopters.

The "Georgis" had set sail on Thursday morning from the port of Piraeus and was scheduled to stop at the islands of Aegina, Hydra and Poros before returning to Piraeus late on Thursday night. As yet, the reasons that caused the ship running aground are not known.

Weather conditions in the area are reported to be good, with calm seas and blue skies, so rescuers are confident that there will be no problems in evacuating the passengers on the ship.

[27] Stranded tour boat in Saronic Gulf successfully evacuated

The "Georgis" ran aground on the small islet of Platia late on Thursday afternoon. The ship had been carrying out a one-day cruise around the Saronic Gulf islands.

Coast guard vessels were sent to assist, while other ships sailing nearby also responded to the distress call. Also sent to the scene were four Navy mine-sweepers and one torpedo boat, a C-130 aircraft, seven helicopters.

The "Georgis" had set sail on Thursday morning from the port of Piraeus and was scheduled to stop at the islands of Aegina, Hydra and Poros before returning to Piraeus late on Thursday night. As yet, the reasons that caused the ship running aground are not known.

Weather conditions in the area were excellent, with calm seas and blue skies, allowing the evacuation of the passengers to be carried out without great difficulties.

[28] Greece a pioneer in highlighting climatic change repercussions

The special importance of Greece's initiative, being the presiding country at the "International Human Safety Network", to link the repercussions of climatic change to repercussions on human safety, was highlighted during Thursday's international conference that was organized here by the Greek foreign ministry, with the ministry's International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation Secretary General Theodoros Skylakakis being the main rapporteur.

The main priority of the Greek initiative is to underline the repercussions of climatic change on human safety, with particular emphasis being placed on sensitive groups of people, such as women, children and people abandoning their homes in climatically sensitive regions in the developing world.

Thursday's conference at Vienna's International Convention Centre, that also included a roundtable discussion and had as its theme climatic change and human safety in relation to women, was the fourth in the series of events organized by the Greek presidency, which had been preceded by those in Bali and New York last December and in Geneva in February.

The aim of all these was to sensitize international public opinion and to achieve the best possible preparation of the relevant four policy texts that are being prepared by the Greek presidency in cooperation with international organizations on development policy in its entirety and how it must be adjusted so as to take into consideration the threat for human safety which is also posed by climatic change.

[29] World Consumer Day dedicated to consumers with disabilities

The adoption of measures and actions for the protection of consumers with disabilities was underlined during a joint press conference in Athens on Thursday by the Consumer Ombudsman authority and the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities.

The adoption of additional and specialized measures were deemed as necessary, considering that their needs vary depending on the type of disability namely, labeling of goods in Braille, commercial store accessibility etc.

[30] New Philippi finds presented

Philippi is an ancient town east of Thessaloniki in central-eastern Macedonia, northern Greece, situated east of the Strymon River on the border with the province of Thrace.

King Philip II of Macedon (382-336 BC), the father of Alexander the Great, gave the town its name and fortified it to control nearby gold mines. In 42 BC it was the scene of the decisive Roman battle in which Mark Antony and Octavian (later Augustus) defeated Brutus and Cassius, the leading assassins of Julius Caesar. Many Christian ruins, especially of the 5th - 6th century AD, are spread over the site. St. Paul had preached the gospel to Christian converts there.

Private residences and an agora in successive residential phases through the centuries have been discovered in the region of Philippi as new excavations brought to light up to three layers of settlements, one built on top of the other during different time periods.

Among the findings of the new university-sponsored excavation, to be presented during the 21st meeting assessing the 2007 archaeological work, which was launched Thursday at the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum, is a 4th century AD mosaic floor of impressive technique featuring geometrical design.

The recently unearthed floor was discovered beneath findings that were built earlier, dated in the times of Emperor Justinian (527-565 AD).

In 2006 and 2007, excavations were funded by Thessaloniki's Aristotle University and the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry conducted with the participation of archaeology professors, associate professors and over forty graduate and postgraduate archeology students.

[31] Baltsa performance postponed due to strikes

The postponed performance will be held the next day, on Thursday March 20 at 9.00 p.m.

Internationally acclaimed Greek mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa will lead in four performances of "L'Italiana in Algeri" in Athens, to be held on March 14, 17, 20 and 21, respectively.

[32] RV loaded with illegals intercepted in NW Greece

The driver and the group of illegals are due to face a local prosecutor.

Olympic Games

[33] Olympic Flame arrives in Thessaloniki on March 27

A number of art, sports and cultural happenings have been planned by the Thessaloniki municipal authorities.

[34] First Olympic Torchbearer for 2008 Games a martial arts athlete

Athletes competing in track-and-field events have kicked off the last five successive Olympic Torch Relays, while nine altogether have been the first Torchbearer for past Olympic Games tournaments, making athletics the most strongly represented sports discipline for this post.

The first Olympic Torch Bearer was a young athlete named Konstantinos Kondylis, when the custom of a Torch relay from ancient Olympia was first instituted in 1936. The Olympic Games and the part played by the torch bearers made a huge impression on Greeks of that time and Kondylis became a local celebrity, with his picture appearing on boxes of matches that circulated soon afterward.

During the Athens Olympic Games of 2004, the first Torchbearer was Greek javelin thrower Costas Gatsioudis.

Weather Forecast

[35] Mostly fair on Friday

Cyprus Affairs

[36] President Christofias briefs British PM on Cyprus

Cypriot President Demetris Christofias had the opportunity on Thursday to brief British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on his positions of principle for a Cyprus settlement. Christofias and Brown met here Thursday on the sidelines of the European Council, a meeting diplomatic sources have said took place in ''a very good climate.''

The meeting, the same sources added, ''gave the opportunity to the President to brief the Prime Minister on current developments, inform him that he is interested in enhancing relations with Britain and that he would like London's help in the Cyprus problem.''

Furthermore, President Christofias briefed Brown on the prospects of opening additional crossing points between the island's northern Turkish occupied areas and the southern government controlled part of the country, including one at Ledra Street, a main commercial street in the capital Nicosia.

According to the same sources, Brown assured that the United Kingdom was ready to help in the direction of solving the Cyprus problem.

Regarding an invitation Brown had extended to President Christofias to visit London, they said the Cypriot President had already responded positively and the date of the visit would be arranged through diplomatic channels.

President Christofias also met with President of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament Martin Schultz. The meeting was held in ''an excellent climate'' and ''the Socialist Group, through Schultz, promised to help the President in his effort to materialise his vision for the reunification of Cyprus,'' the same sources added.

[37] EP supports Cyprus President in efforts to reunite the country

Speaking after a meeting Thursday in Brussels with President Christofias, Poettering pointed out that it was very decisive that the European Parliament gives its political and moral support to Cyprus.

Poettering said it was ''a great pleasure to meet President Christofias, the newly elected President of Cyprus,'' adding that ''we had an excellent discussion and exchange of views.''

''I must say that we had no differences because the European Parliament and I, personally, support totally, without any question, the ambition of the President of Cyprus to reunite the island. I am coming from a country, Germany, which was divided for so long and had the great chance to be reunited in 1990 and we would not have believed that this would happen in our lifetime,'' Poettering said, adding that ''this did happen and I wish this would happen to Cyprus as well.''

Asked how the European Parliament could help, Poettering said ''it is very decisive that the European Parliament gives its political and moral support to Cyprus.''

''It is part of the development in our political life that nations should not be divided, that countries should no be divided, that islands should not be divided. So, it is a very natural ambition to be united and bring the people together and to destroy walls and fences, to make it possible that people meet, that people communicate and build the unity of a nation and the unity of our European continent,'' he concluded.

President Christofias is in Brussels attending the EU summit. This is the first time he participates in a European Council meeting since his election to the presidency on February 24.

[38] Patriarchate of Alexandria arrives to Cyprus on an official visit

Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II arrived Thursday to Cyprus on an official visit at the invitation of Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos II.

Welcoming Patriarch Theodoros at Larnaka Airport, the Archbishop expressed his satisfaction for his presence on the island, while on his part the Patriarchate thanked the people of Cyprus for never abandoning the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

In his statements, Archbishop Chrysostomos said that during their discussions they will exchange views about the Churches of Alexandria and Cyprus and the problems of Orthodoxy and Christianity.

He wished a pleasant and fruitful visit to Theodoros, noting that such visits are very useful.

On his part, the Patriarch thanked the Archbishop and said that he is visiting Cyprus to express his thanks to the people of the island who never abandoned the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

Addressing Education and Culture Minister Andreas Demetriou who welcomed him on behalf of the Government, Patriarch Theodoros wished that God blesses Cyprus and administer justice to it.

[39] ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΗΣΗ ΤΥΠΟΥ ΤΗΣ 14/3/2008

Πρωτοσέλιδος βασικός τίτλος:

ΑΔΕΣΜΕΥΤΟΣ ΤΥΠΟΣ: "Κερδοσκόποι αλωνίζουν στην αγορά. Με το πετρέλαιο να φτάνει τα 111δολάρια".

Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι "την ώρα που το πετρέλαιο ξεπερνά το φράγμα των 110 δολαρίων, προκαλώντας αναταράξεις στην παγκόσμια οικονομία, στο υπουργείο Ανάπτυξης κορυφώνουν τον αγώνα κατά της ακρίβειας, με στόχο την συγκράτηση των τιμών και την προστασία του καταναλωτή".

ΑΠΟΓΕΥΜΑΤΙΝΗ: "Διαζύγιο σε 2 χρόνια. Επαναστατική μεταρρύθμιση στη Δικαιοσύνη για μια πιο σύγχρονη κοινωνία".

Η εφημερίδα αναφέρει ότι "έξι μήνες μετά την ανάληψη του υπουργείου Δικαιοσύνης, ο υπουργός Σ. Χατζηγάκης, σε συνέντευξη Τύπου που έδωσε χθες, έκανε τον πρώτο απολογισμό του έργου του, που χαρακτηρίζεται από δέκα μεγάλες μεταρρυθμιστικές πρωτοβουλίες, στις οποίες περιλαμβάνονται τα τέσσερα νομοσχέδια που εγκρίθηκαν προχθές από την Κυβερνητική Επιτροπή, αλλά και τρία νομοσχέδια υπό σύνταξη από τις αρμόδιες επιτροπές".

Η ΑΥΓΗ: "Ενθάρρυνση Παπούλια στους αγώνες. ΓΣΕΕ και ΑΔΕΔΥ χθες στον πρόεδρο της Δημοκρατίας εν όψει της γενικής απεργίας της Τετάρτης".

Σύμφωνα με την εφημερίδα, "καλή επιτυχία στους αγώνες" ευχήθηκε ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας Κ. Παπούλιας στο προεδρείο της ΓΣΕΕ και της ΑΔΕΔΥ που τον επισκέφθηκε χθες και συζήτησε μαζί του για το ασφαλιστικό νομοσχέδιο εν όψει και της γενικής απεργίας της Τετάρτης".

ΑΥΡΙΑΝΗ: "Σανίδα σωτηρίας από τον ΣΥΝ αναζητεί απεγνωσμένα ο Γιωργάκης. Χαντάκωσε το ΠΑΣΟΚ που πάει ολοταχώς για τρίτο κόμμα και ζητιανεύει συνεργασίες".

Η εφημερίδα τονίζει ότι "τον προσεταιρισμό και του στελεχιακού δυναμικού του ΠΑΣΟΚ επιχειρεί ανοιχτά πλέον ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ, έχοντας ήδη προκαλέσει ακατάσχετη αιμορραγία στην παραταξιακή βάση του κόμματος της αξιωματικής αντιπολίτευσης".

ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ: "Αδιέξοδο για τις απεργίες. Χάος χθες στην Αθήνα".

Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι "σε παρατεταμένη απεργιακή σύγκρουση οδηγούνται συνδικάτα και κυβέρνηση, καθώς δεν διαφαίνεται διάθεση υποχώρησης από καμία πλευρά για το Ασφαλιστικό".

Η ΒΡΑΔΥΝΗ: "Το άνοιγμα πέρασε ΣΥΡΙΖΑ. Ανοιχτή πρόταση - πρόσκληση για συνεργασία απηύθυνε στον ΣΥΝ ο Παπανδρέου".

Η εφημερίδα επισημαίνει ότι "ο Γ. Παπανδρέου επέλεξε το βήμα του συνεδρίου του ΠΑΣΟΚ για να απευθύνει προς τον πρόεδρο του ΣΥΝ ανοιχτή πρόσκληση για ισότιμη συνεργασία των δύο κομμάτων".

ΕΘΝΟΣ: "Γιαλαντζί ανταρσίες στη ΝΔ. "Διαφωνήστε - ψηφίστε - τελειώσατε" η συνταγή στο Ασφαλιστικό".

Η εφημερίδα σημειώνει ότι "σε "γιαλαντζί" αντάρτικο με... άσφαιρα πυρά, που αφορούν μόνο το επίπεδο της ρητορικής για το Ασφαλιστικό, επιδίδονται βουλευτές της ΝΔ και πρώην υπουργοί".

ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΗ ΩΡΑ: "Το Κόμμα της Αξιωματικής Αντιπολίτευσης στο Συνέδριο σε μια προσπάθεια να βγει από την Εσωστρέφεια στον αντιπολιτευτικό δρόμο γιατί... Ο ΣΥΝ φυλάει τα έρημα στο ΠΑΣΟΚ".

Σύμφωνα με την εφημερίδα, "με κεντρικό σύνθημα "Η Ελλάδα των αξιών" ο κ. Παπανδρέου απηύθυνε ξεκάθαρη πρόταση στο ΣΥΝ για προγραμματική συνεργασία, σημειώνοντας ότι η αριστερά ξέρει να κάνει συνεργασίες και να προτάσσει το συμφέρον της χώρας".

ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΣ: "Αγωνία Παπούλια για τις εξελίξεις. Επικίνδυνη για τα εθνικά θέματα η γενικευμένη σύγκρουση στο εσωτερικό της χώρας".

Η εφημερίδα σημειώνει ότι "σε μια βαρυσήμαντη παρέμβαση με πολλούς αποδέκτες προχώρησε χθες, ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας, Κάρολος Παπούλιας, ο οποίος δεν έκρυψε την αγωνία του για τις συνθήκες γενικευμένης σύγκρουσης που διαμορφώνονται στην ελληνική κοινωνία".

ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΣ ΤΥΠΟΣ: "Κρύβουν τα σκουπίδια στις παράνομες χωματερές. Ο φακός του ΕΤ εντόπισε φορτηγά να εναποθέτουν απορρίμματα σε περιοχή του Μαρκόπουλου".

Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι "την εύκολη λύση των παράνομων χωματερών της Ανατολικής Αττικής έχουν βρει πολλοί δήμοι της Αττικής, των οποίων οι εργαζόμενοι δεν απεργούν, προκειμένου να πετάξουν εκεί τα σκουπίδια των πόλεών τους αδιαφορώντας για το οικολογικό έγκλημα που διαπράττουν".

ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΤΥΠΙΑ: "Πρόσκληση για συμμαχία. Ο Γιώργος ζήτησε αυτοδυναμία και έκανε άνοιγμα στον ΣΥΝ για συνεργασία".

Στο βασικό της θέμα η εφημερίδα επισημαίνει ότι "τη νέα πορεία του ΠΑΣΟΚ εξήγγειλε χθες από το βήμα του συνεδρίου ο Γιώργος Παπανδρέου ζητώντας αυτοδύναμη πλειοψηφία και απευθύνοντας πρόσκληση στον ΣΥΝ για συμμαχία στην κοινωνία, τη Βουλή και την κυβέρνηση".

ΕΣΤΙΑ: "Δάνεια - σκάνδαλο προς τα κόμματα".

Η εφημερίδα τονίζει ότι "τα πολιτικά κόμματα της χώρας μας έχουν καθιερώσει μία απαράδεκτη πρακτική, που προφανώς έχει αρχίσει από την εποχή του ΠΑΣΟΚ. Πέραν των τεραστίων ποσών που εισπράττουν κάθε χρόνο ως επιχορήγηση από τον κρατικό προϋπολογισμό, προσφεύγουν και σε τραπεζικό δανεισμό".

Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ: "Νέα δεδομένα μετά την κρίση στα Σκόπια. Δυσχεραίνεται περαιτέρω η λύση για το πρόβλημα της ονομασίας".

Η εφημερίδα επισημαίνει ότι "η ήδη δύσκολη διαπραγμάτευση για την ονομασία της ΠΓΔΜ καθίσταται δυσχερέστερη μετά την κυβερνητική κρίση, που ξέσπασε στη γειτονική Δημοκρατία".

Ο ΛΟΓΟΣ: "Τελευταία ευκαιρία...Με ομιλία του Γ. Παπανδρέου άρχισε το 8ο Συνέδριο του ΠΑΣΟΚ".

Σύμφωνα με την εφημερίδα, "στο 8ο Συνέδριο του ΠΑΣΟΚ στο κλειστό γυμναστήριο του Τάε Κβο Ντο του Φαλήρου, προσήλθαν χθες επτά χιλιάδες σύνεδροι σε ένα φορτισμένο κλίμα μετά τις πρόσφατες εντάσεις στο εσωτερικό του Κόμματος, προσδοκώντας ενότητα".

ΤΑ ΝΕΑ: "Έδωσε το χέρι για συνεργασίες με ΣΥΝ. Ο Γιώργος ξεκλείδωσε τον διάλογο".

Στο βασικό της θέμα η εφημερίδα σημειώνει ότι "έσπασε τον πάγο ανάμεσα σε ΠΑΣΟΚ και ΣΥΝ ο κ. Γιώργος Παπανδρέου, απευθύνοντας ανοικτή πρόσκληση στον ΣΥΝ. Από την πλευρά του, ο κ. Αλέξης Τσίπρας μίλησε για κοινή δράση της αντιπολίτευσης".

Η ΝΙΚΗ: "Θετικό τεστ για το ΠΑΣΟΚ. Ο Παπανδρέου έδωσε το στίγμα τη νέα πορεία".

Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι "μήνυμα ελπίδας στην κοινωνία από το συνέδριο του ΠΑΣΟΚ, που άνοιξε χθες τις εργασίες του με ομιλία του Γ. Παπανδρέου".

ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ +13: " ΕΦΙΑΛΤΕΣ. Με το μυαλό στον Τσίπρα, ο Γιώργος στο Συνέδριο. Βγήκε στο κλαρί ο Μητσοτάκης κατά Καραμανλή για το Σκοπιανό".

Σύμφωνα με την εφημερίδα "ο Γιώργος Παπανδρέου από χθες το απόγευμα θα μιλάει σ΄ένα τεράστιο πλήθος 7.000 συνέδρων. Ίσως μόνο το συνέδριο του ΚΚΣΕ (Κομμουνιστικό Κόμμα Σοβιετικής Ένωσης) να είχε τόσους συνέδρους την εποχή της μεγάλης δόξας. Όμως αμέσως μετά, όταν τα φώτα σβήσουν στο Τάε Κβον Ντο την Κυριακή το βράδυ θα είναι και πάλι μόνος".

ΤΟ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΗΝΙΟ: "Γυρίζει ο πράσινος Ήλιος; Τελευταία ευκαιρία το Συνέδριο για το ΠΑΣΟΚ".

Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι "καταλυτικής σημασίας για την προοπτική και το μέλλον τόσο του ΠΑΣΟΚ όσο και του ίδιου του προέδρου του κινήματος, Γιώργου Παπανδρέου, χαρακτηρίζονται οι εργασίες του 8ου συνεδρίου του κόμματος της αξιωματικής αντιπολίτευσης που άρχισαν χτες στο κλειστό γήπεδο του ΤΑΕ-ΚΒΟ-ΝΤΟ".

ΡΙΖΟΣΠΑΣΤΗΣ: "Σήμερα η συνάντηση Κομμουνιστικών, Εργατικών, Αριστερών Κομμάτων από χώρες της ΕΕ".

Η εφημερίδα αναφέρει ότι "σήμερα στην Αθήνα φιλοξενείται από το ΚΚΕ η διήμερη Συνάντηση, με θέμα τη νέα Ευρωσυνθήκη, τις εξελίξεις στην ΕΕ και την πάλη των λαών".

Η ΧΩΡΑ: " Γκεστ σταρ στο Συνέδριο ο Τσίπρας παρουσία του Αμερικανού πρέσβη. Το ΠΑΣΟΚ σε κρίσιμο σταυροδρόμι".

Η εφημερίδα σημειώνει ότι "άνοιγμα στην Αριστερά έκανε χθες ο Γιώργος Παπανδρέου, ανοίγοντας τις εργασίες του 8ου Συνεδρίου του ΠΑΣΟΚ, σε μια απέλπιδα προσπάθεια να ανακόψει τη διαρροή ψηφοφόρων προς τον Συνασπισμό".

City Press: "Ραγδαία επιδείνωση της διεθνούς οικονομίας".

Σύμφωνα με την εφημερίδα, "νέες ανησυχίες και πρόσθετους φόβους για ραγδαία επιδείνωση της παγκόσμιας οικονομίας δημιουργούν τα έντονα συμπτώματα οικονομικής ύφεσης που καταγράφονται στις ΗΠΑ".

Metro: "Αναζητείται συμβιβασμός. Παράθυρο για μικρές, "βελτιωτικές" κινήσεις στο Ασφαλιστικό αφήνει ανοιχτό η κυβέρνηση".

Η εφημερίδα τονίζει ότι "μικρές παρεμβάσεις στο ασφαλιστικό νομοσχέδιο, ώστε να αμβλυνθούν οι αντιδράσεις των εργαζομένων - αλλά και οι ενδοκυβερνητικές- και να προωθηθούν οι αλλαγές σε ευνοϊκότερο κλίμα, κρίνονται αναγκαίες από πολλές πλευρές στο εσωτερικό της κυβέρνησης".

Metropolis: "Καταναλωτής και ασφάλεια των τροφίμων".

Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι "στην ασφάλεια των τροφίμων που προωθούνται στην αγορά αναφέρθηκαν, μεταξύ άλλων, οι ειδικοί επιστήμονες σε χθεσινή συνέντευξη Τύπου της Ελληνικής Κτηνιατρικής Εταιρείας".

ΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΦΟΡΟΣ: " Στης ακρίβειας τον (κακό) καιρό...Αυξήσεις σε πετρέλαιο, τρόφιμα προϊόντα ευρείας κατανάλωσης".

ΤΥΠΟΣ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗΣ: "Η Θεσσαλονίκη αποκτά 150 νέα σχολεία. Επιτέλους, μια είδηση χαράς από τον υπουργό παιδείας, Ευρ. Στυλιανίδη".

[40] ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΟΣ ΤΥΠΟΣ

Στο βασικό της θέμα η εφημερίδα επισημαίνει ότι "το ανεξέλεγκτο "ράλι" του ευρώ προς τα 1,57 δολάρια και του πετρελαίου πάνω από τα 107 δολάρια στην Ευρώπη και τα 111 δολάρια στις ΗΠΑ "δοκιμάζει τις αντοχές" της ευρωπαϊκής οικονομίας".

ΗΜΕΡΗΣΙΑ: "Νάρκη δολαρίου στις αγορές. Κάτω οι μετοχές - Πάνω τα εμπορεύματα".

Η εφημερίδα σημειώνει ότι "βουτιά" κάτω από τις 3.900 μονάδες έκανε χθες ο Γενικός Δείκτης, εξαιτίας επιθετικών πωλήσεων από funds του εξωτερικού σε βαριά χαρτιά".

ΚΕΡΔΟΣ: "Οι αγορές αναζητούν σωσίβιο μετά το χθεσινό "σοκ και δέος".

Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι "ανεξέλεγκτες διαστάσεις προσλαμβάνει πλέον η κρίση στις αγορές, με τις μετοχές να δέχονται απανωτά πλήγματα, το δολάριο να βυθίζεται όλο και περισσότερο και το πετρέλαιο με τον χρυσό να καταρρίπτουν νέα ιστορικά ρεκόρ, καλπάζοντας αλματωδώς προς το ...άπειρο".

ΝΑΥΤΕΜΠΟΡΙΚΗ: "Νέο πλήγμα στις αγορές από την πιστωτική κρίση".

Η εφημερίδα τονίζει ότι "η είδηση πως η Carlyle Capital οδηγείται σε χρεοκοπία, αμέσως μετά την προειδοποίηση του ΔΝΤ πως η πιστωτική κρίση θα έχει συνέχεια, κλόνισε τα διεθνή χρηματιστήρια".

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