Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-05-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin rules out VAT increase, refers to talks with DT over OTE

[02] PASOK, ND are two different worlds, Papandreou says

[03] PASOK's foreign policy rapporteur on statements by Matthew Bryza

[04] KKE leader Papariga visiting Cuba

[05] Latest opinion poll on political developments

[06] Minister of State Roussopoulos condemns attack on PASOK's head office

[07] Deputy DM Plakiotakis visiting Crete

[08] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[09] Suspect, police officers face charges in deadly escape

[10] Ecumenical Patriarch addresses Marmara Foundation conference

[11] Thessaloniki streets flooded with French tourists

[12] Athens to launch Green Rooftops drive

[13] Youths cause serious damage to Agriculture School

[14] Partly cloudy on Monday Politics

[01] FinMin rules out VAT increase, refers to talks with DT over OTE

"At a time when inflation has increased it would be absolute madness for me to increase VAT," he said, stressing that repercussions for the Greek economy, emanating from international turmoil in markets, will be overcome with the smallest losses possible.

Referring to negotiations with the Deutsche Telekom (DT) regarding state-run Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), he said that through a shareholders' agreement the state will sign with the German multinational, one valid for as long as the Greek state holds a percentage in the region of 5 percent of OTE, the government will enjoy considerable safeguards and the right of veto in all strategic issues.

The minister clarified that these issues include OTE's rates policy, which, as he said, is determined by the independent National Regulatory Authority (EETT), as well as ones affecting national security.

"There shall be consultation for labor matters, collective bargaining agreements, changes in the personnel regulation; consultations with the Greek government will be necessary and, of course, national law shall apply," the minister said, underlining that there is no question of OTE changing name.

Alogoskoufis pointed out that negotiations have not yet been concluded on all issues and certain obstacles have to be handled, namely, ones concerning the sale price of 3 percent of OTE's shares from the state to Deutsche Telekom, what options the state will have if it sells more stakes of OTE in the future etc.

He further clarified that the effort currently taking place is for the state to receive the best possible price, higher than the price MIG sold OTE shares to DT.

The minister said an indefinite shareholders' agreement, valid for as long as the Greek state has at least a 5-percent stake in OTE, eliminates the risk "that always existed for OTE of someone appearing without the joint participation of the Greek state and making a public offering via the stock exchange for its control."

On the issue of rising cost-of-living rates in the country, Alogoskoufis said the issue will be tackled with the 41 measures announced by the development ministry.

As regards debt-ridden Olympic Airlines, he said the government's policy anticipates its privatization, while for the Hellenic Post Bank he said "our policy is that it will continue its autonomous course."

Alogoskoufis also indicated that more measures will be taken to protect retail borrowers, saying that such measures are still being considered.

[02] PASOK, ND are two different worlds, Papandreou says

Papandreou pointed out that the crisis in the economy is not an imported one and called for salary increases and a decrease in taxes to confront high prices.

The PASOK leader further said that the cases of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and of Siemens are crumpling the image of democracy.

He noted that ND is delivering OTE to the Germans for a minimal price and in a scandalous way. On the issue of the neighboring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), he said that the aim must be to find a name for it that will be used in every case and that will have a geographical qualifier.

Replying to a question on cooperation with the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), Papandreou said that this party is unable to assume serious responsibilities towards the country and it is following a course of easy protest and of the denunciation of all.

[03] PASOK's foreign policy rapporteur on statements by Matthew Bryza

"The repeated statements by the State Department's official, Mr. Matthew Bryza, on the one hand do not help a solution to the problem of the name between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), in the framework of the UN and the relevant interim agreement, and on the other they reveal the absolutely unorthodox way with which the United States understand southeastern Europe and its affairs," Loverdos said.

"The foreign ministry of Greece undoubtedly has a responsibility, because with its attitude of receiving lesser officials of the United States at the highest political level, it is encouraging their arrogant stance," the rapporteur added.

[04] KKE leader Papariga visiting Cuba

The meeting was held at the end of the May Day rally in Havana, in which the KKE delegation participated.

Papariga extended to Castro KKE's undivided support and solidarity for the struggle of the Cuban people against imperialist designs, to defend their achievements and to build socialism.

Papariga added that the heroic effort of the Cuban people, headed by the Cuban Communist Party that is struggling under extremely difficult conditions for its just cause and for socialism, is a bright example for Greek communists, the progressive people of Greece and for peoples in general.

[05] Latest opinion poll on political developments

Specifically, with respect to voters' intent (i.e. the party the respondent would vote for if elections were held tomorrow), ND was preferred by 31.6 percent of respondents against 29 percent for PASOK, followed by 15.6 percent for the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) parliamentary alliance; 7.2 percent for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE); 3.6 percent for the Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) party, while 2.2 percent opted for "other" parties, and 10.9 percent were undecided.

Regarding the popularity of political leaders, Karamanlis was viewed positively by 62 percent of respondents, posting an 8.4 increase in comparison with the same poll conducted by the MARC firm two months ago, followed by Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos, which heads the SYRIZA alliance) leader Alexis Tsipras with 54.8 percent (down 10.3 percent from the previous opinion poll), SYRIZA head Alekos Alavanos with 48.9 percent (down 5.4 percent), and PASOK leader George Papandreou with 43.4 percent (up 0.8 percent from the previous poll).

Also, 64.8 percent of respondents favored the strengthening of the smaller political parties in Parliament, with 48.9 percent endorsing a strengthening of SYRIZA, 17.2 percent for KKE, and 10.8 percent for LA.OS.

In addition, 50.3 percent of the respondents want a coalition government to emerge from the next general elections, while 48.3 percent prefer an autonomous government.

Furthermore, 96.6 percent of the respondents were in favour of reforms, with 37.7 percent believing that the reforms being advanced by the ND government were "headed in the right direction', whereas 49.6 percent believed the opposite.

Also, 91.2 percent of the respondents were 'very little' or 'not at all' satisfied with the government's handling of matters concerning standard of living, while 86.3 percent were 'very little' or 'not at all' satisfied with its confrontation of unemployment.

In addition, 85.6 percent of the respondents were 'very little' or 'not at all' satisfied with the government's steps against corruption, 85 percent on its confrontation of crime, and 84.1 percent on its handling of the economy.

However, 55.7 percent were 'very' or 'quite' satisfied with the government's handling of the FYROM "name issue".

[06] Minister of State Roussopoulos condemns attack on PASOK's head office

Roussopoulos reassured that "the authorities will probe the case in depth so that the troublemakers will be brought to justice."

PASOK's spokesman George Papaconstantinou said on his part "that such attacks are attacks on institutions and on democracy. However, they will not achieve their real aim, because not only will they be faced with PASOK, but with all the democratic citizens as well."

He also added that "we shall discuss with the police how to find the best way to protect our offices."

[07] Deputy DM Plakiotakis visiting Crete

Replying to questions by the press after the meeting concerning compulsory military service, he clarified that Defense Minister Vangelis Meimarakis never spoke of compulsory military service at the age of 18, he said that since military service is compulsory in the country speaking of a specific age for military service is no taboo.

He added, however, that after a wide dialogue is carried out it can be clarified whether this age will be 18, 19 or 20.

Referring also to the issue of the Russian-made S-300 missiles, Plakiotakis said that the problem concerning their ownership status was solved recently, following consultations between Meimarakis and his Cypriot counterpart and in cooperation with Russia that had provided them for Cyprus.

Financial News

[08] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.558

Pound sterling 0.785

Danish kroner 7.521

Swedish kroner 9.430

Japanese yen 163.24

Swiss franc 1.636

Norwegian kroner 7.989

Canadian dollar 1.584

Australian dollar 1.668

General News

[09] Suspect, police officers face charges in deadly escape

The suspect repeatedly stopped unsuspecting motorists in the city at gun point in his attempt to elude pursuing police vehicles.

He reportedly shot a 60-year-old driver of a city bus in an attempt to hijack the vehicle while later taking a hostage in a residence, where he was finally arrested in the Neo Kordelio district.

An investigation of the unprecedented incident was ordered amid heightened local media coverage throughout the weekend.

The suspect and two police officers -- the driver and co-driver of the police unit from where the suspect fled -- were led before a public prosecutor in Thessaloniki on Sunday, following the suspension of a total of six police officers a day earlier, hours after the incident.

[10] Ecumenical Patriarch addresses Marmara Foundation conference

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos addressed the annual conference of the Marmara Foundation here on Sunday, calling on all believers in God to interpret their faith in a way that promotes "divine volition".

"All who believe in the living God are called on to interpret their faith in a way that promotes the divine desire and to enjoy all the fruits of the earth fairly, without dealing blows to each other and without abusing the planet's resources," the Patriarch said.

The Patriarch also referred to the teachings of St. Barsanuphius of Palestine, who stressed the need for respect for the "others", the "neighbour".

[11] Thessaloniki streets flooded with French tourists

The ship, currently on a cruise of the Aegean Sea, had sailed from the fashionable island of Rhodes and had made a stop at the island of Patmos before arriving in Thessaloniki. In the afternoon, it is scheduled to set out for the port city of Volos in eastern Greece.

[12] Athens to launch Green Rooftops drive

The exhibition, which will run through May 12 at Kotzia Square, is part of the municipality's efforts to raise citizens' awareness of the environment in the city and their neighbourhoods.

Mayor Kaklamanis, together with Deputy Mayor for Everyday Issues Angelos Moschonas, will provide useful information on the conditions and methods involved in creating "Green Rooftops". Athenians will be called on to contribute to the realization of the municipality's goal, whose motto is "Let's plant a garden on every rooftop, trees in every open space, blooms on every balcony and make Athens the city of our life".

Mayor Kaklamanis will officially launch the exhibition on Tuesday at 19:00. A Spring Concert will follow featuring Greek popular music and songs performed by the City of Athens Music Ensembles' Greek Music Workshop, together with artists Christos Halkias and Theodora Stiga.

[13] Youths cause serious damage to Agriculture School

Shortly before 3 in the morning, groups of participants in the event, who police estimated as being about 3,000, attacked police forces on standby with firebombs, created barricades with trash cans and tyres and started fires.

Barricading themselves in the School of Agriculture to avoid arrest, the youths attacked the police repeatedly with stones, sticks and other items, resulting in Athenon avenue remaining closed in both its lanes until 7:30 in the morning. No arrests were announced.

Weather forecast

[14] Partly cloudy on Monday

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