Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-05-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Inner Cabinet considers defense issues

[02] PM Karamanlis addresses Parliament on constitutional revision

[03] European Environment Commissioner Dimas addresses Athens Summit 2008

[04] FM Bakoyannis meets with EU Commissioner Dimas

[05] EU Commission warns Greece over IPPC industrial permits

[06] PASOK criticises PM's speech on environment, says it opposes nuclear energy

[07] PASOK on FYROM 'name issue'

[08] KKE leader Papariga addresses press conference in Larissa

[09] KKE announces resignations of 3 MPs, one Euro-deputy

[10] Greece's participation in Eurojust ratified by Parliamentary Justice Committee

[11] EU transport ministers on 'green transport'

[12] Athens to send humanitarian aid to Myanmar

[13] Two more suspects summoned to testify in Siemens case

[14] Deputy FM visits Mt. Athos

[15] Archbishop to begin official visit to Ecumenical Patriarchate on Friday

[16] Government on high prices, measures

[17] PASOK, SYRIZA and LAOS table questions for PM

[18] Tourism minister inaugurates Greek pavilion at Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai

[19] Greece is the main tourist destination of Cypriots

[20] EU Parliament approves 89.7 million euros for fire victims in Greece

[21] PASOK spokesman on OTE issue

[22] OTE labour union holds rally in Syntagma Square

[23] Strikes at Piraeus, Thessaloniki ports this month

[24] OA still struggling with wildcat strikes

[25] Greek economic sentiment index down in April

[26] Eurobank says Q1 net profits up 5.7 pct

[27] Intralot to pay out 0.33 euros per share dividend

[28] Investment Bank tops list of securities firms

[29] AB Vasilopoulos says sales up 15.1 pct in Q1

[30] Attica Bank reports spectacular Q1 results

[31] Conference on International Telecommunications Organizations

[32] Energy efficiency certificate for buildings under new law

[33] Greek stocks end 1.28 pct lower

[34] ADEX closing report

[35] Greek bond market closing report

[36] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[37] "Plant Your Roots in Greece" undertakes new tree planting initiative

[38] Kazantzidis exhibition and events

[39] Gunned down city bus driver buried

[40] Teen motorcyclist killed in illegal migrants car chase

[41] Greek-Canadian congress held in Montreal

[42] Japanese embassy essay competition

[43] Cloud, scattered showers on Wednesday

[44] French FM:Ío question for Turkey to join EU if it fails to recognise Cyprus

[45] United Cyprus demands termination of settling in occupied areas Politics

[01] Inner Cabinet considers defense issues

The latter said afterwards that final decisions will be taken by the high-ranking foreign policy and defence council (KYSEA).

In another development, Meimarakis noted that Greece is transforming its defense doctrine from a purely defensive model to one he characterized as "defensive, preventive", as he referred to diplomatic and military readiness and to acquiring necessary weapons systems to add to the country's preventive capability.

In other matters, Meimarakis reiterated that the government was still reviewing possible changes in the mandatory conscription regime, namely, to begin service for all able-bodied males at the ages of 18 to 19. He again emphasized that no decision have been made.

On this specific point, the minister said the emphasis was to upgrade conscripts' service, and to make military service productive.

Additionally, Meimarakis referred to structural changes in the Greek armed forces, revising the officers' promotions systems and funding for base mergers and relocations.

The DM conferred with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis prior to the Inner Cabinet meeting.

[02] PM Karamanlis addresses Parliament on constitutional revision

"The time for revision is now," the prime minister said and accused the main opposition PASOK party of deliberately undermining the necessary changes due to its failure to defend its political options.

"The constitution assigns the responsibility of revision to all the Parliamentary political forces without exception. It cannot, therefore, on the one hand be declared that revision is necessary and, on the other, it being undermined. On the one hand, groundless allegations cannot be presented concerning the so-called 'downgrading of institutions' and, on the other, methods to be developed that undermine every progressive change," he added.

Referring to the issue of education, Karamanlis said that the government proposes the revision of article 16 that handles the legislative framework and the insecurity that has been inconveniencing thousands of young people for years, who seek education in foreign public and private universities.

The prime minister added that the revision will provide the possibility for non-state run and non-profit universities being established that will be under the direct and strict control of the government. This, he further said, will contribute to restricting student emigration and utilising the country's scientific potential.

[03] European Environment Commissioner Dimas addresses Athens Summit 2008

The European environment commissioner reminded that the Mediterranean region will sustain greater pressures from climatic change, meaning the destabilization of climate, compared to other parts of the planet, since the average increase in temperature is 0.95 percent as against 0.74 percent all over the world.

He also referred to the economic analysis made by Nicholas Stern, who had noted three weeks ago that in his initial report he had underestimated the economic consequences emanating from climatic changes and that the results of these changes will be even greater for the economies of the developed and developing countries.

Moreover, he drew attention to a report by NASA this year, according to which the problem is even greater than it had been believed previously. Climatic changes will have much sooner unfavorable consequences for the whole world and, consequently, the taking of measures is more imperative.

[04] FM Bakoyannis meets with EU Commissioner Dimas

After the meeting, Dimas told reporters they discussed progress in promoting a Greek initiative concerning the establishment of a European force to prevent and repair damages caused by natural disasters, pointing out those relevant procedures have advanced within the EU and the European Commission.

"The issue is very important due to the increased risk for forest fires as a result of climate change, which entails more droughts and heat waves," he said.

Commenting on Athens' harmonization with European standards as regards the adoption of a reliable pollution monitoring system, and following a warning letter expected by the European Commission along with a two-month deadline to comply, he expressed optimism that the issue will be settled following recent talks.

[05] EU Commission warns Greece over IPPC industrial permits

European Commissioner for the environment Stavros Dimas stressed that "All installations in operation in the European Union must abide by strict emissions standards. These standards have been established in order to minimize the negative effects of industrial pollution on the health of our citizens and the environment."

The IPPC required all member-states to issue new permits or review and update existing permits by 30 October 2007 for all industrial installations in operation before 30 October 1999.

Apart from Greece, warnings were also sent to Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

[06] PASOK criticises PM's speech on environment, says it opposes nuclear energy

The prime minister's speech was "out of space and time", PASOK's spokesman George Papaconstantinou told reporters at his daily briefing, adding that Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias, in his address at the same conference, "told half-truths and big lies".

The prime minister and his environment minister "tried to justify what is unjustifiable," Papaconstantinou said, citing a letter sent by EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas to the prime minister as "proof".

The spokesman said his party was also against the use of nuclear energy.

"Nuclear energy - No thank you", he underlined.

[07] PASOK on FYROM 'name issue'

Responding to a relevant question, he also said that "if anyone wanted to find a split in Greece's national consensus regarding the FYROM 'name issue', let him search on the government's side, and particularly on the side of Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis."

[08] KKE leader Papariga addresses press conference in Larissa

Papariga is visiting Larissa in the framework of the party's new course towards the people, presenting its alternative proposal for government and stressing that her party is against the New Democracy party government, as well as PASOK which "remains a pole in the two-party rule".

She said that there can be no effective popular movement unless "it hoists the flag of insubordination and disobedience towards the European Union," adding that this movement must involve itself in day-to-day life and clarify that the "struggle is an antimonopolistic and anti-imperialist one".

Papariga further stressed that the telecommunications sector must be state-run and for this to happen there must be a popular state. She also said on the question of high prices that what is realistic is for salary increases to be given, while noting that "what control can be called for when most products are imported and what they can do at the most is to check the neighborhood greengrocer for the one extra cent that he might be charging."

The KKE leader is due to address a rally later in the evening and will be making an analytical presentation of her party's proposals.

[09] KKE announces resignations of 3 MPs, one Euro-deputy

Elpida Pantelaki will resign her Parliament seat to fill a party organisational slot in the municipality of Piraeus, while her spot in Parliament will be taken by up-until-now Euro-deputy Diamanto Manolakou. Manolakou's spot in Brussels will be taken by Costas Droutsas, a Thessaloniki-area consumer activist.

Another deputy, Takis Tsiogas, will step down in favor of Antonis Skyllakos, as the former was again re-elected as the president of the Larissa labour centre recently.

Finally, labor organizer Dimos Koubouris will resign in favor of Yiannis Giokas.

[10] Greece's participation in Eurojust ratified by Parliamentary Justice Committee

The bill was ratified in principle by the main opposition PASOK party also, although its rapporteur George Petalotis raised objections over "inadequate" protection for the citizens' personal data.

Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis said that Eurojust in essence covers the activities of inter-state agreements that have already been functioning, while also applying safety valves for joint European research and supervision groups to exist on Greek soil, but under a Greek public prosecutor and with national law as their axis.

The minister also said that the delay in introducing the relevant bill for ratification in Parliament was imperative "until the conditions were ripe."

[11] EU transport ministers on 'green transport'

The European ministers expressed their political will to promote and implement policies favoring the environment on transport issues.

Hatzidakis said that the development of rail and combined transport is essential, since they will curb more pollutant road transport and will improve the network of goods transportation in a friendlier way for the environment.

The minister also said that "our day-to-day travel must have a corresponding orientation and for this reason the use of cars must decrease and the use of alternative transport means, such as public transport and that of a fixed course in particular, which are the friendliest for the environment, must increase."

Hatzidakis further stressed the importance of promoting economic incentives and counter-incentives for the replacement of old cars.

[12] Athens to send humanitarian aid to Myanmar

Speaking to reporters after an Inner Cabinet meeting, Bakoyannis said that "the Greek people and government cannot remain untouched by this unbelievable human disaster".

She said that the Athens government was awaiting permission to send an aircraft with medicine and humanitarian aid, given that the Myanmar government has not yet opened the country's airports for airplanes to land, "but as soon as this happen Greece will be present".

[13] Two more suspects summoned to testify in Siemens case

The latest pair of suspects summoned to appear before first-instance court public prosecutor Panagiotis Athanassiou are former OTE executives, raising the total number of suspects in case to 16.

One of these 16 suspects is a businessman who owns a company trading in electrical goods and is linked to a suspicious bank account in Monaco that also has links with a former Siemens executive. Among others, the prosecutor on Tuesday heard evidence from members of the company's board.

Following the trail of moneys moved through this account, Athanassiou has applied to judicial authorities abroad to ask that another 27 bank accounts be opened, all of which had money orders wired to them from the account in Monaco. The majority of these accounts belong to off shore companies in Cyprus, Brussels, London and Switzerland. Two are in the names of individuals and the prosecutor is currently investigating whether these names are real.

The prosecutor has also applied to German authorities to release the entire list of charges against former Siemens executive Reinhard Siekaczek, a telecommunications equipment unit manager for the multinational whose trial in Germany on charges of bribery has been set for May 26.

The Greek prosecutor is investigating all aspects of a contract awarded to Siemens by OTE for converting OTE's network to a digital format. The prosecutor is expected to wrap up his investigation in approximately one month from now.

[14] Deputy FM visits Mt. Athos

Kassimis met with the Athos community leadership at Karyes, and visited several of the monasteries. The minister discussed issues concerning the monastic community and the loan of artifacts from Athos to the Byzantine culture exhibition to be held in Paris

[15] Archbishop to begin official visit to Ecumenical Patriarchate on Friday

According to a Holy Synod announcement, the official doxology for the reception of Ieronymos will be held on Monday morning at the Patriarchal church of St. George, followed by formal addresses.

On Saturday morning, bilateral talks will take place among representatives of the two Churches, while in the afternoon vespers will be held at the church of St. George.

The four-day visit will culminate with a liturgy jointly officiated by the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop on Sunday, while Ieronymos will return to Athens on Monday.

Financial News

[16] Government on high prices, measures

He noted that some of the measures taken over the Easter holiday, such as those for preventing foreign products being passed off as Greek and measures to fight price-gouging, had brought results.

The spokesman also stressed that "no one was happy" and that the development minister had made numerous statements on this issue and the efforts underway.

Measures like those concerning farmers and middle men, however, could only bring results in the long term, he pointed out.

At another point, he said the government was aware of the pressure on poorer households from high prices but said that this was due to real facts and not the result of price-gouging or unfair profit margins. A series of international indices, such as oil prices that topped the 120 dollars per barrel record and prices for other goods, like cereals, were factors in the wave of price hikes, Roussopoulos said.

He noted that the same headlines as in the Greek media were also appearing in newspapers in other European countries and that they reflected a global phenomenon.

"That which every European country can do by implementing the regulations that we have all signed is to keep prices as low as possible and, if possible, to eradicate tendencies for price-gouging," the spokesman stressed.

[17] PASOK, SYRIZA and LAOS table questions for PM

A detailed briefing on the course of negotiations between the Greek State and Deutsche Telekom on the Greek telephone utility OTEtelecoms, was requested by Coalition of Radical Left (SYRIZA) parliamentary group leader Alekos Alavanos, pointing out that the deal will lead to the organization's "unconditional surrender".

The issue of bank loans was also raised by Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) President George Karatzaferis, who stressed in a question tabled to the prime minister in parliament that the Greek households have become trapped in the loans' fine print. He maintained that banks operate autonomously and ignore court rulings issued against them and in favor of consumers.

[18] Tourism minister inaugurates Greek pavilion at Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai

Tourism development minister Aris Spiliotopoulos on Tuesday inaugurated the Greek pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai, the most important tourism trade fair in the Arab world, where he stressed the strategic turnabout in the Greek tourism product aimed at attracting quality visitors to Greece.

In that respect, he said, Dubai had prospective customers belonging to the "creative socio-economic class", stressing that this year's upgraded Greek participation in the Arabian Travel Market clearly set out the intentions of the Greek tourism leadership.

Dubai, he noted, comprised a model of economic development on the one hand, and on the other a model for attracting thousands of visitors, as it has turned exclusively to quality tourism services.

Asked on the possibility of applying a similar developmental model in Greece, Spiliotopoulos said that every transfer of model must be harmonized with the natural, environmental and architectural landscape existing in each country. "We are here to take everything good that Dubai has to give us, chiefly the turn to qualitative development, but this doesn't mean that we will simply adopt and transfer such models without first adapting them to the Greek reality".

The Arabian Travel Market exhibition celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, attracting more than 70 national exhibitors (national tourism organizations), and will be open to the broader public through May 9.

In the afternoon, Spiliotopoulos will visit tourist infrastructures in the area, including marinas and golf courses, while he is scheduled to meet with local tourism officials on Wednesday.

[19] Greece is the main tourist destination of Cypriots

Greece remains the main tourist destination of Cypriots, the president of the Travel Agents Association of Cyprus, Akis Kelepeshis, stated on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference for the exhibition "Travel 2008," which the association is organizing from May 9-11, he said that in 2007 there were 1,080,512 trips, of which 712,612 were for holidays. To Greece, 438,388 trips were made, of which 293,075 were for holidays.

Taking part in the "Travel 2008" exhibition will be 66 exhibitors from Cyprus, Greece and from other countries as well.

[20] EU Parliament approves 89.7 million euros for fire victims in Greece

The decision must now also be ratified by the appropriate EU council of ministers, while the process of releasing the funds is expected to be complete some time in June.

A number of Greek officials presented Greece's positions during a mini-hearing before the committee, including Deputy Finance Minister Yiannis Papathanassiou, the general secretary for investments and growth Panagiotis Drosos and the mayor of Pyrgos in Ilia - one of the regions worst hit by the disaster .

[21] PASOK spokesman on OTE issue

The spokesman reiterated that the main opposition party will "exhaust every means to reverse the government's plans while it will, when in government, bring back the previous status at OTE," clarifying that he is not speaking of the Organization's renationalization.

He said that PASOK will bring back state control through the control of at least 33 percent of the Organization's share connection, with a legislative arrangement.

He added that it will also bring back the condition by which a private individual who is a shareholder and who controls more than 5 percent of OTE's shares will not be entitled to a presence and voting right of over 5 percent at the General Assembly.

[22] OTE labour union holds rally in Syntagma Square

The protestors then carried out a march toward the economy ministry and Parliament, where they handed a resolution outlining their demands to Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas.

[23] Strikes at Piraeus, Thessaloniki ports this month

During the May 8-9 strike there will be a rally at Karaiskaki Square in Athens and a march to the merchant marine ministry, where they will present a protest resolution.

Following the breakdown of arbitration talks between Piraeus port workers and the management on Monday, meanwhile, the port workers' union filed a new petition with the Council of State (Greece's supreme administrative court), in which it asks for an injunction that will stay the management's decision for the concession of the N. Ikonio container terminal to private interests.

The new petition is expected to be discussed by the end of May, while the union's main suit will be examined by the supreme court plenum on November 7.

[24] OA still struggling with wildcat strikes

At least 15 scheduled flights to domestic destinations were cancelled, as were the return flights that had been scheduled to take place.

Passengers whose flights were cancelled are being reimbursed by the company, which paid out tens of thousands of euros in compensation on Friday alone.

[25] Greek economic sentiment index down in April

IOBE, in its monthly report, said the economic sentiment index fell by 1.5 percentage points to 97.4 in April, from 98.9 in March, below the EU average level but above the Eurozone average. April's reading was the lowest in the last two years and remained 15 points below the April 2007 reading of 99.9 points.

More analytically, business expectations in the manufacturing sector were slightly lower in April, although expectations over new orders moved higher and inventories were up.

In the services sector, business expectations fell significantly, while in the retail sector expectations improved because of significantly higher forecasts over sales in the next few months. In the construction sector, business expectations improved markedly, particularly in public works.

IOBE said consumer confidence remained low in April, with Greek consumers presented as the third more pessimistic consumers in Europe.

[26] Eurobank says Q1 net profits up 5.7 pct

The bank said continuing credit expansion in Greece and Southeast European countries supported a 34.2 pct growth rate of lending to 50.1 billion euros by the end of March 2008, with lending in Greece rising 20.8 pct to 39.2 billion euros and lending in Southeastern Europe more than doubling to 10.9 billion euros.

Eurobank said Poland and Cyprus accounted for 48 pct of new lending abroad, while loans to households rose 33.1 pct to 23.4 billion euros (consolidated), with consumer loans rising 29.2 pct to 11.1 billion euros and mortgage loans totaling 12.3 billion euros, up 36.8 pct.

Saving deposits grew 31 pct to 39.1 billion euros. The bank prospects of achieving earnings forecasts in Southeastetrn Europe were encouraging and underlined that medium-term targets of net profits surpassing 1.550 billion euros by 2010 were still valid.

[27] Intralot to pay out 0.33 euros per share dividend

The group said proceeds from international activities accounted for 82.8 percent of consolidated turnover last year, up from 74.2 pct in 2006.

Konstantinos Antonopoulos, Intralot's chief executive, in addressing the shareholders' meeting, said Intralot has managed to become a large multinational company with activities in all five continents.

[28] Investment Bank tops list of securities firms

Consolidation remained high in the industry, with the top 10 securities firms accounting for 87.94 percent of total transactions in April, and 87.81 pct in the January-April period. Investment Bank was followed by National P&K (18.14 pct), Eurobank (15.90 pct), Piraeus (7.52 pct), Alpha Finance (5.81 pct) and Eurocorp (3.63 pct) in April and by Eurobank (17.82 pct), National P&K (16.12 pct), Piraeus (7.14 pct), Alpha Finance (6.66 pct) and Euroxx (5.81 pct) in the four-month period.

[29] AB Vasilopoulos says sales up 15.1 pct in Q1

Consolidated after tax profits also jumped to 7.6 million euros in the January-March period this year, from 4.8 million euros in 2007. AB Vasilopoulos plans to expand its retail network with 17 new units this year and said it would bring the retail network of Plus Hellas under its brandname. AB Vasilopoulos acquired Plus Hellas and completed the transaction in April 1, 2008.

[30] Attica Bank reports spectacular Q1 results

The bank said assets totaled 4.049 billion euros, up 28.3 pct from the first quarter last eyar, while its loan portfolio rose 25.2 pct to 3.21 billion euros. Mortgage loans totaled 508 million euros, up 28.7 pct from 2007, while saving deposits and repos rose 10.6 pct.

Commenting on the results, the bank's chairman and chief executive, Tryfon Kollintzas, said the results reflected, among others, an operating restructuring of the bank and a restructuring of its portfolio. Attica Bank plans to open eight new branches this year.

[31] Conference on International Telecommunications Organizations

The conference was addressed by the secretary general of the International Telecommunications Union doctor Hamadoun Toure, the secretary general of the transport and communications ministry George Anastasopoulos and alternate general director of the European Telecommunications Models Institute Friis. Also addressing the conference were representatives of Organizations, businesses and agencies that are active in the telecommunications sector.

Speakers stressed that over the past years one can observe intense activity in the telecommunications and information sector at international level, providing new and innovative services for a wide spectrum of human activities.

The speakers also placed emphasis on new technologies and on mobile telephony in particular, noting that the same apparatus can provide telephone services, access to the Internet, television and banking services.

[32] Energy efficiency certificate for buildings under new law

The amendment was attached to a draft bill on measures to reduce energy consumption by buildings that was being discussed in Parliament.

The bill had previously required energy certificates only for new buildings or existing buildings measuring more than 1,000 square meters that had been radically overhauled. The amendment does not make exceptions for either size or age of buildings, which must produce a certificate assessing their energy efficiency, whether good or bad.

He called on those directly involved in the property market and the associated organizations to become acquainted with the new regulations in order to avoid delays or misinterpretations of the law, adding that there would be a major campaign to provide information on the issue.

[33] Greek stocks end 1.28 pct lower

Most sectors ended lower with the Utilities (1.78 pct), Raw Materials (1.72 pct) and Banks (1.68 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Commerce (1.22 pct), Insurance 0.51 pct and Healthcare (0.05 pct) scored gains. The FTSE 20 index fell 1.47 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 0.93 pct lower and the FTSE 80 index eased 0.36 pct.

Quality (19.75 pct), Livanis Publications (9.38 pct) and Centric (8.89 pct) were top gainers, while Intralot (7.69 pct), AEGEK (7.41 pct) and Progressive (6.90 pct) were top losers. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 168 to 75 with another 43 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +0.51%

Industrials: -1.06%

Commercial: -1.06%

Construction: -1.48%

Media: -0.10%

Oil & Gas: -0.08%

Personal & Household: -0.48%

Raw Materials: -1.72%

Travel & Leisure: -1.23%

Technology: -0.31%

Telecoms: -0.41%

Banks: -1.68%

Food & Beverages: -1.13%

Health: +0.05%

Utilities: -1.78%

Chemicals: -0.77%

Financial Services: -1.42%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Alpha Bank, Bank of Cyprus and EFG Eurobank Ergasias.

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

Alpha Bank: 22.28

ATEbank: 2.81

Public Power Corp (PPC): 26.70

HBC Coca Cola: 27.94

Hellenic Petroleum: 9.74

National Bank of Greece: 36.00

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 20.02

Intralot: 12.00

OPAP: 24.92

OTE: 19.44

Titan Cement Company: 29.80

Bank of Cyprus: 8.90

Marfin Popular Bank: 5.68

Marfin Investment Group: 5.80

[34] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 7,898 contracts worth 86.923 million euros, with 28,973 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 117 contracts worth 2.928 million euros with 227 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 10,582 contracts worth 12.785 million euros, with investment interest focusing on OTE's contracts (1,793), followed by Eurobank (232), Marfin Investment Group (758), National Bank (703), Intracom (500), Marfin Popular Bank (1,737), Mytilineos (1,355) and ATEbank (790).

[35] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates moved higher. The 12-month Euribor rate was 4.95 pct, the six-month rate 4.88 pct, the three-month rate 4.85 pct and the one-month rate 4.38 pct.

[36] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.565

Pound sterling 0.794

Danish kroner 7.522

Swedish kroner 9.410

Japanese yen 163.55

Swiss franc 1.640

Norwegian kroner 7.932

Canadian dollar 1.584

Australian dollar 1.658

General News

[37] "Plant Your Roots in Greece" undertakes new tree planting initiative

Tree plantings will continue in the region of Mt Penteli and in other wider Athens regions, such as Mandra and Kalyvia, in cooperation with the Independent Reforestation Movement and the Municipality of Penteli.

The foundation's objective is to hold tree plantings in the regions of Evros, Pilio, Evia, Achaia, Arcadia, Ilia, Lakonia, Messinia and Crete.

During the recent visit of Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis to Chicago, Plant Your Roots in Greece Foundation President and SAE USA Regional Coordinator Theodore Spyropoulos suggested that the tree planting initiative be included in the Greek school activities.

In the previous planting season, the foundation created a park in Serres, northern Greece, and completed the second phase of the tree planting in the archaeological park of Dion, Pieria in cooperation with the Friends of Green Association, while it was also involved in a number of tree plantings in the region of Kalamata, southern Greece, in cooperation with the Friends of Taygetos Association. Expatriates from Messinia living in the US and Canada have raised roughly US$150,000 for the region's reforestation.

The "Plant Your Roots in Greece" Foundation also intends to purchase water wagons to meet irrigation and fire extinguishing needs on Mt Taygetos, while an effort is underway to form a body of volunteers from the United States and Greece to undertake tree plantings and be involved in tree care and protection. All interested can visit two websites www.plantyourrootsingreece.org <http://www.plantyourrootsingreece.org> and www.friendsoftaygetos.org <http://www.friendsoftaygetos.org> currently under construction.

The Chicago-based not-for-profit "Plant Your Roots in Greece" Foundation was founded in 1991 and operates under the auspices of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and the Hellenic American National Council.

The foundation has offices in Athens and since 1999 it has undertaken reforestation initiatives in several regions throughout Greece.

[38] Kazantzidis exhibition and events

Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis, addressing the opening day of the events on Monday, described them as 'a music memorial' and added "We want our city to be filled with the voice that, with its romanticism marked the joy and pain of the refugees, the legendary voice that configured the Greek traditional music".

In a hall of Technopolis, an exhibition of personal belongings, posters, photographs, portraits, musical instruments and fishing paraphernalia of the late singer are on display. Several noted Greek performers will perform during the events.

Stelios Kazantzidis passed away in 2001 at the age of 70 after a long and prolific career.

[39] Gunned down city bus driver buried

The Thessaloniki city bus organization (OASTH) employees held a 4-hour work stoppage in a show of mourning.

The 30-year-old suspect had repeatedly stopped unsuspecting motorists at gun point in his attempt to elude pursuing police vehicles during a frantic chase in the northern city's streets.

He shot the 62-year-old bus driver 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.

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.

[40] Teen motorcyclist killed in illegal migrants car chase

One of a convoy of two cars transporting six illegal immigrants rammed into the motorcycle on Monday evening, killing the 15-year-old boy, during a chase in Alexandroupolis, northeastern Greece as the smugglers tried to avoid a border guard road check.

The first car was being used by the smugglers to warn the second car in case of a police road check. It was flagged down by border guards on the Egnatia Odos Motorway but the second car that carried the illegal migrants sped off, chased by a police patrol car.

The border guards chased the second car through the streets of Alexandroupolis, leading to its collision with the motorcycle. The car was finally immobilized after crashing into parked vehicles and was abandoned by its driver and co-driver, who fled and are still at large.

The six illegal immigrants and the driver and co-driver of the first car are all in police custody.

According to police, the illegal immigrants had entered Greece from Turkey by crossing the Evros River on a plastic boat, and were picked up at the Kipi border region by Greek smugglers to be transported to Athens for the sum of 3,000 euros each.

[41] Greek-Canadian congress held in Montreal

The sessions of the 25th Greek Canadian Congress were held in Montreal last weekend, with the participation of members of the Greek Parliament's Inter-Party Committee for the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), Antonis Karpouzas (New Democracy party) and Adonis Georgiadis (Popular Orthodox Rally).

Taking part in the congress were representatives from various communities and associations in Canada, as well as SAE coordinator Costas Menegakis.

The sessions of the congress were attended by the Consul General of Greece in Montreal, Maria Karnoutsou and representative of the Greek Embassy in Ottowa.

[42] Japanese embassy essay competition

The topics of the competition concern bilateral relations at political, cultural and economic level and the role the Japanese government can play in the promotion of Japanese folk culture in other countries.

Essays will have to be submitted before June 6, 2008. For more information contact the Japanese embassy education division at 210.67.09.901-2, email: jpnembgr@hol.gr <mailto:jpnembgr@hol.gr>

Weather forecast

[43] Cloud, scattered showers on Wednesday

Cyprus Affairs

[44] French FM:Ío question for Turkey to join EU if it fails to recognise Cyprus

There is no question for Turkey to join the EU if it fails to recognise the Republic of Cyprus, Bernard Kouchner, French Minister of Foreign Affairs has assured his Cypriot counterpart Marcos Kyprianou.

At the same time, Kouchner, has welcomed the new process which has begun in Cyprus as a result of a meeting on March 21 between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Six working groups and seven technical committees, set up in the context of the March 21 agreement between President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, are meeting to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the two leaders.

The leaders also decided to meet again in three months to review the work of the committees dealing with various aspects of the Cyprus problem, the results of which will be used to start negotiations under UN auspices leading to a settlement that will reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

According to an official announcement, the Cypriot Foreign Minister, who is paying a working visit to France, had a long meeting on Monday with his French counterpart during a lunch hosted by French FM at the French Foreign Ministry.

The two ministers, the announcement added, discussed bilateral relations in the light of the recent developments in the Cyprus issue and in view of the forthcoming French Presidency of the European Union.

Kyprianou briefed the French Foreign Minister on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, adding that the Greek Cypriot side approaches the new process with positive spirit.

"Our aim is to find a solution between the Cypriots and agreed by the Cypriots", Kyprianou said. "However, no one disregards Turkey's role in the Cyprus problem. Turkey has to show good will, to contribute to a just and viable Cyprus solution. By doing that, Turkey may not ensure its European orientation. On the other hand, Turkey has no European orientation with the Cyprus problem unsolved", Kyprianou pointed out.

Kouchner agreed with the remarks made by his counterpart and reiterated the French position that, there is no question for Turkey to join the EU if it fails to recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

Furthermore Kouchner expressed hope the new initiative for a Cyprus solution to be successful. He also said that his country, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, supports the new initiative and is ready to contribute, during the EU French Presidency, for its success.

The two ministers, according to the announcement, also discussed the issue of the Union for the Mediterranean, the peacekeeping force in the Middle East, the situation in Lebanon and Syria's role in the area.

[45] United Cyprus demands termination of settling in occupied areas

Turkish Cypriot political party ''United Cyprus'' is demanding the termination of settling in the Turkish occupied areas, saying it is a war crime and alters the demographic character of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Party member Abdullah Korkmazhan says in a written statement that the demand of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for all the Turkish settlers to remain on the island after a Cyprus settlement is the worst action against the Turkish Cypriots.

He notes that the transfer of illegal population from Turkey to the occupied areas alters the demographic character of the Turkish Cypriot community and renders the Turkish Cypriots a minority.

Korkmazhan also points out the necessity for a solution that will safeguard the human rights and freedoms of all Cypriots and terminate rather than legitimise settling.

He furthermore notes that the presence of Turkish Cypriots violates international law and constitutes a war crime.

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

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