Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-07-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Socialist International congress comes to an end

[02] Press conference at end of SI Congress

[03] PM Karamanlis meets with Iraqi President Talabani

[04] FM Bakoyannis Norwegian counterpart

[05] Archbishop Demetrios meets Finmin

[06] Full investigation into Siemens case begins

[07] Gov't, PASOK trade accusations over Siemens case

[08] Sarkozy urges Skopje to redouble efforts for name solution

[09] French Ambassador Farnaud outlines EU Presidency priorities

[10] Greece makes contribution to strengthen CMP work

[11] KKE leader meets workers in mass media

[12] SYRIZA's Alavanos visits Chania, Crete

[13] Alavanos gives press conference

[14] City of Athens to sue Greek Railways for cutting trees

[15] Most Greeks believe life will be worse 20 years from now

[16] DM inaugurates International Crisis Management Conference

[17] President inspects Naval fleet

[18] President Papoulias arrives in Vienna

[19] Greece, Turkey sign electricity trading deal

[20] Hellenic Shipyards' operations mainly military activities, Greek govt says

[21] Conference highlights Greece's prospects as sea cruise hub

[22] Kammenos on island policy

[23] Minister and NGOs discuss greener transport

[24] Greek banks' fundamentals strong, Eurobank's CEO says

[25] Thrace Plastics buys US unit for 3.1 mln US dollars

[26] Intralot Italia buys Willian Hill Codere Italia for 5.5 mln euros

[27] Greek stocks suffer new heavy losses on Wednesday

[28] Greek bond market closing report

[29] Foreign Exchange rates: Thursday

[30] Two men found shot dead on Thessaloniki waterfront

[31] Earthquake in Patra region

[32] Fire at Agios Petros, on Mount Penteli easing off

[33] Curfew imposed in Messinia forests

[34] Philip Glass speaks to the press ahead of Athens concert

[35] Greek Cinema Festival in Los Angeles

[36] Drugs found in prison cell and drug arrests in central Greece

[37] Truck collides with tram in Kalamaki

[38] Hot on Thursday

[39] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[40] National Council informed by President Christofias on latest Cyprus developments

[41] Chinese FM reiterates long-standing positions on Cyprus

[01] Socialist International congress comes to an end

Papandreou told delegates that socialists would lead the campaign for tackling the negative repercussions of climate change, noting that "we have agreed on common positions on complicated problems, such as the world economy, equality, the food crisis, migration and world peace."

"We are indispensable, we have the solutions and ways to change the world," the SI president underlined, adding "we will make the difference and we have the courage to make the difference."

Wednesday's session ended with the adoption of motions on climate change, the world economy, migration, the food crisis and the peaceful resolution of differences.

Close to 700 participants from 150 parties and organisations from 120 countries, including party leaders, among them some heads of government and Presidents of Republics, ministers, parliamentarians and party representatives attended the congress which was held under the overarching theme "Global Solidarity: The courage to make a difference".

The congress was held at a resort hotel in Lagonissi, southeast of Athens from Monday to Wednesday.

[02] Press conference at end of SI Congress

Papandreou considered as being the greatest moments during the Congress the meeting between the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas with Israel's defence minister Ehud Barak, the presence of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the presence of Boris Tadic, the Serb president, and of Ivica Dacic, the president of the Serb Socialist Party, placing emphasis on the announcement made by Tadic on the formation of a government in Serbia.

Replying to a question on the "slipping of the Centre Left in Europe," Papandreou said that the Socialist movement is on an upward course worldwide and stressed that "the Right and conservatism are investing in the threat felt by Europe due to globalisation and are leading it to a deadlock," adding that the Right, "using fear and insecurity, is creating the feeling of the need for some populist leaders who, for a moment, can convince that they are great protectors."

Asked about the meeting between Abbas and Barak, Papandreou said that these meetings, "even if they are symbolic, have their significance". He assessed that the outcome of the elections in the United States, as well as Europe's stance, will play a role in solving the Middle East problem, while expressing support for the assumption of an international initiative, saying at the same time that the Socialist International has submitted an explicit solution framework that its party-members have agreed to.

Papandreou expressed the hope that Barak Obama, if elected president of the United States, will be able to bring a new spirit to international relations, adding that he will be attending the Democrats' Congress.

Replying to a question on developments in Turkey, the Organisation's Secretary General Luis Ayala said that due to the situation there it was very difficult for Deniz Baykal to attend the Congress.

[03] PM Karamanlis meets with Iraqi President Talabani

No statements were made afterwards.

Earlier, the prime minister had received Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Archbishop Demetrios of America.

[04] FM Bakoyannis Norwegian counterpart

Bakoyannis also received Israeli deputy Dr. Yossi Beilin.

[05] Archbishop Demetrios meets Finmin

[06] Full investigation into Siemens case begins

Later in the day, Zagorianos will receive an evidence file containing more than 30 dossiers, put together by First-instance court public prosecutor Panagiotis Athanassiou concerning OTE and the C4I system.

Athanassiou ended a preliminary inquiry on Tuesday and confirmed that offences had been committed, pressing charges against "all parties responsible" for repeated counts of passive and active bribery, both individually and in collaboration with others, at the expense of the public sector (for the C4I system) and OTE.

He said the gain for the perpetrators and, conversely, the damage caused or threatened to the injured parties, was in excess of 150,000 euros. He also pressed charges for the legalising of income from illegal activities, or money-laundering, and for moral instigation and direct collusion in money-laundering.

During his investigation, the prosecutor questioned approxima-tely 40 people as potential suspects for offences committed in connection with the case. It is now up to the magistrate heading the full investigation to press charges against the specific individuals charged with specific offences.

Further allegations of suspect dealings by Siemens in Greece, concerning its contracts with Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), the sale of Patriot missiles and a defence system called Hermes, will form part of a separate case that is to be investiga-ted further.

Athanassiou first received orders to conduct a probe into the case in 2006. A few months ago, he had headed a team of Greek public prosecutors to Germany and Switzerland in order to share evidence uncovered by local judicial investigations into the case.

[07] Gov't, PASOK trade accusations over Siemens case

With respect to Liapis, the spokesman stressed that the government was "fully satisfied" by the minister's statement, in which he threatened to sue any publication that tried to implicate him in the Siemens scandal.

"His statement is so clear that I do not need to add anything further," the spokesman told reporters and declined to comment on the 'Eleftherotypia' article.

Asked why the minister had changed his mind about issuing a denial - given that on Tuesday the spokesman had dismissed calls for such a statement as being 'medieval' in their logic and had pointed out that the burden of proof lay on those making the accusations - Roussopoulos said that the 'Eleftherotypia' article was the first time that Liapis had been actually named as the government minister that allegedly had his travelling expenses picked up by Siemens, whereas in the previous days there had been attempts to create impressions about Liapis through the use of vague rumours.

The spokesman repeated, meanwhile, that the allegations had been investigated and that there was no proof that the minister had travelled in the way indicated.

In comments about the judicial investigation into the Siemens affair, and in response to criticism from PASOK, Roussopoulos underlined that the decisions on how to proceed were being made by judicial officials and not by the government.

"In spite of the desperate efforts of some parties to let it be understood that there is behind-the-scenes activity and that the case will be covered up, you see constantly that Justice is doing its work and uncovering interesting issues in its investigation or in the news. I have to wonder - because I heard this from PASOK's spokesman - at all this stuff about a cover-up. What exactly are they accusing us of covering up? It has been clearly shown that a high-ranking member of PASOK took one million marks. Is this what they are accusing us of covering up?" Roussopoulos asked.

He accused the main opposition party of falling into contradictions in its complaints about the way the investigation was being conducted, swinging between claims that it was being deliberately drawn out to saying that it was being rushed to a premature conclusion.

"We see, therefore, that in this party there is a confusion of words and deeds and the view that Greeks have the memory of goldfish. In the last five days we have a party that is accusing the government and Justice - and I answer as government spokesman - of delaying and hiding something and talking of a cover-up. We have the spokesman of the main opposition party coming out in the morning and talking of delays and in the afternoon of the same day talking about a rushed closure of the case," Roussopoulos said.

He also stressed that the investigation was far from over, since the full investigation was usually more detailed and sweeping in its scope than a preliminary inquiry.

Regarding repeated calls by PASOK for a Parliamentary probe by an investigating committee and when this would be set up, Roussopoulos said he had nothing more to add to the statements that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis had already made about this issue.

PASOK spokesman George Papaconstantinou, on his part, challenged the government to "meaningfully state its position on the closure of the Siemens case".

He accused Roussopoulos of "replying with sophistries to the public outcry over the cover-up of the case and the manipulation of justice" and repeated his party's call for an immediate Parliamentary inquiry to shed light on the affair.

PASOK's political spokesman for justice issues George Papadimitriou, meanwhile, launched a violent attack on Supreme Court Public Prosecutor George Sanidas and the public prosecutor that took charge of the Siemens case, Panagiotis Athanassiou, accusing Sanidas of essentially ordering the case to be closed prematurely and Athanassiou of acting as the agent of Sanidas, who was in turn taking orders from the government.

Papandreou attacks government over Siemens affair

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, speaking from the coastal resort of Lagonissi where a Socialist International Congress had just wound up, on Wednesday launched a virulent attack on the government over the latest developments concerning Siemens slush funds investigation, targeting both Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis but also Greece's top judges.

According to Papandreou, "there had been a perversion of the course of justice and political life for which Mr. Karamanlis, the government and the leadership of Justice were exclusively responsible."

He also accused the government of abusing its position of power and of blatantly trampling on institutions in order to avoid the emergence of damning evidence against it.

"Rarely, in the 44 years since the restoration of democracy, have we had similar abuse of power, which also constitutes an undermining of democracy," he stressed.

Papandreou also addressed an appeal to the majority of the judicial body to "not succumb to pressures, because they have the people behind them.

Closing, PASOK's leader pledged to continue struggling incessantly so that justice would be served and for the country to be rid of the "forces of retrogression".

Gov't responds to PASOK leader

The government on Wednesday reacted strongly to statements made earlier in the day by PASOK leader George Papandreou regarding the Siemens affair.

"Everybody realises already the reason why Mr. Papandreou loses, all the more, his coolheadedness. After succeeding in covering up the scandal - everybody remembers that he had sent aides of his to negotiate with Mr. (former PASOK member Theodporos) Tsoukatos before the latter starts to speak out in public - he opts now for abuse," Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said in a stetement.

"What is he (Papandreou) afraid of by reacting so spasmodically? Why has he launched an attack against the judiaciary today (Wednesday), the day when a judge has undertaken the main investigation?" the spokesman questioned, before concluding: "For the umpteenth time the leader of the main opposition speaks of trampling on institutions (November 2005, December 2006, June 2007, July 2008). The repeated, and, henceforth, conscious policy of national division he follows is harmful to the country."

Justice minister

Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis, in an announcement regarding the Siemens issue on Wednesday, said that there was "no hasty closure of the Siemens case, nor the intention of covering up responsibilities and evidence," adding that the regular enquiry on the issue will continue in the summer.

The minister said that there was no "hasty closure" of the case, nor a "sudden decision by the enquiry, nor, of course, any intention of covering up responsibilities and evidence, since the judicial enquiry will be continued by a regular investigator, who has already been appointed and will be asssuming his duties."

As regards the latest announcements made by the main opposition PASOK party, "they are also characterised by the feeling of a lack of elementary political seriousness, with the main characteristics being resorting to inaccuracy and bad faith," he said.

"Specific evidence and facts certify that the Siemens case is an extremely difficult and complicated judicial case, in which Justice should have moved and must move in a Meander of contacts and corridors, accounts and banks, offshore companies and mediators in order to collect evidence and proof, to specify offences and to interrogate many persons with specific processes, etc." the minister added.

[08] Sarkozy urges Skopje to redouble efforts for name solution

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has sent a letter to his counterpart in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Branko Crvenkovski, which was released to the press by Crvenkovski's office on Wednesday, in which he urges the country to redouble its efforts to find a solution to the dispute with Greece over the name issue.

"It seems to be vital that this issue be closed, so that it will not serve as an obstacle to the legitimate ambitions of your citizens to join the European Union and NATO. I fully support the efforts of United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz to find a mutually acceptable solution. I call on you, as I called on the Greek leadership during my visit to Athens in June, to redouble your efforts in order to complete the negotiations," the French president said.

Sarkozy also underlined France's readiness to upgrade bilateral ties with Skopje and expresses his support for the country's prospects of joining NATO, noting that all the required criteria have been met and the only thing that remained to be resolved was the outstanding dispute with Greece over the name issue.

[09] French Ambassador Farnaud outlines EU Presidency priorities

In a press conference in the European Parliament Office in Athens, the French ambassador stated that the French EU Presidency's message is to move toward a protective Europe in the service of the people.

He stated that France takes over the EU Presidency for a 12th time, stressing that the programme to be followed over the next 18 months was drawn up in cooperation with the Czech Republic and Sweden.

The first priority is a firm and viable energy and environmental policy, Ambassador Farnaud stated, based on the European Commission proposals covering the period until 2020.

The collective settlement of the immigration issue is the second priority, the French ambassador said, stressing that France had presented a European Treaty on Immigration and Asylum in 2008, which became the focal point of negotiations during the recent visit to Athens by President Nicolas Sarkozy.

He also referred to the renewal of the European defence as the third priority, taking under consideration the sensitivities expressed by certain partners such as Ireland and the likely postponement of the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon.

The renewal of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the fourth priority of the French EU Presidency, Farnaud said, pointing out that it will help deal with current challenges that are directly linked with the high cost of living without sacrificing the farmers in the process.

Referring to Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, the French ambassador stated that a plan drawn up by President Sarkozy will be discussed in the summit meeting on the Mediterranean to be held in Paris on July 13.

[10] Greece makes contribution to strengthen CMP work

Greek Ambassador in Nicosia Demetrios Rallis on Wednesday presented the third member of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) Christophe Girod with a cheque for 100,000 euros, in the presence of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun, to further strengthen the work of the CMP.

According to an Embassy press release, the contribution is to fund the Exhumation, Identification and Return of Remains Programme of the CMP.

''This additional contribution of Greece, which has also streng-thened the CMP Programme two years ago, indicates the importance the Greek government attributes to the immediate, effective and comprehensive solution of the humanitarian problem of the missing persons and the need to fully investigate their fate,'' the Embassy concludes.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the island's northern third.

[11] KKE leader meets workers in mass media

Papariga also claimed that the social security reform "was targetting not only pensions but social allowances as well."

[12] SYRIZA's Alavanos visits Chania, Crete

The services provided by the two major airports on the island are not sufficient, Alavanos stated, addressing a meeting he chaired held with the participation of Civil Aviation Authority and Olympic Airlines (OA) union leaders.

Alavanos pledged that he will bring the issue of the airport's upgrading and inadequate infrastructure to parliament after being briefed on the problems faced by the Chania Airport due to personnel shortage and improper management behavior.

Alavanos also visited the Chania commercial district and the local hospital where he was briefed on the shortages in medical and hospital staff, the problems in the operation of the neonatal intensive care unit and the psychiatric clinic.

[13] Alavanos gives press conference

"Our country is experiencing soap opera moments. We are seeing, in other words, shipowners, political figures, officials of multinational companies, private jets and aristocratic resorts. We believe that this is also a picture and an element of the crisis of a system which provokes a society that lives in privation to a considerable degree," he said.

Alavanos further stressed that the country's political system is going through a serious crisis and pointed to the need for a political change with the radical Left as the nucleus.

"Unfortunately, Greece is close to becoming a colony of major West European powers. It is not merely that the Germans are purchasing OTE (the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisa-tion) at a bargain price, it is that the justice application system in our country itself depends on what will happen in Germany," he added.

[14] City of Athens to sue Greek Railways for cutting trees

"Their action was unacceptable and this was why I gave orders to sue OSE and any other party responsible. Even though I believe that the political leadership was unaware of the issue, I demand the immediate intervention of Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis so that the same unacceptable event is not repeated again," the mayor said, adding that the municipality's gardening service had been ordered to replant in the area as quickly as possible.

[15] Most Greeks believe life will be worse 20 years from now

About seven out of 10 Greeks, responding to a survey carried out by the Eurobarometer service and publicised on Wednesday on how European citizens immagine their lives in 20 years from now, said that "the lives of people 20 years later will be worse."

More specifically, 67 percent of Greeks replied that the lives of people will be worse in 20 years' time, ranking them the most pessimistic Europeans behind the Germans, whose negative response was 68 percent.

In addition, the Greeks and the French are the most pessimistic with regard to future employment conditions, with 91 percent of Greeks believing that in 20 years from now people will be working at a greater age than today, with the French having a 94 percent rate in this respect.

On the question of the gap between the rich and the poor, 87 percent of Greeks think that it will be wider 20 years later, with the overwhelming majority of Germans, Austrians, French and Portuguese having the same view.

On the question of "do you agree or disagree that thanks to technological progress people will have a better quality of life and more free time 20 years later," the Greeks are again pessimistic with 63 percent of respondents disagreeing.

Moreover, 73 percent of Greeks (the third highest rate behind Spain and Bulgaria) believe that decisions concerning asylum and immigration issues must be taken at European Union level.

Lastly, as regards the classification of EU priorities, Greek respondents consider the issue of tackling drug addiction as being the most important one (68 percent), followed by the combatting of organised crime (55 pc) and the protection of fundamental rights and of the rights of children (43 pc).

[16] DM inaugurates International Crisis Management Conference

"The new trends and challenges in the international environment necessitate an increasingly complex and interdependent crisis management system and the complexity of crises dictates the involvement of a large spectrum of services, both political and military, on an international as well as a national level and requires coordination, synchronisation and cooperation at a very high level of understanding by the agencies involved to enable it to function as effectively as possible," the minister said.

Meimarakis pointed out that the Greek government and the defence ministry in particular are responding to the new challenges at geopolitical and geostrategic level (terrorism, asymmetrical threats) that place in jeopardy the international community's efforts for peace with continuous efforts to prevent conflicts, decrease tensions and for mutual understanding and trust.

The Conference, organised for the 12th consecutive year by the National Defence General Staff, was placed under the auspices of the defence ministry for the first time this year. It is being attended by 48 delegations from foreign countries, international organisations and agencies, while the number of delegates exceeds 240.

[17] President inspects Naval fleet

"Today is a great day for the Navy, which played an important role in all of the nation's struggles and produced exceptional fighters such as Lambros Katsonis, Kanaris, Miaoulis, Kountouriotis, etc. All the struggles were for Greece's liberation or to avert any claims by those forces that thought of separting Greece's seas in half," Papoulias said aboard the frigate Themistocles, following his inspection.

He said that the officers and seamen were those who toild and defended the land, the territorial integrity and seas of Greece.

"I pay great honor to all those people, and wish them that they will carry out their national duty just as in our history, the example of which they are carrying on," the President said.

Papoulias inspected 34 vessels of the Greek Navy fleet that were docked in Faliron, near Piraeus, for the Naval Week celebrations.

He was welcomed aboard the Themistocles by Navy General Staff chief Vice-Admiral George Karamalikis, and fleet commander Y. Karaiskos.

[18] President Papoulias arrives in Vienna

Greek President Karolos Papoulias arrived here late Wednesday afternoon on an official four-day visit, at the invitation of Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer, during which he will be having a series of talks with the Austrian state and political leadership.

President Papoulias, who is accompanied on his visit by his wife May, Culture Minister Mihalis Liapis, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valynakis, government officials and Greek businessmen, is reciprocating the official visit that President Fischer made to Greece in May last year.

Immediately after his arrival in the Austrian capital, President Papoulias visited the Austrian Metropolis that houses the historic Greek National School of Vienna, the oldest Greek school abroad.

On Thursday morning, President Papoulias will be meeting Austrian Federal Chancellor Alfred Kusenbauer, he will then meet President Fischer with whom he will be holding talks and afterwards they will be making statements to the mass media.

In the evening, President Papoulias and the Greek delegation will be attending the official dinner hosted in his honour by President Fischer and his wife.

Financial News

[19] Greece, Turkey sign electricity trading deal

A bilateral agreement that will allow Greece and Turkey to trade in electricity was signed in Istanbul on Wednesday by Greek Development Minister Christos Folias and Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Mehmet Hilmi Guler. Folias also had a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who attended the signature of the agreement.

"This is the second agreement between us since the pipeline went into operation and this is proof that there is a very great potential for cooperation," the minister noted in his statements.

Folias underlined that Greece occupies a key position for energy security and expressed his pleasure at being able to discuss important energy plans linking Greece and Turkey with the Turkish premier and Guler.

The Greek minister is visiting Istanbul in order to attend the 5th International Energy Forum on "Energy Innovations for Sustainable Development".

"The Greek-Turkish pipeline is an act of cooperation and friendship between our two countries that serves as a single conduit for transferring natural gas from the countries of Asia and the Middle East via Turkey and Greece to Italy and the rest of Europe," Folias said during the forum, noting that the pipeline's inauguration last year had "sealed a new era of cooperation between Greece and Turkey".

While in Istanbul, Folias was also received by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who outlined the results of his successful visit to the Vatican over the weekend.

[20] Hellenic Shipyards' operations mainly military activities, Greek govt says

In a statement to the press, the ministry said that the European Commission's examination of alleged state subsidies offered to Hellenic Shipyards in the period 1996-2002 surpassed 1.0 billion euros. "The Greek government managed, after long and hard negotiations with the European Commission, to clarify that 75 pct of total activities by Hellenic Shipyards covered military activities and therefore were excluded from community legislation on state subsidies to industry.

[21] Conference highlights Greece's prospects as sea cruise hub

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference, Yiannis Evaggelou, president of HATTA, said the aim of CruiseinGreece was the examine the country's prospects in the sea cruise industry and acquiring a better view of how to make a more efficient use of the country's wealth as a preferential destination. All 12 speakers in the conference said Greece has all the necessary charisma that make it a popular destination but not profitable enough for large cruise companies.

Evaggelou stressed that almost all speakers criticized the problem with cabotaze. Tourism Development Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos said the government was in favour of promoting the necessary institutional changes towards lifting the cabotaze regime, a position that was most welcome by representatives of large cruise enterprises, such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean/Celebrity and Princess, along with small luxury cruise ship owners, who expressed their wish to establish Greece as a hub for cruise programs in Eastern Mediterranean.

[22] Kammenos on island policy

Kammenos said that the ministry places emphasis on education with teaching through the Internet (foreign languages and supplementary teaching for elementary school children).

The deputy minister further said that social policy sectors include communication and digital convergence with the implementation of the European "Egeas" programme, the environment with the implementation of a relevant European programme and civil protection with the signing of cooperation memorandums with non-governmental organisations.

[23] Minister and NGOs discuss greener transport

The minister outlined the government's strategy in this area, namely a drive to link transport with protection of the environment, and the two sides agreed to a series of regular meetings on specific topics, starting with one on the use of bicycles.

Other issues discussed were the use of taxis, with the minister inviting environmental organisations to submit their own specific proposals, and ways of improving Greece's fleet of private cars, where rates of withdrawing vehicles from circulation are still the lowest in Europe.

During the course of the meeting, Hatzidakis also announced that the Audit Council had approved the purchase of 320 new buses for the Athens public bus company that used new technology and were very environment-friendly.

The groups represented at the meeting included Greenpeace, Mediterranean Network SOS, the Hellenic Society for the Environment, Ecocity, Friends of the Bicycle, Cyclists, Passenger Network and WWF Hellas.

[24] Greek banks' fundamentals strong, Eurobank's CEO says

Commenting on Eurobank's prospects, Nanopoulos said operations' growth rate was very satisfactory and predicted that second quarter results will be much higher from the first quarter. The bank's capital adequacy remains very strong, while its net position does not present any substantial change despite dividend payment, the Greek banker said.

Nanopoulos noted that Eurobank was enjoying strong liquidity and stressed that long-term institutional investors did not make any significant liquidations. "We presume that recent moves were mainly open short selling," Nanopoulos said.

[25] Thrace Plastics buys US unit for 3.1 mln US dollars

[26] Intralot Italia buys Willian Hill Codere Italia for 5.5 mln euros

Intralot, in a statement, said the acquisition strengthened the company's portfolio in Italy, by adding 55 more licenses to offer lottery and betting services in the country.

Intralot Italia is one of the three largest companies in Italy, with a rapidly growing market share.

[27] Greek stocks suffer new heavy losses on Wednesday

All sectors moved lower with the Food/Beverage (4.26 pct), Technology (3.69 pct), Banks (3.16 pct) and Personal/Home products (2.77 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

The FTSE 20 index fell 2.86 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 1.53 pct lower and the FTSE 80 index dropped 1.22 pct. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 209 to 40 with another 43 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -2.76%

Industrials: -2.05%

Commercial: -1.51%

Construction: -2.59%

Media: -0.97%

Oil & Gas: -2.49%

Personal & Household: -2.77%

Raw Materials: -1.85%

Travel & Leisure: -1.95%

Technology: -3.69%

Telecoms: -1.33%

Banks: -3.16%

Food & Beverages: -4.26%

Health: -2.41%

Utilities: -1.18%

Chemicals: -1.26%

Financial Services: -1.22%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Rokas, OTE and EFG Eurobank Ergasias.

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

Alpha Bank: 17.20

ATEbank: 2.10

Public Power Corp (PPC): 19.38

HBC Coca Cola: 16.22

Hellenic Petroleum: 8.08

National Bank of Greece: 26.04

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 13.58

Intralot: 9.90

OPAP: 21.70

OTE: 14.80

Piraeus Bank: 15.68

Titan Cement Company: 23.60

[28] Greek bond market closing report

[29] Foreign Exchange rates: Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.593

Pound sterling 0.801

Danish kroner 7.517

Swedish kroner 9.529

Japanese yen 169.76

Swiss franc 1.626

Norwegian kroner 8.104

Canadian dollar 1.627

Australian dollar 1.657

[30] Two men found shot dead on Thessaloniki waterfront

According to police, the two exchanged shots in the process of settling personal differences.

The victims had no police record and the shots fired were not heard by local residents because of a lightning storm recorded in the region at the time of the shootout.

[31] Earthquake in Patra region

Seismologists established no link between Wednesday's quake and the one that rocked Ilia, western Peloponnese, last June measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale.

[32] Fire at Agios Petros, on Mount Penteli easing off

The fire also endangered 48 children going through the area in a bus. The children were evacuated to safety without injuries but the vehicle itself was utterly incinerated.

The fire brigade battled to put out the flames that were heading toward Nea Makri, using 10 fire engines and 30 fire fighters on foot, four airplanes and three helicopters.

[33] Curfew imposed in Messinia forests

Also, a 24-hour traffic ban is in effect from the Kalamata-Sparta national highway to the region of Maratholakas in the municipality of Kalamata, with the exception of local workers or farmers.

[34] Philip Glass speaks to the press ahead of Athens concert

The work will be presented at the Athens Badminton theatre on July 8-12. Cohen will not accompany Glass as he is on tour.

Glass said that he was in love with Cohen's poetry, beyond their close friendship. "The theme of Cohen's poetry is humane and universal. The Book of Longing is very consistent, that is why I divided the concert into chapters: love, death. life, war etc." he said.

[35] Greek Cinema Festival in Los Angeles

The Greek Cinema Festival was held here for the second consecutive year, between June 25-29, under the auspices of the General Information Secretariat.

The Festival provides the Greek cinema with the opportunity of presenting the developments and work of the past year. It is also an opportunity for Greek cinema officials (producers, film directors and actors) to meet their colleagues of Greek origin from the Hollywood industry.

Information Secretary General Panos Livadas addressed the festival noting the Greek cinema's "great progress" in recent years.

[36] Drugs found in prison cell and drug arrests in central Greece

A search conducted by Trikala Prison guards in the cell of a 30-year-old inmate revealed 45 grams of heroin and 15 grams of cocaine.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, police arrested three men aged 43, 57 and 49 after a search in their car revealed that they had in their possession 1.4 grams of heroin and 30 narcotic pills.

[37] Truck collides with tram in Kalamaki

The truck crashed into the tram vehicle, which was en route to Syntagma Square, when its driver put it into reverse and rolled back without checking for incoming traffic.

Weather Forecast

[38] Hot on Thursday

[39] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Indictments filed against all responsible - Four counts of felony charges filed in Siemens scandal".

APOGEVMATINI: "PM Karamanlis' rendezvous with history - Enough is enough; people want the guilty to be punished".

AVGHI: "Indictments without names - Concern over the new delay in the Siemens investigation".

AVRIANI: "Detailed inspection on (Hellenic Telecommunications Organization) OTE prepared by the Americans after the huge Siemens scandal".

CHORA: "Forty witnesses are left hanging - In search of the guilty individuals for four felonies in the Siemens case".

ELEFTHEROS: "(Papandreou) George is president (of SI) with the taxpayers' money - Greek parliament funds the Socialist International Congress in Lagonisi".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Siemens case turns into cluster bomb - Indictments filed".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Siemens calls 'minister' - The rumours on the government minister".

ESTIA: "Political party refoundation - Precedes the state refoundation".

ETHNOS: "Minister rescued - Siemens case investigation is hastily closed".

KATHIMERINI: "Siemens investigation to be completed in 2009 - Examining magistrate files charges against all responsible, no political black money discovered".

LOGOS: "Transparency in spending - Inner Cabinet decides on inter-ministerial committee - Ministries' special accounts to be incorporated in the state budget".

NIKI: "Uncontrolled profiteering - Who made prices skyrocket in Greece".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Health sector targeted by new reactionist reforms".

TA NEA: "Siemens case covered up for fear of new revelations".

TO VIMA: "Greek economy in 18-month crisis - (Economy and Finance Minister George) Alogoskoufis warns of worse days to come".

VRADYNI: "(Public Power Corp.) DEH fuels high cost of living - Hot summer for our wallets".

Cyprus Affairs

[40] National Council informed by President Christofias on latest Cyprus developments

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, informed Wednesday the members of the National Council, top advisory body to the president on the Cyprus issue, about the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem.

The National Council, comprising leaders or representatives of parliamentary parties, convened one day after the third meeting between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, since the Cypriot President was elected to the presidency early this year.

The National Council, which convened for two hours, will continue its meeting on Friday afternoon, during which the leaders of the political parties will express their views.

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou read out a short statement after the meeting, which states that ''the meeting of the National Council will continue on Friday at 16.30. The members of the National Council will then express their views on the developments".

Asked whether the government believes it should explain to the people the content of Tuesday's joint statement between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Stephanou said that "since the meeting of the National Council has not been concluded yet, we should all be patient".

The political leaders refrained from making any statements, saying they would first express their views during Friday's meeting and then talk to the press.

According to the joint statement issued after Tuesday's meeting, the two leaders discussed the issues of single sovereignty and citizenship which they agreed in principle.

They agreed to discuss the details of their implementation during the full-fledged negotiations, it added.

Furthermore, they agreed to meet on 25 July when they will undertake the final review of the Working Groups and Technical Committees.

Six working groups and seven technical committees, set up in the context of the March 21 agreement between Christofias and Talat, are meeting to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the two leaders, with a view to find a political settlement that will reunite Cyprus, which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

[41] Chinese FM reiterates long-standing positions on Cyprus

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has reiterated his country's long-standing positions of principles on the Cyprus question, during a meeting he had in Beijing with Cyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou, who paid an official visit to China.

Yang said that China supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Cyprus, that the settlement of the Cyprus problem must be the product of negotiations between the two communities and that the settlement must be just and viable and must be based on UN Security Council resolutions.

He also underlined that China supports the new effort for a Cyprus settlement, appreciates the efforts of the Cyprus government and will continue as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to play a positive role towards the final settlement of the problem.

Kyprianou expressed the solidarity of the Cyprus people with the people of China with regard to the destructive earthquakes of 12 May 2008 and said Nicosia is very pleased that preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games have been completed, despite the calamities caused by the disasters and expressed certainty that the Games and the EU-Asia Summit to take place in Beijing in October will be both successful.

He expressed Cyprus opposition to efforts to politicize the Olympic Game, noting that Cyprus will be presented at both events by its President Demetris Christofias.

In statements after the meeting the two officials expressed satisfaction with the dynamic course of bilateral relations in the past years, with more exchange visits and increased cooperation.

They also agreed to work in common to further develop bilateral ties, especially in the commercial, financial and tourist sectors, through the full implementation of agreements, the increase of the Chinese tourists and investments in Cyprus, the enhancement of cooperation and new areas of financial cooperation.

The two ministers also ascertained the identical views of China and the EU on a series of issues, since the two sides support the peaceful settlement of disputes, the non use of violence and the multilateral diplomacy, and pursue the establishment of a multi-pole world. They decided, in this framework, to enhance efforts to further develop EU- China relation of partnership strategy that will be most beneficial for both sides.

During his visit to China, Kyprianou, who returned to Cyprus Wednesday, had also meetings with other Chinese officials.

Speaking at Larnaca Airport on his return from China, Kyprianou said the visit was held in ''a very friendly and warm climate, the climate of friendship and cooperation that always exists in the relations of China with Cyprus.''

He added that he had the opportunity ''to explain the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and our positions.''

''China is a steadfast supporter of Cyprus, especially at the Security Council, but this does not mean that we must not have frequent contact,'' he said.

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