Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-07-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis' letter of reply to FYROM counterpart released

[02] FM expected to brief EU, UN on latest FYROM diplomatic developments

[03] Envoy briefs US side on PM's letter

[04] Karamanlis speech at ONNED festival

[05] PM Karamanlis visits anti-flood protection works at Ancient Olympia

[06] PM briefed by Niarchos Foundation board on Faliron Delta project

[07] Greek parliamentary delegation in Cyprus

[08] Government denies attempting to sideline Zorbas

[09] PASOK leader address party's national council

[10] Papandreou, SI leaders visit Mount Athos

[11] Trade deficit drops slightly 11.9 billion euros in Jan-Apr

[12] Projects in wildfire-stricken prefectures underway

[13] PASOK on state budget

[14] ASE announces extended trading hours, changes in call auction

[15] Greek stocks end 2.24 pct higher

[16] ADEX closing report

[17] Greek bond market closing report

[18] Foreign Exchange rates: Saturday/Monday

[19] Two women arrested for role in women-trafficking ring

[20] Escaped psych ward patient returns with stolen service revolver

[21] Fire in Kaisariani partially under control

[22] Mostly fair on Saturday

[23] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[24] Christofias: Reunified federal Cyprus will be a common state for G/Cs and T/Cs

[25] Cyprus FM holds meetings in Lebanon

[01] PM Karamanlis' letter of reply to FYROM counterpart released

In the letter, Karamanlis notes that Greece and FYROM, in accordance with the relevant decisions of the UN Security Council, have for the past 15 years been committed to UN-brokered negotiations for resolution of the FYROM name issue, and that the UN special envoy Matthew Nimetz has in the past few weeks presented some ideas that could move the negotiations forward.

Karamanlis added his regret, however, that at precisely this critical moment in the negotiating effort, Gruevski had chosen to send the letter in question.

He warned, however, that Gruevski's letter, far from promoting the negotiations and the good neighbourly relations with Greece, raises a number of non-existent and unsubstantiated issues that militate against the strenuous efforts made by Greece, and also aims at interfering in the domestic affairs of a neighbouring state and deviates from the objectives of the ongoing negotiations.

"There is no 'Macedonian' minority in Greece. There never has been. In this respect, any allegations regarding the existence of such a minority are totally unfounded, politically motivated and disrespectful of the historic realities of the Region. As for any properties issue, any individual could make use of any legal recourse before the Courts, including the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg," Karamanlis firmly stressed.

Noting that "times have changed", Karamanlis expressed his conviction that the future of the Balkan countries lies within the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions "and not in nationalist formulas of a bygone era", which he stressed "must be left behind once and for all".

Greece, he continued, remained firmly committed to working towards that goal.

Noting that history judges leaders by how they rise to the challenge and assume their responsibilities, Karamanlis concluded that "much will depend on your positive attitude and constructive spirit».

[02] FM expected to brief EU, UN on latest FYROM diplomatic developments

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to his counterpart from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Karamanlis' response, publicised on Friday, comes in reply to a letter by FYROM Prime Minister-designate Nicola Gruevski, who, among others, demands that the EU member-state pay individual reparations -- ones linked to the Greek civil war (1946-49) -- to citizens of FYROM, and even recognise a "Macedonian minority" in the northern Greek province of Macedonia.

According to reports, Bakoyannis will address letters to her French counterpart, Bernard Kouchner, who currently chairs the EU Council, EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement Olli Rehn, as well as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The Greek foreign minister is expected to highlight to a series of recent developments emanating from the one-time Yugoslav republic on Greece's northern border that Athens considers as negative, foremost being the Gruevski letter to the Greek prime minister during a particularly sensitive juncture in ongoing UN-mediated negotiations on the "name issue".

The Bakoyannis letter will also reportedly cite the high-profile arrest in Skopje of opposition Social Democrats' vice president Zoran Zaev on Thursday, who is considered as a front-runner for the party's helm, as well as well-publicised irregularities in the general election in FYROM on June. 1.

Finally, the Greek FM is expected to reiterate, as Karamanlis did this week, that Greece is absolutely committed to the negotiations process, under the continuing UN auspices, that will lead to a mutually acceptable solution for the "name issue".

Meanwhile, in a related development, the foreign ministry underlined that Greece is not interested in "throwing up walls" on its borders, in response to various press articles referring to visitors from the neighbouring country arriving in Greece for a festival in the village of Meliti, in the border prefecture of Florina.

Ministry officials merely noted that whoever has valid Schengen Pact travel documents and respects Greek law is more than welcome to visit the east Mediterranean nation.

Gov't spokesman

Meanwhile, in a related development, a government spokesman on Friday reminded that Greece is an open and free society "where all citizens and visitors enjoy complete freedom, under the condition, of course, that they respects the laws of the country."

Spokesman Evangelos Antonaros made the statement during his regular press briefing when asked about the possibility of "tension" during a festival in the Florina village of Meliti.

"We will not allow, as is expected, for any actoin that will in any way harm the country's image," Antonaros said.

[03] Envoy briefs US side on PM's letter

Greek ambassador to the United States Alexandros Mallias briefed on Friday briefed the White House, State Department and the Senate's foreign relations committee on the contents of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' response to a letter by Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) premier.

The Greek envoy also briefed the campaigns of US presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.

At the same time, the embassy's press office also briefed US media, opinion-makers and think tanks that specialise in Balkan affairs.

[04] Karamanlis speech at ONNED festival

"The citizens are well aware of this. The most serious problems that we face today (debts, deficits, high prices, unemployment, and corruption) are 'achievements' of an establishment regime of the past. Unsolved cases that are now being uncovered or investigated and dealt with (corruption in justice, stock markets, DEKA, land register, arms procurements, TOR-M1, Siemens) were born and grew yesterday," Karamanlis stressed.

In his speech, the premier also acknowledged that mistakes had been made by his own party, noting that he had never denied this, nor that there had been delays in taking action or that behaviour counter to the party's principles had occurred. He stressed, however, that he was not going to give "discounts on matters of principle".

Karamanlis underlined that these problems were "born and raised within a system of power that did not see, did not hear and did not react. They were born and raised under the cover of a system that sneered, smeared and denigrated those who dared talk about them. They were born out of ways of thinking that made graft a regime, corruption a daily practice, illicit transactions socially acceptable".

He accused past PASOK governments of tolerating kickbacks and illegality while protecting those responsible, even to the extent of passing legislative measures.

Karamanlis stressed that this situation had now changed and would continue to change, while those responsible for corruption would not be protected but made to answer for their actions.

"We dare to clash. We dare to reveal. We dare to investigate. These are our advantages. This is the difference between us. The institutions are working efficiently and Justice, with absolute independence, today has the say it deserves," Karamanlis said, emphasising the government's confidence in justice.

He also pointed out that the government had already announced the taking of all necessary measures by Parliament, including an investigating committee for the Siemens case when the investigating by justice had finished.

The premier expressed the opinion that a fact-finding commission on the issue would simply make things harder for the judicial investigation at present, as had occurred in the past.

He was particularly scathing about PASOK's attack on the justice system, accusing the main opposition party of "impersonating a public prosecutor".

"It is a bit much that those who tolerated the judicial corruption networks to become standard bearers of unfathomable irresponsibility. It is their right if they want to compete with their opposition party rivals in populism. But it is not anyone's right to repeatedly question the institutions," the premier stressed.

Karamanlis said that PASOK was attempting to cover up its own political inadequacy with extreme actions that harmed Democracy itself and of attempting to equate behaviours and revive practices of political polarisation and fanaticism.

He stressed that the party would soon realise its mistake and find out that Greek society would not put up with performances of demagoguery that inflated problems without providing any solutions.

"The country now needs, more than ever, the active participation of citizens in public affairs. It needs responsibility, seriousness and effectiveness," he added.

Regarding reforms, he underlined would he neither tire nor hesitate nor give in to the resistance of privileged special-interest groups and the setbacks of the global environment, whatever they may be.

Karamanlis also stressed that he would not be lenient in dealing with the practices, viewpoints and mindsets that clashed with the principles and pledges of the government to society, or compromise with "pressures that run counter to the national, social and collective interest".

"This is a message in every direction. My strength is your faith in me. My strength is the faith of the citizens," he stressed.

Karamanlis on government's work

The prime minister referred at length to the government's work in all areas, as well as the government's policy toward the victims of fire and earthquake in the Peloponnese, with the prefecture of Ileia being among the hardest hit.

He pointed out that basic infrastructure had been repaired in these areas and dozens of improvement projects planned, while compensation to the region's farmers exceeded one billion euros and the debts of local businesses and professionals had been settled and grants given under developmental law increased by 60 percent.

Individual victims had also received the larger subsidies, which exceeded 250 million euros, and further assistance had been given to the unemployed, pensioners and students in fire-stricken regions.

The Greek premier ended his speech by encouraging young people to become involved in politics and advised them to "deny those that deny them, ignore those that ignore them and doubt those that doubt them".

"Resist those that try to convince you that nothing can change. Reply with optimism, vision and new ideas. Reply with proposals, actions and boldness," the premier concluded.

[05] PM Karamanlis visits anti-flood protection works at Ancient Olympia

The prime minister in a statement said "the reconstruction plan of Ilia, which we prepared after last year's catastrophic fires, is being fully implemented."

"Overcoming time consuming bureaucratic procedures, we supported our fellow-citizens who lost their own people, their home, their property. The immediate economic aid exceeded 250 million euros. The compensation to the farmers and the restoration of the infrastructures of the agricultural sector surpass one billion euros."

Concluding, Karamanlis said, "one year later, the basic infrastructures of the fire-stricken regions have been restored. The anti-flood protection work at the ancient site of Olympia has been completed."

Saying that the restoration works would be followed by "a renaissance effort of the regions", the premier also announced the preparing of a special programme of development for the Ilia and Achaia prefectures, in the western Peliponnes, which will be ready this autumn.

[06] PM briefed by Niarchos Foundation board on Faliron Delta project

In statements afterwards, Piano said that the Park will be one of the biggest and most important in Europe, approximately the size of the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, while the Opera House "will be a jewel". He added that solar energy would be used to operate the project, while it would also have a view to the sea.

Later, during a regular press briefing, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said that Piano had outlined to the prime minister his vision for the Niarchos Cultural Center containing the three state-of-the-art projects on Faliron Delta expanse, which will combine the sea, the sky and the unparelleled beauty of the Greek landscape.

Antonaros explained that the Cultural Center was being established through a donation by the Niarchos Foundation, which includes financing of the relevant studies, the construction of the three major state-of-the-art projects of national importance in the 200,000 square meter Faliron Delta expanse, which he added would be given to Greek society, while full access for people with disabilities was also planned.

The spokesman added that "this very important contribution by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation carries on the tradition of the major national benefactors who have contributed in many ways to the upgrading of our country".

[07] Greek parliamentary delegation in Cyprus

A Greek inter-parliamentary delegation arrived in Cyprus on Friday afternoon and was briefed by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, during a meeting later in the day, on recent developments in the Cyprus issue.

In statements to the press, the Greek MPs denounced the illegal visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Cyprus's occupied areas, to participate in the celebrations to be held there on the occasion of the anniversary of the Turkish invasion, and expressed hope that a new effort to reach a Cyprus settlement, on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation, will bear fruit.

The Greek delegation will represent Parliament at memorials and other events to be held during the weekend in the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus, to pay tribute to those killed during the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

The Greek government will be represented by National Education and Religious Affairs Minister Evripidis Stylianidis, who will arrive on the island early on Sunday.

During his visit, Stylianides will be received by Cyprus President Christofias.

Turkey, a country which aspires to become an EU member still occupies 37% of the territory of Cyprus, an EU member since May 2004.

[08] Government denies attempting to sideline Zorbas

Responding to reporters' questions, he stressed that the draft bill was intended to strengthen the powers and remit of the authority in order to make it more efficient and effective, thus upgrading mechanisms in Greece designed to prevent and prosecute illegal activities of this nature.

Antonaros pointed out that the officials of international organisations - such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body whose purpose is the development and promotion of national and international policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing - had pointed out problems in the functioning and efficiency of the Greek independent authority's previous form.

According to the spokesman, a number of their recommendations had been incorporated in the draft bill, as well as articles of the European Union's so-called 3rd directive.

"There is still a single goal, effective action, institutionally shielding the country against lawlessness," he reiterated.

Asked why Zorbas did not remain at the head of the authority, he said that the head of the authority would no longer be appointed by the government as previously but will be appointed by the Supreme Court Council among the Supreme Court justices still in active service, stressing his confidence that they would choose "the best".

Regarding the fate of Zorbas' report concerning the structured bonds scandal, which had been rejected by investigating judges on a technicality as invalid, Antonaros said that the affair was being investigating by justice, which was operated independently. He again underlined that the government did not concern itself with matters being handled by justice.

A draft bill altering the operation of the current authority against money-laundering and upgrading its role to also include the funding of terrorism was tabled in Parliament by the interior ministry on Thursday.

The draft bill abolishes the current National Authority for Combatting the Legalisation of Income from Criminal Activity that is led by public prosecutor George Zorbas and converts this to a permanent collective body called the "Committee for Combatting the Legalisation of Income from Criminal Activity and Funding of Terrorism".

This new committee will be considered to be quorate when the president or his deputy and at least five of its eight members are present.

The bill additionally creates a series of committees and special units that will be responsible for processing strategies and policy for combatting and stamping out money laundering.

[09] PASOK leader address party's national council

Opening the sessions of a national council meeting of his party in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, he said there was "only one issue" separating Greece and FYROM, that of the "name issue" of the landlocked republic, "whose resolution will be to the benefit of all, especially of our northern neighbours."

"Only through a resolution can the doors of NATO and the European Union can open for the neighbouring country," Papandreou underlined.

Regarding the Greek stance on the issue, the main opposition leader reiterated that "the red line proposed by PASOK should be maintained, that is one name for all uses and rejection of every idea for a double name" for FYROM.

Papandreou also charged the government was "responsible for Greece's absence from the international scene," adding that it did not eleborate a strategy "after a painless veto" regarding FYROM's NATO entry, which Athens tabled during the Alliance's Bucharest summit last April.

Turning to internal policy affairs, the PASOK leader said that "at present a responsible and courageous government is needed, which will unite Greeks, as the country is experiencing a great economic, political and moral crisis."

Papandreou criticised at length the government on the entire spectrum of its policies, while referring also to internal PASOK issues such as transparency in its finances.

Reiterating his party's proposals on the economy and proposing a development plan for norhtern Greece, Papandreou said that socialists should send "a message that we can all, together with the citizens, take Greece out of mud and crisis, leading it to a road where the black money will not guide politics and where financial agents will not rule."

[10] Papandreou, SI leaders visit Mount Athos

Papandreou was received by the Mount Athos governor George Dalakouras at the Dafni harbour and then paid a visit to the Mount Athos capital Karyes and the Xenophon Monastery, where he was warmly welcomed by the monks and thanked for his help in arranging for the reconstruction and restoration of the buildings when he was foreign minister in charge of the Mount Athos affairs.

Thanks were also given to past PASOK governments for their assistance to the community, with a special reference to former environment minister Costas Laliotis, who had released 300 million drachmas in funding for various studies.

At Karyes, Papandreou and his entourage were received by the current clerical administrator of the community, the abbot of the Serb Monastery of Hilandari Stephanos.

Replying to the abbot's address, PASOK's leader expressed his own personal interest and respect for the Athos community and highlighted the interest shown by PASOK governments in works to maintain and preserve this through generous funding.

He also pledged to fight alongside them in order to protect Mount Athos from fires, stressing that the zeal shown by the monks had to be supported by the State as well.

Financial News

[11] Trade deficit drops slightly 11.9 billion euros in Jan-Apr

Greece's trade deficit totaled 11.9 billion euros in the first four months of 2008, down 500 million euros from the corresponding period in 2007, Eurostat said on Friday.

The EU executive's statistics agency, in a report, said Greek exports totaled 5.4 billion euros and imports totaled 17.3 billion euros. Greek exports fell by 7.0 percent (from 5.8 billion to 5.4 billion euros), while imports fell by 5.0 pct (from 18.1 billion euros to 17.3 billion euros).

Germany recorded the biggest trade surplus (69.1 billion euros), followed by Holland (15.2 billion), while Great Britain (44.6 billion euros), Spain (34.3 bln), France (19.5 bln) and Greece (11.9 bln) recorded the biggest trade deficits.

Eurozone recorded a trade surplus of 4.6 billion euros in the first four months of the year, while the EU-27 recorded a trade deficit of 21.5 billion euros.

[12] Projects in wildfire-stricken prefectures underway

The cost of public works in the prefectures will total one billion euros.

Financing of another 307 works, budgeted at 307 million euros, is expected to be announced soon, the minister said.

[13] PASOK on state budget

The announcement added that "the budget has derailed and the country's economy is dangerously worsening."

"The shortage in clear revenue is dramatic, as in the first five months of 2008 it is increasing only at a rate of 3.5% against an annual forecast of a 13% increase," the announcement said.

[14] ASE announces extended trading hours, changes in call auction

The decisions were taken in cooperation with the Greek Market Commission, the market watchdog, in an effort to improve the determination of the stock closing prices.

Specifically, for the large capitalization market and for ETFs, the board decided that:

-The modification of the parameters of the algorithm used to activate the price volatility interrupter

-The reduction of the random time price determination period from 6 minutes in effect today, to 2 minutes.

-The increase to the weighted average of the last 30% of the daily transactions that are used to calculate the closing price in case the criteria for using the auction price are not fulfilled, from 10 percent in effect today.

For the Small & Mid Capitalization Market and the Alternative Market:

-The closing price will be determined by the weighted average of the last 30 percent of the daily transactions, from 10 percent in effect today.

The will be put into effect on Aug. 4, 2008. Correspondingly, in the derivatives market, the market trading hours are extended from 5 p.m., in effect on Friday, to 5:20 p.m. The changes, which are described in detail on the website of Athens Exchange, will be put into effect on Sept. 29, 2008.

[15] Greek stocks end 2.24 pct higher

3,400-level. The index rose 2.24 percent to end at 3,406.76 points with turnover a moderate 313.9 million euros, of which 11.2 million euros were block trades.

Most sectors moved higher, with the Banks (4.68 pct), Financial Services (2.68 pct), Chemicals (2.55 percent) and Insurance (2.22 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Food/Beverage (1.90 pct), Travel (1.21 pct) and Constructions (0.75 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE 20 index jumped 3.04 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 0.84 pct higher and the FTSE 80 index rose 0.37 pct. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 142 to 85 with another 53 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +2.22%

Industrials: +1.97%

Commercial: +0.41%

Construction: -0.75%

Media: +0.68%

Oil & Gas: +0.49%

Personal & Household: +1.32%

Raw Materials: -0.42%

Travel & Leisure: -1.21%

Technology: -0.58%

Telecoms: +0.40%

Banks: +4.68%

Food & Beverages: -1.90%

Health: +1.99%

Utilities: +1.15%

Chemicals: +2.55%

Financial Services: +2.68%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 19.20

ATEbank: 2.13

Public Power Corp (PPC): 21.60

HBC Coca Cola: 16.22

Hellenic Petroleum: 8.28

National Bank of Greece: 30.20

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 15.60

Intralot: 9.66

OPAP: 22.46

OTE: 14.92

Piraeus Bank: 19.00

Titan Cement Company: 23.30

[16] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 13,396 contracts worth 122.675 million euros, with 34,298 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 25 contracts worth 506,074 euros with 109 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 16,234 contracts worth 25.165 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (5,177), followed by OTE (1,112), PPC(412), Eurobank (481), Marfin Investment Group (373), Piraeus Bank (566), Marfin Popular Bank (4,456).

[17] Greek bond market closing report

In money markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month Euribor rate was 5.37 pct, the six-month rate was 5.13 pct, the three-month rate 4.95 pct and the one-month rate 4.47 pct.

[18] Foreign Exchange rates: Saturday/Monday

U.S. dollar 1.594

Pound sterling 0.799

Danish kroner 7.519

Swedish kroner 9.525

Japanese yen 170.38

Swiss franc 1.633

Norwegian kroner 8.123

Canadian dollar 1.602

Australian dollar 1.641

General News

[19] Two women arrested for role in women-trafficking ring

The arrests were made after police received a telephone call from a terrified 32-year-old woman, who said that she had managed to escape from an apartment in Voula where she had been held against her will, subjected to abuse and terrorised into agreeing to work as a prostitute.

In a raid on the apartment, police found the two 22-year-olds that had been guarding the woman to prevent her escape.

A police investigation has also implicated the 49-year-old Greek owner of a strip club and a 29-year-old Romanian woman. The two are accused of placing ads in Romanian newspapers offering relatively high-paid jobs for domestic staff in order to trick women into coming to Greece.

After supplying them with tickets for Athens and picking them up at the airport, the two are then accused of illegally holding the women captive in the Voula apartment and using violence and threats to make them work as prostitutes at the strip club and other clubs run by their accomplices.

[20] Escaped psych ward patient returns with stolen service revolver

The man, a foreign national, had escaped from the hospital on July 2 and had been arrested for theft and detained at the Kypseli police station on July 15. He was returned to the hospital the following day, after appearing before a public prosecutor.

According to the police announcement, during his detention he had taken advantage of negligent guarding by the officers on duty in order to remove a service revolver belonging to an officer away on leave from the station's fire-arms cabinet.

The gun was discovered by staff at the hospital on Thursday evening, who called the police.

Police said a formal internal inquiry has been ordered to discover how the incident occurred and which of the officers on duty was responsible.

[21] Fire in Kaisariani partially under control

A strong force of 22 fire engines with a crew of 66 and a 13-person fire-fighting team on foot, three aircraft and one helicopter is being used to put out the fire.

The fire brigade also managed to put out a fire that broke out a Pikermi next to Marathonos avenue at roughly the same time.

Weather Forecast

[22] Mostly fair on Saturday

[23] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Increase in one-off retirement benefit of seamen".

APOGEVMATINI: 'Karamanlis' strong letter to Papandreou - The premier uncovers the main opposition leader's negative attitude towards consolidating transparency in public life".

AVGHI: "Zorbas' ousting a confession of guilt - The battle against corruption raging", referring to a draft law tabled in parliament on Thursday that abolishes the current Independent Authority against money-laundering (the National Authority for Combating the Legalization of Income from Criminal Activity) that is led by public prosecutor George Zorbas, converting the money-laundering watchdog into a permanent collective body called the "Committee for Combating the Legalization of Income from Criminal Activity and Funding of Terrorism". The bill additionally creates a series of committees and special units that will be responsible for processing strategies and policy for combating and stamping out money laundering.

AVRIANI: "They caught the coastal shipping cartel 'red-handed' - 14 coastal shipping companies named by the Competition Commission, which found burning evidence in the minutes of the secret agreements".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "250 million euros 'industry' for the National Land Registry - Double 'collection' operation by the state and the experts who undertake to carry out the relevant process".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Sudden 'beheading' of Zorbas - Abolition of the Authority (Zorbas-led independent watchdog), creation of committee headed by prosecutor".

ESTIA: "Negative climate for the economy - How the climate was reversed in just two years".

ETHNOS: "They're stifling the 'Black Money Committee', abolishing the Independent Authority - Zorbas ousted".

KATHIMERINI: "End to Zorbas and money-laundering Authority - The responsibility passes to the finance ministry (to which the new Committee will belong)".

NIKI: "Zorbas 'beheaded' over structured bonds-Siemens affairs - Government disturbed by the revelations".

RIZOSPASTIS: "The anti-KKE (Communist Party of Greece) attack will boomerang against the plutocracy and its party - The people must take the cause into their hands".

TA NEA: "Zorbas beheaded over Siemens, Germanos affairs - They feared the investigations into the black political money".

TO VIMA: "The end of Zorbas - He was conducting secret investigation into the Siemens affair - The government abolished the Independent Authority on money-laundering".

VRADYNI: "Powerful Authority against 'black money' - Active judge to be put at the helm".

Cyprus Affairs

[24] Christofias: Reunified federal Cyprus will be a common state for G/Cs and T/Cs

The reunified federal Cyprus will constitute a renewed partnership of the two communities, based on the political equality as provided by the United Nations resolutions, and will not be either a second Greek state in the Mediterranean, or an extension of the Turkish Anatolia, but a common state for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said here Friday.

Speaking during an event on the occasion of the anniversaries of the coup and the Turkish invasion in Cyprus, Christofias said that "once we decide that we decide to start direct negotiations we will move forward with self confidence and determination", adding that "we are relying on the international and European law and we are reinforced by the UN resolutions."

"We will continue to work with determination, consistent to the principles for a settlement and with flexibility to our policy," he added.

Christofias noted that the Greek Cypriot side has undertaken initiatives to pave the way for a settlement, showing the necessary political will, and the climate has changed substantively during the last four months.

He referred to the three meetings he has had so far with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, which resulted to the establishment of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Working Groups and Technical Committees with a view to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations.

"During these meetings, which despite the good climate were not easy, we made the basis of the pursued settlement clear. We pursue a settlement of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as provided by the UN resolutions. Reunited Cyprus will be a state with a single sovereignty, a single personality and a single citizenship. We have made positive steps. And both leaders must be credited with these positive steps," he added.

He said that the Working Groups, which discuss aspects of the Cyprus question, work intensively and have produced concrete work. He also noted that there is progress in certain groups and convergence in certain issues.

"There are still serious differences in certain others" he said, noting that no one should expect from the Working Groups to solve the Cyprus question and for the two leaders just to sign it.

As regards the Technical Committees which discuss issues of day to day life, Christofias said that a series of measures have been agreed and their implementation will improve the climate and the relations between the two communities.

He noted that during his fourth meeting with Talat on July 25 they will evaluate the work of the Working Groups and will discuss the possibility of beginning direct negotiations.

Christofias also expressed his satisfaction over his recent meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in Paris, during which as he said it was stressed that the UN will continue to act as the facilitator in efforts to reach a settlement to the Cyprus question.

"The responsibility to reach a settlement lies with both communities", he said, noting that there is no issue of imposing a settlement prepared by others, or an issue of arbitration and tight deadlines. "We want to believe that the international organization will be guided by its own resolutions and its own principles," he added.

He expressed concern over the situation in Turkey, reiteration that the key for a settlement of the Cyprus question is still in Ankara.

Referring to the Turkish Cypriots he called on them to work together with the Greek Cypriots to build a happy future in a united, free, democratic and prosperous Cyprus.

With regard to the issue of missing persons he assured that "we will continue to work" to ascertain the fate of each of the missing persons of the Cypriot tragedy, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

[25] Cyprus FM holds meetings in Lebanon

Lebanese President, Michel Suleiman has accepted an invitation from President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias to visit the island. The invitation was conveyed Friday by Cyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou who is paying an official visit to Lebanon.

Kyprianou held Friday a series of meetings with the Prime Minister of Lebanon Fouad Siniora, and Saad Hariri, Chairman of the Future Movement and son of the assassinated former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafiq Hariri. He also paid a visit to Hariri's grave.

Director of FM's office, Kornilios Korniliou told CNA that all the meetings held in a friendly atmosphere. "The excellent climate between the countries was reaffirmed", he added.

Kyprianou underlined that with the accession of Cyprus to the EU, united Europe is now present at the area of Middle East. The Cypriot FM briefed his interlocutors on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and he discussed with them the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East.

Kyprianou also extended to Lebanese Prime Minister an invitation to visit Cyprus.

On Thursday also, Kyprianou discussed the Cyprus problem, the situation in the Middle East, bilateral relations and the recent creation of the Union for the Mediterranean during contacts in Lebanon.

According to an official press release, the Lebanese officials reaffirmed Beirut's support to a bizonal bicommunal federation solution to the Cyprus problem, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

During the meetings, Kyprianou and the Lebanese officials discussed bilateral relations and the Union for the Mediterranean, and examined ways to cooperate in the management of natural resources and tackling natural disasters.

The Lebanese officials furthermore expressed their gratitude for the assistance Cyprus provided during the 2006 crisis, and noted that Cyprus is Lebanon's voice in the EU.

Kyprianou, who was one of the first foreign officials to hold contacts with the new government of Lebanon, met on Thursday with his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh, who said they examined issues of mutual interest, such as the Cyprus problem, for which he expressed hope a settlement would be found through negotiations.

Salloukh said they agreed on the need for the respect of international resolutions and the sovereignty of states, adding that Cyprus is considered to be Lebanon's voice in the EU.

He added that they discussed the Middle East peace process and agreed on the importance of maintaining stability in the region.

The Lebanese official also referred to the excellent and strong relations between the two countries, adding that they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in all sectors.

Kyprianou noted that the views of both countries are based on international law and the respect of the independence and sovereignty of states.

He added that both countries will continue to support each other and that Cyprus, as an EU member state, can play a role in the region's stability, and that there was always room to enhance bilateral relations.

Kyprianou assured that Cyprus is ready to provide Lebanon with any assistance it may need and invited Salloukh to visit the island.

In a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Kyprianou pointed out the need to maintain good relations between the parliaments of the two countries, noting that Cyprus and Lebanon maintain excellent relations on the political and parliamentary level.

He informed Berri on the process underway for a Cyprus settlement and they exchanged views on the implementation of the Doha agreement in Lebanon.

Kyprianou also met with Minister of Finance Mohammad Shatah and Chairman of the Free Patriotic Movement that represents the Christians living in Lebanon Michel Aoun.

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