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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-08-11Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Monday, 11 August 2008 Issue No: 2967CONTENTS
[01] Government following developments in South OssetiaDeputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis stressed on Sunday, after an emergency meeting of the Crisis Management Unit, that all six Greek families living in South Ossetia are well and safe, including a family whose house had been bombed during fighting in the region, while the foreign ministry said Saturday it was following developments "with special attention".The meeting focused on the overall situation in South Ossetia and as Kassimis stated, Athens is on standby to send humanitarian aid to the area within 6 hours. The Foreign Ministry's Crisis Management Unit started monitoring the situation in South Ossetia on Saturday afternoon at Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis' order, and is operating on a 24h base, Kassimis added. According to a foreign ministry press release on Saturday evening, the ministry "is, from the first minute, following with special attention developments in the Caucasus and is in contact with overseas Greeks living in the region." Kassimis also said the Greek ambassador in Tbilisi was on standby and in constant contact with the Georgian authorities to act immediately in case Greek citizens required medical care. PASOK leader comments on South Ossetia conflict Main opposition PASOK party leader and Socialist International (SI) president, and in his capacity as Vice-president of the International Olympic Truce centre, George Papandreou on Saturday expressed his concern over violence in South Ossetia. In a statement, Papandreou called for the immediate end of hostilities. "I ask the commencement of negotiations among all parts in order a peaceful solution to be reached," he said also expressing his deep sorrow for the loss of human lives among civilians. "In that framework I invite the UN Secretary General, the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee to urge those involved in the war to respect the Olympic Truce," Papandreou added. PASOK's Loverdos Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) rapporteur on foreign affairs Andreas Loverdos on Sunday commented on the situation in South Ossetia. "PASOK condemns in the most adamant way the invasion in South Ossetia, which caused battles and hundreds of dead. It unites its forces with all those, international organizations, states, parties, which call for an immediate ceasefire and an immediate cease of hostilities," Loverdos said, according to a PASOK press release. "PASOK also condemns every game with fire played by the forces who believe that they have the world under their control, fueling a variety of demands and thus placing in danger peaceful co-existence. "For us, the peoples of South East Europe, the example of Kosovo is characteristic," Loverdos said. KKE announcement The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in a press release on Saturday charged that "conflicts in South Ossetia are the result of the fierce antagonisms between the imperialistic forces for the control of the Caspian, Caucasus, the natural resources and the pipelines' routes." "The latest developments are directly related to a more general and dangerous situation that is being developed in our region and also to the acceleration of Georgia's and Ukraine's accession to the imperialistic organisation of NATO," the KKE announcement stated. LA.OS leader Also on Saturday, the leader of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) George Karatzaferis said that "all those who prompted Georgians towards this adventure, on the day of the Olympic Games opening ceremony, should be ashamed...The storms are threatening the entire broader region." Call for Peace in Georgia from Ancient Olympia Greek Olympic champions sent a message from Ancient Olympia on Sunday "for the war to stop in Georgia and for the Olympic Truce to prevail". At a special event attended by Olympic champions Kahi Kahiashvilli, Petros Galaktopoulos and George Tzelilis, as well as Ancient Olympia Mayor George Aidonis, a decision was reached for two olive tree branches to be sent to the presidents of Russia and Georgia, as a symbolic message so as for the Olympic spirit and a ceasefire to prevail. At the same time, a peace intervention by the international community was called for. Kahiashvilli and Tzelilis stated that they are prepared to hand over their Olympic medals in order for the war to stop. Financial News [02] Foreign Exchange rates: MondayReference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:U.S. dollar 1.519 Pound sterling 0.790 Danish kroner 7.519 Swedish kroner 9.469 Japanese yen 166.93 Swiss franc 1.636 Norwegian kroner 8.055 Canadian dollar 1.620 Australian dollar 1.702 General News [03] Wilfire near TripolisA fire broke out on Saturday at Lithovounia village, near Tripolis,central Peloponnese. A major firefighters force was operating at the scene .The blaze was burning brushland. [04] Car theft ring disbandedA car theft ring was disbanded on Saturday by Attica police. The stolen cars were initially dismantled in garages and then the spare parts were sold or were used to refurbish crashed cars of the same type.Officers arrested a 57year old and a 45year old man while two more are wanted . The ring is responsible for 160 confirmed car thefts between July 2004 and the present. Investigations are continuing for the ring's involvement in more car thefts. [05] Drug peddling arrestPolice arrested on Friday a 52year old man in Vassilika, northern Greece for drug peddling. A search in his house revealed 254.8 grams of cannabis, 2,857ml of an indentified liquid hidden in a vase, a precise scale and 35 cannabis plants in his garden.Olympic Games [06] Greek men's basketball team loses 81-66 to Spaniards in BeijingThe Greek men's basketball team lost 81-66 to world champions Spain in a match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on Sunday. The Greek team lacked decisiveness and continuity.It is the Greek team's 7th consecutive defeat against the Spaniards in official competitions. Greece's next game is against Germany on Tuesday. The Greek men's water polo team lost 12-8 to Australia in Group A. Its next match is with Hungary. In women's beach volley, Greece's Vasso Karakantasiou and Viki Arvaniti showed anxiety and were defeated by 2-0 sets by their Austrian counterparts. Weather forecast [07] Rain on MondayRain in most parts of the country is forecast for Monday; Scattered showers in the north, 18C-34C; possibility of rain in the mainland, 20C-33C; partly fair on the islands, 22C-30C; Cloudy in Athens, 22C-32C; scattered clouds in Thessaloniki, 19C-31C.[08] The Sunday edition of Athens dailies at a glanceInternal disagreement in ruling party New Democracy (ND), the purported new taxes and the Siemens graft scandal dominated the headlines on Sunday in Athens newspapers.ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The five plagues in the public sector". APOGEVMATINI: Latest analysis for the university entry base marks in 433 Schools" AVGHI: "Dead end! Turn to the Left the only solution". AVRIANI: "Siemens' slush funds manager Reinhard Sikaczek poised to reveal the politicians who took money under the table". CHORA: "Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will not mince words at the Thessaloniki International Fair (where the prime ministers traditionally unveil the economical policy for the following year)" ELEFTHEROTYPIA:Interview with FYROM's Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki " ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "ND's efforts to bring back the rebels back to the fold". ETHNOS: "Maximos mansion(pm's office) and rebels are playing russian roulette". KATHIMERINI: "The political temerity benefits the tax evaders". LOGOS: "The administrative reform opens up Pandora's box". NIKI: "Karamanlis' government leading to impasses". PARON: "ND and main opposition PASOK a Babel tower ". PROTO THEMA: "How the director of former Merchant Marine Minister Aristotelis Pavlidis' office asked money under the table from shipowner Manoussis". RIZOSPASTIS: "Vacations a luxury for the working class" TO VIMA: "The new taxes- Who will pay them and how". VRADYNI: "The final list of 'heavy and hazardous' professions" 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana-mpa.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: GEORGE TAMBAKOPOULOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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