Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 09-04-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM leaves for Strasbourg - Meeting with Obama

[02] NATO summit

[03] Greece, Brazil sign four cooperation accords

[04] President Papoulias receives visiting Brazilian FM

[05] Deputy FM in Bucharest

[06] Absentee voting bill debated in parliament

[07] PASOK spokesman Obama-Karamanlis meeting

[08] Amendment passed for extraordinary financial reinforcement to public sector employees

[09] Parliamentary com't to investigate ex-minister Pavlidis' case

[10] New Greek press centre in Istanbul

[11] Tourism minister meets Italian ambassador

[12] Eurogroup adopts excessive fiscal deficit recommendations for Greece

[13] Privatisation of Olympic Airways, ratification in principle

[14] 24-hour strike held Thursday

[15] Measures for livestock farmers amid protests

[16] Greece to continue funding of development projects in Romania under HiPERB

[17] Greek awarded for promoting European entrepreneurship

[18] Economic sentiment index at record lows in March

[19] Draft bill introduces tax breaks to boost auto market

[20] Gov't cuts vehicle tax by 50%

[21] Regional airport slot fees axed

[22] Greek stocks end slightly higher

[23] Greek bond market closing report

[24] Foreign Exchange rates - Saturday/Monday

[25] SE Europe' Culture Ministers' annual meeting in Athens

[26] Philip II's Aigai palace revealed

[27] Archaeologists find 2,800-year-old forge in Macedonia

[28] Exhibition on Greek Orthodox Diaspora in Hungary

[29] Two policemen injured in early morning shooting

[30] Suspects in Germanos, FB Bank robberies arrested

[31] Bank robber gets 8-year prison sentence

[32] Arson attacks in Tripolis

[33] Evidence of explosion found in Athens parking lot

[34] Four arrested in cocaine lab bust

[35] Cloudy, rainy on Saturday

[36] Cyprus to assume specific initiatives for Famagusta, President says

[37] Spokesman: We want a Cyprus settlement the soonest possible

[38] Iacovou and Nami discuss EU issues

[39] President Christofias to participate in the EU-USA Summit Politics

[01] PM leaves for Strasbourg - Meeting with Obama

On Friday evening, Karamanlis will take part in a dinner of the EU heads of state and government.

On Saturday morning, Karamanlis and the other heads of state and government will be received by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, after which he will take part in the summit.

Afterwards, at 1:30 p.m., he will have a bilteral meeting with US President Barack Obama. Karamanlis will leave for Prague, Czech Republic, on Sunday to participate in the European Union-US Summit due to start at 12.15 p.m.

[02] NATO summit

The working dinner of the NATO Alliance's leaders began at 9:15 (Greek time) in Baden Baden under tough security measures on Friday evening, while the main topic of discussion will be the future of the Alliance and the new challenges that it is facing on security issues. Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is participating in the dinner and is expected to make an address.

Karamanlis is expected to refer to NATO's new role and to the considerable role being played by the Alliance in the wider region of the Balkans. He is also expected to stress that Greece supports the Alliance's adjustment to the new developments. In any case, the 28 leaders will be dealing with NATO's new strategic doctrine, as well as with relations between NATO and Russia.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis (L) meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim (R), the first-ever Brazilian foreign minister to visit Athens, at the Maximos Mansion on Friday. ANA-MPA/Goulielmos Antoniou.

[03] Greece, Brazil sign four cooperation accords

The two ministers expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of Thursday's G-20 Summit in London, anticipating that the peoples confidence would be restored in the credit system and the global economy.

Amorim said that the London decisions applied to the present, but also the future, and concerned support measures via the World Bank and the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the need to boost the credit system as well as demand while, in the future, a better regulated international system was required.

He noted that the G-20 decisions were expected to impact the Doha round of talks on international trade as well, given that the "20" are also participants in various fora, and made particular reference to Brazil, India and China (BRIC).

"We signed a series of agreements which I hope will serve as a springboard for greater growth of our bilateral cooperation," Bakoyannis said in joint statements to the press after the meeting with Amorim.

More specifically, she said that the discussion on bilateral matters focused mainly on the prospects for mutual investments, expansion of cooperation in the sectors of tourism, energy, aviation engineering, shipping and trade in agricultural products.

Apart from the global financial crisis and the G-20 summit, the two foreign ministers further examined a series of other issues of international and regional interest, and Bakoyannis briefed Amorim on the Greek national issues.

"Brazil has a strong and important voice on the international scene," Bakoyannis said, noting that it was "one of the most active countries in the framework of the UN".

She also reiterated Greece's support for Brazil's aspiration for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council in the context of the UN's institutional reform.

[04] President Papoulias receives visiting Brazilian FM

President Papoulias said that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was an "enlightened leader", adding that "a wind of change is blowing across Latin America."

In response, the Brazilian foreign minister stated that the new US President is also an "indication of a major change" and President Papoulias agreed, expressing the hope that "the US leader will welcome the changes made in the greater region."

The Brazilian FM added that he accompanied President Lula in his recent visit to the United States, stressing that "there is sensitivity toward the change."

[05] Deputy FM in Bucharest

Deputy foreign minister Miltiades Varvitsiotis predicted that the Greek banks would emerge stronger from the global financial crisis, during a working visit to Bucharest on Thursday.

Varvitsiotis said that Greek companies, including banks, have committed to remaining in Romania despite the present crisis and expressed satisfaction that four of the nine foreign banks that took part in a meeting in Vienna on March 26 were Greek.

This, he added, reflected the four Greek banks' (National, Alpha, Eurobank and Piraeus) commitment to maintaining their financing 'lines' in Romania intact.

The foreign banks were positive on the agreement reached between the Romanian authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), under which Romania will receive a total of 20 billion euros in financial aid, of which 12.95 billion euros from the IMF and 5 billion euros from the European Commission, Varvitsiotis noted.

Greek businessmen active in Romania briefed Varvitsiotis on the problems faced there, with the emphasis on bureaucracy and corruption.

According to Greek embassy counselor Ioannis Paschalis, more than 4,500 Greek companies are active in Romania, with investments estimated at 3.5 billion euros.

Varvitsiotis further met with the deputy ministers for economic and European affairs, while he also visited the Greek school in Bucharest.

The deputy minister winds up his visit on Friday.

[06] Absentee voting bill debated in parliament

The bill on the "exercise of the electoral right in general parliamentary elections by Greek voters residing abroad" was debated for the second day on Thursday in the Parliament plenary.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, addressing the Parliament on Thursday evening, said the arrangement was a "national duty" and warned that "it cannot be embroiled in the vortex of any petty party expediency".

"The arrogant view that either things will be done as PASOK (main opposition party) wants them to be done or they will not be done at all has no room in national issues," Karamanlis warned, adding that "this blackmail concerns not the government but overseas Hellenism; it concerns the Greeks throughout the world who wish to and are at Greece's side.

"It is our obligation to take, now, the first big step so that time will not be lost and in order to give the administration the ability to make use of the experience that will be acquired for the best possible preparation of the additional arrangements," he said.

Now was not the time for pretexts, the premier continued, noting that the opposition had every reason to rise to the occasion, while the main opposition party had today its last opportunity to display a democratic mentality in essence".

PASOK parliamentary spokesman Evangelos Venizelos called the bill an "unconstitutional legislative ruse by ND, which is attempting to render the national strength of Greeks abroad into a 'party audience'."

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MP Spyros Halvatzis said the bill add another one million people to voting rolls, adding that "people who for decades have lived away from Greece and who have no relationship to and knowledge of the Greek reality will be formulating the electoral result".

Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA parliamentary alliance) parliamentary group leader Alekos Alavanos called on the government to withdraw the bill: "Don't put yourself through a defeat in Parliament due to lack of a reinforced (two-thirds) majority, and launch a new process based on the proposals by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), in order to find a solution."

Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis said the question was whether "we will be the Parliament of the Hellenes or the Hellenic Parliament" and proposed that a referendum be held on June 7 (in tandem with the European Parliament elections in Greece) in order to "clear up the ridiculous intentions to shelve the vote of the Greeks aboard".

[07] PASOK spokesman Obama-Karamanlis meeting

A 30-year-old policeman is in critical condition and another 26-year-old officer suffered lighter injuries after being shot at close range by an unidentified person just after midnight on Friday in the Grava neighbourhood of central Athens district of Kypseli.

In an unrelated matter, and referring to a meeting Greek PM Costas Karamanlis will have with US President Barack Obama in Strasburg on Saturday, he stated that the PM will have to raise a number of foreign policy issues, adding that the PM and the meeting will be judged based on the outcome.

On the demands that are likely to be made to Greece on behalf of the US President, the spokesman of PASOK stated that the country's specific obligations (namely, the military presence in Afghanistan) will be discussed within the framework of its obligations and rights stemming from its membership in international organisations.

[08] Amendment passed for extraordinary financial reinforcement to public sector employees

The amendment was passed with 151 votes for and 121 against in the 300-member parliament.

[09] Parliamentary com't to investigate ex-minister Pavlidis' case

"The cases that concern the honor and reputation of public figures should be investigated thoroughly leaving no doubts or unanswered questions to the citizens," Antonaros said, adding that "this concerns the case forwarded from Justice to Parliament that involves former minister Aristidis Pavlidis." The MPs will decide based on their conscience, he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas, following a phone contact on Friday with Justice Minister Nikos Dendias and Supreme Court Prosecutor George Sanidas, expressed discontent over the fact that a document was publicised being tabled in Parliament.

Sioufas said that this action is a "blow to justice, which we are all obligated to protect".

Main opposition PASOK's proposal to establish a "preliminary examination committee" to investigate the case of the remote islands' ferry service (and former Aegean minister Aristotelis Pavlidis' likely involvement) will be discussed in parliament next Monday.

The debate will begin at 5 pm and will be completed at midnight with a secret ballot.

PASOK, opposition

On the establishment of the preliminary committee, a main opposition PASOK spokesman stated that "we will wait for the government and the PM to adopt a clear position," adding that "the government produces scandals and then tries to cover them up, opting for a different stance only when it has no other choice."

[10] New Greek press centre in Istanbul

Deputy Interior Minister Costas Gioulekas on Friday inaugurated a New Greek foreign ministry press and media centre.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was also on hand for the event.

"The Greek government wants to send a message of love, peace, extroversion and cooperation with all peoples, and this centre will contribute to the better information of the public opinion and will also support the presence of ethnic Greeks, who are a link of friendship and communication between Greece and Turkey," Gioulekas said.

The Greek minister, holds the media portfolio, was later received by the Ecumenical Patriarch in the Fanar district Patriarchate.

[11] Tourism minister meets Italian ambassador

The meeting took place on Thursday and reviewed the current state of tourism, as well as its medium-term and long-term prospects. During the meeting, it was reported that 1.2 million Italian tourists arrived in Greece during 2008.

Financial News

[12] Eurogroup adopts excessive fiscal deficit recommendations for Greece

An informal EU council on Friday unanimously adopted the European Commission's recommendation for correcting excessive fiscal deficits in Ireland, France, Spain and Greece, EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told reporters after a Eurogroup meeting in the Czech capital.

Almunia said Economy and Finance ministers of the four countries agreed to implement recommendations adopted by the European Commission, with a note made for Greece and Ireland that fiscal stabilisation efforts should begin this year, and 2010 for France and Spain.

Eurogroup's chairman, Jean-Claude Juncker, commenting on Greece, said Greek economy minister was aware that Greece should take decisive measures to correcting an excessive fiscal deficit and that an agreement was reached allowing for the situation to be re-evaluated in June. Juncker said the examination of fiscal conditions covered all Eurozone member-states since management of a single currency demanded a single and collective approach.

Speaking to reporters after the Eurogroup meeting Greek FinMin Yiannis Papathanassiou said Greece was implementing specific measures to cut its fiscal deficit and that the situation would be re-evaluated in June, while he added that the country was monitoring developments in order to take additional measures if needed. He underlined, however, that the first evidence from the implementation of the measures were encouraging.

Papathanassiou attributed a higher fiscal deficit in 2008 to lower revenues by public agencies due to a financial crisis and to lower inflows of EU funds. These funds will not be lost, he stressed, adding that inflows would be increased this year.

The European Union has asked Greece to take measures of permanent nature this year with the aim to cutting its fiscal deficit below 3.0 pct of GDP by 2010. These measures include more reforms in the pension system, controlling wages in the massive public sector, more flexible labour relations and more transparency in the state-run health system, along with improving tax collection practices.

The European Commission has given Greece a deadline of Oct. 24 to introduce a package of measures.

[13] Privatisation of Olympic Airways, ratification in principle

The bill was only supported by the deputies of the ruling New Democracy party, since the main opposition PASOK party voted against the terms contained in the contract in question, the parties of the Left opposed privatisation out of principle, while the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party reserved judgement for the Plenum, stressing that the time provided for reading and processing the bill was very little.

The opposition parties criticised the government and Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis for insisting in having the bill presented for processing one day after its publication and had refused to accept the discussion beginning next week.

Hatzidakis said that "if the government had a communications approach to things, it would have to keep the bill in Parliament for two or three weeks. The more it kept it, the more it would gain," he said.

On the question of briefing the parties, he said that "the main facts in the contracts, had been presented and this is proved by the reactions of the newspapers that support the opposition."

The minister further said that "we are interested in moving fast, because the transitional period must begin as soon as possible, to enable a smooth development for things. In any case, the positions of the parties are known."

[14] 24-hour strike held Thursday

Various rallies were held throughout the day in many major cities under the main slogan of workers not bearing the consequences of the economic crisis.

The Communist Party (KKE)-affiliated PAME labour grouping staged a separate rally in Omonia Square in Athens, while two separate demonstrations were also held in Thessaloniki.

[15] Measures for livestock farmers amid protests

Under the new measures, all documents, stamps and labels for meat products must clearly indicate their place of origin, while retailers selling meat products must have a weighing machine capable of labels that records the origin of the meat on sale, its type and its quantity.

The measures also make a monthly balance of sales and purchases of all meat products mandatory, while allowing veal, in particular, to be labelled as "Greek-raised after five months".

In the meantime, Greek livestock farmers have rejected the measures proposed by the ministry as inadequate and have announced a demonstration at noon on Monday in Syntagma Square, during which they plan symbolic protest action, such as handing out 20,000 bottles of fresh pasteurised farm milk and other products to members of the public for free.

The demonstration is organised by the Greek Livestock Farmers Association (SEK) in a bid to highlight the "tragic dead-ends" faced by livestock breeders in Greece, which they say are forcing them to give up farming and abandon the countryside.

SEK said the farmers had decided against a march through the city that would inconvenience consumers, choosing instead to distribute their goods for free as a way to highlight the problems faced by the sector.

Among the demands made by livestock breeders are state assistance in meeting interest-free loans, a freeze on other loans for a space of three years, a one-off cash subsidy of 50 euros per head for goats and sheep and 250 euros per head for cattle and sows, radical action against those passing off imported meat and dairy products as Greek, as well as more stringent inspections and penalties for all stages of meat production, processing and consumption, among others.

Dairy farmers, in particular, demand that the government take action against Vivartia for its decision to stop buying milk from farmers in northern Greece and also a series of measures involving the way dairy products are displayed and sold to consumers.

Finally, livestock farmers demand that there be no imports of lamb and kid for Easter, claiming that Greek production is capable of meeting the demands with high-quality products.

[16] Greece to continue funding of development projects in Romania under HiPERB

Greece will continue to finance development projects in Romania in the context of the Hellenic Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans (HiPERB), under which 70.5 million euros have been earmarked for that country, deputy foreign minister Miltiades Varvitsiotis said in Bucharest on Thursday after meetings at the Romanian ministries of economy and foreign affairs.

Through the HiPERB, Greece continued to subsidise five projects (falling under the category major projects/public investments) with 19.5 million euros, Varvitsiotis said, noting that the overall budget for the five projects was approximately 29.5 million euros.

Further, it was announced during the meetings, 19 Greek companies currently active in Romania would receive 10 million euros for the materialisation of investment projects in the neighboring country.

Greece will also assist Romania regarding management of the European funds, mainly in the sector of infrastructures, as Romania is slated to receive 20 billion euros from the EU in the period up to 2013.

The talks further covered matters concerning the trilateral Greece-Romania-Bulgaria cooperation for advancement of the "Black Sea Cooperation" in the framework of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Organisation.

Varvitsiotis winds up his working visit to Bucharest on Friday.

[17] Greek awarded for promoting European entrepreneurship

The Business Center Club, the biggest business organisation in Poland that has about 1,200 members, held an event in the capital's Olympic Centre on Friday to award entrepreneurs.

Apart from Polish businessmen who received awards, the Business Center Club also gave an award to Dimitris Dimitriadis, who had served as president of the European Economic and Social Committee until 2008.

Addressing the ceremony, also attended by Greek Ambassador to Warsaw Gavreel Koptsidis and Polish Eurodeputy and Vice President of the European Parliament's Monetary Committee Janusz Lewandowski, Dimitriadis thanked the organisers for the honour.

He stressed that despite the fact that the current economic conjuncture does not appear to be particularly favourable for developing entrepreneurship and no one can assure when the situation will improve, "we must work in the framework of Europe, which we must make the cornerstone of all our efforts, because without it we cannot solve the problems that arise."

Dimitriadis further said that the main motto of his presidency at the European Economic and Social Committee had been "Entrepreneurship with a human face."

[18] Economic sentiment index at record lows in March

Greece is one of the 17 European countries to record record-low figures in March, along with the UK, Germany, Austria, Sweden and Italy.

IOBE, in a monthly report, said business expectations in the manufacturing sector changed slightly, with higher inventories and slightly improved expectations for new orders demand. In the services sector, business expectations improved over future demand, but estimates over current activity worsened significantly in March, while in the retail sector, business expectations worsened.

Consumer confidence stabilized around February's levels in March, with consumers' forecasts over their finances less pessimistic compared with February, with slightly improved intention for savings. Forecasts over unemployment remained at very high levels.

[19] Draft bill introduces tax breaks to boost auto market

The draft bill also temporarily abolishes the sales tax for vehicles already in circulation and the fees for issuing a vehicle circulation licence until the end of the current year.

The new measures will apply for imported cars that have paid the registration duty but have not yet been registered, so that either the importing company or owner can apply to have the difference refunded.

Included in the bill are sundry measures dealing with other transactions and measures involving the tax service.

[20] Gov't cuts vehicle tax by 50%

Under the plan, aimed to boost ailing car sales in the country, the government will also abolish transfer duties for cars and motorcycles by the end of the year.

[21] Regional airport slot fees axed

Transport Minister Evripides Stylianidis and Tourism Development Minister Costas Markopoulos, in a joint news conference, said the move is aimed at providing more incentives to international tour operators to design their travel packages for Greece under more favourable prices and not to cut charter flights to the country.

Markopoulos said the move would benefit each tourist travelling to Greece by 10-12 euros, while the cost for the Greek state would total 8.0 million euros this year.

Stylianidis noted that the measure would also cover domestic flights. He did not exclude an extension of the measure for the rest of the year. The transport minister said the government was not examining the possibility of cutting slot fees at the Athens International Airport as well.

The government also announced it would spend 3.0 million euros for renovation works in regional airports and a survey to develop airstrips for attracting executive jet flights.

The government is expected to launch a tender for the development of regional airports through attracting private capital.

[22] Greek stocks end slightly higher

Most sectors moved upwards, with the Banks (2.88 pct), Insurance (2.52 pct) and Personal/Home Products (1.59 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Health (4.29 pct), Utilities (3.37 pct) and Constructions (2.34 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE 20 index rose 0.46 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 0.21 pct up and the FTSE 80 index rose 0.34 pct. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 112 to 84 with another 59 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +2.52%

Industrials: -0.61%

Commercial: +0.63%

Construction: -2.34%

Media: +0.35%

Oil & Gas: -0.41%

Personal & Household: +1.59%

Raw Materials: -1.43%

Travel & Leisure: -1.45%

Technology: -1.90%

Telecoms: unchanged

Banks: +2.88%

Food & Beverages: -0.59%

Health: -4.29%

Utilities: -3.37%

Chemicals: -1.82%

Financial Services: -1.35%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 5.80

ATEbank: 1.15

Public Power Corp (PPC): 13.52

HBC Coca Cola: 11.30

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.82

National Bank of Greece: 12.89

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 4.84

Intralot: 4.04

OPAP: 19.18

OTE: 11.60

Bank of Piraeus: 5.42

Titan Cement Company: 15.77

[23] Greek bond market closing report

The 10-year benchmark bond (July 20, 2019) was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 150 million euros, with the Greek bond yielding 5.68 pct and the German Bund 3.19 pct.

In interbank markets, interest rates fell further. The 12-month Euribor rate was 1.80 pct, the six-month rate was 1.65 pct, the three-month rate 1.47 pct and the one-month rate 1.07 pct.

[24] Foreign Exchange rates - Saturday/Monday

U.S. dollar 1.353

Pound sterling 0.916

Danish kroner 7.507

Swedish kroner 10.861

Japanese yen 135.15

Swiss franc 1.535

Norwegian kroner 8.867

Canadian dollar 1.679

Australian dollar 1.896

General News

[25] SE Europe' Culture Ministers' annual meeting in Athens

The meeting is being attended by the culture ministers of Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM,Montenegro, Turkey and Serbia.

The main focus of the meeting is the utilisation of culture as a means for viable development in the region and the creation of a discussion forum among the Culture Ministers and other governmental and non-governmental structures.

The Council, which meets annually, was established by the Charter signed by the SE Europe culture ministers in Copenhagen in March 2005.

Samaras, in his opening speech, stressed that "the aim of this cooperation is well known and mutually accepted, and is the promotion of an inter-cultural dialogue in the region as a factor of peace, cooperation, understanding, prospeirty and development of the peoples" .

The adoption of a basic action plan of priorities must be adopted, while networks also need to be created for a permanent inter-cultural dialogue, Samaras said, stressing that the Greek presidency has worked within the Aristotelian thought realism in search of "realistic convergences", which, he explained, means a series of common action plans and the establishment of networks on specific, lasting initiatives.

The in-camera meeting will conclude on Friday afternoon.

[26] Philip II's Aigai palace revealed

The recently completed three-million-euro initial restoration phase was funded by the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF) and according to findings presented at the 22nd scientific meeting on archaeological excavations and work the Macedonia and Thrace provinces, restoration works have helped to document many facts on the building's ground plan.

Construction work on the palace of King Philip II of Macedon began in 350 BC and was completed in 336 BC providing important information on ancient Macedonian architecture, because it was completed without interruptions and posterior interventions or alterations.

The restoration of the two-storey gallery (stoa) in the building's front section was a "revelation" for archaeologists' studying ancient architecture, as it contradicted earlier beliefs according to which such galleries were a later practice, dating in the 2nd century BC. The galleries' architectural sections are built based on the "golden mean" ratio (1 to 1.6).

Archaeologists believe that Pytheos was the palace's architect, who had also designed the mausoleum of Halicarnassus, while the mausoleum's sculptor Leocharis had also worked on the palace of Aigai.

[27] Archaeologists find 2,800-year-old forge in Macedonia

The finds included artifacts and jewellery made of iron, copper and gold, which were presented at the 22nd Conference on Archaeological Work in Macedonia and Thrace.

According to the head of the excavations Mihalis Tiverios, the site has also yielded the richest collection of ceramics in ancient Macedon and revealed that the inhabitants of ancient Thermi had also been involved in trade. The ancient forge also shows that local residents in the 7th and possibly 8th centuries B.C. had been able to meet at least a part of their iron requirements themselves.

[28] Exhibition on Greek Orthodox Diaspora in Hungary

The exhibition, taking place under the auspices of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, was inaugurated by the Hungarian Deputy Local Administration Minister Miklos Kovacs, Budapest Deputy Mayor Csaba Horvath and the Metropolitan of Austria and Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe Michael, in the presence of many representatives of the political, economic, literature and art sectors, as well as hundreds of expatriates and friends of Greece.

The dignitaries included the president of the Hungarian Christian Democrat Party Semjen Zsolt and the ambassador of Cyprus in Hungary Francis Galatia Lanitou-Williams.

The exhibition, having hundreds of historic exhibits, most of which heirlooms that are on display for the first time, was organised by the "Orthodox Hungarian Ecclesiastical Community of Budapest" established by Greeks in 1782 and forcefully abolished in 1952 and wich resumed its operation two years ago, in cooperation with the "Greek-Cypriot-Hungarian Friendship Society" and with the support of Greece's Foreign Affairs and Tourist Development ministries.

[29] Two policemen injured in early morning shooting

The two injured police officers are members of new patrol teams set up recently to better combat street crime and urban vandalism in major cities.

The officers sent to the scene after a phone call reporting that an attempt to steal a car was in process. The 30-year-old policeman had approached a suspect on a motorcycle and was asking for his papers when a woman approached them, believing the suspect was drawing the attention of the officers. At the same time a second man, who had not been perceived initially, approached the officers and shot the 30-year-old officer in the nape of the neck, and a second officer in the head, who was saved by his helmet and escaped with lighter injuries.

According to reports, the first suspect spoke only limited Greek, and reportedly was a Russian speaker.

Both injured officers were wearing helmets and bullet-proof vests, but the critically injured officer was shot in the nape of the neck, which is unprotected, while he was trying to handcuff the first suspect. The second officer was also shot by the same gunman, suffering lighter injuries under his helmet.

The two suspects then grabbed the weapons and mobile phones of the two officers, who had fallen to the ground bleeding, and fled on their motorcycle.

The 30-year-old was rushed into surgery, and was reported in critical condition, while the 26-year-old was hospitalised but his condition was not life-threatening.

A manhunt was immediately launched by police, but no trace had yet been found of the perpetrators.

[30] Suspects in Germanos, FB Bank robberies arrested

The suspect had been wanted since the armed robbery-cum-murder at Germanos, in which a 23-year-old Albanian national shot and killed the woman in his attempt to escape a policeman giving pursuit. According to police, the man now in custody, the Albanian involved in the shooting and another 22-year-old Albanian took part in the specific robbery. All three were part of an organised gang that is suspected of a some 16 armed robberies since the start of the year and also includes two more Albanians wanted for robberies, as well as six more unidentified individuals.

The group, with different members each time, has targeted banks, post offices, Hellenic Post Bank branches, PROPO state betting agencies and highstreet shops.

On Thursday, meanwhile, the man responsible for an armed robbery and hostage-taking incident at FB Bank in Pallini was arrested in the Athens district of Kallithea. The suspect is a 28-year-old Albanian with a criminal record for robberies and he was found and arrested at home. Police identified him through his finger-prints on the gun that he left behind in his attempt to escape, along with the loot of 142,000 euros that he had taken from the bank.

[31] Bank robber gets 8-year prison sentence

The court declared the young man unanimously guilty of robbery and the illegal possession of a weapon, while altering the criminal charge of the distinguished possession of explosives.

The court did not accept the proposal made by the defence for the defendant to have his previous honourable life and good behaviour after his act being acknowledged.

Addressing the court, the defendant apologised to the employees and the customers of the branch office in question "for the 35 seconds of his authoritarian attitude towards them," as he said.

He further said that he had no remorse for his act, but stressed that he would not do it again because the personal burden for himself and his family is huge.

Lastly, he said that he and his accomplice, who remains unknown, had not thought what they would do with the money and what they were interested it was not the money but the practical harming of the banking system.

The young man was led to prison, since the court did not accept a probation character for his appeal.

[32] Arson attacks in Tripolis

According to the local Fire Brigade, the spate of attacks occurred between 3:15 and 6:20 a.m., targeting a number of garbage bins, two cars, which suffered minor damage, and two shops.

A Fire Brigade official said that no traces of arson devices have been found, while an investigation has been launched in cooperation with the local security police.

[33] Evidence of explosion found in Athens parking lot

The time of the explosion has not yet been determined, while it caused only minor material damage.

[34] Four arrested in cocaine lab bust

They found 850 grammes of cocaine, a gun, equipment for 'cutting' cocaine, cash, a set of precision scales and other evidence during the raid.

Weather Forecast

[35] Cloudy, rainy on Saturday

Cyprus Affairs

[36] Cyprus to assume specific initiatives for Famagusta, President says

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said on Friday he will promote specific initiatives on the issue of Famagusta, a city fenced-off after the 1974 Turkish invasion, which resulted to the occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory.

''We discussed new possible moves which we will make and I promised the Mayor and the members of the Municipal Council that soon I will do something specific regarding Famagusta,'' he said speaking to the press after a visit to Famagusta Municipality, situated temporarily in Limassol.

Replying to questions the president declined to elaborate on these moves, stating that ''sometimes we ourselves kill our initiatives through publicity.''

''The issue of Famagusta is an issue of Cyprus and consequently whoever is at the helm of the state considers as his obligation, at least I feel this way, to have Famagusta among his priorities,'' Christofias said.

''I have assured the Mayor and the members of the Council present at this friendly meeting that in my international meetings I raise Turkey's obligation to implement UN resolution 550 and to proceed with goodwill moves regarding Famagusta,'' he added.

Noting that both the Mayor and the Council do not consider that the Cyprus problem concerns only the issue of Famagusta, President Christofias said that ''we have every justification and every right to raise the issue of Famagusta.''

In his statements, Mayor of Famagusta, Alexis Galanos said that the particularity and the priority of Famagusta is something which we must not put aside because it is a symbol for the refugees and gives a message that a good climate is created for a solution to the Cyprus problem.''

He also assured the president that both he and the Municipal Council would support his efforts for the bringing about a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.

Famagusta, situated in the eastern coast of Cyprus, was a booming tourist resort as well as Cyprus' main commercial port before the Turkish invasion. UN resolution 550, approved in 1984, calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations'' and ''considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible.''

[37] Spokesman: We want a Cyprus settlement the soonest possible

The Greek Cypriot side wants a settlement of the Cyprus question the soonest possible, but it will not sacrifice the content of the settlement for the sake of time, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Friday.

Stephanou was invited to comment on a statement by Swedish FM Carl Bildt, quoted as saying, after his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on Thursday, that negotiations on the Cyprus question must not be left to continue for ever and that Talat told him that the EU should give motives to the Greek Cypriot side for a settlement.

"It is evident that it is the Greek Cypriots who want a settlement desperately and what we are saying is that Turkish Cypriots should also have an eager desire for a settlement, because the current situation of the occupation and the de facto division undermines the future of both communities of our people and our country," he noted.

He reiterated that the Cyprus settlement must be based on principles and the basis which the two leaders have reaffirmed in the meetings they had before the beginning of direct negotiations, that is a settlement of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as determined by Un resolutions and for a federal state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single personality.

"If we were not interested in a settlement we would not have taken initiatives," Stephanou underlined.

With regard to the time of the settlement he said that time is not working to our benefit but "we will not sacrifice the content of the settlement" for the sake of time.

"We want a just settlement based on principles, under the circumstances, viable and functional. We don't want a settlement for the sake of a settlement that will finally lead to the closing of the Cyprus question," he added.

Commenting on statements by Talat, who referred to a more active participation of the UN to efforts for a settlement, and statements which favoured timetables and arbitration, Stephanou said that the UN role on the Cyprus question "is determined by certain resolutions which provide for the good offices mission, which mean nothing more but the provision of help to achieve an agreed settlement of the Cyprus question, and not arbitration or intervention which has the meaning of arbitration or of imposing a Cyprus settlement," he underlined.

He pointed out that Talat has agreed with the current process, which is supported by the resolutions and is determined by the Cypriots for the Cypriots.

He noted that what we are asking the international community is to exert its pressure on Turkey, adding that Turkey has a motive to solve the Cyprus question if it wants to help its EU accession course.

"We are asking the EU and the international community to exert their pressure on Turkey to change its stance and cooperate for a settlement for the well-perceived interest of the Cypriots, without tight timetables and arbitration, and we are clear about that," he added.

Referring to Talat's meeting on Friday in Paris with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, the spokesman said that Ban offers his good offices and so he can be in contact with Talat, noting that Ban is meeting Talat in the latter's capacity as the leader of the Turkish Cypriots.

He said that the Cyprus government is acting responsibly and seriously and is taking all the necessary actions and efforts.

[38] Iacovou and Nami discuss EU issues

Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou and Turkish Cypriot leader's advisor Ozdil Nami have met seven times in the past three weeks, on their effort to write down the convergences and the divergences between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides emanating from what has been discussed so far between the two leaders.

In statements here Friday, Iacovou noted that the main aim of these meetings is "to write down the convergences and divergences, in order to adopt a common language and to avoid any misunderstandings in the future".

As regards the meeting he had Thursday with Nami, Iacovou said they discussed the EU matters and the issue of the offices the Federal Republic of Cyprus will maintain in the EU after a settlement is reached. "We have covered all the issues, except from one", he said, adding that this does not mean that there are convergences on all the issues.

Replying to question, Iacovou said that one of the main disagreements regarding the discussion on the EU matters is the issue of derogations of a possible solution from the EU Acquis.

Iakovou expressed the opinion of the Greek Cypriot side "that there is no reason for any kind of derogations from the EU Acquis, and moreover, there is no reason any kind of derogation to become EU Primary Law".

The next meeting between Iacovou and Nami will be held on Tuesday, April 7, and between President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat on Friday, April 10.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader

Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct talks, under UN auspices, since last September with a view to finding a mutually agreed settlement that will reunite the country.

[39] President Christofias to participate in the EU-USA Summit

President of Cyprus Republic Demetris Christofias departs Saturday for Prague, Czech Republic, to participate in the EU-USA Summit to be held April 5 in the Czech capital.

The leaders of the EU member states and US President Barack Obama are participating in the Summit. President Christofias will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou and other officials.

The main issues on the Summit's agenda are, inter alia, global financial crisis, climate change and energy policy.

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