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

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: No let up in anti-crime measures

[02] Markoyannakis addresses parliament on public safety

[03] Papandreou: 'Nightmarish reality' in public safety

[04] KKE blasts other parties on public safety policy

[05] Alavanos urges 'political approach' to violence

[06] LAOS' Karatzaferis on public safety debate

[07] Foreign ministry spokesman on meeting between Greek, Turkish FMs

[08] Greece wants full EU entry for Turkey, Athens says

[09] Foreign ministry spokesman on elections in FYROM

[10] Foreign ministry spokesman on foreign policy criticism

[11] Parliamentary probe into Pavlidis case begins

[12] President Papoulias meets with EDEK leader Omirou

[13] Tsipras, EDEK leader discuss Cyprus dialogue

[14] SYRIZA con'f in view of Euro-elections

[15] U.S. Ambassador marks International Roma Day

[16] U.S. envoy visits CRES

[17] Gov't to launch 1.3-bln-euro support programs for SMEs

[18] Tourism enterprises call for urgent support measures

[19] BoG sees 23,500 job losses this year

[20] MEP Angelakas on EU decision to subsidise RES for households

[21] MIG names new corporate development manager

[22] Greek inflation rate at 1.3 pct in March

[23] Successful recycling programme at Athens airport

[24] Greek stocks jump 4.50 pct on Wednesday

[25] ADEX closing report

[26] Greek bond market closing report

[27] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

[28] Conference on climate change policy in Athens on May 12-13

[29] Athens mayor addresses event on first two years of his tenure

[30] Retrospective exhibition of works by artist Costas Andreou

[31] International Conference on Penelope Delta opens in Cairo

[32] Ancient shipbuilding museum in Hania

[33] Zammit lauded for raising awareness about organ donation

[34] Justice minister holds talks with Korydallos mayor on removal of prison

[35] 56 arrested in police 'sweep' operation in Athens

[36] Four youths accused of scores of thefts and break-ins

[37] Fair on Thursday

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

[39] Arab League head expresses support for Cyprus Politics

[01] PM: No let up in anti-crime measures

"We are living in a new reality. Nothing is the same as it was yesterday," Karamanlis said, adding that unforeseeable conditions and a climate of insecurity and uncertainty were prevalent throughout the world.

Karamanlis accused PASOK that "its predictions of yet more social tension cultivate a climate of insecurity", and stressed that the government was aware of the concerns caused by the global economic crisis and also by crime in Greece, taking measures for the economy and for public order.

Turning to last December's riots sparked by the shooting death of a teenage boy by a police officer, Karamanlis noted the arson, vandalism and looting carried out by various groups, and spoke of "irresponsible inciters", accusing opposition parties of "incomprehensible silence".

He acknowledged that there may have been operational flubs and wrong assessments, but stressed that such incidents must not be repeated.

Karamanlis said that his government was determined to confront the situation, noting that recently there have been scattered attacks by hooded troublemakers, and said that extremist action and common crime were "communicating vessels", with all the citizens as their victims, and especially the financially weaker strata.

"There can be no empathy for acts of violence, no tolerance for extremism," the premier stressed.

In his rejoinder, he referred once more to changing current laws for university asylum in order to ensure that the grounds of state universities were treated with the proper respect and that the asylum for ideas was not converted to an asylum for common criminals, in which the facilities and means of education were destroyed.

"A law exists, it is in force and should be enforced. The State and rectors' authorities should cooperate to this end. If this does not happen, however, then the law must change again, precisely so that it can more efficiently protect state universities and the free movement of ideas and not their enemies," the premier underlined.

He also criticised school and university sit-ins as "deeply undemocratic" and not a valid means of demanding better education.

Replying to criticism from main opposition PASOK's president George Papandreou and Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) leader Alekos Alavanos regarding the new penalties for those wearing hoods during demonstrations, Karamanlis defended the measure. Noting that hoods were used by vandals to conceal their identity and avoid punishment, he questioned the motives of opposition party leaders in defending their use.

Turning to the issue of police efficiency, Karamanlis said that the recent promotions within the force were unimpeachable and contrasted them to the situation under PASOK governments. On the dramatic prison escapes of recent years, he admitted that there was a problem and that the government was examining additional measures, while pointing out that there had been 370 prison escapes from 1993-2004 when PASOK was in government.

He repeated the government's intention to activate the C41 security system installed for the Olympic Games to increase public safety, once the appropriate legal framework was in place.

Replying to Papandreou on the election of former Danish premier Anders Fogh Rasmussen as the new Secretary-General of NATO, Karamanlis stressed that Greece had supported his candidacy all along and that he had been elected unanimously.

Regarding a proposal for a cross-party committee on public order issues, he said the government had already presented its proposals and had met no response but "excuses and refusal".

"We are working incessantly to ensure a better tomorrow. We are fighting and I am fighting with a sense of responsibility and respect for human rights, and to establish a sense of security in all citizens," he concluded in his summation.

[02] Markoyannakis addresses parliament on public safety

Markoyannakis focused on the comparison attempted by main opposition PASOK president George Papandreou between the rule of law guaranteed by the "Olympic Games police", handed over by the PASOK government, and the present "insecurity".

He underlined that what was missing today was national and social unity as well as political consensus on all levels. "The only criticism launched then by the media was that aimed at repelling foreign press reports that questioned security in Greece," Markoyiannakis stated, adding that "the crime rate in general had plummeted because police were allowed to use technology in their effort to combat crime and there no objections were raised to the use of surveillance cameras."

"Now there is no consensus, even on basic problems that need to be faced, like city rioting and illegal immigration," he said, pointing out that "consensus is imperative when half of the police force is engaged in tackling those problems."

Markoyiannakis stated that the support of democratic citizens is imperative, underlining that all citizens have a duty to support police.

[03] Papandreou: 'Nightmarish reality' in public safety

The government, he said, had failed to curb and avert lawlessness, and he referred to a drastic increase in crime over the last five years in Greece.

Papandreou further charged that social inequalities were constantly growing, while the lack of social solidarity and cohesion bred insecurity and conflict.

The citizen has no confidence in the state as a just state, resulting in rising insecurity, Papandreou said, adding that PASOK condemns violence and desires enforcement of law.

The police force, he continued, did not lack able human resources. What it lacked was a plan and organisation, Papandreou said. He accused the government of having an "arrogant and single-party proprietary perception of the security corps".

Responding to the premier's second speech and Karamanlis' criticism of former PASOK governments, Papandreou noted that there was no such thing as an "unresponsible premier" in the Greek Constitution and that ND had promised to fix the problems in the police and security forces when it came into power.

"You demolished anything positive that had been done and multiplied anything negative that was there," he accused Karamanlis.

PASOK's leader was particularly scathing about the prison escape record during ND's term, especially the 'twin' helicopter escapes from Korydallos, and the travel advice about central Athens neighbourhoods recently posted in the U.S. State Department website.

Regarding suggestions that his party was supporting violence by rioters and demonstrators, Papandreou again stressed that his party was opposed to violence.

"What we say is that the problem is not the hoods but the crime - that you have to finally catch the hood wearers and that wearing a hood or not is immaterial".

[04] KKE blasts other parties on public safety policy

Papariga said that both Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and PASOK leader George Papandreou had been revealing in their addresses, with attention focused on petty crime, while violence was associated with poverty, unemployment, the victims of the crisis and drug addiction.

"Not that such phenomena do not exist," she said, "but the issue at hand is that the measures announced, and those that it was intimated would be taken, are measures that lead to the militarisation of internal security, abolition of the distinction between 'internal and external security', and the association of safety with the various types of struggle used by the popular movement, or used by every government to strike out at the popular movement."

This, she charged, "is the EU and NATO direction, and we cannot pretend that we don't realise this".

Another element of the blow against the popular movement was the creation of mechanisms for the people's participation as informants, "which of course were not established under ND, they existed under the PASOK government", Papariga continued.

She questioned whether it was only this petty crime that existed. "Is there no weapons and drug trafficking, 'companies' that provide paid killers, espionage by the multinationals, which is linked with organised crime?" she said, and accused the EU of not dealing with organised crime.

KKE's leader also questioned whether the very real problems of crime could be solved by increasing state repression or a 'technology race' between criminals and police. "Organised crime, the industry for creating new technologies, will find new methods," she pointed out.

Papariga also accused the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) of adopting the European security charter "which is the entire ideological constitution of state violence and suppression".

The KKE leader further called on the government to revoke all the measures it has announced, adding that the KKE served only one law, that of the workers just rights.

[05] Alavanos urges 'political approach' to violence

SYRIZA'S leader had begun his speech by expressing his deep sorrow and anguish over the deaths caused by Italy's devastating earthquake, especially to the family of a Greek student that died before rescue workers could reach him.

"This must be an example to all of us, regarding how precious human life is and how it must be our central axis," he underlined during Wednesday's off-the-agenda debate on public safety.

Alavanos then attacked the government and the speech made earlier by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, rejecting what he perceived as criticism aimed at his party and stressing that SYRIZA spurned the use of violence during protests and demonstrations.

At the same time, he noted that "violence needs a political approach," and pointed out that terrorism had not caused a single death in Greece throughout 2008 but that during the same year there had been 1522 deaths from road accidents, 150 deaths in the workplace, 320 suicides and 240 deaths caused by drugs.

"We do not want populism in addressing the problem. Violence must be dealt with in the hothouses and wombs that breed it and one of these is the economic crisis and the armies of desperate, jobless people," Alavanos stressed.

The government's policies, which directed funds to banks instead of the low-income groups that were hardest hit, were instead adding fertiliser to this "crisis hothouse" according to SYRIZA's leader.

He also spoke out against the harsher public order measures adopted by the government in its bid to discourage rioting, such as the additional penalties for those wearing hoods that committed a crime, saying it was creating an "arsenal that could prove dangerous to the country".

"We do not want a police force that is a mechanism for repressing protest....The police need to be efficient now that crime is become extreme, when it has mutated," SYRIZA's leader emphasised. Noting that the police had "become a seat of mass lawlessness" he repeated a proposal for a cross-party committee on police issues and opposed the abolition of university asylum.

[06] LAOS' Karatzaferis on public safety debate

Citing United Nations estimates that migrants in Greece will reach 4.5 million after 2015, Karatzaferis lashed out at the government for not reacting and PASOK for not submitting any proposals, stating characteristically that "Athens is turning into a ghetto".

"We cannot allow people to continue feeling unsafe," Karatzaferis stated, accusing the government of delay in taking measures against violence. He also accused PASOK and SYRIZA of displaying softness towards the hooded rioters.

He maintained that pressures will have to be exerted on Turkey and Albania to limit the number of illegal migrants crossing the borders into Greece, adding that their repatriation should be accelerated.

Karatzaferis also spoke of "alarming reality" as regards the foreign immigrants entering Greece.

On the issue of university asylum, Karatzaferis called on the prime minister to abolish it, underlining that a similar practice was not found anywhere else in the world.

[07] Foreign ministry spokesman on meeting between Greek, Turkish FMs

Asked whether mention was made of Halki and Thrace, - which according to the spokesman was very brief - while the question of violations in the Aegean was not raised, he replied that "Greek diplomacy, the foreign minister and the prime minister, in every meeting, brief all interlocutors on the national issues. Nothing changes because in a 20-minute meeting no extensive reference was made to the issues of the Aegean, but a clear reminded was made that the atmosphere in Greek-Turkish relations must improve."

The spokesman pointed out that what is important is that "there is no recession of Greek interests, not in the least, all these years. We are defending them with difficulty, but we are defending them."

Focusing on the "continuous and tough", as he said, defence of Greek interests, he reminded that "the Turkish Igemon exercise took place in a way that did not create problems for the sovereign rights or the duties that our country has."

Koumoutsakos said that "we feel strong because international law is an advocate of ours, we base all our positions on international treaties" and revealed that "the United States is expected to ratify the Treaty on Sea Law soon."

On the question of the brief reference made to Thrace during the meeting between the two foreign ministers, he said that there is no reciprocity and no correlation with the commitments that Turkey has assumed regarding the Patriarchate and Halki.

The spokesman said about the meeting between Bakoyannis and her Swedish counterpart Karl Bildt that the minister's intention was to probe intentions and thoughts on general, as well as on issues of Greek concern, and to communicate Greek positions in light of the assumption of the European Union presidency by Sweden in the second half of 2009.

[08] Greece wants full EU entry for Turkey, Athens says

He had been asked about Greece's position concerning the a proposal by France and Germany for a "special relationship" between Turkey and the EU during a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama in Europe.

He noted that the official EU policy on the issue remained the strategy decided on by the European Council, which stated that the goal of negotiations with Turkey was full accession, and that this had not changed.

"Turkey, through its own actions, is the one that can give a final answer to the dilemma: full accession or special relationship?" Koumoutsakos added.

Asked whether Turkey might get an extension in implementing the EU customs union protocol in exchange for accepting Anders Fogh Rasmussen as the new NATO Secretary-General, the spokesman said that "no such agreement was officially recorded".

Commenting on the U.S. President's statements in support of Turkey's accession to the EU, Koumoutsakos said that Athens agreed with efforts to encourage Turkey's European orientation and that this agreed with standing Greek positions, provided it met the terms and requirements of the EU. At the same time, he stressed that Greece defended the EU's autonomy in decision-making.

The foreign ministry spokesman also answered questions about a delay in the release of photographs of a meeting between Obama and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Tuesday, denying that the meeting had been carried out "in regime of secrecy".

"A photograph was released this morning. In any case, history is not determined by photographs but the substance of events, which is recorded in the statements made by the Patriarch immediately after the meeting," the spokesman emphasised.

[09] Foreign ministry spokesman on elections in FYROM

The spokesman also said that the international observers "pointed out, however, that there is ground for improvement since they detected cases of intimidation of voters and double voting during the election period."

He added that Athens believes that "a step was taken for rapprochement with European election norms. Reformist efforts must be continued to enable the criteria for the neighbouring country's European and Atlantic course to be fulfilled."

Koumoutsakos expressed the hope that the ountry's new president Georgi Ivanov "will work for a solution to the issue of the name that constitutes, according to decisions by NATO and the European Union, a precondition for the country approaching Euroatlantic institutions."

[10] Foreign ministry spokesman on foreign policy criticism

The spokesman, who was referring in general, as he said, to a question on a comment made by main opposition PASOK party deputy and foreign policy rapporteur Andreas Loverdos on the government's foreign policy, said that immediately after Easter a date will be set for the convening of the National Foreign Policy Council and the Parliamentary Defence and Foreign Relations Committee.

[11] Parliamentary probe into Pavlidis case begins

The special committee conducting the investigation has decided to call 28 witnesses that will be examined in double daily sessions, from Wednesday until April 15. They will then resume examining witnesses on April 21, after the Easter break, until the list is exhausted. The committee is due to submit its report to Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas on April 27.

Manoussis has accused the former minister of demanding kickbacks via an aide in his office in order to award the ship owner a subsidised route to remote islands. Pavlidis has denied the charge, insisting on his innocence, and has refused to resign from his seat in Parliament.

[12] President Papoulias meets with EDEK leader Omirou

President Papoulias, welcoming Omirou, asked about developments in the issues concerning Cyprus.

On his part, Omirou stated that seven months have passed since the commencement of direct negotiations, stressing that "unfortunately the Turkish intransigence continues".

Omirou said that a major issue on which Greece and Cyprus need to adopt a common position is the course until December, considering that it constitutes a crucial time for Turkey when the degree of its compliance with the obligations set out by the European Council will be assessed.

[13] Tsipras, EDEK leader discuss Cyprus dialogue

Tsipras said that developments on the Cyprus question "are not the best possible" adding that "despite all this we must insist with all our strength on the dialogue to enable the finding of a viable solution, that will be mutually acceptable. We shall be working in this direction in the near future as well, EDEK as part of a government coalition in Cyprus, we here a force that will struggle unwaveringly to enable a viable solution to the issue of Cyprus."

The Coalition leader also said that the issue of the country's position in light of December was also discussed, when Turkey's accession course will be judged, issues that are open, stressing "we expressed to Mr. Omirou our concern over the country's failure to play a substantive role of intervention in international political developments in contrast to Turkey's ever-increasing upgraded role that, one would say, tried to take advantage of the international conjuncture in the Middle East and developments in Georgia and we can see that it has an increasingly upgraded role which is recognised, even at a symbolic level, by the bilateral contacts of the new president of the U.S. and his visit to Turkey."

Omirou said on his part that "our assessment is that, unfortunately, Turkish intransigence remains steadfast, that the logic that is being promoted by the Turkish side in these talks is divisive and not unifying, that is, the logic of two states, a slack link between them, insistence on the anachronistic guarantee treaties, permanent deviations from the acquis communautaire."

On the other hand, he added, Cyprus and Greece must be seriously concerned and plan their course until December, in light of the assessment of Turkey's EU accession course by the European Council, concerning the commitments assigned to it towards the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct talks since September last year with a view to reach a comprehensive solution to reunify the island which remains divided for thirty five years after the 1974 Turkish invasion.

[14] SYRIZA con'f in view of Euro-elections

In a press conference on Wednesday, Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) party president Alexis Tsipras stated that SYRIZA "was and is a major step toward the unity of left", stressing that the conference will highlight that SYRIZA is the true pro-European force that wants a changed Europe.

Tsipras expressed optimism on the European Parliament election results, stressing that stakes are intentionally set high aimed at offering a new perspective to the country and society.

[15] U.S. Ambassador marks International Roma Day

According to an embassy press release, "the United States recognizes the hard work of the Greek government and non-governmental organizations on behalf of some 300,000 members of Roma communities here in the fields of education, housing, and social services," the Ambassador also noted, "and remains committed to working with these partners to promote and protect Roma rights."

The Ambassador shared with his guests a videotaped statement from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton which noted that in addition to supporting Roma human rights through bilateral relationships, the United States will do so through its involvement in organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). "As this year's OSCE chairman-in-office, Greece has a particularly important role to play," Speckhard concluded.

[16] U.S. envoy visits CRES

According to an embassy press release, Ambassador Speckhard "highlighted the excellent bilateral cooperation on renewable energy, particularly the agreement between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and CRES on energy efficiency projects in the Balkans, and assistance in general."

Touching on future cooperation, the U.S. envoy discussed the invitation for a Greek delegation visit to the National Renewables Energy Lab (NREL) in Colorado with CRES President Ioannis Agapitidis and his team, as well as Special Advisor to the Ministry of Development Elsa Loverdou, the press releas added.

Financial News

[17] Gov't to launch 1.3-bln-euro support programs for SMEs

Speaking to reporters, Hatzidakis said the programs would be part of a Competitiveness II program, including the withdrawal of energy-consumpting electrical appliances, energy upgrading of buildings, a natural gas pipeline in Aliveri, Evia, a special program to supporting the textile, clothing and footwear industries and a program to set up investor reception centers in prefecturals.

The Greek minister said 80 pct of a Fourth Community Support Framework's funds was channeled to regional Greece.

[18] Tourism enterprises call for urgent support measures

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference, Nikos Aggelopoulos, president of the Federation of Greek Tourism Enterprises, said funding should be in the form of bonds and would contribute greatly in improving the industry's competitiveness, hit by more attractive prices offered by countries outside the Eurozone area and from a delay in launching this year's tourism ad campaign internationally.

The Federation called the government to lower VAT on tourism services by three percentage points and cutting an airport duty by 75 pct in regional airports. Aggelopoulos said a decision by the government to suspend aircraft slot fees in regional airports would offer only minimal benefits to passengers.

Greek hotel prices were currently at 2004 levels, with price discounts exceeding 20 pct compared with 2008. The Federation said any further discount in hotel prices would lead hotel enterprises to negative financial results this year and said that according to preliminary estimates tourist arrivals in Greece would fall by 20 pct this year, compared with 2008.

[19] BoG sees 23,500 job losses this year

The central banker also made unfavourable predictions over economic growth saying "building activity will stall while growth will be minimal". He recommended the introduction of an economic policy with a medium-term horizon including measures to be directly implemented, with the aim to deal with the economy's main imbalanaces that feed and expand the country's large domestic and external deficits. Provopoulos predicted that the country's current accounts deficit would ease to 12.5-13.0 pct of GDP this year, from 14.4 pct last year, as a global recession hits mainly imports.

The central banker urged for measures to restructuring the country's public finances.

[20] MEP Angelakas on EU decision to subsidise RES for households

Angelakas, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at the European Parliament's delegation in downtown Athens, said the revision garnered an impressive 627 votes in favor, with only 17 against and 12 abstentions.

He estimated that the revision will be published in the EU's official gazette in two to three weeks, while adding that his contacts with the Greek government -- particularly the relevant development ministry -- to brief Athens on the latest development are in the initial stages. Along these lines, he said the emphasis should be on ensuring a minimum of bureaucratic "red tape" for private citizens taking advantage of the development.

Angelakas, a ND MEP, underlined that up to 4 percent of 4th CSF funds earmarked for Greece -- roughly 20 billion euros -- can now be funneled towards the subsidisation of renewable energy sources for households, such as photovoltaic systems and wind energy, as well as better insulation.

He repeatedly clarified, however, that EU national governments will decide on what percentage of Community funding they will allocate towards this end, and, just as importantly, what types of renewable energy sources they will subsidise, given the climatic, geographical and developmental differences in the EU-27.

In pointing to an example, Angelakas said just one percent of the 20 billion euros in CSF funding for Greece -- if allocated by Athens -- translates into 200 million euros, with the possible breakdown being 500 euros for 400,000 households towards the purchase of such infrastructure and equipment.

The MEP reminded that Greece currently generates 6.9 percent of its energy needs via renewable energy sources, while the EU-mandated goal is 20 percent by 2020.

[21] MIG names new corporate development manager

Koulouris has a 10-year experience in international investment banking, mergers and acquisitions and has worked in UBS, CSFB and Deutsche Bank in the past.

[22] Greek inflation rate at 1.3 pct in March

The statistics service said the consumer price index rose 2.0 pct in March from February 2009 and attributed the 1.3 pct annual increase of the index to: a 4.7 pct rise in education prices, a 3.9 pct rise in hotel-coffee-restaurant prices, a 3.4 pct increase in food/beverage prices, a 3.2 pct rise in alcohol and tobacco prices, a 3.1 pct increase in healthcare, a 3.0 pct rise in clothing and footwear and to: 4.1 pct decline in housing prices, a 3.0 pct fall in transport prices and a 0.5 pct decline in communications prices.

Commenting on the figures, Manolis Kontopyrakis, secretary-general of the National Statistical Service, said the March figure reflected mainly a 3.5 pct drop in oil prices and noted that the core inflation was 2.7 pct in March, from 3.6 pct in March 2008. He predicted that the consumer price index would be around March levels in April.

Greece's harmonised inflation rate rose 1.5 pct in March, from March 2008, after an increase of 4.4 pct in March 2008.

[23] Successful recycling programme at Athens airport

According to an announcement, in 2008 it achieved a considerable increase in recycling in the region of 43 percent, compared to 34 percent in 2007. Meaning that in 2008 6,567 tons of paper and plastic were recycled, while the actions of the airport company will be continued in 2009 as well, with the implementation of a new recycling programme in the company's buildings.

The activities of Athens airport will go even further, since the programme also anticipates the gradual changing of the airport's fleet of vehicles into environmentally-friendly vehicles, with the aim of contributing to the effort to decrease atmospheric pollution.

[24] Greek stocks jump 4.50 pct on Wednesday

All sectors moved upwards, with the Banks (7.44 pct), Constructions (6.69 pct), Utilities (4.31 pct), Telecommunications (4.24 pct) and Chemicals (4.07 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The FTSE 20 index jumped 5.26 pct, the FTSE 40 index rose 3.44 pct and the FTSE 80 index ended 0.03 pct down. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 160 to 41 with another 48 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +1.08%

Industrials: +2.47%

Commercial: +1.18%

Construction: +6.69%

Media: +1.50%

Oil & Gas: +1.36%

Personal & Household: +2.59%

Raw Materials: +3.59%

Travel & Leisure: +0.65%

Technology: +2.93%

Telecoms: +4.24

Banks: +7.44%

Food & Beverages: +3.46%

Health: +2.26%

Utilities: +4.31%

Chemicals: +4.07%

Financial Services: +3.58%

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: 5.97

ATEbank: 1.16

Public Power Corp (PPC): 14.50

HBC Coca Cola: 11.43

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.92

National Bank of Greece: 13.41

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 5.09

Intralot: 4.10

OPAP: 19.20

OTE: 12.05

Bank of Piraeus: 5.59

Titan Cement Company: 16.70

[25] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 20,887 contracts, worth 14.025 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (5,655), followed by Eurobank (860), Piraeus Bank (2,260), GEK (1,253), Alpha Bank (3,031), Marfin Popular Bank (1,668) and Cyprus Bank (1,194).

[26] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates fell further. The 12-month Euribor rate was 1.79 pct, the six-month rate was 1.62 pct, the three-month 1.44 pct and the one-month rate 1.02 pct.

[27] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.333

Pound sterling 0.906

Danish kroner 7.510

Swedish kroner 10.984

Japanese yen 133.43

Swiss franc 1.529

Norwegian kroner 8.967

Canadian dollar 1.647

Australian dollar 1.879

General News

[28] Conference on climate change policy in Athens on May 12-13

Among its participants are members of the Greek government, political parties and business community, as well as visiting foreign officials. The summit will bring together senior governmental officials, corporate leaders, financiers and experts to debate and discuss how the twin goals of energy security and managing climate change can be achieved to the benefit of all. It is part of a wider debate taking place worldwide, in preparation for the UN Copenhagen Climate Change Conference coming up in 2009.

Hosted by FT Global Events in association with the Institute for Climate and Energy Security and C&C International Group of Companies, the start of the Summit at the Hilton Hotel in Athens will be declared by Papoulias and the speakers will include main opposition PASOK President George Papandreou, Environment Minister George Souflias and Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis.

[29] Athens mayor addresses event on first two years of his tenure

Speaking at the Athens Concert Hall, Kaklamanis referred to all that he has done during the first two years of his tenure.

The event was attended by many Parliamentary deputies, former ministers, agency representatives and a large audience.

[30] Retrospective exhibition of works by artist Costas Andreou

Costas Andreou was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1917 to Greek parents who had immigrated to Brazil a few years prior. In 1925, his family moved back to Greece where he settled in Athens until the end of World War II.

Costas Andreou had a highly successful career that spanned six decades and for half a century worked in France. He was dubbed the "Phidias of welding" praised by many as an eminent figure in international art of the 20th century. He held over 250 personal and group exhibitions, received many awards and honors and was the only Greek who received the A. Pevsner award.

The exhibition held at the Eugenides Foundation Planetarium opened on Wednesday, April 8 and will run until Sunday, April 26. Access for the public will be free of charge. On April 17-20 the exhibition will be closed due to the Orthodox Easter holiday.

More than 60 works will be on display.

The Eugenides Foundation was established in 1956 by shipping magnate Eugene Eugenides, as an independent, non-profit welfare organisation, with the mission to enhance the scientific, technological and technical education in Greece.

[31] International Conference on Penelope Delta opens in Cairo

The 1st International Conference on the personality of the great writer Penelope Delta (1874-1941) opened in Cairo on Tuesday in the presence of academics from Greece and Egypt.

"The work of Penelope Delta, who was born in Alexandria, is directly linked with a deeper understanding of the struggles of the Greek people aimed at protecting their national identity throughïèô the centuries, Greek ambassador to Egypt Alexios Zepos stated, opening the conference.

The conference will be completed on Thursday and is being held at the Library of Alexandria with the support of the education ministry Special Secretariat of Expatriate and Cross-cultural Education, the Hellenic American Educational Institute, the Greek community in Cairo and the universities of Athens, Sorbonne, Al Azhar and Alexandria.

[32] Ancient shipbuilding museum in Hania

The ancient man-o-war is part of a permanent exhibition of ancient and traditional boat-building that also features conventional vessels and ship-building tools. A total of 10,000 adults and 5,000 children visited the museum last year, the majority of them foreign tourists.

[33] Zammit lauded for raising awareness about organ donation

Presenting Zammit with a symbolic gift in memory of his son, the heart centre's board chairman Prof. Ioannis Papadimitriou stressed that organ donation was "the highest act of love for others and one's fellow human beings, that indicated the donor's family greatness of heart". He emphasised that Zammit's generous act had a double significance, since it both saved and returned another human being to family and society in good health, while at the same time helping to raise awareness about organ donation, an area in which Greece lagged behind in comparison with other countries.

Chief surgeon Petros Alivizatos, who had overseen the transplant operation using Zammit's heart, said that Oliver Zammit's generosity of spirit had led to the tripling of organ donations to the Onassis Cardiac Surgery centre in 2008, expressing hope that his visit would once again boost organ donations and give hope to the 21 patients now on the hospital's waiting list.

Surgeon Petros Sfyrakis also pointed out that organs from one donor could sometimes save the lives of as many as eight or even 10 other patients.

Zammit had returned to Greece for a short visit and was shown around the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre, thanking them and praising the medical expertise of its staff.

"When you think about the possibility of needing an organ for someone dear to you, you are morally obliged to also donate the organ of someone that is close to you to a fellow human being that needs it," he said and stressed the need to constantly raise public awareness of the issue.

The Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre has so far carried out 73 heart transplants, with 65 of those patients still alive today. The Centre carried out 19 heart and lung transplants in 2008, whereas in previous years there had never been more than six to eight in a year.

Twenty-year-old Australian Doujon Zammit died in August 2008 after a severe beating during a fight with bouncers on the island of Mykonos left him clinically brain-dead and his family decided to take him off life-support. His heart was used in a successful transplant operation for a 31-year-old Australian of Greek origin.

[34] Justice minister holds talks with Korydallos mayor on removal of prison

Kasimatis met with Justice Minister Nikos Dendias and received the assurance that the demand will be met on condition that the suitable location for the transfer of the prison will be found soon.

The Justice minister told the mayor that the decision has been taken, but the plan to remove the prison from Korydallos cannot go ahead unless the suitable location is found.

The minister added that during the first 10 days in May a timetable will be prepared for the relocation of the prison or the evacuation of the Korydallos prison with the transfer of detainees to other prisons that are already under construction.

The mayor of Korydallos stressed that it is not possible for the biggest prison in the country to coexist with schools, children's nurseries and sports facilities.

[35] 56 arrested in police 'sweep' operation in Athens

The Attica General Police Directorate (GADA) announced on Wednesday that in a total of 716 checks, 92 people (40 of Georgian nationality, 15 Albanians, six Russians, two Syrians and 29 of various other nationalities) were taken in for questioning during the operation, of which 56 were remanded in custody.

GADA said that, of the detainees, 13 were arrested on narcotics charges (15 Greeks and eight foreign nationals), eight for violation of the vice law, eight for illegal weapons possession (one Greek and seven Albanians), a Georgian national in whose possession they found a stiletto knife, a wig and burglary tools, which were confiscated, and also 26 illegal immigrants.

Checks were also conducted on 126 cars and 60 motorcycles, as well as on 39 shops.

Further, police confiscated 4.4 grams of heroin, 51.6 grams of cannabis, 64 narcotic pills, a pistol and 17 cartridges, a blast pistol, four knives, a crowbar and brass knuckles.

[36] Four youths accused of scores of thefts and break-ins

They confessed during questioning that they targeted coastal regions in Nea Moudania, Kassandra and Sithonia. Their loot was 8,000 euros in cash, mobile phones, electrical appliances, valuables and other objects, with an estimated value of 19,000 euros, which they sold in Thessaloniki.

Weather Forecast

[37] Fair on Thursday

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

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Settlement of overdue debts to the State - June 30 deadline for applications".

APOGEVMATINI: "8,222 job opportunities (for seasonal and tenured employees in public sector)".

AVGHI: "State and workers paying the industries - Behind-the-scenes talks between SEB (Federation of Greek Industries) and GSEE (General Confederation of Workers of Greece) on the (activation of the frozen funds of) 200 million euros for the LAEK (Employment and Career Orientation Account).

AVRIANI: "Obama's meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch held 'secretly' and without a photographer - Absolutely in line with the Turkish positions, the US President did not say a word about the Aegean".

CHORA: "Harsh fate for the Greek student - He succumbed under the ruins, as he was talking to rescuers".

ELEFTHEROS: "Karamanlis government even with 150 MPs - PASOK openly does not want the government to collapse".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Fines on the semi-enclosed balconies (which have been illegally fully enclosed) of up to 30,000 euros for those who do not declare them".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Fear of losing the 151 slim majority (in the 300-member parliament) leading the government to...exoneration (of Pavlidis)".

ESTIA: "Adverse climate for the government - The impact of the Pavlidis affair".

ETHNOS: "Pavlidis the 'regulator' of elections - Karamanlis in a political impasse".

KATHIMERINI: "Critical 20 days for the government - Pavlidis case revives speculations of early elections".

LOGOS: "Mourning in Greece as well - 28-year-old student Vassilis Koufolias' body recovered from the rubble in L'Aquila".

NIKI: "The borrowed money is also drying up - The state has already borrowed 40 of the 43 billion euros it had estimated for up to the end of the year".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Cast your vote also into the battle for a new page for the people".

TA NEA: "They're chasing after 550,000 debtors with property seizure (for debts to the state), aiming at collecting 1.8 billion euros".

TO VIMA: "Industrialists calling for 4-day working week (with corresponding reduction in pay) - The exacerbation of the crisis has domino effect on the real economy".

VRADYNI: "The hope died in the ruins - L'Aquila: More than 228 dead, Vassilis Koufolias among them".

Cyprus Affairs

[39] Arab League head expresses support for Cyprus

The League of Arab States insists on a solution of the Cyprus problem based on the relevant United Nations resolutions, Secretary General of the Arab League, Amre Moussa has said, after a meeting in Cairo with President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias.

The Cypriot President, on a three - day official visit to Egypt, met Wednesday with Moussa and in statements after the meeting, he announced that Cyprus would accredit an Ambassador to the Arab League.

''Cyprus has very close relations with the Arab League and despite the fact that we are members of the EU, we will accredit an Ambassador to the League", he said.

The Arab League, he continued, is ''an organisation which follows positions of principle, since it supports the implementation of the UN resolutions for Cyprus, the termination of foreign intervention and occupation".

He added "the Arab League favors Cyprus' reunification on the basis of the decisions taken by Cypriots themselves''.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Amre Moussa stressed that "the Arab League insists on the basis of the UN resolutions".

"UN resolutions have to be respected. At the same time the best thing is an agreement that the Cypriot people would reach in order to have a solution that enjoys the support of everybody and that is what the President is trying to do", Moussa continued.

President Christofias expressed Cyprus' gratitude for the Arab League's positions on Cyprus and said that Cyprus supports the implementation of the UN resolutions on the Palestinian issue, "that would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state next to the state of Israel".

He said he has accepted an invitation extended to him by Moussa to address the Arab League's Conference.

The General Secretary of the Arab League said that during the meeting he was briefed by President Christofias on developments in the Cyprus question and he informed the Cypriot President about the Middle East situation.

"We have a long standing friendship with the Cypriot people and we are very much interested in knowing how things develop and that was the essence of the discussions that took place", Moussa concluded.

In the afternoon, President Christofias was to travel to Alexandria, where on Thursday he will have a meeting with the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II.

The Patriarch will decorate President Christofias with the Cross of Evangelist Markos, the highest honorary distinction.

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