Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 09-04-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis: PASOK trying to 'terrorise' judges

[02] Meimarakis message for NY Greek parade

[03] Defence minister meets Archbishop of America

[04] Papoulias says Cyprus issue 'in the heart of every Greek'

[05] Kassimis, Syrian foreign minister discuss bilateral ties

[06] Bosnia-Herzegovina presidency chairman in Greece

[07] Papandreou: Euro-elections a 'referendum'

[08] Papandreou on heightened tension in Greek politics

[09] KKE replies to PASOK

[10] Tsipras urges 'clean sweep' for politics

[11] Tsipras in Portugal

[12] Zagoritis on Pavlidis vote in Parliament

[13] Poll gives PASOK 3 pct lead for Euro-elections

[14] Measures for Achaia earthquake victims, migrants

[15] Regional development a key policy, interior minister says

[16] Regional development to continue, minister stresses

[17] Interior minister inaugurates public inspectors' corps offices in Patras

[18] Meeting on swine fever in Athens

[19] Finmin: Public debt the biggest worry

[20] Sioufas inaugurates Smokovo hydroelectric station

[21] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

[22] Police leaning toward rival gangs theory in Alter shootings

[23] Government, political parties on Alter incident

[24] Events marking Armenian genocide held in Greece

[25] Memorial service in Thessaloniki for Holocaust victims

[26] Police officer in gang of robbers had flawless record

[27] Policemen attacked by youths with firebombs

[28] Drunk-driver diplomatic attache smashes shop window

[29] Cyclists protest in Athens metro

[30] Immigrant trafficker and five illegal immigrants intercepted

[31] Pakistani protest against racist attacks

[32] Greek Super League Results

[33] Cloudy, rainy on Monday

[34] The Sunday editions of Athens' dailies at a glance

[01] Karamanlis: PASOK trying to 'terrorise' judges

According to Karamanlis, the main opposition was engaged in attempts to intimidate judges and falling into practices that constituted "an institutional deviation".

"[PASOK] is making mysterious and irresponsible advance announcements regarding the supposed intentions of judges, making interventions with unconstitutional demands, engaging in the distortion of the contents of judicial documents. It is engaging in an attempt to terrorise justice," Karamanlis stressed.

He went on to accuse the main opposition of dealing irresponsibly with the crucial issues facing the country and trying to divert attention away from serious problems in a bid to "lump together" the two main parties and erase its own "sinful past".

"PASOK's leader makes it obvious that he has other interests. He proves that he cannot rise to the responsibility demanded by the major economic and national issues," Karamanlis added.

The premier stressed that the government would not play along with PASOK's game and that it had nothing to hide:

"Suspicious cases were uncovered and sent to trial by our own initiative. Either real or fabricated charges were brought before Justice and this is happening for the first time in our country," he stressed.

"We have dealt with every issue that has arisen, we did not hesitate, did not back down, did not hide anything. We will not join in the games of irresponsibility. I say this expressly: enough, no more, PASOK cannot turn the country into a Colosseum," Karamanlis emphasised, noting that PASOK was in no position to pose as a champion of transparency and had its own share of responsibility for cases that were now coming to light.

"Citizens can judge and compare. On the one hand they have those that have nothing to say that the country needs and on the other a government taking difficult decisions for the good of the country. We do not play with the future of the country. That is above all else," he emphasised.

Karamanlis said the government had a guaranteed plan for exiting the economic crisis and emphasised the assistance given to the poorer sections of society, such as the unemployed and pensioners, or the 500 million euros in compensations for farmers.

"The country's problems can not be faced with magic recipes, wishful thinking and easy decisions; they need tough decisions that might not be easy on the ears but bring results," he stressed.

Funds to Kastoria tripled, PM says

The cost of public works carried out in western Macedonia had reached two billion euros in the past five years while funds to the Kastoria prefecture had tripled in that time, Karamanlis told the industrialists attending the meeting in Kastoria.

He said that the government was pressing ahead with its strategy to develop regional areas, in spite of the difficult economic climate, with a regional public works programme of 19 billion euros, larger than ever before.

PM's visit to Argos Orestiko Museum

Earlier on Sunday, the prime minister paid a visit to the Argos Orestiko Archaeological Museum that opened recently in the area and the "Dragon Cave" that is soon to be opened to visitors, as well as the Vassiliada Dam and works for a road linking the Egnatia Highway with the Greek-Albanian border at Krystallopigi, where he announced that the government will be holding a tender for the final stretch of the road linking Siatista and Krystallopigi in early 2010.

[02] Meimarakis message for NY Greek parade

As the city's Greek community prepared for the annual Greek Independence Day parade in Manhattan, with the weather forecast promising sun and clear skies, Greek National Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis addressed a message of unity and love from Greece at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Aghia Triada.

"We must all make a joint effort to achieve our goals, serving the values, the principles and visions that united us and which are universal," he said after a Sunday mass led by Archbishop of America Demetrius.

"We honour the memory of all those that gave their lives for the principles and values of freedom, so that Greece can exist today and spread this message to all the world," he added, stressing that Greeks abroad had a predominant role in this effort. Meimarakis will represent the Greek government and be among the grand marshals of the Greek Independence Day parade on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, which celebrates the March 25 Independence Day holiday in Greece.

The mass was followed by a reception at a New York hotel, followed by the parade that will be attended by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and several city and state officials.

In an event on Saturday night, meanwhile, Meimarakis was presented with the "1821 Hellenic Independence Award" by the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater NY.

[03] Defence minister meets Archbishop of America

Greece's National Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis met Archbishop of America Demetrios at his offices in Manhattan on Friday, describing him as a "symbol of the national unity of worldwide Hellenism".

Meimarakis is in New York to represent the Greek government at the March 25 Greek Independence Day Parade to take place on Manhattan's 5th Avenue on Sunday, where he is to be master of ceremonies.

Emerging from the meeting, the minister noted that the archbishop "is a man who, with his knowledge and prestige, promotes Greek views and positions in America and at the same time holds under his aegis, under his protection, all the Greek community".

On his part, the archbishop stressed the importance of having direct communication with Greece on foreign policy issues, stressing that "these were difficult but can always be solved with the right knowledge and positions, on the basis of principles that are inviolable and eternal, such as respect for human rights, respect for religious freedoms, love for fellow human beings and not just tolerance for others but co-existence".

Afterwards, Archbishop Demetrios met members of a cross-party delegation from Greece that will take part in Sunday's events for the March 25 national holiday.

Earlier on Friday, a federation of Greek associations of New York organised a reception in view of Sunday's parade, which was addressed by Meimarakis, the archbishop, members of the Greek delegation and local Greek-American community officials.

[04] Papoulias says Cyprus issue 'in the heart of every Greek'

In a speech after he was proclaimed - together with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias - an honorary citizen of the town of Naousa, Macedonia, on the occasion of the 187th anniversary of the town's holocaust, Papoulias said that Hellenism was united in supporting the Cypriot struggle for the implementation of UN decisions for ending the Turkish occupation, for a solution establishing a bizonal, bicommunal federation, that will agree with the acquis communautaire, with a single sovereignty, identity and international personality. "A solution without arbitration and tight timeframes," he remarked.

The Greek president acknowledged that the road ahead is difficult but "our dedication in the strength of the people of Cyprus and Greece and dedication to the EU principles and values, makes us believe that there will be justice at end of the day".

On his part, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias sent a message that the Cyprus government would continue to work "incessantly to find a solution to the Cyprus problem for Cypriots and not a solution that will be the result of arbitration and tight timeframes". Christofias noted that the dangers facing the negotiating procedure following the result of the so-called elections in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus make necessary for Turkey to clarify its position towards the framework of the solution that was agreed to support together with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Christofias said the Cyprus issue is at a critical crossroads adding that "a divided Cyprus has no future".

The Cypriot president called on Turkey to implement the obligations it has undertaken towards the EU and by signing the additional protocol to the Ankara Agreement, and urged the international community to exert every possible influence towards Turkey to exhibit constructive stance.

Referring to the 187th anniversary of the holocaust in Naousa, Christofias said that it was a significant moment in Greece's modern history, adding that Cyprus has a share in it too since hundreds of Cypriots went to Greece to help in the fight against the Turks.

Earlier Sunday President Papoulias and President Christofias attended a doxology at the Metropolitan Church of the Metamorphosis of the Saviour, led by Metropolitan of Veroia and Naousa Panteleimon.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. President of the Republic Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began direct negotiations in September last year with a view to solve the question of Cyprus.

[05] Kassimis, Syrian foreign minister discuss bilateral ties

Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis met his Syrian counterpart Abdel Fattah Amoura and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al Moallem here on Sunday, on the third day of his official visit to Syria. Their talks focused on bilateral affairs and developments in the Middle East.

"The very good ties between Greece and Syria are once again confirmed," Kassimis said after emerging from the meetings, adding that the talks had also covered the new situation in the Middle East, Syria's relations with neighbouring countries and its initiatives for talks between the Palestinian aiming at a peace settlement in the region.

They had also discussed the prospects of developing trade and economic relations, especially in view of Syria's plans to upgrade its ports and road network and become a conduit between the West and the Middle East.

On the second day of his visit to Syria, Kassimis had paid a visit to the city of Haleb (Aleppo) that has a sizeable Greek community and also a Greek-Orthodox cathedral, meeting Metropolitan Pavlos.

[06] Bosnia-Herzegovina presidency chairman in Greece

Radmanovic arrived at the city's 'Macedonia' airport in the afternoon and visited the Zeitenlik Allied Forces cemetery, where he laid a wreath.

He is due in Athens on Monday, where he will meet President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, Greek Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and members of the government.

[07] Papandreou: Euro-elections a 'referendum'

Under the headline "This is how I will govern", Papandreou pledged a policy that would boost the real economy, promote "green" growth and increase trust in the political system by reducing the number of government members and a radical overhaul of election law. He also promised that all government decisions will be posted on the Internet, in order to increase transparency and political accountability.

Outlining his government's economic policy, Papandreou said that he would take measures to curb wasteful spending and tax evasion, while stressing that the cost of bringing the country out of the crisis would be allocated fairly.

PASOK's leader went to a "wage war on bureaucracy and corruption", promising tough measures to restrict provocatively high salaries in public-sector organisations, while pledging to improve the public health and education systems.

"At the time of crisis, we must be the first to give an example," he pointed out.

Another measure promised by Papandreou was a change in the way of recording the economy's performance without harming the country's interests, while he accused ruling New Democracy of having "slandered" PASOK by its methods of recording state debts and deficits.

PASOK's president repeated his plans to focus on green growth, especially on renewable energy sources, and appeared confident that the "the time is maturing for a renegotiation of the terms of the Maastricht Treaty, to be complemented by an Agreement for Social Cohesion".

In connection with the recent cases of suspected scandal currently under investigation, such as that of former Aegean Minister Aristotelis Pavlidis, the Siemens slush funds probe or the Vatopedi monastery land exchanges, Papandreou accused ruling New Democracy attempting to cover up its own responsibility of "violating the simple principle that we are equal before the law and the justice has no party boundaries".

Regarding a decision by Supreme Court Attorney General George Sanidas to prevent the file on Vatopedi being sent to Parliament, Papandreou said this was a "judicial coup".

[08] Papandreou on heightened tension in Greek politics

In an interpretation of the increasingly contentious political climate prevailing in Greece in recent days, main opposition PASOK's president George Papandreou told reporters in London on Sunday that "tension arises when someone is in disharmony with common sense, goes counter to reality, as New Democracy is doing".

"The Right has a sell-by date," he added and laughed off government accusations of a "PASOK coup" targeting justice.

Main opposition PASOK party leader and Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou will make a speech on Monday at the London School of Economics (LSE) on Progressive Governance, Greece and International Developments, a party announcement said on Sunday.

[09] KKE replies to PASOK

"Why does PASOK's leadership recently react to KKE's criticism that its policies have no essential differences with those of [ruling New Democracy]? KKE has been making the same observation for years," a KKE party announcement pointed out.

"The reason is that it is worried because thousands of PASOK voters, betrayed by their leadership, are concerned and alienated, because they can see that PASOK is not an answer to ND. The repercussions of the policies of ND and PASOK are suffered by all workers, regardless of what party they vote for," KKE said.

[10] Tsipras urges 'clean sweep' for politics

"In order to be rid of the scandals, it is not enough to change one corrupt minister. We must change everything in order to restore principles and rules to politics," he said.

SYN's leader ruled out the prospect of cooperation with main opposition PASOK, however, saying that the policies and programmes of the two parties did not allow generalised cooperation.

"At SYN we have decided to be with the 'underdogs', the unprivileged. We are not going to change this for any ministry," he added.

Asked about the latest figures for Greece's public deficit, which was estimated at 5 percent of GDP, Tsipras said that this was not necessarily very big in a time of crisis.

"There is no economics book that says that a 3 percent deficit is the greatest that an economy must have. This principle exists only in the stupid Stability Pact. In order to have a serious policy in response to the crisis we ought to have a deficit at least double 5 percent," he replied.

Regarding SYRIZA's drop in opinion polls, Tsipras urged patience and said that people, especially young people, were ready for a big change and preparing big surprises for those that took their votes for granted.

[11] Tsipras in Portugal

"The message of the Carnation Revolution in Portugal is that peoples can change everything," Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party leader Alexis Tsipras stressed here on Saturday. Tsipras was in Portugal to take part in a demonstration marking the 35th anniversary since historic overthrow of the authoritarian regime of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar in 1974.

"Now is the time to change things. Now is the time for popular participation. For a new political reform from below," Tsipras said in a statement, noting that Europe might not be run by military dictatorships any more but there were still the "dictatorship of money markets and banks".

"There is no longer the 'plaster cast' of military law. But there is the 'plaster cast' of the Stability Pact and the Lisbon Strategy," Tsipras added, noting that the political system had shown itself unable to meet the expectations and hopes that had followed the return of democracy in both Portugal and Greece in 1974.

"Corruption, graft and an widening of social inequality prevail and mark the failure of the two-party system," he stressed.

Tsipras arrived at the head of a SYN party delegation that took part in the demonstration, as a guest of the Portuguese Left-wing Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda).

[12] Zagoritis on Pavlidis vote in Parliament

"The question is for no one to be wronged and for the faction to not be burdened," Zagoritis said when asked what stance ND will take during Parliament's vote on the issue.

"We will vote according to conscience, based on the results of the audit of the accounts that we are waiting for and the findings of the colleagues on the [special Parliamentary] committee," he pointed out.

[13] Poll gives PASOK 3 pct lead for Euro-elections

According to VPRC's findings, 37 percent of those asked said that they would vote for PASOK, 34 percent for ND, 8.5 percent for the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), 8 percent for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), 5 percent for the Ecologists-Greens, 4.5 percent for the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) and three percent for other parties.

The poll was commissioned by the Internet television channel tvxs.gr and printed in the newspaper "Avghi".

The sample was 935 people from all areas of Greece, using the method of a personal interview, between March 20 and April 13 this year.

Sixty-two percent of those asked said that they were not or only slightly interested in the election but 75 percent said that they would definitely or almost definitely vote in the European elections. As the most important criteria in deciding their vote, 33 percent said that these would be domestic issues, 13 percent said European issues and 39 percent said "both equally".

[14] Measures for Achaia earthquake victims, migrants

Pavlopoulos made the statements while attending a meeting of regional organisations in the port city of Patras in western Greece on Friday. As well as being the capital of Achaia, the city has a particularly acute immigrant problem.

The minister said that more than 410 million euros were available under the plan for earthquake victims, with targeted action reflecting the conditions of the region covering the period until 2013.

The money was to be divided into yearly amounts and derived from various funding programmes, such as the Theseus 2 fund for municipalities, the 2007-2013 operational programmes and others.

It will include the immediate relief measures amounting to 42.3 million euros, the restoration of buildings amounting to 225 million euros, repairs to infrastructure amounting to 42 million euros, restoration of the natural environment costing 60 million euros, and development of tourism and agriculture, with funds of up to 44 million euros.

Regarding the measures for immigrants, he promised to shut down a makeshift camp set up on the coast in Iroon Polytechnio where people were living in dismal conditions by the end of May and to create a closed, guarded and organised camp at a former army base in the area, using existing facilities as well as building new ones.

He promised that this would be funded exclusively by the state, without local authorities being obliged to spend a single euro, and said that the camp will be an interim solution until the immigrants staying there are transferred to a Hospitality Centre in Drepano, Achaia.

The minister also promised to strengthen the local police and coast guard, increasing security measures at Patras port, and referred to the need to implement re-entry agreements.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Deputy Health Minister Marios Salmas announced that unaccompanied underaged migrants would come under the care of the ministry and be housed at a camp for children in Amfilochia with the help of non-governmental organisations and inducted into Konitsa social welfare structures.

[15] Regional development a key policy, interior minister says

"There cannot be social cohesion and justice if there is no development in regional areas, which for us are the centre of the whole policy," he said in an address on Friday night.

He said the Theseus 2 programme was stronger than those that preceded it, giving regions much stronger prospects for growth and doubling the amount going to municipal authorities to 3.5 billion euros.

[16] Regional development to continue, minister stresses

"The promotion of regional development in our country is continuing at an unreduced pace, in spite of the deep international economic crisis. Because we consider that boosting social cohesion and implementation of the developmental plan for the regions must be intensified, to the extent that they are strong antidotes-actions for shielding our economy and supporting those that have the greatest need of support," he said on Saturday night.

He noted that 1,306 projects with a total budget of roughly one billion euros had been carried out in western Greece since New Democracy came into power in 2004, radically changing the nature of the region and ensuring an optimal close to the 3rd Community Support Framework, with asborption rates set to exceed 100 percent by the end of 2009.

Turning to issues of public order, the minister said that the general police headquarters for the western Greece region was being restructured and re-organised, and would get additional staff.

He also reported a reduction in important forms of crime in the region during 2008 compared to the previous year, including manslaughter, fraud, circulation of forged notes, burglaries and animal thefts.

[17] Interior minister inaugurates public inspectors' corps offices in Patras

"The struggle to combat corruption and stamp out mismanagement requires substantial and in-depth inspections throughout public administration, with emphasis on positions of responsibility. For this reason, the Karamanlis government, since taking over its duties, has given absolute priority to reinforcing inspection mechanisms, both on an institutional level and on the level of means and infrastructure, as well as on intensifying and decentralising inspections," he said.

"Our goal is to deal rapidly with any delinquent behaviour and severely punish those responsible," he added.

Pavlopoulos pointed out that the SEEDD had been given additional powers in the last four years, while their powers to carry out in-depth audits of assets owned by public-sector officials especially had been increased. In addition, four new regional offices had been set up in Rethymno, Serres, Ioannina and Patras and the number of staff in the service significantly increased.

He noted that this had led to a rapid improvement in the Corps' performance, with 845 inspections carried out in 2008 when the total number carried out between 1998-2003 had been just 376.

[18] Meeting on swine fever in Athens

The meeting was held between the crisis management team at the Hellenic Centre for Infectious Diseases Control (HCIDC), the Hellenic Health Operations Centre and other organisations in the field.

The health ministry said that instructions will be immediately sent to hospitals throughout the country on the laboratory tests needed and ways to deal with suspected incidents.

A meeting was also held with security services at Athens International Airport and the air health authority on procedures to identify passengers from the areas affected arriving in Athens, in collaboration with airline companies, as well as advice to travellers going to the affected regions.

Financial News

[19] Finmin: Public debt the biggest worry

"The issue of public debt depends on international developments also. If markets deteriorate within the year - and this is a real danger - terms of borrowing will become much less favourable and for this reason we have already "locked" 80 percent of total projected borrowing for 2009," the minister said.

He explained that this strategy was a fail-safe in the event that markets took a turn for the worse and borrowing became more expensive.

The general government debt has increased from 204.3 billion euros in 2006 to 216.3 billion euros in 2007 and overshot 237.1 billion dollars in 2008.

[20] Sioufas inaugurates Smokovo hydroelectric station

The project was constructed by PPC Renewables SA, a subsidiary of the Public Power Corporation (PPC) at Leontari in Karditsa. It represents an investment of 11 million euros that was included in the 3rd CSF 'Competitiveness' programme and was jointly funded by the EU and the Greek State.

Supplied with water from the Smokovo Dam, after completion of an irrigation network in the southwestern section of the Thessaly plain it will generate 10.7 GW of 'clean' electricity during the summer.

Inaugurating the project, Sioufas stressed that "it was one more important step to promote renewable energy sources in the country's energy balance. An effort that in five years led to a tripling of installed power of RES from 430 MW to 1300 MW today".

[21] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.333

Pound sterling 0.913

Danish kroner 7.508

Swedish kroner 10.917

Japanese yen 129.33

Swiss franc 1.522

Norwegian kroner 8.759

Canadian dollar 1.625

Australian dollar 1.854

General News

[22] Police leaning toward rival gangs theory in Alter shootings

Nine shells have been recovered so far, in three different locations about 500 metres apart, by police scouring the area around the Alter building for evidence and questioning witnesses in the working-class Athens district of Peristeri.

Authorities had initially found four shells outside the station building and later discovered another three outside number 54 on the same street, while the latest two were found in front of number 34. All the shots were fired by a passing car as it drove by, police said.

After questioning witnesses, Attica Security is seriously considering the possibility that the shots were fired during an incident between rival groups over a personal dispute that was unrelated to the station. They are led to the conclusion by the fact that more than half the shots were fired at some distance from the building, while witness accounts described a white car that appeared to be following or possibly chasing a jeep with tinted windows.

For the time being, however, the investigation is continuing to explore all avenues until light has been shed on all parameters of the case.

All shots during the incident at 11:20 on Saturday appeared to have been fired into the air, with no damage to buildings or injuries reported.

[23] Government, political parties on Alter incident

Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros offered the government's unstinting support for journalists, technicians and other people working at Alter, promising that the authorities would investigate the incident in depth and stressing that "society's condemnation for such cowardly actions and those hiding behind them is express and universal".

"Some people consider that by resorting to blind violence and intimidation that they will succeed in harming freedom of expression and freedom of the press and, by extension, our democracy," Antonaros said. Referring to the staff at Alter, he expressed conviction that "as they have already proven, such actions further steel their commitment to serve and inform the public".

The attack was also condemned by main opposition PASOK spokesman George Papaconstantinou, who said that the leadership of the Hellenic Police (ELAS) should explain why the television station had been targeted for a second time.

"This action is a provocation for every citizen, for every democratic Greek, because it is not only an attack on democracy and freedom of expression but also because it cultivates a climate of fear, which allows the imposition of autocratic policies that harm the many and the weak," the spokesman noted.

Saturday's incident further increased concerns about the government's policy on security, he added, given that this was the second attack on the station and that authorities had failed to take even rudimentary security measures after the first attack, except during Alter's evening news programme.

Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party spokesman Kyriakos Velopoulos said the attack had been "cowardly" and one that also targeted democracy and the freedom of the press, while he expressed the party's support for Alter's staff.

Seven shots were fired from a car driving past the Alter station building in west Athens district on Peristeri on Saturday morning. The shots were fired into the air and caused no damage or injuries.

[24] Events marking Armenian genocide held in Greece

At the event in Athens, speakers commemmorated the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Turks, while some criticised the stance of Greek police during Friday's march by the Armenian community in Athens to the Turkish Embassy.

The event was then addressed by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, who represented the government and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. He apologised on behalf of the police for Friday's incidents and stressed that Greece, under all governments, was and would remain at the side of the Armenian people's struggle.

"There were no 'orders from above'. It was just a bad moment for which I publicly apologise," he said.

He stressed that even today, nothing could be taken for granted and that the struggle for peace and freedom had to be constant.

Other speakers at the Athens event included Parliament vice-president Anastasios Nerantzis and representatives of all the Greek political parties, armed forces, police, Church, local government and diplomats.

It ended with a video and traditional Armenian songs, followed by a march to Syntagma Square and the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Thessaloniki event at the Vellidi Conference Centre was attended by Deputy Interior Minister Constantine Gioulekas, who stressed the bonds of friendship between Greeks and Armenians and said that the Armenian struggle for the recognition of their genocide struck a chord with Greeks, who had experienced the genocide of Pontians and the Greeks of Asia Minor.

The event, followed by the laying of a wreath at the 3rd Army Corps monument, was also attended by local authority officials in Thessaloniki, representatives of Armenian associations and Greek MPs.

[25] Memorial service in Thessaloniki for Holocaust victims

The memorial service was held at the ancient metropolis' Monastirioton Synagogue, under the auspices of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki.

The keynote speaker was the historian Evangelos Hekimoglou, who stressed the need to continue historic research into the Holocaust and find successful models for popularising history in order to fight ignorance, anti-semitism and racial prejudice.

On his part, the president of Thessaloniki's Jewish Community, David Saltiel, stressed that memory of the Holocaust should not be allowed to fade, in order to prevent such an event from ever happening again.

Thessaloniki once boasted the largest Ladino-speaking Sephardic community in the world, with roughly 50,000 Jews of the city exterminated during the WWII Holocaust.

[26] Police officer in gang of robbers had flawless record

Announcing details of the arrest, Attica Security chief Yiannis Dikopoulos said there had been nothing to find fault with in the man's file.

The deputy sergeant and four of his accomplices, all of them Greeks aged 42, 41, 40 and 33, respectively, were arrested on Friday in a house in Nea Halkidona shortly after they robbed a branch of ProBank at the corners of Agias Varvaras and Praxitelous streets in Paleo Faliro, where they came away with 21,415 euros and 565 US dollars.

In addition to the five men in custody, police arrested a 35-year-old Greek on the Aegean island of Mykonos and are looking for a 27-year-old Albanian as suspected members of the gang set up in December 2008. In addition to the latest robbery at Paleo Faliro, the gang is believed to be responsible for another 25 armed robberies that yielded a total loot of 370,815 euros and 5,187 US dollars.

The group was highly organised and always used two motorcycles and a taxi hired legally by one of the members to make its getaway. During the robberies, they always worked according to a plan and those inside were in constant communication with those outside using walkie-talkies.

They always changed motorbikes when making their escape, which they abandoned to be picked up by other members of the group, while those that carried out the robbery finally got away in a taxi that was flagged legally waiting for them a short distance from the site of the robbery.

At the time of their arrest, police found and confiscated 30,610 euros and 515 US dollars that were in their possession, including banknotes taken in the latest robbery whose serial numbers had been recorded.

They also confiscated five handguns, three motorbikes, the taxi, baseball caps, helmets, hoods and lists of bank addresses on which there were hand-written notes with plans for the robberies the gang intended to carry out.

The men under arrest will be led before a public prosecutor on Saturday, while police are also investigating their possible connection to other criminal offences.

[27] Policemen attacked by youths with firebombs

[28] Drunk-driver diplomatic attache smashes shop window

According to traffic police, the 29-year-old diplomat was drunk at the time.

[29] Cyclists protest in Athens metro

Promises for safe bicycle parking have also failed to materialise, with metro stations notorious for the large numbers of bicycle thefts carried out in their vicinity.

Cycling enthusiasts, on their part, point out that the government is doing very little to support this environmentally-friendly and healthy form of transport in the congested city of Athens, while Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis has been among those supporting the opening of the metro system to bicycles in the past years.

Those demonstrating in Syntagma Square on Saturday also voiced concern over a recent spate of measures that seem to be promoting private cars over more environment-friendly modes of transport in the city, such as the 50 percent reduction in taxes for new cars (as a measure to boost the flagging auto market), the six billion euros being spent on 51km of new roads in Attica and the opening of bus lanes for use by taxis when bicycles continue to be banned.

[30] Immigrant trafficker and five illegal immigrants intercepted

A Xanthi police announcement on Sunday said that the 25-year-old immigrant trafficker arrested on Friday was a Georgian national and was caught transporting five Iraqis into the country. Police confiscated the man's car and two mobile phones.

[31] Pakistani protest against racist attacks

They said the attacks began about 15 days ago and have resulted in the injury of 19 people, while demanding that the government and the police take action.

The protestors then carried out a march to the Nea Ionia police station.

Sports

[32] Greek Super League Results

In other action:

Levadiakos Livadia-Larissa 0-1

Aris Thessaloniki-Panthrakikos Komotini 3-2

Xanthi-Iraklis Thessaloniki 4-1

Asteras Tripolis-Panionios Athens 3-4

Standings after 30 weeks of play:

1. Olympiakos 71 points champions

2. PAOK 63

3. Panathinaikos 61

4. AEK 55

5. Larissa 49

6. Aris 47

7. Xanthi 38

8. Panionios 37

9. Ergotelis 36

10. Panthrakikos 33

11. Iraklis 33

12. Asteras 33

13. Levadiakos 32

14. OFI 24 relegated

15. Panserraikos 24 relegated

16. Thrasyvoulos 13 relegated

Weather Forecast

[33] Cloudy, rainy on Monday

[34] The Sunday editions of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The changes for successive insurance by different social insurance funds - who gains from the new measures".

APOGEVMATINI: "Changes in building coefficients - Provisions of the new regulatory plan for Athens and large cities".

AVGI: "Punishment vote for ND-PASOK" [features opinion polls showing lower percentages for both main parties].

AVRIANI: "Ministers on the dock for Siemens kickbacks, even if the offences of breach of faith and fraud against the State have been statute-barred".

CHORA: "Reduce taxes with receipts - How to get past the tax office blockade".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Maybe something like this, because of political necessity: COSTAS President of the Republic - GEORGE Prime Minister - DORA - leader of ND". [Sees current premier Costas Karamanlis in presidential office, PASOK leader George Papandreou as premier and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis taking over ruling New Democracy]

ELETHEROS TYPOS: "The 'black' files of the Siemens scandal - Exclusive: The confidential memorandum for the kickbacks of 100 million euros".

EPOCHI: "Social control for businesses - First Labour Day during deep crisis".

ETHNOS: "Avalanche of taxes immediately after Euro-polls - whereas government is now selectively handing out pre-election benefits".

KATHIMERINI: "Greece in a vice of scandals, deficits - Two scenarios for developments considered by prime minister".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "In the name of the 'out'-law - dance of scandals, government games with justice, pressures of ND MPs, the Parliamentary thriller".

FREE SUNDAY: "Changes in construction, fuel"

LOGOS: "Difficult week for the government".

NIKI: "Clinging onto power with tricks and low blows - while the country is sinking, the government is trying to hang on with chicaneries".

PARON: "I'm leaving if I'm indicted! Big surprises from secret ballot and there is a chance the problem will be transferred to PASOK".

PROTO THEMA (weekly): "The 'blue' kickbacks in pilot flight bags - the Siemens bribes in the 2004-2008 term".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Everyone with PAME on May 1 - Not one hour lost for the success of the strike."

VIMA: "Three plots for early elections - in the shadow of scandals and empty coffers - indictment, resignation and 'dual' elections". [Claims PM is considering three alternatives for going to early elections in view of the secret ballots in Parliament over the Vatopedi and Pavlidis cases]

VRADYNI: "Which housing plots are being made legal - new model for housing development".

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