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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 09-12-07Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Monday, 7 December 2009 Issue No: 3368CONTENTS
[01] Large police presence on anniversary of teen's shootingAuthorities over the weekend appeared bent on preventing the flare-ups of street violence and vandalism on the one-year anniversary of a police shooting that left a 15-year-old pupil dead in central Athens, a development that sparked unprecedented urban rioting by self-styled anarchists and anti-state hooligans in Athens and other cities at the time.The first reports of incidents came on Saturday evening in the central Athens district of Exarchia, where Alexis Grigoropoulos was gunned down on Dec. 6, 2008, the same area that serves as a more-or-less "congregation point" for self-styled anarchist youth gangs in the Greek capital. While a massive police turnout was evident on Sunday, several scuffles and clashes were seen on central Athens streets in the afternoon, particularly around the old university building on Panepistimiou avenue and Syntagma Square, where a protest rally was set to conclude. One group reportedly attacked police patrolling the Exarchia district, leading to 40 persons taken into custody. Of those, four local residents along with five Italian nationals and three Albanian nationals were sent before a local prosecutor on a variety of charges. An Athens prosecutor later filed misdemeanour charges against 12 suspects, mostly in the late teens and 20s, arrested on Saturday in the Exarchia district. Beyond Athens' closely watched "bohemian district", another 41 individuals were detained following a police operation to clear a town hall in the Piraeus-area working class municipality of Keratsini. Another 20 individuals were arrested during a raid on a self-styled "autonomous" commune in the same district. According to reports, a shock grenade, 200 bottles reportedly fashioned into would-be firebombs, hammers, sledge hammers, chisels, two tanks with flammable liquid, rods, helmets, gas masks and a PC were confiscated. That development was followed by some 60 individuals throwing objects at a riot police squad guarding the area. Later on Sunday, another 60 individuals were detained in and around Syntagma Square, across from Parliament. Finally, six men and two women were arrested in the early morning hours of Sunday in Thessaloniki. According to local police, the suspects were allegedly part of a bigger group of masked perpetrators that had assembled in a local university before venturing out to clash with police units around the facility. In one particularly disturbing incident, the rector of the Athens University, Christos Kittas, was hit over the head by masked youths who barged into the old University building (Propylea) on Sunday. He was later admitted to a local hospital with a mild concussion. That incident generated an order by a local prosecutor to initiate a judicial probe into the break-in, whereas judicial and police authorities were in contact to consider whether the "asylum" regime government universities in the country would be lifted. Finally, a total of 14 arrests and 118 detentions were reported around the country, sans the greater Athens area, in relation to similar disturbances. [02] Alternate FM Droutsas meets ICAO presidentAlternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas on Saturday received the president of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Roberto Kobeh González.Droutsas briefed the ICAO chief on a variety of issues of Greek interest, particularly to continuing violations of Greek airspace by Turkish warplanes. He also referred on the operation of an illegal airport in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus , which the ICAO, of course, does not recognise. The two officials also discussed the issue of climate change, while González referred to the ICAO's aims ahead of Copenhagen Summit, given that civil aviation is held responsible for 2 percent of greenhouse gas emissions every year. Finally, Droutsas expressed the Greek government's support to ICAO's mission on the occasion of the Dec. 7 International Day of Civil Aviation. [03] Samaras: German political model doesn't suit GreeceMain opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras outlined his first proposals, since assuming the party's helm last week, on tackling the endemic problem of corruption in the country, in comments published in the Sunday edition of Athens' "Kathimerini" newspaper.The ND leader expressed his opposition to applying the German political model in Greece, saying its implementation in the east Mediterranean country would lead to "absolute leadership models" and "more concentrated party structures". Additionally, he was confident that the country is not on the verge of bankruptcy and advised the elaboration of a long-term strategy for the economy, emphasising that the current crisis is more of a "wake up" call rather than a collapse. Referring to his party, he reiterated that no one has the right to divide ND and promised an in-depth renewal on all levels. In criticising the new PASOK government's policy, Samaras referred to "impromptu" actions and "back peddling". [04] Gov't: No issue of nuclear energyEnvironment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Tina Birbili was quoted in a press interview published on Sunday as avoiding nuclear energy and coal in favour of renewable sources of energy."Nevertheless, if we want to succeed and to achieve our goals we must also add the issue of energy conservation," she said. Birbili also cited a series measures she said will be unveiled to reduce the usage of private vehicles in Greece's cities. [05] Papandreou condolences to Putin over Perm accidentPrime Minister George Papandreou on Saturday conveyed his condolences to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin over the deadly nightclub fire in the city of Perm, which left 109 people dead."Please accept my condolences and convey the Greek people's solidarity towards the families of the deceased and injured, to whom I express my best wishes for their speedy recovery. In these difficult hours our thoughts are with you," Papandreou said. Moreover, Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas also sent condolences to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Financial News [06] Katseli at NYSENEW YORK CITY (ANA-MPA)Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli on Friday visited the New York Stock Exchange, where she sounded the opening bell. "It was a good day for the NYSE and a better one for Greece. Investors who are monitoring and looking forward to invest and financial organisations, which expect a positive development in Greek economy, are all here and present ... to emphasise that the course of recovery, fiscal restoration and restructuring of Greek economy has began". [07] Measures for GNTO offices abroadDeputy Culture and Tourism Minister Angela Gerekou on Sunday announced measures to tackle the problems that have arisen in several Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) offices abroad, as she said.Gerekou referred to press articles on the condition of GNTO offices abroad and stressed that "the image of our country, which is represented by GNTO offices abroad, is a very delicate issue. For this reason we must be cautious and act with transparency and also with respect for Greek citizens' money." [08] Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to AthensA Qatar Airways route connecting Melbourne and Athens, via Doha, began on Sunday. Initially there will be three flights per week, with the goal being a daily flight in the coming months.Soccer [09] Super League resultsOlympiacos Piraeus remained atop the standings of the Greek Super League standings by overcoming a tough Xanthi side 1-0 away on Saturday. In other action:Levadiakos - Aris Thessaloniki 0-2 PAOK - Larissa 1-0 Panthrakikos Komotini - Asteras Tripolis 0-0 PAS Yiannina - Iraklis Thessaloniki 2-3 Ergotelis Crete - Kavala 1-0 Panathinaikos Athens - Atromitos Athens 3-1 Panionios Athens - AEK Athens 3-1 Standings after 13 weeks of play: 1. Olympiacos 33 points 2. Panathinaikos 32 3. PAOK 24 4. Ergotelis 21 -- Panionios 18 6. Aris 19 7. Kavala 18 -- AEK 18 9. Asteras Tripolis 17 10. Iraklis 15 11. Larissa 14 -- Xanthi 14 13. Atromitos 13 14. PAS Yiannina 11 -- Levadiakos 13 16. Panthrakikos 2 Weather Forecast [10] Monday: Fair weatherFair weather is forecast for Monday. Wind velocity will reach 5 on the Beaufort scale. Scattered clouds throughout the country with temperatures ranging in the north between 3C-15C; 7C-19C on the mainland and 10C-19C on the islands. Clear skies over Athens, 10C-19C; the same for Thessaloniki, 6C-15C.[11] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceThe economy, developments in main opposition New Demo-cracy and a forthcoming summit on climate change in Copenhagen mostly dominated the headlines in the Sunday editions of Athens' newspapers.ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "National front against violence" APOGEVMATINI: "Private colleges: How degrees will be recognised". AVGHI: "Planet's survival beyond profits". AVRIANI: "All bank deposits will be opened to reveal tax evaders". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Greece: Eight crimes against environment". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "EU checking every month". EPOCHI: "Government afraid of youth's rage". ETHNOS: "Former FM Bakoyannis' secret dialogue with Fyrom FM Antonio Milososki on name issue". KATHIMERINI: "(New New Democracy leader Antonis) Samaras' interview to newspaper: Nobody can divide ND". PARON: "Samaras brings upside down ND". VETO: "Bank of Greece Gov. George Provopoulos calls for austerity while declaring 4,051.949 Euros in 2008". RIZOSPASTIS: "All united in action for success of Dec. 17 strike". VIMA: "Former ND leader Costas Karamanlis' agreement with Antonis Samaras". VRADYNI: "How you'll avoid surcharges in real estate properties". 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: GEORGE TAMBAKOPOULOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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