Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 10-09-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM briefed on nationwide anti-smoking ban

[02] PM meets former ECB vice-president Papademos

[03] Alternate FM Droutsas arrives in Ankara

[04] Alternate FM Droutsas has conversation with Turkish FM Davutoglu

[05] Government spokesman on local elections

[06] ND withdraws from investigation into Vatopedi land swaps

[07] Employment minister tables in Parliament electronic prescription registration draft law

[08] Defence minister meets outgoing U.S. envoy

[09] Education ministry shuts down HAU for not complying with legal requirements

[10] PASOK party's Political Council to convene on Thursday

[11] ND calls for return of tourism and shipping ministries

[12] New Pharmaceuticals Price List to be publicised on September 1

[13] EYDAP sales down, profits up

[14] Alpha Bank net profits down 53.1 pct in 1st half 2010

[15] Kiosk owners strike on Sept. 9-10

[16] Local administration organisations to participate in Thessaloniki rally on September 11

[17] ASE: Stocks 0.37 pct down on Tuesday

[18] ADEX closing report

[19] Foreign Exchange rates - Wednesday

[20] Tourists adrift on jet skis rescued by Air Force helicopter

[21] 'Myrtis' exhibition moving to National Archaeological Museum

[22] Events to mark 2,500th anniversary from Battle of Marathon

[23] Ancient cemetery discovered in Arcadia prefecture

[24] In search of Alexander's Roxanne

[25] Road accidents 3.9 pct down in June

[26] Traffic restrictions in central Athens resume on September 6

[27] Migrant-trafficking arrests in Igoumenitsa

[28] Escaped prison inmate recaptured

[29] Greece loses 76-65 to Turkey in Mundobasket game

[30] Fair on Wednesday

[31] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[01] PM briefed on nationwide anti-smoking ban

The committee and Health Minister Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou visited the premier a day ahead of a nation-wide ban of smoking in public indoor areas, with the latest ban now accompanied by fines against proprietors and even individuals.

"Your efforts are extremely significant and contribute to the work we are doing today in our country, aiming to change attitudes, models and manners in order to upgrade the quality of living and to make our country viable, not only regarding the economy but also in every day life," Papandreou stressed.

Xenoyiannakopoulou handed the premier a file containing the ministerial decision, the framework for its implementation and details of a public awareness campaign.

[02] PM meets former ECB vice-president Papademos

Papademos made no statements as he was leaving the meeting, while government spokesman George Petalotis noted that the banker had held an extremely important position within the ECB, had extensive experience and expertise and the meeting would serve as a briefing for both sides.

The spokesman did not confirm whether Papademos was being tapped for a seat on the cabinet.

[03] Alternate FM Droutsas arrives in Ankara

Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas arrived here on Tuesday afternoon, to watch the basketball match between the national teams of Greece and Turkey in the framework of the Mundobasket 2010 championship, together with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.

Droutsas will be having a discussion with Davutoglu before the match and later he will be having dinner with him.

Droutsas will be going to Istanbul on Wednesday to attend a religious service at Saint George Cathedral. He will also be meeting Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

[04] Alternate FM Droutsas has conversation with Turkish FM Davutoglu

Davutoglu received the Greek minister at the entrance. No statements were made. At the beginning of the conversation and although photographers were allowed to take photos, the two ministers exchanged views on the match.

Droutsas will offer to the Turkish minister as a gift a shirt of the national basketball team with the players' signatures on it.

Speaking in the morning to the Turkish television channel NTV, Davutoglu referred among other things to Greek-Turkish relations and asked about recent reports in the Turkish press that a revision is being prepared on the Turkish national security doctrine in a way that the extension of Greek territorial waters in the Aegean will not be considered casus belli, he said "work regarding the national security doctrine is classified. In the past years serious changes occurred in our relations with the neighbours." He added that "on the question of the 12 miles, Turkey will not take a unilateral step. Turkey and Greece will change stance with mutual steps, the one towards the other."

[05] Government spokesman on local elections

"Those placing a memorandum dilemma or of an antimemorandum are stepping on the anxiety of citizens to snatch votes," government spokesman George Petalotis said in an exclusive interview with the ANA-MPA.

He reiterated that in the event that government members are candidates in the local administration elections they will be replaced and the restructuring of the government formation will take place to enable it to respond to the modern-day international and national requirements.

Petalotis also pointed out that society is showing maturity and the government's aim is to make the citizen a participant in the shaping of a new social state and this will also appear at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

[06] ND withdraws from investigation into Vatopedi land swaps

According to ND MP Nikos Dendias, remaining on the committee "would only serve PASOK's plans to mislead the Greek people in order to indict members of the previous government without evidence".

He asserted that ruling PASOK had set up the Parliamentary investigation with the express intention of sending former ND ministers to the Special Court without first having established that the state's interests had been harmed in any way.

According to Dendias, it was virtually impossible under given circumstances to assess the commercial value of the properties exchanged by the two sides, making any argument about over-valued or under-valued properties moot. As a result, it was also impossible to draw up charges concerning any criminal liability in the case.

Commenting on ND's decision to withdraw, PASOK MP Tilemachos Hytiris pointed out that it had taken the main opposition party two years to discover that there was no scandal at Vatopedi and, in defiance of common logic, to conclude that the transactions had not harmed state interests.

"Irresponsible ND is once again attempted to string along the Greek people and even its own followers," he added.

[07] Employment minister tables in Parliament electronic prescription registration draft law

[08] Defence minister meets outgoing U.S. envoy

Speckhard stressed that Greece had a strong ally and partner in the United States "which will be at your side, now and in the future."

[09] Education ministry shuts down HAU for not complying with legal requirements

Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou stressed that HAU had been given ample time to comply with the standards required by law since receiving its first warning from the ministry in March this year.

Concerning students already studying at HAU, the minister only noted that "everyone, when they make their choices, must be careful".

The minister made the statement during the tabling of a bill on life-long education to Parliament's educational affairs committee.

[10] PASOK party's Political Council to convene on Thursday

National Council secretary Sokratis Xynidis will be proposing the political framework for the session, that will be taking place at the Faliro indoor stadium from Friday September 3 until Sunday September 5.

In addition, the political framework for the local administration elections, combined with the implementation of the "Kallikratis" plan, will be proposed by Interior Minister Yiannis Rangoussis and Xynidis.

[11] ND calls for return of tourism and shipping ministries

Stressing that shipping and tourism represented two of Greece's major comparative advantages, ND spokesman Panos Panagiotopoulos said that re-establishing the two ministries was a "major obligation" of the government.

He also criticised ruling PASOK ministers for seeming less concerned about Greek households and businesses struggling under austerity measures and more concerned with who will have the upper hand within the government.

Meanwhile, ND leader Antonis Samaras was on Tuesday continued a round of meetings designed to mend bridges within ND in the run-up to the local government elections. According to reports, however, Samaras has sent an ultimatum to Thessaloniki Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis, warning Psomiadis not to include his brother in his election ticket for the Thessaloniki regional seat.

Financial News

[12] New Pharmaceuticals Price List to be publicised on September 1

[13] EYDAP sales down, profits up

Pre-tax profits increased 34.76 pct and totaled 7.580 million euros in the January-June period, up from 5.625 million euros last year, while after tax profits totaled 3.015 million euros from 2.972 million euros over the same period last year (up 1.45 pct).

An EYDAP announcement said that net profits in the first half were restricted by the extra tax levied on 2009 profits that came to the sum of 2.26 million euros.

[14] Alpha Bank net profits down 53.1 pct in 1st half 2010

Customers' capital under management totaled 42.7 billion euros at the end of June, while saving deposits dropped 7.4 pct to 39.7 billion euros. Saving deposits in Greece fell 9.1 pct to 32.9 billion euros, mainly as a result of clients in the shipping sector transferring part of the liquidity outside the country and the adjustment of business cash reserves to the new environment of limited liquidity.

Lending pre-write-offs grew 2.0 pct to 53.3 billion euros, up from 52.2 billion euros in the same period last year, reflecting a 2.6 pct annual growth rate in Greece and a 3.7 pct growth rate in Southeastern Europe. New loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises and mortgage loans totaled 2.6 billion euros and 0.6 billion euros, respectively, in the first half of the year.

Alpha Bank Board Chairman Ioannis Kostopoulos said in a statement that Alpha Bank would continue to support its efforts to support its customers during the current difficult circumstances with a balanced policy, while Managing Director Dimitrios Mantzounis stressed that the group's priority would be to preserve adequate liquidity, which was increased further by restricting the investment portfolio and cutting back on operating costs to reduce spending.

[15] Kiosk owners strike on Sept. 9-10

[16] Local administration organisations to participate in Thessaloniki rally on September 11

[17] ASE: Stocks 0.37 pct down on Tuesday

The Big Cap index fell 0.24 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 1.57 pct lower and the Small Cap index was marginally down by 0.10 pct.

Travel (1.75%) and Chemicals (1.58%) posted the biggest gains of the day, while Construction (-3.73 %) and Financial Services (-3.38 %) posted the biggest percentage losses of the day.

Decliners led advancers 108 to 50, while 45 shares did not move.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: Unchanged

Industrials: -0.52%

Commercial: +0.21%

Construction: -3.73%

Media: -0.93%

Oil & Gas: +0.68%

Personal & Household: -1.90%

Raw Materials: -1.20%

Travel & Leisure: +1.75%

Technology: -0.60%

Telecoms: -0.91%

Banks: Unchanged

Food & Beverages: +0.72%

Health: -2.13%

Utilities: -2.59%

Chemicals: +1.58%

Financial Services: -3.38%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, PPC, Alpha Bank and Coca Cola.

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

Alpha Bank: 5.10

ATEbank: 1.10

Public Power Corp (PPC): 11.22

HBC Coca Cola: 18.64

Hellenic Petroleum: 5.91

National Bank of Greece: 9.96

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 5.14

OPAP: 11.95

OTE: 5.42

Bank of Piraeus: 4.10

Titan: 14.80

[18] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 12,438 contracts worth 7.737 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank contracts (3,009) followed by Eurobank (986), MIG (729), OTE (1,981), PPC (706), OPAP (66) and Piraeus (923).

[19] Foreign Exchange rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.278

Pound sterling 0.831

Danish kroner 7.504

Swedish kroner 9.464

Japanese yen 107.93

Swiss franc 1.303

Norwegian kroner 8.088

Canadian dollar 1.359

Australian dollar 1.441

General News

[20] Tourists adrift on jet skis rescued by Air Force helicopter

The helicopter had joined the search at 11:50 at the request of the coast guard at the National Centre for Search and Rescue Coordination.

An inquiry into the incident will be carried out by the coast guard.

[21] 'Myrtis' exhibition moving to National Archaeological Museum

The name 'Myrtis' is borrowed, given to her by scientists that worked on the reconstruction of her features. Following her 'resurrection' nearly 2,500 years after she died of typhoid fever - the plague that also struck down the statesman Pericles and one third of all Athenians at that time - she has now also been made a "Millenium Friend" and her picture posted on a website supporting the UN Millenium Goals as a message to the world about disease prevention.

"My death was inevitable. In the 5th century BC we had neither the knowledge nor the means to fight deadly illnesses. However, you, the people of the 21st century, have no excuse. You possess all the necessary means and resources to save the lives of millions of people. To save the lives of millions of children like me who are dying of preventable and curable diseases.

2,500 years after my death, I hope that my message will engage and inspire more people to work and make the Millennium Development Goals a reality," a letter posted next to her picture says.

Orthodontics professor Manolis Grigorakis, the man that first conceived the project of reconstructing Myrtis, said his team had already begun working on reconstructions of the faces of a man and woman found in the same mass grave in Kerameikos.

"I am moved and happy to watch Myrtis' journey throughout Greece. She has already been admired by some 12,000 visitors at the Goulandris Museum and I am in a position to know that most are fanatical admirers. I hope these are multiplied at the new exhibition at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens," he said.

The exhibition "Myrtis: Face to face with the past" is centred on the facial reconstruction by scientists of an 11-year-old Athenian girl that lived and died in ancient Athens during the 5th century BC.

Her bones were discovered in 1994-1995, in a mass grave with another 150 bodies, during work to build the metro station in Kerameikos. Her skull was in an unusually good condition and this inspired Professor Papagrigorakis to enlist the help of specialist scientists from Sweden to recreate her features, using the 'Manchester' facial reconstruction technique.

The final result, wearing a linen dress made especially for the purpose by Greek fashion designer Sophia Kokosalaki based on images of clothing styles of that time, forms the backbone of an exhibition that explores both the various stages of a facial reconstruction. It also exhibits the finds uncovered by archaeologists at Kerameikos, which date around 430-426 B.C. and are linked with the plague that contributed to Athens' defeat from Sparta during the Peloponnesian Wars.

Scientists decided to give 'Myrtis' brown eyes and brown hair, arranged in a Classical era style, like the majority of Athenians at that time but stressed that her true colours could only be discovered by expensive DNA analysis that has not yet been carried out.

DNA analysis techniques have confirmed, however, that Myrtis and two other bodies in the mass grave had died of typhoid fever, confirming theories about the historic plague.

[22] Events to mark 2,500th anniversary from Battle of Marathon

With money donated by the Leventis Foundation, the municipality will mark out historic routes for cyclists and pedestrians that will link monuments such as the Marathon Tomb, the Trophy, the ancient quarries and others.

On September 12 itself the events will reach a peak and will feature a walk to the Tomb followed by the reading of descriptions of the battle from Herodotus by well known Greek actors, accompanied by ancient Greek instruments such as the lute, pan-pipes, horn and others.

Among those attending will be Greece's female marathon runner Maria Polyzou, who recently became the first woman to repeat the legendary 520-kilometre run from Athens to Sparta and back again in six days. The distance was originally run by the ancient messenger Pheidippides when he was sent to ask for Sparta's aid in the battle.

[23] Ancient cemetery discovered in Arcadia prefecture

The findings were located during construction.

The site is believed to have served as an ancient cemetery and excavations so far have yielded gold funereal objects.

The remains of a youth were found in a marble container with a lion's head carved on the outside, while a marble stele engraved with the word "X A I Ñ Å" was also found inside.

The skull was adorned with a golden wreath and a gold necklace, while a gold ring engraved with the image of equestrian rider was also found. Vases made of clay and bronze, a scrapper used by athletes and a figurine of a frog was found near the remains which, according to archaeologists, probably would have been the boy's dearest toy.

The findings have been transferred to Tripolis archaeological museum for restoration.

[24] In search of Alexander's Roxanne

According to the head of the Serres archaeology bureau (ephorate), archaeologist Katerina Peristeri, the Kasta Hill site was initially excavated and researched by the archaeologist Dimitris Lazaridis from 1956 until his death in 1985.

The latter focused on the well-known ancient city of Amphipolis -- the name of an eponymous ancient battle of Classical antiquity -- as he theorised that several members of the Macedonian royal house of the fourth century BC might be buried on the specific hill. A state-of-the-art scanner of subterranean surfaces will be employed at the site.

At the same time, more digging to uncover the ancient theatre of Amphipolis is scheduled.

The Serres ephorate intends to include whatever new findings in an exhibition dedicated to ancient Macedonian antiquities at the Louvre Museum -- scheduled for 2011.

[25] Road accidents 3.9 pct down in June

As a result of the above road accidents there were 97 deaths (27.1 pct reduction), 165 people were seriously injured (7.8 pct increase) and 1,489 suffered lighter injuries (7.4 pct reduction).

[26] Traffic restrictions in central Athens resume on September 6

An announcement by the Athens traffic police said the restriction will apply until July 15 next year. For those having permits to enter the city centre every day, police said the same permits are still in force while those wishing to apply for new permits must submit an application by November 30 at Attica Traffic Police headquarters at 24-26 Deligianni Street, Athens.

[27] Migrant-trafficking arrests in Igoumenitsa

The illegal migrants and the suspected migrant traffickers will be led before a Thesprotia public prosecutor to be charged.

[28] Escaped prison inmate recaptured

The 29-year-old was being held on remand for drug offences and theft was picked up by Z motorcycle police in Larissa's Alkazar area, riding on a motorbike he had stolen a few hours earlier.

[29] Greece loses 76-65 to Turkey in Mundobasket game

Greece lost 76-65 from Turkey in a Mundobasket Group C match played here on Tuesday night. The 10-minute intervals had the following scores: 15-22, 39-41, 51-65, 65-76.

Weather Forecast

[30] Fair on Wednesday

[31] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Stop to smoking".

APOGEVMATINI: "Agony over closures - Markets at a loss, entrepreneurship collapses and unemployment skyrockets".

AVGHI: "Sales with debt as alibi - State to borrow more than 73 million euros in 2010'.

AVRIANI: "Karamanlis (Costas, the former ND government prime minister) syndrome infects Papandreou's government - 80 percent of population disappointed from PASOK governance, poll indicates".

CHORA: "Hellenic Telecommunications Organization to delist from NYSE".

ELEFTHEROS: "Papandreou was against IMF before elections; called it disastrous".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Civil war over government control".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Document: 20 changes memorandum - new, painful measures Brussels demands".

ESTIA: "Market reacts to taxes - You can't take from someone who doesn't have enough to give".

ETHNOS: "Government's plan on salaries in public sector".

IMERISSIA: "Revenues collapse - Tax hikes fruitless".

KATHIMERINI: "Market says no to new taxes".

LOGOS: "Civil servants' payroll foresees unification of benefits".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Businesses demand immediate change of policy".

NIKI: "Attention: Taxes!".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Communist Party leader Aleka Papariga: People rally with KKE"

TA NEA: "Up to 80 percent discount for debts to social security funds".

TO VIMA: "Breather for debts, VAT, (civil servants') mortgages - Alarm in government over market asphyxiation".

VRADYNI: "Growth with support to SMEs- Merchants, manufacturers tabled their own anti-memorandum".

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