Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-06-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Caretaker PM urges Greek shipowners to make new investments in the country, at inauguration of Posidionia 2012 international shipping

[02] Greek Shipowners Union president addresses inauguration of 'Posidonia' exhibition

[03] Samaras: Eurozone exit would be 'death'

[04] Rhodes meeting with tourism industry reps

[05] Tsipras: Exit from euro not an option

[06] SYRIZA leader Tsipras addresses rally in Livadia

[07] Campaign rally in Agrinio

[08] Venzelos criticizes ND, SYRIZA platforms as dangerous, dead-ends

[09] PASOK party leader Venizelos in Livadia, criticises ND-SYRIZA

[10] PASOK party leader Venizelos says there can be no government without PASOK

[11] Independent Greeks leader campaigns in Halkidiki

[12] KKE leader: EU is a 'pereptual Memorandum'

[13] KKE party leader says people must reject position of staying in EU at all cost

[14] Papariga to unveil KKE growth platform on Tuesday

[15] Democratic Left party leader Kouvelis meets Socialist Group's president in Europarliament

[16] New Democracy party announces list of State candidates for June 17 elections

[17] 'Green Party' events to be held in Thessaloniki from June 5-10

[18] Twenty-two parties and formations to participate in June 17 Parliamentary elections

[19] Live interviews with Papariga, Bakoyannis on AMNA web TV

[20] Troika head for ECB says all aspects of new memorandum to be discussed with new government

[21] Rehn, French FinMin reiterate desire for Greece to remain in euro

[22] First intercontinental kidney transplant under name of 'Kidney Paired Donation-KPD'

[23] One dead and one wounded in attempted car theft in Kesariani

[24] Court rules tourist coach strike illegal

[25] Man arrested in Kyllini for carrying 64 illegals in his truck

[26] One more body recovered from capsized Turkish freighter 'Erol Senkaya'

[27] Nine charged with burglary of 12 jewelry stores in Pieria and Pella

[28] Manhunt for killer of septuagenarian in Kavala

[29] Robbery at jewellery store in Argyroupoli

[30] Cloudy on Tuesday

[31] Athens' Sunday newspapers at a glance Politics

[01] Caretaker PM urges Greek shipowners to make new investments in the country, at inauguration of Posidionia 2012 international shipping exhibition

"Greece is a traditional maritime country and its merchant marine has played an especially important role in the country's economic and social development, in boosting its reputation at international level, and in its social and regional cohesion," Pikrammenos said, inaugurating the Posidonia 2012.

On the Greek-owned shipping's contribution to the Greek economy, Pikram-menos said that from 2000 to 2011, it contributed 154 billion euros to Greece in revenues from transport services, but added that some 40 percent of that amount was re-exported abroad, given that the shipping companies pay for services provided by other countries.

"What is lacking is the necessary policy framework that will create conditions allowing the containment of a larger proportion of the shipping foreign exchange in Greece," the caretaker premier said.

On developments in the cruise sector, Pikrammenos said that in the port of Piraeus alone, revenues today exceed 360 million euros, and added: "We want, and can, if we act smartly and methodically, double these revenues to 700 million euros per year, double the number of cruise passengers transiting via Piraeus from 2.5 million today to 5 million passengers by 2016."

Pikrammenos said that initiatives must be undertaken so that Piraeus, Greece's largest port, will continue to be the largest port in the Mediterranean and evolve into an international maritime hub.

Addressing the inauguration, development, competitiveness and shipping minister Yiannis Stournaras said "the country needs extrovert, internationalised activities", adding that it is the duty of the state to develop a long-term, stable policy that will further develop the shipping sector, attract capital from abroad and more broadly link the sector with the job market.

Such a policy must be founded on a mutually beneficial relationship of stability, infrastructures, simplified procedures for registration with the Greek Shipping Register, and incentives to attract ships to the Greek flag, he added.

After the inauguration ceremony of Posidonia, the world's most prestigious shipping trade event, which is held in Greece every two years, Pikrammenos will visit the pavilions at the exhibition.

Statistics

According to a recent Institute of Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) study, the attraction of all the Greek shipowners' activities to Greece could generate a domestic added value of 26 billion euros (from the current 10 billion euros), while the direct and indirect activities developing around shipping could reduce unemployment in the country by 35 percentage points.

Shipping, together with tourism, provide the highest commercial surplus than any other branch of the economy.

A total of 200,000 people are employed directly or indirectly in shipping-related activities.

Posidonia 2012

The international shipping exhibition Posidonia 2012, the world's most prestigious shipping trade event, opened on Monday evening at the Metropolitan Expo center at Athens' 'Eleftherios Venizelos' International Airport (AIA) in Spata.

At a time when Greece is facing the serious challenge of implementing the structural reforms necessary to re-energise its economy, Posidonia will highlight the contribution that Greek shipping already makes to the national economy and underline its future potential, according to the organisers.

The collective might of Greek shipowners, who last year alone invested 8.5 billion dollars on newbuildings, is a man attraction for the thousands of maritime, finance and trade sector professionals from around the world, who will participate and attend the Posidonia Exhibition and its many business and social programmes, which will run through June 8.

"In the decade between 2000 and 2010, Greek shipping contributed to the Greek economy a total of 140 billion euro, or half of the country's public debt as it stood in 2009. Posidonia has followed this trend and has grown from strength to strength ever since its inaugural event more than 40 years ago, establishing itself as the world's most prestigious shipping forum eagerly anticipated every two years by the international maritime community", said Theodore Vokos, Project Director, Posidonia Exhibitions.

The state-of-the-art venue will host more than 17,000 people from nearly 90 countries from every corner of the world during a weeklong celebration of business activities ranging from networking, deal- making, product launches and conferences. Posidonia also features a rich calendar of sporting side-events, such as the Lloyd's Register-sponsored sailing regatta known as Posidonia Cup, the Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament, which attracts more than 250 players, and the introduction of the first Posidonia Golf Tournament, which is hoped to become a staple feature of the event.

Furthermore, the impressive list of conferences and seminars to be held at Posidonia 2012 is expected to attract additional finance and sea trade professionals from the major maritime markets around the world, increasing demand for hotels and visitor services, providing an important boost to Greece's tourism industry.

[02] Greek Shipowners Union president addresses inauguration of 'Posidonia' exhibition

Veniamis added that Greece, with the great shipping history, is in a position to fulfill this.

[03] Samaras: Eurozone exit would be 'death'

At the same time, addressing representatives of the tourism sector on the island of Rhodes on Saturday night, Samaras said the 'battle for growth' would begin with the tourism sector and marine infrastructures, and pledged to establish an autonomous Ministry of Tourism as well as an autonomous Merchant Marine ministry.

Samaras pledged that, if ND was elected to government, there will be no more reductions of salaries or increases in taxes, adding that the 18 measures for boosting growth he announced last week while unveiling ND's economic platform will "remedy" injustices, such as those suffered by the low-pension earners, certain categories of beneficiaries and special benefits.

Samaras further criticised the SYRIZA platform, saying it was not cost-estimated and gave no numbers, while he also opined that SYRIZA has a "secret agenda" on taxes.

Reiterating that renegotiation of the Memorandum is necessary, Samaras said that Europe is obliged to take a big decision to minimize its tough policy by adopting, as a first step, the eurobond.

The ND leader further pledged to 'travel the world over' in order to attract investments in Greece, noting that great interest already existed on the part of China and Russia.

On the immigration problem, Samaras said that he will change the existing law and proceed with mass deportations of illegal immigrants. "I know that what I'm saying is tough, but there's no other solution. We must create a new Athens, a new Patras, and restore the people's sense of security in the cities and the villages," he said.

[04] Rhodes meeting with tourism industry reps

Stressing that tourism is a major pillar of growth as it directly ensures jobs and can lead to growth without delay, and reiterated his pledge for establishing an autonomous Ministry of Tourism that would be directly under the jurisdiction of the prime minister, as well as an autonomous Merchant Marine ministry.

He stressed the need of putting priority as well on marine tourism, including the construction of marinas and development of alternative forms of tourism.

New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras has been touring the island of Rhodes since Saturday morning, holding contacts with people and party officials.

Samaras visited the villages of Kallythies and Malona where he discussed with inhabitants their problems and concerning tourist movement and employment issues in particular.

[05] Tsipras: Exit from euro not an option

Tsipras attributed the big rise in SYRIZA's popularity to the mistakes of his opponents, accusing New Democracy (ND) and PASOK of first adamantly supporting the Memorandum that leads to disaster and then of leading the country to repeat elections although they could have formed a coalition government after the inconclusive May 6 elections.

The SYRIZA leader said that if he forms a government after the June 17 repeat elections, he will repeal the Memorandum with a law.

He also said that an exit from the euro was not a choice of his, and accused his political opponents of danger-mongering.

"As for an exit from the euro, it is being put forward as a 'red line' in a very hypocritical and self-serving way that infers that if we want to stay in the euro we have no other choice than to materialise the Memorandum," he said.

[06] SYRIZA leader Tsipras addresses rally in Livadia

Criticising the PASOK and New Democracy (ND) parties, Tsipras said "they are retreating to the margin and the contempt of history, after they looted the country first and then tried to deliver it a hostage to its creditors. They are leaving and they are taking with them the vested interests, the private TV channel owners, the bankers and (German Chancellor Angela) Mrs. Merkel, they are leaving and taking with them danger mongering, fear, the insecurity and the desperation of the average Greek."

[07] Campaign rally in Agrinio

He asked voters to put their trust in SYRIZA, without bias and regardless of where they cast their vote in the inconclusive May 6 elections.

Tsipras said that the hour of a Left government in Greece was approaching, and that "just one small step separates the dream from the reality", adding that this step will be taken on June 17 when the people give SYRIZA a clear and strong mandate of power, democracy, dignity and hope, for the immediately annulment of the Memorandum and renegotiation of the adverse conditions of the loan agreement.

In that respect, he described the upcoming elections as a referendum against the Memorandum.

In a scathing attack against PASOK and ND, Tsipras said that the two-party system was waging a final, desperate "battle of the rearguard", and was a "world that is leaving, a closed system of power that organised the rotting, dependent, corrupt and disreputable political establishment of the two-party system of ND and PASOK".

ND and PASOK were on the way out after having looted the country, because they attempted to surrender the people and the country, chained hand and foot, to the lenders, because they represent and symbolize a morally and politically demerited model of governance, Tsipras added/

[08] Venzelos criticizes ND, SYRIZA platforms as dangerous, dead-ends

He criticized the platforms presented last week by New Democracy (ND) and SYRIZA as a "dangerous and dead-end scenery", contrary to the message sent by the people on May 6 (inconclusive general elections) that the era of single-party governments has passed that that the crisis is so deep that a nation-wide effort is needed, not solutions "that divide the society".

Venizelos also warned "those who are pre-electorally promising a manufactured paradise" that the people will be enraged and will be very harsh when they realise that all those were lies and delusions. "The people cannot withstand any more disorientation".

He said that a government can arise from within a strong PASOK that will guarantee the solution, "because a small PASOK, without strength, has no reason to shoulder a responsibility that has not been given to it by the people".

Venizelos said that liquidity will return to the market via the recapitalisation of the banks which, he added, is in the direction of protection of the people's deposits, adding that, through liquidity, we will be able to set in motion the big investments.

[09] PASOK party leader Venizelos in Livadia, criticises ND-SYRIZA

Venizelos further said that "instead of us getting hope and prospects we are in danger of entering a new crisis, the crisis of our relations with the EU."

The PASOK leader went on to say that in the meantime, the country's economic state is worsening on a daily basis due to the political uncertainty and the lack of governance, mentioning the examples of banks, tourism and energy and that "the pylon of DEH (the Public Power Corporation) is being shaken financially."

[10] PASOK party leader Venizelos says there can be no government without PASOK

Venizelos also criticises the New Democracy party and the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) that with their proposals they are "setting up a scene of artificial polarisation and of lack of governance."

He also leaves open the possiblity of a post-election opening to the Democratic Left "equally and without prejudices."

[11] Independent Greeks leader campaigns in Halkidiki

Kammenos charged that the ND of Samaras was not the "ND of Constantine Karamanlis that put Greece as an equal member in the Europe of the nations".

"Now, Samaras and Venizelos have put us in the Europe of the loan-shark bankers, of Merkel and Schauble," he said.

Kammenos also charged that an operation was underway to terrorise the voters ahead of the June 17 repeat general elections. "All this terrorisation, that they will oust us from the euro and lead us back to the drachma, to poverty, is not working, for one reason: Because the poverty has already arrived. Because no one can send us out of the euro. Because if Greece leaves the euro, the euro itself and the European Union will collapse. Because we have already paid the euro," he added.

On the gold mining investment in Halkidiki, he said: "No to destruction of the environment. Only the enterprises that will ensure the environmental conditions should receive permits. This is Greece. We are not Ghana to spread cancer among the workers and the citizens".

He further proposed the introduction of an electronic visa for non-Schengen countries.

[12] KKE leader: EU is a 'pereptual Memorandum'

The people must cast out the new coercion together with the delusions that will be torn down by life itself, she said.

Papariga ruled out KKE participation in any Centre-Right or Centre-Left government which, she said, apart from the management of the anti-people commitments to the EU will also have to manage the dangerous developments in the region that concern the imperialistic plans for interventions in Syria and Iran.

On the "euro or drachma" quandary, Papariga warned that "either with the euro or with another currency -- such as a 'Geuro' or drachma -- the course to the bankruptcy of the people is inevitable so long as the path of capitalistic growth continues.

[13] KKE party leader says people must reject position of staying in EU at all cost

"Before the May 6 elections it appeared that there is a choir of many parties and every party sang with its own voice. And we had our special voice at the time. Now that a few days separate us from the fresh elections, we ascertain that the choir is one voice and the slogan is one. Staying in the EU at all cost and all the parties have joined this position with the exception of KKE. And this is evident absolutely. The red line is staying in the EU at all cost."

Papariga added that the prefecture of Karditsa, one of the country's exclusive agricultural prefectures, must reject this position of being in the EU at all cost and stressed that the country's farmers were the first to be hit, initially with the country's accession to the EEC and then the EU.

[14] Papariga to unveil KKE growth platform on Tuesday

[15] Democratic Left party leader Kouvelis meets Socialist Group's president in Europarliament

Democratic Left party president Fotis Kouvelis met here on Monday with the president of the Socialists-Democrats Group Hannes Swoboda and stressed the need for the EU to enact a growth programme that will provide an impetus for the production process and will tackle soaring unemployment.

Kouvelis also spoke of "unequal, unfair and ineffective measures that are being imposed" on Greece and expressed support for time prolongation for the fiscal adjustment "to enable Greece to have a breather."

[16] New Democracy party announces list of State candidates for June 17 elections

[17] 'Green Party' events to be held in Thessaloniki from June 5-10

The purpose of the "Green Party" is to pass the message to citizens that caring for the environment and quality of life are identical meanings. The events will start with a cinema on the park's lawn and the screening of two films of an environmental character.

Moreover, on the occasion of International Environment Day, that is celebrated on June 5 every year, the municipality of Thessaloniki will be organising events at the Rotonda memorial from 10 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

[18] Twenty-two parties and formations to participate in June 17 Parliamentary elections

[19] Live interviews with Papariga, Bakoyannis on AMNA web TV

Papariga will be live on AMNA web TV at 18:00 on Tuesday, while Bakoyannis will give a live interview earlier, at 12:30 p.m.

Questions to Papariga may be submitted via AMNA's twitter (twitter(@amna_news with hashtag #papariga_amna) and Facebook( http://www.facebook.com/ampanewsgr) pages up until the end of the interview.

Correspondingly, questions to Bakoyannis may be submitted via AMNA's twitter (twitter(@amna_news with hashtag #Bakoyanni_amna) and Facebook( http://www.facebook.com/ampanewsgr) pages up until the end of the interview.

The exclusive interviews with Papariga and Bakoyannis will be broadcast live on AMNA's web page.

[20] Troika head for ECB says all aspects of new memorandum to be discussed with new government

Financial News

[21] Rehn, French FinMin reiterate desire for Greece to remain in euro

EU economic and monetary affairs commissioner Olli Rehn and French finance minister Pierre Moscovici expressed strong desire for Greece to remain in the euro, after a meeting they had in the Belgian capital on Monday.

In statements, Rehn acknowledged the painful repercussions for many Greeks from the implementation of the fiscal adjustment programme, but adding that Greece needs to respect the commitments it has undertaken.

"We want Greece to remain in the euro and are working for that," Rehn said, while Moscovici said that Greece's stay in the euro is positive and necessary for Greece and for the euro, also adding that Greece must abide by its commitments.

Moscovici said that the Europeans have the obligation to listen and understand the difficulties faced by the Greek people and to act to give prospects to the Greeks, in the direction of boosting growth, in accordance with French President Francois Hollande's statements at the May 23 EU summit.

On the upcoming elections in Greece, Moscovici said that because some statements of his have been misunderstood, he wanted to clarify that there should be no interference from abroad and that advice should not be given to the Greek people, who have the responsibility for their own future.

General News

[22] First intercontinental kidney transplant under name of 'Kidney Paired Donation-KPD'

The Greek ambassador in Washington, Vassilis Kaskarelis, announced the first intercontinental intersected kidney transplant at international level and under the name of "Kidney Paired Donation-KPD", stressing that cooperation between Greece and the United States in this sector constitutes a "historic medical event at international level."

Speaking during a press conference at the Greek embassy on Friday, Kaskarelis said that "this joint effort confirms the great difference that a person can do. With the world around us facing economic and political challenges, that appear to be insuperable sometimes, such acts confirm our faith in humanity and make us optimistic over our common future. I hope this was the first of many such transplants all over the world."

[23] One dead and one wounded in attempted car theft in Kesariani

The two brothers, aged 30 and 32, were asleep in their apartment when they heard the alarm of their car. They jumped out onto the balcony and saw two or three people trying to steal their car. One of the owners took a knife with him and went down with his brother to stop the perpetrators who opened fire on them unhesitatingly on seeing them, killing the one and seriously wounding the other. The perpetrators then fled the scene.

[24] Court rules tourist coach strike illegal

The General Nationwide Federation of Tourism Enterprises (GEPOET) issued an announcement on Sunday calling on all the federations of tourist coach drivers to return to the negotiations for the signing of a new collective labour agreement "in the benefit of the contracting sides as well as of Greek tourism and the national economy".

Some 30 Libyan citizens receiving medical treatment in Greek hospitals stage overnight take-over of Libyan embassy in Athens

A group of approximately 30 Libyan citizens being treated in Greek hospitals staged a take-over of the Libyan embassy in Athens throughout the night Sunday, with a Libyan diplomatic employee trapped inside the building.

The Libyans, who had free visitation access to their embassy in Athens, staged the take-over for internal reasons with the Embassy concerning the payment of their living costs in Greece and other matters falling under the jurisdiction of the Embassy.

On Monday morning, at the request of the Libyan authorities so as to enable the resumed operation of the Embassy, Greek police went to the premises and, after talks with their representatives, the Libyan citizens peacefully left the Embassy, and were taken to the headquarters of the Athens security police, who are conducting a preliminary investigation.

The group of Libyan citizens were subsequently released as no charges were pressed by the Embassy officials.

[25] Man arrested in Kyllini for carrying 64 illegals in his truck

According to reports, the truck was ready to board a ferry boat heading for the island of Zakynthos from where the illegal immigrants would board a ship with Italy being its destination.

The arrested man and the illegal immigrants will be brought before a prosecutor.

[26] One more body recovered from capsized Turkish freighter 'Erol Senkaya'

The body, that was in a state of decomposition, was taken to the Zakynthos hospital for a DNA examination to ascertain the dead man's identity.

One more seaman is still in the freighter, while two other seamen have already been found dead.

[27] Nine charged with burglary of 12 jewelry stores in Pieria and Pella

The perpetrators, with a different composition each time, stole jewelry valued at 75,500 euros and broke into a car from which they stole a briefcase containing 170,000 euros in cash.

The investigation is continuing.

[28] Manhunt for killer of septuagenarian in Kavala

Kavala police chief Antonis Malelidis said on Monday that all possibilities are being investigated, given that the perpetrator(s) had thoroughly searched the house, although it was as yet unknown what has been stolen.

Also, it is said that the man was implicated in several cases that police are investigating, but no further details were available.

[29] Robbery at jewellery store in Argyroupoli

Weather forecast

[30] Cloudy on Tuesday

[31] Athens' Sunday newspapers at a glance

AVRIANI: "Tsipras a new Andreas (PASOK founder and late former prime minister Papandreou), leading the country on a new course - Greece living 'days of 1981'."

DIMOKRATIA: "They're meting out ministries at SYRIZA headquarters - 'Cool' Alexis (Tsipras) in a hurry to become prime minister - The secret meetings and bargaining with the party's component factions and 'guests' - The contacts with the lenders and bankers".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "What's hidden behind the numbers in the opinion polls - The opinion polls indicate the elections winner - The 5 criteria that will formulate the electoral result".

EPOCHI: "Memorandum or Left - Hope circumvents the blackmail".

ETHNOS: "Euro-shield for bank deposits - European Commission contingency plan after the shake-ups in Greece, Italy, Spain - After Greece, the crisis hit the banks in Italy and Spain with mass outflows of capital - Panic in the European Central Bank (ECB)".

KERDOS: "Rain of pre-electoral billions - The promises cost about six billion euros - The parties promise reliefs, but do not say where they will find the money for them".

KATHIMERINI: "Dramatic SOS from 11 economists - They warn that the risk of Greece's exit from the euro now exists".

LOGOS: "What is going to happen with the 'haircut' of the bank loans to households and businesses".

NIKI: "How guaranteed are your deposits - The 50 billion euros at the disposal of the Deposits-Investments Guarantees Fund are not sufficient to cover the total of the money in the banks, which despite the constant withdrawals are estimated at 170 billion euros".

PROTO THEMA: "European Central Bank (ECB) representative in the Troika: 'No more salary reductions'."

REAL NEWS: "Berlin's tough line in view of renegotiation (of Memorandum)".

RIZOSPASTIS: "KKE leader's press conference in Karditsa: They're tightening the noose around the people's neck with the 'remaining in the EU at all costs' quandary".

TO ARTHRO: "Euro with Memorandum, or default and drachma - The partners but also common sense indicates what is truly at stake in the elections".

TO PARASKINIO: "Opinion polls: Thriller at the 'finishing line' for the elections - 5 indicate ND, 2 indicate SYRIZA".

TO PARON: "Operation 'terrorisation' of default and drachma - The people heading to elections with a gun held to their heads".

TO VIMA: "Exclusive interview with Mario Monti: The only guarantee for your future is the euro - The Italian prime minister says 'put aside the delusions and egotism'."

VRADYNI: "Civil servants: How many must go into retirement this year and why".

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