Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-10-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin: Government making every possible effort

[02] Chancellor Merkel will back Greek gov't, spokesman says

[03] German chancellor's Athens visit

[04] DIMAR on Merkel's visit

[05] Peaceful but massive demos to meet Merkel on Tuesday, SYRIZA leader predicts

[06] SYRIZA and Die Linke party leader to attend GSEE-ADEDY rally on Tuesday

[07] Municipal workers' union announce participation in Tues. mobilisations

[08] Greek police ban gatherings and rallies in city centre, airport route during Merkel visit

[09] PASOK against blanket ban on demonstrations, Gennimata says

[10] SYRIZA accuses government of 'creating climate of fear'

[11] GSEE condemns ban on demonstrations, rallies in Athens

[12] Venizelos: Clear statement sought from Eurogroup that process has visible end

[13] DIMAR opposes government-set minimum wage

[14] KKE's Papariga calls on the people to 'participate in offensive struggle'

[15] Current, former finance ministers to be summoned over 'Lagarde List'

[16] Financial crimes prosecutor receives testimonies from former Finance ministers

[17] GSEE-ADEDY rally in Athens ends peacefully

[18] Invitation to draw up a media legislation by Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Kedikoglou

[19] 18 arrested in unionists' take-over of PPC data processing centre

[20] Defence Minister at NATO meeting

[21] Former Armaments sg Yiannis Sbokos remanded in custody

[22] Korean ambassador: Admiration for efforts of Greek people and government

[23] SI's Papandreou meets WTO general director Lamy

[24] National Bank: Acquisition of Eurobank a landmark in domestic banking sector

[25] Gov't to scrap more than 200 market regulations in bid to lower prices

[26] FinMin Stournaras sends letter to European taxation and customs commissioner

[27] Greek tourism minister's interview with 'Ethnikos Kyrikas'

[28] Deputy Development Minister Mytarakis departs for the U.S.

[29] Foreign investors' share in ASE capitalisation down in Sept.

[30] Business Briefs

[31] Stocks end moderately lower

[32] Greek bond market closing report

[33] ADEX closing report

[34] Foreign Exchange rates - Tuesday

[35] Greek-owned tanker 'Orpheus' missing since Saturday

[36] Two slightly injured in attempted metro robbery; one suspect nabbed

[37] Brother of Chryssi Avgi MP arrested for gun possession violation

[38] Northern Greece motorway reopens to traffic after wildfire is extinguished

[39] Tram torched at terminal station

[40] Wildfire blocks traffic on northern Greece motorway

[41] Super League result, standings

[42] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] FinMin: Government making every possible effort

The document was in reply to a question tabled by Democratic Left (DIMAR) MP Odysseas Voudouris on horizontal (across-the-board) cuts to salaries and pensions, and stated that "in a follow-up to the extended pre-electoral period, the finance ministry is called on to face the loss of crucial time for the development of the fiscal indicators" and that "the effort being made concerns the formulation of an overall strategic framework that will boost the Greek economy and broaden the tax base, tackling tax evasion and financial crime, and will take the country out of the recession zone".

"We respect the sacrifices of the Greek people and set as our basic priority the protection of the vulnerable social groups from additional burdens," Stournaras says in the document, adding that "to date, following examination of the recommendations that have been submitted and the need to protect, in the midst of the crisis, the core of the social benefits and distribute the burdens fairly, we are drafting a composite mix of expenditure cutbacks", and noting that "as soon as the final decisions are taken there will be formal announcements by the government".

[02] Chancellor Merkel will back Greek gov't, spokesman says

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Athens to express support for the Greek government and the "ambitious reforms" it has implemented, spokesman Steffen Seibert noted here on Monday, in response to repeated press questions focusing on the former's visit to the Greek capital on Tuesday.

He confirmed the chancellor's meetings with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and President Karolos Papoulias, clarifying that the full programme of her visit has not been finalised as yet.

The two leaders will discuss the situation in Greece and progress of reforms, Seibert added, expressing the German government's respect for Greece's efforts. The measures are implemented through "unbearable sacrifices", he emphasised.

Seibert referred to the progress made by Greece in meeting a goal of reducing the budget deficit, as a percentange of GDP, to 2.5 pct, and cutting labour costs by at least 10 pct, while he underlined that Germany wants to assist Greece stabilise its position in the eurozone. He clarified that this can happen only through the implementation of reforms agreed to in exchange for the economic assistance.

The German government spokesman noted that "Europe is in an existential crisis" and that it is a positive fact when leaders of member-states exchange visits in order to talk.

[03] German chancellor's Athens visit

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will meet the German Chancellor at the airport, where there will be an official reception ceremony. The two leaders will then go to the Greek premier's offices at the Maximos Mansion, where the official meeting between them will take place.

Merkel is due to be received by President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias at 4:45 p.m. and will then head for the Hilton hotel, accompanied by the Greek prime minister, in order to attend an event organised by the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce.

Immediately afterward the end of the event at the Hilton, she will depart for the airport.

[04] DIMAR on Merkel's visit

[05] Peaceful but massive demos to meet Merkel on Tuesday, SYRIZA leader predicts

Commenting on the visit, Tsipras said that Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras should ensure that their talks did not cover only the additional billions being demanded of Greek workers and pensioners but also whether the German company Hochtief intended to pay more than 600 million euro in unpaid VAT owed to the Greek state, or whether German authorities intend to make public the testimony of fugitive Siemens executive Mihalis Christoforakos to a German court, so that Greeks might find out who received kickbacks from the German company.

SYRIZA's leader stressed that the Greek people would "provide an answer" through peaceful but massive demonstrations on Tuesday, adding that what was happening in Greece was "both unprecedented and criminal".

"In other words, with a programme whose own inventors have admitted is a dead end, they are insisting on its implementation, on an implementation that is leading us to social disintegration. And the Greek people can no longer accept this crime," he added.

According to Tsipras, protests during the visit will be a "message of democracy" reaching far beyond Greece's borders and will provide the trigger for a major change of course for Greece and for Europe.

"Everyone must know that if Merkel comes to Greece without having anything more to say apart from what has been said over the previous period, in other words that we must implement a failed programme, then this visit will act as a boomerang for those that inspired it. Because it will be the trigger for all Europe and all European people to learn that Greek citizens, the vast majority of Greek society, is against the prospect of the voluntary suicide that the leaders of Europe are proposing to us today. In that sense, therefore, this visit might be very useful in order for Ms. Merkel to realise that this policy cannot go on and change her strategy," he said.

Tsipras made the statements shortly after a meeting with the civil aviation service staff union OSYPA, during which he expressed his opposition to the privatisation of local airports, centring his criticism on the failings of the existing deal with Hochtief for the new Athens airport at Spata.

In a reply to the comments by Tsipras, government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou said only that Tsipras had "repeated his well-known dogma: first his party and its components and then Greece".

[06] SYRIZA and Die Linke party leader to attend GSEE-ADEDY rally on Tuesday

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) secretary general Aleka Papariga, heading a party delegation, will be attending a rally by the PAME labour group in Omonia Square at the same time on the same occasion.

[07] Municipal workers' union announce participation in Tues. mobilisations

The sector's trade union called on its member-organisations to facilitate the mass participation of municipal workers in the rallies, scheduled in view of the German chancellor's visit to Athens.

[08] Greek police ban gatherings and rallies in city centre, airport route during Merkel visit

The ban extends to all areas bounded within the roads Vassilisis Sofias Avenue, Akadimias , Kanari, Patriarchou Ioakeim, Marasli, Deinokratous, Aristodimou, Athinaion Efivon, Koniari, Tsoha, Soutsou, Panormou, Kifissias, Katechaki, Kapetan Chrona, Vlahaki, Mesogeion, Mihalakopoulou, Dionisiou Aiginitou, Potamianou Ilia, Ionos Dragoumi, V. Alexandrou, Efroniou, Sp. Merkouri, Eftichidou, Plastira Square, Archimidous, M. Mousourou, Ardittou, Vassilisis Olgas up to Vassilisis Amalias.

The ban also extends to the sections of the above roads that comprise the limits of City of Athens, the section of the Attiki Odos highway from the Athens International airport until the junction with the Hymettus ring road with Katehaki Avenue, the section of Katehaki Avenue from the exit of the ring road up to the junction with Messogion Avenue and for a distance of 100 metres on either side of these (Attiki and Katehaki) and on all bridges, overpasses and crossings along their length and in the surrounding region policed by the Athens airport.

The ban extends for a wide area around the Hilton hotel, where Merkel will be staying during her visit, and along the routes of her planned itinerary during her stay.

[09] PASOK against blanket ban on demonstrations, Gennimata says

"Firstly, we far that it will have the opposite results, since it will be used by some as an excuse for demonstrations that go beyond the limits of legality, and secondly, it presents the visit as a matter of public order and security when it is a very good opportunity to present in a uniform and convincing way the Greek issue and the national line, concerning the need for a comprehensive agreement for the country's final exit from the crisis as soon as possible".

[10] SYRIZA accuses government of 'creating climate of fear'

Referring to an earlier announcement by the Greek police that all open-air gatherings and rallies will be banned in central Athens between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, as a security precaution during a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the SYRIZA statement further said that "our people will not be afraid, it will make them afraid", adding that "their mass and peaceful participation in tomorrow's (Tuesday) rally in Syntagma Square will constitute a live referendum against the policy of austerity. A clear no to the new barbaric measures. A message of popular sovereignty and democracy that will be sent to all of Europe and will signal the beginning of a big political change".

[11] GSEE condemns ban on demonstrations, rallies in Athens

Slamming the ban as "unprecedented" and "undemocratic", GSEE said that social and economic problems could not be solved through bans, police measures and threats of legal sanctions but by changing pointless policies that only succeeded in leading society further into poverty and the economy into ever-greater recession.

Both GSEE and the civil servants' union ADEDY stress that a planned rally in Syntagma Square will be carried out as planned at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday and have announced a public-sector work stoppage in Attica from noon until 3:00 p.m. The PAME trade union group affiliated to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has scheduled a separate rally at Syntagma at the same time.

Trade union protests, beginning with a GSEE-ADEDY rally in front of the finance ministry, are scheduled to start on Monday evening at 6:00 p.m.

[12] Venizelos: Clear statement sought from Eurogroup that process has visible end

Speaking on state television Net and referring to the Eurogroup meeting later on Monday, Venizelos said that "we are not expecting anything final, but we surely must seek and expect a clear statement that the process has a visible end very soon".

On German chancellor Angela Merkel's imminent visit to Athens on Tuesday, Venizelos said that "Mrs. Merkel is welcome", adding that "we would have wanted her to have come much sooner", adding that he will be present at her Athens talks with the government.

"I am at the disposal of the prime minister if he wishes to invite us, with Mr. Kouvelis (Democratic Left leader) to the meeting" premier Antonis Samaras is scheduled to have with Merkel, Venizelos said, opining that this would be of assistance to the country since Merkel "because of Germany, plays a decisive role, together with 3-4 other factors".

[13] DIMAR opposes government-set minimum wage

DIMAR said that the coalition partners had agreed and included in their policy agreement that the government would seek a revision of the loan agreement so as to restore the "collective autonomy and validity" of collective labour agreements in accordance with established prevailing European laws and practices, where the level of wages in the private sector - including the minimum wage - was agreed through collective bargaining between employers and trade unions.

"The level of wages in the private sector must be agreed between the social partners, with first and foremost the settlement of the minimum wage. Where the state contributes through the state budget, such as issues concerning related benefits, then it must have its special role," DIMAR's announcement said.

[14] KKE's Papariga calls on the people to 'participate in offensive struggle'

In a press conference at the party headquarters in Perissos, Athens, she underlined that only an offensive struggle will bring results.

Papariga noted that the legislative clause that will define the minimum wage constitutes abolition of the collective labour contract and stressed that the essence of trade unions is being altered by being turned into charitable networks aimed at familiarizing people with poverty and exploitation.

Asked what will be KKE's message to Merkel, she said that her party refuses to play the game that sees the EU problem as a "Merkel problem".

Responding to a question on whether the protest mobilizations are indicative of political developments, Papariga stated that the answer lies with the trade unions, the mobilizations at the workplace and the direction of the struggle.

Commenting on the upcoming visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to Athens, she said that "objectively speaking, a joint exploitation of natural resources in the Aegean, in essence, means abandonment of all efforts supposedly made by a government in support of its country's sovereign rights."

Meanwhile, a statement by the KKE press office, in view of Chancellor Merkel's visit to Athens on Tuesday, underlined that the police measures taken should be met with the appropriate response to be given by the massive participation in the Communist Party-affiliated PAME trade union grouping demonstrations.

The KKE also condemned the "show of force displayed by the government of New Democracy (ND), PASOK and Democratic Left (DEM.AR)".

[15] Current, former finance ministers to be summoned over 'Lagarde List'

Papaconstantinou and Venizelos, who is now PASOK party leader, will brief the committee on Thursday at 10 in the morning and Stournaras and Sahinidis on Friday.

Meanwhile, Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) head Stelios Stasinopoulos confirmed during his marathon testimony before the same committee that checks are under way for 32 political figures, stressing that the number of those being checked is far greater that those publicised.

[16] Financial crimes prosecutor receives testimonies from former Finance ministers

According to reports, Peponis has asked the Finance ministry to send to him the accompanying document of the French Economy ministry that was brought with the controversial list of the 1,991 depositors at the HBS bank in Switzerland.

[17] GSEE-ADEDY rally in Athens ends peacefully

According to the police, demonstrators numbered about six thousand. The rally was concluded peacefully, while it was addressed by leaders of the country's main trade unions.

"The Greek working people are sending a message of protest to the government with a mass struggle and peaceful rallies," said GSEE spokesman Stathis Anestis.

ADEDY president Costas Tsikrikas, speaking to AMNA, termed the measures "inhuman and ineffective" and called on working people to reverse the memorandum and the measures emanating from it.

In light of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Athens on Tuesday, Tsikrikas noted that "we are not opposed to the German people, but to the recession policies which Germany imposes to all Europe."

[18] Invitation to draw up a media legislation by Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Kedikoglou

Addressing parliament within the framework of a current question tabled by main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) MP Dimitris Papadimoulis on the operation of television channels broadcasting nationally, Kedikoglou stated that the government of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is determined to set up a stable, serious and lasting legal framework.

Kedikoglou stated characteristically that entrepreneurship in the media sector is necessary, underlining the importance of a properly designed legal environment. He said that the digital broadcast frequency map has already been approved, adding that television channels will receive their licenses based on the specific map and following a public debate.

[19] 18 arrested in unionists' take-over of PPC data processing centre

Among those arrested was Nikos Fotopoulos, the president of the GENOP-DEH union which represents the PPC employees. The arrestees are charged with disturbing the peace, and are being held at the Attica security police headquarters.

Fotopoulos had said on Sunday that the take-over will continue until the "specific data is confirmed", while promising a news conference to outcome his claims.

He also said the action occurred to prevent a "cover-up".

[20] Defence Minister at NATO meeting

The safeguarding of the security level in a period of crisis will be among the issues to be discussed in the meeting.

[21] Former Armaments sg Yiannis Sbokos remanded in custody

The defendant reportedly denied the charge of legalisation of revenues from illegal activity. According to reports he claims that Akis Tsohatzopoulos, when he found himself in a bad economic state, demanded money from him considering that he received "benefits" from his post at the Armaments Department at the Defence ministry.

Consequently, according to reports, he also explains the references of the former minister in his notes about money he asked for. He reportedly claims that he received threats to his life and had been threatened by phone by Vicky Stamati as well. In 2010, as he reportedly stresses, his car was burnt as well.

As regards allegations that "black" money had been invested through the finance company of his father-in-law, Sbokos denied it saying that the specific company has been checked.

[22] Korean ambassador: Admiration for efforts of Greek people and government

During the event, the ambassador of one of the 20 most powerful economies of the world (G20) and an important trade partner of Greece also paid tribute to the Greeks that fought on the Korean War, adding that they became a bridge between the two countries and the backbone for the blossoming of bilateral relations.

On bilateral trade relations, the ambassador described as important the building of Greek-owned merchant ships by Korean shipyards, while he also said that an increasing number of Koreans were opting for Greece as a tourist destination, and particularly the Greek islands, with Santorini as the top destination.

[23] SI's Papandreou meets WTO general director Lamy

They exchanged views during the meeting on developments in the world economy and the repercussions of the crisis, the situation in the European Union and Greece.

Financial News

[24] National Bank: Acquisition of Eurobank a landmark in domestic banking sector

Bank sources said Tourkolias, in his message, stressed that this move will significantly contribute in strengthening the group, restructuring and consolidating the domestic banking system and helping in the recovery of the Greek economy.

The acquisition will become a landmark moment for both credit institutions, since completion of the deal will create a single group with assets of around 180 billion euros, a leader in the domestic banking market and one of the top financial groups in Europe.

The new group will operate a network of 925 branches in Greece and 1,700 units in SE Europe, while it will offer significant benefits through scale economics and operating synergies.

"We have to deal with one of the biggest challenges in the history of the Greek banking system. The big experience in acquisitions and mergers by the two managements and the high quality of the two banks' personnel, are offering me the certainty and optimism over a successful completion of this very demanding project. Job completion in the new organization will be made using executives from both banks, in a fully transparency way. I look forward to welcoming Eurobank's executives and staff in National Bank's big family soon," National Bank's CEO said.

[25] Gov't to scrap more than 200 market regulations in bid to lower prices

In a joint press conference with the health ministry, Deputy Development Minister Athanassios Skordas said many of the market regulations being abolished were outdated and had been "overtaken" by developments, while others created 'protected markets' that drove up prices.

Among the changes is a reduction in the weight allowance for packaging materials that is expected to a 1 percent reduction in prices, changes in rules for the sale of firewood (by volume instead of by weight), analytical display of final prices in receipts and menus to include VAT and other costs and a ban on offering customers any good or service they have not specifically ordered (bottled water, etc).

The new rules also scrap restrictions on the sale of certain categories of foods by shops based on building coverage and other restrictions and obligations, such as that requiring bakeries to hold salt reserves or operate ovens for cooking food and others.

Concerning measures to restrict fuel scams, Skordas said that the technical specifications for a system to check inflows and outflows will be announced next week, while tighter restrictions on pump sealing will be imposed.

[26] FinMin Stournaras sends letter to European taxation and customs commissioner

The letter stresses the Greek government's support for the harmonised implementation of the tax on fiscal transactions, based on the European Commission's proposals, but it is also stressed that the economic consequences must be evaluated that such a measure will have on issues concerning tax evasion, distortions, etc.

[27] Greek tourism minister's interview with 'Ethnikos Kyrikas'

"Our expatriates are the vanguard, they are the first in the battle for a new Greece and we know this," Kefalogianni said, outlining the government's goal to promote Greek tourism in the massive North American market.

Kefalogianni is visiting the United States in order to attend the Greek Investment Forum 2012 entitled "Greece under Reform: Creating Growth-Revealing Opportunities" organized by the Athens Exchange and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce in New York and the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund. The forum will take place in October 9 - 11, 2012 at Bloomberg Headquarters.

The minister is due to give a speech on "Tourism, a fundamental pillar of growth for Greece" and will have a series of meetings with major tour operators, as well as granting interviews to the American media designed to promote Greece's tourism abroad in which she will stress the country's political stability at this time.

[28] Deputy Development Minister Mytarakis departs for the U.S.

Mytarakis will address the conference that will be taking place at Bloomberg's headquarters on the theme "Promoting reforms in Greece for the attraction of investments", in which representatives of funds and businesess have been invited to participate.

The deputy minister will be having a series of contacts on the sidelines of the conference with representatives of international investments capital companies participating in the Greek investments Forum, while he will also be participating in the press conference for representatives of the international press.

[29] Foreign investors' share in ASE capitalisation down in Sept.

In September, foreign investors were net sellers with capital outflows totaling 11.36 million euros, while Greek investors were net buyers with capital inflows totaling 14.51 million euros.

Foreign investors accounted for 30 pct of turnover in September, down from 35.2 pct in the previous month, while Greek investors accounted for 45.2 pct of turnover (up from 34.8 pct in August). Greek institutional investors accounted for 22 pct of turnover in the month.

The value of transactions totaled 1.266 billion euros in September, up 162.2 pct from August, but down 3.1 pct from September 2011. Average daily turnover in September was 63.3 million euros, up from 21.94 million euros in August and down from 59.37 million euros in September.

The number of active investor codes rose to 35,999 in September from 20,025 in August.

The market's capitalisation totaled 28,34 billion euros at the end of September, up 12.2 pct from a month earlier, but down 12.2 pct from September 2011.

[30] Business Briefs

[31] Stocks end moderately lower

The shares of National Bank and Eurobank jumped higher after the market's watchdog lifted a share trading suspension. The composite index of the market eased 0.59 pct to end at 825.09 points, after rising as much as 2.22 pct early in the session. Turnover was a massive 92.827 million euros.

The Big Cap index fell 0.45 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 1.74 pct lower. The Technology (7.45 pct) and Banks (1.12 pct) sectors scored gains, while Financial Services (3.23 pct), Telecoms (2.90 pct) and Commerce (2.43 pct) suffered losses. National Bank (5.74 pct) and Eurobank (5.13 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Alpha Bank (5.42 pct), Ellaktor (3.98 pct) and MIG (3.34 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 92 to 69 with another 14 issues unchanged. Xylemporia (26.09 pct), Aegek (19.85 pct) and Varvaresos (18.92 pct) were top gainers, while Logismos (29.64 pct), Pasal (23.05 pct) and Douros (20 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: -2.59%

Commercial: -2.43%

Construction -0.68%

Oil & Gas: +0.83%

Personal & Household: Unchanged

Raw Materials: -1.80%

Travel & Leisure: -2.00%

Technology: +7.45%

Telecoms: -2.90%

Banks: +1.12%

Food & Beverages: -1.28%

Health: -1.58%

Utilities: +0.52%

Financial Services: -3.23%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Eurobank, Alpha Bank and OTE.

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

Alpha Bank: 1.92

Public Power Corp (PPC): 4.15

HBC Coca Cola: 16.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.91

National Bank of Greece: 2.21

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 1.23

OPAP: 4.37

OTE: 3.35

Bank of Piraeus: 0.49

Titan: 14.87

[32] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates continued moving lower. The 12-month rate fell to 0.66 pct, the six-month rate was 0.43 pct, the three-month rate was 0.22 pct and the one-month rate was 0.11 pct.

[33] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 77,509 contracts worth 14.863 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (29,375), followed by Alpha Bank (13,130), Cyprus Bank (6,444), MIG (1,120), OTE (3,176), PPC (2,035), OPAP (2,356), Piraeus Bank (10,268), Eurobank (6,152), Intralot (936) and Mytilineos (424).

[34] Foreign Exchange rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.315

Pound sterling 0.820

Danish kroner 7.568

Swedish kroner 8.734

Japanese yen 102.97

Swiss franc 1.229

Norwegian kroner 7.513

Canadian dollar 1.287

Australian dollar 1.291

General News

[35] Greek-owned tanker 'Orpheus' missing since Saturday

The company said the ship had anchored off Abidjan, on the Ivory Coast, while its last known location showed it heading toward Lagos in Nigeria.

The tanker had a crew of 24, of which the skipper and first engineer were Greek nationals and the remaining 22 were Filipinos. It was carrying 32,000 tonnes petrol.

[36] Two slightly injured in attempted metro robbery; one suspect nabbed

Police said that two unidentified individuals tried to rob a Western Union currency exchange office located at the metro station. A 70-year-old local man and a Bangladeshi national waiting to board a metro train were slightly injured when one of the robbers dropped his gun, causing it to discharge.

One of the suspects was arrested shortly after the incident, following a police chase, police said.

[37] Brother of Chryssi Avgi MP arrested for gun possession violation

Alexandros Kassidiaris, a Greek army officer, was arrested in a restaurant in Thessaloniki's Analipsi district when police found in his possession a CZ 9 mm hand pistol used in firearms training. Owners of such guns can only use them in shooting galleries and are not allowed to carry them in public areas.

The suspect was handed over to the responsible military authorities.

[38] Northern Greece motorway reopens to traffic after wildfire is extinguished

Earlier, traffic was diverted to provincial roads for safety reasons as visibility was poor due to the thick smoke that covered the area.

[39] Tram torched at terminal station

Three unknown individuals broke the window of a tram wagon, disembarked an elderly woman who was on board and afterwards left a bag which contained five gas canisters and a flammable liquid, set fire to the home-made incendiary device and fled.

Extensive damage was caused to two tram wagons, but no injuries were reported

[40] Wildfire blocks traffic on northern Greece motorway

Soccer

[41] Super League result, standings

Standings after six weeks of play:

1. Olympiacos 18

2. Panionios 15

3. PAOK 13

4. Platanias 11

5. Asteras 10

6. Atromitos 9

7. Veria 8

8. Panathinaikos 7

9. OFI 6

10. Panthrakikos 6

11. Aris 5

12. Xanthi 5

13. PAS Yiannina 5

14. Kerkyra 5

15. Levadiakos 4

16. AEK 2

NOTE: Panathinaikos has had two points deducted.

[42] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Optimism over Merkel's visit".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "New cutbacks in private sector".

ESTIA: "Memorandum or street protests".

ETHNOS: "Alarm over Merkel and Eurogroup".

IMERISSIA: "The new National Bank of Greece the key for the markets' opening".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "The solution to the Greek problem in the final stretch".

TA NEA: "Will she (Merkel) give the OK for the disbursement of the tranche?".

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: ILIAS MATSIKAS

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