Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-03-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek gov't has plan B on Cypriot banks, FinMin says

[02] Gov't spokesman: Situation in Cyprus not for petty party games

[03] Venizelos reiterates that eurogroup's decision for Cyprus is historic mistake

[04] DIM.AR leader contacted Cypriot politicians on the phone, source says

[05] SYRIZA criticizes Greek government's stance on proposed bank account 'haircut' on Cyprus

[06] SYRIZA delegation has contacts in Cyprus

[07] KKE calls on the Cypriots to continue resisting the anti-popular measures

[08] Justice minister, task force head on Cyprus crisis

[09] Athens not properly notified about "Bilim2", foreign ministry says

[10] An opinion poll gives SYRIZA marginal lead over ND

[11] PASOK leader Venizelos addresses party's Political Council

[12] Ind. Greeks party seeks SYRIZA support for censure motion against finmin

[13] Racism the 'enemy of working class,' KKE announcement says

[14] Ecumenical Patriarch attends meeting with new Pope Francis at the Vatican

[15] Canadian ambassador demands justice for attack on Eldorado facility in Skouries

[16] Gikas Manalis named new ERT chief

[17] Development minister, Gazprom head discuss energy investments

[18] MIG says exposure in Cyprus limited

[19] Cypriot banks in Greece to remain closed on Thu., Fri.

[20] 'Non-exploitation of mineral wealth is a national loss' deputy energy minister tells Forum

[21] Investment tools draft bill endorsed by parliament majority

[22] Parliament approves appointment of Stylianos Stavridis as HRADF president

[23] Greece offers one week extension in tender for state property assets

[24] Employment in manufacturing sector down 9.9 pct in Q4 2012

[25] Greek clothing sector production down sharply in 2005-2011 period

[26] OAED absorption of ESPA funds at 60 pct

[27] New, promising exports portal launched

[28] Greek stocks end moderately higher

[29] Greek bond market closing report

[30] ADEX closing report

[31] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

[32] Thousands of unaccompanied children from third countries end up in Greece

[33] Man wanted for April 2012 killing, shooting injuries of foreign nationals apprehended

[34] Retired policeman arrested with 12kg of heroin

[35] Escaped prisoner from Agrinio police jail recaptured

[36] Rainy on Thursday

[37] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Greek gov't has plan B on Cypriot banks, FinMin says

Addressing a joint meeting of the Parliament's European and Economic Affairs Committees, the Greek minister said that in case that Cyprus failed to present immediately an alternative plan to open its banks in Greece, "Greece has a plan B which I cannot disclose. The effects on Greece are minimized. We take our measures," Stournaras said.

The Finance Minister defended his stance on the Cyprus issue during last week's Eurogroup meeting, saying that the decision was unanimous. "The Cypriot leadership participated in the decision after consultations with Mr. (Cyprus President Nicos) Anastasiades overcame an initial dead-end in negotiations. Another consultation occurred with Mr. (Cypriot Finance Minister Michalis) Sarris which resulted to a compromise proposal. No other solution was discussed," Stournaras told the Parliamentary committee.

"Cyprus made a decision and we supported it," Stournaras added. He noted that Cyprus was facing difficulties related with an overblown banking system. This is the reason why "other alternative scenarios were examined, all focusing on bank deposits. The Cypriot economy is very small compared with its banking system, and all other measures offered inadequate results," he said.

He emphasized on Cyprus' need to find 17 billion euros to recapitalize its banks and said that any borrowing above 10 billion euros would have made the country's public debt not sustainable. The 7.0 billion euros missing from the package must not be borrowed money, he noted.

Opposition political parties strongly reacted to Mr Stournaras' speech on the Cyprus issue. SYRIZA and other party deputies criticized the Finance minister for fully adopting the German position on Cyprus.

[02] Gov't spokesman: Situation in Cyprus not for petty party games

He reiterated that Athens stands steadfastly at Cyprus' side: "We support Cyprus, just as we supported its decision at the Eurogroup, we support yesterday's decision by the Cypriot parliament".

He added, however, that "we must see Plan B...a solution must be found".

Regarding Athens' stance at the latest meeting of the Eurogroup, he explained: "At two o'clock early Saturday morning, the three institutional leaders -- namely Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem, International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde and European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi -- came out of the Eurogroup meeting. They had had a meeting with Mr. Anastasiades (Cyprus President), reached agreement, and afterwards the three came and presented this agreement to the (eurozone) Finance Ministers. Cyprus' Finance Minister (Michalis Sarris) voted in favor, and it was only natural that Greece followed suit, that Greece's Finance Minister (Yannis Stournaras) supported Cyprus' decision. That is how things stand."

[03] Venizelos reiterates that eurogroup's decision for Cyprus is historic mistake

Addressing the parliament on the developments in Cyprus, Venizelos said that "the eurogroup's decision was a great historic mistake due to the childish, shortsighted, almost amateurish and one-dimensional economic logic of the European Union".

The differences between Cyprus and Greece are obvious due to the huge distance that separates their absolute fiscal figures, he added, noting that SYRIZA's attempt to exploit developments on Cyprus for its own "cheap petty political opposition games," was an act of "utmost national irresponsibility" and an "insult to the Cypriot people."

According to Venizelos, the eurogroup decision targeted the fiscal model that is based on services and an oversized banking sector, adding that it is unfair to think that this is the case only in Cyprus. "The same goes for the United Kingdom," he said.

Venizelos acknowledged that there is a problem of unlawful behaviours and money-laundering, pointing out that the adoption of "terms and control mechanisms" on international level could be the solution.

The reaction of the political forces on Cyprus was imperative, he said.

Venizelos accused SYRIZA of adopting a provocative and ludicrous stance with respect to the crisis on Cyprus, saying that it is irresponsible and na?ve to call for an extraordinary summit meeting without having the Cypriot Parliament's decision and a finalized Cypriot plan.

He added that Cyprus' hydrocarbon deposits are the country's foremost advantage, underlining that it exercises its sovereign rights.

[04] DIM.AR leader contacted Cypriot politicians on the phone, source says

Among them were Cyprus Parliament speaker Ioannis Omirou, the head of Cyprus' AKEL party Andros Kyprianou, and the head of the DIKO party Marios Garoyian, while he is expected to speak with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on Wednesday evening.

According to the AMNA sources, DIMAR's president found that the various sides are waiting to see how events will unfold and making efforts to find a solution out of the deadlock.

[05] SYRIZA criticizes Greek government's stance on proposed bank account 'haircut' on Cyprus

SYRIZA noted that the latest developments leave the Greek government exposed, adding that "Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, following Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' orders, backed the catastrophic decision inspired by Germany showing once again that the Greek government is tied to the chariot of extreme neo-liberalist Merkelism that is destroying the peoples of Europe."

According to SYRIZA, countries have negotiation potential, regardless of their size, which the Greek government did not consider using and instead blackmailed the Greek people with the demands made by Greece's lenders.

SYRIZA reiterated that developments on Cyprus and in other European countries of the south show that a comprehensive European solution is a precondition for a socially fair exit from the crisis, as opposed to neo-liberal doctrines and catastrophic austerity.

An alliance of the countries in the European south and the adoption of a solution to public debt modeled after the 1953 German debt solution are necessary, the SYRIZA statement underlined.

[06] SYRIZA delegation has contacts in Cyprus

During the meeting, held in a very warm atmosphere according to SYRIZA sources, AKEL's secretary general referred to his party's alternative proposals for a disengagement from the troika of international lenders, while SYRIZA's delegation referred to the significance of Cyprus's rejection of Eurogroup's decision, as well as other negotiating option on European level.

The SYRIZA delegation also met with Republic of Cyprus presidential ex-candidate George Lillikas, as well as with Parliament Speaker Ioannis Omirou, who referred to the calm and determined stance that Cyprus must now keep in order to avoid extortions.

[07] KKE calls on the Cypriots to continue resisting the anti-popular measures

KKE stressed that the Cypriot Parliament's rejection of the eurogroup plan for the "haircut" of bank deposits should not lead to relaxation of the efforts and called on the Cypriot people to utilize this development to strengthen their struggle against the anti-popular measures.

"The forces propagandizing that EU accession will bring prosperity, integration and solidarity for the benefit of the peoples, have fooled the peoples," KKE said, adding that "the EU is an alliance of wolves that preys on the workers to guarantee the profits of business groups".

KKE expressed concern for the likelihood of unforeseen threats for the peoples in Eastern Mediterranean resulting from the heightened crisis and the increased rivalry between countries and capitalists.

[08] Justice minister, task force head on Cyprus crisis

"I hope that both the Cypriots and the Europeans, the IMF etc., will seek that solution that will help the people of Cyprus and will not lead them to a deadlock. The prudence of the Greek people must be appreciated by the troika, which must think of certain results that were disastrous for Greek society," he said.

On his part, the head of the European Commission's Task Force for Greece, Horst Reichenbach said that "we must find the solution immediately to support Cyprus and we must not allow the problem to spread to the rest of Europe."

[09] Athens not properly notified about "Bilim2", foreign ministry says

"On 18 March, Turkey's Antalya station broadcast a NAVTEX to the effect that the Turkish oceanography vessel "Bilim2", which belongs to the Institute of Marine Sciences of Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, would be carrying out oceanographic research from 18 to 21 March 2013, in international waters, a section of which overlaps the Greek continental shelf," Delavekouras said.

He noted that carrying out marine research in waters over the Greek continental shelf required prior notification, with the provision of all relevant data to the Greek authorities.

"As there was no such notification from the Turkish side, the Greek Embassy in Ankara was instructed to act accordingly," he added.

[10] An opinion poll gives SYRIZA marginal lead over ND

According to the poll results, SYRIZA was leading with 23.4 percent, followed by ND with 22.6 percent, ultra-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 9.7 percent, PASOK with 5.6 percent, Independent Greeks with 5.4 percent, Democratic Left (DIMAR) with 4.7 percent, and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 4.4 percent, while 6.7 percent of the respondents expressed support for other parties and the blank and invalid votes and abstention was at 17.5 percent.

To a question of who would be most suitable for prime minister, current Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (and ND leader) was preferred by 47.4percent of the respondents, followed by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras with 32.4 percent, while 20 percent did not answer.

The geographic coverage of the opinion poll was nationwide and was conducted between 13 and 15 March 2013.

[11] PASOK leader Venizelos addresses party's Political Council

Venizelos reiterated in his address what he said at the Parliamentary Plenum on current political developments regarding developments with Cyprus and asked for, as took place, his recommendation at the Plenum be valid as a Political Council decision, at least with developments so far.

According to the same reports, the PASOK leader highlighted the issue of the national strategy comparatively with Cyprus and Greece, claiming that regardless of the outcome of the Cypriot "no" and the assessment of this stance of the Cypriots, constitutes an important political issue, that is also necessary for Greece, the issue of the understanding between the political forces on a common national target. This, indeed, was an issue raised by most of the speakers.

As regards Greece's internal affairs, Venizelos said, according to the same sources, that whatever deviations exist from targets must be absorbed by the end of the programme, reiterating in essence his proposal for there to be a real extension of even up to 2016.

[12] Ind. Greeks party seeks SYRIZA support for censure motion against finmin

"The finance minister bears huge responsibility because he opened the way, accepting a 'haircut' of deposits and especially those of small-scale depositors, creating instability not just for Cyprus but also for Greece," Marias told the Greek Parliament, explaining the reasoning behind the party's decision for a censure motion.

[13] Racism the 'enemy of working class,' KKE announcement says

According to KKE's announcement, such phenomena were "bred" by capitalism, with "big capital and the parties and politicians that support this" as the main enemy and the fascist-nationalist parties like Golden Dawn acting as their "the lackeys and thugs of the bosses".

"Racism and fascism are not created or reproduced in a vacuum, as claimed by various classless anti-racist, anti-fascist groups and movements made up of forces ranging from social democracy to SYRIZA and ANTARSYA. They are born, nurtured and bred within the capitalist system. Fascism and racism will die finally with the system that gives birth to them," the KKE announcement claimed.

[14] Ecumenical Patriarch attends meeting with new Pope Francis at the Vatican

A meeting between the new Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I was concluded at the Vatican on Wednesday afternoon. Bartholomew was the first spiritual leader of the world's estimated 300 million Orthodox Christians to attend the installation of a new Pope since the Great Schism of 1054.

During a meeting between the head of the Catholic Church and the leaders of other faiths and Christian churches, Patriarch Bartholomew read out an address on behalf of all the other

Orthodox Church leaders present at the Vatican.

He also suggested that the Argentine Pope visit Phanar, the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with an official invitation to be sent via the proper diplomatic channels, and proposed a joint visit to Jerusalem on the 50th anniversary since the meeting held between Ecumenical Patriarch Athinagoras with Pope Pius VI in January 1964. Pope Francis gladly accepted both invitations, according to reports.

The two religious leaders also stated their intention to undertake joint action for the protection of the environment, including the joint inauguration in 2015 of an exhibition dedicated to Holy Monastic Community on Mount Athos to be held in Rome.

Reporting on their meeting, the Italian press had earlier highlighted the Pope's warm embrace with the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the end of Tuesday's installment Mass, while the Rai Uno television network broadcast that "the new Pope, with his first moves, appears to want to make every effort to become closer to the Orthodox".

According to the Italian media, the strong 'common points' between the leaders of the world's two largest Christian Churches, are their devotion to environmental protection, their simplicity and accessibility in their relations with the faithful, and their common desire for frank dialogue with other religions.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, also known as the 'Green Patriarch', is a prominent leader in the environmental movement. Since 1997, he has been bringing principal scientists, environmentalists, religious leaders from all faiths and policy-makers from all over the world together to work on the ecological crisis.

He has also continued the reconciliation dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church started by his predecessors, and initiated dialogue with other faiths, including other Christian sects, Muslims and Jews, in an ongoing inter-faith dialogue.

[15] Canadian ambassador demands justice for attack on Eldorado facility in Skouries

The ambassador emphasised the importance of a climate of security, adding that trust could only arise through dialogue.

Peck said that he agreed with the government's decision to impose back-dated levies on the exploitation of mineral reserves, starting from January 1, 2013 in accordance with legislation passed in 2011 and fast-track procedures for major investments.

Australian Ambassador in Athens Jenny Bloomfield, also speaking at the same conference, outlined her country's experience with the mining industry, which generates approximately 20 percent of all Australian exports, noting that key features were a stable investment environment and operating costs that were among the lowest in the world.

[16] Gikas Manalis named new ERT chief

Financial News

[17] Development minister, Gazprom head discuss energy investments

Ministry sources told reporters, after the meeting, that the two men did not discuss the government's privatization plan but that the meeting focused more on investment issues. The same sources underlined that the fact that the head of the Russian energy giant was visiting Athens for the second time in 10 days offered evidence that Gazprom sees investment and growth prospects in the country.

[18] MIG says exposure in Cyprus limited

In a statement, MIG said its exposure in Cyprus was limited to an investment in the Hilton Nicosia Hotel through MIG Leisure Limited and a clinic in Paphos through Hygeia, with a combined turnover of around 1.0 pct of MIG's total turnover.

MIG also said its subsidiary Vivartia Holdings has a 10 pct equity stake in a Cypriot dairy company, while MIG's equity participation in Cyprus Popular Bank was limited to 0.69 pct. MIG said the group's deposits in various financial institutions in Cyprus totaled 5.2 million euros, or 2.4 pct of total deposits.

[19] Cypriot banks in Greece to remain closed on Thu., Fri.

Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras reassured once more that deposits by Greek citizens are safe.

He stressed that there was absolutely no risk for deposits in Cypriot, Greek or any other foreign bank in Greece.

Greek and other foreign banks will operate as normally.

[20] 'Non-exploitation of mineral wealth is a national loss' deputy energy minister tells Forum

No investment will be materialised if it does not totally respect the environment and does not serve the model of sustainable development, he continued, addressing an International Forum on Greece's Mineral Wealth taking place in Athens.

"We encourage investments that are technically and environmentally lawful," he said, adding that "we must leave behind us the history of investors who were troubled for years by bureaucracy".

"Non-exploitation of the country's mineral wealth is a national loss," he warned, and rejected the quandary of 'investments and jobs or protection of the environment', saying that Greece can balance all its comparative advantages by weighing in the environmental hazards.

Addressing the same conference, PASOK parliamentary group secretary Yannis Maniatis, he noted the role that government's and justice are called on to play on the matter of a country's natural resources, warning that delays in the issuance of decisions are equally dramatic as rejections of investment proposals, and also businesses, which he noted have a 'heavy, not at all positive past, resulting in society being justifiably suspicious".

However, he said, society must clarify whether it wants exploitation of the natural resources, "which is necessary if we want to have a future. Especially regarding hydrocarbons, Maniatis underlined the estimates that the state could generate revenues of 150 billion euro over the next 30 years, which he said must be utilised to boost the energy security system.

[21] Investment tools draft bill endorsed by parliament majority

Also withdrawn was an amendment to the tertiary education restructuring plan "Athena", which however will be included in another draft bill by the Education Ministry.

[22] Parliament approves appointment of Stylianos Stavridis as HRADF president

The proposal was approved with a majority vote.

Stavridis has an Engineers degree of the Zurich Polytechnic, while he has worked for the Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) company and the Iraklis-Lafarge cement firm, before being placed at the head of the Water Supply (EYDAP) company last November.

[23] Greece offers one week extension in tender for state property assets

[24] Employment in manufacturing sector down 9.9 pct in Q4 2012

The manufacturing sector recorded a 9.9 pct loss in job positions in the October-December period, compared with the same period in 2011, compared with a 6.4 pct decline in the economy on average.

The sector has suffered a 29.2 pct decline in job positions in the period from the fourth quarter of 2009 to the fourth quarter of 2012, or 144,500 jobs.

However, the rate of decline slowed in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter of 2012, a development related not only with stabilization trends but with changes in labor relations (part-time jobs).

In the fourth quarter of 2012, employment in the country's industries fell to 388,100 workers, down 9.9 pct from the same period in 2011, compared with 494,300 in the fourth quarter of 2009 and 560,100 in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Employment in the manufacturing sector accounted for 9.5 pct of total employment in the country, down from 9.9 pct in 2011, 10.4 pct in 2010, 11 pct in 2009, 11.7 pct in 2008 and 12.4 pct in 2007.

[25] Greek clothing sector production down sharply in 2005-2011 period

Hellastat said that an additional burden on enterprises in the sector was fierce competition from imports of ready-to-wear clothing products from low-cost countries, a trend that was prevalent even before the crisis erupted.

The clothing sector's production fell by an average 15.6 pct annually in the 2005-2011 period. In total, production in the sector fell by 64 pct since 2005, and by another 25.4 pct in 2011. In the first eight months of 2012, production fell by 12.4 pct (compared with a 24.5 pct decline in the same period in 2011). Hellastat said that clothing enterprises were selling their products at lower prices to arrest falling demand, reducing profit margins. Several clothing companies have relocated to Balkan countries, trying to take advantage of a lower labor cost in the region, while a significant number of companies have closed down operations entirely, a trend which is not expected to be reversed in the short-term. The survey analysed the financial reports of 167 enterprises, with a total turnover of 611.75 million euros, down 7.2 pct from 2010. Eighty percent of these companies reported lower revenues, for an average decline of 19.5 pct in 2011.

Operating results fell by 17.3 pct to 25.79 million euros, while pre-tax losses totaled 15.63 million euros, and gross profit margin fell by one percentage point to 27 pct.

[26] OAED absorption of ESPA funds at 60 pct

More specifically, for programmes on employment for the unemployed, 780 million euros have been assigned to the OAED by the Operational Programme "Development of Human Potential" and another 87.4 million euros from the Operational Programme "Administrative Reform".

According to assessments, the implementation of OAED's programmes has contributed to containing the increase in the unemployment rate by 5 to 7 percent.

[27] New, promising exports portal launched

Hatzidakis reiterated that the government's target was that exports in 2013 rise to 13 percent of the country's GDP, the highest rate in the past 30 years.

Exportgate.gr was developed by Eurobank, in collaboration with the Association of Exporters and Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEB).

[28] Greek stocks end moderately higher

Turnover was a low 53.917 million euros. The Big Cap index rose 0.79 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.06 pct higher. The Banks (4.28 pct), Health (4.05 pct), Financial Services (3.43 pct) and Commerce (3.02 pct) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains, while Personal Products (2.67 pct) and Telecoms (1.89 pct) suffered losses.

Alpha Bank (8.24 pct), MIG (7.51 pct), Eurobank (7.30 pct), Piraeus Bank (5.65 pct) and National Bank (4.92 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Frigoglass (5.82 pct), Jumbo (3.05 pct) and Motor Oil (4.04 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 69 to 68 with another 21 issues unchanged. Haidemenos (21.12 pct), Hatzioannou (20 pct) and Fieratex (18.64 pct) were top gainers, while Progressive (27.89 pct), Pairis (26.18 pct) and Lazaridis (23.19 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: +0.56%

Commercial: +3.02%

Construction: -0.23%

Oil & Gas: Unchanged

Personal & Household: -2.67%

Raw Materials: -0.17%

Travel & Leisure: -0.13%

Technology: +0.52%

Telecoms: -1.89%

Banks: +4.28%

Food & Beverages: +1.54%

Health: +4.05%

Utilities: +0.40%

Financial Services: +3.43%

The stocks with the highest turnover were OTE, Coca Cola 3E, PPC and OPAP.

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

Alpha Bank: 0.74

Public Power Corp (PPC): 6.00

HBC Coca Cola: 22.75

Hellenic Petroleum: 7.95

National Bank of Greece: 0.68

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 0.25

OPAP: 6.60

OTE: 5.20

Bank of Piraeus: 0.19

Titan: 13.30

[29] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates continued moving higher. The 12-month rate was 0.55 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.44 pct, the six-month rate rose to 0.33 pct, the three-month rate rose to 0.21 pct and the one-month rate was 0.12 pct.

[30] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 46,541 contracts worth 8.599 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Alpha Bank's contracts (14,332), followed by National Bank (11,627), Piraeus Bank (5,888), MIG (1,173), OTE (5,382), PPC (3,493), GEK (1,201), Ellaktor (607), Intralot (628), Mytilineos (529), OPAP (418), Coca Cola Hellenic (242), Piraeus Port (418) and Terna Energy (268).

[31] Foreign Exchange rates - Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.313

Pound sterling 0.868

Danish kroner 7.565

Swedish kroner 8.462

Japanese yen 125.55

Swiss franc 1.240

Norwegian kroner 7.658

Canadian dollar 1.347

Australian dollar 1.265

General News

[32] Thousands of unaccompanied children from third countries end up in Greece

Addressing a conference hosted on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination celebrated on March 21, Moschos referred to his experience with unaccompanied children in detention centers.

The children sleep on cement beds with only a blanket to keep them warm, not knowing how long they will have to stay there, he said, adding that most of the time, those children are not treated as such by police and the administrative agencies, but rather as migration law violators.

Children under the age of 18, from third countries or of unknown nationality, that arrive in Greece without being accompanied by a legal guardian, are described with the term "unaccompanied children", Athens First Instance Court Prosecutor Ilias Zagoreos said.

Most of the children are victims of exploitation, abuse, trading of minors, illegal labour and human trafficking, he said, adding that the reasons that force them to migrate from their countries are armed conflicts, poverty and being left orphans. Usually, the children are being detected by NGOs while attempting to enter or leave the country or they are arrested for panhandling.

Athens Court of Appeals Judge Sophia Tzoumerkioti and Prosecutor Zagoreos advocated the establishment of a special body of commissioners assigned with the care of unaccompanied children and underlined the urgent need for interpreters. Tzoumerkioti said that more hospitality centers will have to be built to provide shelter, food, education and jobs to the children, noting that the existing ones are not enough to meet the needs.

[33] Man wanted for April 2012 killing, shooting injuries of foreign nationals apprehended

The alleged perpetrator has been wanted since December on an arrest warrant for the incidents was arrested early Monday after he, together with an accomplice who is being sought, broke into two supermarkets in Melissia and Vrilissia and took off with a money-collection box for philanthropic purposes and various products.

After his arrest, the suspect showed a police identity card that authorities later found to be a fake, and gave false personal data. Police subsequently found that the suspect was wanted for the April 2012 bloody attack in Aharnes.

On April 29, 2012, a man drove by a bus stop in Aharnes, verbally attacked three foreign nationals (two Albanians aged 57 and 58 and a Pakistani) who were waiting for a bus. After the verbal attack turned into an argument, the man stepped on the gas and hit the 57-year-old Albanian with his car, injuring him.

The man then abandoned the car, went to his home and returned a half-hour later with a gun, with which he shot and injured the Pakistani, and subsequently chased the second Albanian into a nearby field, shooting him in the head and torso, killing the 58-year-old.

The arrestee was led before a local prosecutor.

[34] Retired policeman arrested with 12kg of heroin

The drugs were in 22 packets in a crypt between the back seats and the trunk.

According to police the suspect had left from the city of Florina and reacted when police made a spot check at the entrance gate to the port. The drugs were destined for Italy.

Both drugs and car were confiscated and the suspect will be sent before a prosecutor.

[35] Escaped prisoner from Agrinio police jail recaptured

The fugitive was caught in a combined operation by the Corinth, Akarnania and Achaia police forces, after he was spotted by Corinth highway traffic police and the Agrinio drugs squad, travelling along the old Corinth-Patras national road on foot.

Weather forecast

[36] Rainy on Thursday

[37] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: "Historic no".

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: "No to the blackmail".

ELLADA AVRIO: "Cyprus said no, Athens wake up!".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Dramatic 'no' from Cyprus".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Cyprus dares to say 'no' to Germany".

ESTIA: "Cyprus says no to 'haircut'.

ETHNOS: "Dramatic hours for Cyprus and Europe - Both seeking a 'plan B'."

IMERISSIA: "Torrential developments".

KATHIMERINI: "The 'no' challenges Cyprus and Eurozone".

LOGOS: "NO: Cyprus again writes its history".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Cyprus' NO changes the status quo in the eurozone".

RIZOSPASTIS: "European Union escalates the attack against Cyprus' people".

TA NEA: "Between the devil and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin".

VRADYNI: "Retirement with fewer work stamps".

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: ANTONIS SKYLLAKOS

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