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Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-07-01Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Karamanlis-Gov't-Regions01/07/2001 22:35:33The leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, on Sunday accused the government of allowing the country's regions to decline through a policy of neglect. "Unfortunately, after 20 years (in power), the government's incapacity and paralysis have led the Greek regions to abandonment and decay," Karamanlis told residents of the eastern Aegean island of Psara. He vowed that if elected to power, New Democracy would forge an integrated policy of growth for the islands that would reverse the trend of flight to the cities. [02] Noted criminal lawyer found dead off Spetses-RECASTS01/07/2001 22:26:49The body of Takis Pappas, a noted criminal lawyer and former president of the Athens Bar Association, was found floating in waters off the island of Spetses on Sunday, the merchant marine ministry said. Bathers found the body off Ligoneri beach shortly after noon, and informed authorities. The Spetses Harbour Corps has launched an investigation into the death, and an autopsy is to be conducted at the Piraeus mortuary on Monday, the ministry said in a statement. Doctors at the Spetses Health Centre who examined the body said the lawyer, who spent his weekends on the island at his holiday home, appeared to have died from drowning. He leaves a wife and son. Born in Trikala in 1942, Pappas was exiled during the 1967-1974 dictatorship. In 1993, he was elected president of the Athens Bar Association, a post he held until 1996. Pappas stood for election twice as a deputy for the ruling PASOK party - in 1985 and 1996 - and for the Democractic Social Movement (DIKKI) in 2000. Prime Minister Costas Simitis mourned the loss of Pappas, whom he said was an uncompromising and tireless proponent of democracy and an outstanding professional. DIKKI president Dimitris Tsovolas said he was deeply grieved at the untimely death of Pappas, a champion of democracy, and his personal friend and lawyer. Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis issued a statement saying he deeply regretted the loss of Pappas, a distinguished humanist and leftist. Costas Karamanlis, the leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, said Pappas was a distinguished lawyer and a perseveringly pro-democracy politician. The president of the Athens Bar Association, Antonis Roupakiotis, extolled Pappas' work, including his support for the public in conflict with authority. Also expressing condolences were the ruling PASOK party, which lauded Pappas' work for democracy and freedom; and lawyer Nikos Constantopoulos, the leader of the Coalition for the Left and Progress, who praised Pappas' humaneness and professionalism. [03] Lawyer-Death (RECASTS, adding PM's condolences)01/07/2001 22:23:12The body of Takis Pappas, a noted criminal lawyer and former president of the Athens Bar Association, was found floating in waters off the island of Spetses on Sunday, the merchant marine ministry said. Bathers found the body off Ligoneri beach shortly after noon, and informed authorities. The Spetses Harbour Corps has launched an investigation into the death, and an autopsy is to be conducted at the Piraeus mortuary on Monday, the ministry said in a statement. Doctors at the Spetses Health Centre who examined the body said the lawyer, who spent his weekends on the island at his holiday home, appeared to have died from drowning. He leaves a wife and son. Born in Trikala in 1942, Pappas was exiled during the 1967-1974 dictatorship. In 1993, he was elected president of the Athens Bar Association, a post he held until 1996. Pappas stood for election twice as a deputy for the ruling PASOK party - in 1985 and 1996 - and for the Democractic Social Movement (DIKKI) in 2000. Prime Minister Costas Simitis mourned the loss of Pappas, whom he said was an uncompromising and tireless proponent of democracy and an outstanding professional. DIKKI president Dimitris Tsovolas said he was deeply grieved at the untimely death of Pappas, a champion of democracy, and his personal friend and lawyer. Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis issued a statement saying he deeply regretted the loss of Pappas, a distinguished humanist and leftist. Costas Karamanlis, the leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, said Pappas was a distinguished lawyer and a perseveringly pro-democracy politician. The president of the Athens Bar Association, Antonis Roupakiotis, extolled Pappas' work, including his support for the public in conflict with authority. Also expressing condolences were the ruling PASOK party, which lauded Pappas' work for democracy and freedom; and lawyer Nikos Constantopoulos, the leader of the Coalition for the Left and Progress, who praised Pappas' humaneness and professionalism. [04] FYROM-Democratic Party of Albanians-Xhaferi-Interview01/07/2001 22:22:00SKOPJE (ANA/M.Vihou) - Arben Xhaferi, leader of the Democratic Party of Albanians, said on Sunday that he wanted to see protection for Albanians and other ethnic groups in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), but that he was not seeking partition. "We do not want the territorial solution, but we do want a type of humane mechanism that would protect the interests of Albanians in society, where they are extremely marginalised," Xhaferi told the Athens News Agency in an interview. Xhaferi accused FYROM's government of arming Slavo-Macedonian citizens against Albanians, saying he backed NATO's strong presence in the country in order to avert civil war. He also denied unsubstantiated talk that armed Albanians were preparing to operate in Greece. In addition, protesting Tsamides in Albania were extremists whose demands were unacceptable. Extremists were present everywhere and should be handled through democratic means, Xhaferi added. Finally, the Albanian party leader said he believed that destabilisation of the Balkan region would occur if a political solution was not found in FYROM. [05] Opinion Poll-PASOK (RECASTS, adding detail)01/07/2001 21:39:36Voters of the ruling PASOK party approve of Prime Minister Costas Simitis' move to bring forward the party congress to October from spring next year, an opinion poll showed. Those in favour of the move thought it would have a positive impact on the government's work, said the poll by VPRC, published in the Sunday Eleftherotypia newspaper. Of PASOK voters polled, 67.9 percent backed the earlier date; and of respondents in general, 49.1 percent, according to the poll conducted in Attica. The majority of respondents also opposed any proposal being made at the PASOK congress for a change in the party's leadership. In addition, the majority of respondents wanted a change in policy by Simitis, rather than his replacement, with 55 percent backing a policy shift versus 14.5 percent who wanted to see a change of party leader. Another 18.9 percent percent wanted both a policy change and a new leader. Of PASOK voters, 72 percent wanted a policy shift with 7.3 percent backing the replacement of Simitis by another party leader and 8.7 percent wanting to see both. Backing a government reshuffle were 63 percent of respondents overall, versus 69.3 percent of PASOK voters who supported new cabinet appointments. In the survey, 42.6 percent of people wanted early elections, with 53.9 percent seeing no need for recourse to the ballot box. Among PASOK voters, 81.7 percent were against early elections versus 67 percent of voters in the main opposition New Democracy party, who were eager for early polls. [06] Olympic Airways-Privatisation01/07/2001 21:19:42Integrated Airline Solutions, a bidder in a privatisation tender for Olympic Airways, on Sunday released details of its offer for the ailing carrier following unofficial talk that the Australian company had not been tipped by the government's consultant for further negotiations. Integrated said that it had offered more than 200 million euros in shareholders' equity for 100 percent of the new Olympic Airways to emerge from a share capital rise, claiming that this was the only full privatisation bid in the tender as it required no financial involvement by the state. Under the terms of the bid, Integrated would maintain 5,000 existing permanent workers and 2,000 seasonal workers, who would continue work as usual, the company said in a statement. On Saturday, the president of Cyprus Airways, Haris Loizidis, said that he believed both his carrier and Axon Airlines had been recommended to the Greek government as potential buyers of Olympic Airways in the tender. Loizidis said that according to his information, the government's tender consultant, Credit Suisse First Boston, had named the two airlines as candidates for a continuation of sale negotiations in the tender. Handling the sale from London, the consultant had made the recommendation to the ministries of national economy and transport, which are both involved in the sale, he added. In Athens, sources said on Friday that the government had received a recommendation from its consultant on the winner of the tender. The sources said that the national economy ministry may release a statement following the recommendation by Credit Suisse First Boston. The latest, extended deadline for bids was June 18, and four groups submitted separate offers - Axon Airlines SA, Golden Aviation Services (the Restis shipping group), Integrated Airline Solutions of Australia, and Cyprus Airways. Integrated Airline Solutions, which had pulled out of the tender as it could not meet the original deadline, returned to the bidding due to the extension. Credit Suisse said that the bids should meet the following criteria set by the government: When bids are submitted, the government will begin talks with the interim winner of the tender, Credit Suisse First Boston said. [07] Lawyer-Death (RECASTS, adding condolences)01/07/2001 20:54:48The body of Takis Pappas, a noted criminal lawyer and former president of the Athens Bar Association, was found floating in waters off the island of Spetses on Sunday, the merchant marine ministry said. Bathers found the body off Ligoneri beach shortly after noon, and informed authorities. The Spetses Harbour Corps has launched an investigation into the death, and an autopsy is to be conducted at the Piraeus mortuary on Monday, the ministry said in a statement. Doctors at the Spetses Health Centre who examined the body said the lawyer, who spent his weekends on the island at his holiday home, appeared to have died from drowning. He leaves a wife and son. Born in Trikala in 1942, Pappas was exiled during the 1967-1974 dictatorship. In 1993, he was elected president of the Athens Bar Association, a post he held until 1996. Pappas stood for election twice as a deputy for the ruling PASOK party - in 1985 and 1996 - and for the Democractic Social Movement (DIKKI) in 2000. DIKKI president Dimitris Tsovolas said he was deeply grieved at the untimely death of Pappas, a champion of democracy, and his personal friend and lawyer. Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis issued a statement saying he deeply regretted the loss of Pappas, a distinguished humanist and leftist. Costas Karamanlis, the leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, said Pappas was a distinguished lawyer and a perseveringly pro-democracy politician. The president of the Athens Bar Association, Antonis Roupakiotis, extolled Pappas' work, including his support for the public in conflict with authority. Also expressing condolences were the ruling PASOK party, which lauded Pappas' work for democracy and freedom; and lawyer Nikos Constantopoulos, the leader of the Coalition for the Left and Progress, who praised Pappas' humaneness and professionalism. [08] Wildfire-Attica01/07/2001 20:47:14A wildfire near Pendeli, one of the mountains ringing Athens, was brought under control in a major firefighting effort several hours after it erupted. Employed to tackle the scrubland blaze in Dionysos were four water-dropping planes, a helicopter carrying water bombs, 20 fire engines, and 80 firefighters. [09] Lawyer-Death (RECASTS, adding new condolences)01/07/2001 20:17:35The body of Takis Pappas, a noted criminal lawyer and former president of the Athens Bar Association, was found floating in waters off the island of Spetses on Sunday, the merchant marine ministry said. Bathers found the body off Ligoneri beach shortly after noon, and informed authorities. The Spetses Harbour Corps has launched an investigation into the death, and an autopsy is to be conducted at the Piraeus mortuary on Monday, the ministry said in a statement. Doctors at the Spetses Health Centre who examined the body said the lawyer, who spent his weekends on the island at his holiday home, appeared to have died from drowning. He leaves a wife and son. Born in Trikala in 1942, Pappas was exiled during the 1967-1974 dictatorship. In 1993, he was elected president of the Athens Bar Association, a post he held until 1996. Pappas stood for election twice as a deputy for the ruling PASOK party - in 1985 and 1996 - and for the Democractic Social Movement (DIKKI) in 2000. DIKKI president Dimitris Tsovolas said he was deeply grieved at the untimely death of Pappas, a champion of democracy, and his personal friend and lawyer. Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis issued a statement saying he deeply regretted the loss of Pappas, a distinguished humanist and leftist. Costas Karamanlis, the leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, said Pappas was a distinguished lawyer and a perseveringly pro-democracy politician. The president of the Athens Bar Association, Antonis Roupakiotis, extolled Pappas' work, including his support for the public in conflict with authority. [10] Attica Highway-Tolls-Hike01/07/2001 20:08:46Tolls on the new Attica highway around Athens are to rise on Monday, with the new rates as follows: [11] Doctors-Strike01/07/2001 20:01:40Doctors working for the state Social Insurance Foundation (IKA) are to extend their strike until August 3, despite efforts by IKA's governor to persuade them to return to work after a three-week-old stoppage. Doctors at university teaching hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki are to continue their walkout until July 6. [12] PASOK-Ministers-Comments01/07/2001 19:34:11Three key ministers on Sunday made statements about the ruling PASOK party, of which they are members, linked to widespread debate of the party's congress in October, which Prime Minister Costas Simitis brought forward from spring 2002. [13] Bogus Medical Degrees-Arrests01/07/2001 19:03:40Five people were arrested in a scam to obtain Greek certification for medical degrees obtained abroad through illegal assistance in the state qualifying exams, police in the western port city of Patras said on Sunday. Acting on a tip-off, police tracked Ioannis Spanos, 30, of Attica as he conveyed answers to three students taking the exam in Patras to have their medical degrees from eastern European countries certified through examination by the state DIKATSA board. The three students, identified as Louisa Kosmidou, Georgia Tsima and Ioanna Koutala, were allowed to take their surgery exam, allegedly prompted by Spanos. Police arrested them as they left the building. Admitting the crime, Spanos named the alleged mastermind of the ring as Victor Sihade (phonetic spelling), 38, an Israeli national residing in Piraeus, police said. The three exam-takers told police they had paid Sihade 2-3 million drachmas each for the assistance, depositing the cash in a bank account owned by his Greek wife. Sihade was later arrested in possession of five million drachmas along with a communcations system for exams, which police did not identify. The five arrested were taken to a public prosecutor to hear charges on Sunday afternoon. [14] Photograph Exhibit-Swiss Archaeologists-Geneva Museum01/07/2001 18:37:38A photograph exhibition has opened in the northern port of Kavala of shots taken by two Swiss archaeologists in Greece from 1904 to 1939. The exhibition - entitled Waldemar Deonna-Paul Collari: Two Swiss Archaeologists Photograph Greece - is organised by the Swiss Archaeological School in Greece and Geneva's History of Art Museum. [15] Illegal Immigrants-Samos01/07/2001 18:26:49Seven illegal Afghan immigrants were found on the eastern Aegean island of Samos but the suspected Turkish migrant trafficker who brought them by sea evaded arrest, police said on Sunday. The four men, two women and child were detained in an immigrants' reception centre and are due to appear before a public prosecutor, police officials said. [16] Water Resources-Seminar01/07/2001 18:17:28A two-seminar on the management of water resources begins in Athens on Monday that will study the terms of a European Union directive for the sector, and its repercussions on forging national policy. The seminar is arranged by the development ministry working with other organisations involved, including the Public Power Corporation. Also taking part is the EU's environment directorate. Among the speakers is Deputy Environment Minister Ilias Efthymiopoulos. [17] Military Service-Army Recruitment01/07/2001 18:01:15National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Sunday that youths conscripted into the army for compulsory military service on January 1, 2001 would have their term reduced by two months as part of a plan to boost the standing army with professional soldiers. The move would be followed by another two-month cut in mandatory duty in 2002, which meant that in 2003, military service would have fallen to 12 months. Similar reductions would apply to the air force and navy, Tsohatzopoulos told reporters while touring Kavala. As part of the same plan, the government would begin in October hiring 5,000 privates for the armed forces. The process would be repeated in 2002 and 2003 to total 15,000 new staff over three years, he said. It was the first time that privates would be hired as professional soldiers as opposed to commissioned and non-commissioned officers, the minister added. [18] Athens Newspaper Headlines01/07/2001 17:23:15SUNDAY ADESMEFTOS: "Ahead of the ruling party congress" ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Holidays all the year round" SUNDAY APOGEVMATINI: "All university degrees from abroad are equal, state body says" VIMA ON SUNDAY: "Warning bell for the economy" SUNDAY VRADYNI: "End to tax breaks on mortgages" SUNDAY ETHNOS: "Higher tax on real estate" SUNDAY ELEFTHERI ORA: "Blood and gore in the Balkans" ESPRESSO: "Deputy puts other deputy's home on the auction block" EPOHI: "Balkans: 'Cleansing' brings new tragedy" SUNDAY KATHIMERINI: "Intervention by PM in the economy" SUNDAY HORA: "How cash was ripped off on the Athens bourse" SUNDAY AVGHI: "New Yugoslavia under threat of dissolution" SUNDAY AVRIANI: "All of Avramopoulos' senior officials" SUNDAY ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Opinion Poll: Ruling party voters want policy change, reshuffle" SUNDAY RIZOSPASTIS: "Elections to condemn policy" LOGOS ON SUNDAY: "Hot October for ruling and main opposition parties" STO KARFI: "Andreas Papandreou in foreign lands" SUNDAY PARON: "Slaughter in ruling party's central committee - PM left directionless" NIKI: "What lies ahead at ruling party congress in October" SUNDAY TYPOS: "Key interviews on political developments" [19] US Ambassador-Balkans-Interview01/07/2001 17:01:46The US has no plans to remove its troops or diplomats from the Balkans, the country's ambassador to Greece, Nicholas Burns, said in an interview published on Sunday. "We currently have forces in FYROM, Kosovo and Bosnia; we have sent US diplomats to every point in the region; we have allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for reconstruction of the Balkans; and we are reinforcing our Thessaloniki consulate to meet these challenges," Burns told Thessaloniki's Sunday Angelioforos newspaper. "Everything we are doing is sending the message that we are staying, that we are not leaving...We stopped the war in Bosnia with the Dayton agreement. We are proud we stopped Milosevic's ethnic cleansing against the Albanians in Kosovo in 1999," he added. [20] Lawyer-Death (RECASTS, adding minister, detail)01/07/2001 17:01:40The body of Takis Pappas, a noted criminal lawyer and former president of the Athens Bar Association, was found floating in waters off the island of Spetses on Sunday, the merchant marine ministry said. Bathers found the body off Ligoneri beach shortly after noon, and informed authorities. The Spetses Harbour Corps has launched an investigation into the death, and an autopsy is to be conducted at the Piraeus mortuary on Monday, the ministry said in a statement. Doctors at the Spetses Health Centre who examined the body said the lawyer, who spent his weekends on the island at his holiday home, appeared to have died from drowning. He leaves a wife and son. Born in Trikala in 1942, Pappas was exiled during the 1967-1974 dictatorship. In 1993, he was elected president of the Athens Bar Association, a post he held until 1996. Pappas stood for election twice as a deputy for the ruling PASOK party - in 1985 and 1996 - and for the Democractic Social Movement (DIKKI) in 2000. DIKKI president Dimitris Tsovolas said he was deeply grieved at the untimely death of Pappas, a champion of democracy, and his personal friend and lawyer. Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis issued a statement saying he deeply regretted the loss of Pappas, a distinguished humanist and leftist. [21] Opinion Poll-PASOK01/07/2001 16:30:28Voters of the ruling PASOK party approve of Prime Minister Costas Simitis' move to bring forward the party congress to October from spring next year, an opinion poll showed. Those in favour of the move thought it would have a positive impact on the government's work, said the poll by VPRC, published in the Sunday Eleftherotypia newspaper. Of PASOK voters polled, 67.9 percent backed the earlier date; and of respondents in general, 49.1 percent, according to the poll conducted in Attica. The majority of respondents also opposed any proposal being made at the PASOK congress for a change in the party's leadership. [22] Lawyer-Death01/07/2001 16:10:35The body of Takis Pappas, a noted criminal lawyer and former president of the Athens Bar Association, was found floating in waters off the island of Spetses on Sunday, the merchant marine ministry said. Bathers found the body off Ligoneri beach shortly after noon, and informed authorities. The Spetses Harbour Corps has launched an investigation into the death, and an autopsy is to be conducted at the Piraeus mortuary on Monday, the ministry said in a statement. Doctors at the Spetses Health Centre who examined the body said the lawyer, who spent his weekends on the island at his holiday home, appeared to have died from drowning. Born in Trikala in 1942, Pappas was exiled during the 1967-1974 dictatorship. In 1993, he was elected president of the Athens Bar Association, a post he held until 1996. Pappas stood for election twice as a deputy for the ruling PASOK party - in 1985 and 1996 - and for the Democractic Social Movement (DIKKI) in 2000. DIKKI president Dimitris Tsovolas said he was deeply grieved at the untimely death of Pappas, his personal friend and lawyer and a champion of democracy. [23] Weather Forecast: Mostly sunny on Monday01/07/2001 15:29:54Sunshine and scattered cloud is forecast in most parts of the country on Monday, turning to showers or storms from evening in the central and northern mainland, the Peloponnese and northern Aegean. Winds northerly, light to moderate, turning strong at sea. In the north, temperatures will range from 19C to 29C; on the rest of the mainland from 21C to 33C; and in the islands from 22C to 30C. Sunny in Athens, turning to showers or storms from late afternoon. Temperatures between 22C and 32C. Unsettled weather in Thessaloniki, including scattered showers or storms. Ttemperatures from 20C to 28C. [24] Old Metro-Industrial Action01/07/2001 15:22:47Workers on the old Kifissia to Piraeus metro line via Athens will stage a go-slow on Monday and probably a work stoppage on Tuesday to protest against a breakdown in pay talks for 2001. The frequency of trains will be every seven minutes throughout Monday; and Tuesday's stoppage is expected to begin at midday and finish at 1600. Management said on Friday that the pay dispute would be taken to arbitration. [25] Electricity-Rates-Hike01/07/2001 15:08:52Electricity rates set by the Public Power Corporation rose on July 1 in an increase that tracks inflation. The roughly 3.5 percent rise applies to household and industrial consumption, expect for special contracts. For household rates exceeding 800 kwh over four months, an extra 1.5 percent will be added as a disincentive to heavy consumption. [26] Foreign Exchange Rates- Monday01/07/2001 14:54:26Buying rates until Monday U.S. dollar 398.631 German mark 172.829 French franc 051.531 Pound sterling 560.481 Irish punt 429.202 Belgian franc 008.379 Luxembourg franc 008.379 Dutch guilder 153.389 Italian lira (100) 017.457 Austrian schilling 024.565 Danish kroner 45.406 Swedish kroner 36.691 Finnish mark 056.852 Spanish peseta 002.032 Portuguese escudo 001.686 Japanese yen (100) 320.796 Swiss franc 221.972 Norwegian kroner 042.861 Cyprus pound 588.606 Canadian dollar 261.491 Australian dollar 201.985 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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