Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-11-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Archbishop of All Albania proclaimed honourary professor

[02] Greek scientists hopeful of new cancer diagnosis test

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[04] Vovos International wins Russian tender for Athens property

[05] "Big Brother" is taken to court, two citizens call for injunction

[06] Minister says time suitable for social security solution

[07] Ensemble Orchestral de Paris to appear in Athens

[08] Athens dismisses latest Turkish quips over Cyprus' EU entry

[09] Weather Forecast: Bad weather to ease off on Tuesday

[10] Greek stocks jump 2.33 percent on ASE

[01] Archbishop of All Albania proclaimed honourary professor

Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios on Monday night was proclaimed honourary professor of Piraeus University's International and European Studies Department.

The university's dean, Vassilis Benos, referred to the Archbishop's accomplishments, which he said "surpass human potential."

The dean said Anastasios' work encompassed the scientific, clerical, cultural and humanistic sectors. The Archbishop, Benos noted, is mostly acclaimed for his efforts in bringing peoples together.

On his part, Anastasios spoke on the theme "The contribution in the combatting of violence - Immediate interest and duty of the churches".

The Archbishop referred to the 20th century, saying it was one of "violence, wars and genocides".

On the start of the new millennium, he said "we began singing for peace, while we saw violence galloping. We spoke of justice, but injustice is spreading everywhere. The unholy alliance of violence and injustice is capable of creating many sufferings in the world."

However, he noted, "violence can be sparked also from a religious flame, as has been witnessed during the recent (terrorist) attack in the U.S. It is apparent that religion is also implicated."

Present at the ceremony were Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, Piraeus Metropolitan Kallinikos, deputies and local officials.

[02] Greek scientists hopeful of new cancer diagnosis test

Scientists from the National Research Foundation are promising to succeed in developing a reliable and workable test for the timely and authoritative diagnosis of lung cancer at a pre-clinical stage.

The test will be in a position to detect changes in the levels of certain proteins in cells, locating pre-clinical damage one or two years before the appearance of the first clinical symptoms.

The scientists believe that they will be ultimately able to create such a test and contribute to the struggle against lung cancer with a safe diagnosis long before serious damage to cells appears.

The test is expected to be used initially for people prone to such a threat such as smokers.

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

Indicative tourist buying rates

U.S. dollar 377.227

German mark 172.829

French franc 051.531

Pound sterling 548.561

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 045.384

Swedish kroner 035.537

Finnish mark 056.852

Spanish peseta 002.032

Portuguese escudo 001.686

Japanese yen (100) 309.266

Swiss franc 229.739

Norwegian kroner 042.510

Cyprus pound 588.535

Canadian dollar 236.845

Australian dollar 191.357

[04] Vovos International wins Russian tender for Athens property

Babis Vovos International SA, an Athens-quoted developer, announced on Monday that it had won a Russian state tender for a piece of land Moscow owns in Athens.

The land, which Vovos won on a self-financing basis, is located in Halandri off Kifissias Avenue, a trunk road leading north out of Athens. It carries a 48-year lease.

[05] "Big Brother" is taken to court, two citizens call for injunction

"Big Brother" was taken to court on Monday as the case two private citizens requested an injunction against the controversial television show broadcast by private "Antena" television station.

The court heard the arguments of the two citizens Konstantinos Samartzis and G. Triantafilidis, who are both lawyers, and the counter arguments of the representatives of the television station and called a recess to issue a judgement on the matter.

Former minister George Petsos appeared in court to argue for the injunction against the station, saying with the broadcast of the game insults the Greek people as it abolishes the inviolability of the Greek people.

[06] Minister says time suitable for social security solution

Labour and Social Insurances Minister Dimitris Reppas said on Monday, during a meeting with the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council's (ADEDY) presidium, the time is suitable for a solution to the social security issue to be sought.

Reppas said a discussion on a clear basis is necessary to seek a clear solution and spoke of the need for a joint effort for a just and viable social security system.

He reiterated to ADEDY the view, which he has been stressing ever since he assumed his duties, for a sincere dialogue, cooperation and understanding with the purpose of securing agreements between the ministry, trade unions and emloyers' unions.

[07] Ensemble Orchestral de Paris to appear in Athens

The famous Ensemble Orchestral de Paris will appear a the Athens Concert Hall on Monday and Tuesday night, under the guidance of the American conductor John Nelson and soloist the Canadian soprano Guylaine Girard.

The orchestra performs classical music and works of lesser known French composers of the 19th and 20th century, as well as modern works.

[08] Athens dismisses latest Turkish quips over Cyprus' EU entry

Greece reiterated on Monday that Cyprus European Union accession will be achieved as foreseen in summit decisions taken by the 15-nation blocs leaders, in the wake of recent warnings by Ankara over possible ?repercussions? from exactly such a prospect.

A government spokesman in Athens added that statements on the issue by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem are diametrically opposed to United Nations decisions and resolutions regarding the long-standing Cyprus issue.

?The Greek government considers that the Cyprus problem, which is a problem of occupation and of violations of International Law, can be solved; and that its resolution is both desirable and possible,? government spokesman Christos Protopapas told reporters during a regular press briefing here.

He also reiterated Athens standing position that a solution to the Cyprus issue must in no way constitute a condition for the island republics EU accession.

[09] Weather Forecast: Bad weather to ease off on Tuesday

The weather will improve on Tuesday, with rain restricted to the east and south in the morning. The rest of the country will see light cloud, which is likely to build up in the evening in the northwest. Winds northerly, moderate to very strong, soon easing off. In the north, temperatures will range from 2C to 17C; in the west from 7C to 21C; and in the rest of the country from 9C to 19C. Scattered cloud in the morning in Athens with temperatures from 10C and 19C. Same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 6C to 17C.

[10] Greek stocks jump 2.33 percent on ASE

Equity prices ended the first trading session of the week sharply higher reflecting strong buying interest for smaller capitalisation stocks.

Traders said sentiment was boosted by prospects of more positive business developments and hopes of a new round of interest rate cuts in the US and in Europe in the next few days.

A positive trend in international bourses also encouraged buying interest in the Greek market.

The general index ended 2.33 percent higher at 2,590.10 points, with turnover a moderate 65.7 billion drachmas, or 192.9 million euros.

The Publication, Construction and Wholesale sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (6.70 percent, 5.27 percent and 4.36 percent, respectively), while the Bank sector gained only 1.35 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.87 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index jumped 3.34 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index soared 4.22 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 335 to 17 with another 12 issues unchanged.

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