Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-03-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] CoS hears arguments in Votanikos project

[02] ASE turnover down 13.89% in Feb.

[03] FM on tabled question criticising annual State Dept. human rights report

[04] Greek stocks end 0.48% lower

[01] CoS hears arguments in Votanikos project

Á recommendation by a CoS rapporteur favored a ruling for the plaintiffs, viewing that a law allowing for the double regeneration project contravenes European and Greek law.

The ambitious project would pave the way for construction of a sport complex, a large mall and adjacent green spaces in the Votanikos district of central Athens, one of the most rundown areas within the Athens municipality. It would also demolish the outdated Panathinaikos pitch along Alexandras Avenue in favor of a park.

Attorneys for the construction company overseeing the entire project, Babis Vovos, as well as for the Panathinaikos pro football team and amateur division, along with the City of Athens, the Greek state and representatives of 257 Athens residents outlined their arguments in support of the law's legality.

[02] ASE turnover down 13.89% in Feb.

Average daily turnover was 105 million euros in February, down from 123 million in January and 348 million euros in February 2008, while the most active stocks of the month (in value) were National Bank, OPAP, Alpha Bank and the Public Power Corp. (PPC).

The composite index of the market ended February at 1,535.82 points, off 13.69 pct from a month earlier. The FTSE 20 index was down 17.89 pct, the FTSE 40 index dropped 3.98 pct and the FTSE 80 index fell 9.0 pct.

[03] FM on tabled question criticising annual State Dept. human rights report

Bakoyannis made the comment in Parliament in answer to a tabled question by a Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) deputy directed towards the premier.

On his part, MP Adonis Georgiadis referred to a "direct intervention by Washington in Greece's internal affairs", in commenting on the annual State Department report that attempts to gauge the status of human and minority rights in every country and territory of the world, sans one.

"We don't have any insecurities or phobic syndromes, these reports have been composed quite some time prior to their publication and similar ones are conducted for each EU country ... What is recorded is the rendering, evaluations and conclusions of their authors, and some times they include references which are not fair and accurate. They (reports), however, also include observations and numerous positive statements, such as respect for constitutional rights, the operation of dozens of organisations for the protection of human rights etc," Bakoyannis said from Parliament's podium, adding:

"We neither downgrade nor do we over-estimate anything; we assess everything, nothing more and nothing less, full stop. Our performance, however, is in no way connected with kudos or criticism by others," she emphasised.

Georgiadis charged that the foreign minister is deliberately downgrading the US agency's annual report, while adding that it reflects the opinion of the new US Secretary of State.

The UN reference was to a recent report compiled by UN independent expert on minority issues Gay McDougall.

[04] Greek stocks end 0.48% lower

Most sectors moved lower, with the Media (5.80 pct), Oil (3.24 pct), Healthcare (2.76 pct) and Commerce (2.75 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Personal/Home Products (2.60 pct), Travel (0.61 pct) and Constructions (0.35 pct) scored gains.

The FTSE 20 index fell 0.36 pct, the FTSE 40 index eased 0.11 pct and the FTSE 80 index ended 0.08 pct off. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 130 to 63 with another 48 issues unchanged.

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