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

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

CONTENTS

[01] ASE opening: Sharp decline

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] ASE opening: Sharp decline

Individual sector indices were moving mostly downward across the board, with the heaviest losses in Insurance, down 8.18 percent; Public Utilities, down 4.87 percent; and Health, down 3.21 percent.

The biggest gains were in Mass Media, up 4.99 percent; Technology, up 0.56 percent; and Food & Beverage, up 0.10 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was down 2.37 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was down 2.14 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was down 1.19 percent.

Of the stocks moved, 17 were up, 95 were down, and 22 were unchanged.

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Prime minister Costas Karamanlis' declaration of snap general elections in an Address to the Nation on Wednesday night dominated the headlines in Athens' newspapers on Thursday. Although no date was cited, press speculation is that the early elections will be held on October 4.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Elections on October 4 - The unbelievable was confirmed".

APOGEVMATINI: "Elections for ruler - The citizens called on to select who they want for prime minister: Karamanlis or Papandreou (main opposition PASOK leader)".

AVGHI: "Early elections a catalyst for developments - Life raft sought by Karamanlis with elections on October 4 on the pretext of the economy".

AVRIANI: "Elections on October 4 - Initiative of national responsibility by Karamanlis to clear up the political landscape and in order that bold measures may be taken to face the financial crisis that threatens to sink the country".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "The prime minister declared early elections, attempting a...salto mortale (suicidal jump) from the Maximos Mansion (government headquarters)".

ELEFTHEROS: "Elections a 'hara-kiri' (suicide) for the liberal party - Karamanlis had time to make deep changes in the economy by February".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Escape after the shipwreck - He (Karamanlis) admitted his failure, but asks us to vote for him again".

ESTIA: "Whom the early elections benefit - The prime minister's decision incomprehensible".

ETHNOS: "Voluntary exodus with...early rest - An unable Karamanlis succumbed to the recommendations for escape".

KATHIMERINI: "Elections in the midst of the financial crisis - The first statements by Karamanlis and Papandreou are ambiguous".

LOGOS: "Fresh popular mandate...asked by Karamanlis".

NIKI: "He's coming! October 4 (written beneath picture of Papandreou)".

PONTIKI (weekly): "He's going, leaving shambles behind him - Metron Analysis opinion poll points to crushing defeat for (ruling party) ND".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Powerful people, with strong KKE, in order to ruin their anti-popular plans - Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga's statement on the elections".

TA NEA: "I failed but...vote for me again - Karamanlis' declaration-parody".

TO VIMA: "They're escaping via elections, hoping to avert bankruptcy and devastation - After the general dissolution, Karamanlis again seeking...fresh popular mandate".

VRADYNI: "All together in the (elections) battle".

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