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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-07-16Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>July 16, 2003CONTENTS
[01] PM chairs meeting on monitoring market prices, combatting profiteeringAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Issues concerning the market and the recent wave of high prices were the focus of a meeting Tuesday chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis with development minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, deputy ministers Kimon Koulouris and Dimitris Georgakopoulos, and ruling PASOK party secretary Michalis Chrys-sochoidis.After the meeting, Tsohatzopoulos told reporters that "the front against profiteering is a policy priority, and in that direction a series of institutional measures are being advanced". Specifically, he explained, a bill had been tabled in parliament, which would be voted on in the coming weeks that contained a series of major changes to the composition of all the product markets. In this way, he said, a new institutional framework was being created in which the formulation of prices, from the field of production, would be monitored, thus enabling, through systematic checks, the combatting of profiteering and excessive price increases at the intermediate stage between the producer and the consumer. Also, he continued, "transparency in favour of the consumer" was being advanced through support of the consumer organizations, aided by the prices observatory on oil products as well as on market product prices. The minister noted that a pilot program of price observatory's has been in operation for the past three months. He said that inspections remained the key to maintaining prices at low levels, particularly during the summer season, adding that inspection teams from the tourist police, the ministry's tourism service and other ministry departments would conduct coordinated inspections in all regions of the country. Tsohatzopoulos added that the sales prices of bottled water as well as coffee, in which excessive price hikes had been observed, would also come under the inspections microscope. Deputy development minister pledges ''war'' against profiteering:Newly appointed deputy development minister Kimon Koulouris on Tuesday pledged to eradicate profiteering and announced a series of measures to be taken by his ministry to help contain inflation and protect consumers. Coming out of a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos where high consumer prices dominated discussions, Koulouris said that continuous contacts with market representatives, intense checks and the dissemination of consumer information were the three fronts of action put forth by his ministry. He added that an action timetable would be ready by end July to combat overpricing until general elections in spring. He noted he had already got commitments from restaurant and pastry-shop owners not to raise their prices before next year, and said he would meet with consumer representatives on Wednesday. The deputy minister stressed that a bill to modernize street markets and change regulations for street-vendors would shortly be tabled in Parliament. He said that imminent measures to control prices would target the services industry, including parking, medical, hospitality and insurance services, as well as municipality and road taxes, noting that electricity rate increases accepted by his ministry were much lower than those proposed by the Public Power Corporation. Finally, he said that Greece would renew an older proposal to the European Union for the issue of a banknote smaller than five euros. [02] Greek and Italian presidents discuss future of EuropeAthens 16/07/03(ANA)President Kostis Stephanopoulos discussed the future of Europe with his Italian counterpart Carlo Azeglio Ciampi on Tuesday, who arrived in Athens on a three-day official visit.Speaking to reporters later, President Stephanopoulos said the visit is very important since Greece and Italy are proceeding towards common targets in the European Union. He added that both agreed on the common pursuits in that Europe must obtain a closer and single policy in many sectors, it must develop more its economy, the competitiveness of its products, the development of research and the training of its citizens and become a global pole for the dissemination of its great concepts. The Greek president wished every success for the Italy's EU presidency to enable the preparation of the European constitution to meet with success and to which the hopes of all European peoples are directed. ''It is wonderful for one to be in Athens, it is wonderful that I am in Athens,'' said President Ciampi, who added that his meeting with President Stephanopoulos was more than an exchange of official visits. President Ciampi said the two countries' participation in the EU strengthened their historic relations, adding that current relations between them are strong and close both on a bilateral and a European level. He further stressed that the two countries must find themselves together in the front line in handling dramatic situations, primarily in the Mediterranean region. The Italian president underlined the importance of the accession of the 10 new countries to the EU, as well as that of the constitutional treaty, while noting that the framework of the Intergovernmental Conference must be improved and completed in the coming months. He said it is important that the work of the Intergovernmental Conference takes place in a constructive spirit and with the awareness of commitments awaiting the EU in the months to come. President Ciampi further said when the citizens of Europe will be summoned to elect the new European Parliament in spring, they must know the EU's institutional model. Addressing president Ciampi during a reception given at the Presidential Mansion in the evening, President Stephanopoulos expressed the feelings of respect he has for his Italian counterpart and pointed to ties between Italy and Greece since ancient times, the neighborliness between the two peoples and the cultural legacy of Athens and Rome for European culture. Making a historical account of the great milestones of cultural contact between the two countries, from antiquity and the Renaissance to the Enlightenment and the present era, President Stephanopoulos referred to the two important and encouraging developments which occurred during the Greek presidency, the signing of the act for the accession of 10 new member-states to the EU and the unanimous ratification of the EU's draft constitution. On his part, President Ciampi praised the Greek EU presidency, saying it had ''vision and wisdom'' which ''proves that success does not depend on the size of a country.'' He also underlined the close ties which have united the two countries for many centuries, adding that the essence of democracy is rooted in their common cultural heritage. President Ciampi further said Greece and Italy, tangibly experiencing the composite reality of the Mediterranean and the Balkans, are aware that it is necessary for Europe to act in a uniting manner. He stressed the importance of the joint efforts the two countries must make in the Mediterranean and the Balkans and the will to work together to support the EU's future constitution which must consolidate a good governance for Europe. [03] PM briefed by public administration general inspectorAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday had a meeting with Public Administration General Inspector Costas Dafermos, who stressed the need for stricter application of existing laws on those who perjured themselves or broke official oaths.Dafermos noted that there were laws and mechanisms in place to control organizations handling issues affecting the public and to facilitate the public's dealings with public administration, which could be used by the government in its efforts to curb corruption. At the same time, he noted that corruption in public administration was a crime that had a large impact on those it affected and also that incidents of graft continued to exist and would not be easy to counteract. [04] Transparency measures will go through, gov't reaffirmsAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Tuesday reaffirmed that the government would press ahead with reforms to increase transparency, including planned changes to electoral law.In response to questions, meanwhile, he noted that the government would present a package of proposals for reforming the electoral system that would form a basis for dialogue. ''The process is therefore only just started and there is no timeframe as yet,'' he added. He also predicted that main opposition New Democracy, which has flatly refused to participate in such a dialogue, would find itself in a very difficult position once the government's proposals were unveiled. The spokesman reiterated that if ND joined in the dialogue there could be an agreement in advance that the changes would not apply until 2008. Protopapas noted that ND was perhaps concerned that the new election law might used against it when the election for the new President of the Republic was held, one year after the next general elections. This requires a majority of at least 180 votes in Parliament and can trigger new general elections if the parties fail to agree on a suitable candidate. [05] Foreign minister to meet Italian counterpart on WednesdayAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to meet his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini in Athens on Wednesday afternoon, it was announced.After the meeting, Frattini will sign the declaration in support of the Olympic Truce at the Greek foreign ministry and the two ministers will then hold a press conference. [06] Deputy FM meets with Albania's ambassador to Athens on TuesdayAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Deputy foreign minister Andreas Loverdos and Albania's ambassador to Athens Bashkim Zeneli on Tuesday held a meeting mainly focusing on recent developments in Greece's ambitious Balkan Reconstruction Plan (ESOAB).The meeting was held ahead of Loverdos' Balkan tour next week to monitor the implementation of the reconstruction plan and tighten relations with recipient countries. [07] Bank of Greece says high growth rates fuel inflationAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Bank of Greece's governor, Nikolaos Garganas, on Tuesday expressed his worries over the course of the inflation rate in Greece, which remains steadily 1.5 percentage points above the European Union average inflation rate.Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Mr Garganas attributed the persistently high inflation rate to high growth rates in the economy and a rapidly increasing labor cost in the country. The Greek central bankers said that Gross Domestic Product would reach 4.0 percent in the first half of 2003. He reiterated his call that real wage increases should be related with productivity rates. [08] Greece backs moves to tone up EU growthBRUSSELS 16/07/03 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)Greece said on Tuesday that it backed a proposal of the European Union's rotating Italian presidency to boost growth in the bloc.At the same time, the new measures should not replace existing policies, Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis told reporters after a meeting of EU finance ministers. The Italian proposal involves reinforcing investments in sectors including transport, energy and research. Greece's interest focused on energy projects, especially natural gas link-ups, along with investments in telecoms infrastructure, Christodoulakis said in the Belgian capital. The EU ministers also agreed that international accounting standards should be adopted in the bloc in 2005 for companies quoted on European stock exchanges, in order to improve comparability of data. In Greece, the use of international accounting standards is optional in 2004 and mandatory from 2005 under excising legislation. [09] Q-Telecom says customer base exceeded 260,000 in JuneAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Q-Telecom, a Greek telephony operator, on Tuesday announced that its subscribers exceeded 260,000 by the end of June to 266,833, of which 215,137 were mobile telephony customers and the remaining 51,696 fixed-line telephony customers.The company said that out of its total 215,137 mobile telephony customers, 186,968 were pre-paid contract subscribers and the other 28,169 were contract-based subscribers. Net new connections in the second quarter of 2003 were 70,955 in its mobile telephony business, of which 68,499 were pre-paid contracts and only 2,456 contract-based subscribers. [10] Mideast, Cypriot firms eyeing Greek alliances, gov't saysAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos said on Tuesday that firms in the Middle East and Cyprus were interested in forging alliances with Greek companies.Greek firms should become more outgoing and include the Gulf in their investment plans, Loverdos told a seminar held by the Association of Greek Industry on business opportunities in the Middle East and Cyprus. The prime minister is expected to visit the Gulf area in September. [11] Alpha Copy/Nokia launches shop in BelgradeAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Alpha Copy/Nokia on Tuesday announced the completion of a new Alpha Copy/Nokia Shop in Belgrade, Serbia, paving the way for the company's expansion in the wider Balkan region.Alpha Copy is the official distributor of Nokia's products in the region. [12] Greece to adopt EU law on postal service deregulationAthens 16/07/03(ANA)The government on Tuesday submitted a bill to parliament to liberalize postal services.Under the communications ministry bill, deregulation will come into force after 2009 in line with EU rules [13] Greek stocks jump to new year highs on TuesdayAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Greek stocks surged to new year highs on Tuesday offering more surprises to investors and discrediting pessimistic forecasts over the course of the Athens Stock Exchange.The general index ended 1.77 percent higher at 2,078.12 points, a new record high for the year, reflecting strong gains in blue chip stocks that have remained in the shadow for much of the first half of 2003, such as Intracom, Hellenic Bottling, Public Power Corporation and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization which recorded gains ranging from 3.0 to 5.88 percent. All sector indices ended higher, led by Publications (6.27 percent), Base Metals (3.35 percent) and Industrials (2.59 percent). Turnover was a hefty 219.3 million euros. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.62 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 2.12 percent higher, and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 1.75 percent. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 243 to 73 with another 50 issues unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 144.5 mln euros Tuesday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Sellers outstrip buyers on Tuesday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of July 15 2003 Parities in euro Banknotes For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,141 1,114 [14] First Greek Patient Implanted with mechanical heart pumpAthens 16/07/03(ANA)The first Greek patient was on Tuesday successfully implanted with a DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device, a miniature heart pump based on NASA technology, at a hospital in Thessaloniki, northern Greece.Dr. Panayiotis Spyrou, the cardiovascular surgeon at Thessaloniki’s Inter-Balkan Medical Center who headed the medical team that implanted the VAD into a 54-year-old man in a five-hour operation, said he was very happy with the outcome. ''I am very happy that with the help of God and my associates, the operation went very well. The patient is recovering in the intensive care, and we hope that he will go home soon'', Dr. Spyrou said. Based on technology used in Space Shuttle fuel pumps, the miniature heart pump was named after US cardio-surgeon Michael DeBakey and is intended as a long-term ''bridge'' to a heart transplant or as a semi-permanent device to help patients toward recovery and a more normal life. [15] Ecumenical patriarch to pay five-day visit to Lemnos and Agios EfstathiosAthens 16/07/03(ANA)Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will begin a five-day visit to the Aegean islands of Lemnos and Agios Efstratios on Wednesday.He will be welcomed at Lemnos airport in the morning by metropolitans, Minister of the Aegean Nikos Sifounakis, deputies and local and military authorities. Afterwards, he will be received by the mayor of Myrina, who will offer the city's Golden Key to him and attend a church service at the cathedral. Vartholomeos will visit Agios Efstratios on Saturday and he is expected to leave Lemnos on Sunday afternoon. [16] GMOs: European Commission takes action against eleven members, including GreeceBRUSSELS 16/07/03 (ANA - V. Demiris)The European Commission said on Tuesday it decided to refer eleven member states, including Greece, to the European Court of Justice for failing to adopt EU law pertaining to the safe release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)into the environment.The Commission has decided to refer France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Austria and Finland, for failing to meet an agreed deadline on 17 October 2002 for the adoption into national legislation of Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment. Commenting on the decisions, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom said she had been repeatedly inviting member states to live up to their obligations and was disappointed that this had produced few results. ''It is high time that all Member States bring their national laws into line with the EU law'' the commissioner urged. [17] November 17 trial continues with more defense witnessesAthens 16/07/03(ANA)The trial of 19 people accused of making up the terrorist group ''November 17'' continued before the Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court on Tuesday with the testimony of the first parliamentary deputy to appear as a witness for the defense, ruling PASOK MP Phivos Ioannidis.Ioannidis testified as a defense witness for trade unionist and alleged N17 member Yiannis Serifis, who he said could not have been in any way related to the terror group. The MP also claimed that those who were active against the dictatorship in the junta years did not later use violence when democracy was restored and was highly skeptical regarding the evidence against Serifis. He attributed political, albeit misguided, motives to N17 as the only possible explanation for actions such as the murder of MP Pavlos Bakoyiannis, where no personal motive could exist. At the same time, however, he saw N17's action as destructive and said it had dealt a critical blow to the country. While the witness was on the stand, presiding judge Mihalis Margaritis raised hackles within the courtroom when he complained about the large number of defense witnesses without any material knowledge of the case and accused the defense of delaying tactics. There followed a tense exchange between Margaritis and the public prosecutor on the bench Christos Lambrou, who called for ''actions that implement the rules of trial law'' and incensed Margaritis with the implication of irregularity in the trial proceedings. Also due to appear in the witness stand on Tuesday was Father Triantafyllos Xiros, father of three of the defendants and an Orthodox priest. Problems arose, however, when the witness refused to either swear on the bible or give assurances based on his role as a cleric to the truth of his testimony. After the court deliberated and refused to hear his testimony without some form of assurance, Father Xiros decided to step down. The next witnesses testified on behalf of Alexandros Giotopoulos, who is accused of being the leader of the terror band. Architect Mihail Kalogeropoulos, who met Giotopoulos in 1985 under the name Mihalis Economou, claimed that Giotopoulos was accused because he met the requirements of a theory that the leader of N17 had to come from the Paris scene. He said several names had been proposed for that role over the years. The last witness heard was Dimitris Skarpalezos, a professor at a French university, who had met Giotopoulos when they were students in Paris in 1963-1964 and both members of the Communist Party and EDA. The witness described the founding of anti-junta resistance groups '29 May' and 'Popular Revolutionary Resistance' (LEA) formed at that time, saying that there was no leadership position in their structure. Giotopoulos claims to have belonged to LEA and to have carried out a bomb attack against the American Embassy with other members of this group during the junta years. According to Skarpalezos, LEA was unanimously disbanded in 1974 after the fall of the junta, even though there were fears that the return of democracy might be only temporary and that a new dictatorship would arise. He particularly stressed that there had been no thought of continuing violent action against a democratic regime. Professor Skarpalezos is to return and complete his testimony on Wednesday. During Tuesday's proceedings, the defense for Giotopoulos presented to the court a document sent to the primary public prosecutors' department in September from the anti-terrorism squad in connection with an investigation into the leaking of judicial documents to the press. According to this document, there were four police officers present when the prisoners were interrogated by 4th Examining Magistrate Theoni Bouri. [18] Survey shows lack of knowledge regarding Civil Protection servicesAthens 16/07/03(ANA)The majority of the population is essentially unaware of the existence of Civil Protection services and places confidence in other state agencies to handle natural, man-made and other hazards, according to the results of a survey presented at a press conference on Tuesday by Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis.The survey was carried out in June on behalf of the interior ministry and the Civil Protection Secretariat by the firm Opinion, among a sample of 1000 respondents profiled as mostly male, Athens residents with higher-level education. It showed that 80 percent of those surveyed did not have any knowledge of the civil protection services. The majority of respondents said they placed higher trust in the fire brigade, the emergency rescue squad (EMAK), the ambulance service(EKAB), police and traffic police forces for fires, earthquakes, heat waves, epidemics, terrorist activities or accidents. The object of the survey was to inform citizens of the work carried out by civil protection services, as well as ways to handle natural disasters such as fires, floods, earthquake and disasters involving man-made technology. The findings of the survey will be used in a communications campaign at schools, prefectures and municipalities. Skandalidis praised the work of the Civil Protection Service and said one of its objectives was to contribute to the smooth staging of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. [19] Britain says Denktash's proposal no solution substituteLONDON 16/07/03 (CNA/ANA)Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's proposal for the reopening of the Nicosia airport, does not constitute a substitute to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question on the basis of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan, a British Foreign Office spokesman said here on Tuesday.The spokesman was invited by CNA to comment on Denktash's proposal as set out in a letter to Annan and to Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos last Friday. ''Any issue to improve the lives of both communities is welcomed but, and this is a big but, it is no substitute for a comprehensive solution on the basis of the UN Secretary-General's plan'', the spokesman noted. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish Troops invaded and occupied its northern third. [20] Memorials held for dead in 1974 coupNICOSIA 16/07/03 (CNA/ANA)The sound of sirens carried across the island on Tuesday morning the message that the 29th anniversary of the coup d'etat had dawned in Cyprus, the day that marked the modern history of Hellenism.Memorials were held in the free areas of the Republic for those who lost their life defending democracy and fighting against the Greek Junta, which led to the Turkish invasion and occupation of the island's northern third a few days later. The main memorial took place in Nicosia, in the presence of President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos, who said this was a sad day with a great symbolism. Also present at the memorial were President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias, political party leaders, the Ambassador of Greece in Nicosia Christos Panagopoulos, and the police and military leadership. The memorial was followed by a short memorial service at the graves of the dead. Wreaths were laid by President Papadopoulos, Christofias, former presidents of the Republic, the Greek Ambassador, Church Bishops, political party leaders and representatives, National Guard Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Athanassios Nikolodemos, Chief of Police Tasos Panayiotou, Greek Armed Forces in Cyprus (ELDYK) Commander Vassilios Davalis, Nicosia Mayor Michalakis Zambelas, organizations and relatives of the dead. Afterwards, all present observed one minute's silence in memory of those who died fighting. The ceremony was wrapped up by the playing of the National Anthem. In other parts of the island, ministers of the government attended and spoke at other memorials, noting that those who died in the resistance guide the people of Cyprus with their sacrifice. [21] House of Representatives condemns coup and Turkish invasionNICOSIA 16/07/03 (CNA/ANA)The Cyprus House of Representatives denounced on Tuesday the twin crime against the Republic of Cyprus, the 15 July 1974 coup d' etat against the democratically elected President, Archbishop Makarios, and the Turkish invasion five days later that resulted to the occupation of the island's northern third.The 56-member parliament held on Tuesday an extraordinary plenary session on the occasion, attended by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and members of his Cabinet. The House observed a one-minute silence in memory of those killed defending democracy and the country. Addressing the plenary, House President Demetris Christofias said that condemnation of the coup under today's circumstances constitutes an honor for those who struggled for democracy and the expression of regret for the Turkish Cypriots who had been abused by chauvinistic powers. Christofias expressed the belief that time does not minimize the determination for a Cyprus settlement but on the contrary it strengthens it mainly due to the implementation of one of the two strategic goals, that is Cyprus' accession to the European Union. Leftwing AKEL Parliamentary Spokesman said the best honor for those who were killed defending democracy and their country and the best recognition for those who have been suffering for so many years because to the military coup and the Turkish invasion is to solve the Cyprus problem and reunite our people and our country. The AKEL deputy noted that the best proof for the Turkish Cypriots that ''we do wish a peaceful coexistence with them is to give sound evidence that we are not ruled by the detrimental spirit of 1974.'' Rightwing Democratic Rally President Nicos Anastassiades said that ''united in our top options, determined to have a free and united country, we have the duty irrelevant of political and ideological roots to contribute to the effort for freedom and reunification of our country.'' Centre-right Democratic Party Deputy President Nicos Kleanthous said the further common effort for a Cyprus settlement is everyone's historic responsibility. He extended a message of understanding and appreciation to the Turkish Cypriots calling on them to join Greek Cypriots to the effort for a reunited country on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, appreciation and acceptance, in prosperity, progress and democracy. Socialdemocrats Movement EDEK President Yiannakis Omirou underlined that history and truth should not be forged and said disorientation of the international community after Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's latest maneuver to retrieve the Confidence Building Measures should not be allowed. He vowed that ''we shall build a common homeland with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots within the common European family.'' Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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