Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-10-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK National Council adopts resolution backing Social Charter

[02] No difference of views between FM, DM on cancellation of exercises

[03] Synaspismos' Damanaki resigns Parliament seat, leaves party

[04] ND leader meets with Georgian president

[05] Romania expects to conclude EU accession negotiations in 2004

[06] Chinese delegation visits Crete

[07] Alternate FM Yiannitsis received by Bulgarian President Parvanov

[08] Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos receives visiting Athens mayor

[09] Turkish warplanes infringe Athens FIR, violate national airspace

[10] Olympic Airways restarts Athens-Sydney flights with Gulf Air

[11] Luxury Athens hotels show slight drop in business

[12] ND MP says minister 'misled public' about competition program

[13] EIB announces 235 mln euros loan to Cyprus

[14] Rolling strikes may shut down archaeological sites next week

[15] Stock sale in Piraeus Bank oversold by 1.7 times

[16] ASE holds 2,100-point level on Friday

[17] PM visits modern Olympic weightlifting centre in Nikea

[18] Police force launches internal inquiry into incidents at police protest

[19] Greek police and coast guard to be trained in France for Olympic Games

[20] Magdi Yacoub at the 7th Olympic World Congress on Sport Sciences

[21] President Stephanopoulos attends liberation celebrations in town of Serbia

[22] Holy Synod considers Christodoulos-Patriarch meeting

[23] Tzortzatos defense completes 4th day of final arguments in N17 trial

[24] Wildfire on Mount Athos extinguished early on Friday

[25] Italian Embassy in Washington hosts Greek cultural event

[26] Spokesman commends Verheugen positions on Cyprus solution

[27] International Conference for Ombudsmen crowned with success

[01] PASOK National Council adopts resolution backing Social Charter

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

According to the resolution, the social charter will help accelerate economic and social convergence with the European Union, while promoting development and prosperity with social cohesion and respect for the environment. It said the charter will be PASOK's policy plan for the 2004-2008 period and allow the country to pull out of the cycle of insecurity and lost opportunities.

It also noted that the next months will be crucial in the electoral battle and that PASOK had to win the hearts and confidence of the voters, calling on all PASOK officials and ''those who share the same visions'' to join the effort for a ''new Greece'' through dialogue with organizations and society.

Earlier the national council was addressed for a second time by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who said he was certain that PASOK would win the next elections.

Commenting on the upcoming polls, Simitis stressed that nothing had been determined yet and all the options were open for PASOK, which still held victory within its grasp. He called for unity and effort by all members and officials of the movement, urging them to ''carry the message'' to all the people in Greece.

According to the premier, PASOK should become a ''huge force for dialogue and informing others'' that will convey its positions and views on Greece's future to all corners of Greece.

Simitis also stressed that there were objective criteria that made people feel secure and confident about the future, such as high growth rates, reduction in unemployment and containing inflation, as well as general policies and the work done by the government.

Simitis took the opportunity to attack main opposition New Democracy as ''an old-style party'' that only sought to help its ''own boys'' and accused it of lacking an integrated program.

The members and officials within PASOK, the premier stressed, had to first believe themselves and then convince the voters that PASOK was the party that could lead Greece beyond 2004 and carry out the vision of making Greece stand high among European countries.

Other speakers who addressed PASOK's national council on Friday included PASOK Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis, Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Magriotis and Education Minister Petros Efthymiou.

The ministers echoed the premier's calls for unity, while Chrysohoidis warned against succumbing to defeatism and the domination of opinion polls, saying this was only suitable for ''bureaucrats and not fighters''.

[02] No difference of views between FM, DM on cancellation of exercises

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Thursday jointly announced the cancellation of the Greek and Cypriot military exercises code-named ''Nikiforos'' and ''Toxotis'', as well as of Turkey's ''Tavros'' and ''Barbarosa'' exercises due to take place in the near future.

The announcement was made after a meeting between the two foreign ministers in the Turkish city of Antalya, on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Forum conference.

The two ministers said the decision was taken in the spirit of next year's Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens and of rapprochement between the two countries.

During a press briefing in Athens on Friday, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said that when Papantoniou had recently said that the Nikiforos-Toxotis exercises were being planned as usual, because there was no reason to cancel them.

''Now, there is an important reason (to cancel the exercises) as Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Gul, for the sake of consolidation of security and peace, agreed on cancellation of the exercises'' on both sides.

Protopapas further said that the government of Cyprus had also agreed to that prospect, adding that there had also been interest on the part of the US, and noting that following the Papandreou-Gul agreement, ''there was no reason for us to insist on the previous option'' of continuing with the exercise.

On the problem of eliminating the violations of Greek airspace by Turkish jetfighters over the Aegean, Protopapas noted that this was Greece's desire, but also the desire ''of very many forces in Turkey''.

''But there are also the generals in Ankara,'' Protopapas said, adding that, in Athens' view, the central strategy should be within the framework of the Papandreou-Gul agreement.

Earlier, Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesman Panos Beglitis, replying to questions in an interview with the Cyprus Radio Foundation (RIK), said that the decision to cancel the Greek and Cypriot Nikiforos-Toxotis exercises and the Turkish Tavros-Barbarossa exercises had been a Greek initiative, in cooperation with Nicosia, in order to reduce tension.

He said that the initiative had met with the approval of Cyprus President Tasos Papadopoulos, ''who, with his responsible stance, contributed decisively to the materialization of the initiative''.

Beglitis denied talk of ''outside interventions and pressure'', stressing that the maneuvers' cancellation was a purely Greek and Cypriot initiative.

Questioned on the latest violations of Greek national airspace by Turkish warplanes, Beglitis noted that the number and frequency of such violations had been greatly reduced in the past four months.

He also said that Athens was monitoring the situation and keeping the European Union abreast of Turkey's actions in that respect.

[03] Synaspismos' Damanaki resigns Parliament seat, leaves party

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

Damanaki cited a “falling out” with Synaspismos’ leadership in the wake of her recent decision not to run for Parliament in the next general elections, expected in the Spring.

What is going on is an effort to transform my deep political disagreement to the level of a personal confrontation; to a level of petty bargaining for Parliament seats and various positions. I will not allow this,” she said.

Former two-time deputy Yiannis Dragasakis, the runner-up to Damanaki on Synaspismos’ ticket in Athens’ second election district, the largest in the country, will assume her seat in Parliament.

[04] ND leader meets with Georgian president

TIBLISI, 11/10/2003 (ANA/A. Panagopoulos)

Shevardnadze briefed Karamanlis on conditions in his country, saying that the two greatest problems are those of the economy and unemployment, while an acute problem is that of immigration of Georgians to other countries in search of work and better living conditions.

He stressed to Karamanlis that the aim is to restructure the economy of the country, which has chosen a European orientation and on his part Karamanlis expressed his support for Georgia's orientation both for historical and religious reasons, as well as because of the good relations between Georgia and Greece.

Earlier in the day, Karamanlis met with Patriarch of Georgia Ilias.

[05] Romania expects to conclude EU accession negotiations in 2004

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

Ambassador Caius Traian Dragomir said during a press conference here on Friday.

Having provisionally closed 19 of the 30 chapters, Dragomir said that the country's key goal is ''to conclude negotiations process in 2004, during the mandate of the current European Commission, with a view to full accession in 2007''.

He also focused on the country's position concerning the debate for the future of Europe, as Romania participates in the inter-governmental conference as an observer.

He stressed that his country supports the proposal of the Italian EU presidency concerning the agenda of the conference, and ''the political approach to negotiations'', adding that Romania ''considers that the project of the Constitutional Treaty (for Europe) represents a good basis for a European Constitution''.

The Romanian ambassador, however, noted that clarifications are necessary concerning the mandate of the newly created post of the Union's foreign minister, the relationship of that post with the European Commission and also clarifications concerning the rotational system of EU governance.

Dragomir strongly stressed, though, that ''we support the adoption of the text without major modifications''.

The focus of the press conference also turned to the very active process of privatization in Romania, which includes a series of reforms taking the country closer to a ''functioning market economy,'' the ambassador said.

The actions include the announcement of a date for the privatization of PetRom, the state petrol company; Electrica Banat and Electrica Dobrogea, as well as companies such as Roman that was sold to Pesaka Astana of Indonesia for the symbolic price of a euro and a commitment of the latter to assume debts and unpaid bills amounting to some 45 million euros and a further investment of another four million euros.

Dragomir also spoke of the very strong Greek presence in the country, with companies investing some 300 million euros there in 2002 alone. Greek companies with presence in Romania include OTE, Eurobank Ergasias, Alpha Bank, Commercial

Bank, Papastratos, Hellenic Cables and others.

[06] Chinese delegation visits Crete

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

During the visit, the Chinese delegation met with regional and municipal authorities.

Mr. Zhenqi expressed his satisfaction over bilateral trade between the two countries and said he was confident that relations would develop further in the future to the benefit of both countries.

He also stressed that China's rapid economic growth was creating the prospect of a large number of tourists towards Greece.

[07] Alternate FM Yiannitsis received by Bulgarian President Parvanov

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

Later, he held talks at the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry with European Affairs Minister Meglena Kouneva. After the talks Kouneva gave Yiannitsis an honorary distinction for his contribution to Bulgaria's accession course during the Greek European Union presidency.

Speaking during the award ceremony, Yiannitsis extended his appreciation for the honor bestowed on him, saying that in this way efforts made by Greece and the present government are recognized ''both for Bulgaria's course towards the European Union and bilateral relations between Greece and Bulgaria, relations which are developing rapidly and in many sectors.''

[08] Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos receives visiting Athens mayor

NICOSIA, 11/10/2003 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

Speaking after the meeting, Bakoyianni said she delivered an official invitation to President Papadopoulos for the Athens Olympic Games next year and briefed him on the progress of projects regarding the Olympic Games.

Bakoyianni added that she was also briefed by President Papadopoulos on developments concerning the Cyprus issue.

Replying to questions from the press, the Athens mayor confirmed that projects are being carried out at a speedy pace and Athens will be ready to welcome the 2004 Olympic Games.

She further said there is no problem concerning the security of the Olympic Games, adding that Greece has provided for this purpose the biggest amount of money ever provided by a country organizing Olympic Games.

[09] Turkish warplanes infringe Athens FIR, violate national airspace

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

In all cases, the Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek jets, while in three cases the interception process developed into a mock engagement.

It was reported that three of the Turkish warplanes recognized and intercepted were armed.

[10] Olympic Airways restarts Athens-Sydney flights with Gulf Air

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

The announcement was made during a joint press conference by Olympic Airways' chief executive, Mr Dionysis Kalofonos, and its Gulf Air counterpart, James Hogan.

The two executives said that the Athens-Sydney line would be serviced with daily flights via Bahrein. Olympic Airways will have the flight number while Gulf Air will provide the aircraft (Airbus A320 in the Athens-Bahrein leg and Airbus A340 in the Bahrein-Sydney leg).

Mr. Hogan stressed that flight attendants would include Greek-speaking personnel. He also pledged that fares would be competitive and after consultation with Greek authorities, although Gulf Air was responsible for pricing policy.

Both Mr. Kalofonos and his Australian counterpart did not give specific details of the financial part of the deal.

Mr. Kalofonos stressed that the deal would allow Olympic Airways to enhance its network and to return to Australia, satisfying a demand by the Greek community in the continent.

On the other hand, the deal would offer to Gulf Air access to new destinations, through its cooperation with Olympic Airways and the new Athens international airport at Spata.

According to Olympic Airways figures, flights to Australia had a passenger capacity of 80 percent, sometimes even reaching 100 percent.

Mr. Kalofonos announced that a new national air carrier, to be called Olympic Airlines, would suspend daily flights to Copenhagen and Barcelona.

[11] Luxury Athens hotels show slight drop in business

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

Capacity in luxury hotels was at 38.01 percent against 46.29 percent in August 2002, the union said in a statement.

Hotels classed as A category saw capacity rise to 63.85 percent from 62.66 percent a year earlier, with B category hotels at 64.50 percent from 57.15 percent; and class C units at 39.97 percent from 35.24 percent, the statement said.

[12] ND MP says minister 'misled public' about competition program

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

Tsiplakos, who is president of the Community Support Framework Monitoring Committee, was responding to statements by Deputy Development Minister Alekos Kalafatis and accused the minister of not taking EU recommendations seriously.

Tsiplakos claimed that the funds paid out to those eligible had only reached 9.1 percent of the total program by September 15, and not 20.1 percent as announced, that absorption of funds for most of the 46 classes of measures was ''hopelessly low'' and that competition programs being handled outside the development ministry on a regional level showed minimal or nil spending.

[13] EIB announces 235 mln euros loan to Cyprus

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

The loan agreement, part of a "pre-accession funding mechanism" will earmark 200 million euros for investments in education projects and 35 million euros for investments in upgrading information technology systems in the public sector of the country.

The education loan covers the building of 46 schools along with the installation of computer and communication systems for more than 130,000 pupils.

EIB said in an announcement it would grant 530,000 euros to Cyprus to fund environmental projects in the country.

[14] Rolling strikes may shut down archaeological sites next week

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

The Association of Temporary Employees at the ministry on Friday decided to bar entry to the archaeological sites and museums at the Athens Acropolis, Pella, Dion, Vergina and the Platamona Castle from Monday to Wednesday next week.

From Wednesday until Thursday, meanwhile, they will close the archaeological sites at Knossos, Mycenae, ancient Corinth, and Epidauros.

All central services at the Culture Ministry will also be closed for the entire week.

[15] Stock sale in Piraeus Bank oversold by 1.7 times

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

Distribution of the stock was 77 percent to institutional investors from abroad and 23 percent to institutionals at home, the statement said.

The transfer of stock will be effected on Monday at 8.0 euros per stock, representing a discount of 1.89 percent on the share's average closing price over the past ten days, it added.

[16] ASE holds 2,100-point level on Friday

Athens, 11/10/2003 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.58 percent lower at 2,108.62 points, after rising to 2,135.22 points early in the session. The index ended the week with a net gain of 0.89 percent. Trading was a low 108.5 million euros.

The IT Solution and Cement sectors were the only ones to score gains (2.44 percent and 0.81 percent, respectively), while the Food-Beverage, Publication and Telecommunications sectors (1.69 percent, 1.17 percent and 1.14 percent, respectively) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.67 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.18 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.52 percent down.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 211 to 109 with another 45 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Public Power Corporation, National Bank of Greece and Hellenic Stock Exchanges.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover

at 99.2 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: