Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-06-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Finance ministry reports serious problems in budget spending, public debt

[02] Government absolutely satisfied with European election results, spokesman says

[03] Foreign minister and U.S. ambassador hold talks on bilateral issues, world affairs

[04] PM says positive trend being registered in favor of ND party

[05] PASOK party says ruling ND 'lacks policy'

[06] ND's Political Council approves holding of party congress on July 23-25

[07] Justice Minister tables draft bill for Euro-warrant, anti-terror laws

[08] Parliament president and Estonian FM discuss Parliamentary relations between the two countries

[09] PM meets tourism and justice ministers, chairs cabinet meeting on shipping

[10] Agricultural development minister and Russian ambassador discuss cooperation

[11] Train, metro firms sign contract for joint use of track

[12] Bank workers likely to strike following deadlock in pay talks

[13] Government orders study on port security

[14] Stocks rise, led by high cap paper

[15] Chirac accepts invitation to attend 2004 Olympic Games

[16] First test run for Athens tram completed successfully on Tuesday

[17] Four-day Festival of Music to begin in Athens this weekend

[18] Public prosecutor launches probe into press report of Olympics projects scandals

[19] Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion to be lit up at night from August

[20] Two pilots killed as air force F-4 Phantom jet crashes

[21] Lithuanian teenager seriously injured in apparent attempt to escape clutches of sex trade

[01] Finance ministry reports serious problems in budget spending, public debt

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

Doukas said that the budget's provision for state agencies had been inadequate, and he cited examples of spending that had exceeded targets by at least 30 million euros.

The examples included payments to state telecom, farmers and seamen's social insurance funds, hospital charges for civil servants, pensions, income supplement, teachers' salaries and election spending, Olympic Games security, travel expenses for civil servants, moneys due to local authorities, backdated family benefit, moneys due to the European Union, and debts to Athens-quoted Hellenic Telecommunications Organization and to Hellenic Post Offices.

He said state borrowing had breached a budget target of 30 billion euros and now looked set to exceed 36 billion euros, while the public debt stood at the end of May at 193.4 billion euros from 177.8 billion euros on December 31, 2003.

The minister said a clear picture of the state of the budget deficit would be apparent in July, and efforts made over the next few months to slash spending and keep the general government deficit at 2.9 per cent of GDP, while stressing that this was a difficult target.

According to Doukas, it would be difficult to give pay rises to the military in 2004 while the ceiling for Olympic bonuses for police, firemen and the coast guard would be 2,500 euros, given in two or three installments.

[02] Government absolutely satisfied with European election results, spokesman says

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

"The government is absolutely satisfied with the results of the Euro-elections. The vote in the national elections is different from that in the Euro-elections," he said.

He also pointed out that the ruling party had achieved three 'records' in the last electoral battle - it had increased the difference with the second party, it had gained the biggest percentage and had elected 11 MEPs, a feat never before repeated in Greek European elections.

[03] Foreign minister and U.S. ambassador hold talks on bilateral issues, world affairs

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

[04] PM says positive trend being registered in favor of ND party

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis said the result of the Euroelections was very important for ND since it was a victory of confidence for the party which is consolidating the gap with the main opposition PASOK party.

The prime minister further said citizens gave a positive vote to ND, strengthening the wide social alliance shaped in the March 7 national elections with conditions for a positive trend.

Karamanlis also said the party's congress will take place on July 23-25.

[05] PASOK party says ruling ND 'lacks policy'

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

"The high cost of living is continuing to gallop and the price of gasoline remains at the same levels, despite the fact that the price of oil has dropped to 36 dollars a barrel," he said.

Vougias also spoke of the "unacceptable granting to ferry ship-owners of the right to increase ticket prices on coastal shipping routes", adding that "the continuous and daily breaking of commitments and election promises" exists on the part of the government."

[06] ND's Political Council approves holding of party congress on July 23-25

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

ND Central Committee Secretary General Vangelis Meimarakis said the congress will constitute a springboard for the creative continuation of the party's course towards society through understanding and consent with all social groups.

"We will all join our forces in the July congress to strengthen the effort we started on March 7 (the date of the Parliamentary elections) to bring even more Greeks to us, to obtain even greater support for the task of developing and reshaping Greece, to widen the appeal of our ideas to more social groups, to strengthen the consent and understanding process on all issues concerning citizens and to make New Democracy an even more open party in Greek society," he said.

Meimarakis further said ND will be the leader and protagonist in the new historic cycle which opened with the March elections, stressing that the Greek people showed in two consecutive elections that they support and assist its efforts.

According to reports, the issue of relations between the government and the party was also discussed during the meeting.

[07] Justice Minister tables draft bill for Euro-warrant, anti-terror laws

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

It includes commitments undertaken unanimously by all EU member-states that aim to establish a single judicial area and standardize legislation for combatting international terrorism in order to counter increasingly well-organized crime with more organized international cooperation against it.

According to Parliament Speaker Anna Psarouda-Benaki, meanwhile, discussion of the bill will be completed within June. She said that more bills were to be tabled within the next two weeks by the education and culture ministries and possibly by the tourism and health ministries.

Communist Party says government strengthening suppression apparatuses against popular movement: The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), referring to the new terrorism bill on Tuesday, said the New Democracy party government, stepping on the legislative framework of the European Union and the PASOK government, is showing its true face: it is strengthening the legislative framework and suppression apparatuses against the popular movement with the pretext of combatting terrorism.

The announcement said that the bill defines terrorism as the disruption of the economic, social, political and constitutional order of a country or of an international organization, also in accordance with the EU's relevant legislative framework.

According to the bill, the announcement added, symbolic takeovers of buildings or streets, strikes in public utilities and other activities can be characterized as terrorist acts and be punished with severe sentences and even lead to the dissolution of unions or political bodies which will be considered "responsible" for these acts.

KKE further said that, apart from the European arrest and extradition warrant, a series of democratic guarantees and political preconditions are abolished.

The announcement went on to warn that'' cooperation between suppression apparatuses at EU level are being strengthened, with the real target being those who question the imperialist world order''.

[08] Parliament president and Estonian FM discuss Parliamentary relations between the two countries

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

Ojuland also stressed her conviction that Greece will organize very good Olympic Games.

Benaki said she hopes Parliamentary contacts between the two countries, in the framework of the Parliamentary Friendship Committee, will continue in the same good climate and reassured the Estonian foreign minister that Greece will organize successful and safe Olympic Games.

[09] PM meets tourism and justice ministers, chairs cabinet meeting on shipping

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

During the meeting with Avramopoulos, Karamanlis was briefed on all action taken so far to implement the government's new policy for tourism and set up an efficient, smoothly-running tourism ministry.

Karamanlis asked the minister to report on hotel occupancy and booking rates in view of the Olympics and on whether hoteliers were opting for high prices at the risk of empty rooms. According to Avramopoulos, there were no problems with at least 90 per cent of the hotels in Athens following a contract signed the previous year with Athens Olympics organizers ATHOC.

According to Avramopoulos, the ministry was closely monitoring the situation and had recently made some tough decisions, shutting down 41 hotels that did not comply with the new higher standards and requirements for their operation.

Regarding the cabinet meeting, Roussopoulos stressed that the shipping sector was an important economic asset for the country, since the Greek merchant fleet of 3,400 ships accounted for 16 per cent of the world's total.

He stressed that shipping was an outward-oriented, dynamic sector that provided jobs and brought foreign exchange and one that the government wanted to enhance further, with a larger national fleet with better safety and environmental standards.

[10] Agricultural development minister and Russian ambassador discuss cooperation

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

A program of meetings between officials from the two countries was discussed at length during the talks (business forum, visit by Russian agriculture minister, etc).

The Russian ambassador said possibilities were examined to enable the Greek presence in Russia to be more intensive and the Russian presence in Greece more advanced.

[11] Train, metro firms sign contract for joint use of track

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

The metro's new service will begin in mid-July, allowing the public to travel directly to the airport, without changing to suburban trains, whose owner, OSE, laid the track.

The journey from central Athens to the airport by metro will take about 30 minutes.

[12] Bank workers likely to strike following deadlock in pay talks

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

On Tuesday, a seventh round of talks between the OTOE trade union and the Union of Greek Banks brought no agreement on a two-year collective labor agreement, including pay for 2004 and 2005.

OTOE rejected a proposal of a 3.6 per cent pay rise for all workers, and 7.7 per cent for starting salaries; and a flat 35 euro increase on base salaries for 2005. It made a counter-proposal of a 5.0 per cent rise on all salaries, and 6.5 per cent for the bottom end of the wage scale.

[13] Government orders study on port security

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Kefaloyiannis charged that the previous government, which lost national elections on March 7, had taken no measures towards compliance with the measures.

The minister repeated the government's pledge of boosting port security, attracting young people into the shipping profession, and attaining transparency in procurements.

[14] Stocks rise, led by high cap paper

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at the day's high of 2,402.88 points, showing a 0.76 per cent increase. Turnover was 108.4 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.80 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.14 per cent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.51 per cent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 151 to 125 with 77 remaining unchanged.

[15] Chirac accepts invitation to attend 2004 Olympic Games

PARIS 16/6/2004 (ANA)

Angelopoulos-Daskalaki later confirmed Chirac's acceptance of a standing invitation to attend the 2004 Games.

Another highlight of the meeting was when the high-profile ATHOC president presented the French head of state with an Olympic Torch, noting that the 2004 Olympics mark the first time that the Torch Relay will cover all five continents of the world -- 10 days before it arrives in Paris.

In statements afterwards, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said the French president expressed his admiration for Athens' effort to host the 2004 Games, while stressing that the latter also afford a unique opportunity to the east Mediterranean to be considered as one of the world's advanced countries, "one that has a present and future, and not just a past".

According to Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, he also recognized the Greece's massive efforts on the security front.

"He (Chirac) gave me congratulations for the security (sector) organization, and of course, this is significant, because France is assisting Greece with its presence on an Advisory Group of countries (for security) and in other allocating other know-how," she said, before again reiterating that Athens will be completely ready come Aug. 13.

After her meeting at the Elysee, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki was received at Paris' city hall by the French capital's mayor, Bertrand Delanoe

Paris mayor and French minister praise Athens Olympic Games: Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, speaking at a joint press conference with Athens Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki at the Paris Town Hall on Tuesday, said Paris has the great honor of welcoming the Olympic Flame for the first time in history, adding that it will cover a distance of 50 kilometers and pass through all parts of the city.

Delanoe said that events marking the national holiday on July 14 will be dedicated to the values of Olympism.

"These ideals always leave their marks, just as the celebrations in Athens will remain engraved in the historic memory of mankind," he stressed.

Sports and Youth Minister Jean Francois Lamour, who attended the press conference, said "the Flame constitutes a strong symbol for the French and we thank you for offering this opportunity to us. I can say that there is nothing more important than one carrying the Flame, just as the athletes who are present here today will also do."

Daskalaki said the passing of the Flame through Paris is an opportunity to celebrate the longstanding Olympic cooperation existing between the two countries and noted that the Olympic Games were revived in 1896 thanks to cooperation between two visionaries, Pierre de Coubertin and Dimitrios Vikelas.

[16] First test run for Athens tram completed successfully on Tuesday

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

They said that testing of the tram's systems will be completed by the end of June and that it would begin to operate on a commercial basis from the beginning of July.

Tuesday's test run has shown, however, that the Athenian public will need some time to adjust to the tram in their lives. An important part of the project, the traffic lights governing the tram's movements, are not yet ready but will be completed on time, contractors said.

Liapis expressed satisfaction with the first test run and stressed that the tram was a modern and environmentally-friendly mode of transport that was also cheaper than other forms of rail transport and would form part of an integrated and modern public transport system for Athens with the suburban railway, metro, trolleys and buses.

The tram is envisioned to run on a 24-hour basis, with night-time services every 45 minutes, and the ticket will cost 0.60 euros, or 0.40 euros for passengers making a connection from some other form of public transport. Passengers switching from the tram to another form of public transport will not be eligible for a discount, however.

The tram system includes 26 kilometers of rails in two directions and 35 vehicles, which will carry roughly 80,000 passengers a day. There are 47 stations along the route, while the tram's average commercial speed is estimated to be about 23 kilometers an hour. Tram cars will be air-conditioned and equipped with screens to provide entertainment and information to passengers, with a musical radio program within cars and at stations. There is also easy access for people with special needs, since the cars are on the same level as the platform, which is in turn equipped with ramps.

[17] Four-day Festival of Music to begin in Athens this weekend

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

For four days the city will resound to the sounds of classical music, opera, Greek popular music, jazz, rock, electronica and world music, in addition to other events and shows that all Athenians and visitors will be able to enjoy for free.

The festival program was announced on Tuesday by Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis, the French Ambassador in Athens Bruno Delaye, who supported the project, and festival organizer Pemi Zouni.

Bakoyannis said this year's festival was the second organized in Athens and stood apart for its ambitious size and four-day duration, with the events reaching a peak on June 21. She said it was the largest event of its kind ever organized since 1982, the year when the Festival of Music began in Paris and spread to the rest of Europe.

According to the mayor, the festival will allow Greeks to greet the 'Olympic' summer in the way it deserved, with a big celebration of music. The artists will be performing throughout Athens, at venues such as Kotzia Square outside the Athens Town Hall, the Athens municipality's 'Technopolis' centre at Gazi, the National Gardens near Parliament, Klafthmonos Square and other points in the city.

According to Ambassador Delaye, meanwhile, Athens was becoming a great cultural capital of Europe and the Olympic Games would be an opportunity to highlight its true nature and potential.

The events were organized by the Athens municipality and its cultural organization in association with M.E.S.O., an organization under the auspices of the Greek culture ministry.

[18] Public prosecutor launches probe into press report of Olympics projects scandals

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

The paper had published a report issued by the State Audit Council that referred to three sports facilities constructed at Aghios Kosmas, two at the sports centre in Florina and one at the Xanthi football club field, with a total cost of 11 million euros.

The owner of the paper and former president of the Greek Football Federation Viktor Mitropoulos on Tuesday gave public prosecutor Eleni Sotiropoulou, who is handling the investigation, a copy of a report by the General Secretariat for Sport.

[19] Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion to be lit up at night from August

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

The minister said that he had spoken with DEH director Yiannis Paleokrassas on this issue earlier the same day and the organization had undertaken to fund the project with 100 million euros, as well as cover transport costs. The temple will be permanently lit but this will begin at the start of the Olympic Games in Athens in August.

[20] Two pilots killed as air force F-4 Phantom jet crashes

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

Press reports said wreckage of the aircraft, which had disappeared from radar screens at 16.00 hours, was spotted at 16.45 outside the village of Kelaria, two miles north of the Parnassos skiing centre, at an altitude of 5,500 feet.

An air force helicopter had combed the area of the accident in the hope of spotting the pilots alive.

The F-4 jet had taken off from Andravida airbase at 15.25, together with two other aircraft of the same type, to carry out an interception exercise in the region.

The aircraft were flying at an altitude of 17,000 feet when under unspecified circumstances the F-4 Phantom suddenly dived and disappeared from radar screens.

[21] Lithuanian teenager seriously injured in apparent attempt to escape clutches of sex trade

Athens, 16/6/2004 (ANA)

The girl jumped off the balcony of a hotel in Veria where she and a friend were being held against their will, crushing her 13th vertebra. She was transferred to Thessaloniki's Papanikolaou Hospital, where doctors say her condition is critical.

The girl is to undergo an operation on Wednesday and doctors say there is a high chance that she will end up paralyzed.

The police have placed three Greeks suspected of being involved in the case but the 18-year-old has so far refused to reveal the reasons for her fall, telling the police and doctors that she became dizzy and fell off the balcony.

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