Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-12-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU summit conclusions on Turkey improve on those at Helsinki, PM says

[02] Karamanlis rules out cabinet reshuffle

[03] Cyprus gov't stresses close cooperation with Athens for EU summit

[04] Former PM Mitsotakis says outcome of EU summit 'positive'

[05] Former senior defense ministry official files suit, asks newspapers to produce incriminating videos

[06] World recognizes Patriarch Vartholomeos as ecumenical, Turkish industrialist tells newspaper

[07] President Stephanopoulos to pay state visit to Belgium

[08] Turkish warplanes violate national air space

[09] FBI congratulates Greece on Olympic Games security

[10] Central bank governor Garganas briefs premier on economic, banking issues

[11] Gov't urges for coordinated effort to promote product quality

[12] 'This year's budget is ambitious', says Alogoskoufis

[13] Greek electronic products' market to ease slightly in 2005, report

[14] Greek unleaded petrol prices lowest in EU

[15] Gov't to re-introduce electronic games, Deputy FinMin says

[16] Industrial production index fell 3.1 pct in October, yr/yr

[17] Environment minister inaugurates new section of Egnatia Odos

[18] Deputy FM Skandalakis signs bilateral education agreement with Canada's Simon Fraser University in Burnaby

[19] PASOK leader Papandreou addresses event for the elderly

[20] Bus hijacking perpetrators remanded in custody pending trial after testimony before examining magistrate

[21] Three armed bank robberies in the Attica region

[22] Prosecution investigation into doping case of cycling Olympic gold medalist Hamilton ordered

[23] Improvement in custody centers for foreigners in Greece ascertained

[24] Cardboard box leads police to murder suspect in case involving headless body

[25] SAE President sends Christmas message

[26] Cypriot president says Ankara to sign protocol with Commission

[01] EU summit conclusions on Turkey improve on those at Helsinki, PM says

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

Speaking during a dinner for political and parliamentary reporters, Karamanlis also repeated his view that a fixed time schedule for resolving Greece's problems with neighboring Turkey was not helpful and would not lead anywhere, while noting that the implementation of the European road map by Turkey "remained a major question mark".

The premier underlined that supporting Turkey's European orientation was a strategic choice for Athens and that the government had not wanted to reach the point of a total break down.

"It's no little thing for Greece to support the neighboring country's European orientation," Karamanlis said.

He predicted that relations with Turkey would improve as it carried out the terms imposed by the EU but also noted that "a country's behavior does not change in a month".

Commenting on criticism from PASOK leader George Papandreou, meanwhile, the premier said that this did "not reflect the reality of what happened in Brussels".

He refused to comment on similarly critical comments made by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos regarding the EU's 'green light' to Turkey, expressing his support for the president.

According to Karamanlis, Turkey's progress toward the EU might yet be blocked if it failed to meet its obligations and the terms that had been set. He also stressed that these terms were unprecedented for any candidate-state so far.

At the same time, he praised the stance of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos as "responsible and resolute" and noted that the climate toward Cyprus was now greatly improved.

Karamanlis warned reporters not to link a solution to the Cyprus problem with the start of accession negotiations with Turkey, saying that he had not perceived any heightened activity surrounding the Cyprus problem in Brussels, while ruling out any further discussion on a solution that was based on the Annan plan in its present form.

[02] Karamanlis rules out cabinet reshuffle

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

"I don't greatly believe [in reshuffles], essentially they are done for effect. Look at what happened with previous reshuffles that did not help at all," he told reporters.

He rejected arguments that his 'Olympic' ministers essentially no longer had a job, stressing that the post-Olympic use of the Olympics infrastructure was a major priority for Greece, and underlined that the area of culture remained a priority for his government.

Karamanlis expressed satisfaction with the almost unanimous approval for his proposed candidate for the Greek presidency, Karolos Papoulias, and noted that opinion polls showed widespread popular support for the former minister among the electorate, regardless of their political leanings.

Responding to questions about an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into alleged irregularities in defense contracts, Karamanlis ventured that the inquiry had turned up "many interesting things" and that it rightly taken place.

He also stressed that the committee carrying out the inquiry was independent and that he, while staying abreast of developments, had no intention of predicting or interfering in its final outcome in any way.

On his relations with the main opposition, Karamanlis said that he would not shy from reaching out to the opposition parties if he felt this was necessary. At the same time, he said there had been no prior agreement with Papandreou on the proposed candidate for president.

"I made a proposal that could not be refused and one that, apart from the traits of the specific person, also contained a clear political message on how political life should proceed," he said.

He once again defended the government's choice for an audit of state books and the resulting revision of fiscal data, saying that this had provided a firm base on which to build the economy.

The government's main weight would now be on the economy and on day-to-day life, he stressed.

"In day-to-day life one has to wage one's battle every day, it needs to be constantly monitored. You can't just pass one good law and have done," he said.

[03] Cyprus gov't stresses close cooperation with Athens for EU summit

NICOSIA 21/12/2004 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

The support given by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis within the framework of the summit meeting had been decisive and unwavering, he added.

"Any statements against the Greek government or hostile expressions are to be condemned and do not reflect reality," he stressed.

[04] Former PM Mitsotakis says outcome of EU summit 'positive'

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

Mitsotakis, who is also honorary president of the ruling New Democracy party (ND), added that it was very possible that there would also be developments on the Cyprus issue in the coming period.

Mitsotakis said that Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos "this time displayed realism and responsibility" during the summit.

He added that the more Turkey approached Europe, it was to the benefit of Greek-Turkish relations.

[05] Former senior defense ministry official files suit, asks newspapers to produce incriminating videos

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

Gouriotis has demanded that the newspapers produce the alleged video tapes and play them in court and has asked for eight million euros in compensation. Gouriotis has also demanded that the assets of the heads of the two newspapers be confiscated as security against his demands for compensation.

The hearing for his demand for a confiscation order has been set for May 1, 2005 and that for his suit against the two newspapers for October 13, 2005.

[06] World recognizes Patriarch Vartholomeos as ecumenical, Turkish industrialist tells newspaper

ISTANBUL 21/12/2004 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The head of Turkey's largest industrial and business group, Koc said he considered the Ecumenical Patriarch to have a corresponding rank with the Pope.

"What the Pope brings to Italy, the Patriarch can bring the same for Turkey," Koc stressed.

He also noted that the Patriarch was often one of the first ports of call for heads of state and government that visited to Turkey and that it was in Turkey's long-term interests not to antagonize the Patriarchate.

[07] President Stephanopoulos to pay state visit to Belgium

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

The visit will take place February 1-3.

[08] Turkish warplanes violate national air space

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

According to press reports, six formations of Turkish warplanes on Monday entered the Aegean without submitting flight plans and in eleven cases violated the national air space in the region of the northern and central Aegean.

In all cases, the twelve Turkish warplanes were recognized and intercepted by corresponding Greek fighter jets.

It was reported that two of the Turkish aircraft were armed.

[09] FBI congratulates Greece on Olympic Games security

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

Bald expressed appreciation for the ministry's professionalism and emphasized that the cooperation established, particularly regarding the exchange of information and experience, proved successful during the Olympic Games and could serve as a model to be implemented at other international events.

In closing, Bald expressed his gratitude on behalf of the FBI, for the ministry's leadership and hospitality, as well as gratitude for the staging of safe and successful Olympic Games.

[10] Central bank governor Garganas briefs premier on economic, banking issues

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

The central bank governor briefed the premier on matters falling under the competency of the Bank of Greece and on current issues.

Regarding the economy, Garganas reiterated the central bank's views and referred to the latest report on the Greek economy submitted to parliament.

Asked whether there would be a change of faces at the Bank of Greece, he replied in the negative.

Garganas briefed Karamanlis on matters concerning monetary policy and supervision of the banking system.

Ministry sources said there could be no changes of faces at the Bank of Greece before the present terms expired, given that it was an independent bank.

[11] Gov't urges for coordinated effort to promote product quality

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

Addressing a joint session of the National Quality Council for Development and the National Certification Council, Sioufas said that improving productivity and competitiveness was one of the main goals of the government. "To achieve this goal we need coordinated action, modern infrastructure and resolving chronic problems in the operation of the state.

The Greek minister said that the ministry was responding to these demands by promoting plans and policies encouraging enterprises to begin activities in new sectors with high value added activities. "Greece cannot be a country with low labor cost. We have no margins to deal with foreign competition on this field. But we can make leaps in productivity and quality," he stressed.

Addressing the session, Spyros Papadopoulos, the ministry's secretary-general for Industry, unveiled the ministry's goals. These goals are converging national infrastructure for quality with those in advance EU states, improving Greek enterprises' competitiveness, boosting exports, and protecting consumers and the environment.

[12] 'This year's budget is ambitious', says Alogoskoufis

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

"It concerns a first step. It shows that our policy is steadily orientated to development, employment and social cohesion. It is a first step for the Greek economy to rid itself of the constant last position in the European Union and start climbing the steps slowly, slowly," Alogoskoufis said, at the same time expressing the conviction that the aims of the budget will be implemented and that no new measures will be needed to reduce the deficit, beyond those which have already been taken.

The minister in his speech accused the previous government of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) of on purpose concealing the expenditures from the 2004 budget.

[13] Greek electronic products' market to ease slightly in 2005, report

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

The so-called "black" electric product market (TV sets, hi-fi, DVD, home-cinema, car stereos, monitors, digital cameras, video cameras, etc) totalled 670 million euros this year, boosted by increased sales due to the Olympic Games and the European Soccer Championship, and it is projected to reach 650-655 million euros in 2005. The real turnover of the market was even higher if sales of PlayStation 2 and Xbox were included.

The report by Stat Bank expects three categories of products to move higher: plasma and LCD TV sets, DVD Recorders and digital cameras. Sony, Philips, Samsung, Panasonic, JVC, Thomson and LG were the top market holders in Greece.

Stat Bank expects 540,000 units of TV sets to be sold in 2005, with plasma and LCD sets likely to jump by 200 percent. Hi-Fi sales are projected to ease, despite higher sales of home cinema products.

Digital camera sales are expected to surpass 270,000 units, 70 percent more than in 2004, with a turnover of the market exceeding 75 million euros. Sales of video cameras are expected to remain stable in 2005.

Sales of computer monitors are projected to rise significantly, totalling 400,000 units in 2005, while sales of laptops are projected to exceed 180,000 units.

[14] Greek unleaded petrol prices lowest in EU

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

In its regular weekly report on domestic fuel prices, the ministry said that the price of unleaded petrol was up 2.33 percent so far this year, while the price of Brent oil was up 39.74 percent over the same period.

Heating oil average prices eased 0.47 percent to 0.42 euros per liter in the previous week from 0.422 euros per liter in the previous seven-day period.

The ministry report noted that the retail price of unleaded petrol was the lowest in the European Union, currently 25.92 percent down compared with the European average price.

[15] Gov't to re-introduce electronic games, Deputy FinMin says

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

In an interview with the daily newspaper "Eleftherotypia", Regouzas stressed that a more effective increase of state revenues would come not from directly burdening citizens but from sources that "are not affecting the government's social sensitivity or its development policies".

The Greek minister said that the ministry was considering the re-introduction of electronic games in 2005, following a decision by the European Court of Justice on the issue, as well as the re-introduction of lottery games and a more systematic harboring for yachts with a length of more than 10 meters long.

Regouzas also announced that the government would set new real estate prices from January 1, 2006 and reiterated the government's will to support citizens seeking to buy their first house. He noted that the ministry did not plan to impose further taxes on cigarettes. Regouzas said that a new financial crimes' squad would seek to combat large-scale tax evasion in the country.

[16] Industrial production index fell 3.1 pct in October, yr/yr

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

The October figure reflected a 4.3 percent decline in the manufacturing production index, a 2.2 percent drop in the mining production index and a 1.9 percent increase in the electricity-natural gas-water production index.

The industrial production composite index rose 1.0 percent in the January-October period, compared with the same period in 2003, reflecting a 1.0 percent increase in manufacturing, a 2.2 percent rise in mining and a 0.7 percent increase in electricity-natural gas-water production index.

[17] Environment minister inaugurates new section of Egnatia Odos

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

As he opened the new section of the highway to traffic, Souflias said that the entire highway will be finished by 2008.

The ceremony was attended by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Nikos Tsiartsionis, Deputy Finance Minister Christos Folias, former environment and public works minister Costas Laliotis, among others.

The Egnatia Odos highway is the most complex road-building project to be undertaken in Greece to date, requiring the construction of 15 twin tunnels and six bridges and above-average safety and functional specifications due to the severe weather phenomena in the area. After the tender in 1999, the project ran into problems and overshot the original budget of 350 million euros, with construction costs now running at 570 million euros.

[18] Deputy FM Skandalakis signs bilateral education agreement with Canada's Simon Fraser University in Burnaby

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

"Our aim is the creation of a permanent university position for the teaching and research of the Greek language and of Greek linguistics," Skandalakis stated.

The deputy foreign minister added that "the spreading of the Greek language abroad and the education support of our Greek community throughout the world constitutes a primary aim of the New Democracy government and particularly of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis."

[19] PASOK leader Papandreou addresses event for the elderly

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou's statement was made during the course of parallel events nationwide under the title:"Day of National Dialogue with the Elderly". Two hundred and thirty events took place across the country and it is expected that a similar event will take place early 2005 and will concern the immigrants.

Papandreou stressed that "even though PASOK did many things during the years it governed the country, it was clear that it lacked something and this something which was lacking was affection" and he attributed its lack to "bureaucracy and power."

"We want to again bring affection to the elderly, this is our ideology," he said, adding:"We lost the human element, and not a little, we lost it to a great degree. We must see again all these things and give solutions."

At the same time, he criticized the government, stressing that "through its policy, the grants are decreased instead of increased, and this, despite the pompous promises of the New Democracy government. The gap should close instead of widening."

[20] Bus hijacking perpetrators remanded in custody pending trial after testimony before examining magistrate

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

The two men, 24-year olds Leonard Murataj and Elton Resula, both Albanian, are accused of multiple counts of abduction, multiple counts of attempted homicide (felony), causing unwarranted bodily harm, criminal destruction of property, and illegal gun possession and use.

Murataz and Resula, in their depositions before the public prosecutor and during police questioning, said that they had no intention of causing harm to the bus passengers, and that they had repented for their action.

The two Albanians, at gunpoint, took over the bus early on Wednesday morning and held the passengers hostage almost the entire day, gradually releasing them during marathon talks with police negotiators, before finally releasing the last of the hostages unharmed shortly after midnight on Thursday and surrendering.

The two were working as house painters in Greece, and according to sources both have police records in Greece.

Testifying before the 24th examining magistrate, the two Albanians gave account on two felony and three other indictable offences they are charged with in the hijacking of the bus and the abduction of the passengers as hostages for 19 hours.

According to sources, Murataj cited psychological problems, while Resula asked forgiveness from the Greek people and the Albanian people, calling the incident a "stupid action".

Murataj's lawyer - Resula was not represented by a lawyer - Stephanos Lymberopoulos said that his client had repented for his actions, and hoped that the court which will try the case will take into consideration his client's repentance as well as his clean record up until the incident.

[21] Three armed bank robberies in the Attica region

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

The first robbery occurred at 12:10 p.m. at the branch of Probank on 50, Ifigenias Street in the Athens district of Nea Ionia. A person who was wearing a helmet and sun glasses grabbed, with the threat of a gun, an undisclosed amount of money and escaped with a stolen motorcycle.

The two other robberies took place soon afterwards by two unidentified persons, each time at the National Bank of Greece branch on 557, Vouliagmenis Avenue in the district of Ilioupolis, and at the Eurobank branch on 194, Syngrou Avenue in the district of Kallithea. The culprits made off with an undisclosed sum of money and in one case fled on foot and in the other, with a high-powered motorcycle.

[22] Prosecution investigation into doping case of cycling Olympic gold medalist Hamilton ordered

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

The prosecution was ordered after an investigation of the case involving US cycling athlete and Athens Olympic gold winner Tyler Hamilton, in whose sample traces were found of a prohibited substance.

According to the case file, a second corroboratory test was not run, and the specimen of the first test was destroyed.

A judge has been authorized to investigate possible moral instigation on the part of the athlete.

[23] Improvement in custody centers for foreigners in Greece ascertained

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

The letter was sent after the UN High Commission Representative and her associates visited the custody centers for foreigners in Evros and Rodopi, north-eastern Greece, early in December.

Farkas noted the presence of permanent medical staff and said that "no problems were mentioned concerning hygiene, food or clothing." She further noted that the inmates spoke well about the security guards and their behavior.

The letter also underlines "the very good cooperation" which the UN High Commission has with the officers of the Greek Police in Alexandroupoli, Orestiada and Komotini and with those responsible in the custody centers.

[24] Cardboard box leads police to murder suspect in case involving headless body

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

Police on Monday reported that the suspect in custody has confessed to the killing and also to cutting off the woman's head and hands and throwing them in the Aliakmonas River, in order to prevent police from identifying the victim and picking up his trail.

The man is believed to have killed his partner, then eight months pregnant, in their shared apartment in Thessaloniki on December 11, after she threatened to walk out and return to the Ukraine. The couple had earlier lived together for several years in Katerini.

The woman's dismembered body was discovered in a dump in the Thessaloniki area, inside a cardboard box bearing the logo of Turkish stove manufacturer. Police contacted the local agent for the firm in Thessaloniki, who supplied them with a list of recent customers, and were thus able to track the suspect.

Police say that they were now dredging the Aliakmonas River to recover the woman's head and hands.

[25] SAE President sends Christmas message

Athens, 21/12/2004 (ANA)

Athens added that SAE will continue to do what it has been doing for the past nine years. "The recent SAE Board meeting in Thessaloniki has offered us the message of renewal and upgrading for SAE, which as an international organization is trying to unite Hellenism around the globe and become the most important link between the Omegeneia and Greece," he stated.

[26] Cypriot president says Ankara to sign protocol with Commission

NICOSIA 21/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

The president was commenting on statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul that the protocol will not be signed between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus but between Turkey and the European Commission, and thus Ankara would not be recognizing the Republic of Cyprus.

Asked if there would be a new initiative to solve the Cyprus problem, the president said ''it is natural for everyone to wish some movement in the Cyprus problem,'' noting that ''we also want a solution but under other conditions.''

President Papadopoulos said he did not expect anything to happen before the so-called elections in the Turkish-occupied areas of the Republic, adding that he hoped any talks on Cyprus after that would be ''in such a climate and under such conditions that could lead to an agreed solution.''

To a remark that Turkey appeared to be in a hurry to solve the Cyprus problem so that she would not have to sign the customs union protocol, the president replied, ''Her problem.''

Asked if he expected Turkey to be more flexible, President Papadopoulos said he could not make such a prediction, noting that ''Turkey has a timeframe and is obliged to keep it.''

Commenting on the European Council decisions at his daily press briefing, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides pointed out that October 3rd, the date given to Turkey to commence EU accession negotiations, was a landmark for Ankara not Nicosia, which was linked to Turkey's stance towards the Republic of Cyprus.

The spokesman said the terms the EU set out for Ankara ''commit Turkey to a radical change of stance and behavior.''

He said Ankara, not Cyprus, was obliged to make steps before October 3rd if she wanted to begin accession negotiations, adding that Turkey would be under continuous observation and monitory by all EU member states.

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