Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-12-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek tourists return from quake-tsunami stricken SE Asia, recount ordeal to press and relatives

[02] President Stephanopoulos sends messages of support, condolences to SE Asia leaders on earthquake/tsunami tragedy as second relief plane departs

[03] PASOK leader Papandreou interviews by 'openDemocracy.net' electronic magazine

[04] Defense Minister visits islands in Aegean

[05] EU Commission approves 56 mln euros for landfill projects in Attica

[06] European Commissioner for the environment meets GSEE trade union leadership

[07] New pricing policy on pharmaceuticals to be unveiled by mid-February

[08] Cotton producers block Thessaloniki-Edessa highway, at Halkidona entrance

[09] ASE closing report: prices move higher

[10] Athens Academy award ceremony held Tuesday evening; Stephanopoulos attends

[11] Education minister visits children hospital, meets union reps for replacement teachers

[12] Inmate found dead in Korydallos women's prison

[13] Cyprus President: we want a solution as soon as possible

[01] Greek tourists return from quake-tsunami stricken SE Asia, recount ordeal to press and relatives

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale struck in the Indian Ocean, off Sumatra island on Sunday, causing an immense tsunami tidal wave, devastating the area and causing the death of at least 55,000 people.

Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (AIA) was deluged early Tuesday by relatives of the returning tourists, who landed at 3:30 a.m. on an OA A-300 Airbus governed by pilot Kimon Souliotis and also carrying two foreign ministry diplomats and a doctor who were sent by the Greek government to provide assistance to the returning tourists.

The plane also brought two Czech citizens, two French citizens and nine Cypriot citizens who were also on holiday in the area, and who will be transferred to other flights for the return to their own countries.

On hand at the airport were deputy foreign ministers Yannis Valinakis and Panayotis Skandalakis, who greeted the returning tourists on behalf of the government. Valinakis expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the efforts undertaken by the foreign ministry from the outset of the tragedy for the repatriation of the Greek tourists.

Valinakis said that the efforts were continuing to locate the remaining Greek tourists with whom contact had not as yet been possible, adding that they would not be listed as "missing" until 72 hours had passed.

The foreign ministry is contacting the relatives of the Greeks still in the stricken region to see if there had been any contact with them so as to take them off the list.

The returning tourists recounted to relatives and journalists the "horror and hell" they witnessed, unable to believe how their carefree holidays turned into a living hell from the tsunami in just minutes, expressed their gratitude for having survived the ordeal, and thanked the government for its immediate mobilization and assistance.

A diplomat from the Greek embassy in Thailand was still on hand at Phuket airport, with a group of more Greek tourists, and was coordinating the return to Greece of those who wished to do so, given that several of the tourists lost their travel documents and money during the disaster.

A second OA plane is on stand-by, on orders of the relevant ministers, to fly to the stricken area to pick up more Greek tourists wishing to return.

No Greeks reported dead in southeast Asian tsunami according to foreign ministry: "No death or serious injury of a Greek national has yet been reported in the stricken southeast Asia region," Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos said on Tuesday evening, referring to the earthquake and subsequent tidal wave that hit south and southeast Asia on Sunday.

Koumoutsakos said that 126 Greeks remain in the tsunami-struck area and are reportedly in good health. According to sources, 27 people have not yet contacted their families. This, however, does not mean that they are injured, Koumoutsakos stressed and confirmed the injury of four Greeks whose names were made public earlier on Tuesday.

Finally, the foreign ministry spokesman noted that these numbers are not final and emphasized the difficult task the ministry has of gathering and processing related information.

Seven Greek tourists injured in Indian Ocean tsunamis hospitalized in Phuket, out of danger: Seven Greek tourists were injured and currently hospitalized in Phuket, although they were in no danger, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos clarified that there was no information on any deaths of Greek tourists on holiday in the area when a massive earthquake and ensuing killer tidal waves struck SE Asia on Sunday.

Koumoutsakos said a C-130 military plane carrying humanitarian aid and volunteer doctors to the region, that left on Tuesday, would be transporting back to Athens those Greek holidaymakers who wished to return.

The ministry further appealed to relatives of Greek tourists in the stricken area to inform the ministry of any contact with the tourists.

The spokesman added that no Greek nationals were listed as missing, as 72 hours had not passed. Efforts were continuing to verify the identity of tourists still in the region.

[02] President Stephanopoulos sends messages of support, condolences to SE Asia leaders on earthquake/tsunami tragedy as second relief plane departs

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

At the same time, a C-130 Airforce cargo plane left Elefsis military airport Tuesday morning carrying a second dispatch of humanitarian aid and specialized personnel to the stricken area. According to sources, the plane will make stopovers in Dubai and Bombay, where it will spend the night, before carrying on to Male (capital of the Maldives), Colombo (capital of Sri Lanka), Bangkok (capital of Thailand) and Phuket island (Thailand).

Another C-130 aircraft was dispatched on Monday carrying emergency humanitarian aid to the stricken region, accompanied by a diplomat from the ministry's International Developmental Cooperation Service (YDAS), as well as members of six Greek non-governmental organizations (NGOs) specializing in such crises.

More specifically, participating in the mission were the Orthodox Church of Greece's NGO 'Solidarity', which was contributing 5 tons of food aid and clothing, the Doctors of the Heart NGO with aid of one ton of pharmaceutical and medical material and two specialized volunteer doctors, the Doctors of the World NGO with four specialized volunteer doctors and equipment, the European Prospect NGO with two volunteers specialized in crisis management and rehabilitation of stricken sites, the Thessaloniki Rescue Squad with two specialized members and equipment, and the Greek Fire-Squad Reforestation Volunteer Corps with three experienced experts in handling natural disasters, 30 tents with a capacity of 360 people, special equipment to prop up constructions in danger of toppling, other specialized equipment, and first aid material and bandages.

The Greek foreign ministry also donated on Monday 150,000 euros in emergency assistance to the government of the Maldives and another 150,000 euros to the government of Sri Lanka.

Greek UNICEF committee to send aid to South Asia tsunami victims: UNICEF's Greek Committee on Tuesday announced that it will make an initial contribution of 50,000 euros to aid children in coastal areas of South Asia that were devastated by Sunday's massive tsunamis and earthquake.

It said the money will be use to cover children's immediate needs and also appealed to the Greek public to make donations for humanitarian aid to the disaster victims.

Starting on Wednesday, UNICEF will set up a special phone line for Greece at 801 500 12345 called 'Life Line' that will operate on a 24-hour basis in order to accept donations. Calls to the line will be charged as a single local-rate unit.

[03] PASOK leader Papandreou interviews by 'openDemocracy.net' electronic magazine

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

In the same interview, Papandreou outlines the reasons why PASOK lost the last general elections in Greece, as well as its electoral goals, and describes his own perception on politics and its exercise, which differs substantially from the mainstream perception.

Papandreou further anticipates a PASOK victory in the next general elections, but stresses that "we will not return to government if we do not offer a future with better democracy in the long-run", and speaks of 10-year or 15-year programs which would bring Greece to the front lines.

He also explains how the atmosphere has changed in Greek-Turkish relations, as well as his disagreements with US foreign policy on Iraq and the former Yugoslavia.

Papandreou disagrees with the leadership system, proposing instead the participation of the citizens in the exercise of authority, as well as in its control, and notes that he has in mind the establishment of committees made up of members picked by draw, who would monitor the course of materialization of the party's or government's program.

Speaking on Greek-Turkish relations and the change of climate, he said that the established thoughts in both countries needed to be broken and, thus, a framework was created in which "we said let's work on consensus, and wherever we do not find consensus, let's put it aside for a while, instead of beginning arguments".

[04] Defense Minister visits islands in Aegean

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

On Tuesday, Spiliotopoulos, along with Minister of the Aegean Aristotelis Pavlidis, visited Lesvos, Chios, Agathonissi, Farmakonissi, Kalymnos and Kos.

From Kos, the Defense Minister announced a series of measures the ministry will be adopting in 2005 for the benefit of Greek Armed Forces officers and their families. The measures include salary revisions, discounts on consumer goods, day-care centers for the children of those serving in the armed forces who have special needs, etc.

On Wednesday, Spiliotopoulos and Pavlidis will visit military bases in Symi, Kastelorizo and Rhodes.

[05] EU Commission approves 56 mln euros for landfill projects in Attica

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

A ministry announcement said that the EU's executive approved a plan to build a second landfill site in the municipality of Phyli and another in Grammatiko, eastern Attica. The Commission's money will cover 75 percent of the project's budget totalling 74,760,000 euros.

"This decision paves the way for the construction of one of the most important projects in the Attica region," the ministry said. It added that the government was expected to approve the contractor for the construction of a landfill site in Keratea within the next few days.

[06] European Commissioner for the environment meets GSEE trade union leadership

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

He stressed that the Commission hopes for cooperation with the social partners in order to sensitize employers and workers regarding environmental issues, hygiene at work and sustainable development.

Regarding the Lisbon process, Dimas said that creating jobs was still a priority for the EU but in combination with sustainable development policies that will lead to environmentally-friendly practices and the creation of high-quality work positions.

The Commissioner said that decisions regarding the Lisbon strategy will be made at the EU summit in March 2005.

[07] New pricing policy on pharmaceuticals to be unveiled by mid-February

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, the Greek minister announced the formation of a new Pharmaceutical Price Commission to be headed by Emmanouel Kalokairinos, president of the Panhellenic Medical Club. Papathanasiou stressed that the Commission would begin immediately talks with all interested parties before drafting a new legislation.

"Pharmaceutical prices will not go higher. There will be no disappointing surprises for patients and pension organizations," Papathanasiou said.

[08] Cotton producers block Thessaloniki-Edessa highway, at Halkidona entrance

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

The continuation of the mobilizations was decided at a meeting of the coordinating committee of farmers from Koufalia, Halkidona, Mikro Monastiri and Loudia. On Wednesday, the committee will meet anew to decide whether they will continue the blockade.

The cotton producers are asking for an increase in the percentage of reserves which the ginning houses receive, from 15 per cent to 30 per cent of production.

[09] ASE closing report: prices move higher

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

The index ended 0.20 percent up to 2,771.56 points, reflecting gains in bank stocks.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.38 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell by 0.13 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.58 percent.

The Investment, IT Solutions and Bank sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.85 pct, 1.71 pct and 0.95 pct respectively), while the Publications, Construction and Retail sectors suffered the heaviest losses (1.44 pct, 0.91 pct and 0.74 pct, respectively).

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 158 to 111 with another 83 issues unchanged. Turnover was a low 99.3 million euros.

[10] Athens Academy award ceremony held Tuesday evening; Stephanopoulos attends

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

Winner of the silver medal in the same category was the Bodosakis Foundation for its 30 years of social contribution, while the bronze medal in the Sciences category went to Professor of Medicine George Daikos.

The Athens Academy also honored Yiannis Kanidis posthumously, the teacher who died in the hostage situation in Beslan earlier this year, for his self-sacrifice.

The ceremony opened with an address from Academy President Spyros Iakovidis, titled "Homer, Troy and the Trojan War," while the Academy's Secretary General Nikolaos Matsaniotis presented an overview of the Academy's achievements in 2004.

[11] Education minister visits children hospital, meets union reps for replacement teachers

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

After her tour, Yiannakou noted that medicine in Greece had advanced to the point where Greek doctors were able to provide treatments available in all other countries in the world.

Also on Tuesday, the minister met representatives of replacement teachers and temporary teachers hired by the hour, who said they were satisfied with the steps taken by the education ministry so far to resolve their problems.

After the meeting, Yiannakou said she had supported the use of replacement teachers as opposed to teachers paid by the hour and expressed confidence that a final agreement will be reached, even though some thorny issues remained unresolved.

According to Deputy Education Minister George Kalos, who was also present, a solution to outstanding problems was likely to be reached within the next few days.

[12] Inmate found dead in Korydallos women's prison

Athens, 29/12/2004 (ANA)

She had been incarcerated in July 2003 on drug-related charges.

The woman was found dead in her bunk by her cell-mate, who alerted the guards. Authorities said an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death will be carried out by a Piraeus coroner on Wednesday, though an initial medical examination by prison doctors pointed to health-related causes.

[13] Cyprus President: we want a solution as soon as possible

NICOSIA 29/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Papadopoulos, responding to questions, said there is no official information about a visit to Cyprus in January by UN Under Secretary for Political Affairs Sir Kieran Prendergast, as suggested by some press reports.

''We want a solution the soonest possible,'' President Papadopoulos said, when asked to comment on remarks by Turkey's main opposition leader that the US and Britain should exert pressure on the Greek Cypriot side to agree to a political settlement by October 3, when Ankara is set to begin accession negotiations with the European Union.

Papadopoulos pointed out that what matters is not the solution but the contents of the solution.

''They are seeking a solution which will dissolve the Republic of Cyprus and replace it with some kind of entity in a bid to avoid recognition of the Republic,'' he said.

Turkey, seeking European Union membership, does not recognize Cyprus, an EU member. The EU at its December summit ''welcomed Turkey's decision to sign the Protocol regarding the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement, taking account of the accession of the ten new member states.''

At the summit, Ankara declared its readiness to sign the Protocol ''prior to the actual start of accession negotiations.''

On remarks by the Turkish premier that he is ready to discuss and review a UN solution plan (the Annan plan), Papadopoulos said Tayyip Erdogan has made many ''contradictory and uncertain'' statements which are either for domestic consumption or are addressed to others and not Cyprus.

Papadopoulos said he cannot comment unless there is a formal statement by the Turkish premier.

Responding to questions, President Papadopoulos said that Turkey will first have to conclude the screening process before it embarks on membership talks.

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