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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-04-13

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

April 13, 2006

CONTENTS

  • [01] National collective labor agreement officially signed
  • [02] PM to visit Bulgaria, tour Kilkis at weekend
  • [03] Int'l cooperation, not fear needed for bird flu, health minister says
  • [04] Interior minister presents new Municipalities and Communities code
  • [05] Bakoyannis takes stand in N17 appeals trial, ridicules convicted terrorists
  • [06] Roussopoulos on permits to television stations
  • [07] Defense minister receives French ambassador to Athens
  • [08] Gul cites draft law that may affect Halki
  • [09] FYROM's Buchkovski on name issue
  • [10] US ambassador to Greece visits Rethymno, Crete
  • [11] Stylianidis addresses new diplomats
  • [12] Greece gets 41 mln euros under EU budget surplus
  • [13] Deputy FM calls on expatriate organization to help investments
  • [14] Special secretary for Competitiveness visits Dublin
  • [15] Nationwide garbage strike continues on Thursday
  • [16] Greeks overwhelmingly believe country benefited from EU; majority say euro a disadvantage
  • [17] Greek economy grew 3.7 pct in fourth quarter 2005, yr/yr
  • [18] Greece is Bulgaria's fifth largest trade partner
  • [19] Intracom Telecom signs 4.2-mln-euro contract with Telekom Serbia
  • [20] Car & Moto-Boat show begins Thursday in Thessaloniki
  • [21] Serbia calls for Greek investment
  • [22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks decline
  • [23] Two earthquakes rattle western Greece Wednesday
  • [24] Seismologists cautious but reassuring as quakes continue to jolt Zakynthos
  • [25] Greek, Turkish and Bulgarian municipalities sign cooperation protocol to confront floods
  • [26] President inaugurates Political Exiles Museum
  • [27] Replica of Ionian pillar crest placed at eastern Acropolis arcade
  • [28] Greek armed forces have lower suicide rate than others, study finds
  • [29] Greek Information secretary general extends best wishes to Bulgarian newspaper
  • [30] 1st Int'l Anti-Nuclear Festival to be held in Rhodes from May 8-14
  • [31] Conference on Balkans held at Athens Journalists Union
  • [32] John Cleave's book on Athens presented in Washington
  • [33] Attica police arrest gang who forced foreign women to prostitution
  • [34] Mayor of Hadersdof, Austria, insults memory of 61 victims of Nazism
  • [35] President Papadopoulos officially welcomed by Indian counterpart

  • [01] National collective labor agreement officially signed

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    The National General Collective Labor Agreement for 2006-2007 recently agreed between employers and the largest trade unions was officially signed on Wednesday, after the end of negotiations to add a few finishing touches to employment law institutions.

    Also to be released alongside the contents of the agreement will be a codification of all past collective labor agreements signed by employers and unions in Greece after 1974, when democracy was restored to the country after the fall of a military junta.

    Under the two-year agreement, the basic wage will be increased by 2.9 percent on January 1, 2006 and a further 2.9 percent on September 1, 2006, followed by a further increase of 5.1 percent on May 1, 2007.

    Commenting on the deal, Union of Greek Industry (SEB) president Odysseas Kyriakopoulos said it was a "difficult agreement achieved in complex circumstances". He described the agreement as "very good" and pointed out that it gave the highest wage increases given at this time in all Eurozone countries.

    Asked to give his opinion regarding the current debate regarding the "best" economic model for Greece, Kyriakopoulos said that Greece should adopt the best practices of each model, while underlining the need to make the economy more outgoing.

    The president of the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) Christos Polyzogopoulos, head of Greece's largest trade union umbrella organization, said he was happy with the deal that had been achieved and called on the government to follow the example of the "social partners" when deciding wage increases for staff in state-run public utilities, ensuring that these were the result of collective bargaining and did not divide the workforce into 'old' and 'new'.

    He rebuffed criticism aimed at the leadership of the trade unions over the agreement, stressing that the critics were wrong and that the content of the agreement was achieved in very difficult conditions.

    According to the head of General Confederation of Light Industry and Commerce of Greece (GSEBEE) Dimitris Assimakopoulos, the agreement would lead to an 11.3 percent increase in wages at the end of two years and he expressed hope that small and medium-sized enterprises will have managed to match this in profits during that time.

    The president of the traders' union ESEE Dimitris Armenakis, on his part, described the agreement as the "most difficult of the past years" and said that it had been completed with a series of changes to improve labor practices, such as better redundancy compensation for laborers and craftsmen and more flexible rules to accommodate parents.

    [02] PM to visit Bulgaria, tour Kilkis at weekend

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is due to visit Bulgaria on Thursday for talks with Bulgaria's leadership and will return via the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, from where he will embark on a weekend tour of the prefecture of Kilkis, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros announced on Wednesday.

    The prime minister will begin his day on Thursday by addressing an off-the-agenda debate on the Greek economy in Parliament in the morning, followed by a meeting with S. Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon in the afternoon before he departs for Bulgaria.

    Upon his arrival in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Karamanlis is to lay a wreath at the monument for the Unknown Soldier and then accompany Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev to the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nievski.

    On Thursday night, the Greek premier will be a guest at a dinner held in his honor by Stanishev.

    On Friday morning, Karamanlis will lead a Greek delegation in talks with the Bulgarian side, during which bilateral agreements will be signed, followed by a press conference at 10:30.

    At 11:00 on Friday, he will be received by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, Bulgarian parliament speaker Georgi Pirinsky and the Patriarch of Bulgaria Maxim.

    The premier will then depart for Thessaloniki and from there to Kilkis, arriving on Friday evening and holding successive meetings with local government officials on Saturday.

    On Sunday, Karamanlis is due to return to Thessaloniki for a meeting with South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) culture ministers, who will have just completed a meeting in Patras.

    The spokesman denied that original plans for a more extensive tour by the premier in northern Greece had been pared down, noting that the premier looked at various proposals before deciding on the finally deciding on his itinerary and stressing that the program of visits by Karamanlis will continue.

    He also denied suggestions that the premier was avoiding "problem" areas, noting that Karamanlis discussed the problems that concerned Greek society with a number of social bodies and ordinary citizens.

    [03] Int'l cooperation, not fear needed for bird flu, health minister says

    WASHINGTON, 13/4/2006 (ANA-MPA/A. Ellis)

    The international community must continue close cooperation among its members and has no reason to be trapped in a mindset of fear and panic when dealing with the bird flu virus, Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said during his address at the Global Travel and Tourism Summit held here on Wednesday.

    Avramopoulos noted that Europe has made progress adopting a specific plan of action and initiatives.

    As for Greece, he said that the country has prepared a full-scale national plan, noting that all bird flu incidents are under scientific control and monitoring.

    Furthermore, he added that the actions of all EU governments are coordinated and in line with EU directives and in cooperation with international organizations.

    Avramopoulos also participated in an open debate, as President of the World Travel and Tourism Council's (WTTC) Taskforce for Health and Exceptional Situations, a post he assumed in February.

    "The international community is faced with a major problem. In Europe, as I had the opportunity to explain, we have taken steps forward. A very good and effective system aimed at dealing with the bird flu virus has been set up. However, the message that needed to be conveyed from this WTTC event was a message of certainty and optimism, because as you can understand, the psychological factor, particularly for countries with high tourism activity, can play a negative role," Avramopoulos said, talking to Greek journalists.

    After having met with officials of the US government and the WTTC and with journalists representing US and Greek-American media, Avramopoulos will conclude his visit to Washington with a meeting with Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns.

    [04] Interior minister presents new Municipalities and Communities code

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    The new Municipalities and Communities Code was presented by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos during a press conference on Wednesday. He said that the new Code responds to the need for a modern and flexible institutional local administration operational framework and for securing adequate funds.

    The Code, due to be tabled in Parliament by Friday, anticipates the establishment of the institution of local referendums at the initiative of either the municipal and community council or that of the people.

    It also establishes the municipal citizen's Charter of Rights and the preparation of a citizen's guide, as well as the municipal and community authority's obligation to make an annual account of work accomplished during a public conference.

    In a related development, the main opposition PASOK party and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) criticized the new Code.

    PASOK said in an announcement that despite the fact that the Code contains considerable arrangements for the organizing and functioning of first stage local administration it does not meet modern European self administration reality.

    It added that the most important innovation for which the Code will go down in history is the incorporation of the "notorious" legislative arrangement on the election of a mayor on the first Sunday of elections with 42 percent.

    KKE, through Athens mayoral candidate Spyros Halvatzis, said that the new Code promotes the full adjustment of local administration to market laws and that the role of local administration as a powerful and effective state apparatus which implements options against workers on behalf of the central administration will be strengthened.

    Responding to criticism, the interior ministry spoke in an announcement of the distortion of reality.

    "A simple comparison of this plan with the plan left by PASOK in 2004 is catalytic in that the new plan is overwhelmingly superior in institutional innovations and democratic sensitivity. And all that PASOK has to do is to ask the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE) about this," it said.

    "Nobody can forget that PASOK had always tried, offending institutions, to use local administration for selfish party reasons. Something for which local administration had turned and will turn its back on it," the announcement added.

    [05] Bakoyannis takes stand in N17 appeals trial, ridicules convicted terrorists

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis was the star witness on Wednesday during the continuing appeals trial of nearly two dozen convicted "November 17" urban terrorists, as her late husband, noted journalist and New Democracy MP Pavlos Bakoyannis, was gunned down by the once-elusive terror band in 1989.

    "Can you imagine using the title 'November 17' (the date of a 1973 students' uprising against a military junta then ruling Greece) without never having done anything but drink coffee in Paris, passing your time philosophizing and then sitting in judgment against everyone, and murdering?" Bakoyannis said on the stand in a clear reference to convicted "N17" mastermind Alexandros Giotopoulos, aka Michel Economou or "Lambros".

    The self-described translator of French texts, who lived under an assumed name for more than 20 years, has been sentenced to 21 life terms for his role in the ultra-leftist group's numerous assassinations, bombings and robberies.

    In recounting the day in September 1989 that he was assassinated, Bakoyannis said her late husband greeted everyone he met outside his office, including his assassins, "they, however, didn't even have the courage to look him in the eyes, they shot him in the back. That's how we are here, in this court with Pavlos' murderers in the dock, having already been convicted in the first instance (court trial)."

    The former Athens mayor also stressed that Bakoyannis' murder had absolutely no repercussions on the country's political life, only repercussions for her, their children and mountainous Evritania prefecture, his election district. Asked about a motive, she said Bakoyannis was deep into an investigation focusing on domestic terrorism, which possibly made him a "N17" target. "He was also an easy target," she added.

    Tension again surfaced inside the specially modified jailhouse courtroom at the Korydallos penitentiary when the lead defense attorney for convicted N17 arch-assassin Dimitris Koufodinas began to aggressively refer to Pavlos Bakoyannis, at which point the appellate tribunal ordered lawyer Ioanna Kourtovik to stop making further statements.

    On his part, Koufodinas, a self-described beekeeper who also lived under an assumed identity for almost two decades and who was nicknamed "poison hand" by other N17 gang members, opined that the "pain, anger and grief (from Bakoyannis' assassination) is comprehendible," before claiming that the "organization's" target was the "collapsing (political) system (at the time) and not the individual Pavlos Bakoyannis..."

    Bakoyannis' two children were also expected to take the stand.

    [06] Roussopoulos on permits to television stations

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos on Wednesday said that the government is orientating itself to grant permits to regional television stations instead of to the about 110 local television stations which operate today.

    Roussopoulos was briefing the relevant parliamentary committee regarding issues of concentration of mass media and permits to electronic mass media.

    The minister of state noted that the plethora of local channels which project poor quality programs which they get from video-clubs, "create a bad image for the country and problems in relation with the copyrights."

    He added that "the thought of the government is for us to go to the regional channels which will transmit to the limits of the regions, and will correspond more to the geophysical shaping of the regions, which will be set after relevant studies by the Polytechnic."

    [07] Defense minister receives French ambassador to Athens

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    National Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis on Wednesday received France's Ambassador to Athens Bruno Delaye for a routine ceremonial meeting in which they confirmed the good level of Greek-French cooperation in political and military-defense matters.

    Their talks also covered problems that had arisen with the purchase of the MIRAGE-2000-5 aircraft, which now appear to be nearing a solution according to the results of tests so far, and a planned visit by the defense minister to Paris that will probably take place in the summer.

    [08] Gul cites draft law that may affect Halki

    ISTANBUL, 13/4/2006 (ANA/MPA/A. Kourkoulas)

    Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Wednesday said Ankara will table a draft law in the country's assembly altering the status of religion-affiliated charitable trusts (vakoufs), a development that also affects the re-opening of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's all-important Halki seminary.

    "We will table the draft law in the grand assembly ... I cannot say anything about this procedure, as the laws are ratified by the deputies," Gul said, adding that it was up to the Turkish legislature on how the final draft law will be modified.

    Moreover, he reiterated his government's volition to push forward with EU-mandated reforms. "The European Union of course has made demands of us. These are bilateral issues that concern our meeting."

    Asked specifically about the long-standing Halki issue, Gul replied that "special conditions exist in every country; various issues arise that have their own legal and historical explanation".

    [09] FYROM's Buchkovski on name issue

    STRASBOURG, 13/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

    Contact between the Greek and FYROM government should be stepped up quickly after FYROM's general elections are held so that a solution to the name dispute can be found, Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Vlado Buchkovski said on Wednesday.

    Buchkovski's statement was made in response to a question posed by head of the Greek delegation of the Council of Europe Elsa Papadimitriou, during the spring session of the council's parliamentary assembly, which the FYROM premier is attending as an official guest.

    Papadimitriou, who posed the question on behalf of the Group of the European People's Party (EPP), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), the European Democrat Group (EDG) and the Group of the Unified European Left (UEL), asked Buchkovski if a statement he had made in December in Paris still stood.

    At the time, Buchkovski had said that FYROM is ready to be effective in finding a solution to the name dispute, particularly after the support Greece's provided FYROM in the latter's efforts to attain EU candidacy status.

    The FYROM premier said that his government was grateful for Greece's support, adding that it was very important in terms of building confidence between the two countries.

    He also referred to commercial ties between the two countries, saying that cooperation between Greek and FYROM companies is very good and noting that Greece is the biggest investor in FYROM.

    [10] US ambassador to Greece visits Rethymno, Crete

    13/4/2006 (ANA)

    The US Ambassador to Greece Charles Ries visited Rethymno on the island of Crete on Wednesday where he met with local government officials and students at Rethymno Primary School No. 7.

    His first stop was at Rethymno City Hall where he met with the mayor, Dimitris Archontakis.

    "We met with Mr. Ries in order to declare Rethymno's receptiveness to foreign investment, economic ties, friendly relations and any type of effort for development," Archontakis said after their meeting.

    During his visit to the primary school, which Ries chose because it had been painted by US servicemen stationed at Souda military base, the US ambassador gave gifts and books to students.

    He spoke with the children, urging them to study and obey their teachers.

    He also expressed the wish that the children would soon be able to visit the United States.

    Speaking to reporters, Ries referred to the good relations between Greece and the US, adding that he was certain these relations would be maintained in the future as well.

    Asked why US aircraft carriers no longer anchor in Chania, Ries said that crews were concerned they would not be well received.

    However, he expressed optimism that there would be no such problem in the future.

    Ries also referred to tourism relations between the two countries, noting that Greece is a favorite travel destination for many Americans.

    [11] Stylianidis addresses new diplomats

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Evripides Stylianidis on Wednesday addressed new diplomats on the issue of economic diplomacy, calling it the most rapidly developing fact of Greek diplomacy, during a speech at the diplomatic academy.

    Among others, he said the first positive results from missions to Russia and China have been recorded, while the next area of interest is the Middle East.

    [12] Greece gets 41 mln euros under EU budget surplus

    BRUSSELS, 13/4/2006 (ANA-MPA/V Demiris)

    Greece is entitled to 41 million euros from a surplus in the European Union's 2005 budget, the bloc's executive Commission said on Wednesday.

    Implementation of the budget reached a record high: only 1% of the EU budget, or ¬ 1 077 million, was left unused, the Commission said in a statement.

    The figure, coupled with extra revenue of ¬ 1 292 million, will reduce this year s national contributions to the EU budget by a total of ¬ 2 410 million - a new record low since 1997.

    The Commission also noted that it had approved a second Provisional Draft Amending Budget for 2006 to include last year's surplus in this year's budgeting.

    "Better planning and the constant improvement of EU budget management at all levels are bearing fruit. Member States now annually pay into the EU budget only as much as is really needed," Dalia Grybauskaité, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget, commented.

    [13] Deputy FM calls on expatriate organization to help investments

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis called for mediation by the AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) expatriate organization with the business community, public opinion and those who shape public opinion in the United States with the purpose of promoting Greece's new role in the wider region and attracting investments.

    "Promoting economic cooperation with Greece is very important. It is one of the reasons that we are here. More discussions have taken place and will take place because now is the beginning of a new strategy," said the head of the delegation, Supreme President of the expatriate organization Gus J. James, II, following the meeting held at the foreign ministry at noon on Wednesday.

    Stylianidis said that it was discussed how the AHEPA organization can help in presenting the new role of Greece in the wider region, an important role for attracting investments.

    He added that what was also discussed was how work being done in development cooperation can be presented to American public opinion and those who shape public opinion in the U.S. to enable them to know that Greece is promoting common values and common principles in the region.

    [14] Special secretary for Competitiveness visits Dublin

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Representing Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, special secretary for Competitiveness, Spyros Efstathopoulos, paid a two-day visit to Dublin last week where he had contacts with members of the Irish Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ministry and of the Finance Ministry.

    The main objective of his contacts was the exchange of views and experiences on issues of management and planning of the European Union's Structural Programs, especially in light of the next 2007-2013 Programs Period.

    Also discussed were policies for the strengthening of entrepreneurship and the operation of the two countries' National Competitiveness Councils.

    Among others, he met with Seamus O'Morain, deputy secretary general of the Enterpise, Trade and Employment Ministry, and Lorraine Benson, Director of the Competitiveness and European Affairs Department.

    [15] Nationwide garbage strike continues on Thursday

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    The local government workers' union, POE-OTA, will continue on Thursday the nationwide garbage strike which will enter its ninth day.

    A delegation of the board of the Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of Attica (TEDKNA) met on Wednesday morning with workers in the municipalities at the offices of POE-OTA. The outcome of the meeting proved fruitless.

    The strikers later in the day gathered outside the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Ministry, at the time when Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos was presenting the New Code for Municipalities and Municipalities, shouting slogans and disrupting traffic for about an hour.

    [16] Greeks overwhelmingly believe country benefited from EU; majority say euro a disadvantage

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    A vast majority of Greek citizens, a whopping 81 percent, believe the country has benefited from its 26-year participation in the European Union, according to results of the latest Eurobarometer poll taken in late February and early March 2006.

    However, a smaller majority, 55 percent, believe that inclusion into the euro zone and use of the euro currency ranks as a disadvantage for Greece. Conversely, 36 percent of respondents in Greece said the country benefited from the euro.

    The results of the poll were presented during a press conference on Wednesday by Ierotheos Papadopoulos, who is performing the duties of director of the European Commission's delegation in Greece.

    Greeks believe that there is greater political (70 percent) and economic (64 percent) stability because the country is a member of the European Union.

    The majority of Greeks (58 percent) also believe that the EU has helped public administration in Greece to become more effective. A further 51 percent believe that the creation of new jobs is due to the abolition of state monopolies.

    On the question of EU enlargement, the Greeks do not see any particular interest for their country by the fact that the specific candidate countries, as well as accession candidate countries will become EU member-states.

    The country coming first in preferences is Bulgaria with 33 percent, followed by Turkey with 20, Romania 10, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) 7 and Croatia 5.

    The question concerned which of the candidate or accession candidate countries is in Greece's interests to become an EU member. The poll also showed that 37 percent of respondents do not desire the accession of any of the candidate or accession candidate countries.

    As regards which country in their opinion maintains the closest friendly relations with Greece, the result produced was France 47 percent, Italy 37, Germany 33 and Spain 22.

    [17] Greek economy grew 3.7 pct in fourth quarter 2005, yr/yr

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Greece's Gross Domestic Product grew by 3.7 pct in the fourth quarter of 2005, compared with the same period in 2004, Eurostat said on Wednesday.

    The EU executive's statistics agency, in a report, said Eurozone's economy grew by 1.8 percent while the EU-25 economy grew by 2.0 percent over the same period.

    Eurostat said the Greek economy fell by 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005 from the previous quarter, while in the Eurozone it rose by 0.3 pct and in the EU-25 it grew by 0.4 percent. Latvia (2.7 pct), Lithuania (2.5 pct) and Estonia (2.2 pct) recorded the highest quarterly percentage growth rates.

    The EU's statistics agency also said that Greek exports fell by 2.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005, from the previous quarter, while imports rose 4.0 percent and domestic demand grew by 1.4 percent.

    Exports rose 0.7 pct in the Eurozone and 1.1 pct in the EU-25, while imports were up 1.3 pct and 1.4 pct, respectively.

    [18] Greece is Bulgaria's fifth largest trade partner

    13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Greece was Bulgaria's fifth largest trade partner in 2004 with bilateral transactions rising by 12.8% in that year, according to the neighboring country's statistical services.

    An information pack released by the Bulgarian government ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on April 13-14 showed that Greece was the source of one in 10 direct investments in the neighboring country by the end of 2005.

    Greece took second place in foreign direct investment in Bulgaria with capital of 1.331 billion dollars, representing 10% of total direct investments.

    In addition, Greek tourists ranked top among foreign visitors to Bulgaria.

    The largest 10 Greek investors in Bulgaria are OTE (through Cosmo Bulgaria), National Bank of Greece (with United Bulgarian Bank), Brewinvest (Zagorka, Ariana), Grecotel (Sheraton), Viohalko (Stomana Pernik), Halcor (SofiaMed), Sidenor (Stomana), Intracom (Bulfon), ANT-1 (Nova TV), and Goody's.

    [19] Intracom Telecom signs 4.2-mln-euro contract with Telekom Serbia

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Intracom Telecom, a member of Intracom Holdings Group, on Wednesday announced the signing of three contracts, worth 4.2 million euros, with Telekom Serbia for the supply of telecommunications equipment and services.

    Under the contract, Intracom Telecom will supply ISDN terminals and a Network Management System along with Prepaid Card Calling, Account Card Calling and Virtual Private Network services.

    Intracom Telecom has developed a wide range portfolio of value added services for fixed and mobile telephony networks and Voice Over IP networks.

    [20] Car & Moto-Boat show begins Thursday in Thessaloniki

    13/4/2006 (ANA)

    The 7th Car & Moto-Boat show opens its gates to the public on Thursday at the Thessaloniki International Fair facilities in Thessaloniki.

    A total of 120 exhibitors from around the country will participate in the show, to last until Sunday 16 April, organized by Organica Expo in cooperation with the Association of Car Importers and Dealers of Greece.

    [21] Serbia calls for Greek investment

    BELGRADE, 13/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

    Serbia's minister of international economic relations, Milan Parivodic, on Wednesday invited Greek businesses to invest in his country.

    "The Serbian government is doing whatever it can to help foreign investors so that direct investments can be advanced more rapidly," Parivodic told a meeting at the Greek Business Association.

    Greek firms that were members of the association had so far invested more than 1.3 billion euros, offering jobs to over 22,000 people.

    The association was founded in 2004.

    [22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks decline

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    The Athens share index closed at 4,205.12 points, showing a decline of 0.96%. Turnover was 320.6 million euros.

    The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 1.04% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 1.21% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.22% down.

    Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 161 to 83 with 70 remaining unchanged.

    The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank of Greece, Eurobank Properties, OPAP, OTE, and Alpha Bank.

    Derivatives Market Close: OTE top in stock futures trade

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): OTE (2803)

  • Total derivatives market turnover: 258.6 million euros

    Bond Market Close: Buyers outpace sellers

  • Greek benchmark 10-year bond (exp. 20.7.2016): 4.17% yield

  • Most heavily traded paper: 10-year bond, expiring 20.7.2016 (1.1 mln euros)

  • Day's Total Market Turnover: 2.6 bln euros

    Foreign Exchange Rates: Thursday

    Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:

    U.S. dollar 1.222

    [23] Two earthquakes rattle western Greece Wednesday

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Two earthquakes measuring 5.8 and 5.4 on the Richter scale, according to the Aristotelio University in Thessaloniki, rattled western Greece shortly before 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

    The quake's epicenter was off the island of Zakynthos.

    The region has been jolted by four strong quakes in recent days.

    [24] Seismologists cautious but reassuring as quakes continue to jolt Zakynthos

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Seismologists were cautious but reassuring on Wednesday, as seismic activity continued to jolt the island of Zakynthos over the past week, in statements after a meeting with environment, town planning and public works minister George Souflias, whom they briefed on the recent sequence of tremblers off the island that have included two 5.7 and one 5.9 magnitude jolts.

    A strong earthquake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale, according to the Athens National Observatory's Geodynamic Institute, jolted western Greece, including the islands of Zakynthos and Cephalonia, for a second time on Tuesday at around 8:30 p.m., coming from a distance of 380 kilometers southwest of Thessaloniki, with its epicenter in the sea area some 15 kilometers off the southern coast of Zakynthos.

    No major damage was reported from the strong quake.

    A strong earthquake, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, had jolted Zakynthos and most of western Greece in the early hours of Tuesday, preceded by two moderate tremblers measuring 4.4R and 4.7R, and coming seven days after another 5.7R quake from the same epicenter on April 5, and a 4.8R quake on April 3.

    After Tuesday evening's quake, scientists at the Thessaloniki Aristotelion University's Geophysics Laboratory were cautious about making any predictions, while seismology professor Vassilis Papazachos told ANA-MPA that the phenomenon was continuing and therefore no predictions were possible at present.

    Geodyanamics Institute director George Stavrakakis and the chairman of the Seismic Planning Organization (OASP) Constantine Makropoulos briefed Souflias Wednesday on the development of the seismic activity in the Zakynthos region, and in statements to the press after the meeting were reassuring that the chances of a new earthquake with a magnitude exceeding Tuesday evening's 5.9R were very slim.

    Makropoulos explained that the three strong earthquakes had released the greatest proportion of the accumulated seismic tension, and thus the possibility of a new quake exceeding 5.9R was very small.

    "Despite that, due to the development, the State and the scientists are on alert" and are "closely monitoring the phenomenon", he added.

    Questioned on reports of a letter from Papazachos warning of a strong earthquake in the region, Makropoulos denied the reports, saying that not only did such a letter not exist, but that during a telephone contact with Papazachos earlier in the day the seismologist had assured him that he had no indications of a larger quake imminent in the Ionian.

    As for the buildings in the stricken area, Makropoulos said they were in good condition, as no major damage has been reported, while the school buildings on the island also had no problem, according to the conclusions of inspections carried out by experts.

    Stavrakakis concurred with Makropoulos' opinion that the greatest part of the pent-up seismic energy has been diffused, opining that Tuesday evening's 5.9R trembler had been the strongest quake in the seismic sequence. He said that although the post-quake activity has been weak in magnitude, the prospect of a strong aftershock of a 5.5R magnitude "is not negligible".

    He reminded that a quake of the same magnitude in Athens in 1991 had caused deaths and major damage, whereas in the Ionian no problems of note have arisen.

    Souflias, in turn, said that the State was in a state of preparedness, while teams of ministry experts were on the island recording the damage, while scientists were monitoring the phenomenon.

    Souflias also denied the existence of a Papazachos letter, or letter from any other scientist, warning of earthquakes in the region.

    Meanwhile, Aristotelion University seismologist Vassilis Karakostas told ANA-MPA that another quake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale had been recorded at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, emanating from the same epicenter.

    [25] Greek, Turkish and Bulgarian municipalities sign cooperation protocol to confront floods

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    A protocol of cross-border cooperation has been signed between municipalities of Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria, which are directly affected from the overflowing of Evros River, at a meeting which took place in Edirne, Turkey.

    The protocol was also signed by Evros Prefecture and among other things, decision was reached for a meeting to be called for between the prime ministers or foreign ministers of the three countries and of the representative of the European Union, responsible for issues of water management, so as to finally confront the problem of floods.

    [26] President inaugurates Political Exiles Museum

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Wednesday officially inaugurated the new 'Ai Stratis' Political Exiles Museum on Agion Asomaton street in Athens. The museum is named after the tiny northern Aegean island of Agios Efstratios - popularly known as Ai Stratis - that was formerly used to incarcerate political exiles during Greece's troubled past, especially during the seven-year military junta of 1967-1974.

    Surrounded by dozens of the former exiles themselves, Papoulias said that the museums were not being founded to worry old wounds but to look squarely and honestly at the country's recent history, especially the parts "of which we are not particularly proud", for the sake of the coming generations.

    Papoulias was shown around the museum, whose exhibits include items the exiles used in daily life, visual displays and a lot of archive photographs from that period.

    The museum was the brainchild of former exiles incarcerated on Ai Stratis that wanted to preserve the memory of a difficult part of Greece's modern history - the institution of political exile in which "dissidents" were deprived of their political rights, imprisoned in camps and prosecuted for their political beliefs.

    The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Culture Minister George Voulgarakis, senior culture ministry staff, former PASOK ministers George Anomeritis and Nikos Sifounakis, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology Alekos Alavanos, Manolis Glezos and others.

    [27] Replica of Ionian pillar crest placed at eastern Acropolis arcade

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    An exact replica of an Ionian pillar crest was placed on the Ionian Pillar at the eastern arcade of the Acropolis on Wednesday to provide visitors with the opportunity, over a period of two months, to admire sculptural details accomplished before restoration work was carried out.

    The placing of the replica was watched by Culture Minister George Voulgarakis, who congratulated the Acropolis Monuments Maintenance Service, saying that "they worked with scientific specifications and artistic vision and their work constitutes a mirror of concern to restore tradition, while stating that the bridges between ancient and modern-day Greek culture remain unbreakable."

    The culture minister also referred to the symbolic significance of this development, saying that "it expresses the will of the culture ministry and myself personally, as well as the profound desire of the cultural community all over the world, for the reincorporation of the Parthenon Marbles in their historic, geographical and cultural framework, in the place they deserve, in the New Acropolis Museum."

    [28] Greek armed forces have lower suicide rate than others, study finds

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    Greek armed forces continue to have a much lower suicide rate than other forces in developed countries, Deputy Defense Minsiter Yiannis Lampropoulos said presenting the results of a relevant study on Wednesday.

    He urged everyone to work towards "making our youngsters feel that military service is a great contribution and duty towards the country. (...) Other generations had to give up their lives for our liberty and independence. Youngsters should not feel that military service is a waste of time," he said.

    According to the study's initial findings, the average number of suicides in the military on an annual basis is similar to that of the general population.

    For example, the average number of suicides per 100,000 people annually is 5.84 in the armed forces and 5.36 among the general male population, a decrease compared with the average for the 1985-1995 period.

    However, the study's authors note that numbers regarding the general population may not be accurate since many suicides are not registered as such due to social and religious reasons, while the opposite is true for the military.

    Between 2000-2005, 36 individuals serving in the army committed suicide; the navy recorded six suicides between 1996-2005; while 13 individuals in the air force committed suicide over the same 10-year period.

    Factors that contribute most to someone committing suicide are: mental illness, drug abuse/addiction; previous attempts or a history of suicide in the family; access to deadly weapons/means; hesitancy in seeking medical help; major life events, such as death in the family, divorce, unemployment, etc.; exposure to an environment that encourages suicidal behavior.

    To reduce this phenomenon, the inter-branch committee authoring the study proposes that weapons should not be made available to military personnel that might be considered a "professional risk" and that living conditions and training/education be improved, while a support hotline and psychological support groups should be made available to military personnel.

    [29] Greek Information secretary general extends best wishes to Bulgarian newspaper

    SOPHIA, 13/4/2006 (ANA-MPA/B. Borisov)

    The Bulgarian newspaper "Trud", in a report titled "The Greek government hails Trud", referred to the best wishes extended by the Greek Information secretary general Panayiotis Livadas on the recent 70th anniversary of the founding of the popular Bulgarian daily newspaper.

    "Believing that the powerful mass media constitute institutions of responsible information, which promote democracy and the idea of peaceful cohabitation and cooperation between the peoples of the region, we wish that you will continue your work on the objective and authoritative information of Bulgarian society successfully," the message said, which was delivered to Trud's director Toso Tosev by the Greek Ambassador in Sophia Prokopios Mantzouranis.

    "The recipe of longevity is very simple: We try to write the truth always and in this way to gain the confidence of readers, which is our greatest wealth," Trud's alternate chief editor Nikola Kichevski told the ANA-MPA and according to whom the newspaper remains steadily the most popular one in Bulgaria with a daily circulation of 140,000 copies.

    The Greek embassy in Sophia's press counselor Nikos Vlahakis accompanied the ambassador during his meeting with the Bulgarian newspaper's director.

    [30] 1st Int'l Anti-Nuclear Festival to be held in Rhodes from May 8-14

    13/4/2006 (ANA)

    The 1st International Anti-Nuclear Festival will take place on the island of Rhodes from May 8-14, twenty years after the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine, with the aim of making people aware of the matter of nuclear reactors, but also the setting up of a "worldwide" anti-nuclear movement.

    The program and goals of the festival were presented on Wednesday at a press conference at the offices of the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE) by members of the board of the Mediterranean Anti-Nuclear Observatory, which was founded a year ago and headquarter in Rhodes at the initiative also of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE).

    Among the speakers were Yiannis Maheridis (Dodecanese prefect), George Yiannopoulos (mayor of Rhodes and KEDKE vice-president), Thanassis Anapolitanos (coordinator of the Mediterranean Anti-Nuclear Observatory) and Yiannis Alavanos (TEE president).

    According to the speakers, the Observatory follows nuclear industrial activity, informs the public on the dangers of nuclear threat and promotes renewable sources of energy.

    [31] Conference on Balkans held at Athens Journalists Union

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    A conference titled "Foreign Policy Parameters in the Balkans", organized by the Youth Group for Greece and Europe, was held at the building housing the Athens Journalists Union on Wednesday.

    Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis said that "the vision of our neighbors for accession to the European family is a catalyst of stability and security, both for the countries interested and the region to which they belong."

    Referring to Turkey, he said that "respect for human and minority rights, the issues of the Patriarchate, are now criteria for Turkey. However, we also opened new possibilities for Cyprus and the Aegean. The framework for solving these problems is now organically linked with the prospect of Turkey's accession to the European Union. Every Turkish provocation will be evaluated by the European Union in a negative way."

    PASOK party Deputy and foreign policy sector coordinator Mihalis Chrysohoidis said that "we must rid ourselves of past psychosis and conspiracy theories and that the target of our foreign policy must be security, peace, stability, economic cooperation and exchanges between peoples".

    Marilena Koppa, an assistant professor at the Pantios University, termed 2006 a "crucial year" and a "year of great insecurity and uncertainty" and called on the Greek government not to be absent from developments since "it is a historic responsibility of Greece not to remain a speechless spectator of developments."

    [32] John Cleave's book on Athens presented in Washington

    WASHINGTON (ANA-MPA/A. Ellis)

    Architectural photographer John Cleave presented his book, "Athens: Scenes from a Capital City", at the Greek Embassy in Washington.

    Cleave's book is a colorful pictorial essay on the confluence of the ancient and modern worlds, that occurs in the vibrant and rapidly evolving capital of Greece. It depicts historic monuments crowning a mythology-laden city — from the bare marble grandeur of the Parthenon and the Theatre of Dionysus to the stately ruins of the temple of Olympian Zeus- and the conjunction of the very old and the relatively new that results in many quaint neighborhoods. It's an invitation to the reader to tour Plaka, the oldest quarter of modern Athens; the market district of Monastiraki; the cafés and bars of Psirri; or the excellent museums and trendy boutiques of Kolonaki.

    The event was organized by the Press and Communication Office of the Greek Embassy.

    [33] Attica police arrest gang who forced foreign women to prostitution

    ATHENS, 13/4/2006 (ANA)

    An organized gang trafficking and exploiting foreign women who were forced to prostitute themselves in the Attica region, has been disrupted by the Attica Security Police.

    Police officers on Tuesday afternoon conducted a coordinated operation in the apartment which the gang used, and posing as customers, they arrested nine persons, Greeks and foreigners, which are believed to be involved in the trafficking network.

    The arrested named to the police officers as the mastermind of the gang a 30-year-old Greek who is being sought.

    Police were investigating the case for three months following information that an organized group was bringing women from former Soviet Union countries which they forced into prostitution, attracting customers through advertisements.

    [34] Mayor of Hadersdof, Austria, insults memory of 61 victims of Nazism

    VIENNA (ANA-MPA/D. Dimitrakoudis)

    The behavior of the mayor of Hadersdof, in Lower Austria, to remove from the town's main square on Wednesday the temporary monument for the 61 victims of the Nazis who were executed by the SS on the eve of the end of World War Two, was described as a provocative insult to the memory of the victims, who included three Greeks.

    The mayor of Hadersdorf, Bernhard Toms, furthermore, mocked the unveiling of the monument last Friday, terming it and those present as "ridiculous."

    [35] President Papadopoulos officially welcomed by Indian counterpart

    NEW DELHI, 13/4/2006 (CNA/ANA/MPA)

    The Republic of Cyprus supports India's application to become a permanent member state of the United Nations Security Council, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said Wednesday. President Papadopoulos, who is paying India an official visit, was officially welcomed Wednesday by his Indian counterpart Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace.

    ''We support India's application to become a permanent member state of the United Nations Security Council. India's presence and offer in the UN justifies and qualifies it to become a permanent member'', President Papadopoulos told reporters after the official welcome ceremony.

    He said that his visit to India was a ''visit of respect for the great country of India with which we always had rationally very close relations'' and expressed Cyprus' gratitude towards India's support in Cyprus' efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

    President Papadopoulos, accompanied by an official Cypriot delegation, visited the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi where he laid a wreath and signed the visitor's book.

    ''Gandhi's great inside power, his support for non violence and passive resistance, is the biggest form of heroism for all those people who care for peace, freedom and vindication. May his soul rest in the peace of death, offered by the knowledge of justice'', President Papadopoulos said.

    Cyprus and India to set up committee for further cooperation: Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh decided on Wednesday to set up a committee that would review areas of further cooperation between Cyprus and India.

    The high level committee will be established upon a proposal presented on Wednesday to the Indian prime minister by President Papadopoulos during their meeting in New Delhi.

    According to CNA sources, the aim of this committee is to track any problems in the cooperation area, and to finally solve them. At the same time, the committee will suggest new ways of cooperation between India and Cyprus, in various areas, including economy, politics and culture.

    The establishment of the committee has been welcomed by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

    According to CNA sources, President Papadopoulos' meetings with the political leadership of India have been successful. India is considered a friendly nation to Cyprus that has supported the island in various international fora, mainly as regards the Cyprus question.

    During his meetings, President Papadopoulos underlined Cyprus' support towards India's application to become a permanent member state of the United Nations Security Council.

    Moreover, Cyprus reiterated its support towards India's aim to use its nuclear power stations, exclusively for energy purposes.

    After the meeting with the Indian prime minister, the Postal Administrations of Cyprus and India presented a joint venture in philately, by releasing a set of stamps with facets of Indian and Cypriot cultures.

    Cyprus pursuing economic cooperation with India: Cyprus pursues economic cooperation with India, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said, addressing the business meeting held in New Delhi with the participation of Indian and Cypriot business people.

    The meeting, organized by the Indian federation of chambers of commerce and industry, offered an opportunity to investors from both countries to get together and discuss ways of cooperation, especially in the areas of information technology and pharmaceutics.

    ''We want to invest heavy in research, technology and innovation. We think of no other country to which we can turn to especially in the area of information technology,'' President Papadopoulos noted.

    Already, 34 companies from New Delhi have shown interest in investing in Cyprus, and 150 more, based in Bombay, will meet this week with the Cypriot business people accompanying President Papadopoulos on his official visit to India.

    Addressing the business meeting, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma expressed the wish that the Cypriot president's visit to India would lay a milestone in the economic relations of both countries.

    In reaching the goal to attract Indian investors to Cyprus, President Papadopoulos announced on Wednesday three personal commitments.

    ''We will introduce a faster way in issuing visas for Indian citizens, in 24 hours. We will also introduce a multiple entry visa for Indian investors that would last four years. And finally we shall introduce the 'one stop shop', a new service in the Ministry of Commerce, that would allow foreign investors to register their companies and get all necessary licenses in just seven days,'' President Papadopoulos said.

    He added that foreign companies in Cyprus could have access to European Union funds in research and innovation as well as to state grants.


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