Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-05-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece improves position in IMD's world competitiveness ranking

[02] Greek donation to the UN World Food Program

[03] Gov't to encourage businesses to participate in humanitarian aid efforts

[04] PM to outline gov't proposals for constitutional revision on Thursday

[05] Main opposition leader presents proposal for revision of Constitution

[06] Former French PM meets with premier Karamanlis

[07] PM confers with Aegean-Island Policy minister

[08] Foreign ministry spokesman comments on Turkish exercise in the Aegean

[09] Transport minister to hold talks with Bulgarian counterpart in Sofia

[10] Further revelations on phone-tap scandal from EYP chief Korantis

[11] Government denies trimming ASEP council's powers

[12] European Parliament honours 'Europe Day' with meeting

[13] NATO squadron due in Thessaloniki

[14] Country comes to a standstill following 24-hour nationwide strike by trade unionists

[15] Dialogue begins on social insurance issue

[16] Parliament approves amendment regarding laid-off textile workers

[17] GDP increased 4 pc in first quarter of 2006, finance minister says

[18] Greek exports up 21.7 pct in March, yr/yr

[19] PM meets Federation of Greek Industries' head

[20] Employment minister speaks on 'Framework and policies for combating discrimination at work'

[21] Greek delegation participating in Israeli 'Agritech' exhibition

[22] Industrial production index up 1.7 pct in March, yr/yr

[23] Greek stocks end 0.83 pct down on Wednesday

[24] Holy Synod criticizes 'Da Vinci Code'

[25] Annual memorial service held for late statesman Constantine Karamanlis

[26] Christodoulos comments on relationship between theology, sciences

[27] Thessaloniki's French Institute celebrates 100th anniversary

[28] President Papoulias unveils a bust of air force officer Parousis

[29] Local Government congress gets under way in Rhodes

[30] Four persons held in custody for incidents after European Social Forum rally in Athens

[31] Trafficking ring disbanded by Thessaloniki police

[32] Sotheby's to hold two Greek Sales this month

[33] Signing of twinning protocol between Thessaloniki and Izmir postponed indefinitely

[34] Olympiakos Piraeus wins soccer cup

[35] Cypriot President and FM to attend EU-Latin America/Caribbean summit

[36] Cyprus government appoints Investigating Committee for air crash

[01] Greece improves position in IMD's world competitiveness ranking

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The economic performance index, however, remained unchanged at the 49 position. IMD, in its annual report, said the "demons" of bureaucracy, hurdles in business starts, central government debt, fiscal deficit and low spending on research and education were troubling the Greek economy.

The report was presented by the president of the Federation of Northern Greek Industries (SBBE) George Mylonas. Commenting on the report, Mylonas expressed his optimism that Greece would continue improving its position on the precondition that the country achieved to attract more foreign direct investments in its regions.

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas said it was the first time since 2001 that Greece managed to improve its position in the world competitiveness ranking, reversing a five-year decline.

The Greek minister said this yearâs report was the first to solely present figures from the current governmentâs tenure, while he added that Greece managed to surpass countries such as Portugal, Turkey, South Africa and Jordan, while it recorded the third biggest annual improvement after China and India.

"We wonât stop here, we continue with the same pace to ensure an improvement in Greek business and economic competitiveness," Sioufas said.

Greek tourism, exports and portfolio investments by foreign funds were the countryâs main advantages, IMD said in its report. Greece ranked eighth among 61 countries in tourist activity as a percentage of GDP and ninth in export of services, while also ranked 15th in foreign investmentsâ reserves in equities.

The country, however, ranked at the bottom of this yearâs ranking (60th) on exports of goods as a percentage of GDP and unemployment as a percentage of workforce (49th).

State support and the central governmentâs external debt (seventh and 13th respective) were the main advantages in the government efficiency index. Greece lost four places (29 from 25) in the real growth of total productivity last year, while the country was not considered to be an attractive destination for foreign skilled workers and that Greek enterprises reported high corporate debt.

In the infrastructure category, Greece ranked second and ninth in the ratio of students and professors in the first and second grade of education, youthsâ strong interest in science and technology (ninth) and total spending on health as a percentage of GDP (ninth).

The United States, Hong Kong and Singapore remained at the top of IMDâs report, with Iceland, Denmark, Australia, Switzerland, Canada, Luxembourg, and Finland completing the top 10.

Presenting the report, Mylonas said the government should focus on regional convergence, attracting more foreign investments and offering incentives and state support to boost exports. He also urged for efforts to combat bureaucracy and lowering corporate taxes, and combating corruption in the public sector.

[02] Greek donation to the UN World Food Program

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Last year, Greece's contribution to WFP reached its highest level ever with donations close to three million euros for emergency needs and scheduled relief programs.

After signing the Memorandum of Cooperation with Greece at the WFP headquarters in Rome on Wednesday, WFP deputy executive director John Powell stated that the organization is deeply grateful for Athens' increased commitment to assist the world's poor and hungry.

This latest contribution raises overall Greek donations to 1.7 million euros, including extra funding for several crucial but less publicized WFP programs in Guinea-Bissau, Malawi and the Central African Republic. In 2005, more than 2.5 million euros were donated by Greece for tsunami victims in the Indian Ocean archipelagos, Indonesia, Somalia and Sri Lanka, while about 500,000 euros were donated to Armenia, Djibouti, Georgia, Mali, Niger and South Africa.

The deputy foreign minister also announced that the foreign ministry will sponsor a Greek version of "Food Force", a WFP educational video game targeting children between the ages of eight and 13 afflicted by a humanitarian crisis situation.

Since April 2005, an estimated four million people have down-loaded the game to their computers and has been translated into Chinese, Italian, French, Japanese and Polish.

[03] Gov't to encourage businesses to participate in humanitarian aid efforts

ROME, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The aim is to raise awareness within the Greek business community regarding its interests as well as sensitivity, according to the deputy minister.

To this end and after consulting with the UN's WFP, Greece will be organizing a conference and numerous seminars for each products and services sector.

"With the signing of this memorandum, the promotion of Greece's contribution to the international community is secured while more progress is made in mobilizing citizens and encouraging the Greek business community's participation in this effort through the WFP's international tenders," he said.

[04] PM to outline gov't proposals for constitutional revision on Thursday

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The premier departs for Vienna later on Thursday afternoon, where he will represent Athens at an EU-Latin America summit.

Meanwhile, the alternate government spokesman said a meeting with between the premier and outgoing Federation of Greek Industries' (SEB) president Odysseas Kyriakopoulos on Thursday was a customary visit, one held every time SEB's leadership changes.

Moreover, spokesman Evangelos Antonaros dismissed any link between the meeting and Wednesday's industrial action by mostly public sector-related unions.

[05] Main opposition leader presents proposal for revision of Constitution

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papandreou's 10-point proposal includes: decentralization of the government and a new tax framework for the transition of funds to local government; enabling citizens to play a more active role in developments through referenda; a change in the election system; strengthening the role of Parliament; promotion of "participation democracy"; ensuring immigrants' and foreigners' social integration; separating the role of Church and State through dialogue; ensuring state universities' competitiveness internationally; ensuring a decent standard of living for all in order to limit poverty and social marginalization; and separating the presidential election from general elections, while allowing the public to vote directly for president of the republic.

Papandreou also criticized Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, questioning his credibility and his intentions regarding the revision of the Constitution.

He said that the revision should be decided on not only by the political parties but by citizens as well, adding that PASOK will begin a broad dialogue to this end and called on all parties to follow suit.

PASOK's committees, under the guidance of PASOK MP Theodoros Pangalos, will formulate the party's final proposal.

[06] Former French PM meets with premier Karamanlis

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

No statements were made after the meeting.

France's former socialist prime minister also held talks on Tuesday with main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou.

Jospin is in Athens for the presentation of his book "The world the way I see it".

Jospin meets president and foreign minister: Former French premier Lionel Jospin held meetings with President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, during a visit to Athens on Wednesday.

No statements were made after the three meetings.

[07] PM confers with Aegean-Island Policy minister

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Pavlidis told reporters after the meeting that he briefed the prime minister on the programs in progress and particularly on the support program for small islands being advanced in parliament through a draft bill.

The program provides for an overall economic support of initially 120 million euros through EU funds and concerns 44 small islands in the Aegean and the Ionian Sea.

Pavlidis stated that they discussed the planning of the special programs' funding, pointing out that the southern Aegean is "not included" under "target one" the 4th Community Support Framework, and that a special discussion on the issue is underway with the Finance Ministry.

He also stated that they discussed health and education programs in progress.

[08] Foreign ministry spokesman comments on Turkish exercise in the Aegean

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The spokesman further said that international organizations are always informed on our position regarding the search and rescue issue and added that "the fact that our position is recorded and that the Turkish notam was declared invalid and void is the tactic, the position, the reaction that Greece has had all these years."

Koumoutsakos also said that it is an issue which has been handled in this way steadfastly. Nothing has changed in the Greek position and there is nothing new.

"When search and rescue operations are carried out in the region corresponding to the Athens FIR (Flight Information Region), control of this operation is in the hands of the Unified Search and Rescue Coordination Centre of Piraeus. This is reality. In shipping accidents, however, when a ship sends out an SOS signal the nearest ship must help informing, however, the country that has the responsibility to coordinate operations and this country is Greece," he said.

Referring to the difference in interpretation given by Greece and Turkey to international agreements, the spokesman said "this is the situation. Greece has deviations on a series of issues with Turkey. Different interpretations. This is a reality with which we have been living for many decades now. At the same time, this cannot revoke the steadfast will of Greece for moves to be made to normalize relations. Greece has determined the framework for normalizing relations with its policy to support the European course of Turkey in the sense, however, that there is an absolute acceptance and admission of commitments undertaken by the neighbor towards the European Union. There are issues which, while Greece has a special sensitivity, have become issues which have a European shade and a European character and have lost the purely bilateral character they had in the past."

[09] Transport minister to hold talks with Bulgarian counterpart in Sofia

SOFIA, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

As announced by Bulgaria's transport ministry, the Greek minister will arrive in Sofia at noon with a train of the Thessaloniki-Sofia line.

The talks between Liapis and Mutafchiev will focus on the course of the modernization of the European corridors 10 and 4, the Bulgarian ministry announcement says, that is, the electricity supply of the railway line from Plovdiv to Svilengrad at Bulgaria's borders with Greece and Turkey, which has been recently undertaken by the Greek company "Terna" which prevailed in the international tender of the Bulgarian State, as well as the implementation of advanced technologies in the Sofia-Thessaloniki railway line.

[10] Further revelations on phone-tap scandal from EYP chief Korantis

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In testimony before a Parliamentary committee investigating the phone-tap scandal, EYP commander Ioannis Korantis also reported an apparent discrepancy between the recorded length of outgoing calls made by the phones, according to Vodafone, and the amount of money charged for them.

Korantis said EYP's investigation showed that one of the pre-paid 'shadow' mobiles had received six successive calls on December 17, 2004 from an Inmarsat terminal, each lasting a few minutes. He explained that the Inmarsat system operated via four satellites that gave global coverage and that the specific calls were relayed by the satellite covering the area from the eastern Atlantic Ocean to the east Mediterranean and Saudi Arabia.

Another 'shadow' phone received three consecutive calls of a few minutes from the U.S. on August 31, 2004 but Vodafone had only supplied EYP with the international dialing code for the calls and no other details, saying they had not been kept. The same phone then received three calls from Albania on January 5, 2005, EYP's commander told MPs.

The data supplied by Vodafone did not reveal any other incoming calls to the phone-tapping system from abroad, he added.

Korantis also corroborated earlier testimony by the head of Greece's independent communications privacy authority, ADAE chief Andreas Lambrinopoulos, that a pre-paid card-mobile issued by the mobile phone provider TIM had received calls from the 'shadow' card-mobiles.

According to Korantis, there had been just two calls made from the Vodafone 'shadow' phones to the TIM mobile, one at 14:20 on June 29, 2004 last 24 seconds and a second at 14:21 lasting 9 seconds. When EYP asked TIM to supply information on that number, they were told that the specific phone line was in operation for roughly one month, from early June until July 2004, and during that time it had neither made nor received calls via the TIM network.

Korantis additionally pointed out several instances when the recorded duration of calls made by the 'shadow' card-mobiles were too small to justify the amounts charged for them and stressed that Vodafone had been unable to supply a convincing explanation on how this was possible.

Testifying before Parliament's Institutions and Transparency Committee last week on the results of his agency's investigation, the head of the Authority of Assurance of Information and Communication Privacy and Security (ADAE) had hinted that EYP had also discovered the same evidence.

Lambrinopoulos said that ADAE had traced two outgoing calls made from the Vodafone spy mobiles to a TIM mobile. He said the TIM phone "behaved" in the same way as a 'low-phone interceptor' card-mobile but had also made calls to the United States.

According to the ADAE chief, however, phone records showed that the TIM card-mobile had made 11 calls and sent one SMS message to two numbers in the U.S. city of Laurel in Maryland, while it had also made and received calls from other TIM numbers. He also reported that six SMS messages from abroad had been sent to the phone-tapping system.

The phone-tapping plot involving Greece's top mobile phone provider Vodafone was revealed by the government in February, after a nearly year-long covert investigation by the authorities had failed to find those responsible. It said the roughly 100 phones that were tapped included those of the prime minister, members of the government, high-ranking police and armed forces personnel, activists, journalists, business people and even one U.S. Embassy employee.

It was first brought to the government's attention in March 2005 by Vodafone chief executive George Koronias, who said it operated through a piece of sophisticated intruder software that had activated a legal "low-phone interception" system developed by Ericsson to allow legal phone surveillance but was able to mask its presence when inactive.

[11] Government denies trimming ASEP council's powers

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos stressed that reports claiming restricted ASEP powers in relation to recruitment in state-sector public utilities were "completely inaccurate" and attributed them to either ignorance of the law or a conscious distortion of the truth.

Nothing in the law curtailed the authorities given ASEP by the Constitution, he underlined.

According to the minister, ASEP monitors all the proclamations for new appointments and has the right to amend them as it sees fit. Also, while the public utilities will carry out the process of selecting candidates, the Council has the final say and can completely reverse their decision.

"[ASEP] is in charge of the entire process and can judge everything and change everything," Pavlopoulos underlined.

Attacking main opposition PASOK, meanwhile, the minister claimed that the previous governments had weakened the body while the ruling ND government had given it additional powers.

"If the main opposition or anyone else in Parliament wants an in-depth discussion, all they have to do is call ASEP to Parliament's Institutions and Transparency Committee to clarify what happened then and what is happening now," Pavlopoulos said.

Commenting on the headlines, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros underlined that the premier's pre-election pledge that ASEP's powers will not be curtailed still fully applies.

He denied that there had been any restriction of the body's Constitutional powers, reiterating that those claiming otherwise had not read the Constitution, the executing laws and the articles referring to state-sector public utilities well enough.

[12] European Parliament honours 'Europe Day' with meeting

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The aim of the meeting was to discuss the future of the European Union, in view of the fact that the European Constitution is still pending.

The deputies were split into four working groups. The first concerned the positions of Europe in the world and Europe's borders, the second, globalization and the European economic and social model, the third, the sphere of freedom, security and justice and the fourth the future economic resources of the European Union.

The focus of the talks in the first group was the issue of the EU's forthcoming enlargement given that the Nice Treaty on which the EU's operation is based on, does not allow after the accession of Bulgaria and Romania, new enlargements.

According to an announcement by the European Parliament's Office in Greece, among the positions and proposals which were heard, certain were pessimistic as to the possibility for new enlargements to be made without a lengthy period of time elapsing.

[13] NATO squadron due in Thessaloniki

11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The Spanish frigate "Blas de lazo" is the flagship of the small flotilla, which also includes two other frigates, the Dutch and Turkish warships "HNLMS Willem van der Zaan" and "TCG Gediz", respectively, the British destroyer "HMS Nottingham" as well as the German support vessel "Rhoen".

The Greek vessel will be replaced by the frigate "Spetses" in Thessaloniki.

Spanish Adm. Teodoro Lopez Calderon, the commander of the squadron, code-named SNMG2, will host a reception in honor for local authorities on the Spetses Thursday evening.

The squadron is scheduled to leave the port of Thessaloniki on May 15.

[14] Country comes to a standstill following 24-hour nationwide strike by trade unionists

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The down town separate rallies were held by the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE), the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY), the Public Utilities and Services (DEKO), the PAME labor group affiliated to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and bank employees.

ADEDY was on strike demanding "an end to austerity policies" and for wages to be increased.

DEKO and the banks called for "collective labor agreements" and the demonstrators jointly marched to the National Economy and Finance Ministry where they handed a resolution with their demands.

GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos referred to what he termed "a critical point" for DEKO and banks and called on the government "to choose the road of agreement and not of legislative intervention." He also said that "he was willing" to discuss with the government the issue of the social insurance system, "but not at the cost of undermining the insurance rights of the insured."

In Thessaloniki, Macedonia, rallies and marches were organized by ADEDY and PAME.

[15] Dialogue begins on social insurance issue

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) is abstaining from the whole procedure, while the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party termed the dialogue "undermined" and declared that "it will listen to all voices."

At the beginning of the joint session of the Permanent Economic Affairs Committee and the Permanent Social Affairs Committee, both Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis and Employment and Social Solidarity Minister Savvas Tsitouridis clarified that the government's intention is to have a social insurance system that will be "fair, economically rational, viable and resistant through time" but which will also maintain "the public, compulsory and redistributing character that it has today with its tripartite funding by the state, the employers and the working people."

Alogoskoufis outlined the magnitude of the existing problem, noting that according to existing studies the deficit in the social insurance system exceeds 400 billion euros, that is to say 200 percent of GDP, while in 2050 expenditures for pensions will amount to 25 percent of GDP compared to the current 13 percent.

He further said that "although many will say that the problem is not immediate, the reality is that it is quite close to us for us to decide to do something" and placed responsibility for the swelling of the deficit primarily on the "irrational promises" made in the '80s.

Tsitouridis said that stopping the climate of phobia and panic being cultivated in Greek society by certain sides is necessary.

"The bomb will not explode tomorrow," he said and added that we do not feel that "we have a hot potato in our hands which we want to pass on to others."

The employment minister also pointed out that "it is not the government's intention to impose solutions, neither now nor in the next four-year term" and that "whatever changes will not take anyone by surprise. They will be fair and gradual."

Speaking on behalf of the main opposition PASOK party, Evangelos Venizelos said that his party believes that "the target of full employment is linked to the viability and the distributing function of the pensioning system."

[16] Parliament approves amendment regarding laid-off textile workers

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Deputies of ruling New Democracy and of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) approved the bill, while main opposition PASOK and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MPs voted against it.

Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and Labor Minister Savvas Tsitouridis said that the monthly stipend will be equal to the employees' main and supplementary pension and will be paid until the laid-off employees find other work or retire.

They also said that a Special Social Solidarity Fund will be established by the summer, which will compensate the unemployed in regions with a high unemployment rate.

[17] GDP increased 4 pc in first quarter of 2006, finance minister says

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

This data was provided by Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis during his address at the joint session of the Parliamentary Economic and Social Affairs Committees on the "Discussion on the social insurance system."

The four percent increase in GDP during the first quarter of 2006, compared to the corresponding quarter in 2005, will be announced on Thursday by the National Statistical Service of Greece.

[18] Greek exports up 21.7 pct in March, yr/yr

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

NSS, in its monthly report, said the total value of export-deliveries totaled 1.43 billion euros in March, up from 1.175 billion euros in March 2005, while the value of import-arrivals totaled 4.452 billion euros, down from 4.58 billion euros over the same period, respectively, a decline of 2.8 percent.

Exporters demand quick economic reforms: Exporters demanded that the government proceed as quickly as possible with announced economic reforms, during the annual meeting of the Panhellenic Exporters' Association (PSE), held in Athens on Wednesday.

Unless reforms are quickly implemented, rising energy and shipping prices and the increased cost of borrowing will not allow the exports sector to perform well, exporters said.

While exports increased during the past year and are expected to do so this year as well, "uncertainty is intensifying and basic weaknesses surrounding export activity remain," PSE President Christina Sakellaridi said.

For this reason, a new and comprehensive strategy must be implemented, she added.

One of the main weaknesses in the Greek export sector, according to PSE, is the Greek economy's difficulty in adapting to the new demands of the international environment, which does not allow a faster transition from traditional products to products which require higher technology and skilled labor.

According to Sakellaridi, the increase in exports in 2005 by 13.1% - the highest increase in the post-World War II period - is due to the euro's devaluation against the dollar and other currencies, an increase in demand in export-significant regions, the development of export activity in new markets and government policy which capitalized on favorable conditions.

[19] PM meets Federation of Greek Industries' head

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kyriakopoulos said he briefed the Greek PM over business activity, competitiveness, investments, business climate in the country.

Commenting on a government-backed amendment to aid laid-off workers of the Naoussa textile mills, Kyriakopoulos said the issue was discussed with the premier, and added that the prefect of Imathia needed support but without the use of money from a LAEK fund. The Greek business leader underlined that the government must take measures to deal with a series unemployment problem in the country.

Kyriakopoulos said he was optimistic over the outcome of a dialogue in Parliament over the pension system. He rejected talk, moreover, that he would run for Parliament in the next general elections and said he would continue his business activities.

[20] Employment minister speaks on 'Framework and policies for combating discrimination at work'

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In his address, the minister described "as a target and a great challenge for all citizens, irrespective of nationality, religion or gender, to be secured of equal and same opportunities for access to work."

Tsitouridis referred to the European Union's action program for the eradication of discrimination and assessed that "it has brought about significant impetus to the legislative work against discrimination." In this direction, he referred to "the incorporation to national law of corresponding EU directives" but also to "the strengthening of powers to relevant agencies such as the Labor Inspection Corps and the Ombudsman."

The employment minister underlined that "2007 will be proclaimed as European year of equal opportunities for all" and noted certain spheres of policy where progress must be made, such as "equality and financial independence of men and women, equal representation in decision-taking centers, the eradication of all forms of violence against women and the reconciliation between professional and private life."

[21] Greek delegation participating in Israeli 'Agritech' exhibition

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

It is one of the most important agricultural technology exhibitions in the world at which Israel's latest achievements in the agricultural sector are presented, such as biological crops, poultry farming, greenhouse crops, dairy produce, nurseries, biotechnology, irrigation systems, flower cultivation and the management of water resources.

The Greek delegation, which is the fourth biggest after those of China, India and Mexico, has shown great interest in technologies concerning the management of water resources.

The delegation's visit was jointly organized by the Israeli Embassy in Athens, the Hellenic Israeli Chamber of Commerce and Israel's Exports Institute.

Greece and Israel have already developed considerable cooperation in the agricultural sector since trade transactions in the sector have amounted to about 110 million dollars.

Israeli exports to Greece in farm products amount to about 50 million dollars and concern agricultural raw materials and equipment, while Greek exports to Israel in this sector are in the region of 60 million dollars and focus on cotton, tobacco, food, olive oil, fisheries and dairy products.

[22] Industrial production index up 1.7 pct in March, yr/yr

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

NSS, in its monthly report, said the manufacturing production index rose 2.9 pct in March, reflecting higher production in oil products and base metals. The electricity-natural gas-water production index fell 2.8 pct in March, while the mining production index was 0.2 pct higher in the same period.

[23] Greek stocks end 0.83 pct down on Wednesday

ATHENS, 11/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Turnover was a heavy 504.7 million euros. Most sector indices ended lower with the Financial Services (-2.35 pct), Banks (-1.88 pct), Chemicals (-1.60 pct) and Insurance (-1.11 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day. The Raw Materials (+3.07 pct), Industrial Products (+2.72 pct), Oil (+1.72 pct) and Health (+1.41 pct) scored the biggest gains.

The Big Cap index fell 1.30 percent, the Mid Cap index rose 0.22 percent and the Small Cap index fell 0.48 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 155 to 125 with another 36 issues unchanged.

Equity Index Futures: