Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-07-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Scheffer-Bakoyannis discuss Riga summit, extended presence for Greek KFOR troops

[02] DM Meimarakis receives NATO chief Scheffer

[03] PASOK leader meets with NATO SG

[04] Coalition party concerned over new plans of NATO alliance

[05] Rice raises Ecumenical Patriarchate's unobstructed operation, Halki seminary reopening, with Turkish FM in Washington talks

[06] Gov't again stresses close cooperation between Greece and Cyprus

[07] Greece, Iceland sign double taxation avoidance accord

[08] Deputy FM Valynakis at SE Europe informal ministerial meeting

[09] Dep. FM meets with US ambassador

[10] Papandreou addresses issue of private, non-profit universities

[11] KKE, Synaspismos condemn Israeli actions in Gaza

[12] Antonaros on the economy and ferry rate hikes

[13] Greece, Saudi Arabia seek closer economic ties

[14] European Commission decides joint financing programs for Greek cheeses

[15] Stylianidis addresses Greek-Italian Chamber lunch

[16] ASE approves listing of National Bank's new 135.7 mln shares

[17] Greek stocks end week 2.1 pct down

[18] High Court throws out acquittal of former DEKA board members; new trial ordered in bourse 'bubble' case

[19] Noted Athens-based French academic Milliex dies, aged 93

[20] PASOK leader extends condolences to family of deceased French scholar Milliex

[21] Unique statue of goddess Artemis unearthed in Larissa

[22] Greek Cultural Centre to be established in Vienna

[23] Dimitris Mavros unanimously elected president of Communications Institute

[24] President Papoulias to attend awards ceremony for students of ancient Greek

[25] Deputy FM Stylianidis speaks at Pontian congress

[26] Metro stations at Kantza and Koropi

[27] Alexandria Patriarchate initiative to save old church on Mt. Sinai

[28] Illegal immigrants arrested on Samos

[29] Educational program taking place in Athens and Hania

[30] Gov't on FIFA suspension

[31] Papandreou attacks government's handling of football issue

[32] Pro-Po football pools agencies to strike on Sunday

[33] Gambari: proposals ''very useful'', joint meeting agreed

[34] Pashiardes: Papadopoulos proposal aims at resumption of talks

[35] Gambari: Status quo is undesirable and not sustainable

[36] EP adopts written declaration on protection of Cyprus religious heritage

[01] Scheffer-Bakoyannis discuss Riga summit, extended presence for Greek KFOR troops

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

In statements after the meeting, Scheffer referred to Greece's "very important" role within NATO, praising the part it has played in Kosovo, Afghanistan and in the training of Iraqi troops, while he expressed support for Athens' efforts to agree confidence-building measures with Turkey.

He said the meeting with Bakoyannis had covered a wide range of issues in preparation for the upcoming NATO summit in Riga, including NATO's expansion and the need to adapt to a new global security environment. Scheffer also invited countries interested in joining NATO to come forward, naming Croatia, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), in particular.

"During my recent visit to these countries, I said that if they make every possible effort they will be able to align themselves with the terms that NATO has set and in Riga we will examine where they stand exactly with respect to their accession prospects," he noted.

According to Bakoyannis, meanwhile, in addition to its presence in Kosovo and Afghanistan, Greece had a "commensurate contribution to the efforts to support an independent, secure, sovereign, united and democratic Iraq."

"Greece's contribution to international security and peace is important and substantial and for this reason it enjoys proportionate recognition," she added.

Regarding NATO enlargement, she said this should occur at times when the candidate-countries had fulfilled the political and military criteria and the Alliance was ready to enlarge.

Bakoyannis also emphasized Athens' interest in promoting NATO relations with non-member Mediterranean countries via deepening the Mediterranean dialogue begun by NATO several years earlier.

"I want to stress that building the greatest possible trust between NATO and all the countries of the Mediterranean is particularly important in our time, for reasons that are obvious," the Greek minister said.

Both Scheffer and Bakoyannis expressed a need for closer ties between NATO and the European Union, while NATO's chief also referred to the need for joint action with other countries that are not NATO members, such as Australia and New Zealand, but which take part in NATO missions.

Finally, he spoke about the need to modernize the Alliance so that it had faster response capability and more rapidly deployable forces, while stressing that "whatever changes are made, NATO will always be NATO, based on the Washington Treaty and will always operate on the basis of Article V."

Asked whether the Alliance was concerned over the increased tension between Greece and Turkey over the Aegean, Scheffer said that both the Alliance and the General-Secretariat were concerned "following the sad incident involving the loss of a pilot".

He was referring to a recent collision over the Aegean between a Turkish fighter jet and a Greek fighter aircraft sent out to intercept it, in which the Greek pilot was killed.

The NATO secretary-general expressed pleasure at Greek and Turkish efforts to establish new confidence-building measures while singling out Bakoyannis for praise:

"It is very important for me, for my role as Secretary-General, to display my support for such efforts carried out by anyone - in this case Ms Bakoyannis - in order to rebuild trust. Such a thing is of vital importance," he said.

Gov't on Karamanlis-NATO Secretary-General meeting

A meeting between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer was a general political discussion focusing on the Balkans and NATO enlargement, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said on Friday.

Discussion on special issues, such as Afghanistan, will take place during meetings with the ministers involved, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and Defense Minister Vangelis Meimarakis, he added.

[02] DM Meimarakis receives NATO chief Scheffer

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Beyond preparations for the summit, discussions also focused on the situation in Afghanistan and Kosovo, with the NATO chief reiterated the Alliance's request for more assistance by Athens for air transport support in various theaters.

He also praised Greece's contribution to peacekeeping missions and in the alliance's rapid deployment forces.

On his part, Meimarakis said the Greek armed forces are currently stretched too thin to increase their presence in peacekeeping missions, while also referring to "particularities" of security conditions in the region, as well as economic constraints.

Regarding the Kosovo, both sides agreed over the need for NATO to remain in the region until the province's status is decided.

[03] PASOK leader meets with NATO SG

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

[04] Coalition party concerned over new plans of NATO alliance

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

The conclusion is, it added, that "also in light of the NATO summit in Riga the Greek government is aligning itself with options on the alliance's enlargement and the extension of its sphere of action all over the world."

The Coalition party further said that what was alarming was information that greater military involvement in the war in Afghanistan was requested, information that in essence was not denied in official statements.

The party expressed its grave concern over these plans while it believes that not only must Greece refuse any new involvement in NATO's war plans, but it must disengage itself from commitments it has already undertaken as well.

[05] Rice raises Ecumenical Patriarchate's unobstructed operation, Halki seminary reopening, with Turkish FM in Washington talks

US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice put forward the issue of the unobstructed operation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul and the re-opening of the Halki School of Theology to Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul during their meeting in Washington on Wednesday, Gul said on Thursday in reply to a question during his address at the Brookings Institution in the US capital.

Gul was the featured speaker at at the Brookings Center on the United States and Europe briefing on "Turkish-US Relations: Looking Ahead" with his address focusing on a full range of Turkish foreign policy issues, including Turkish relations with the US, its candidacy for the EU, diplomacy with Iran, Cyprus and Iraq, and other regional issues.

Gul said that religious freedoms constituted a basic principle of democracy, adding that the Turkish government has prepared a fundamental bill which, he anticipated, would be approved by the Turkish national assembly (parliament) and would resolve many of the problems of the minorities in that country.

The issue of the Halki seminary school, he continued, constituted a constitutional issue, adding that the government's intention was its resolution.

Speaking at the Institution the day after his meeting with Rice and just hours before he was due to visit the White House for talks with US President George Bush's national security advisor Stephen Hadley, Gul also said in response to a question on the Cyprus issue that it was a "long-standing problem".

He said that the Annan Plan had been backed by the international community and provided the opportunity for resolution of the problem, but was rejected by the Greek Cypriot side in a referendum in 2004, whereas the Turkish Cypriots, who voted in favor of the Plan in a simultaneous referendum, "were not rewarded with an end to their isolation, as the EU had promised".

Gul claimed that Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos' strategy had been to transfer the issue from the UN to the European Union, adding that "Turkey cannot be coerced or pressured". He noted that he himself had submitted a proposal last January for the lifting of all the restrictions on (the Turkish-occupied sector of) Cyprus, "but it was not accepted by the other side".

The Turkish foreign minister opined that UN secretary general Kofi Annan was "working hard" to resolve the problem, adding that Turkey's desire was for "Greece, Turkey and a united Cyprus to co-exist peacefully in the eastern Mediterranean".

Replying to other questions, Gul said that Turkish criticism of US or Israeli foreign policy should not be equated with anti-Americanism or anti-Semitism in Turkey.

He further claimed that "no genocide of the Armenians was committed by the Ottoman authorities", adding that the Turkish government proposed the establishment of a committee of historians to examine the historical archives, and continuing that Turkey desired good neighbor relations with Armenia.

On the Kurdish issue, Gul said that Turkey was expecting the US to "do more to confront the PKK", claiming that "northern Iraq is being used as a safe haven by the PKK terrorists". He said Turkey was interested in a peaceful coexistence with all the ethnic groups in Iraq and did not want any group to impose its own plans for the status of Kirkuk, while he also appeared optimistic that the opportunity would not be lost for resolving the problem with Iran's nuclear program.

In his address, Gul mainly focused on the Turkish-US relations as allies, the policies and economic reforms being introduced by the government of prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the "strategic vision and structured dialogue" document released after the Gul-Rice meeting.

Introductory remarks were made by Brookings Institution president Strobe Talbott, who served as deputy secretary of state in the Clinton administration, who spoke of the importance of Turkey as a secular state, and its EU accession course which, he said, was widely supported in the US.

[06] Gov't again stresses close cooperation between Greece and Cyprus

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

The spokesman also repeated that Turkey has specific obligations and commitments that it must fulfill within a specific time frame in order for its EU accession negotiations to progress.

Antonaros stressed that Turkey's obligations were to all 25 EU member-states. What counts is the EU's well-known position asking Turkey to conform to its obligations within a specific time frame, he added.

[07] Greece, Iceland sign double taxation avoidance accord

REYKJAVIK, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

The signature of the accord marks the end of the official leg of a four-day visit to Iceland by the Greek president, who arrived in Reykjavik on Wednesday night.

The agreement, signed by Greek deputy foreign minister Theodoros Kassimis and Iceland's minister of foreign affairs and external trade Valgerdur Sverrisdottir, is considered to be of particular importance for the development of bilateral economic relations between the two countries.

Kassimis, who accompanied the President to Iceland, is due to depart on a three-day visit to Munich immediately upon his return Greece.

The political will to expand cooperation in a number of areas between Greece and Iceland was confirmed during a meeting earlier on Friday between Papoulias and Iceland's Prime Minister Geir Haarde, which the Greek president described as "warm and friendly".

"We discussed our joint cooperation in the economic sector, in the Balkans, expressing certainty that this will be implemented," Papoulias said in statements afterwards.

He said Iceland's premier had particularly stressed Greece's economic presence in Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. The Greek president also noted that his support for cooperation with other countries in the Balkan region, pointing out that Iceland would make an excellent partner in Greece's efforts to establish a strong presence in the region.

According to Haarde, Greece and Iceland enjoy excellent relations without difficulties that could be further developed in investments and tourism.

The prospects for boosting relations between Greece and Iceland were also discussed in talks between Papoulias and Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson on Thursday.

Speaking at an official dinner held in Papoulias' honor on Thursday night, Grimsson referred to the potential opportunities for dynamic expansion created by cooperation between Greece and Iceland, two countries on opposite ends of Europe, in sectors such as telecommunications, information technology, trade, stock markets and other areas of the economy.

Continuing his visit to Iceland, Papoulias is due to visit an exhibition of manuscripts at the Reykjavik arts centre and tour the Thingvellir - Iceland's first Parliament building - the Gullfoss Falls and the Icelandic geysers. He is due back in Athens on Saturday night.

[08] Deputy FM Valynakis at SE Europe informal ministerial meeting

DUBROVNIK, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

In a statement to ANA-MPA, Valynakis reiterated that Greece supports the EU prospect of its neighboring countries and the entire SE Europe region, without exception.

"Our strategic goal is to see our neighborhood evolve into a peaceful and prospering region of Europe, from the 'powder keg of Europe' which the Balkans once were," Valynakis said, provided, naturally, that all the requirements put forward by the EU were fulfilled.

"The course, therefore, is obligatory towards Europe, provided all that has been asked by the EU is fulfilled, and this concerns all the countries that wish to join the European Union," he added.

Valynakis further said that there was concern with respect to the EU's future and the repercussions inside the EU that enlargement would entail, namely, "the fact that certain countries feel some distrust towards the next enlargement from fear of possible negative impact on the decision-making process and manner of governance of the EU itself".

For Greece, "enlargement and deepening of the EU are the two sides of the same coin, they go hand in hand", he said, adding: "If we do not reach a Europe that is able to take decisions quickly and efficiently, enlargement towards new countries in the near future will not be an easy task".

The informal meeting of SE Europe European affairs ministers, which is also being attended by representatives of EU member states, will conclude on Sunday.

[09] Dep. FM meets with US ambassador

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

[10] Papandreou addresses issue of private, non-profit universities

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Greece is among the few countries in the world where a constitutional ban forbids the establishment of private, or non-state, higher education institutions. Numerous private colleges nevertheless exist in the country but are not recognized by the state or regulated by the education ministry, rather they fall under the supervision of the development ministry and tax bureaus as private enterprises.

Papandreou, who has backed the idea of allowing the establishment of confide non-state universities, said his party absolutely wants the evaluation and accreditation by the Greek state of whatever private universities want to operate here, "in order to benefit the public interest."

Conversely, he opined that ruling New Democracy party merely wants to exercise a very tight control over public education and allow a lawless situation in the private domain. He added that ND's proposal, as opposed to his, would allow whatever evaluation and accreditation to be done by foreign countries and universities and not the Greek state.

He added that for PASOK the solution is not a "non-state education system, but an upgrading and support of the state system."

[11] KKE, Synaspismos condemn Israeli actions in Gaza

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

"At this crucial hour the Greek people and all of the region's peoples must speak out," KKE general secretary Aleka Papariga said during a visit to the Palestinian Authority's diplomatic representation in Athens.

Papariga expressed her view that the latest strikes are not a routine development, "Israel is organizing the most criminal operation of the past few years."

On its part, Synaspismos sharply attacked the Gaza operations and also announced an initiative in support of the Palestinian people, while reiterating its position of a withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders.

[12] Antonaros on the economy and ferry rate hikes

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Commenting on press reports concerning Greece's position in terms of the Lisbon criteria implementation, Antonaros said that the figures included in the press reports were made public in April 2004 and concerned the performance of the PASOK governments. This detail was not mentioned in the press publication leading to the confusion, he pointed out.

The government, he said, promotes significant reforms and deals with the problems it has inherited from the past, adding that it implements the national reform plan it has drew up and forwarded to the European Union.

Antonaros stated that the current state of the economy will be recorded in detail in the future but situation is improving based on available figures showing a reduction of the public deficit and unemployment.

On the ferry rate hikes, Antonaros cited Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis who recently expressed absolute satisfaction regarding ferry ticket prices.

Antonaros stated that ticket prices are different depending on the day, the destination and the ferry company, underlining that the decision to deregulate ticket prices was taken recently and now is being tested.

[13] Greece, Saudi Arabia seek closer economic ties

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, the Greek minister said he invited Dr al-Asaf to officially visit Greece and stressed that Athens' support for Saudi Arabia's bid to join the World Trade Organization offered new impetus towards bilateral relations.

The Saudi Arabian minister is currently in Athens to attend an international conference on efforts to promote bilateral economic relations in the wake of President Karolos Papoulias' recent visit to Riyadh.

[14] European Commission decides joint financing programs for Greek cheeses

BRUSSELS, 8/7/2006 (ANA-MPA/M. Aroni)

According to an announcement, the Commission approved subsidization amounting to five million euros for the promotion of Greek cheeses in the European market.

It is a three-year subsidization program according to which the amounts to be provided are 1.88 million euros for the first year, 1.54 million euros for the second and 1.58 million euros for the third and last year. The EU will finance half of the total subsidization amount, meaning 2.5 million euros.

The EU is contributing a total of 27.6 million euros for financing the promotion of the 31 European farm products in Europe.

Among the farm products from 19 member-states that are financed by the EU are poultry products from Cyprus, wines from Italy, potatoes from Belgium, France and the Netherlands, dairy products from Portugal and Finland and beef and pork from Austria.

[15] Stylianidis addresses Greek-Italian Chamber lunch

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Stylianidis' speech focused on the theme "The strategy of the Greek Economic Diplomacy and Greek-Italian economic relations".

[16] ASE approves listing of National Bank's new 135.7 mln shares

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

An ASE regular board meeting also approved the listing of International Investment's (a closed-end investment firm) 11,150,000 new common nominal shares in the market, resulting from a share capital increase plan after a merger with Nexus Investments at an exchange ratio of one to 0.3735 shares (for International Investments' shareholders) and a ratio of one for 0.6670 shares (for Nexus Investments' shareholders).

The meeting also approved the listing of 4,015,248 new common anonymous shares issued by Halcor SA, resulting from a merger with Fitco SA.

[17] Greek stocks end week 2.1 pct down

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

[18] High Court throws out acquittal of former DEKA board members; new trial ordered in bourse 'bubble' case

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

The seven defendants were acquitted by the three-judge appeals court last December after the felony charges were first downgraded to misdemeanors, while citing a five-year statute of limitations for the particular misdemeanors as having expired.

Friday's decision means the seven former DEKA board members will face a new trial on re-instated felony charges.

The initial indictment referred to losses of millions of euros in DEKA assets from transactions -- mostly the buying of large chunks of shares of bourse-listed state-run enterprises -- ahead of the April 2000 elections, ostensibly to boost the stock market's general index.

PASOK narrowly defeated New Democracy in that election, forming another government under Costas Simitis until the March 2004 election.

[19] Noted Athens-based French academic Milliex dies, aged 93

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Milliex was born in Marseilles in 1913, and among others, served as the director of the Institut Français during the Axis occupation of World War II, participating in the local resistance.

In 1959 he headed the first official French cultural and education exchange program to Cyprus, where he remained for 12 years.

The French embassy and the Athens French Institute in an announcement expressed their "profound sorrow" for the scholar's death.

On his part, Minister of State and Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos paid tribute to the "sincere and faithful friend of Greece".

Roger Milliex was "a man who fought for freedom, justice, the culture of our country which was his second homeland," Roussopoulos said in a statement.

Veteran politician of the left Leonidas Kyrkos also paid tribute to Roger Milliex.

In Nicosia, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos has expressed his own deep sorrow and that of the government and the people of Cyprus for the death of Roger Milliex.

In a written statement, President Papadopoulos notes that ''Roger Milliex, an eminent person of literature and culture, has been identified with the spiritual Cyprus and contributed to the strengthening of the cultural ties between Cyprus and France.''

''His death deprives our island from a true devotee of its cultural tradition and creation and of an ardent supporter of its rights,'' the Cypriot president concludes.

[20] PASOK leader extends condolences to family of deceased French scholar Milliex

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Papandreou said that Roger Milliex was a wonderful man, a man with principles and values which he served faithfully all his life.

He added that he "loved Greece, the Greeks and Hellenism, democracy and freedom and proved his love in difficult moments, always with the same intention of offering and unselfishness. He is one of the last of a generation who deserves every honor."

[21] Unique statue of goddess Artemis unearthed in Larissa

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

The 80cm-tall statue --only the torso was found-- which depicts Artemis, the Greek mythology virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon, and the twin sister of Apollo, is tentatively dated back to mid 1st century BC.

Artemis is dressed in a short tunic and animal pelt, probably deerskin, while both the main body and the shoulder straps are richly ornamented.

Based on the torso unearthed, archaeologists believe the full statue stood 1.65-1.70 meters tall.

The statue, and other important finds, will be placed on display at the new Larissa Archaeological Museum upon its completion.

[22] Greek Cultural Centre to be established in Vienna

VIENNA, 8/7/2006 (ANA-MPA/D.Dimitrakoudis)

The signing of the contract took place at the Greek embassy between Austrian philhellene Sylvia Goldnagel, who owns the premises, and the Organization for the Promotion of Greek Culture represented by its president Stamatis Mavros.

Speaking to the ANA-MPA, Mavros expressed his satisfaction over the successful outcome of relevant efforts which began more than a year ago at the initiative of Sylvia Goldnagel and Greek Ambassador to Vienna Theodoros Sotiropoulos. The cultural centre will provide the necessary means for the promotion of all kinds of modern Greek art and of Greek cultural heritage, Mavros said.

According to the contract, the premises are being provided free of charge while maintenance costs will be covered by the Greek side. The contract also provides that it cannot be denounced over a period of ten years.

The center's functioning will be supervised by the Greek embassy in close cooperation with the Organization for the Promotion of Greek Culture, and its inauguration is scheduled for mid-November.

[23] Dimitris Mavros unanimously elected president of Communications Institute

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Manolis Hairetakis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens assistant professor, was elected vice-president, while George Zannias, founder of the BBDO Group and Olympic DDB Holding chairman, was elected general secretary. Katerina Tseberlidou, Adel Saatchi & Saatchi chairwoman and creative department director, was elected treasurer.

The new Board of Directors' members are: Maria Konstantopoulou, George Zotos, Betty Tsakarestou, Yiannis Efstathiadis, Stavros Leousis, Manolis Papapolyzos and Maria Lazarimou.

[24] President Papoulias to attend awards ceremony for students of ancient Greek

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

The competition was held by the Organization for the Dispersion-Internationalization of the Greek Language (OIGL) under the auspices of the Hellenic Republic President and the Ministry of Education.

A total of 3,284 students participated in the competition and awards will be received by 23 students from 18 countries.

[25] Deputy FM Stylianidis speaks at Pontian congress

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Stylianidis spoke of the road axis that will link all Black Sea countries and which will be departing from and ending at Alexandroupolis, Northern Greece, adding that the project has already received Russian and Turkish consent.

The deputy foreign minister also referred to the efforts deployed by last year's Greek presidency of the Black Sea Cooperation Organisation (BSCO) for the rapprochement of the Black Sea countries with the European Union.

[26] Metro stations at Kantza and Koropi

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

The Athens Metro will service the Kantza and Koropi stations to and from Athens' "Eleftherios Venizelos" International Airport as of Monday.

Transport Minister Michalis Liapis will visit the two stations on Monday on the occasion of their opening.

[27] Alexandria Patriarchate initiative to save old church on Mt. Sinai

ALEXANDRIA, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Metropolitan Bishop Panteleimon, who has the backing and assistance of local authorities and the Greek community in Port Said in the effort to salvage the church, which was abandoned 40 years ago, expressed hope that the remaining bureaucratic problems will be overcome and that the church will reopen to the faithful on December 12, 2006.

[28] Illegal immigrants arrested on Samos

SAMOS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

In the latest incident, 13 Afghans, one Lebanese and two Syrians were arrested on Friday morning and taken to hospital for the necessary medical tests before being led to the Migrant Reception Centre.

The Turkish migrant smugglers managed to escape arrest.

[29] Educational program taking place in Athens and Hania

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

On Friday morning, 60 children from 14 NATO countries visited Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou.

The program is being organized for the third consecutive year by the Greek Union for Atlantic and European Cooperation and has been specially planned for young people between 15-18 years of age "with the purpose of contributing to the education and development of tomorrow's new leaders."

[30] Gov't on FIFA suspension

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Spokesman Evangelos Antonaros added that following consultations Deputy Minister of Sports George Orfanos had with FIFA an agreement was reached whereby modifications would be made to a relevant draft bill by July 15.

He pointed out that agreements should be observed and when they concern a deadline they should be in effect until the last day.

Antonaros also said this is an issue with many parameters and different consultations are taking place to reach a settlement.

[31] Papandreou attacks government's handling of football issue

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

He was referring to a decision by the international football federation FIFA to suspend its Greek counterpart EPO, including all Greek clubs and officials, because of Greek laws that limited EPO's independence and allowed third-party interference by courts and the state in football matters.

Papandreou blamed a draft bill for sports brought to Parliament by deputy sports minister George Orfanos - and by extension Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis - for exposing the country to worldwide scorn and for upsetting teams, their planning, transfers and fans.

This was followed by a series of amendments that made a mockery of Parliamentary process, the government and the country, he added.

According to PASOK's leader, even if FIFA now reversed its decision, the damage had been done.

He also launched into more generalized criticism of the government's performance in the past two years, saying that New Democracy's government had managed to drag the country back in nearly all areas and had only benefited members of the ruling party.

[32] Pro-Po football pools agencies to strike on Sunday

ATHENS, 8/7/2006 (ANA)

Demands of the professional Pro-Po agents include the signing of a new regulation, the backing of agencies with new technology computers, the non-issuing of new licenses, a 2 percent increase in the commission percentage and reliable economic transactions with the company.

In parallel, an announcement by the OPAP S.A. company said that on Sunday July 9 the company will continue to provide as normal the services that are required for the carrying out of its games and computers will be operating normally.

VRADYNI: "7,950 hirings in public sector, organizations - All the new job positions approved by the inter-ministerial committee".

[33] Gambari: proposals ''very useful'', joint meeting agreed

NICOSIA, 8/7/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Speaking after his second meeting with President Papadopoulos, Gambari said he had invited both leaders for "a meeting tomorrow, together" and he was "happy to confirm that this proposal for a meeting has been agreed to".

He said the idea is to "really find ways of moving forward". Invited to comment on proposals he had received from both leaders, Gambari said "as you know, I am here to have a series of conversations and consultations which I have had during the course of my visit here. And those conversations will continue".

"The only thing I would like to add is that they are very useful proposals, we are considering them and in my judgment, I believe that the proposals contain elements that will answer the possibility of further discussions together," he said.

The UN diplomat said "I have invited his Excellency, Mr. Papadopoulos and his Excellency Mr. Talat for a meeting tomorrow (Saturday) together and I am happy to confirm that this proposal for a meeting has been agreed to".

Gambari said the "idea is really to find ways of moving forward so that we can begin to start some of those processes, perhaps at a technical level but also to address some of the substantive issues".

The meeting, Gambari added, was agreed to be held at 3.30 p.m. Saturday.

[34] Pashiardes: Papadopoulos proposal aims at resumption of talks

NICOSIA, 8/7/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Speaking after a meeting here Friday between President Papadopoulos and UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Imbrahim Gambari, Pashiardes also said that Papadopoulos has accepted a proposal by Gambari for a joint meeting with Mehmet Ali Talat.

''Our consent to the UN proposal for a joint meeting is yet another proof of the political will on our part for a Cyprus settlement, and evidence of our readiness to prepare, the soonest possible, and allow substantive talks to begin, under the UN Secretary General's auspices," the spokesman said.

He said President Papadopoulos and Gabari on Friday continued their discussion and exchange of views on the prospects to break the current deadlock in the Cyprus question.

Furthermore they discussed how to prepare the ground to create the necessary preconditions for substantive negotiations, aiming at a final settlement, he added.

He noted that in this framework President Papadopoulos submitted Thursday in writing a proposal to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

"The goal of the proposal is the immediate beginning of talks, at technical level, on core issues of the Cyprus question, with a view to prepare with good prospects of success, overall negotiations, under the UN auspices," he added.

He said that "this proposal was prepared and submitted on the basis of what was agreed with the UN Secretary General last February in Paris with Papadopoulos, and in the framework of the latest resolution of the Security Council".

Pashiardes noted that Gambari evaluated the results of his contacts and proposed to President Papadopoulos a joint meeting between the leaders of the two communities.

"The President of the Republic has accepted the proposal, noting that giving his consent to the UN is another proof of the political will of our side for a settlement and proof of our readiness to prepare, as soon as possible, and let substantive talks begin, under the UN Secretary General's auspices," Pashiardes added.

He said that the joint meeting between President Papadopoulos and Talat, in the presence of Gambari, will take place Saturday at 15:30 local time, at the residence of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Cyprus Michael Moller.

[35] Gambari: Status quo is undesirable and not sustainable

NICOSIA, 8/7/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

He was speaking after meeting Friday House of Representatives President and General Secretary of left wing AKEL party Demetris Christofias who agreed with Gambari's remark, noting that a solution must serve the Cypriots and not any foreigners.

In his statements, Gambari said "we had a very productive meeting, an exchange of views, we looked at all aspects of the Cyprus situation, we are both committed in agreeing that the status quo is not sustainable and is not desirable therefore all of us who are stakeholders in this, should do the best we can to move towards concrete steps which will lead to the resumption of negotiation for a comprehensive settlement".

He said his second objective is to meet the leaders on the island, apart from President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, "those who have influence to try to have educated people about the dangers of the status quo and the benefits of returning to a negotiated settlement in a comprehensive way".

Gambari said he would convey greetings from Christofias to SG Kofi Annan "who remains committed to do the best he can in the remaining time available to him as Secretary General of the UN to try to help this process move forward".

In his remarks, Christofias said they had a very useful exchange of views and it was an opportunity for him to speak about the special relationship AKEL party developed all these years with T/C compatriots, and the contacts they have developed.

"We both came to the conclusion that the status quo is fully unacceptable and that we have to work together with the UN to bring the two leaders together for a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution based on the UN resolutions, the high level agreements and the work done by the UN all these years", the House Speaker underlined.

Christofias said he informed Gambari on AKEL's special relationship with the Turkish Cypriot community and the party's efforts and approach over the years between the two communities to bring Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots closer, despite the gap in the positions of the two communities on Cyprus after the 2004 referendum".

"I have assured Mr. Gambari that they can count on us for our help in the resumption of the dialogue which will be substantial, provided the work of the technical committees on daily but also issues of substance, precedes, so that the unacceptable situation of the status quo ends and Cyprus will be reunited, within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which will express and satisfy the interests of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and excluding foreigners from their continued intervention."

Gambari also met Democratic Rally leader Nicos Anastasiades who described the meeting as "very constructive and fruitful".

Anastasiades said "we informed the SG about our positions that the technical committees, just for the every day problems, are not enough but we have to get involved in the essence of the Cyprus question so to prepare the ground so that the soonest possible a new initiative by the SG is launched in order to reach an agreed solution by both sides to give an end to the protracted problem of the Cyprus question".

The opposition leader said Gambari is ready and prompt to get involved and I express my sincere satisfaction that tomorrow (Saturday) the two leaders are going to meet in the presence of Gambari".

[36] EP adopts written declaration on protection of Cyprus religious heritage

NICOSIA, 8/7/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

The written declaration by Demetriou and Italian member of the European Parliament Iles Braghetto which was signed by 407 MEPs, condemned the pillage of Greek Orthodox churches and monasteries and the removal of their ecclesiastical items, called on the Commission and the Council to take the necessary actions to ensure respect for the Treaty and the protection and restoration of the affected churches to their original Greek Orthodox status, called on the Commission and the Council to examine this matter under the relevant chapters of the negotiations with Turkey and instructed its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Commission and the Council.

According to the declaration, more than 133 churches, chapels and monasteries that are located in the northern part of Cyprus controlled by the Turkish army since 1974 have been desecrated, 78 churches have been converted into mosques, 28 are used as military depots and hospitals and 13 are used as stockyards, and their ecclesiastical items, including more than 15,000 icons, have been illegally removed and their location remains unknown.

Speaking at a press conference here, Demetriou said that the importance of this written declaration is mainly cultural as it aims at the protection of Cyprus religious heritage which is mainly consisted of churches, icons and other ecclesiastical items, but also a political one as it has drawn the attention of the members of the European Parliament towards the invasion and occupation of Cyprus and its consequences.

"The basic consequences are known and include the destruction of our cultural religious heritage," he added.

He said that for the first time after the standstill of the last years, the European Parliament turns without any reservation with a positive way towards the problems raised by our side and this impact is surely positive as regards the substance of the problem because the reason of this destruction, which is the ongoing occupation of the northern part of Cyprus, is being detected.

"My goal is to send out this declaration to the UN Secretary General, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the World Council of Churches and the Vatican," he added.

Cyprus MEPs Yiannis Kasoulides, Adamos Adamou and Kyria-kos Triantafyllides as well as Greek MEP Costis Hadjidakis co-operated with Demetriou with a view to achieve a mass and manifold support to the declaration, a press release issued by Demetriou's office said.

It noted that Greek MEPs Stavros Labrinides, Panos Beglitis and Nicolaos Sifounakis also promoted that declaration at the Socialist Group while the contribution of French MEP of the European People's Party and Coordinator of the European Parliament High-Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriot community Francoise Grossetete and the Spanish Socialist MEP Felipe Sanchez-Guenca Martinez was important.

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