Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] UNSG Annan hails Greek concert at UN General Assembly hall

[02] PM briefed by interior minister on new civil servants' code

[03] Teachers signal intention to continue strike during Wednesday's rally

[04] Teachers' union proposes two 24-hour strikes and rallies

[05] Hefty trade, investment ties dominate meeting between Dep. FM, Albanian delegation

[06] PASOK leader addresses party's local administration officials

[07] PASOK leader heads meeting on party's program positions

[08] Bill for Athens mosque discussed at Parliament committee

[09] Parliamentary Committee discusses revision of constitution's article 29

[10] Incorporation of European Treaties discussed by Parliamentary Committee

[11] President Karolos Papoulias arrives in Thessaloniki for three-day celebrations

[12] Minister addresses justice conference

[13] CD&E Conference on NATO Transformation in Athens from October 30

[14] Dimitris Dimitriadis elected EU's ESC new president

[15] Borrell to visit Mitilini on October 28

[16] Reception hosted in honor of outgoing Greek Press Office director in Washington

[17] Minister launches Greek Week in Russia

[18] Gov't cites budget limitations

[19] Employment minister says 'early retirement means loss of income'

[20] PASOK's Damanaki criticizes government's policy on social insurance system

[21] Greek govt presents new bankruptcy code

[22] Development minister revokes fines on fuel station owners

[23] Elefsis Shipyards to work with Armaris on building Fremm class frigates

[24] Greenpeace reports illegal sales of genetically modified rice in supermarkets

[25] Greek traditional alcoholic drinks 'safeguarded products' in EU

[26] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

[27] Greece builds world's first autonomous, floating, ecological desalination platform

[28] National Centre for Dance and Theatre to be created

[29] Justice minister calls for emergency inquiry into Helios air accident

[30] Two groups of illegals intercepted on Evia, Lesvos

[31] UN SG's report on ''Missing Persons'' circulated as official document

[32] Conservatives: London should facilitate dialogue on Cyprus

[01] UNSG Annan hails Greek concert at UN General Assembly hall

NEW YORK, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou)

The anniversary concert, which is entitled "Greece: poetry and music", is being held both on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and of Greece's participation at the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for the 2005-2006 period.

The concert is sponsored by the Alexander S. Onassis Benefit Foundation, under the auspices of the Greek Foreign Ministry and with the support of ERT.

Wednesday's UN's annual concert is presented for the first time by Greece.

Leading artists were to perform at the concert with music inspired by the works of poets George Seferis, Odysseus Elytis and Constantine P. Cavafy.

Songs by Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hatzidakis, Spyros Samaras, Dimitris Lagios and Dimitris Papadimitriou would be per-formed.

The evening of Greece, culture and peace concert is entitled "Greece: poetry and music".

The concert was to be watched by Annan, UN officials, permanent representatives and hundreds of diplomats of the organization's 192 member-states, including officials of the political and cultural life of the United States and Greece. The Greek government is represented by Minister of State and Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos.

In a written message, Annan stresses that "Every year, men and women from wherever they come from, wherever they belong, celebrate the Day of the United Nations," noting:” Even though the United Nations is an Organization of States, the rights and freedoms which it defends and promotes belong to all. In order for it to accomplish its mission, the UN needs the support of all the people, wherever they are. And this is valid either when we give the battle against illnesses and hunger, either when we promote the human rights and justice, either when we struggle against terrorism, either when we build peace, either, finally, when we try to make the UN more effective and accountable to those people for the good of whom it was created and exists."

The president of the 61st session of the UN's General Assembly, Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, in her own message on the occasion of the concert, noted:” This year, the theme of the Day of the United Nations is the Olive, world symbol of peace from ancient times. It is therefore self-evident why two olive branches surround the globe at the symbol of the United Nations. Thus, the Olive is continuously linked with our Organization."

The president of this year's session of the UN General Assembly expressed her gratitude to the Greek government, noting that "the National Symphonic Orchestra of ERT, which includes some of the most known musicians and performers, will interpret verses written by the greatest contemporary Greek poets."

The President of the Alexander S. Onassis Benefit Foundation, Antonis Papadimitriou, gave a press conference at the Foundation's Cultural Centre in Manhattan on Tuesday. Also present at the press conference were Shasi Tarur, UN deputy secretary-general for communication affairs, ERT president and managing director Christos Panagopoulos, and Greek Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis.

[02] PM briefed by interior minister on new civil servants' code

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Specifically, Pavlopoulos briefed the premier over the approval of a new civil servants' code, completion of a local government code and a draft bill on immigration policy.

The civil servants' code has already been conveyed to the General Accounting Office and a vote in Parliament will he held in November, Pavlopoulos said, adding that a vote on the latter code will take place by the end of the year. He added that no such local government code existed in the country for nearly a decade.

Referring to the immigration draft bill, he stated that a vote will be held next month.

[03] Teachers signal intention to continue strike during Wednesday's rally

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

"There has been no substantial change in the government's positions and proposals with regard to the sector's key financial and institutional demands. After this it becomes clear that the only road left is to continue the struggle against the anti-educational and anti-popular policy..." an announcement by the primary teachers' union federation, DOE, said.

The protestors intend to stay at Syntagma Square until a planned concert with Greek rock musician Vassilis Papaconstantinou.

Meanwhile, the governing boards of DOE and the secondary school teachers federation, OLME, are meeting on Wednesday to assess the situation and make recommendations to the general assemblies of local unions on whether the strike should continue or not.

The government, on the other hand, made it clear that it was not prepared to offer any more concessions to bring teachers back into the classrooms.

"We have said all we have to say on the matter. The prime minister was absolutely clear," alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said when asked about the prospects of an end to the crisis in education.

"All of us hope for a normalization of the situation in education," he added.

Questioned about a suit filed by a parent against the teachers' strike, asking that it be declared illegal and improper, Antonaros stressed that the government had absolutely no involvement in the move.

[04] Teachers' union proposes two 24-hour strikes and rallies

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

DOE's President Dimitris Bratis, who announced the outcome of the meeting, said that the sector's demands are just and that teachers will struggle to achieve them.

A meeting of the Federation of Secondary School Teachers of Greece (OLME) was also under way, while final decisions in both cases will be taken during general assemblies to be held on Friday.

Suit against teachers' strike heard by first-instance court: An Athens first-instance court on Wednesday heard an application filed by a parent against the ongoing teachers' strike that is now in the sixth week, asking that it be declared improper and illegal.

The suit was filed by Stefanos Tsipas, the father of a girl attending a lyceum that has been taken over by the students.

When the hearing began, seven parents with children in primary schools intervened in support of the plaintiff, while the civil servants' union ADEDY and the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE), the two largest trade unions in Greece, intervened on behalf of the teachers' union federations DOE and OLME.

The teachers asked that the application be judged legally unsound and vague, while lawyers representing the parents claimed civil and legal liability on the part of primary and middle-school teachers for leaving pupils unsupervised.

Tsipas also held teachers' responsible for high-school take-overs by pupils and claimed financial damages as a result of the strike because he had been forced to find outside tuition for his child.

Witnesses for DOE and OLME stressed that the strike action was for the benefit of the children, since the main demand was an improvement in education.

Presiding judge Panagiotis Athanassopoulos asked both sides to submit their proposals by 14:30 on Wednesday and is expected to issue a ruling by Thursday afternoon.

[05] Hefty trade, investment ties dominate meeting between Dep. FM, Albanian delegation

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The Albanian Parliament deputies thanked the Greek minister for Athens' multi-level support of their country's European prospects and development, stressing that such support is a request shared by both the Albanian government and the opposition.

Stylianidis briefed the bipartisan Albanian delegation on progress in bilateral relations, noting that Greece is now the biggest foreign investor in the neighboring country and one of its most important trade partners.

Additionally, discussed also touched on the initiative "Albania 1 euro" - whereby state property is leased out at a rate of one euro for every one square meter of space, or services provided to foreign investors for one euro -- aimed at attracting foreign investments to the country.

Stylianidis said the initiative should further boost Greek investments in Albania, referring, among others, to a recent expansion in Albania by Greece-based Titan Cement.

Highway project: Stylianidis also briefed the Albanian side on the HiPERB-backed project concerning the construction of the 41km-long Sagiades-Konispol-Sarande motorway along the two countries' Ionian coast, a project expected to link extreme northwestern Greece with Albania's southwest quadrant, an area that hosts that country's ethnic Greek minority. The overall cost of the project is 33.5 million euros, of which 25 million euros will be allocated from the Greek state budget.

A total of 15 36-milion-euro investments have been made within the framework of the HiPERB framework, 10.7 million of which emanated from Greece. A total of 215,000 euros has been invested in smaller projects, corresponding to 1 percent of the HiPERB credit line, with 283,000 euros remaining.

Education, health: Regarding cooperation in the education sector, Stylianidis referred to the three bilingual schools already inaugurated by the Greek government in Korce, Himara as well as the Arsakio academy in Tirana where both Albanian and ethnic Greek students can study. The foreign ministry has also funded the construction of regular schools in Albania as well.

The construction of a middle school in Korce has also been approved, while a similar facility is scheduled to be opened in Gjirokastr at the request of the town's mayor and local government.

In the health sector, Greece has contributed to the construction of hospitals in the south of the country and supported medical centers in the north offering medical care to all citizens, with medical staff offered training in Greece.

On their part, some members of the Albanian delegation called for increased business activity by Greek firms and interests in the country's north, whereas Stylianidis noted that some of the biggest Greek investments have been based in the north, citing companies such as Alumil, Loulis Flour Mills and the ongoing Titan investment.

Finally, Stylianidis requested the assistance of the Albanian parliament in efforts to cut red tape faced by foreign companies operating in Albania.

[06] PASOK leader addresses party's local administration officials

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The PASOK leader said that with the New Democracy government the citizens "are experiencing a daily burden with the high cost of living, unemployment and with poverty threatening more and more families."

Papandreou further said that "the government is asking for sacrifices from the many so that the few can get rich", while on the issue of the teachers' strike he placed all the responsibility on the government for the loss of 140 teaching hours for each pupil.

He also accused the government of wanting to "deal a blow at the dignity of teachers so as to send a message to all others who have similar claims as well. The dignity of a function was dealt a blow to enable the alliance between parents and teachers to be dealt a blow. We are in favor of the alliance between parents and teachers", while endorsing a phrase by a pupil who said that "we don't want the education minister to be changed, we want education to be changed."

Referring to local administration issues, Papandreou said that the party's target is the reversal of the current bureaucratic view of local administration and the state and pointed out that as soon as PASOK comes to power it will go ahead with changing the entire framework of local administration.

[07] PASOK leader heads meeting on party's program positions

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

As he emerged from the meeting, PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos described it as "very important and useful" and said PASOK "is in a position to present very specific, feasible and cost-assessed proposals on these issues".

He also denied reports of a rift between himself and party leader George Papandreou, following an altercation with his party chief reported by the media.

"The climate is very good, we are working to formulate our final proposals for the next four years when we will be in government," PASOK's Miltiadis Papaioannou said, noting that "the exchange of views and different positions, to the degree that these lead to synthesis, was a condition for the operation of parties throughout the world and not just in Greece".

According to MP Anna Diamantopoulou, meanwhile, PASOK was making fast progress on the most important aspects of its program, which would be comprehensive and address the important problems faced by Greeks - namely, jobs and security.

[08] Bill for Athens mosque discussed at Parliament committee

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Outlining the draft bill, Education and Religious affairs Minister Marietta Yiannakou said that the Athens mosque would be built in the Elaionas district within the limits of the City of Athens, specifically at Markoni, using funds from the Greek State. She said it would be administrated by a seven-member council (representatives of the education and economy ministry, Athens municipality, an academic and two representatives of the Moslem community).

Under the bill, the imam at the mosque will be appointed by the state based on recommendations of its board.

The minister noted that all Islamic religious denominations would be free to put forward their own imams and that no foreign embassies would be involved in the construction of the mosque.

She also stressed that the planned football stadium for the Athens club Panathinaikos, which will also be situated in the Elaionas district, would be a good distance away from the mosque.

According to a speaker for PASOK, the proximity of the mosque to the football stadium could harbor problems in the case of soccer-related incidents or rioting, while he also questioned the joint occupation of the Mosque by Moslems from different denominations and racial origins.

[09] Parliamentary Committee discusses revision of constitution's article 29

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

ND's proposal includes the provision that "the basic and primary source of funding for political parties is the State Budget, with stricter restrictions in funding by private sources, which constitute an exception."

In parallel, ND proposes that the duty of checking the sources of income of Parliamentary deputies and their pre-election and operational expenditures be given to a special department of the Constitutional Court, that will be able to impose sanctions including the loss of the seat in Parliament or the confiscation of property that was not declared.

[10] Incorporation of European Treaties discussed by Parliamentary Committee

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The ruling New Democracy party, in the proposal it has submitted on article 28, stresses that, as assistance for Greece's participation in European integration procedures, it must be clarified constitutionally that the incorporation of first stage EU law must be carried out by Parliament with a simple majority of deputies (151 votes) and not with a three fifths majority, as is the case with ceding duties to international organizations.

According to the majority's proposal "the ratification of laws incorporating EU law with a simple majority of deputies has been consolidated in practice."

Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos also noted that "if the three fifths majority had been applied in 1979 as well, Greece would not have joined the European Economic Community existing at the time."

"Think what might arise in the future. You think that we shall always be the same here and will be discussing with these terms? The problem can be important for the country, if we do not clarify matters," Pavlopoulos said.

[11] President Karolos Papoulias arrives in Thessaloniki for three-day celebrations

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

President Papoulias is accompanied by Defense Minister Vangelis Meimarakis. He was welcomed at Macedonia airport by Minister of Macedonia and Thrace George Kalantzis, Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, prefect Panayiotis Psomiadis, deputies, mayors and local authority representatives.

"Thessaloniki and Macedonia have experienced the woes of war in a dramatic way and have written a glorious history in the struggles for freedom and independence," President Papoulias said.

"The citizens of Thessaloniki have the dynamism and the creativity required to meet the challenges of the new era. I am confident that now is the time for extroversion for Thessaloniki, it is time for it to play a leading role in economic life and in efforts for development in the entire Balkan region," he added.

President Papoulias further said that "sometimes in the past its geographic position was the cause of tensions and turmoil, but today it is a strong advantage for it to develop into a business and economic centre in southeastern Europe."

Papageorgopoulos said on his part that "the month of October, your Excellency, is for us Macedonians a month heavily loaded with historic memories, messages and symbolisms."

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will arrive in Thessaloniki on Thursday, while main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou is expected to arrive on Saturday.

Prime Minister Karamanlis in Thessaloniki: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will be in Thessaloniki on Thursday to attend the Saint Dimitrios doxology, on the occasion of the city’s patron saint feast, while Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias is expected to arrive on Wednesday afternoon.

The celebrations for the city’s patron saint feast, the city’s liberation from the Ottoman Turks and the anniversary of Greece’s defiant “No” to the fascists during WWII will be completed on Saturday with a military parade.

The celebrations were launched in Thessaloniki on Wednesday with the procession of Saint Dimitrios holy icon and relics.

[12] Minister addresses justice conference

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

"Civil justice is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of citizens, protecting their interests and preventing illegality and arbitrariness in private relations. European Civil Justice Day that is celebrated every year, has been established to underline and remind all the agencies of the state and the functionaries of justice of our steadfast obligation to provide citizens with the unimpeded, effective and qualitative giving of justice in a wide sector of arranging life relations, the civil trial sector," the minister said, adding that "the possibility of easy access for every citizen to law courts to claim what is rightfully his is self-evident in the framework of a society governed by law."

Papaligouras pointed out that justice must be independent, prestigious, timely, qualitative, respected and impartial and at the same time sensitive and a guarantor force for equal rights and equality before the law.

"Our vision and target, our volition and our policy is a Greek justice with a modern and human face, that will be close to the citizen and respected by the citizen. This conference is part of our common effort. I am confident that the proposals by speakers, full of knowledge and experience, will constitute a springboard for shaping additional ideas and proposals that are necessary for a continuous improvement in the application of justice in our country," Papaligouras also said.

[13] CD&E Conference on NATO Transformation in Athens from October 30

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The conference is organized jointly by NATO's Allied Command Transformation (NATO/ACT), the equivalent service in the U.S. military (USJFCOM/J9) and the Greek Armed Forces General Staff (GEETHA).

GEETHA will participate in order to explore the possibility of setting up similar procedures in the development of the Greek armed forces.

[14] Dimitris Dimitriadis elected EU's ESC new president

BRUSSELS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The ESC, which at present comprises 317 members, was established under the Rome Treaty in 1957 and is an advisory European institutional body. It represents different economic and social organizations of European civil society -employers and employees- in the community's decision making processes.

Dimitriadis, who is first vice-president of the National Confederation of Greek Commerce, is an ESC member since 1999. In October 2004 he was elected vice-president responsible for budget issues.

[15] Borrell to visit Mitilini on October 28

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

According to his schedule, Borrell will visit the Petrified Forest Museum at Sigri, the Molivos traditional settlement and the Oil Industry Museum in Agia Paraskevi.

On Sunday, October 29 he will attend an event on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the death of Greek Nobel laureate poet Odysseas Elytis.

Borrell will be in Athens on Monday, October 30 for a three-day formal visit.

[16] Reception hosted in honor of outgoing Greek Press Office director in Washington

WASHINGTON, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA/T. Ellis)

During his ten-year tenure in Washington, Paparsenos cooperated closely for the projection of Greek positions in the American mass media, with four ambassadors: Loukas Tsilas, Alexandros Filon, George Savvaidis and Alexandros Mallias.

[17] Minister launches Greek Week in Russia

26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Formally opened by Petralia on Tuesday, "Days of Greece" began on October 21 and ends on December 15.

The minister outlined the opportunity for boosting investments between the two countries, saying that existing close cooperation still had great leeway for growth.

"Greek tourism is rising and has forged a dynamic path that will lead the country into the constellation of advanced countries," she forecast.

"Our tourism policy, which is a long-term one, has brought statutory reform that is key to the advancement of new forms of tourism - city, conference, agro tourism, cultural, marine, skiing, spa, sports and coaching, educational, religious and pilgrimage," Petralia said.

The minister laid special emphasis on religious tourism, the fastest growing alternative form around the world.

"Greece has tens of thousands of Orthodox monasteries, churches and chapels that can offer tourists an integrated experience of contact with our religious tradition. We aim to make the tourist season all-year-round, which will make a decisive contribution to the country's tourism and economic development," she noted.

Earlier in the day, the minister met a leader of Russia's tourism enterprise federation for talks on boosting tourism to Greece and opportunities for cooperation.

She invited travel agents to visit Greece, also announcing that a publicity campaign will be launched in Russia. The minister heard that Russians were interested in city breaks and skiing holidays in Greece, especially during a long holiday each January.

According to Petralia, Russia this year is the source country for tourists to Greece that has shown the greatest percentage increase at about 50 percent. Traditionally, Russian tourists opted for Halkidiki and Crete, but interest was now being shown in other Greek islands.

In 2005, around 183,000 Russian tourists visited Greece, rising by more than 28 percent against 2004.

Accompanying Petralia on her trip are a deputy of the ruling New Democracy party, Ioannis Plakiotakis; and, for the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement, Theodoros Pangalos. Both officials work on tourism policy for their parties.

In St Petersburg, the minister also met the city's governor, Valentina Matvievko, who said that visa problems for Russians were being resolved.

Petralia will also visit Moscow to open a new bureau of the Greek National Tourism Organization.

[18] Gov't cites budget limitations

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The 2007 budget's primary goal is to maintain the fiscal deficit below 3.0% of gross domestic product in line with a commitment to the European Union, and lower it further, said Doukas, whose portfolio includes the budget.

"This is why the budget cannot meet all needs," he added.

[19] Employment minister says 'early retirement means loss of income'

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Following their meeting, they called on the insured "not to be swayed by the climate of phobia regarding the social insurance system."

Tsitouridis underlined that "early retirement has as a consequence the loss of income."

On his part, GSEE president Yiannis Panagopoulos noted that "the trade unions have the means to avert adverse changes in the social insurance system."

During the meeting, Tsitouridis reiterated the government's position that pensions will not be decreased, the age limit for retirement will not increase and that contributions will not increase in the coming changes in the social insurance system.

[20] PASOK's Damanaki criticizes government's policy on social insurance system

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

"The indifference, incompetence and contradictory policy of the (ruling) New Democracy lead the social insurance system to complete weakening," Damanaki said.

She noted that "if the law of the previous government, the 'Reppas Law', was implemented with consistency and the effort for putting in order the social insurance system had continued, the predictions were that the social insurance system would have secured a survival at least up to 2020, while following the latest developments, reliable analysts note the eventuality that we will have problems during the 2008-2010 period."

Damanaki stressed that "there is great insecurity which leads to early retirement and according to assessments, 120,000 civil servants, of which 70,000 are women, are asking whether they will leave by the end of the year, following the government's latest decisions."

[21] Greek govt presents new bankruptcy code

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The ministers said existing bankruptcy legislation reflected moral views of a past era and of a different reality and stressed that a revision of the code was imperative to offering a second chance to enterprises.

The draft legislation was drafted on the standards of bankruptcy codes in other European countries without ignoring the country's long-lasting legal tradition. The new legislation aims to modernize the fundamental views of bankruptcy legislation, introducing measures to allow a bankrupt enterprise to continue operating, envisaging the restructuring of a bankrupt enterprise and imposing heavy sanctions for malicious bankruptcy.

[22] Development minister revokes fines on fuel station owners

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

A federation statement said the minister's move was the right one since its members were the least responsible for the supply of adulterated fuel in domestic markets.

The Development ministry on Tuesday announced the imposition of heavy fines, totaling 1.5 million euros on a number of fuel stations and fuel distribution companies for distributing adulterated fuel.

[23] Elefsis Shipyards to work with Armaris on building Fremm class frigates

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Fremm multiple-purpose frigates for NATO member-states are the biggest European naval program in the last 60 years and envisages the building of 27 vessels. The program started in November 2005 in France and Italy.

Under the memorandum, Elefsis Shipyards and Armaris agreed to work together in building Fremm class frigates for the Greek Navy, promoting the Greek shipyard as a strategic partner for the French Navy's programs.

Armaris is a joint venture between DCN and Thales offering integrated solutions to naval equipment supplies.

[24] Greenpeace reports illegal sales of genetically modified rice in supermarkets

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

It said a Greenpeace investigation showed that 19 supermarkets in the Marinopoulos (Carrefour, Champion and 5'), Sklavenitis, Vassilopoulos and Veropoulos chains still stocked the GM rice products, demanding that the development ministry sort out the responsibilities of its various services and undertake to monitor the products' withdrawal and destruction.

It also criticized EFET for announcing that it was not responsible for withdrawing and destroying the illegal products from supermarket shelves, saying that it was trying to fool consumers by saying that it was "monitoring" the withdrawal process when it did not even know whether the products were still on sale.

Greenpeace urged consumers not to buy the packaged rice products belonging to the Bali brand, including Bali genius, Bali wild rice and Bali Fit for Fun and to complain to the supermarket, EFET and the General Secretariat for Consumers if they come across the products on sale.

It also advises consumers that have already bought the rice to throw it away, keeping only the packaging, and to send this to the company demanding its replacement or remuneration.

[25] Greek traditional alcoholic drinks 'safeguarded products' in EU

BRUSSELS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Greece was represented at the session by Agricultural Development and Foods Minister Evangelos Basiakos who was accompanied by the secretary-general of agricultural policy and international relations Christos Avgoulas.

Specifically, the safeguarding of the above-mentioned Greek drinks was achieved within the framework of the new regulation regarding alcoholic drinks.

On the new regulation concerning organic farming, Basiakos called for the effective protection of organically-grown products in Greece from the import of similar products from third countries.

[26] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

ATHENS, 26/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.01% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks 0.43% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.07% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 150 to 105 with 57 remaining unchanged.

Stock Futures: