Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-12-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, France back Security Council resolution to protect journalists

[02] French FM Douste-Blazy optimistic on adoption of resolution protecting journalists

[03] PM and interior minister discuss 4th CSF

[04] PM and justice minister discuss ministry issues

[05] Government denies Polydoras statements targeted SYN

[06] PASOK, KKE slam public order minister's statements

[07] Bakoyannis opens exhibition on Greek EEC accession talks

[08] PASOK leader addresses party's Parliamentary Council

[09] Papandreou visits Moschato centre for the elderly

[10] Court of Audit presents annual report to Parliament

[11] Students gather outside Parliament on revision of Article 16

[12] Reduction in unemployment significant, government stresses

[13] FM Bakoyannis tells Parliament 'the government's success is real'

[14] Former PM Simitis addresses Parliament during debate on 2007 state budget

[15] Eurobarometre: Greeks concerned about future given state of economy, unemployment

[16] Basiakos calls for protection and support of organic farming

[17] Contract signed for Ionian roadway

[18] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop

[19] Education minister visits Avlona Juvenile Correctional Facility

[20] Greece state honors 'Lady of Marasion'

[21] Skyrian Horse facing extinction, scientists say

[22] Certified guides to the Greek mountains

[23] Spokesman: Turkey wants to present itself as the victim

[24] India: Cyprus solution must be in line with UN resolutions

[25] Cypriot Spokesman: University in occupied north is illegal

[26] Annan says his successor will follow the same line on Cyprus

[01] Greece, France back Security Council resolution to protect journalists

NEW YORK, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The minister made the statement during a joint press conference with French Ambassador to Athens Bruno Delaye at the Greek foreign ministry.

Originally proposed by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the idea went before the Security Council in September, during the month when Greece held the rotating presidency.

Bakoyannis said that the Greek presidency had promoted the proposal with the support of permanent Security Council member France and found it positively received by the other members, so that it was now slated for discussion in depth over the coming days.

Representing the IFJ, Greek journalist Nikos Megrelis pointed out that 146 people working for the media had been killed in 2006, most of them in Iraq, and he underlined the importance of such a resolution, since it would for the first time give the UN Secretary-General the right to monitor the deaths of journalists, attribute responsibility to governments and demand action.

According to Delaye, there had been 60 journalists killed in 2005 and 75 in 2006, while the number of victims just in Iraq among those working for the media had reached 130 in the same year.

The initiative to bring the proposal before the UN Security Council reflected the good and close cooperation between France and Greece, he added.

He also pointed out that France had praised the quality and ingenuity of Greek diplomacy during its two-year term on the Security Council.

[02] French FM Douste-Blazy optimistic on adoption of resolution protecting journalists

PARIS, 20/12/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Speaking during a joint press conference with Greece's Ambassador to Paris Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos, Douste-Blazy referred to the cooperation of Greece for tabling the draft resolution and especially of Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

A corresponding joint press conference by Bakoyannis and French Ambassador to Athens Bruno Delaye was held earlier on Tuesday at the foreign ministry in Athens.

The French minister expressed his "particular satisfaction because a European partner cooperates closely with us in this action."

"France has expressed its position regarding this issue on December 4, in New York, calling on the international community to pay particular attention to the issue of the protection of journalists in war zones. The same day, a draft resolution was presented together with Greece and my counterpart Dora, to whom I address my greetings," Douste-Blazy said.

He also expressed his belief that in the coming days, the resolution will be "surely adopted unanimously".

On his part, Ambassador Paraskevopoulos referred to the draft resolution. "The international humanitarian law offers some answers, since journalists are, at the same time, simple citizens. But this law refers directly to 'classical type' conficts. Today, though, there is a clear differentiation of the conflicts, which in combination with the reality of international terrorism, renders imperative the improvement of effectiveness," he said.

Paraskevopoulos also underlined the need for "an appeal to be made to all countries not only to condemn but also to punish every form of violence against journalists."

The draft resolution has as points of reference the 1949 Geneva Treaties and the two Complementary Protocols of 1979 regarding the protection of citizens in case of armed conflicts.

[03] PM and interior minister discuss 4th CSF

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Pavlopoulos commented that 80 percent of the 4th Community Support Framework funds will be allocated for the country's regions and added that the basic axes are e-governance, immigration and decentralization.

[04] PM and justice minister discuss ministry issues

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papaligouras referred to the four legal codes under reform and mentioned that the Bankruptcy Code will be tabled in parliament in February, while the Civil Procedure Code is progressing and will be open to a public debate also in February.

The justice minister added that the Penal Code will be ready hopefully during the summer followed by the Civil Procedure Code and stressed that, with their completion, the country's justice system will be updated.

[05] Government denies Polydoras statements targeted SYN

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

He was responding to questions about statements made by Polydoras on Monday, in which he asked all the opposition parties and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN), in particular, to clarify their position regarding violent attacks on police and property by anti-authority, anarchist groups.

Asked why Polydoras had singled out the Coalition party, Roussopoulos said that it was "self-evident that we all have an obligation to condemn actions that threaten the life, safety and property of Greek citizens," noting that these were first and foremost condemned by Greek society.

He also pointed out that it was a common practice for parties to be asked to declare their position on issues in Parliament.

The spokesman denied that Polydoras' statement could also be construed as a sanction for the excessive use of force by police, stressing that the minister had recently come down hard on such behaviors in the police force, initiating an internal inquiry under oath for the actions of eight officers, who had since suffered the consequences of their actions.

In an announcement issued the same day, however, the Coalition's political secretariat called on Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to directly denounce the minister's statements, saying that Polydoras had targeted the party in an effort to divert attention from his own responsibilities and the problems he had caused in the police force.

[06] PASOK, KKE slam public order minister's statements

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Speaking during PASOK's Parliamentary Council meeting, Efthymiou spoke of "an escalation on the part of Mr. Polydoras who left himself exposed, as has the government left itself exposed."

The public order minister, in statements made to radio stations, called on the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) "to categorically condemn the disturbances that take place in Athens," saying that the party "is against the law and exposed in society." Polydoras also spoke of "a group of troublemakers neighborly to PASOK," speaking of "their own children."

Efthymiou said that the stance of "an against the law party changes the basis of the democratic system."

The PASOK spokesman also said that "during New Democracy (ND) party governance and Mr. Polydoras' ministerial tenure, crime has increased." Efthymiou cited "official data signed by the current minister, according to which, during the first half of 2006, crime increased significantly in comparison to the corresponding six-month period in 2005."

PASOK leader George Papandreou also referred to the issue, stressing that "it does not concern a discord, but a constant similar practice, which has its previous ones, the issues of the phone-tapping and of the Pakistanis."

Expounding, Papandreou spoke of "authoritarianism and a police state logic which reminds and leads to past eras."

On its part, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), commenting on the Public Order Minister Polydoras' statements, said in an announcement:"The working people and youth should not be disorientated by the efforts being made by the government to justify the development of a multi-form state authoritarianism, which is planned and organized in all the European Union by the conservative and socialdemocratic governments, which aims at protecting their anti-popular policy from the popular indignation and struggle."

[07] Bakoyannis opens exhibition on Greek EEC accession talks

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The minister praised the Greek politicians that had brought about Greece's EU entry at that time, including the late premier and statesman Constantine Karamanlis and the team under George Rallis, who later also served as prime minister.

She also used the opportunity to welcome the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the EU, saying it served as a message of hope for all the other Balkan countries and Turkey. "All countries that meet European criteria have a place in Europe," she added.

Noting that 2007 marked the 50th anniversary since the signature of the Treaty of Rome, which had laid the foundations for the present EU, Bakoyannis stressed that Europeans had to now decide what they wanted for their future.

"We must clear up what kind of Europe we want, what vision will motivate the new generations," she said.

The Greek foreign ministry would take a first step in this direction in 2007 by initiating a great debate on these issues within Europe, addressed mainly to young people, she added.

"In the first six months of 2007, the foreign ministry expects to have a high degree of participation by academics, organizations, citizens and youth groups. At the end of the German presidency [of the European Council], Greek positions will have a dynamic presence in a Europe seeking its new vision," Bakoyannis said.

The exhibition was organized by the foreign ministry's Diplomatic and Historical Archives Service to mark the 25th year since Greece joined the European Union, then the EEC.

[08] PASOK leader addresses party's Parliamentary Council

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Addressing the movement's Parliamentary Council, Papandreou said that "existing momentum should not stop" during the Christmas period and asked for an immediate start of party action, which should be escalated through the new year.

He also said that the New Democracy government's policies in the economic, social and institutional sectors "have failed."

After the council's meeting, Papandreou met with the presidium of the Supreme General Confederation of Pensioners of Greece.

[09] Papandreou visits Moschato centre for the elderly

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In statements, the main opposition leader said his party aimed at "giving back to every citizen his dignity", adding that the elderly and pensioners "have a lot to offer to society and we want them to be active, having secured for them the right infrastructures and welfare."

"Our program refers to a viable, respectable and strong social security scheme and for services to belong to local government institutions which will dispose of funds for their welfare," Papandreou also said.

The PASOK leader was met at the centre by Moschato Mayor Taxiarchis Papantonis.

[10] Court of Audit presents annual report to Parliament

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Presenting the report, Court of Audit President George-Stavros Kourtis said that it had revealed the prevention of illegal payments to local authority organizations but not the state sector.

Psarouda-Benaki underlined the importance of the report, noting that it gave a picture of overall financial management, and said that it would be relayed to Parliamentary committees and MPs.

[11] Students gather outside Parliament on revision of Article 16

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The students unfolded a banner and set fire to placards which wrote "No to the abolition of Article 16".

They disrupted traffic for about 15 minutes and later marched to Omonia.

The demonstrators gave a "rendez vous" for noon on Wednesday in the centre of Athens, where they will hold a rally.

A rally will also take place at noon on Thursday, with the participation of students, professors and teachers, in light of the state budget which is being discussed in Parliament, to protest, as students and tutors claim, the low funds given for education.

[12] Reduction in unemployment significant, government stresses

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Roussopoulos stressed that this was three percentage points down from the jobless rate of 11.3% in 2004, shortly after ruling New Democracy had taken over from PASOK's government.

Pointing out that these figures translated into actual people, the spokesman said that this meant that the ranks of the un-employed had shrunk from 530,000 to 400,000 and that some 250,000 jobless had managed to find work.

Roussopoulos noted that the government had pledged to reduce unemployment to single-digit figures. While it had not achieved a target of eradicating unemployment, this was nevertheless significantly reduced, he added.

He also stressed that there had been no change in the way that the numbers of unemployed were calculated.

Unemployment at 8.3% in 3rd qtr 2006, NSS reports: Unemployment fell to 8.3 percent in the third quarter of 2006, down from 9.7 percent in the same quarter of 2005, Greece's National Statistics Service announced on Tuesday. In the same period, the country's working population accounted for 53.5 percent of the total population above 15, which was the highest rate for several years.

Rates of joblessness among young people aged 15-29 remained high at 17.6 percent, rising to 25 percent for young women. Rates of joblessness also tended to be higher than the national average in northern and western parts of Greece, below average in Crete and the southern Aegean and at 8 percent in Attica, down from 8.9 percent in the third trimester of 2005.

PASOK spokesman questions data on unemployment: Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) spokesman Petros Efthymiou on Tuesday questioned data on unemployment which was given by government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, according to which unemployment fell to 8.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2006, from 11.3 per cent in 2004.

Efthymiou referred to a speech by Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis during the government's program statements on March 21, 2004. Then, according to Efthymiou, the finance minister had referred to 9.5 per cent, that is, two per cent less than the percentage referred to by Roussopoulos.

The PASOK spokesman said the New Democracy (ND) government "fabricated figures of an increase in unemployment in 2004 so as to later give the impression that it was on a downward trend."

"Unemployment is established and this is due to the ND government's policy," Efthymiou said.

Unions reject gov't jobless data: The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) said on Tuesday that government jobless data for the third quarter did not reflect reality.

"The figures are doing well but the number of unemployed is growing," the GSEE said in a statement.

"The statistics show a decline but every Greek household has one jobless person, and when youth or the elderly seek work and find themselves in an impasse, then the release of data on a fall in unemployment is a provocation," the statement said.

The GSEE said that only the index for part-time employment had improved.

Jobless data available for inspection: Employment and Social Protection Minister Savvas Tsitouridis said on Tuesday that third-quarter unemployment data produced by the government's statistics agency was available for inspection to any parties who doubted its validity.

"The decline in unemployment by three percentage points since 2004 is extremely favorable and hopeful," the minister said in reply to a reporter's question.

"The method of calculation has not changed (since 2004) and the data is comparable," he added.

[13] FM Bakoyannis tells Parliament 'the government's success is real'

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"The main opposition party refuses the reforms and attempts to denigrate them. Certain trade unions of the public sector demonstrate and protest, but the majority of public opinion wishes us to continue, because it is aware that the globalization and the causes which create it, present great opportunities, but also dangers for those who grumble and delay," Bakoyannis said.

The foreign minister added: "Public opinion has the maturity to be aware of this. It does not only say for us to proceed, but to proceed faster, and if you (PASOK) find obstacles, hold elections and with our own help as well you will overcome them. Whenever elections are held, the New Democracy (ND) will win, because, above all, it has a plan and targets."

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis underlined on Tuesday evening the turn of the country's foreign policy towards economic diplomacy on the lines of most countries.

Addressing Parliament during the debate on the 2007 state budget, Bakoyannis termed the change as "very important" and said that in combination with Greece's traditional foreign policy "our good relations with the neighboring countries will lead to a decrease in funds for armaments, which however are needed today."

"We have turned ourselves to the most rapidly developing economies. Our timely stance yields important results. We have promoted our relations with China, the Arab world while our relations with Russia are flourishing. As regards Turkey, the dynamics of our economic relations are changing. For the first time the increase of our exports is much greater than the increase of imports," she noted.

[14] Former PM Simitis addresses Parliament during debate on 2007 state budget

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The former prime minister recognized that the rate of growth stands close to four per cent, reminding, however, that the government's proclamations had foreseen it as greater by one per cent.

"Today's rate of growth comes from the rise of the activities of the years 1996-2004, from the infrastructure works, the placing in order of the country's image, the Olympic Games and the unprecedented then, rate of increase in investment activity. However, the continuation which we see, is extremely poor," Simitis said.

[15] Eurobarometre: Greeks concerned about future given state of economy, unemployment

20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The survey was conducted from a sample of 1,000 Greek citizens who were called on to express their opinions on social, economic and European issues and was presented by the EU Commission's representation in Athens.

Greeks are among the peoples who trust the European Union (65 per cent) much more than the Greek Parliament (54 per cent), while six out of ten do not trust the government, three in four (77 per cent) the political parties, and at least half the trade unions.

At the same time, they recognize the need for the establishment of a European Constitution (72 per cent). They also support a new future enlargement of the EU (71 per cent), far from the European average of 46 per cent, but they decline Turkey's and Albania's EU accession (only 24 per cent is in favor of Turkey and 38 per cent of Albania).

[16] Basiakos calls for protection and support of organic farming

BRUSSELS, 20/12/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Greece's positions were expounded by Agricultural Development and Foods Minister Evangelos Basiakos.

In the debate regarding the regulation for organic farming, Basiakos called on the Council to foresee for organic products the complete absence of genetic modification, so that their safety and competitiveness to be strengthened.

Basiakos rejected the European Commission's intention for the taking of further restrictive measures in the sector of sugar.

[17] Contract signed for Ionian roadway

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"Creation of the Ionian Way will be a dream of decades for the inhabitants of western Greece and Epirus. The new motorway according to European specifications will set a new course for growth in the area," Souflias said in a statement.

The concession project won by the Hellenic Autopistas consortium has a length of 382 kilometers with 42 inter-sections.

[18] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop

ATHENS, 20/12/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.82% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks 1.01% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.67% down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 186 to 69 with 48 remaining unchanged.

Stock Futures: