Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-11-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Only definitive, mutual acceptable to 'name issue' will enable Euro-Atlantic access for FYROM

[02] Events commemorating Polytechnic uprising

[03] Gov't on the election law

[04] Papandreou in London for Socialist Int'l session

[05] Papandreou addresses PASOK National Council

[06] Exclusive interview with SYRIZA Secretary Nikos Houndis

[07] Alavanos on Zoniana incident

[08] Bakoyannis addresses municipality union conference

[09] Transport minister addresses event on public transport

[10] UN High Commission delegation for refugees holds talks with merchant marine minister

[11] Greece-Turkey natgas pipeline to be inaugurated by PMs Karamanlis, Erdogan on Sunday

[12] Greek trade unions reject plan for merger of pension funds

[13] Deputy Defence Minister addresses development conference on Crete

[14] Eurozone trade surplus up in September

[15] Credit conditions improved in October

[16] Forthnet reports improved nine-month results

[17] Organic farming on the rise in northern Greece

[18] Greek stocks end 0.42 pct lower on Fri.

[19] ADEX closing report

[20] Greek bond market closing report

[21] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[22] Greek culture minister supports common European agenda on culture

[23] Officer critically injured in Zoniana incident improving, doctors say

[24] Karamanlis visits Archbishop Christodoulos at home

[25] Istanbul church vandalised by nationalist extremists

[26] Six killed in head-on collision near Patras

[27] Armed forces helicopter enlisted to reach islet of Gavdos

[28] Psychiatrist injured in bloody attack

[29] Iranian embassy hosts event on Persian poet Rumi

[30] Greek sheep dog a valuable conservation tool, group claims

[31] Rain, storms on Saturday

[32] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[33] President Papadopoulos: The Cyprus problem never had religious connotations

[34] Russia supports UN-brokered agreement on Cyprus Politics

[01] PM: Only definitive, mutual acceptable to 'name issue' will enable Euro-Atlantic access for FYROM

"This is clear and succinct," Karamanlis said, speaking during his institutional response to the opposition, and in response to a question tabled by Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) leader George Karatzaferis regarding the government's positions on the FYROM "name issue".

Karamanlis said that Athens and Skopje have been engaged in negotiations for approximately 15 years, aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution on the basis of a composite name.

"There is no change of direction. What exists is frankness, determination and a constructive spirit" on the part of Greece, the Greek prime minister said, adding that "these long-standing negotiations have already entered a new stage, one of great importance".

"Only a definitive and mutually acceptable solution, only active respect of the Agreements and the principles of good neighbourliness can 'unlock' and ensure objective prospects for alliance relations, partnership relations, relations of solidarity with the neighbouring country. There is no other road that leads to its (FYROM's) accession to Euro-Atlantic organisations. This is clear-cut; succinct words," Karamanlis said.

The prime minister further said that any perception that the responsible parliamentary procedure, the procedure set out in the country's Constitution, was a process of "reduced democracy" was "erroneous and dangerous", stressing that Parliament was fully able to ratify a prospective agreement with FYROM on the name issue if such an agreement was achieved.

The Constitution, he explained, "does not rule out the choice of other procedures, such as a referendum', adding that "it does not, however, gradate democratic sensitivity and responsibility".

"If and when a final agreement arises, parliament can responsibly fulfil its own duty," the prime minister stressed.

[02] Events commemorating Polytechnic uprising

ONNED president George Papanicolaou laid the wreath on behalf of the ruling party's youth organisation, while wreaths were also placed by representatives of the DAP-NDFK (ND-affiliated student organisations) in the AEI and TEI (university and technical institutions of higher education).

A wreath on behalf of ND was laid at the monument by education deputy minister Spyridon Taliadouros.

Commemoration events began throughout the country on Thursday, as the Polytechnic (now the National Technical University of Athens-NTUA) opened its gates to the people, mostly pupils and students, to deposit a flower on the memorial in the front courtyard.

The anniversary is held each year in tribute to a student uprising against the military dictatorship ruling Greece at that time, that was violently put down in the early hours of November 17, 1973 when the army and tanks were brought in to disperse the students that had taken over the Athens Polytechnic building and the civilians who had thronged to the site in support of the uprising.

The NTUA gates will close after the conclusion of the three-day memorial events.

Messages

In a message on the uprising anniversary, education minister Evangelos Stylianidis said that "Peoples are worthy of their history when they have a deep historic memory and do not forget those who fought in the past, with self-sacrifice, for the humanity-wide values".

"We, therefore, have an unwavering duty to pay tribute to the Polytechnic fighters who courageously defended the ideals of democracy, justice and liberty. The meaning of the Polytechnic inspires and binds us all to daily seek the further shielding of democracy, a condition for which is without doubt the upgrading of the quality of education," Stylianidis said.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Central Committee, in a message, stressed that "the meaning of the popular uprising of November 1973 against the dictatorship, the US and NATO becomes timely today in the pressing need for growth of the popular struggle for the rights and modern needs of the popular family".

"The opponent is the class policy for increasing the profitability and competitiveness of capital, which is being materialised today by the ND government, and aims at further deduction of the elementary rights of the working people and their children," the KKE message said.

Delegations of the KKE and its youth organisation KNE will lay wreaths at the Polytechnic at noon on Friday.

The Central Political Committee of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN), in a message, said that "The Polytechnic lives in the struggles of today and tomorrow for peace, social liberation, the struggles for safeguarding and expanding the social conquests, the democratic rights and freedoms, the harsh clash with the forces of war and neo-liberalism".

The Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party, in its message, said that the Polytechnic anniversary was being exploited today for petty-political and party purposes. "We honour the victims of the struggle against the dictatorship. Their vindication is national independence, popular sovereignty, democratic stability," the message added.

The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), in its own message, paid tribute to the memory of the fighters, students and working people at the Polytechnic uprising.

A GSEE delegation will lay a wreath at the Polytechnic on Friday.

PASOK message on '73 Athens Polytechnic uprising

Main opposition PASOK party on Friday stressed, in a message on the 34th anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising, that the ideological and political basis of the struggle against the then dictatorship continues to be timely by assuming a new content.

"Thirty four years after the goals of national independence, popular sovereignty and social justice, the call is now for a new national strategy that will strengthen Greece's role in Europe, the SE Mediterranean and the Balkans, while defending Greek sovereign rights in an effective manner, the message read.

"A viable development model that respects the environment and invests in the people, knowledge and innovation, while guaranteeing quality free public education as well as a new modern social state that supports the weak, are necessary, according to the message.

Papandreou lays wreath at the Athens Polytechnic

Main opposition PASOK President George Papandreou laid a wreath at the Athens Polytechnic on Friday, commemorating the 34th anniversary of the November 1973 student uprising against the junta then ruling Greece.

"The spirit of uprising and reversal is always timely. The struggle for democracy, the consolidation of democracy, is always timely, just as it is today for the reversal, the changing of a political system that is not a true reflection of the Greek people's needs", he said.

Journalists' union federation on Polytechnic uprising anniversary

The Panhellenic Federation of Journalists' Unions (POESY) on Friday highlighted the role that journalists play in preserving a memory of historic events, during a message regarding the 34th anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic student uprising of November 17, 1973.

"During a period when exploitation and neoliberal political choices and business centres show their hardest face by overturning social insurance rights and attempting to control journalists and the right of the Greek people to be infomred, the message of 17 November 1973 remains forever current," a POESY announcement said.

[03] Gov't on the election law

Antonaros made the comment when asked about the government's refusal to fully support a so-called "German model" proposal made by main opposition PASOK in recent days.

"The government has stated its position clearly and the election law debate will take place at the appropriate time in parliament," Antonaros stressed.

[04] Papandreou in London for Socialist Int'l session

The meeting will be begin on Monday morning and will be completed with the working lunch hosted by the British PM.

The establishment of the Viable Global Society Committee was decided at a SI council in Santiago, Chile on Nov. 6-7, 2006, and ratified at the Geneva council on June 29-30, 2007. Coordinators are former Chilean president UN special envoy on climate change, Ricardo Lagos, as well as former Swedish premier Goran Persson.

[05] Papandreou addresses PASOK National Council

Moreover, the National Council will be turned into a Central Organising Committee, but the most substantive role will be played by the Organising Committee's Secretariat that will have the exclusive responsibility of preparing the congress, whose aim will be the party's political revival.

Papandreou said that the Secretariat will be manned by "persons who have the inclination, the energy, the contact with new approaches and conceptions, the distance from power and greater contact with the new world."

[06] Exclusive interview with SYRIZA Secretary Nikos Houndis

In an exclusive interview with ANA-MPA, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos, or SYN), which head the SYRIZA parliamentary collaboration) Secretary Nikos Houndis says that he sees no change in the policy followed by PASOK, and stresses that SYRIZA is engaged in meaningful opposition.

The 5th SYN Congress will consolidate the unity of the leftist forces and further define an alternative policy toward the bipartisan, conservative and neo-liberal policies, he said, adding that it became obvious during the recent PASOK leadership election procedure that the main opposition party does not wish to adopt radical policy changes.

He said that social insurance, education, the environment and privatizations are the major problems faced by the people, stressing that his party does not support government moves that lead to greater social inequalities and favor the downgrading of the environment, which serve large economic interests and profiteering.

SYN-SYRIZA backs the adoption of a simple proportional electoral system, Houndis stressed.

He said that SYRIZA is the only true opposition to the ruling New Democracy government's policy, despite the fact that it is a small political party, adding that it is well aware that is necessary for the opposition forces to engage in joint action in order to avert the government's policies.

The government can achieve the approval of unpopular legislation based on the weak majority it has in parliament, but it will also meet with the people's disapproval, as was the case in the September 16 general elections, said Houndis, who did not rule out the likelihood of early general elections aimed at activating the new election law.

[07] Alavanos on Zoniana incident

In referring to the Zoniana region from nearby Irakleio, the largest city on the island and his election district, Alavanos essentially charged that the state's organs in area - i.e. law enforcement, politicians and the judiciary - were in collusion with drug-trafficking, gun running and protection rackets allegedly being run out of the Zoniana district - a mountainous township in Rethymno Prefecture.

Conversely, he blamed the government for not fully detailing and explaining the problems of the region, saying this omission has led to wholesale demonisation of the entire island of Crete by various mass media.

A severe police crackdown in the Zoniana and nearby Mylopotamos regions followed the assault rifle attack on the police convoy, in which one police officer was seriously injured.

[08] Bakoyannis addresses municipality union conference

"They have acted to boost local government developmentally and institutionally through the Thiseas programme and by revising the Municipalities and Communities Code," the minister said, while also noting an increase in regular funding and bold measures for upgrading primary local government administratively.

Bakoyannis highlighted the role of local government in the protection of the environment, saying that they should be at the forefront of this struggle and stressed that "development cannot exist unless it is combined with organised environmental actions".

She pinpointed urban waste management as the greatest of these problems, saying that it constituted "the most important threat now before us".

"The entire state, local governments, scientific community and social bodies have for years being trying to hide behind their finger. The time to act responsibly is here. Solutions are needed and solutions exist. There is national and regional planning, that must finally be put into action. But there are also new technologies that we must adopt in order to protect the environment," she said.

The minister then referred to the major reforms that she said were imposed by the current requirements of local government and the state:

"We have an obligation to adopt a new approach. We must create a new philosophy for local government and the administrative structure of Greece. The prime minister, Costas Karamanlis, and the New Democracy government have chosen to follow this path. They have begun dialogue with KEDKE, with [the national prefecture union] ENAE and the people of local government, on the major administrative reform the country needs," she added.

Citing her own experience as mayor of Athens, Bakoyannis pointed to three areas that she said should be the main focus of attention: creating metropolitan local government organisations in major urban centres like Athens, Thessaloniki, Piraeus, Patras and Irakleio; introducing regional administrations elected directly by voters, while reducing their number, increasing their size and creating two levels of local government; and basing a new organisation of the state on the principle of financial autonomy for municipalities.

[09] Transport minister addresses event on public transport

Hatzidakis reiterated the government's undeviating decision to upgrade public transport to enable three main goals to be achieved, namely a cleaner environment, the capital's decongesting and better service for the citizen.

The minister further said that next week he will be announcing measures to upgrade public transport with the aim of decongesting urban centres, creating a cleaner environment, facilitating the citizens' access to the city and strengthening safety in public transport.

[10] UN High Commission delegation for refugees holds talks with merchant marine minister

According to a relevant announcement, the two sides referred to cooperation at aliens' points of entry, training for Harbour Corps staff and cooperation in the framework of implementing European programmes on managing immigration waves, with regard to detecting cases requiring protection.

Lastly, the merchant marine ministry accepted to jointly organise a conference of experts on sea rescue and cases of stowaways requesting asylum, that is expected to take place in January 2008.

Financial News

[11] Greece-Turkey natgas pipeline to be inaugurated by PMs Karamanlis, Erdogan on Sunday

Alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, replying during a regular press briefing to a question on whether Russian natural gas would also be conveyed via the Greece-Turkey pipeline, said that the details would be unveiled during the speeches at the inauguration ceremony.

The Greece-Turkey natgas pipeline will have a transport capacity of 11.5 cubic metres of natural gas annually, and the project will eventually extend to Italy via the construction of a Greece-Italy natgas pipeline, officially known as the "Interconnector Greece-Italy (IGI)", which is slated for completion in 2011 and comrpises a supplement to the Greek-Turkish pipeline, transporting 8 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year.

Turning to other topics, Antonaros said that agricultural development minister Alexandros Kontos and state minister Theodoros Roussopoulos would unveil a study for the restoration and development of the agricultural sector, the forests, and environmental protection in the areas of the country devastated by last summer's wildfires, at a special event at noon on Monday at the Zappeion Press Centre.

He said a detailed presentation of the study, which was drawn up by 150 experts under the supervision of the Athens Agricultural University and the Thessaloniki Aristotelion University's School of Agriculture, would be made by the heads of the ad-hoc commitee of experts.

Antonaros explained that the study records the necessary actions by prefecture, and was drafted following consultations with the prefectural and regional authorities.

[12] Greek trade unions reject plan for merger of pension funds

The labour union said a debate on the pension system so far showed that the government deliberately ignored the problem of funding of the system, the main problem as cited by mostly opposition-controlled trade unions.

GSEE warned that wage earners were already on a strike alert and will "give their answer" to the government with a strike beginning Dec. 12.

ADEDY, the civil servants' union, said the government's plan to reform the pension system was another step towards shrinking insurance rights, reducing pensions, raising retirement ages through a unification and merger of pension funds.

[13] Deputy Defence Minister addresses development conference on Crete

He referred to the government's new economic and development policy focusing on fiscal reform while at the same time ensuring dynamic development.

The Greek economy managed to exit the EU procedure of excessive deficit in a relatively short period, while showing the highest growth rates in the Euro-zone (4.4 percent), he said.

The goal is to attract more investments, create more job positions and improve social welfare, Plakiotakis said, adding that this can be accomplished through a greater emphasis on entrepreneurship and fair distribution of wealth. The economy is becoming strong, extrovert and competitive, with an equally competitive and viable growth, he concluded.

[14] Eurozone trade surplus up in September

The Eurozone's trade surplus with the rest of the world rose to 3.1 billion euros in September, up from 2.3 billion euros a year earlier, after a trade surplus of 1.9 billion euros in August and a trade deficit of 5.4 billion euros in August 2006. The EU-27 trade deficit widened to 16.5 billion euros in September, up from 14.7 billion in September 2006.

EU trade transactions with its main trade partners rose in the January-August period, with the exception of exports to the United States, which fell by 2.0 percent, along with imports from Norway and Russia (-9.0 pct and -5.0 pct, respectively).

European exports grew by 29 pct to Russia, 22 pct to India, 17 pct to Brazil and 15 pct to China. Imports from China rose 22 pct, from Brazil and India 17 pct each and from Turkey 14.0 pct.

The EU's trade surplus with the US shrank in January-August to 52.5 billion euros, from 58.2 billion euros a year earlier, with the trade deficit with China soared to 100.8 billion euros from 80.2 billion euros, over the same period, respectively.

Germany (1289.9 billion euros), the Netherlands (26.3 billion), Ireland (20.6 bln), Sweden (9.3 bln) and Belgium (9.0 bln euros) recorded the biggest trade surplus in the January-August period, while the UK (87.6 bln), Spain (60.7 bln), France (27.6 bln) and Greece (25.3 bln) the biggest trade deficits.

[15] Credit conditions improved in October

A monthly report by Teiresias SA showed that bounced cheques numbered 7,608 in October, worth 78.31 million euros, up 6.0 pct and 8.0 pct from September, respectively. The number of unpaid bills numbered 7,182, worth 72.6 million euros over the same period.

In the 10-month period from January to October, the number of bounced cheques numbered 76,637, worth 801.11 million euros, while the number of unpaid bills numbered 93,084, worth 1.02 billion euros, a decrease of 20.2 pct and 19.2 pct, from 2006, respectively.

[16] Forthnet reports improved nine-month results

The telecoms and internet services company said its customer base totaled 189,267 in broadband services, of which 42,580 were serviced by Forthnet's private infrastructure, with two-thirds of the customers enjoying Forthnet 2play services.

Forthnet said revenues in the July-September period rose 21.8 percent compared with the same period last year, up to 29.3 million euros, while pre-tax, interest and amortization earnings (EBITDA) fell to 4.8 million euros in the third quarter, down from 7.5 million euros in the second quarter of 2007.

[17] Organic farming on the rise in northern Greece

Based on figures released by the organic farming division of the agricultural development and foods ministry, a total of 616,819 stremma of farm land in northern Greece was used for organic cultivation in 2006.

According to Eurostat figures presented on the occasion of the 2007 Green Week, in 2005 organic farming in the EU of the 25 member states corresponded only to 4 percent of the overall cultivated land.

The countries where organic farming is gaining the most ground are Austria (11 percent), Italy (8.4 percent), Greece (7.2 percent) and the Czech Republic (7.2 percent), while Malta (0.1 percent), Poland (0.6 percent) and Ireland (0.8 percent) are lagging behind in alternative farming methods.

[18] Greek stocks end 0.42 pct lower on Fri.

Most sectors ended lower, with the Chemicals (1.89 pct), Utilities (1.69 pct) and Financial Services (1.53 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Insurance (2.66 pct), Raw Materials (0.84 pct and Food/Beverage (0.71 pct) scored gains.

The Big Cap index fell 0.37 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.38 pct lower and the Small Cap index dropped 0.96 pct. Kyriakoulis (8.33 pct), Atti-Kat (8.25 pct) and Douros (6.77 pct) were top gainers, while Praxitelio (9.47 pct), Ippotour (9.21 pct) and ANEK (9.14 pct) were top losers. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 137 to 118 with another 48 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +2.66%

Industrials: -0.69%

Commercial: -1.22%

Construction: -0.38%

Media: -0.50%

Oil & Gas: +0.19%

Personal & Household: -0.04%

Raw Materials: +0.84%

Travel & Leisure: -0.71%

Technology: +0.57%

Telecoms: -0.88%

Banks: -0.15%

Food & Beverages: +0.71%

Health: +0.30%

Utilities: -1.69%

Chemicals: -1.89%

Financial Services: -1.53%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Alpha Bank, OTE and Piraeus Bank.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 24.92

ATEbank: 3.86

Public Power Corp (PPC): 25.28

HBC Coca Cola: 28.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.88

Emporiki Bank: 20.80

National Bank of Greece: 45.90

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 24.68

Intralot: 14.10

Cosmote: 26.26

OPAP: 26.40

OTE: 25.46

Titan Cement Company: 31.70

[19] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 8,845 contracts worth 117.815 million euros, with 36,092 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 399 contracts worth 12.714 million euros with 1,162 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 6,344 contracts worth 10.363 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Marfin Investment Group (1,386), followed by Eurobank (395), Marfin Popular Bank (831), PPC (558), National Bank (413), Alpha Bank (491), Intracom (560) and ATEbank (491).

[20] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates moved higher. National Bank's overnight rate rose to 4.08 pct from 4.07 pct on Thursday, the two-day rate also rose to 4.08 pct from 4.07 pct, the one-month rate rose to 4.17 pct from 4.16 pct and the 12-month rate rose to 4.60 pct from 4.58 pct.

[21] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.476

Pound sterling 0.721

Danish kroner 7.512

Swedish kroner 9.332

Japanese yen 163.28

Swiss franc 1.653

Norwegian kroner 8.095

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.441

Australian dollar 1.653

General News

[22] Greek culture minister supports common European agenda on culture

Greek Culture Minister Mihalis Liapis on Friday said that Athens was in favour of creating a common European agenda for culture during his participation in a meeting of EU culture ministers held in Brussels.

In an announcement issued after the meeting, Liapis stressed that culture should be among the priorities of the European Union and be the object of a coordinated and joint policy by the 27 EU member-states.

Among proposals made by the Greek minister was creating a digital record of cultural assets and setting up a European communications network to promote cooperation and exchange of best practices, while he also highlighted the "economy of culture" and stressed the need to EU financial support small and middle-sized bodies engaging in cultural activities and were important in local communities.

Liapis additionally stressed the need to include training in the arts and culture at all levels of education and to promote vocational training courses for culture-sector professionals, in order to improve the human resources that would help culture and the artistic sector develop further.

A final reference was to the construction and operation of the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, which will henceforth house the antiquities from the Parthenon and other Acropolis monuments, with Liapis stressing that this form part of the framework for promoting European Cultural Heritage and inviting his counterparts to visit the Museum in the coming months.

On the sidelines of the ministers' meeting, he met his French counterpart Christine Albanel to discuss the European Heritage Label and other issues.

[23] Officer critically injured in Zoniana incident improving, doctors say

A hospital announcement said that the guard appeared to be regaining awareness of his surroundings and that if his health continued to improve in the same way over the next few days he would be transferred to a neurosurgery clinic.

[24] Karamanlis visits Archbishop Christodoulos at home

Neither made any statements after the meeting.

Earlier, the archbishop had received members of the Holy Synod, who had asked to meet him either individually or all together. The archbishop had proposed that he meet them together on Friday.

According the departing clerics, Archbishop Christodoulos had been very optimistic, talkative and eager to learn all the latest news regarding the work of the Holy Synod, while noting that he followed this closely.

Earlier this year, the archbishop was diagnosed with advanced bowel and liver cancer and spent several months in hospital - including a stint in the United States for attempted liver transplant surgery that was eventually cancelled. Since his return to Athens his ill health has prevented him attending regular Holy Synod meetings.

[25] Istanbul church vandalised by nationalist extremists

The Orthodox church of Aghia Triadha in Halkidona was the target of an attack by nationalist elements early on Friday morning, who terrified the keeper and his family when they broke in through a window.

The Halkidona police have arrested three men for the attack, one of whom was seriously injured in the hand by broken glass and is considered a key suspect.

According to witnesses, the unknown attackers were between 25 and 30 years of age and used the blood from their own injuries to write messages on the walls like "this is Turkey, leave and go to Greece" while blood pooled in the garden outside the church. According to other witnesses, they also sang the Turkish national anthem.

The police were called in by the keeper and arrived in large numbers to take his statement. In another part of Istanbul, meanwhile, graffiti against Christians and Greeks was found written on the entrance of the Taxiarchon Church.

There are 70 Orthodox churches scattered around the old city in Istanbul, the villages on the shores of the Bosporus and the Asian coast.

[26] Six killed in head-on collision near Patras

Five of the victims, among them the drivers of the two cars involved in the accident, aged 19 and 42, were killed instantly, while a 27-year-old Romanian woman died in hospital a few hours later.

Two more of the victims, a man and a woman, were also Romanian nationals living in Greece.

An investigation is underway to determine the causes of the accident, which took place in a treacherous section of the highway.

[27] Armed forces helicopter enlisted to reach islet of Gavdos

Hania Prefect Grigoris Archontakis said after a meeting with Deputy Defence Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis that the defence ministry had been asked to help and would send the helicopter to Paleochora to pick up stranded Gavdos residents wishing to return home, while also transporting food, medicine and other vital supplies.

On its return from Gavdos, it would bring back an elderly woman that had to be admitted to hospital.

The tiny island is often cut off during winter months because it lacks harbour infrastructure for larger vessels that are able to travel in poor weather conditions. The island has about 40 permanent residents during the winter months.

[28] Psychiatrist injured in bloody attack

The victim suffered multiple stab wounds.

A police investigation is underway to track down the assailant, believed to be one of the psychiarist's patients.

[29] Iranian embassy hosts event on Persian poet Rumi

The event, followed by a concert of Persian music, will begin at 6 p.m. at the Athens prep school's campus.

[30] Greek sheep dog a valuable conservation tool, group claims

According to Callisto representative Constantine Godis, the Greek breed of sheep dog was able to guard against attack from bears and wolves and had been widely used by traditional herding. The breed itself was now at risk of disappearing, however, because it had no official recognition and went unused, so that it was allowed to interbreed with other kinds of dog freely.

Godis noted that farmers now largely resorted to other methods to protect crops and livestock from bears and wolves, mainly by shooting them or laying down poisoned baits that were fatal to the predators.

"Just this year in the Grevena area we found four bears that had been killed," Godis added.

He said that bears chiefly attacked corn and grapes, bee hives, sheep and goats and only rarely cows or horses, while the same livestock were a target for wolves. The simplest solution for dealing with these attacks was the Greek sheep dog, or alternatively the use of electrified fences, especially for beehives.

According to Godis the state has now recognised the usefulness of sheep dogs and was setting up a body to certify members of the breed and to subsidise its purchase by farmers. He also announced that Callisto had a small quantity of electrified fencing that it could install as a pilot scheme on selected farms.

In addition, the agricultural development and foods ministry is expected to announce a series of measures that will include subsidies for electrified fencing, for the purchase of sheep dogs and for not harvesting a crop in order to provide foods for bears. Farmers and livestock breeders are also compensated for damage caused by these predators, Godis added.

Weather Forecast

[31] Rain, storms on Saturday

[32] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Parliament discusses social security funds," noting that the government's plan, presented on Thursday night in Parliament by Employment Minister Vassilis Magginas, will merge 155 funds into a maximum of 20 funds

APOGEVMATINI: "Drug mafia exposed," referring to uncovered crime and terrorism by a family "in charge" in Zoniana

AVGI:" Government's social security reform plan leads to pension reduction, increase in retirement age"

AVRIANI: "20 percent adulteration (of results) in main opposition PASOK party leadership election" at polling stations in which computers were down

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Accusations of adulteration in PASOK leadership election"

ELEFTHEROS: "Former PM Costas Mitsotakis' outburst over (US under secretary of State for European Affairs Nicholas) Burns' statements on FYROM name issue"

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Olympic airways leased aircraft with a hole", saying that Olympic Airways maintenance staff discovered in a Boeing 737-400 leased from the Spanish company HOLA with a patched-up crack in its luggage compartment

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Government wants to access (social security) funds' reserves"

ESTIA: "PASOK is toying with us - Pompous words over German electoral law model"

ETHNOS: "Large unions warn government of massive protests against social security reforms"

KATHIMERINI: "Corrupt officials and money under the table uncovered by police in Zoniana"

LOGOS: "Turmoil over social security reforms"

RIZOSPASTIS: "Social insurance funds merging - Pensions and retirement age brought before the firing squad"

TA NEA: "Police officers and judges intervened in six court cases in Zoniana village criminal activities"

TO VIMA: "Scandal over blood transfusion checks," referring to two large pharmaceutical companies attempts to take charge of the national hospital blood transfusion testing centre

VRADYNI: "Government's plan for merger of social insurance funds"

Cyprus Affairs

[33] President Papadopoulos: The Cyprus problem never had religious connotations

The long-standing Cyprus problem was never tainted or associated or had religious connotations of any kind, President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos said here Friday.

Addressing the opening of the European Consortium for State and Church Research Conference, in Nicosia, President Papadopoulos said the Government of Cyprus, a member of the European Union, "holds freedom of religion as a basic and fundamental right of the individual. At no time there was any allegation that in the areas under the control of the Government of the Republic there was any incident of either repression or denial of absolute religious freedom," he stressed.

The Government, he added, "but more importantly, our free society, has made and continues to exert great efforts to ensure that everyone in Cyprus, Muslims, Catholics and other Christian denominations, Jews, Buddhists and others are free and able to practice their religion without obstacle or hindrance."

Unfortunately, President Papadopoulos said, the same attitude does not apply in the areas occupied, since the 1974 invasion, by Turkey.

In at least two decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, Turkey is condemned as a violator of the religious freedom in the occupied areas.

He stressed that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, has made important and effective efforts in protecting and preserving Muslim places of worship which are situated in the free areas of Cyprus, even after, in 1974, the Turkish-Cypriots who were living in the free areas chose to move to the occupied areas.

"At the same time, however, it should be stressed that the long-standing Cyprus problem was never tainted or associated or had religious connotations of any kind. It was only a month ago, and for the first time ever, that the newly elected President of Turkey, Mr. Gul, in a formal speech, tried to inject a religious aspect in the problem of Cyprus," the President underlined.

In today's globalized world religious freedom, tolerance and dialogue between religions are essential elements for stability and progress for all, President Papadopoulos said, adding that "these are the principles in which we deeply believe and for which we stand.

Government and people in Cyprus, we are determined to struggle, no matter what the consequences or price to be paid for the restoration, safeguarding and promoting these principles," he concluded.

[34] Russia supports UN-brokered agreement on Cyprus

Russia's special representative for Cyprus Leonid Abramov has expressed support for a UN-brokered agreement, in July last year, providing for preparatory discussions to help resume substantive negotiations, leading to a comprehensive settlement.

In statements to the press on Friday after a meeting with Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, Abramov, who was earlier received by President Tassos Papadopoulos, said that "we stand for the continuation of the process within the Gambari formula, within this agreed methodology of how to reach the comprehensive settlement negotiations. These are the only rules of the game for the situation today."

He added that Russia will continue its active efforts in the UN and as member of the five permanent members of the Security Council it will support a durable, just and fair settlement in Cyprus on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

Asked about his recent meetings in Ankara, Ambramov said: "I hope first of all the main result was better understanding on both sides of the peculiarities, details of the situation today. Once again we stressed that we stand for the continuation of the direct contacts of both communities, continuation of the intercommunal dialogue within the Gambari formula. This window of opportunity should not be closed. Otherwise both sides would make a step back, not forward."

Russia, he said replying to questions, is going to play a more active role.

On July 8, 2006, President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of UN official Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, to reunite the country, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

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