Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 11-04-26

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Crucial week for Greek economy

[02] PM phone contact with Medvedev

[03] PM Papandreou holds telephone conversation with Libyan counterpart

[04] FM Droutsas calls on Damascus to display self-restraint, respect democratic rights

[05] Three US helicopters refuelled on Corfu en route to Souda Bay

[06] President Papoulias certain Greek people will overcome present difficult days

[07] PM Papandreou's Easter message

[08] PM Papandreou holds telephone conversation with Archbishop Ieronymos

[09] ND party leader's Easter message

[10] Political party leaders' Easter visits

[11] Greek delegation receives the Holy Light

[12] Holidaymakers gradually returning home

[13] PASOK party leading ND by 2.1 pc, poll shows

[14] DM on unused army camps

[15] Artifacts from Greece for first-ever Cycladic Art exhibition in Turkey

[16] Homeless shelter to open in Athens

[17] Two killed in Rhodes in Easter fireworks accident

[18] Somalian pirates free Greek-owned freighter

[19] Athens Fringe Festival from June 20 to 26

[20] Light quake off Limnos

[21] Illegal migrants

[22] Arrest in Thessaloniki on counterfeit money charges

[23] Overcast, rainy on Tuesday

[24] Athens' Saturday newspapers at a glance

[01] Crucial week for Greek economy

Prime minister George Papandreou was due to return to Athens on Monday from a brief Easter holiday respite on the island of Hydra.

A team of troika experts is due in early May for its regular consultations and evaluation of progress ahead of the disbursement of the next tranche (12 billion euros) of the EU-IMF 110 billion euro bailout loan to Greece.

Eurostat, the European Commission's statistical agency, is also due to release on Tuesday the figures for the 2010 deficit.

[02] PM phone contact with Medvedev

They further discussed international relations, and chiefly the developments in North Africa and the Middle East.

The discussion focused particularly on the developments in Libya, on which Medvedev endorsed the Greek initiatives for finding a political solution.

During the telephone call, held at Papandreou's initiative, the two leaders exchanged greetings for the Orthodox Easter, which is celebrated in both countries.

[03] PM Papandreou holds telephone conversation with Libyan counterpart

The two men discussed the latest developments in Libya and the Greek prime minister stressed the need for the UN's resolutions to be implemented.

Papandreou discussed the same issue in a telephone conversation with the Russian president a day earlier. President Medvedev has a positive stance regarding Greece's initiatives for the finding of a political solution in Libya.

[04] FM Droutsas calls on Damascus to display self-restraint, respect democratic rights

Droutsas stressed that the news on the use of violence by the Syrian government forces to quell protests in Syrian cities and the deaths of tens of civilians cause great concern. "The right to peaceful demonstration and freedom of expression is an essential element of democracy and must be respected," the FM underlined in his statement.

[05] Three US helicopters refuelled on Corfu en route to Souda Bay

According to information, the helicopters had taken off from a military base in Italy, probably Naples, destined for Souda Bay within the framework of the NATO operations in Libya.

[06] President Papoulias certain Greek people will overcome present difficult days

"The days are difficult, but I believe that our difficulties will be overcome. The Resurrection of Christ will help us, the Greek people to pass their own Golgotha. I am certain, I believe in this, the Greek people have inexhaustible powers," he said.

President Papoulias also referred to the armed forces, the navy and the air force, stressing that it is they that defend the borders and discourage whoever of thinking of something against the country's integrity.

President Papoulias arrived on the island at 13:15 with the presidential aircraft from the city of Ioannina, his home city,where he has been since Palm Sunday.

[07] PM Papandreou's Easter message

In his message from the island of Hydra, where he arrived for Easter, the prime minister pointed out that "through the difficulties and the efforts of all of us, we are changing menta-lities and conceptions and we are thinking responsibly of the common benefit, of our children, of tomorrow."

The prime minister expresses optimism that "despite the difficulties, we are walking together on this path, we are breaking pessimism and fatalism and taking change in our hands, certain that we shall succeed."

Lastly, Papandreou stresses that "we shall succeed in the end in having a country of justice and growth for which we shall be proud. Optimistically, decisively, we are making Greece of creation."

[08] PM Papandreou holds telephone conversation with Archbishop Ieronymos

The Archbishop wished the prime minister courage and success in his efforts, while they agreed to meet when their commitments permit them to do so.

[09] ND party leader's Easter message

Georgios Cathedral in the city of Nafplio, said that "the triumph of the Resurrection is bringing the hope that is not written in the sand or in the air, but is bound to the sturdy rock of realism, self-confidence and responsibility."

Samaras visited an armed forces facility in the city of Tripoli and exchanged best wishes with officers and servicemen.

Speaking afterwards, he said "in the eyes of the young people I see the anxiety for their future and our responsibility to give them tangible and not theoretical hope. Hope that will be applicable, so that they can regain self-confidence and hope for tomorrow."

Samaras wished that "optimism will come again to every home" and expressed the conviction that "with the strength of God all will be well."

[10] Political party leaders' Easter visits

Prime Minister George Paopandreou visited the island of Hydra, while main opposition New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras spent Easter Day in the city of Nafplio.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga and Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) president Alexis Tsipras remained in Athens, while Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party leader George Karatzaferis went to the city of Atalanti.

[11] Greek delegation receives the Holy Light

The Greek delegation and the representatives of the Church of Greece received the Holy Light from Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem shortly after it was lit at the Holy Sepulchre Church of the Resurrection of Christ in early afternoon on Holy Saturday.

Addressing Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Dollis, head of the Greek government delegation, the Patriarch underlined that "in the present conjuncture of disappointment, confusion and despair, the Resurrection of Christ is the hope of light, salvation and resurrection for our nation".

On his part, Dollis stressed that it is "a great honor to receive the Holy Light on behalf of the Greek people and the Greek government".

The Holy Light will arrive around 7:00 p.m. at Athens' "Eleftherios Venizelos" International Airport on a government executive flight where it will be received with heads of state honors.

After its arrival in Athens, the Holy Light will be conveyed on special flights by C-130 Air Force planes throughout Greece for the midnight Resurrection services.

[12] Holidaymakers gradually returning home

As regards the Athenians' exodus, 840,000 cars passed from the Elefsina and Afidnes tollgates from Holy Monday until dawn on Easter Sunday, a figure that was slightly less than last year's.

Over the past four days about 50,000 passengers left the port of Piraeus for the islands, an increased number, according to port authority officers, by 25 percent compared to the corresponding period last year.

[13] PASOK party leading ND by 2.1 pc, poll shows

PASOK garners 21.5 percent of respondents' preferences, ND 19.4, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 8.5, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party 5.7, the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) 3.2, the Democratic Left 2.3 and the Democratic Alliance 1.7.

Moreover, 40 percent believe that no government can take the country out of the crisis, 14 percent replied that the PASOK government can handle the crisis better, while 8 percent think that an ND government could do better.

Lastly, 47 percent of respondents believe that Prime Minister George Papandreou will be obliged to resort to elections by the end of the year.

[14] DM on unused army camps

This was revealed by Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who visited an Air Force facility at Hortiatis on Easter Sunday.

As regards the government's plans for army camps, Venizelos pointed out that they have been classified into three major categories, those that are active and are needed by the armed forces, those that are within the urban fabric and municipalities are wanting them for social, beneficial or commercial uses and the armed forces' real estate that will be utilised in the framework of the utilisation of the public sector's real estate.

General News

[15] Artifacts from Greece for first-ever Cycladic Art exhibition in Turkey

The artifacts, comprising Cycladic figurines, clay pots and marble and bronze items from the two Greek museums will make the journey to Istanbul following the recent approval by Greece's Central Archaeological Council (KAS).

This will be the first exhibition of Cycladic art ever held in Turkey, according to Cycladic Art Museum director Prof. Nicholas Stampolidis, who had the idea for the exhibition.

Stampolidis told ANA-MPA that the exhibition will cover the period from 3200 BC to 2600 BC, beginning from the Early Bronze Age (3200 BC), while another 200 artifacts from Turkey that will be on display, coming from Turkish state foundations such as the Archaeological Museums of Istanbul, Izmir and Troy, among others, will underline the similarities and differences between the two regions, both cultural and commercial, at the peak of the Cycladic civilisation in the 3rd millennium BC.

The exhibition, which will be inaugurated on May 23, will run through August 28.

[16] Homeless shelter to open in Athens

The shelter, which aims to meet the immediate needs of the homeless, will be open to all homeless regardless of age, gender and nationality and will provide beds, food and clothing, as well as hygiene care.

Situated near the Larissis Station, the facility is provided by the City of Athens, while its equipping will be financed by the employment and social security ministry in the framework of actions foreseen under the cooperation accord signed between the ministry and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece.

The facility will be operated by the Athens Archdioce's NGO "Apostoli" (Mission).

The shelter will be able to house approximately 450 per day, and will function from noon to 7:00 the following morning, at which time it will close for cleaning and other maintenance work.

The 'guests' will be supplied with a special card, and may use the shelter's services once per week in order to facilitate the largest number of needy people possible.

[17] Two killed in Rhodes in Easter fireworks accident

[18] Somalian pirates free Greek-owned freighter

[19] Athens Fringe Festival from June 20 to 26

The third annual Festival is organised by the Synthesis Media Company in collaboration with the renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the biggest off-Festival on the planet.

Adopting the successful Fringe format, the Festival aims to present the work of young, upcoming Greek and European artists representing all art forms.

Athens Fringe Festival is an open-to-all celebration of the arts, a true off-Athens Festival.

The organisers invite artists, visitors and volunteers alike to think about what makes them happy and be inspired by that.

All forms of art have a place in the Athens Fringe Festival, from music, dance and theater to literature, crafts, video art and installations.

Fringe is much more than a festival, it is a social network, but unlike the Internet social networks, it is not virtual but living, with live actions and interventions in the everday life of the city.

A novelty this year will be a double-decker bus that will take artists around the cities of Athens for "lightning" performances, bringing the Festival to the public itself.

[20] Light quake off Limnos

The quake was recorded at 10:50 a.m., with its epicenter 30 kilometers northwest of the shores of Limnos.

According to seismologists, the phenomenon was a surface quake and no cause of concern.

[21] Illegal migrants

Police from Egio and Athens stopped the truck along the new Athens-Patras national highway, and found 20 illegal migrants of various nationalities hidden in the truck, which bore foreign license plates.

The 40-year-old driver, a foreign national, was arrested and the illegal migrants were also detained.

According to police the truck had set off from Athens, with the illegal migrants on board, and was heading to the western port of Patras from where the migrants planned to illegally enter Italy by boat.

Two arrested for firing shots at Aris soccer club building in Thessaloniki

A father and a son, aged 71 and 27 respectively, were arrested on Friday for firing shots at a local Aris Thessaloniki soccer club association building in Kymina, Thessaloniki.

The son was arrested for the pre-dawn shots fired, while his father for illegal possession of the hunting rifle used in the incident.

The investigation was continuing, while no details were released on the motives for the shooting.

The incident took place at 2:00 am, when the club building was closed.

[22] Arrest in Thessaloniki on counterfeit money charges

The man was arrested after using the forged bills in two petrol stations. Police found in his possession a total of six counterfeit 100-euro banknotes.

An investigation is underway to locate the origin of the counterfeit money.

Weather Forecast

[23] Overcast, rainy on Tuesday

Cloudy in Athens, with brief local rainfall, and chance of storms in the south of the prefecture, and temperatures ranging from 9C to 19C. Overcast, turning to rain in the early afternoon, in Thessaloniki, with temperatures of 7C to 16C.

[24] Athens' Saturday newspapers at a glance

AVGHI: "Risen people"

AVRIANI: "250 million euros of black money laundered annually by advertising companies".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: Speculations about debt restructuring

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Government reshuffle?only the memorandum faithful to become ministers".

ETHNOS: "The die is cast! Memorandum government after Easter".

KATHIMERINI: "PM Papandreou: Either you support me on the new measures or we go to the polls".

KERDOS: "Hope for Resurrection".

LOGOS: "On the way to Golgotha after Easter".

NIKI: "Easter of the Greeks"

PARON: "Fierce war over Greece".

PROTO THEMA: "Debt restructuring. The upsets we will face".

REALNEWS: "Money found its way to Akis' (former minister Tsohatzopoulos) pockets".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Hope for the people with KKE"

TO VIMA: "Shocking report on debt restructuring".

VRADYNI: "Debt management scenarios".

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana-mpa.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: ILIAS MATSIKAS

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article