Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-07-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't nominates Defence Minister Avramopoulos for Greece's new commissioner

[02] PM Samaras informs Bakoyannis she is not next Greece's commissioner

[03] Cyprus Republic president on two-day visit to Athens starting Monday

[04] French Finance Minister says Greek debt situation will be examined in Autumn; stands by Greece

[05] FM Venizelos calls for a politically balanced solution to the Presidential election conundrum

[06] SYRIZA says the government is shedding "crocodile tears" in admitting wrong policy

[07] SYRIZA members protest at toll booths over prices leading to local traffic problems

[08] Gov't spokeswoman blasts SYRIZA leader over interview

[09] PASOK lashes out at SYRIZA leader Tsipras, whom he accuses of "putting political stability to the test"

[10] PASOK Press representative optimistic the present Parliament will finally manage to elect a new President

[11] ANEL spokesman criticises government coalition over prior actions references

[12] Terrorist Maziotis transferred to prison in Thessaloniki area for security reasons

[13] Sophia Papandreou responds to tax arrears reports by newspaper

[14] Arcadian Greeks from abroad attend congress in Tripoli, donate water truck to prefecture

[15] Greek ultra-runner takes 80 km race on trails of Mt. Pindus range

[16] Two men die when private hydroplane crashes in Pyri, near Sparta

[17] French woman, 45, dies after fall from balcony in Crete

[18] Italian man found dead at hotel in Lasithi, Crete

[19] Zakynthos fire burns low vegetation, olive groves as firefighters battle strong winds

[20] British, Albanian nationals arrested on Zakynthos over thefts

[21] Mixed on Monday

[22] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Gov't nominates Defence Minister Avramopoulos for Greece's new commissioner

As was announced on Sunday, "following the 16th of July, 2014 European Council's decision, the government informed the new president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker through a letter that it nominates the Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos for the position of Commissioner in the new European Commission".

Premier Antonis Samaras had previously, on Saturday, informed Dora Bakoyannis that she was not the government's choice for Greece's new commissioner. Bakoyannis is a senior coalition government partner New Democracy party MP heading its State-list, daughter of ex Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis.

[02] PM Samaras informs Bakoyannis she is not next Greece's commissioner

Bakoyannis, the daughter of ex Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis, was the first female mayor of the City of Athens and a Foreign Minister. In November 2009 she lost the battle to Samaras for the presidency of the New Democracy party, proceeding to establish the "Democratic Alliance" party a year later, although in the June 2012 elections she finally led the candidate MPs State-list of New Democracy.

[03] Cyprus Republic president on two-day visit to Athens starting Monday

According to CNA, Anastasiades will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis and government spokesman Nicos Christodoulidis.

Samaras and Anastasiades will have a private meeting that will be followed by talks between representatives of the two countries. On Tuesday the Cyprus president will hold separate meetings with leaders of parties represented in Parliament, at the Parliament building.

Christodoulidis will also meet with government spokesman Sofia Voultepsi.

[04] French Finance Minister says Greek debt situation will be examined in Autumn; stands by Greece

"It's too early to predict the needs of Greece, we will jointly examine the overall situation of [Greek] debt this Autumn. Based on the information we will have, we will take decisions on financing issues", said Sapin.

He added that, to his view, Greece is now "in a much better economic, financial and fiscal situation, which allows the country to stand off from the storm area. The harshest measures belong to the past, although I have to agree that the conditions are difficult for Greece and Greeks".

[05] FM Venizelos calls for a politically balanced solution to the Presidential election conundrum

To his view, whenever the issue of the Presidential election was the object of inter-party strife in Greece, that did not lead to positive outcomes.

Venizelos added that "PASOK... is not wavering strategically as far as the path of the country is concerned, neither does it accept lessons and suggestions, because it has proven in practice in a most painful way that it means what is says".

He concluded his statement to "Ethnos" by saying that "We face a double front. One front is against populism and the other is a front against pseudo-neoliberalism of the worst kind. And we do not accept swashbuckling from anybody".

[06] SYRIZA says the government is shedding "crocodile tears" in admitting wrong policy

"Especially when Mr. Staikouras pre-announces the extension of the so-called 'extraordinary' contribution tax into 2015, the government's crocodile tears are even more infuriating for the citizens who suffer due to the memorandum [Greece's bailout agreement] committments", concluded SYRIZA.

[07] SYRIZA members protest at toll booths over prices leading to local traffic problems

Car and truck drivers trying to avoid the high tolls (as much as 4 euros per car) go through the local road network, which cannot handle the increase of traffic safely.

SYRIZA's protest is one of continuing protests by local organsations of Volos and Larissa, a major throughway to the north, after an accident on the old Larissa-Volos national highway claimed the lives of three young people early on Wednesday.

The SYRIZA protesters stayed at the toll station for about and hour and distributed leaflets, while an attempt they made to block the tolls was deflected by the police. The protest was attended by SYRIZA deputy Alexandros Meikopoulos, of the central Greek Magnissia prefecture.

[08] Gov't spokeswoman blasts SYRIZA leader over interview

Responding to an interview of Tsipras in the Sunday Eleftherotypia, which will go on sale on Saturday evening, Voultepsi said the party leader "does not hesitate to add" ultra-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) deputies to his calculations about who will vote for the next president of the Republic.

It was unnecesary to comment on anything else in his interview, she said, in which Tsipras "dares proceed to give directions to the prime minister about when the process for electing [the next] president should begin."

She said other parties, which he added to the votes of Golden Dawn, should come forth and either admit whether they have given him the right to speak for them or denounce him for "rule-hungry arrogance, political manipulation and intervention into their internal affairs."

[09] PASOK lashes out at SYRIZA leader Tsipras, whom he accuses of "putting political stability to the test"

PASOK says that "Mr.Tsipras, on one side describes the forces of the centre-left as his main adversary, refusing every proposal for national consensus and common understanding and on the other side he glorifies the motley and unholy alliances, only to put political stability to the test, dragging the country to premature [national] elections".

"It is obvious for yet another time, that Mr. Tsipras' biggest enemy for his ineffective charge towards power is PASOK, its history and great contribution to the country. Which is why he vehemently attacks it, making use of brazen lies", concludes the PASOK statement.

[10] PASOK Press representative optimistic the present Parliament will finally manage to elect a new President

For this to happen, a minimum of 180 - out of a total 300 - MPs need to agree and vote on a common Presidential candidacy, according to the Greek Constitution. Karydis declined to comment whether or not Democratic Left (DIMAR) party's leader Fotis Kouvelis could help secure this number of MPs, rejecting the issue for being "premature".

PASOK's Press representative seized the opportunity to extend his criticism towards the Administrative Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis - who comes from the senior coalition government partner New Democracy party - on the controversial issue of public servants' performance evaluation. Karydis characterized "positive the fact that there will be changes and improvements on this subject".

[11] ANEL spokesman criticises government coalition over prior actions references

"The result is that the troika's new orders coming up will be passed by the deputies of New Democracy and PASOK, for the further bleeding of the Greek people," he said.

[12] Terrorist Maziotis transferred to prison in Thessaloniki area for security reasons

The request for his transfer was made by the council of the Korydallos jail, which includes the director, the chief corrections officer and the social worker.

Maziotis, at large after a leave of absence from jail, was arrested on July 16 in downtown Athens. He had been briefly hospitalised at Evangelismos hospital after being injured in the shootout in Athens and transferred to the Korydallos prison by his own request. His wife, Pola Roupa, is still at large. All of his transfers have been carried out under heavy police security.

Two sailing boats staging an open-sea protest against destruction of Syria's chemical weapons in the Mediterranean return to Crete

The two sailing boats which participated in an open-sea protest on Saturday against the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons by hydrolysis on-board "Cape Ray" in the Mediterranean Sea returned to the Paleochora port, Crete in the early hours of Sunday, after having sailed more than 100 n.m. off western Crete on their way to "Cape Ray".

The two boats - with a total of 22 people aboard - had started their journey from the old harbour of Chania on Friday afternoon in search of "Cape Ray", but finally decided to abort their mission, due to adverse sea conditions.

They nevertheless left two buoys afloat before embarking on their return journey, as a way to signify their presence in the area where chemical weapons' hydrolysis takes place. In returning to Paleochora they joined a third boat which couldn't make the trip for safety reasons owing to the rough sea conditions.

The protesters ask that the Mediterranean Sea be kept clean and free of chemicals.

[13] Sophia Papandreou responds to tax arrears reports by newspaper

In a statement from abroad, Papandreou said that "there are past due taxes to the state," but added that "a part of these has been under arrangement since last year, and the installments are being paid regularly." She said that another part of the taxes due "arose in tandem but is moving towards being arranged, in order to be paid." The outstanding dues will be settled in full after the completion of a property sale, for which she will be coming to Greece shortly, she added.

Proto Thema alleged that Papandreou owes 500,000 euros in tax from income and properties; 300,000 of this is past due, it said. It also claimed that Papandreou "appears irresponsible in paying her taxes" and that "tax authorities are auctioning off Kastri," her residence north of Athens.

General News

[14] Arcadian Greeks from abroad attend congress in Tripoli, donate water truck to prefecture

The water truck was received by the deputy regional director of Arcadia, who said it would also serve to transport water to regions with water shortages. The truck cost 110,000 euros and has a 15m3 capacity (over a fire truck's 2m3), and can therefore supply several fire trucks at the same time.

The congress is also being attended by federations from America and Greece while Deputy Development Minister Odysseas Konstantinopoulos delivered an opening address. In addition, deputies, church and local government leaders and the mayor of Tripoli also attended. It will run to July 31.

Topics of discussion include the Pan-Arcadian hospital, the prospects of the Council of Overseas Greeks, Greeks in Europe, the role of the University of Peloponnese in attracting Greeks of Arcadian descent from abroad, the Arcadian Village, tourism and economic growth in the area and the restoration of the temple of Alea Athena in Tegea.

[15] Greek ultra-runner takes 80 km race on trails of Mt. Pindus range

In its fourth year, the event is this year under the aegis of the National Greek Tourism Organisation (EOT), as an example of alternative tourism that boosts local economies.

It is the first time the Ultra race is being held, and the first time Theodorakakos ran it (time: 9.35.03). Participants included 140 people from several countries who set out at Tsepelovo at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday. The route is at a positive height difference of 5,300 metres and its highest point is Tsuka Rosa in the Konitsa area.

Also run on Saturday was a mountain marathon, while Sunday's races include a half-marathon (21 km), and a 10 km race.

Speaking to ANA-MPA, Theodorakakos exuded enthusiasm over the running route, which goes through sections of the National Park of the Pindus range of mountains that had not been used for years. The former champion rower said that running in Zagori does not involve technicalities in terms of great or abrupt height differences, but the ground is very tough and rocky, while there are fluctuations in temperature and weather conditions.

The trails are uneven and very narrow, also, he said, which made the runs more challenging, especially in terms of keeping one's balance but they made up for that by bringing up strong emotions. "We run in Greece, which is our great love," he said, adding that foreign runners are getting to know Greece's mountain nature and lore. "If you go to races in the Alps, everything is regulated - the hours, the stores - here, it's different, it's not just a celebration for the sport, but for the small communities of villages the races go through. Foreign athletes welcome it, they become enthusiastic," he explained.

[16] Two men die when private hydroplane crashes in Pyri, near Sparta

According to preliminary data, the plane had landed at the defunct airport and crashed shortly after takeoff from there, possibly because of human error. The aircraft's parachute was found open.

The two men were a 52-year-old and a younger one, around 30-35 years old. Their bodies have been transferred to the Sparta Hospital. Authorities are investigating.

[17] French woman, 45, dies after fall from balcony in Crete

Her death was confirmed at the hospital, where she was rushed to. Police is investigating; according to information, authorities believe she killed herself.

[18] Italian man found dead at hotel in Lasithi, Crete

Police said the man, who had moved to the area recently, was found hanged; it is investigating the causes of his death. According to information, he had been hospitalised in the past at the Psychiatric Clinic of the Iraklio University Hospital.

[19] Zakynthos fire burns low vegetation, olive groves as firefighters battle strong winds

The fire broke out midday in the location Kanalos of Mt. Skopos, between the towns of Kalamaki, Argassio and Vassilikos.

Two firefighting aircraft and one helicopter from Andravida, on the Peloponnese, are helping out, along with the Fire Brigade's Special Unit for Disaster Management (EMAK) from Patras and three fire trucks from elsewhere on the Peloponnese. Zakynthos forces include 17 firefighters and 9 fire trucks.

The fire, fanned by strong winds, is burning on the hills above the eastern end of the Laganas Bay, which is best known as a natural habitat of the Caretta-caretta sea turtles.

[20] British, Albanian nationals arrested on Zakynthos over thefts

The British national, 18 years old, was charged with having removed a wallet and personal documents from a parked car. The Albanian national, 24, appears to have stolen a mobile and money from a 19-year-old Serb national; he was arrested while police were searching for the British teenager.

The Laganas police department drew up a misdemeanour file for each and led them before a prosecutor.

Weather forecast

[21] Mixed on Monday

[22] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

DIMOKRATIA: "20,575.44 paid for furnishing Venizelos' office" (at the Foreign ministry)

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "This is how (civil service staff) evaluations will be done"

ETHNOS: "The great scheme of municipalities' fake companies"

KATHIMERINI: "Athens transmits danger signal over market liquidity"

LOGOS: "Shock: 500,000 Greeks are hepatitis carriers"

RIZOSPASTIS: "They're handing over the forests to big interests"

TO VIMA: "Americans now want new base for drones on Crete"

VRADYNI: "Free add-on years to get pensioned off now"

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