Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-08-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek FM and Albanian counterpart discuss FYROM crisis

[02] Greek Liaison Office in FYROM lodges demarche on foreign trucks issue

[03] Premier and education minister discuss ministry affairs

[04] Karamanlis confers with party coordinators for defense, foreign affairs issues

[05] First steps taken for underwater research plan in Marmara and northern Aegean faults

[06] Avramopoulos to send municipal vehicles to Skyros community

[07] Refugee takes case to Council of State

[08] Budget for 2002 includes rise in health, education-spending

[09] Gov't denies plans to increase retirement age for women

[10] Manufacturing accelerates slightly in July

[11] Greece in European debate on market integrity measures

[12] Gov't to overhaul long-distance bus operations

[13] Gov't to allow roadworthiness checks by private firms

[14] State telecom denies breakdown in new telemedicine unit

[15] Main opposition fears electricity shortage

[16] Stocks nose up

[17] Escaped convict Passaris slips through police ambush

[18] Archaeological find stolen from digs at ancient Nicopolis

[19] Athens 2004 committee presents series of post cards

[01] Greek FM and Albanian counterpart discuss FYROM crisis

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

The two ministers said the FYROM crisis had dominated their talks, while Papandreou praised the Albanian government for its moderate, European stance to the crisis.

The Greek minister also stressed the fact that Balkan countries had succeeded on formulating a joint position on how this crisis should be handled, which included respect for the inviolability of borders, condemnation of the actions of Albanian extremists and resolving the area's problems in a European framework.

Balkan countries, Papandreou continued, should send the message that they can rally around common principles. He noted that the solution found for FYROM should ensure stability in the region.

On his part, Milo said that he was prepared to travel to Skopje to act as a mediator in the next few days, as an official of SECI's Albanian presidency, if this would help in achieving a solution.

Asked what solution would satisfy Albania, Milo replied that all citizens of FYROM should feel equal in a multiethnic and democratic society.

He said he had spoken with Papandreou about the situation in Albania following recent elections, and expressed conviction that the new government would continue to view Greece as Albania's strategic partner.

"There is no other alternative for us but to maintain the best possible relations with Greece," he said.

The two men also discussed the legalization process for immigrants in Greece, many of whom are Albanians, and Milo conveyed his country's thanks.

The Albanian minister also noted Greece's aid toward Albania in the past 10 years and its assistance in Albania's course toward the European Union.

[02] Greek Liaison Office in FYROM lodges demarche on foreign trucks issue

SKOPJE, 02/08/2001 (ANA - M. Vichou)

He also protested because no official warning was made of the measure.

Over the past four days, two Greek trucks, out of a total of 60, most of which are Bulgarian and Turkish, have been immobilized at the Blace border crossing and are unable to cross into FYROM's territory from Kosovo.

According to reports, another 250 trucks are heading for Blace and it is certain that the same measure will apply to them as well.

The Greek ambassador made necessary representations at the political department of FYROM's foreign ministry where he met with a positive response. However, there has been no tangible result so far.

[03] Premier and education minister discuss ministry affairs

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

Efthymiou said education ministry issues would be discussed at the first cabinet meeting to be held after the summer holidays. He also indicated that a long-term education program would be applied until 2004.

Replying to former Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis, who had criticized him on Tuesday for bringing back the institution of a new examination period for second grade senior high school students, Efthymiou said his decision is educationally and socially fair and pointed out that Arsenis himself had taken a similar decision in the past.

[04] Karamanlis confers with party coordinators for defense, foreign affairs issues

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

Discussions focused on developments in Greek-Turkish relations, the fluidity in the Balkans, defense issues, armaments and procurements matters concerning the Hellenic Armed Forces, and Karamanlis' recent call for the drafting of a so-called 'island policy' for border regions that would contribute to their development.

Karamanlis said that an integrated development program for the islands of the Aegean was being advanced, adding that defense shielding of the islands required their economic development in addition to armaments.

[05] First steps taken for underwater research plan in Marmara and northern Aegean faults

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

The plan will be completed during the scientists' second meeting, probably to take place in Istanbul, in mid-November.

According to statements made at a press conference on Wednesday by representatives of scientists participating in the three-day meeting, after the proposal is finalized it will be submitted to the two governments of Greece and Turkey for relevant licenses to be granted to enable research and a detailed registration to go ahead of faults in the northern Aegean and the Sea of Marmara.

Athens University Seismology professor Costas Makropoulos told the Athens News Agency (ANA) the purpose of the scientific group is, after the program is completed, to be able to give information which can be helpful for research to develop methods of earthquake prediction so that countries involved can shield themselves better from the consequences of a strong earthquake for society at large.

[06] Avramopoulos to send municipal vehicles to Skyros community

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

The Athens Mayor, who was received by his counterpart Dimitris Aggelis, announced that he would be sending a series of municipal vehicles to the Skyros community that are to replace the ones destroyed by the recent earthquake.

Local officials briefed Avramopoulos on the measures that have been taken in the aftermath of the quake, while the Athens Mayor was also taken on a tour of the affected areas.

[07] Refugee takes case to Council of State

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

Canevi, who is being held at the Center for Refugees in Lavrio, Attica, is also focusing his case on the minister's refusal to recognize him as a refugee, which he says goes against the United Nations Charter of 1951 and the New York protocol of 1967 on refugees.

The Turkish national said he fled to Greece because he was pursued by authorities in Ankara for becoming an active member of the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK).

On his part, Chrysohoidis said he refused Canevi's application because "there was no evidence that the applicant had been persecuted for reasons of race, religion, ethnicity, social class and political conviction."

[08] Budget for 2002 includes rise in health, education-spending

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

A more detailed form of the budget would be ready at the end of August after meetings with other ministers, Papantoniou told reporters.

[09] Gov't denies plans to increase retirement age for women

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

"The government does not in the least intend to relate its obligation to adapt to the EU directive with issues related to social security reform," the labor ministry said.

The directive dates back to 1997 and does not apply to the larger social security funds, such as IKA where most employees are insured, the OGA farmers fund and the TEBE-TAE fund for shopkeepers and freelance workers.

Responding to press reports on Tuesday, the Labor ministry said that European practice on these issues was still not absolutely set and the conclusions regarding raising the retirement age for women and others did not necessarily arise.

The government came under attack from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) over this issue on Wednesday, which said it intended to carry out unpopular reforms for the social security system on the back of the EU directive.

[10] Manufacturing accelerates slightly in July

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

Boosting the July figure were a rise in exports orders.

The newly created index's 50-point mark separates acceleration from slowdown.

The monthly index is the outcome of a survey of 300 companies carried out by NTC Research of the United Kingdom in conjunction with the Greek Procurements Institute.

[11] Greece in European debate on market integrity measures

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

The domestic capital markets commission said in a statement on Wednesday that the debate would result in the creation of an institutional framework to help combat market malpractices in Europe.

Mutually acceptable standards of behavior would emerge from the debate, the statement added.

[12] Gov't to overhaul long-distance bus operations

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

Under the project, which will be funded from the public investment program, the KTEL buses will also change status to an SA company in 2003, Verelis told a news conference.

Incentives will be provided for the creation of new stations and the fleet is to be gradually renewed. Joint projects with local authorities will also be encouraged, Verelis added.

The age ceiling for urban and long-distance buses has been set at 25 years.

[13] Gov't to allow roadworthiness checks by private firms

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

A new division will be created in the transport ministry to supervise both existing state vehicle centers and the new private vehicles to be established, Verelis told a news conference.

[14] State telecom denies breakdown in new telemedicine unit

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

Installed by OTE, the unit was operating successfully despite the removal of a generator to provide power for TV crews to cover its inauguration, OTE said in a statement.

The telemedicine station is linked to the Hania General Hospital and Iraklion's Venizelion Hospital, both on Crete, and the Agia Sophia Children's Hospital in Athens.

OTE is a heavily traded stock on the Athens Stock Exchange.

[15] Main opposition fears electricity shortage

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

The party's production and commerce spokesman, George Salagoudis, said that the government had only just endorsed six private sector applications for new plants in the newly liberated electricity market.

[16] Stocks nose up

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

The general share index gained 0.49 percent to end at 2,740.57 points. Turnover was 72.2 billion drachmas.

The market has been trying to consolidate after breaking through key resistance at 2,640 points last week.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.49 percent higher; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 1.48 percent up; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities gained 2.35 percent.

Advancers led decliners at 311 to 41 with 25 issues remaining unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Naoussa Textile Mills, Klonatex, Alpha Bank and Giannousis.

Bond prices drop in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished lower in moderate trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.38 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 48 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 630 million euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Equity futures end down: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange ended lower on Wednesday with players wary despite a slight rise on the main market.

Traded were 5,671 contracts on turnover of 39.7 million euros, traders said.

[17] Escaped convict Passaris slips through police ambush

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

Chief of Police Yiannis Georgakopoulos said it had a well-planned operation that had failed in its execution but refused to blame any particular person, saying that finding and arresting the dangerous felon took precedence.

Passaris, who had killed two police escorts and injured a prison guard while breaking out of an Athens hospital six months ago, managed to elude arrest once again on Wednesday by slipping through a police ambush. Police suspect, however, that he may have been injured in the process.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight, when Passaris entered the apartment of an accomplice in the Athens suburb of Neos Kosmos to find the police waiting for him. It is believed that he was injured when an officer shot a pistol out of his hand as Passaris tried to shoot at police before he fled.

According to the police chief, the officers involved were not initially certain that the man entering the apartment was Passaris because he was wearing a disguise. They failed to alert officers in the surrounding area when Passaris escaped because they believed they would catch him themselves.

He said that the ambush had been held within the apartment to avoid the risk of a hostage situation or injury to police or bystanders.

Acting on a tip-off that a man living in an apartment on Ipparchou Street in Neos Kosmos was trafficking arms, police had raided the apartment on Tuesday afternoon and arrested the tenant, 24-year-old Dimitrios Polydoropoulos.

A search turned up a number of weapons, including a Kalashnikov, hand-grenades and pistols, and several articles indicating that "more than one person lived in the apartment", a police official said.

During questioning, Polydoropoulos admitted that Passaris frequented the apartment, and police set up an ambush.

Passaris turned up in disguise, late at night, and opened the door with his own key, holding a pistol in one hand.

Police called to him to give himself up, but he raised the pistol to shoot at police, and one of the officers managed to shoot the weapon out of the convict's hand.

Passaris fled, and managed to escape by disappearing down a side street, leaving the pistol behind.

Drops of blood found at the scene indicate that Passaris was wounded in the encounter.

Police have been scouring the country for Passaris since he escaped in mid-February as he was being transported to the General State Hospital in Athens from Korydallos prison, where he was incarcerated, for medical tests. Two policemen escorting Passaris were fatally shot and an accompanying prison guard seriously injured in an ambush by two gun-toting accomplices of the convict inside the hospital.

Public order minister accepts resignation of Police chief: Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysohoidis on Wednesday accepted the letter of resignation by Chief of the Greek Police force (ELAS) Ioannis Georgakopoulos who relieved himself from his duties following a botched operation earlier in the day to recapture escaped convict Costas Passaris, who has been on the run for the past six months.

Chrysohoidis noted that during Georgako-poulos' term many significant steps had been made towards improving the overall operation of the police department.

The next head of the Greek police force is to be appointed by the Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA).

Quick to comment, main opposition New Democracy Coordinator of Public Order and Justice, Byron Polydoras said that "unfortunately it took many successive failures, which down-played the reputation of the police department, to motivate the Minister of Public Order to replace the chief of ELAS."

[18] Archaeological find stolen from digs at ancient Nicopolis

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

They said the marble stele, which was of inestimable value, measured 34cm by 45cm and had been taken from unguarded archaeological digs that are currently being carried out in the area.

The archaeologists working at the digs reported the theft to Preveza police who are now investigating.

[19] Athens 2004 committee presents series of post cards

Athens, 02/08/2001 (ANA)

Some 350,000 tourists, who will visit Greece this summer, will find the post cards in their hotel rooms, in a pilot scheme organized by the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee and 150 hotels all over Greece.

The first two post cards, the series of which was designed by children, depict the symbol of Hellenic culture the Acropolis, as well as paint of a picture of a well-balanced community that is developing and a community that will always respect the presence of children.

The other two post cards pay tribute to the meaning of the word festival, and show a festival that is taking place at the foothill of the Acropolis, while the fourth exhibits an athlete getting set to compete in an Olympic event.

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