Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-09-11

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] Simitis unveils ''social charter'' plan

[02] ND leader says PM's 'social charter' just a rehash of 2000 program

[03] Papandreou arrives in Cyprus, sees new momentum for political solution

[04] Cyprus president receives FM, discussions focus on Cyprus problem

[05] Papandreou, Iakovou meeting covers 'wide range of issues'

[06] FM meets with Turkish Cypriot political leaders

[07] FM expresses solidarity to Sweden's FM, for attempted assassination

[08] Greek nationals detained in Turkish occupied Kyrenia

[09] Greece-Russia cooperation accord on combatting crime tabled in parliament

[10] Athens reacts angrily to Oswald 'concerns' over Greek elections

[11] Papariga views elections 'as battle for a more general political confrontation'

[12] Sept. 11 will be remembered as 'the day the world changed for ever'

[13] Greece steadily converging with the rest of EU, report says

[14] Building activity up 8.5 pct in Jan-May

[15] Greek investments up 8.9 pct in second quarter

[16] EU Commissioner hopes to extend anti-discrimination law outside workplace

[17] Piraeus Bank named as Greece's top bank in 2003

[18] Program to combat joblessness launched in Achaia

[19] Greek stocks end higher on Wednesday

[20] Death toll in Evros River illegal immigrants incident reaches 23

[21] Prosecutor ridicules, condemns N17's actions

[22] Gov't to allow several illegal buildings to hook up to public utility grids

[23] EU's constitutional history begins with Europarliament's approval, Tsatsos says

[24] Police find and uproot crop of cannabis plants

[25] Two immigrant smugglers arrested, 20 illegal immigrants detained

[26] Italian composer Piovani to perform on Delos Island

[27] Festival at ancient theater of Vouthrotos in S. Albania

[28] G/C and T/C parties stress need for early Cyprus solution

[01] Simitis unveils ''social charter'' plan

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

The ''Social Charter'' will be the basis of a dialogue process with businesses and unions, he said.

''Greece overcame to a large degree all delays during the previous two four-year periods and it is now setting a priority to accelerate real and social convergence in the period 2004-2008. To achieve convergence we need a plan, an effort and a result, elements not only included in a Convergence Charter but in government policies in the previous eight years,'' Mr. Simitis said.

''We believe in the future, we have experience, a vision and a plan that the country needs and we move towards building a strong Greece,'' the Greek premier told reporters during a press conference at Zappeion Hall.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday unveiled a ''Social Charter'' plan aiming to accelerate the country's convergence course with the rest of EU in the next four years through implementing 10 big goals and a series of commitments to benefit businesses and lower income earners in the country.

The ''Social Charter'' will be the basis of a dialogue process with businesses and unions, he said.

''Greece overcame to a large degree all delays during the previous two four-year periods and it is now setting a priority to accelerate real and social convergence in the period 2004-2008. To achieve convergence we need a plan, an effort and a result, elements not only included in a Convergence Charter but in government policies in the previous eight years,'' Mr. Simitis said.

''We believe in the future, we have experience, a vision and a plan that the country needs and we move towards building a strong Greece,'' the Greek premier told reporters during a press conference at Zappeion Hall.

The ''Convergence Charter'' was a framework of dialogue designed to lead the country to convergence with EU's average rates in economy and society, he said. ''It is a road map for the big leap forward opening new potential and offering answers to the question of how to achieve convergence, how to further reduce social imbalances, or which policies offer new growth resources,'' Mr. Simitis noted.

The prime minister stressed that the plan was designed to achieve a goal of raising average real wages in Greece to 90 percent of the EU's average by 2008.

The Greek Prime Minister is expected to present a regional convergence charter in the next few weeks.

He said that the government has secured funding of its convergence policies and cited a ''peace dividend'', as he described, to Education, a ''stability dividend'' to Healthcare and Welfare and a ''restructuring dividend'' to taxation.

The Greek premier stressed that increased spending on education, expected to reach 5.0 percent of the country's GDP by 2008, and would be saved through a reduction of defense spending, already underway.

The Healthcare and Welfare sectors will be funded through a reduction of the country's public debt, while a more efficient combatting of tax-evasion would ease tax burdens on wage earners and pensioners.

The 10-point action plan envisaged by the social charter included: -a goal to reduce unemployment to 6.0 percent of the workforce by 2008, -equal opportunities and security for all while preserving social cohesion through an increase of social spending to 30 percent of GDP by 2008 leading Greece above the EU average rate, -boosting business activity and investments through simpler administrative procedures and at a lower cost, gradually lowering the profit tax factor for businesses and supporting 15,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises, -boosting economic competitiveness, speeding up structural reform and promoting privatizations, -focusing on education with the aim to offer an education system for all Greeks and raising education spending to 5.0 percent of the country's gross domestic product, -building modern infrastructure in transport and energy networks in the country, -protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable growth through raising production by renewable sources to 10 percent of total energy in the country by 2008, -adopting policies for strong local societies, -offering new modern state governance policies, and -ensuring equal opportunities for all. ''We will not leave anyone behind,'' Mr. Simitis stressed.

The prime minister noted that the convergence charter was designed so that the country would not diverge from its obligations as described in an EU's Stability and Growth Pact.

[02] ND leader says PM's 'social charter' just a rehash of 2000 program

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

Speaking after a meeting of ND policy coordinators, Karamanlis said that the prime minister was now basically promising to deliver by 2008 the things that he had earlier promised to deliver now in his 2000 program statements.

This was the first time that a government and prime minister advertised their failure and the first time that a premier claimed to be proud of not sticking to any of his commitments, Karamanlis added.

Among examples cited by Karamanlis were a government pledge for convergence to 80 per cent of average EU GDP by 2004, whereas Greek GDP was now only 67.8 per cent of the EU average, or the government's promise to create a network against poverty and exclusion, when six out of 11 Greek regions were currently among the poorest in Europe and had the highest rate of poverty among all EU countries.

He also noted high rates of inflation and unemployment, despite government pledges to create 300,000 new jobs in 2000-2004.

The ND meeting focused on the announcements that Karamanlis will make at TIF on Saturday, when he will outline his positions on the economy and on social policy.

Protopapas responds to ND's criticism Over ''Convergence Charter'': Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Wednesday responded to main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis' criticism of the ''Convergence Charter'' announced by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, saying that the agony of ND for the ''Charter'' became a panic.

He disputed the data Karamanlis presented and stressed that it does no honor to him or to his party to use such unreliable data ''to base the baseless claims'' he made.

Protopapas said that Greece is converging with the European Union ''at a time that ND and Mr. Karamanlis diverge more and more so from reality''.

''We will not deal with them further; we will leave them in the policy of the continual footnote they chose, the policy they continued with today. This, in any case, befits them,'' he said.

Opposition blasts government's social, economic charter: The Communist Party of Greece on Wednesday called a social and economic charter announced by the government a rehash of existing policies that had already hurt the public.

The charter aims to align Greece with European Union policy.

''This famous convergence charter is no more than a continuation of the same anti-people's policy, or a worse version, that has been given another name,'' the party's leader, Aleka Papariga, told reporters in Thessaloniki.

''It's a mockery that embellishes the conditions experienced by workers in other European Union countries at a time when poverty and unemployment are the scourge of many groups of workers. In addition, rights have been abolished,'' Papariga said.

The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology accused Prime Minister Costas Simitis of using populism and hypocrisy to woo voters.

''What is being promised is the same as was promised before national elections in 2000, and never materialized,'' party leader Nikos Konstantopoulos said.

Social charter on right track but dialogue needed, unions say: The General Confederation of Workers of Greece said on Wednesday that the government's social and economic charter for alignment with European Union policies was on the right track, but consultations and collective bargaining were needed.

''The government's statements are positive, as they set as a target real convergence and how to achieve it,'' the confederation's president, Christos Polyzogopoulos, told reporters.

''Quite a few of the proposals should be put to dialogue and collective bargaining, which is essential in order to obtain clear commitments from the parties involved concerning their obligations and duties,'' Polyzopoulos said.

[03] Papandreou arrives in Cyprus, sees new momentum for political solution

NICOSIA, 11/09/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas/CNA)

Speaking on his arrival for two days of talks with the Cyprus government, Papandreou said it was pivotal for Cyprus to be very involved within the European Union, which it will join in May 2004, and added that Cyprus can play a very significant role in the Middle East and the Arab world as an EU member. ''No solution is not an option,'' he said.

Welcoming Papandreou to Cyprus, Foreign

Minister Giorgos Iakovou said there are many current issues to discuss, apart from the political question, and praised the ''harmonious'' bilateral ties.

''We have set out common goals and joint policies to follow,'' he said.

Iakovou thanked Papandreou and Greece for its unwavering support and solidarity over the years in the peace effort and Cyprus' bid to join the EU.|

The Greek Foreign Minister will have talks with his Cypriot counterpart Giorgos Iakovou. Later on Wednesday he will be received by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos who will host an informal dinner for Papandreou at his residence, in a Nicosia suburb.

[04] Cyprus president receives FM, discussions focus on Cyprus problem

NICOSIA, 11/09/2003 (ANA - Ch. Poulidou)

Following the meeting, and responding to a question about the expected ''surprise'' by Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash, Papadopoulos said that ''it is not the first time that such a thing is foretold, Mr. Denktash who is responsible for the failure, let him undertake an initiative''.

He declined any further comment.

On his part, Papandreou said that he and the president had a very constructive discussion ''in the framework of the new era Cyprus' accession to the European Union created,'' stressing that there was a "qualitative difference" in the manner in which the international community regarded Cyprus.

''The Cyprus issue is high on the agenda of the international community, the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots are inspired by a common vision, while in the final analysis there is a developing course of Turkey's accession to the European Union. Thus there is a new dynamic that must be utilized,'' Papandreou said.

[05] Papandreou, Iakovou meeting covers 'wide range of issues'

Nicosia, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

The two ministers were accompanied by delegations from their respective ministries during the meeting.

The talks on the first day covered certain aspects of the Cyprus problem, Cyprus' progress toward EU harmonization, individual legal suits filed by Greek-Cypriots at the European Court of Human Rights and the progress made by Cyprus in fully complying with the EU 'acquis communautaire'.

In addition, Iakovou said, the meeting discussed Cyprus' role within the EU after accession, especially in the wider region of the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Papandreou underlined in his statements to reporters the new dimension that Cyprus' membership of the Community added to bilateral relations with Greece.

"Our bilateral relations will increasingly be governed by the new dimensions given by our joint participation in the EU," he said.

Papandreou refused to answer questions regarding the interpretation given to the United Nations peace plan for Cyprus by Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[06] FM meets with Turkish Cypriot political leaders

Nicosia, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou met with Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat, United Cyprus Party leader Izet Izcan, Community Freedom Party leader Housein Angolemli, Peace and Democracy Movement leader Moustafa Akintzi, Party of the Solution and of the European Union leader Ali Erel and Nationalistic Justice Party leader Ali Riza Yiorgiun.

The Turkish Cypriot leaders thanked Papandreou for his contribution to the improvement of the Greek-Turkish relations and for his effort to resolve the Cyprus problem, while during their talks they underlined as very significant the need to maintain the timetable of the Turkish European course and especially the mutual EU-Turkish commitments.

They also noted their wish for a solution of the Cyprus issue based on the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan and expressed their concern over the mechanisms Turkish Cypriot Community leader Rauf Denktash is developing in light of ''elections'' in the Turkish occupied north.

Papandreou's lecture was attended by educators' unions from both communities of the island republic. During the lecture, Papandreou underlined the value of Cyprus' accession to the European Union, which is a ''Union of citizens and states, principles, solidarity and peace.''

''We want to welcome to the EU a Turkey that will have resolved the Cyprus issue and will fulfill the Copenhagen Criteria,'' Papandreou stressed.

[07] FM expresses solidarity to Sweden's FM, for attempted assassination

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

''We are close to Anna, she has our solidarity and our love� we were together all day yesterday with Anna,'' Papandreou, who was in Stockholm on Tuesday to support the ''yes'' vote in a referendum for the country's accession to the Eurozone, said.

''I was informed that Anna Lindh is out of danger. I wish her a good recovery. We are close to her,'' he concluded.

[08] Greek nationals detained in Turkish occupied Kyrenia

NICOSIA, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

On his part, following a scheduled meeting with Papandreou, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said that the issue was examined by the Cyprus authorities, adding that the arrest was ''unjustified and baseless'' and that Athens and Nicosia were in contact with the United Nations in efforts to achieve the immediate release of the detained.

According to sources the three Greek nationals are members of the Anogia Municipality of Crete's Rethimnon prefecture, who were visiting the Municipality of Yialousa, as the two towns were to be twinned.

As initial reports stated, the occupation forces in northern Cyprus claimed that they were detained as they were holding a photographic camera.

[09] Greece-Russia cooperation accord on combatting crime tabled in parliament

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

The agreement provides for the development of cooperation and provision of mutual assistance in the prevention and containment of terrorism, organized crime, the trafficking of arms, nuclear weapons, radioactive materials and explosive materials, the illegal manufacturing and trade of narcotic substances, economic crime, people trafficking, prostitution, human organ trafficking, and crimes related to illegal migration and other serious criminal activity.

According to the introductory report, the agreement is of particular importance as Russia plays a key role in international affairs and constitutes an important factor of stability in the wider region, particularly given the fluid situation in many countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The introduction further notes that Russia has a large number of nuclear weapons, which could prospectively become the object of theft and smuggling, while ''it is an undisputable reality that organized rings of illegal trade and people-smuggling to the countries of Western Europe, extending also to Greece'' are active in Russia.

[10] Athens reacts angrily to Oswald 'concerns' over Greek elections

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to the �Frankfurter Allgemeine� daily over the weekend, IOC vice-president Denis Oswald cited a danger of a reshuffle of top organizers following the Greek elections � expected to come just months before the Games begin on Aug. 13, 2004 -- regardless of whether ruling PASOK is re-elected or not.

�IOC President Jacques Rogge is responsible to deal with Mr. Oswald, not I,� was the comment by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, whose portfolio includes many 2004-related projects and initiatives.

No official reaction was available from the Athens 2004 Olympic organizing committee (ATHOC), although sources close to its leadership merely noted that the IOC executive is solely responsible for his words and actions.

Main opposition New Democracy also criticized Oswald�s comments: Another annoying aspect for Greek organizers is the fact that Oswald praised preparations just three weeks ago while leading yet another IOC inspection team in Athens, saying characteristically that the Games were finally on track after years of delays.

[11] Papariga views elections 'as battle for a more general political confrontation'

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

Addressing a gathering of supporters and members of the party, Papariga said the opinion polls have no affect on the KKE, despite that they show the magnitude of public dissatisfaction.

''What we count is that there are many people who want to take the step forward, but they hesitate and need to be encouraged to be at the forefront of the electoral confrontation,'' the KKE leader said.

Papariga will visit TIF on Thursday and later give a press conference.

On his part, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas visited the TIF complex and the Helexpo building on Wednesday night. He was briefed by Helexpo Vice-President Dimitris Koskosidis on Thessaloniki's bid to host EXPO 2008.

Tsovolas toured TIF's pavilions, including EXPOHOUSE as well as the stand of the Athens News Agency and Macedonian Press Agency at pavilion 19.

[12] Sept. 11 will be remembered as 'the day the world changed for ever'

New York, 11/09/2003 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

''We will never forget the people who were lost, the tremendous personal sacrifices and the countless acts of heroism which will always remind us of September 11, 2001 as the day the world changed for ever,'' Pataki said, adding that ''these heroes will always be in the hearts and minds of the citizens, not only of the state of New York, but also of all the world.''

To a question by the ANA on what has changed in New York, the Governor said ''the New Yorkers have shown incredible psychological strength, as well as the ability to be united in front of a tragedy.''

Pataki, through the ANA, expressed his admiration ''for the creativity of the Greek element of New York and its important contribution in the development and progress of our state.''

Concluding, Governor Pataki said ''all must know that New York is open to all, but it will never surrender its freedom and will not yield to any provocations and threats.''

[13] Greece steadily converging with the rest of EU, report says

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

The report stressed that Greece was growing more rapidly compared with other developed countries, and in particular EU member-states.

Investments, a driving engine for the economy, were steadily rising in the last few years, with an expected annual rise of 9.5 percent in 2003 compared with an average growth rate of less than 1.0 percent in the eurozone. The Greek figure mainly reflects a steady rise in public investments.

Foreign investments, however, remained at low levels as the country failed to attract foreign capital because of a volatile macro-economic environment, heavily regulated markets, bureaucracy and the small size of the domestic market.

The report on "Greece converges with the EU", stressed that bureaucracy and the market's small size were major discouraging factors in attracting foreign investments.

The report also revealed that Greece recorded a big increase in labor productivity and in particular the highest labor productivity rate in the EU in the period 1994-2003.

The report included the ministry's goals for the next four year, envisaging a reduction of defense spending to 3.0 percent of GDP by 2008 from 4.5 percent currently, raising spending on education to 5.0 percent of GDP by 2008 from 3.5 percent currently, raising spending on healthcare and welfare to 4.0 percent of GDP by 2008 from 2.7 percent currently and reducing the country's public debt to 85 percent of GDP by 2008 from around 100 percent currently.

[14] Building activity up 8.5 pct in Jan-May

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

A report by the National Statistics Service said that building activity rose 2.8 percent (measured by the number of permits), and 8.5 percent in volume in the January-May period.

Crete (10.3 percent), southern Aegean (8.6 percent), north Aegean (7.1 percent) and Attica (6.7 percent) recorded the biggest percentage rises on permit numbers.

Central Greece (46.7 percent), western Macedonia (30 percent), central Macedonia (12.4 percent) and Attica (4.7 percent) recorded the biggest percentage rises on volume.

[15] Greek investments up 8.9 pct in second quarter

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

A NSS report said that the rise in investments over the April-June period contributed to a 1.8 percent increase in total output demand, as the growth rate in domestic investments was almost double the country's gross domestic product growth.

NSS said that Greek GDP grew 4.5 percent in the second quarter, compared with the same period last year, after rising 4.3 percent in the first quarter.

Exports rose by 1.0 percent in the April-June period, while imports increased 1.6 percent over the same period, the report said.

[16] EU Commissioner hopes to extend anti-discrimination law outside workplace

BRUSSELS, 11/09/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

She was speaking at a public debate on this issue that took place at the European Parliament here. This was chaired by PASOK MEP Anna Karamanou, a member of the Euro-Parliament's Committee for Women's Rights, while several social and women's rights participated.

[17] Piraeus Bank named as Greece's top bank in 2003

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

The criteria used were financial data, profitability, and efficiency along with quality factors including technological innovation and overall strategy, Piraeus Bank said in a statement on Wednesday.

[18] Program to combat joblessness launched in Achaia

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

Employers in the private sector and local government will receive a subsidy for employing 1,500 long-term jobless, women and school leavers.

The remaining 500 unemployed will receive self-employment subsidies.

[19] Greek stocks end higher on Wednesday

Athens, 11/09/2003 (ANA)

The general index rose 0.61 percent to end at 2,075.21 points, after falling as much as 2.5 percent to 2,009.06 points one hour before closing bell.

Traders said the market's reaction during the last one hour of trading and the fact that the general index found strong support at the 2,000 level was offering hope of a gradual recovery in stock prices.

The Telecommunications and Cement sectors were the only ones to suffer losses (0.49 percent and 0.17 percent, respectively), while the Textile (3.07 percent), Retail (3.05 percent) and Publications (2.90 percent) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.80 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index jumped 1.63 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 2.33 percent higher.

Turnover was heavy 475.1 million euros, of which 260 million euros accounted for a block trade in Alpha Bank. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 234 to 100 with another 34 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Banks: +2.01%

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Alpha Bank, National Bank of Greece, Public Power Corporation, and Vodafone.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 221.5 mln euros Wednesday

Equity Index Futures: