Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-09-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Three-day mourning period declared after helicopter crash that killed Patriarch Petros of Alexandria

[02] New air force chief announced

[03] 'Mild adjustment' over three years for fiscal policy, Finmin says

[04] IMF report calls for further reforms to Greek pension system, labor market

[05] Greek SMEs: mixed reaction to PM's speech

[06] Greek industrial production index fell 0.6 pct in July, yr/yr

[07] Sharp increase in Greek tourists to Cyprus voiced at Cyprus pavilion at TIF

[08] S&P downgrades outlook on Greece from stable to negative

[09] Olympic Village housing to be allocated to beneficiaries in early October

[10] Athens-Piraeus Super-prefecture events for Paralympics

[11] New school year opens throughout Greece

[12] Youth Parliament session concludes

[13] Tzekos receives one-week postponement after attorney dies in chopper crash

[14] OSCE conference against racism begins in Brussels

[15] Greece participates in European Car-Free Day

[16] Spokesman says President met with T/C about UN plan

[17] Cyprus President to address UN General Assembly

[18] Rizokarpaso school reopens after 29 years

[01] Three-day mourning period declared after helicopter crash that killed Patriarch Petros of Alexandria

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

A Chinook helicopter carrying the Patriarch and his entourage crashed near Mount Athos on Saturday killing all 17 people on board as the helicopter was heading to the monastic community from Athens. Wreckage from the helicopter was spotted later by search teams four miles southeast of Sithounia, in the Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece, while the bodies of four of the passengers were recovered, including that of the Archbishop.

The body of Archbishop Petros was lying in state on Monday in the chapel of Aghios Eleftherios at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, and was due to be transported by plane on Tuesday to Cairo for burial. A memorial service was officiated by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Carthage, whose body was also among those recovered, was buried Monday at Athens First Cemetery, with military honors, after a funeral officiated by Archbishop Christodoulos.

Interior minister Procopis Pavlopoulos declared a three-day national mourning period.

Search operations throughout the night in the area where the Chinook crashed had turned up no results by Monday noon. An Air force C-130 airplane, an open-sea vessel, three Harbor Corps patrol boats, a salvage boat, and four warships, assisted by a Super Puma helicopter were carrying on search operations on Monday, while Harbor Corps patrol cars were carrying out operations on land.

At the same time, the oceanographic vessel "Aegaio" set sail from the port of Piraeus at dawn to join in the search operations.

According to a Development Ministry announcement, the Aegaio had been loaded with a bathyscaphe and sophisticated electronic equipment to help locate the wreckage of the Chinook. Development minister Dimitris Sioufas and national defense minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos, accompanied by research and technology secretary general Prof. Yannis Tsoukalas, inspected the vessel on Sunday and were briefed by the vessel's scientific personnel and crew on the difficulties in the operation, which would be coordinated on-the-spot by Tsoukalas. The vessel belongs to the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (ELKETHE).

Also, deputy foreign minister for Greeks Abroad affairs Panayotis Skandalakis, in a message on Monday, expressed deep grief over the tragic loss of Patriarch Petros, his clerical and lay associates, and the crew members of the downed Chinook.

Skandalakis said that the Cypriot-born Patriarch's death was a blow to Orthodoxy and Hellenism. "Orthodoxy has been denied of a very dynamic, but at the same time modest and unassuming Prelate who, with his personality, education, experience and moderation, was an exemplary Hierarch, and whose realistic and wise positions were always hard with due seriousness by the Orthodox clergy.

Remains of Alexandria Patriarch Petros to remain at Athens cathedral until Wednesday:

The remains of Patriarch Petros of Alexandria and All Africa were laid out in state on Monday morning in the chapel of the Athens cathedral, Aghios Eleftherios, before they are transported to Cairo for a funeral and burial on Wednesday.

Patriarch Petros was among 17 people that lost their lives on Saturday when a Chinook helicopter carrying him and his entourage to the monastic community on Mount Athos crashed just before arriving at its destination. Wreckage from the helicopter was spotted later by search teams four miles southeast of Sithonia, in Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece. The bodies of four of the passengers were recovered, including that of the Patriarch.

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos and visiting Jerusalem Patriarch Irineos went to the chapel on Monday morning and jointly chanted a requiem over the remains as crowds of people formed queues outside to pay their last respects to Patriarch Petros.

Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Carthage, whose body was also among those recovered, was buried Monday at Athens First Cemetery, with military honors, after a funeral officiated by Archbishop Christodoulos. The funeral was attended by Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou and representatives of the political parties.

Meanwhile, sources within the Athens Archiepiscopate revealed late on Monday that the funeral service for Patriarch Petros would not be held in Athens on Wednesday morning as originally announced but in Cairo.

They said a prayer would be offered up in Athens at 10:30 on Wednesday morning, after which the body will be transported to Cairo for the funeral service and burial. Among those expected to visit Cairo for the funeral are Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, Archbishop of Tirana and Albania Anastasios, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece and the Greek ministers for education and foreign affairs.

A circular issued by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has declared three days of mourning from September 13-15, during which flags will fly at half-mast on all churches, monasteries and ecclesiastical foundations and offices.

After the mass on Thursday, all churches will offer up prayers for the late Patriarch and toll their bells.

Comments by political party leaders on Chinook helicopter crash: Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga and Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos made comments on Monday on the Chinook helicopter crash last Saturday which resulted in the death of all 17 people on board.

Asked whether his party will call for the resignation of National Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos, PASOK leader Papandreou said that "since the resignation of the minister was not accepted, in this way the prime minister himself assumes the important responsibilities for this case, a case for which, as long as the investigation lasts, the issue of political responsibilities cannot close."

Papariga said from Thessaloniki where she is on a tour, that "in such tragic accidents, delayed warnings and so forth, it is apparent that there are political and military responsibilities."

Constantopoulos said that "the political responsibility is specific and serious."

Investigation committee set up into causes of Chinook helicopter crash: By order of National Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos on Monday, an investigation committee has been set up into the causes of the crash last Saturday of the Chinook helicopter in the region south of Sithonia and near Mount Athos which resulted in the death of all 17 people on board, including Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros VII, his entourage and the crew.

As stated in an announcement by the Defense Ministry, the aim of the committee, which is comprised of special experts, "is to verify the conditions and events which led to the above accident, so as to determine the causes and for the appropriate preventive measures to be taken for the avoidance of a similar incident."

[02] New air force chief announced

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

Avlonitis replaces Lt.-Gen. Panayiotis Papanikolaou, who resigned over the weekend in the wake of a military helicopter crash in northern Greece that left 17 people dead, including the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis chaired Monday's session of KYSEA.

The new air force chief was previously the commander of aviation training.

With the promotion of Maj.-Gen. Avlonitis, three high-ranking air force officers ahead of him in terms of hierarchy and seniority will go into retirement.

Asked about the helicopter accident, Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos merely noted that every possible scenario is being investigated.

A top air force council will be appointed to determine the next round of officers' promotions.

[03] 'Mild adjustment' over three years for fiscal policy, Finmin says

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

Alogoskoufis called for an end to bickering and "political intervention" on issues surrounding the economy, naming as an example the recent statements by main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, who said that the EU's ECOFIN Council last week was going badly for Greece before it had actually concluded.

He also confirmed making a commitment to adopt measures to reduce Greece's high public deficit and public debt, promising that in 2005 the public deficit would be brought below 3 per cent from 5.3 per cent in 2004.

The minister said he was trying to get the high spending for the Olympics to be admitted at least partly as falling under the "special circumstances" provision in the Stability and Growth Pact. He noted, however, that this had not yet been fully accepted by the EU.

During their last informal meeting in Scheveningen, EU finance and economy ministers expressed regret at the revision of budgetary statistics in Greece after the election of a new government and noted that the collection and reporting of budgetary statistics must not be vulnerable to political and electoral cycles.

Commenting on this recommendation, Alogoskoufis said that Greece was even now receiving congratulations from the European Commission, Eurostat and international financial institutions for the reliability of the statistics coming from Greece in recent months.

On taxation, the minister said the details will all be revealed when the draft budget for 2005 was unveiled at the end of the month.

Finmin says tax on incomes, business to be gradually reduced from 2005-2007: Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis on Monday said that a schedule for the gradual reduction of income tax for individuals from 2005 until 2007 will be included in the draft tax bill to be tabled in Parliament in October.

He said there would also be a similar schedule for the gradual reduction of taxes on businesses and freelance workers, as announced by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

At TIF, Karamanlis said that taxes for society anonymous and limited liability companies will be reduced from 35 per cent to 25 per cent, while those for personal companies will be reduced from 25 per cent to 20 per cent. He also announced unspecified tax reductions for households.

Asked whether the government was planning a freeze on indirect taxation in 2005, Alogoskoufis did not rule out further adjustments in this tax category but stressed that the government's policies would lead to an overall reduction of the tax burden in coming years.

He said the upcoming draft bill would also include measures for property tax, in accordance with pre-election pledges for reduced taxation in this area.

Decisions concerning a rise in road tax for private vehicles and the high price of fuel will be taken in the framework of the 2005 budget, Alogoskoufis added.

He did not answer questions regarding a rise in the EKES income supplement for pensioners and the farmers' pension from OGA, the minister referred reporters to the answers given to these issues by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Thessaloniki over the weekend.

[04] IMF report calls for further reforms to Greek pension system, labor market

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

The report, which was handed over to the minister by an IMF team of experts a few days earlier, also calls for changes to the job market and restrictions to public-sector hiring.

According to the IMF, there is a risk that Greek social insurance funds will not be able to fulfill their obligations towards those insured with them. This echoes similar concerns put to the government by the Association of Northern Greek Industries (SBBE) on social insurance and the labor market.

The report additionally urges cutbacks in government spending, including spending for defense, and government grants and subsidies. It also recommends caution in credit expansion, noting that an excessive increase in funding for the private sector might cause problems to the banking sector.

Commenting on the contents of the report, Alogoskoufis stressed that the government was not concealing the problems but trying to deal with them.

[05] Greek SMEs: mixed reaction to PM's speech

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

In a statement to the press, GSEBEE said that a decision to reduce tax factors for small- and medium-sized enterprises from 25 percent to 20 percent did not fully meet the sector's demands as the measure would be implemented in the next four years.

GSEBEE welcomed the prime minister's announcement to exclude SMEs with an annual turnover of up to 300,000 euros from tax inspections, offering equal development incentives to existing and new enterprises, and supporting employment with very small enterprises.

The Confederation said they did not agree with an announcement to reschedule older tax statements, while they criticized the lack of specific measures to boost competitiveness in the sector and to cut a 35 percent tax factor on cooperatives' profits.

[06] Greek industrial production index fell 0.6 pct in July, yr/yr

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

NSS, in its monthly report, said that the manufacturing index fell 0.9 percent in July, reflecting a drop in production in the textile, rubber and transportation sectors, while the mining production index rose 2.9 percent (reflecting rises in the coal and lignite sectors) and the electricity-natural gas-water index fell 0.5 percent over the same period.

The industrial production composite index rose 1.3 percent in the January-July period, compared with the same period last year, reflecting a 6.3 percent increase in mining production, a 1.0 percent rise in manufacturing and a 1.0 percent increase in electricity-natural gas-water index over the same period.

[07] Sharp increase in Greek tourists to Cyprus voiced at Cyprus pavilion at TIF

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

This was stressed by the commercial attache of the Embassy of Cyprus, Ioannis Zannoupas, and the director of the Cypriot tourism office in Athens, George Ioannides, during a press conference they gave on the occasion of Cyprus' participation at the 69th Thessaloniki International Fair.

Zannoupas stressed that 19 Cypriot companies are participating at the Cyprus pavilion at which products and services of the Cypriot market are presented. Greek exports to Cyprus amount to 580 million euro, while exports from Cyprus to Greece reach 50 million euro.

Cypriots visiting Greece each year number 350,000, of whom more than 70,000 go to Thessaloniki.

Data on Cypriot tourism was given by Ioannides who stressed that 2004 will close with a five percent increase in comparison to 2003. He assessed that the number of visitors to Cyprus by the end of the year will reach 2.5 million.

Arrivals by Greeks to Cyprus in 2004 increased by 40 percent compared to the previous year. It is estimated that by the end of the year 135,000 to 140,000 Greeks will visit Cyprus, compared to last year's figure of 110,000.

[08] S&P downgrades outlook on Greece from stable to negative

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

However, S&P maintained its "A+" and "A-1" ratings on the country's long-term and short-term sovereign credit ratings, respectively. The company also emphasized that "general government debt is forecast to reach 112% of GDP by the end of 2004, up from 106% in 2000, which was on the eve of Greece's EMU entry."

"Traditionally weak expenditure discipline has recently been exacerbated by declining government revenues as a share of GDP," according to S&P's credit analyst Moritz Kraemer. "Consequently, the general government deficit is expected to reach 5.4% of GDP this year, with the cyclically adjusted balance close to 6.0% of GDP. Approximately 1.0% of GDP of the 2004 deficit is related to nonrecurring spending on the Olympic Games," Kraemer stated.

S&P estimates that the New Democracy government's plans of reducing the deficit to less than 3% of GDP, "is very ambitious, but not impossible if the political will exists for forceful action to curtail current expenditures." If not, then Kraemer predicts that Greece's ratings will be lowered within one to two years.

[09] Olympic Village housing to be allocated to beneficiaries in early October

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

During the meeting, Panayiotopoulos emphasized that the ministry is looking for ways to reduce the price of housing below � 850 per square meter for the beneficiaries. GSEE has repeatedly asked that the price should not exceed � 700 per square meter.

Approximately 17,000 individuals have applied for the 2,914 residences in the Olympic Village.

[10] Athens-Piraeus Super-prefecture events for Paralympics

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

The events will take place at Pedion tou Areos in central Athens from September 14-21 at 20:00 in the evening. They will include choirs, dancing with wheelchairs, skits, plays, traditional dancing and Greek music performed by people with special needs and shadow-puppet plays, among others.

On the sidelines of these events, from about 18:00 each day, there will be exhibitions of photographs and children's art housed in specially designed pavilions, as well as a pavilion providing informational material.

Athens-Piraeus Super-prefect Fofi Gennimata expressed confidence that the Paralympic Games in Athens will be a success and encouraged the public to attend both the events organized by local government and the Paralympics themselves.

Athens 2004 executive Yiannis Spanudakis estimated that the total tickets sold for individual events in the Paralympics will eventually be as high as 400,000, noting that the number sold per day currently stood at around 15,000-20,000.

[11] New school year opens throughout Greece

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

Prime minister Costas Karamanlis, accompanied by education minister Marietta Yiannakou, visited the 72nd public primary school in the central Athens area of Thission.

Addressing the pupils, Karamanlis said that the children were the future of the country, and should rely on each other. "Even if you argue, you must be united," he said.

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou made a similar visit to the 10th public primary school in Petroupolis.

In a message issued by Yiannakou on the commencement of the new academic year, she said that the education ministry was doing everything possible so that the pupils may have every ability and opportunity to develop their abilities and dexterities, and to acquire the knowledge necessary for their future.

In his own message, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece assured that the Church was at the side of the education community, noting that the goal was not simply to get good grades, but life itself.

[12] Youth Parliament session concludes

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

"Democratic dialogue constitutes the foundation of a well-governed state," Stephanopoulos told the young MPs and urged them to be active citizens by contributing to the progress of Greek society through their ideas and actions.

Karamanlis thanked the youngsters for their participation and wished them good luck in their future course as well as the hope that their vision and efforts for a better society will be realized.

The young MPs discussed all issues which currently concern Greek society with special emphasis placed on education, social discrimination and violence.

Youngsters from the Greek province had the opportunity to convey problems particular to their regions, while representatives of urban centers discussed more general issues.

Maria Ioannidou, who is physically challenged, discussed health care issues and challenges, winning a standing ovation from her peers and the prime minister.

Maria Tourountzi from Thessaloniki, who lived in an orphanage for 13 years and now lives with foster parents, discussed the needs of children living in orphanages and called for the reinforcement of the institution of foster families.

During the 9th Youth Parliament session, participants had the opportunity to visit archaeological sites in Athens and on Sunday evening met with Olympic champions Thomas Binis, Ilias Iliadis and Nikos Kaklamanakis.

[13] Tzekos receives one-week postponement after attorney dies in chopper crash

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

Tzekos, who coached top Greek sprinter Kostas Kenteris until a doping test evasion furor caused the latter to bow out of the Athens 2004 Olympics, requested more time before appearing before judicial officials.

Attorney Georgios Mavros was among the 17 people killed when a twin-propeller military helicopter carrying Patriarch of Alexandria Petros, among others, went down off the Mount Athos peninsula in northern Greece.

Tzekos is expected to answer questions related to his involvement in the trafficking of illegal performance-enhancing substances.

[14] OSCE conference against racism begins in Brussels

Brussels, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

Prince Philip of Belgium, Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy and others spoke during the first half of the day's sessions.

During his speech, Vartholomeos referred to the identity of the Patriarchate in Istanbul stressing that it constitutes a supranational institution - not a national one - and is open to all people regardless of origin, race or culture. Furthermore, it is called "Ecumenical" because it is open to all, he explained. Vartholomeos also emphasized the Patriarchate's opposition to nationalism, not just today but as early as the 19th century. He did point out however, that while there are some voices of nationalism within Orthodoxy they do not have the Patriarchate's approval.

He also said that nationalism is a characteristic of insecure people who view "the foreigner" as a threat. Vartholomeos stressed the Patriarchate's clear opposition to discriminating against individuals based on their race, religion, or nationality. In this vein, and in support of tolerance, Vartholomeos said that the Patriarchate fully supports respecting the rights of religious minorities throughout the world.

[15] Greece participates in European Car-Free Day

Athens, 14/9/2004 (ANA)

"September 22 has been designated the European Car-Free Day thanks to an initiative taken by the environment ministries of EU member states. We all agree that our country should also contribute to further reinforcing this institution, which seems to be increasingly successful," Souflias' letter read.

He urges Greeks to use the public transport system which proved reliable and convenient during the Athens Olympic Games.

"Today, we are called upon to capitalize on the legacy of the Olympic Games and to also promote new solutions throughout the country in order to improve citizens' quality of life and to protect the environment," the minister wrote.

Within this context he called on the other ministers and ministry employees to set the example for the rest of the public, by using mass transportation, not just on September 22, but on a regular basis. "Considering that for our cities to become more humane and hospitable we all need to participate, I think that we can all contribute to a European Car-Free Day," Souflias concluded.

[16] Spokesman says President met with T/C about UN plan

Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said on Monday that President Tassos Papadopoulos had a series of meetings with Turkish Cypriot politicians prior to and after the April 24 referenda on a UN plan to solve the Cyprus problem.

The spokesman said the meetings were kept out of the press and noted that they aimed at finding a Cyprus settlement, investigating whether or not the UN plan was ready to be put to referenda and determining if the legislation to be incorporated in the plan was ready.

''President Papadopoulos' interest for a complete plan that would be put to the people of Cyprus is proven by these contacts,'' the spokesman said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The UN plan was put to separate simultaneous referenda on April 24. It was rejected by the Greek Cypriot community and accepted by the Turkish Cypriot community.

[17] Cyprus President to address UN General Assembly

President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos will be departing for New York on September 18 to address the 58th UN General Assembly on September 23.

Prior to his trip and after wrapping up a series of meetings with political parties regarding the Cyprus problem, the president will convene the National Council on September 17.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said discussions at the National Council, top advisory body to the president on the handling of the Cyprus problem, would include various issues on its agenda and others that may arise during the meeting.

On September 14, the Council of Ministers will convene in an extraordinary meeting to discuss the state budget for 2005, with the Cabinet regular meeting to take place on September 15.

Before departing for New York, the president will also preside over a meeting to deal with the rise in road accidents, with mainly young victims.

[18] Rizokarpaso school reopens after 29 years

After twenty-nine years of silence, the bell at the Rizokarpaso high school in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic, rang to summon students to class on Monday.

Students began registering for the new school year early Monday morning and then proceeded to their classrooms for lessons.

They were welcomed at the school by the fifteen teachers approved by the Turkish occupation regime and were given schoolbags as gifts.

The students will be using the 56 approved schoolbooks, out of the 72 submitted to the regime for approval.

In the schoolyard, the children said they were happy to be going to a school near their parents. On the other hand, most teachers will be commuting between Rizokarpaso and the government-controlled areas of the Republic for the time being, until they find residence in the Turkish occupied areas.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said there have been no problems so far with the reopening of the school, adding that eleven students have registered with the school and their number is expected to rise to fifteen.

''The building is in a functional condition and today the Rizokarpaso high school reopens,'' he added.

UNFICYP Chief of Civil Affairs Kannan Rajarathinam said this day ''is a happy day and belongs to all Cypriots,'' noting that ''UNFICYP is happy that it has been of some assistance.''

Rajarathinam, who went to Rizokarpaso to hand over the schoolbooks, said there were still ''some practicalities and we hope that they will also be overcome like the other practicalities before that.''

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