Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-09-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM vows reforms, says confident of success

[02] FM and UN representative discuss FYROM name issue

[03] FM to have dinner with his U.S. counterpart Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday

[04] Governments of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus want resumed UN effort

[05] EU agrees on the response it will give to Turkey

[06] Nat'l council on foreign policy to meet September 29

[07] Parliament president receives group of visiting Calif. state senators

[08] PASOK party leader sends message of congratulations to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder

[09] Synaspismos press release cites meeting between Karamanlis, Alavanos on Wednesday

[10] Alavanos meets in Athens with T/C political leader Akinci

[11] Inner Cabinet meeting on Tuesday focus on military academies

[12] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits Prespes

[13] Skopje court upholds most serious charge against jailed Orthodox leader

[14] Archangelos 2005 air show a success

[15] PM to meet with FinMin, Development Minister and DEH President on Tuesday

[16] Alogoskoufis: Efforts to privatize OA will continue; alternative solutions also considered

[17] OA to appeal to European Court on Commission ruling

[18] IMF conclusions on Greek economy presented to FinMin Alogoskoufis

[19] Intracom wins 22.2 mln-dollar- contract in Saudi Arabia

[20] Symposium on technology and investments in Greece in Chicago

[21] Greece seeks to promote agro-tourism

[22] Greek tourism enterprises "concerned" over Olympic Airlines' future

[23] Deputy agriculture minister requests probe on origin of foreign white cheese sold as 'feta' in EU countries

[24] Average unleaded fuel price reaches 0.990 euros per liter on September 16,

[25] Traffic stoppages on Rio-Antirrio bridge to begin on Tuesday

[26] Greek stocks end 0.48 pct lower

[27] Bill amendment opens way for Greek and foreign universities to offer joint post-grad studies

[28] Stanford University to acquire Greek studies dept

[29] One man killed, 2 Greek nationals arrested after incident involving migrant smuggling, Turkish patrol boat

[30] More illegal migrants detained on Samos; Turkish man arrested

[31] President Papoulias on the death of French author Lacarri�re

[32] Exhibition dedicated to Greek community in Vienna inaugurated on Saturday

[33] Medical examiner says Helios airliner's pilot, co-pilot suffered from coronary problems

[34] More lawsuits filed in Kontominas-Kouris clash

[35] Shelter for human trafficking victims to open in Thessaloniki

[36] Deputy sports minister requests clarification of international sports administrations' legal relation

[37] Cypriot FM holds meetings in New York

[38] Spokesman: Cypriot president clarified positions in UNGA address

[39] Trade unions reconfirm their position on Cyprus

[01] PM vows reforms, says confident of success

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

The Greek PM stressed that "a round of changes and reforms is continuing in all sectors. We proceed based on a specific road plan". Karamanlis noted his government sought to promote changes based on dialogue, understanding and cooperation. "We cannot afford to lose any more time," he added. The Greek Prime Minister, speaking to cabinet ministers said his government would not compromise with the forces of inertia nor with pressures from vested interests. "Our responsibility is to promote changes and reforms included in our program. We know where we stand, we know the hardships, what we have to do and that's exactly what we do".

Karamanlis underlined that reforms and changes were a one-way road to build a dynamic and competitive economy. "This government wants to be useful in the long-term. We are open to any proposals by the opposition, if they are any. We have the society on our side because they acknowledge that we have a program, goals and the determination. We have the society on our side and that's why we will succeed".

Commenting on the issue of Olympic Airlines, Karamanlis said the problem must be resolved in the framework of the country's commitments and according to public interest, EU rules and the principles of new governance promoted by the government.

"Our main goals are to ensure workers' rights, subsidized air flights to Greek islands, ensuring healthy competition and a viable solution for the company," Karamanlis said.

Government sources said all scenarios were open for Olympic Airlines, including the participation of the State to any possible new company form. Karamanlis reiterated his policy priorities were re-investing the state and promoting growth based on the people. "Our choice is a strategy of changes and reforms," the PM noted.

The Greek Prime Minister stressed the problems inherited by past governments, high public debt, fiscal deficit, unemployment, bureaucracy, corruption, and inefficient public sector, were many and complex, but underlined that efforts made by the government were additionally burdened by a sharp increase in international oil prices.

All these create a great challenge for all of us and "demand determination, efficiency and social responsibility," he said, adding "that's why we chose policies that will tackle the problems at its roots, will not undermine the future of new generation but ensure an improve prospect for all, mainly for new generation and those in greater need".

Karamanlis urged his ministers to contain consumer spending in the public sector adding "a lot has been made, and much more can be done. All ministries will continue interventions to combat bureaucracy, promote transparency, and contain spending and improver services to citizens".

The Greek Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to gradually cut income tax factors, to complete a regional restructuring of the country ahead of a Fourth Community Support Framework, restructure all public sector enterprises by introducing corporate governance principles and international accounting standards. He said that all new hirings in public sector enterprises would be based on a model by Hellenic Telecommunications Organization. "We will not harm labor relations," Karamanlis said.

The PM said the government has exceeded its goals for 2005 with revenues from privatizations totalling 2.1 billion euros, from 1.6 bln euros projected in the state budget. "We have prepared the ground for new privatizations (Athens International Airport, Post Savings Bank ports and selling more stakes in Emporiki Bank and Agricultural Bank).

[02] FM and UN representative discuss FYROM name issue

NEW YORK, 20/9/2005 (ANA - P. Panagiotou)

Commenting on the meeting, foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said "one more meeting was carried out with the secretary general's representative on the issue of the name of FYROM, Mr. Matthew Nimetz. Mr. Molyviatis reiterated with clarity our known positions. That is to say, that we consider his latest proposals to be a basis for negotiating."

He added that "Mr. Nimetz expressed his appreciation for this position of ours and stated that he will continue the dialogue with the representatives of the two sides."

[03] FM to have dinner with his U.S. counterpart Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday

NEW YORK, 20/9/2005 (ANA - P. Panagiotou)

Molyviatis is also due to address the UN General Assembly at about midnight on Monday (Greek time), while earlier in the day he participated in a working breakfast for European Union foreign ministers and the Russian foreign minister.

The foreign minister also held talks with the UN secretary general's representative on the issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Molyviatis is accompanied during his talks with his foreign counterparts by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis.

[04] Governments of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus want resumed UN effort

NEW YORK, 20/9/2005 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

According to the sources, following the various meetings that took place in the past few days on the sidelines of the UN's 60th General Assembly/world summit, all the sides involved are calling for action on the issue of Cyprus, but at the same time appear to disagree as to who and under what conditions a new initiative could be launched.

Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos, during a press conference on Sunday in New York following his address to the General Assembly, said he was awaiting some move on the party of UN chief Kofi Annan in the near future, in the framework of the secretary general's efforts for a Cyprus solution.

Papadopoulos said that "any initiative must be prepared correctly, aimed at its successful outcome", adding that "any time margins that may prospectively arise during a new initiative should be determined by the negotiations themselves and the progress possibly achieved, and not on outside factors", and reiterating that any new effort must be well prepared.

Greece's foreign minister Petros Molyviatis, following his sidelines meeting Sunday with Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, said that, with respect to the Cyprus issue, they had discussed "the prospects on the horizon for the possible reactivation of the secretary general's efforts for finding a solution".

Molyviatis said that Gul, in turn, had expressed "our joint support to the UN Secretary General for seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem", adding that "we agreed to continue".

US deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs Matthew Bryza, who visited Athens two weeks ago, in statements to reporters after Molyviatis' meeting with US undersecretary of state for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns on Sunday expressed the US's full support for the secretary general's efforts, noting the "necessity" for continuation of the UN's role on the issue of Cyprus.

[05] EU agrees on the response it will give to Turkey

BRUSSELS, 20/9/2005 (ANA/P. Dimitrakopoulos)

Turkey's refusal remains the main obstacle for the beginning of Ankara's EU accession talks which are expected to start in October.

"The agreement has been made, the text of the declaration has been agreed," the British diplomat, whose country holds the EU presidency, said.

Cyprus demands that Turkey recognize the Republic of Cyprus before it joins the EU and that it be clearly stated that normalization of Cypriot-Turkish relations is independent of a UN-sponsored solution to the Cyprus problem.

On July 29, Turkey signed the Association Agreement Protocol -- by virtue of which Turkey extended its customs union agreement with the EU to the 10 new member states, including Cyprus. It submitted a separate declaration stating that it refused to recognize the Cyprus Republic and that its ports and airports would remain closed to Cypriot ships and planes.

[06] Nat'l council on foreign policy to meet September 29

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

The council will discuss the latest developments regarding Turkey's European Union accession talks, as well as the situation in the Balkans, including finding a mutually-acceptable solution to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia name controversy.

The council will also be briefed on the conclusions drawn at the 60th General Assembly of the United Nations.

[07] Parliament president receives group of visiting Calif. state senators

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

In brief statements afterwards, Psarouda-Benaki noted that the ties that bind Greece with the one of the largest US states, California, are "very close, as numerous Greek immigrants live, work and create there."

[08] PASOK party leader sends message of congratulations to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

PASOK party spokesman Nikos Athanassakis, who announced the sending of the message of congratulations, said Schroeder's success was great against what he termed a harsh neo-liberal proposal.

Making comparisons with the Greek political situation, Athanassakis said that in Germany Merkel said before the elections what she intended to implement after the elections, while in Greece (Prime Minister Costas) Karamanlis said other things before the elections and is doing other things after the elections.

[09] Synaspismos press release cites meeting between Karamanlis, Alavanos on Wednesday

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

[10] Alavanos meets in Athens with T/C political leader Akinci

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

Afterwards, Alavanos said he and his interlocutor agreed over the need for promotion of a fair, bi-zonal and bi-communal solution for Cyprus.

[11] Inner Cabinet meeting on Tuesday focus on military academies

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

The premier will earlier receive Public Works, Town Planning and Environment Minister George Souflias.

[12] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits Prespes

FLORINA, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

Speaking during the event, the Ecumenical Patriarch said that one must not forget the history of the country so that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

The day began for the Ecumenical Patriarch with a visit to the village of Lemos, the headquarters of the municipality of Prespes, where he was given a warm welcome by local inhabitants despite pouring rain.

Vartholomeos said that all agencies must make efforts to bring peace, solidarity and cooperation for the happiness of people, regardless of national origin and religious convictions.

The Ecumenical Patriarch and the members of his entourage will be visiting the town of Aminteo later on in the day.

[13] Skopje court upholds most serious charge against jailed Orthodox leader

SKOPJE, 20/9/2005 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

By upholding a conviction of "inciting ethnic and religious hatred" against one-time Metropolitan and now Archbishop John, the Skopje appeals court kept the cleric in jail. Two lesser counts in the original indictment were overturned.

John is recognized by the Serbian Church as the legitimate Orthodox Archbishop in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The Serbian Church has been at odds with the breakaway "Macedonian Orthodox Church" - which is not recognized by any other Orthodox church worldwide -- after the latter changed its name, by dropping the title of Orthodox Archbishopric of Ohrid, and declaring its autonomy in 1967.

Conversely, FYROM's authorities do not recognize the current Orthodox Archbishopric of Ohrid.

The metropolitan was originally convicted by a Bitola court, a development that generated criticism around the world, including from Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Russian Patriarch Alexyi II. Moreover, John's imprisonment has caused continued friction between FYROM and Serbia, one-time provinces of the former Yugoslavia.

His conviction can still be overturned by FYROM's Supreme Court, according to reports.

[14] Archangelos 2005 air show a success

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

More than 240,000 Greeks and foreigners attended the show over the weekend.

During the three-day airshow, which began on Friday, a wide variety of aircraft were on display on the ground, while others performed air-borne maneuvers, including simulations by Greek pilots of operational flights encompassing different threat scenarios, in a display of the preparedness and abilities of the Hellenic Air Force.

Among those performing acrobatic maneuvers were Britain's Royal Air Force Red Arrows and the Italian Frecce Tricolori. The latter participated in a 10-aircraft formation, painting the sky in the colors of the Italian flag.

Among the dignitaries at the exhibition was President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, who was briefed on the Hellenic Air Force's readiness and combat capability.

The show was organized by the Hellenic Air Force to honor its patron saint, the Archangel Michael.

[15] PM to meet with FinMin, Development Minister and DEH President on Tuesday

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

[16] Alogoskoufis: Efforts to privatize OA will continue; alternative solutions also considered

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

Alogoskoufis said he will not rule out the prospect of joint private sector/state control of an OA successor.

"Our goal is a robust (business) scheme that will guarantee flight safety and healthy competition in the air transport sector," he told reporters shortly after meeting with the leadership of Greece's largest trade umbrella union, GSEE.

In terms of other issues, Alogoskoufis said the government does not intend to change the collective bargaining agreement regime, which he called successful.

Additionally, the minister said 2006 will witness the commencement of a dialogue over long-term interventions in the country's social security system, as well as discussion over tax reforms for individual income tax rates.

On his part, GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos called for a convergence agreement over wages, warning that the unions will demand pay hikes more than covering the inflation rate. Additionally, he called for a timetable to funnel state funding into the social security system, especially aimed at the after 2025 period.

Finally, he again reiterated GSEE's call for a heating oil subsidy towards lower-income households during the upcoming winter season.

Alogoskoufis was accompanied by Economy Deputy Ministers Christos Folias, Petros Doukas and Adam Regouzas.

[17] OA to appeal to European Court on Commission ruling

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

Transport and Communications Minister Michalis Liapis on Monday said that while the situation is at a difficult stage right now, the government does have a comprehensive plan to deal with it.

[18] IMF conclusions on Greek economy presented to FinMin Alogoskoufis

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

The full text of the report will be made public in November.

Meanwhile, Alogoskoufis leaves on Wednesday for the US, where he will attend the IMF annual meeting.

[19] Intracom wins 22.2 mln-dollar- contract in Saudi Arabia

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

ITC, a data services provider in Saudi Arabia, plans to offer advanced communication data services to both enterprises and household users, using Intracom's equipment.

The contract has a two-year duration. ITC's president and chief executive Dr Mohammed H. Omar, said his company along with Intracom and its technological partners -Cisco and Redline Communications- were developing one of the most complex high-performance telecommunication networks that would enable enterprises to excel in their field of activities and offer household users real value and quality.

"Telecommunication needs in the Middle East are rapidly growing and the large local data services provides are seeking cooperation with highly expert companies. Intracom has undoubtedly an advantage towards its competitors," Stavros Vougas, Intracom Middle East's chief executive said.

[20] Symposium on technology and investments in Greece in Chicago

CHICAGO, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

The symposium on "Technology and investments in Greece: Economic centre in Southeastern Europe and a gate to the Balkans and the EU" is following a symposium organized a few months ago again in Chicago. Andreas Athens, president of UHAC and WCHA expressed his satisfaction over the response of both the public and private sector to the symposium.

Abbott Laboratories Hellas and Kalamos, an investment company with around 41.5 billion dollars under management, will be among the sponsors of the symposium. Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas will be the main speaker of the symposium. The Greek minister will present the opportunities offered by Greece to foreign investors.

[21] Greece seeks to promote agro-tourism

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

Addressing a seminar on agro-tourism in Chalkis on Saturday, the Greek minister said the ministry was finalizing details in a draft law on agro-tourism. The plan envisages the creation of a Greek Tourism Organization for Agro-tourism and will offer incentives to promote business in the sector.

"Agro-tourism ensures that each region will be able to highlight its comparative advantages and creates job positions in regional Greece," Liaskos said.

[22] Greek tourism enterprises "concerned" over Olympic Airlines' future

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

The unions urged the government to secure a time period for finding the best possible solution both for the national airline and for its workers.

[23] Deputy agriculture minister requests probe on origin of foreign white cheese sold as 'feta' in EU countries

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

The name "feta" has been consolidated by Greece as a Protected Name of Origin.

The deputy minister said that "the Agricultural Development and Foodstuffs ministry will make every effort possible so that we can protect one of the most important farm products of ours having excellent export performances and an excellent qualitative and nutritious value."

[24] Average unleaded fuel price reaches 0.990 euros per liter on September 16,

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

Since the beginning of 2004, the price of unleaded fuel had increased by a total of 35.43 percent, while over the same period the price of brent oil had increased by 94.98 percent.

The retail price of unleaded fuel in Greece is the lowest in the European Union and is 17.28 percent less than the relevant EU average.

[25] Traffic stoppages on Rio-Antirrio bridge to begin on Tuesday

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

According to an announcement by the company responsible for the bridge, a traffic stoppage is expected at 7.30 a.m. on Tuesday which will last for about a quarter of an hour.

Other stoppages of the same duration are expected one or more times a day, mainly during the morning, throughout the duration of work to be carried out on the bridge.

The work will mainly concern strengthening the bridge's defense system against lightning.

[26] Greek stocks end 0.48 pct lower

ATHENS, 20/9/2005 (ANA)

The composite index fell 0.48 percent to end at 3,251.28 points, with turnover a moderate 134.9 million euros

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chips and heavy traded stocks ended 0.57 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.19 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.13 percent.

Sector indices ended mixed. The Insurance (1.31 pct), IT (1.28 pct) and Textile (0.82 pct) indices scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Publications (1.41 pct), Mineral-Cement (1.06 pct) and Banks (0.95 pct) indices suffered losses.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 148 to 115 with another 73 issues unchanged.

Equity Index Futures: