Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-10-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Molyviatis briefs premier on developments in FYROM issue

[02] Nimetz proposal on FYROM name issue complicates problem even more, KKE representative says

[03] U.S. does not comment on Nimetz proposals on FYROM name issue, Ereli says

[04] PASOK party leader hosts luncheon for political correspondents, concerned over government's handling of FYROM name issue

[05] Greece lodges demarche with US over 'minorities' statements

[06] PM sends condolences to Pakistani, Indian counterparts as C-130 prepares to depart with humanitarian aid for the earthquake-devastated region

[07] Hellenic C-130 aircraft with humanitarian aid departs for Pakistan on Wednesday

[08] Papandreou in Turkey this week as part of Euro-socialists' delegation

[09] ND deputies table question over salaries, number of aides employed by successive PASOK gov't

[10] COSAC committees discuss rejection of European Constitution and its repercussions in future of EU

[11] President Papoulias meets with NSW governor Bashir

[12] Austrian Chancellor meets with members of Vienna's Greek community

[13] Public order ministry submits appeal to Council of State on surveillance camera issue

[14] Broadcast watchdog spells out actions against TV stations fuelling pay-per-call scams

[15] FinMin satisfied over economic performance

[16] EU Competitiveness Council examines chemical industry problems

[17] National Bank sells Atlantic Bank for 400 mln US dollars

[18] Central bank puts brake on mortgages

[19] Greek business delegation to visit Peru

[20] Greece had largest national pavilion at Polish food trade fair

[21] 2nd Greek-Israeli Forum on Telecommunications and Informatics to be held in Athens in November

[22] Gov't working on use of biomass in electricity, cement output

[23] Introduction of new technologies in Greece beginning to show signs of growth

[24] Bank analysts see Athens bourse reaching 3,500 pts end-2005

[25] Greek stocks move higher

[26] Greek composer Theodorakis honored in Cyprus

[27] Overseas press office chiefs hold meeting in Athens

[28] Presentation made of book by Christodoulos Yiallouridis on 'Turkey in the 21st century'

[29] Fire at studios of Alpha and Polis TV station reported under complete control

[30] AKEL party presents medal to Theodorakis

[31] Cyprus to hold large-scale military exercise

[01] FM Molyviatis briefs premier on developments in FYROM issue

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

After the meeting, Molyviatis told waiting reporters that the Greek government's position vis-a-vis the FYROM name issue was crystal clear.

He indirectly but clearly put forward a warning of on Greece's right of veto. "We have the right, on the basis of the 1995 interim agreement, to oppose the neighboring country's accession to international organizations under any name other than that of 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia', Molyviatis said.

To a relevant question, the foreign minister left open the prospect of a referendum on the FYROM issue, noting that "when that time comes, the government -- the government in power at the time -- should have all prospects open".

The name "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" used in relations between the neighboring country and the European Union "causes no problems to Greece so long as it remains that," Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos said Tuesday, replying during a regular press briefing to questions on Greece's reaction in view of the Brussels decisions regarding FYROM's European course.

Koumoutsakos said that the Greek side maintained its volition for continuation of the effort to find a commonly acceptable solution to the FYROM name issue.

"Greece can and desires to be constructive, and this is well-known," the spokesman added.

Questioned on the Greek government's actions before the submission of UN special mediator on the FYROM name issue Matthew Nimetz's new proposal -- which was rejected as "unacceptable" by Athens -- Koumoutsakos said that present Greek government, as all the preceding governments in the 10 years since the commencement of the UN-mediated talks between Greece and FYROM for finding a commonly acceptable name, have done that which they must do so as to reinforce and protect the country's negotiating position.

"Over a space of 10 years, no solution has been found to this matter," he noted.

Koumoutsakos further announced that the National Council on Foreign Policy would be convened next Tuesday, following a request tabled in parliament on Monday by the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party.

Koumoutsakos said "Greece will continue to work within the framework of the United Nations' procedure for reaching a mutually acceptable solution to the matter." However, he added that "from then on - as arises by the ministry's announcement last (Monday) night - all the possibilities exist on the table and none will be excluded."

To a question whether a matter will be raised of a veto by Greece in the European Union for FYROM as well as an issue of a referendum, Koumoutsakos said that FYROM has already conventional relations with the EU and that in November 9 the Commission is expected to present a report.

The next European Council will deem if, on the basis of the Commission's report, this country will proceed or not proceed in further stages of its European course, the spokesman said.

Koumoutsakos said it will be judged either at the EU Summit in December, or at an earlier Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, but anyway, during that period. The foreign ministry spokesman added that the name FYROM which is valid in this country's relations with the EU does not cause any problem to Greece.

PASOK criticism of gov't handling of FYROM 'name issue': Main opposition PASOK on Tuesday again criticized the government's handling of the FYROM 'name issue', saying the party's "worst fears" were confirmed by the government's recent handling of the issue.

According to top PASOK cadre Christos Papoutsis, PASOK centers its criticism on two points, namely, what it calls a "diplomatic inertia" over the matter, as well as the government's qualified acceptance of an earlier proposal by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz as a basis for resolving the "name issue" between Greece and the land-locked Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Papoutsis, a former EU Commissioner, a one-time contender for Athens' town hall and, briefly, a merchant marine minister in the last Simitis government, also blamed the government for failing to prevent FYROM's recognition as "Republic of Macedonia" by Washington last November.

Communist Party deputies call for Parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on FYROM issue: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Deputies Orestis Kolozov and Liana Kanelli have addressed a letter to the President of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Vassilis Maginas, calling for an immediate meeting of the Committee on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

The deputies stress in their letter that latest developments in Greece's relations with FYROM and the region in general, following the latest proposal by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz, necessitate the immediate convening of Parliament's relevant Committee.

[02] Nimetz proposal on FYROM name issue complicates problem even more, KKE representative says

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

Kolozov added that the unilateral recognition of FYROM by the United States with its constitutional name, as well as the present Nimetz proposal, is part of the framework of their intervention policy in the Balkans which aims at a change in borders with the independence of Kosovo.

He also stressed that the Greek government "is exercising a policy of acceptance and support of the imperialists' plans, as it did with the change in its position on the avoidance of a change in borders in the Balkans, the support for the plan on the 'democratization' of the countries of the Middle East, the strengthening of the country's military presence in Afghanistan and the hasty purchase of the F-16s."

[03] U.S. does not comment on Nimetz proposals on FYROM name issue, Ereli says

WASHINGTON, 12/10/2005 (ANA/T. Ellis)

The United States, however, declares that it supports the efforts for the finding of a solution even though it underlines that its role is "purely supportive."

Deputy State Department Spokesman Adam Ereli on Tuesday made clear that he has no intention of commenting on the course of Matthew Nimetz' mediation, stating that "it is a matter which is being processed by the UN special representative, who tries, on behalf of the (UN) Secretary-General (Kofi Annan) to make the Greeks and Macedonians to agree on a name."

Ereli stressed that he did not know whether there were any consultations between Washington, Athens and Skopje on this issue. He declared that he had no knowledge regarding the last time there was communication between the State Department and Nimetz, while he noted that the U.S. does not get directly involved in the efforts made by the UN, but that its role is "purely supportive."

Asked whether Washington will support FYROM's accession to the European Union and NATO, at the moment when Athens has expressed the intention to obstruct it, making use of the right of veto, Ereli underlined such types of statements run ahead of the developments and the situation in which the matter stands at present.

"At this moment we are at the point where Mr. Nimetz is working with both sides to confront the issue of the name and we support his efforts. What will happen in the future in others matters, is, I believe, simply conjecture," the State Department Spokesman concluded.

[04] PASOK party leader hosts luncheon for political correspondents, concerned over government's handling of FYROM name issue

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

Referring to latest developments on the FYROM issue, Papandreou replied to a question on whether a referendum must be held on the neighboring country's name, saying that "if the issue of a referendum is raised as a negotiating card then okay" although, as he added, "such a card will not stand for long."

On the question of the possibility of a veto being exercised at the European Union regarding FYROM, the PASOK party leader said he had no special information and what he is aware of is that the government is speaking of a veto in the event that there is an issue of a violation of the European Union's agreement on the accession of the neighboring country with the name FYROM.

Commenting on the domestic political situation, Papandreou said "there is a rapid decline of the government" which, as he said, "has led the economy and foreign issues to a deadlock through its own mistakes and options."

Papandreou further said that "claims made by some that PASOK lacks positions is a myth that must come to an end" and added that he "will not make circumstantial slogans to win the elections and will not make promises in the air as Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis did."

The PASOK leader will travel to Istanbul, Turkey, on Wednesday, on behalf of the European Socialist Party and as the vice president of the Committee set up by the Socialist Party to monitor Turkey's European course.

Papandreou will be in Turkey with Paavo Lipponen of Finland, with whom he will be preparing a report for the Socialist Party on Turkey's progress or lack of progress.

During his two-day stay in Turkey, Papandreou will be meeting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and will be visiting the Phanar for a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

In another development, Papandreou visited the fire brigade's headquarters and talked with its chief and senior officers. He said the fire brigade was a model service and he was briefed on the outcome of this year's period of combatting wildfires.

Papandreou, who was given a fire brigade helmet as a gift, made his visit on the occasion of World Day against Natural Disasters.

Government officials respond to PASOK leader's comments: Government officials on Tuesday commenting on statements by PASOK leader George Papandreou made earlier in the day on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) said:

"Today's divisive references by Mr. Papandreou, especially when they touch sensitive national issues, are worrisome examples of political irresponsibility."

[05] Greece lodges demarche with US over 'minorities' statements

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos announced that the demarche was lodged earlier in the day by ministry secretary general Haralambos Rokanas to US ambassador in Greece Charles Ries, adding that a corresponding demarche would also be lodged within the day by the US ambassador in Washington.

[06] PM sends condolences to Pakistani, Indian counterparts as C-130 prepares to depart with humanitarian aid for the earthquake-devastated region

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

In his message to the Pakistani and Indian prime ministers, Karamanlis expressed grief over the loss of thousands of lives, and the thousands of missing persons and persons left homeless by the earthquake, adding that Greece was prepared to provide all possible assistance.

[07] Hellenic C-130 aircraft with humanitarian aid departs for Pakistan on Wednesday

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

The humanitarian aid includes medicines, blankets, food and electricity generators.

Stylianidis stressed that Greece is always present in such types of missions with the aim of relieving the pain of the peoples affected by natural disasters.

The Pakistani ambassador thanked Greece for the aid it is offering.

Following a request by the Pakistani government, the C-130 aircraft, apart from the humanitarian aid, it will also be carrying 14 members of non-governmental organizations, mainly doctors.

The deputy foreign minister was accompanied by Air Force General Staff chief George Avlonitis.

[08] Papandreou in Turkey this week as part of Euro-socialists' delegation

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

The nine-member PES delegation will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Wednesday in Istanbul, followed by meetings with trade union leaderships and human rights-related NGO officials in the Bosporus metropolis.

The delegation's members will travel to Ankara the same evening in order to attend a reception held by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

On Thursday, the PES delegation will be received by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan before meeting with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Contacts with Turkish opposition leaders are also scheduled.

[09] ND deputies table question over salaries, number of aides employed by successive PASOK gov't

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

The tabled question is directed to all current ministers, with the five deputies stating that Law 1558/85 and Presidential Decree 63/2005 allow for the hiring of temporary employees under the capacity of aides and associates.

"The goal is to chart and clarify the manner and extent that previous governments exploited the aforementioned laws," the wording in the tabled question reads.

[10] COSAC committees discuss rejection of European Constitution and its repercussions in future of EU

LONDON, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

Greek delegation chief and Parliament's first vice president Sotiris Hadjigakis referred in his address to the freezing of the European Constitution Treaty as a result of the lack of contact between the European peoples and EU institutions.

He proposed the upgrading of COSAC's secretariat as a measure to strengthen the body's role which must become a "bridge" between European citizens and EU institutions.

Ruling New Democracy party Deputy Marios Salmas spoke of a "dangerous morass" created by the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty and stressed the need for national Parliaments to become guarantors of the fundamental freedoms of the citizens they represent.

[11] President Papoulias meets with NSW governor Bashir

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

[12] Austrian Chancellor meets with members of Vienna's Greek community

VIENNA 12/10/2005 (ANA)

In his speech at the event, which was organized by ND's Vienna local branch, the Austrian Chancellor and leader of the Austrian People's Party referred to his friendship with Greek Prime Minister and ND leader Costas Karamanlis and to the close relations and bonds between the two parties, which have, as he said, common objectives and visions for a Europe where there will be respect of its peoples.

Referring to the issue of the European Union's accession negotiations with Turkey, where Austria has repeatedly voiced reservations as to Turkey's full accession, Schuessel said that the great skepticism which exists is due to the fact that Austria and he himself wish for a Europe in which human rights, democracy and the rights of women to be at the highest possible level.

[13] Public order ministry submits appeal to Council of State on surveillance camera issue

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

The Authority allowed the operation of cameras but only for traffic control, while it did not allow the operation of 31 surveillance cameras at specific locations.

The public order ministry claims that the Authority's decision being contested is contrary to the European Human Rights Convention, the Greek constitution and EU and Greek legislation.

The ministry stresses in its appeal that in the case of the value of human life the constitution "overrides it only in the case of an even greater value, the defense of the motherland and the form of regime."

The appeal also points out that "protection of national security and public order, as well as of persons and commodities, clearly comes before personal data."

[14] Broadcast watchdog spells out actions against TV stations fuelling pay-per-call scams

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

In defending its stance vis-a-vis controversial issue, which recently jumped to the national spotlight in the wake a scandal linked to a recently resigned deputy minister, Adam Regouzas, ESR board members said they warned authorities and the national government as far back as 2002 over the felonious activity by numerous local TV channels around Greece, and especially in the Thessaloniki area.

ESR board members also said that besides a multitude of fines against violating stations, five orders for termination of stations' broadcasting rights were issued. The same watchdog group's leadership also said it briefed first instance court prosecutors and the National Telecommunications Commission (EETT) over the operation of illegal channels and the airing of pornographic content by local and mostly obscure stations at all hours of the day.

Specifically, ESR President Ioannis Laskaridis noted that his organization conveyed a letter to the ministry of state as recently as August requesting emergency legislation to finally regulate the broadcast sector.

Moreover, board members reminded that the EETT is responsible for granting licenses to pay-per-call companies, which subsequently enter into contract with the state-run telephony utility (OTE).

One board member, in fact, Yiannis Papacostas, went as far as calling OTE the "Greek public sector's pimp".

[15] FinMin satisfied over economic performance

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after completion of an ECOFIN meeting in Luxembourg, the Greek minister said he had the opportunity to brief his European counterparts over the government's progress in reducing the country's fiscal deficit by three percentage points of GDP as well as satisfactory economic growth rates in the country in the face of an economic stagnation in Europe. He also said 2005 was the first year after the Athens Olympic Games.

The Greek minister reiterated his cautious optimism over an economic recovery in Europe, with a positive impact for Greece, although he stressed there were concerns over inflationary pressures because of rising oil prices and widening fiscal deficits in Europe.

Alogoskoufis reiterated the government's pledge to cut the country's fiscal deficit below 3.0 percent of GDP in 2006.

Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings in Luxembourg on Monday and Tuesday discussed the impact of higher oil prices on growth and inflation.

[16] EU Competitiveness Council examines chemical industry problems

BRUSSELS, 12/10/2005 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

The main issues discussed during the meeting included the improvement of legislation, the regulation on the registration, assessment and licensing of chemical products, restrictions imposed on them (REACH), the creation of a European Chemical Products Organization and the Seventh Program Framework on research and technological development activities.

The issue of climatic change and competitiveness was also examined during the ministers' working luncheon. Sioufas once again stressed that he supports the Presidency's proposal on the creation of a High Level Group with the purpose of securing cohesion of the targets of European policies on the environment and climatic change, energy and competitiveness.

Speaking during the discussion on the proposal on chemical products (REACH), Sioufas said the effort must be focused on reducing the direct and indirect cost in the entire industry and not only in the chemical industry but in all sectors using chemicals and for distributors, particularly in small and medium-size enterprises.

[17] National Bank sells Atlantic Bank for 400 mln US dollars

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2006. Atlantic Bank, based in Manhattan, NY, has assets totalling 3.0 billion US dollars, deposits of 1.8 billion and operates a branch network of 17 units in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Nassau and Westchester Counties.

[18] Central bank puts brake on mortgages

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

Included in the ruling is an increase of mortgage provisions by banks.

The central bank recommends that banks should not grant mortgages whose installments represent more than 40% of the monthly income of borrowers, and to take into account the impact on repayments of a likely rise in interest rates.

The measures are in line with the Basel II pact, which is due for introduction on January 1, 2007.

The Bank of Greece noted that the measures announced Tuesday coincide with a healthy market for banking, with high earnings able to act as buffer to a swifter amortization of belated loans.

[19] Greek business delegation to visit Peru

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

The business trip to Latin America's third largest country is organized by Peru's consulate in Thessaloniki. Greek businesses will visit Lima, Cusco-Macchu Picchu, Puno and Nazca from November 27 to December 7.

The Chamber is expecting a group of Croatian businessmen to visit Thessaloniki on Thursday 20 October.

[20] Greece had largest national pavilion at Polish food trade fair

WARSAW, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

Thessaloniki International Trade Fair SA, which arranged Greek participation in the food exhibition that ended on September 23 with 1,300 exhibitors from 36 countries showing their wares, said that many domestic participants are mulling the establishment of subsidiaries in Poland.

Greek exhibits included olive oil, olives, wine, dairy products, pasta and honey.

Inaugurating Greece's pavilion was Greece's ambassador to Poland, Dionysios Lelos.

[21] 2nd Greek-Israeli Forum on Telecommunications and Informatics to be held in Athens in November

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

Representatives from 22 major Israeli companies in the sectors of telecommunications and informatics, such as Converse, Rad Communications and ECI Telecom Ltd will visit Greece to hold meetings with corresponding Greek companies such as the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), Intracom and InfoQuest. Their aim is to present products, innovatory ideas and the creation of cooperation.

The sector of telecommunications is particularly developed in Israel. In 2002, Israel's exports in telecommunications reached 2.9 billion dollars, presenting an 83 per cent increase compared to 1998.

[22] Gov't working on use of biomass in electricity, cement output

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

At a meeting chaired by Deputy Agricultural Development Minister Alexandros Kontos on Tuesday, officials noted that technical difficulties remained concerning the exact form of the raw material to be employed from farming waste products.

[23] Introduction of new technologies in Greece beginning to show signs of growth

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

This conclusion is drawn from the first completed counting on the infiltration of new technologies in Greece on the basis of a European index (eEurope) which was presented on Tuesday by the Watch for Society of Information.

According to data of the research, despite the fact that the use of the Internet remains low in Greece compared to Europe, almost one if five Greeks (20.08 per cent) use the network, while 17.9 per cent of the population use it regularly at least once a week. The youngest age groups (16-24 years old: 42%, 25-34 years old: 30%) and the inhabitants of urban cities with higher education constitute with considerable difference the groups of population with the highest access.

Regarding the infiltration of the quick (eurozone) Internet to the Greek population, according to the results of the research, it is still at a very low level (1 per cent). The price of the quick Internet in Greece remains high compared with the rest of Europe, making its speedier spread difficult.

[24] Bank analysts see Athens bourse reaching 3,500 pts end-2005

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

Analysts of the market-listed bank told a presentation that the rise would represent an increase of 28% against 2004.

The bank's target price for the bourse at the end of 2006 is 4,000 points, the analysts said.

The figure was conditional on maintenance of the government's privatization program, a relatively stable global market environment, an anticipated average rise in 2006 corporate profitability of 17%, and the maintenance of a strong performance by the banking sector.

On the basis of returns in the past year, the Greek bourse took second place among European markets at 39.2% after Austria at 57.6%, the analysts noted.

[25] Greek stocks move higher

ATHENS, 12/10/2005 (ANA)

The composite index rose 0.57 percent to end at 3,379.58 points, with turnover an improved 219.4 million euros.

Sector indices ended higher with the Textiles (2.26 pct), Telecoms (1.86 pct), Constructions (1.36 pct) and Metals (0.78 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Insurance (0.83 pct), Publications (0.63 pct), Holdings (0.44 pct) and Food-Beverage (0.22 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.65 pct, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.05 pct and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.09 pct.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 142 to 134 with another 54 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: OTE top in stock futures trade

Equity Index Futures: