Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-11-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Reshuffle unlikely as PM sees no point in rapid cabinet turnover

[02] POLL: Main opposition ousted in 2004 ballot due to performance in gov't

[03] Ex-minister says politicians to blame for handling of past war crisis with Turkey

[04] Defense minister to Middle East

[05] Gov't to tender improvement project for country hospital

[06] Local authorities oppose mayoral election bill

[07] Gov't to wholly privatize Athens-quoted Emporiki Bank

[08] Finmin sees economic progress, fuelled by private capital

[09] Greece seen at the heart of SE European growth

[10] Ministers likely to decide fate of OA sale tender next week

[11] Gov't to hold tourism conference with the New York Times

[12] Help centre for ethnic Greeks to open in US

[13] Workers' rally calls for better jobs market

[14] Red Cross: Moves to combat social exclusion need coordination

[15] Two arrests in e-commerce extortion scam

[16] Illegal immigrants found on Samos after two-day search

[17] International meeting of news cartoonists comes to an end

[18] Youths firebomb Citroen, Mercedes showrooms in Athens

[01] Reshuffle unlikely as PM sees no point in rapid cabinet turnover

TOKYO, 14/11/2005 (ANA/A Panagopoulos)

"I believe that frequent changes of ministers are unproductive," Karamanlis replied to a reporter's question during a trip to Japan.

The premier, who was touring the historic city of Nikko, said in conversations with Greek reporters that he had no wish to comment on domestic events, despite repeated questions about a possible reshuffle.

Karamanlis' reply on the cabinet was given in an interview to a Japanese journalist earlier in the day, when he also said that a reshuffle "isn't the issue."

Asked about a stalled trip to Ankara, Karamanlis reported that he was unlikely to make the visit by the end of the year, but a date was being sought from early next year.

Turning to the European Union's planned fourth Community Support Framework package of funds, which is key for Greece, the premier said he believed that the likelihood of agreement among EU leaders was greater at a summit scheduled for December in comparison with past talks.

He also forecast that farm subsidies were likely to remain unscathed at the summit.

"I don't think that they will look at the issue of cuts in agricultural subsidies in any depth. There is a very strong alliance in the Union. Even if anyone brings it up, it won't get through," the premier added.

Karamanlis visited the mountain city of Nikko, which included a tour of historic shrines and the mausoleum of famed shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, known as Nikko Toshogu.

Accompanying the prime minister were Deputy Foreign Minister Euripides Stylianidis, whose portfolio is economic diplomacy, and the deputy government spokesman, Evangelos Antonaros.

[02] POLL: Main opposition ousted in 2004 ballot due to performance in gov't

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

In the survey commissioned by the Proto Thema newspaper, 61.3% of respondents believed the government's performance was to blame for the party's election defeat against 24.4% who saw poor handling of the pre-election period as the reason for the failure to retain government.

The party's current leader, George Papandreou, gained 45.3% of the popularity vote against his predecessor and former premier, Costas Simitis, who scored 36.2%, according to the nationwide poll conducted by Alco.

PASOK had suffered a last-minute leadership change when Simitis, then prime minister, announced he was resigning as head of the party and would not remain as head of government if the party won last year's general election.

Papandreou become leader of the party that his father, the late Andreas Papandreou, had founded three decades ago soon before the March poll.

PASOK leader sees 'government erosion': Main opposition PASOK leader said on Sunday that his party was gradually "emerging for a new victory" in national elections, in an interview to the Sunday Ethnos newspaper.

"Each day that passes, our voice becomes clearer and stronger," Papandreou said, adding that recent opinion polls "show the government's erosion." This, he went on, "is only the beginning of the country's progress and of all Greek citizens".

In an implicit reference to former Prime Minister Costas Simitis' book which was presented last week and in which the former PASOK leader makes an account of his eight-year long premiership, Papandreou reiterated that he was "always looking ahead".

[03] Ex-minister says politicians to blame for handling of past war crisis with Turkey

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

At the same time, Arsenis did not completely exonerate the military, according to an interview he gave the Sunday Kathimerini newspaper.

His view clashed with then-premier Costas Simitis, who asserted in a book published last week that the military was at fault.

Arsenis, on the other hand, blamed Simitis, the defense minister (himself), and other members of the government's foreign and defense policy council for wrong moves.

"We must finally have the courage to assume responsibility," Arsenis noted.

On economic policy, he said the then government was not bold enough to make structural changes in production in order to boost productivity and employment.

"We did not have and do not have a strong economy," he added.

[04] Defense minister to Middle East

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

Spiliotopoulos will represent the government at a memorial event to mark 10 years since the assassination of former Israeli premier Yitzak Rabin.

On Wednesday, the minister is scheduled to meet the prime minister and foreign minister of the Palestinian Territories.

[05] Gov't to tender improvement project for country hospital

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

The deadline for the tender, which includes construction of auxiliary buildings, is at the end of January 2006 with a project completion date anticipated at the end of 2007, Kaklamanis told a news conference during a visit to Tripoli.

Works, which were entered under the European Union's Third Community Support Framework package of funds early this month, are budgeted at about 12.5 million euros.

Ten million euros of the total is to be spent on infrastructure and 2.5 million euros on equipment, the minister added.

[06] Local authorities oppose mayoral election bill

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

An overwhelming majority of members of the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities stated their opposition to the government bill at the end of a conference on Rhodes.

Most members also stated they were against a government decision to divide the country into five hyper-regions as part of a plan to spur growth.

[07] Gov't to wholly privatize Athens-quoted Emporiki Bank

NEW YORK, 14/11/2005 (ANA/P Panayiotou)

"Concerning Emporiki Bank, our target is full privatization," Alogoskoufis told a news conference in New York.

The move is part of a broad policy of reducing government ownership in the state banking sector following a successful year of privatization in 2005.

"In the coming year, our major goal is to curb the public sector's participation in the banking sector, to focus on lowering state holdings in state banks....This year major groundwork has been done on social insurance for banking staff and the revitalization of portfolios," the minister said.

"We want to prepare the climate as institutional investors have offered much support to Greece in the areas of privatization and bonds," he noted.

Also on the agenda was a further sale of government-owned stock in Ate Bank, also quoted on the Athens bourse, to take government shares down to 51%, if possible, from 82%.

In addition, Athens bourse listing would be sought for the Post Office Savings Bank with a part flotation of about 20-25%.

"In a second phase, we want to take more steps but there will need to be a market and a price, as the post office bank is not currently in the market," Alogoskoufis said.

Finally, bourse entry would be sought for Athens International Airport following agreement with German shareholders of the company; and other smaller companies were destined for privatization, mainly in tourism real estate.

The minister was in New York to address a business forum on Greece and southeastern Europe arranged by Capital Link; and to hold talks with market players about the government's privatization drive and the domestic stock market.

[08] Finmin sees economic progress, fuelled by private capital

NEW YORK, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

"Institutionals have placed 2.1 billion euros in Greece just in the previous year. Growth is now wholly backed by the private sector - private investment, consumption, tourism, which made a key contribution this year, and mainly exports, which rose 7.6%," the minister told a news conference.

"Generally things are positive, and the gradual reduction in corporate tax brackets is working, which creates a more competitive climate and a greater incentive to investment. Our target after 2007 is to launch a three-year tax reduction program for households," he noted.

In addition, an overhaul of fiscal finances was proceeding well, with the deficit down to 4.4% of gross domestic product from 6.6%.

Also generating optimist was growth of 3.6% in 2005, the highest in the eurozone this year, coupled with a small decline in unemployment.

"The forecast for 2006 is a small increase in growth to 3.8% and a further drop in joblessness," the minister added.

[09] Greece seen at the heart of SE European growth

NEW YORK, 14/11/2005 (ANA/P Panayiotou)

"Greek banks have a major presence in the wider region, and their business is evolving in double-digit figures each year, aiding companies operating there," Alogoskoufis told a business conference on Greece and southeastern Europe.

"Greece is therefore not merely a gateway for investments in southeastern Europe, but also a gateway for firms in the region to access global financial markets through which they may finance and expand their operations," the minister said.

Another speaker at the conference, Employment and Social Protection Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos, outlined steps the government had taken to make Greece a more attractive venue for investment.

According to Information Secretary General Panos Livadas, Greece's performance in several sensitive areas had strengthened its geo-strategic role in the region.

A landmark for southeastern Europe was the forging of an energy community in October that would act as a hub for networks in the east and the west, Livadas said.

The conference was arranged by Capital Link with the Hellenic-Greece Chamber of Commerce and US-Greece Business Council.

[10] Ministers likely to decide fate of OA sale tender next week

NEW YORK, 14/11/2005 (ANA/P Panayiotou)

"On Tuesday the ministerial (privatization) committee is to meet to take decisions," Alogoskoufis said in reply to a reporter's question.

"At the moment, I don't know what recommendation the consultants have made on this," the minister told a news conference.

Lazard, consultant in the tender, was due to recommend to the government whether to annul the tender or continue talks with a potential buyer.

Transport Minister Mihalis Liapis has said that the government will seek approval from the European Union's executive Commission on any action it plans to take over the tender.

[11] Gov't to hold tourism conference with the New York Times

NEW YORK, 14/11/2005 (ANA/P Panayiotou)

"The purpose will be to further publicize Greek tourism," Avramopoulos told a conference on doing business in Greece and southeastern Europe arranged in New York by Capital Link.

"Major steps have been taken in 2005. Tourism is a continually evolving landscape, which needs constant monitoring and adaptability," he said.

The minister also reported that the government was taking its tourism diplomacy around the world, including emerging markets that Greece had neglected in the past.

[12] Help centre for ethnic Greeks to open in US

NEW YORK, 14/11/2005 (ANA/P Panayiotou)

"The centre will be in direct contact with Greek embassies and consulates, and will open in the first few months of 2006," Skandalakis said after awarding Greek language-learning certificates to second, third and fourth generation children of Greek origin.

"These children are the future of Hellenism, they are our hope," Skandalakis said in his address.

Speaking to the Athens News Agency, Skandalakis referred to his contacts during his U.S. tour saying that he was "always particularly happy to be among U.S. Greeks, probably the most dynamic part of Hellenism all over the world and a representative of Greek principles and values in America."

[13] Workers' rally calls for better jobs market

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

Joining the call to action by the Workers Front for Struggle, protesters asked for full employment and steady jobs, a seven-hour working day and five-day working week, a minimum monthly wage of 1,300 euros, and unemployment benefit at 80% of minimum salaries.

Other demands were a retirement age of 55 for women and 60 for men, abolition of health contributions, abolition of private education, and a social insurance system run solely by the state.

A member of the protest group's executive, George Mavrikos, charged that workers were coming under attack from the government's economic policy, which had brought joblessness, mass redundancies, austerity, poverty and privatization.

Also responsible for social and economic ills was a European Union strategy that favored a wealthy elite and oppressed workers, Mavrikos added.

Demonstrators handed a list of their demands to parliament.

[14] Red Cross: Moves to combat social exclusion need coordination

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

Winding up a conference arranged by the global humanitarian organization, the officials noted that other factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of measures also included evaluation of programs, and participation by parties involved in planning.

Another problem is a lack of information for people entitled to benefits under the programs, the officials said.

Among segments of the population at risk of being on the fringes of society were 28.1% of the elderly; 25.2% of young people aged 16-24; 23.1% of children up to 15 years of age; 34.5% of single parent families; 31.5% of large families; 32.7% of the unemployed and other categories of the population.

On a brighter note, some programs have borne fruit including home help for 40,000 elderly people in 612 municipalities and a support network for migrant workers.

The conference was part of a national action plan for social integration and the European Union's Kaleidoscope social exclusion program, which is coordinated by the Red Cross.

Kaleidoscope prepares volunteers to help inform and sensitize state services.

[15] Two arrests in e-commerce extortion scam

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

Attica police said on Saturday that the two are believed to have sent messages to e-commerce users using pretexts to convince the recipients they were replying to official requests for information, including pin codes, from their banks.

Employing the information, the perpetrators then illegally transferred money into their own accounts.

The arrests followed a spate of complaints to Attica police from banks and their customers.

Police computer exerts followed up the cases, tracking the two detainees down to Orestiada through their internet movements.

[16] Illegal immigrants found on Samos after two-day search

14/11/2005 (ANA)

The migrants of various nationalities were located in three different parts of the island.

Their arrival had been sighted but human traffickers believed to be Turkish that brought them to Samos have so far evaded arrest.

The island's migrant reception centre reported its premises and resources were strained due to a rising number of immigrants.

[17] International meeting of news cartoonists comes to an end

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

Fifty-two renowned cartoonists from Greece and abroad produced original creations to be included in an exhibition entitled 'Masks and Politics'.

The exhibition is scheduled for next year as part of 'Patras, Cultural Capital of Europe 2006'.

[18] Youths firebomb Citroen, Mercedes showrooms in Athens

ATHENS, 14/11/2005 (ANA)

Police say more than 30 automobiles were destroyed or damaged in the early morning attack, including vehicles parked nearby. Thirty youths taken in for questioning later in the day were released due to lack of evidence.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze in two hours.

Police say the youths may have been acting in solidarity with race rioters in France.

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