Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-12-03

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't adamant over efforts to boost public sector transparency; Paleokrassas letter released

[02] Papandreou criticizes gov't over Paleokrassas resignation

[03] Gov't spokesman responds to PASOK's criticism over Paleokrassas affair; SYN comments

[04] Greek, Bulgarian presidents to inaugurate Friendship Tunnel at new border crossing next week

[05] FM Molyviatis to visit Pristina, Belgrade

[06] Papandreou interview with Cem's daughter

[07] PM meets presidency of journalists' union ESHEA

[08] Turkey's denial of Patriarchate's religious primacy 'incomprehensible', Athens says

[09] Athens must acquire a mosque, Ecumenical Patriarch says

[10] Holy Synod comments on issue of segregation of state and Church

[11] EU justice ministers agree on telecoms data storage

[12] Coalition of the Left party leader addresses Middle East Forum of the Left

[13] U.S. Ambassador Charles Ries visits Vergina Museum VERGINA,

[14] US ambassador's lecture at Officers' School in Thessaloniki postponed due to fog

[15] Unleaded gas prices in Greece the lowest in Europe

[16] BSTDB opens 3mln dollar credit line to Azeri import, export companies via UniBank

[17] Budget deficit drops

[18] Intracom to supply Kuwaiti mobile phone company

[19] Greek firms need aggressive sales policy for plastics to Bulgaria

[20] International banking conference in Athens Dec 8

[21] Elbiemek sells subsidiary to Spanish explosives firm

[22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

[23] Archbishop, political parties mark International Day of Disabled Persons

[24] 'N17' appeal proceedings begin

[25] Lawyer implicated in trial-rigging scandal released on bail

[26] Skandalakis to visit rebel monks at Esfigmenou monastery

[27] 3rd conference of Greek expatriate office-holders in European local gov'ts begins

[28] President inaugurates seminar on Greek language

[29] Actress Melina Mercouri remembered at cinema event for Maximilian Shell

[30] Chinese delegations visit Thessaloniki in preparation for Beijing Olympics

[31] Orfanos addresses meeting of SE European countries' sports ministers in Thessaloniki

[32] Cyprus government satisfied with content of UN SG report

[33] Ledra Street issue to be on Security Council's agenda

[34] De-mining to start in Nicosia locations on December 5

[35] Cyprus and Russia review visa agreement

[01] Gov't adamant over efforts to boost public sector transparency; Paleokrassas letter released

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

Paleokrassas tendered his resignation as head of the state-run and Athens-quoted power monopoly on Thursday afternoon, after Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis himself re-issued a terse demand by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, namely, that he (Paleokrassas) either submit evidence of corruption and collusion at PPC to a relevant prosecutor or resign -- which he did.

"The struggle for imposing transparency in the public sector is unremitting. Ongoing institutional reforms, on the one hand, are necessary for this (struggle) to generate results, while on the other, verified proof is necessary, one that leads to justice system, where it will be judged," a statement by government spokesman and Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos stated.

Alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, who read out Roussopoulos' statement, told reporters during a press briefing that Yiannis Paleokrassas merely made statements that he could not prove when pressed.

Asked if a period of only a few hours was enough to table evidence with the prosecutor's office, Antonaros responded that whoever makes charges is obliged to submit evidence at a moment's notice.

Resignation letter: In his letter, Paleokrassas again pointed to widespread collusion in procedures for tendering and awarding several big-ticket PPC contracts for new equipment, raw materials and plant construction. He also again linked his charges with sharp criticism of former PPC managing director Stergios Nezis, a previous Simitis government appointee who resigned last February after a public feud with Paleokrassas.

In citing his reasons for resigning, Paleokrassas says they are "the same ones that imposed the presence of Nezis at the helm of PPC nearly a year after the assumption of power by (ruling) ND ... and, unfortunately, compromise with a system that cultivated and supported collusion, one which quickly was able to regroup after the (March 2004) election, in defiance of the Greek people's vote for a clean-up," Paleokrassas' letter read.

Paleokrassas, a former New Democracy minister (1990-93), was elected to Parliament on the ruling party's ticket from the Cyclades islands district during the March 2004 general elections. He resigned from Parliament in late March 2004 to assume the PPC post, while taking on the title of chief executive officer after Nezis' resignation.

In his letter to the prime minister, addressed in the informal second person singular, Paleokrassas refers to EU Commission convictions against Greece for Community Law violations in the country's energy sector and power generation sector, while also warning that "six or seven" pending cases are headed for a conviction "unless proper actions are taken".

"For all of these (cases) there is evidence," he said, while ridiculing the prospect of taking evidence to a prosecutor within a span of three hours, as he noted.

In response to charges that PPC's profits and share price slumped during his tenure, Paleokrassas said the state-run utility was slapped with an additional 200 million euros in expenditures from higher oil prices and from purchasing Kyoto Protocol emission rights in the first nine months of the year.

"Rigged contracts at the PPC have caused direct damages of tens of millions of euros that will be paid for over decades, as long as the units imposed by the 'national contractors' exist..." he added.

Temporary PPC chairman: The government also announced on Friday morning that current PPC managing director Dimitris Maniatakis will temporarily serve as the utility's acting chairman until the designation of a new chairman, in accordance with the company's charter.

In a statement, Maniatakis appeared positive on the prospects of PPC's share and the company's course.

[02] Papandreou criticizes gov't over Paleokrassas resignation

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

Papandreou charged that ruling New Democracy party is not a "victim" of collusion plaguing Greece's public sector, but a "creator and participant".

"The government is playing the game of vested interests, where the victims are wage-earners and every Greek household," he said, while charging that PM Costas Karamanlis was personally to blame for the Paleokrassas affair, as the latter was former's personal choice.

Regarding a closely watched draft bill, unveiled by the government last week, aimed at harmonizing labor relations in state-owned enterprises with those in the private sector, Papandreou charged that the government is portraying the "reformer" with measures "against working people".

[03] Gov't spokesman responds to PASOK's criticism over Paleokrassas affair; SYN comments

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) Spokesman Nikos Voutsis also commented on Papandreou's statements on governmental reforms, saying that "Unfortunately, the President of PASOK and leader of the main opposition gives the government, with his comments, the green light to proceed with weakening workers' rights, allowing the sell out of public assets and drastically reducing the social state."

Earlier on Friday, Papandreou said that ruling New Democracy is not a "victim" of the collusion plaguing Greece's public sector, but a "creator and participant."

Paleokrassas resigned after failing to provide evidence by a government-ordained deadline on Thursday of corruption he has alleged is rampant in the state power utility.

[04] Greek, Bulgarian presidents to inaugurate Friendship Tunnel at new border crossing next week

3/12/2005 (ANA)

The two Presidents will meet in the middle of the road tunnel, which has been named the Greek-Bulgarian Friendship Tunnel, for the inauguration ceremony. Earlier in the day, deputy foreign minister Euripides Stylianidis and his Bulgarian counterpart will sign the relevant inter-state agreement.

The new Ilinden-Exochi border crossing will link Drama with the neighboring Bulgarian city of Goce Delcev. The construction of the tunnel was necessary in order to protect a rare species of bears, the brown bear or ursus arctos, that lives and reproduces in the area, specifically Rodopi.

Environmental organizations had taken recourse against the initial plans for the construction of a road link, without a tunnel, warning it would have negative repercussions to reproduction in the bear population. The tunnel was added in the revised plan for the link, thus solving the problem. The tunnel was constructed with 10 million euros financing from the European Union.

The initial agreement for the opening of the new border crossing was signed in 1995. It is the first of three new border checkpoints between Greece and Bulgaria provided for in the bilateral agreement, aimed at alleviating congestion at the other busy border posts between the two countries.

The other two future border crossings will connect Komotini with Kurdzhali, and Xanthi with Rudozem.

[05] FM Molyviatis to visit Pristina, Belgrade

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

The delegation is due to have meetings with the UN secretary general's special representative to Kosovo and head of the UNMIK (UN interim administration Mission in Kosovo) Soren Jessen-Petersen, Kosovo president Ibrahim Rugova, prime minister Bajram Kosumi, Serb Ticket for Kosovo and Metohija leader Oliver Ivanovic, and opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo chairman Hashim Thaci while in Pristina.

In Belgrade, they will meet with Serb president Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, and Serbia-Montenegro foreign minister Vuk Draskovic.

[06] Papandreou interview with Cem's daughter

3/12/2005 (ANA)

"Constant effort, but also political volition, are required to achieve those targets," Papandreou said.

He also spoke of Turkey's course towards EU accession, stressing that the European Union has acknowledged for Turkey the ability of full membership. "The EU will respond to Turkey in accordance with the progress it presents," the former foreign minister of Greece said.

Papandreou stressed the particular importance placed by the European and also the Greek public opinion on the Ecumenical Patriarchate at Phanar, saying that the "Mecca of Orthodoxy" united Turkey with both the Orthodox world and Europe.

"The Turks must comprehend that this institution is also very important for Turkey," he said.

On the Cyprus issue, Papandreou reiterated that there must be no foreign military force on the independent island republic, adding that the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should live together.

[07] PM meets presidency of journalists' union ESHEA

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

After the meeting, ESHEA president Panos Sobolos said that they had outlined all the problems faced by journalists and the media sector generally during the meeting, and that they had "received a positive response in a generally good climate".

Sobolos said the meeting had also been attended by Minister of State Theodoros Moutsopoulos, in charge of the media portfolio for the government, who had noted certain "outstanding issues", while it was decided to hold a meeting with ESHEA and two other ministers on "certain of our matters".

The ESHEA president said the meeting had covered issues like stamp duty, civil compensation by the press, transparency in media ownership and, finally, pension, employment and social security issues.

[08] Turkey's denial of Patriarchate's religious primacy 'incomprehensible', Athens says

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

The spokesman said this stance was even harder to understand when Fanar's status as "first among equals" in the Orthodox faith was recognized by all Orthodox Churches, the Vatican and the Protestant Churches.

Koumoutsakos was commenting on revelations made by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in an interview with a Turkish daily, in which he said that Turkey's administration disputed the Patriarchate's ecumenical status.

The spokesman also pointed out that, apart from the other Churches, the international community, the European Union and the United States also recognized the Patriarchate's ecumenicality, as indicated by a recent letter from U.S. Undersecretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns to the Greek Ambassador in Washington Alexandros Mallias.

In the letter, Burns refers to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as a religious leader with worldwide influence and a prime mover of dialogue between the religions.

Burns underlined that the United States have repeatedly raised their concerns over the restrictions imposed on the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Turkey's refusal to reopen the School of Theology on Halki with Turkish authorities, noting that these issues figured prominently in a State Department report on religious freedoms released last January.

The Undersecretary also referred to the demonstrations outside the Patriarchate on October 27 and said that Washington remained in close contact with Fanar and would continue to encourage the Turkish government to protect its status and safety.

[09] Athens must acquire a mosque, Ecumenical Patriarch says

ISTANBUL, 3/12/2005 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

At the same time, he stressed that the operation of a mosque in Athens was in no way linked to the operation of the Theological School on Halki or the problems faced by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fanar or the Greek minority in Turkey.

"There has to be a mosque operating in Athens. There are diplomats, there are business people, during the Olympic Games there were Moslem athletes. Unfortunately, until today no mosque has been built but this issue is not related with that of the Theological School," he stressed.

Bartholomew also noted that both the Turkish education minister and the head of the Higher Education Council had both said that there was no legal obstacle to reopening the Halki school and that the Turkish government could open it the next day, if it wished.

"Who is preventing the operation of the School," Bartholomew asked and stressed that the rationale of mutual concession could not be used in issues of individual and human rights.

"Greek-Turkish relations and the principle of mutuality have inflicted great damage on us," he said, pointing out that there were 120,000 Moslems in western Thrace and only 3,000 ethnic Greeks left in Istanbul.

"How can we continue talking about mutuality," he added.

[10] Holy Synod comments on issue of segregation of state and Church

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

"The Church feels regret because at a time of tragic developments taking place inside and, mainly, outside the country which are threatening the substantive survival of our people, some are rushing irresponsibly to demolish the faith of the people, instead of strengthening it as a valuable factor of internal spiritual fullness, national unanimity and social cohesion," the announcement said.

It added that the Church "will not be affected by the plans and various pursuits of whatever circles and will continue on its path with respect for its history and tradition, being fully aware of its spiritual and social role which, it is certain, that the Greek people and Hellenism everywhere appreciate and accept."

"In any case, major decisions are up to the Greek people and not persons. Whatever persons," the announcement concluded.

[11] EU justice ministers agree on telecoms data storage

BRUSSELS, 3/12/2005 (ANA/M. Aroni)

The ministers agreed that all telecommunications data - whether fixed-line telephone, mobile or internet - must be stored by the phone companies handling them, including the time, length of calls and e-mail and internet addresses.

The content of phone calls and e-mails will not be stored.

The ministerial decision must be given the go-ahead by the European Parliament before it can be enforced.

Of the 25 member states - Slovakia, Slovenia and Ireland - opposed the proposal.

Justice Minister Anastassios Papaligouras, representing Greece at the meeting, noted that Greece agreed with the British EU Presidency's final proposal since it leaves it up to the discretion of each member state to settle these crucial issues "in accordance with legal tradition and the sensitivity needed to balance security with liberties."

Papaligouras pointed out that each member state can decide whether it will store data anywhere from six months to 24 months.

Additionally, each member state will comprise its own list of serious crimes for which it will allow use of stored data, something Greece intends to do through the legislative process.

[12] Coalition of the Left party leader addresses Middle East Forum of the Left

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

The Forum is being hosted by the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party and it began its two-day sessions in Athens on Friday.

"The path to a different world passes to a great degree today from Jerusalem and Baghdad," Coalition party leader Alekos Alavanos said in his address, adding that what must remain in the nucleus of actions is the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and terms of peaceful coexistence with the neighboring country of Israel.

Referring to the war in Iraq, Alavanos said it took place as part of the new Bush doctrine on "pre-emptive wars" in the framework of the so-called "war against terrorism."

The Coalition party leader said that the issue of Iraq showed once again the inability of Europe to play its own autonomous role in favor of peace in the Middle East, an inability which was exploited by the "hawks" of the United States. Alavanos proposed that Greece, being a member of the European Union and of the UN Security Council at this time, should take an initiative for a conference in the Middle East and prepare a specific action program with them.

[13] U.S. Ambassador Charles Ries visits Vergina Museum VERGINA,

MACEDONIA, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

"My government recognized the nation that lives to the north of this country so that its stability as a multinational country can be safeguarded," Ries said and reiterated that the United States continues to support "the effort by the United Nations for a mutually acceptable name which Greece and 'Macedonia' will use both in their international and bilateral relations," the ambassador said.

Ries said that if any other name is agreed the United States will apply it, adding that he did not visit the museum for politics but to pay tribute to history.

Tsiartsionis said on his part that Macedonia's civilization is an unalterable reality which has nothing to do with what is being claimed today and expressed his satisfaction that Ries had the opportunity of understanding history in a better way through his visit.

Writing in the visitors' book, the U.S. ambassador, who appeared to be well aware of history in the time of Phillip, spoke of an exciting museum on one of the great kings of antiquity and expressed his gratitude to the culture ministry for the excellent maintenance of exhibits.

He noted that he enjoyed his visit and will return again with his family and referred to valuable and impressive findings which impressed him.

"As you find yourself next to the remains of these people it is as if you are reliving the history of Phillip II and his assassination," Ries said.

Tsiartsionis wrote that the Greeks of Macedonia are an inseparable part of Greek civilization.

[14] US ambassador's lecture at Officers' School in Thessaloniki postponed due to fog

THESSALONIKI, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

Ries' plane changed course and landed in Kavala, from where the US envoy left by road for Vergina, for a scheduled visit.

A new date will be arranged for Ries' lecture, titled "Transatlantic cooperation through NATO".

[15] Unleaded gas prices in Greece the lowest in Europe

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

Sioufas said that Greece had also presented a substantial improvement in the price of gas before taxes and levies.

In the final month of the preceding PASOK government's term in office, namely in February 2004, Greece had been the most expensive country in the then 15-nation European Union with respect to the price of gas, while, by December 2004 (under the new government of New Democracy), it had improved to 5th place, and improved even more, dropping to 7th place in November 2005.

While in February 2004 the price of unleaded gas, before taxes, was 11 percent higher than the EU average, in November 2005 it was just 1 percent higher than the EU average, Sioufas said.

However, what was more important was not the price before taxes, but the end price paid y the consumer -- whether a household, industry, transports, or the rest of the economy -- and the prices of petrol products, and unleaded gas in particular -- were the cheapest in Europe, Sioufas said, particularly stressing the fact that among the 15 EU member countries (before the recent enlargement, and with which the comparisons were made), the price of unleaded gas in Greece was 20-24 percent less than the European average.

Alavanos called for a change of the formula according to which the pre-tax price of gas is set, saying it was unacceptable that at a time when the popular strata were counting the hours they turned on their heaters, the ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) was posting a 103 percent increase in profits for the first nine months of 2005 over the corresponding period in 2004.

[16] BSTDB opens 3mln dollar credit line to Azeri import, export companies via UniBank

3/12/2005 (ANA)

More specifically, the BSTDB, the international financial institution of the 11-nation Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) pact, has opened a 3 million dollar credit line for the extension of commercial funding to the Azeri bank UniBank CB., which will in turn issue loans to locally-based import and export businesses.

Unibank CB is the first private commercial bank in Azerbaijan to receive a credit line from the BSTDB to act as an intermediary for trade financing. The Chairman of the bank's Board, Faig Huseinov, said the agreement would let them use 50% of the funds to finance export projects with countries that had not joined the BSTDB. At the same time, the BSTDB is continuing its collaboration with the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), which commenced application of the BSTDB Multiple Buyer Credit Facility in 2002. The IBA has allocated 8.5 million dollars in funding so far under the program.

In addition to commercial financing, the BSTDB provides to the Azeri market funding for investment schemes and the development of small enterprises in the country, through the Microfinance Bank of Azerbaijan (MFBA).

BSTDB total funding to Azerbaijan exceeds 20 million dollars.

The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by the 11 BSEC pact member countries -- Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. With an authorized capital of SDR 1 billion (approx. 1,325 billion US dollars), the Bank supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing trade and project financing, guarantees, and equity for development projects supporting both public and private enterprises in its member countries.

[17] Budget deficit drops

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

Net revenue rose by 5.8% against the first ten months of 2004, the accounting office said in a statement.

Spending rose by 5.0% with growth in primary expenditure at 5.2%.

In ten-month 2004, the budget deficit had risen by 19.7% versus 2003, the statement said.

On Thursday, Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said that revenue collected by tax offices and customs rose by 9.1%, bringing the average for January-November 2005 to 5.4%, according to initial figures.

"The 2005 budget anticipated an increase of 5.0%, and, if the current trend is maintained, then we will top the revenue target, and the deficit is likely to be lower than 4.3%," the minister noted.

Income from Value Added Tax in November grew by 11.6%, and in October by 9.3%.

"These trends support budgetary forecasts. The improvement in public revenue is discernible," Alogoskoufis said.

The budget for 2006 includes a decline in the fiscal deficit to 2.6% of gross domestic product, a further decline in the public debt, and a strengthening of development and social cohesion.

[18] Intracom to supply Kuwaiti mobile phone company

3/12/2005 (ANA)

The contract for MTC, Kuwait's largest mobile phone operator and a market leader in the Middle East, is worth 4.4 million US dollars, Intracom said in a statement.

[19] Greek firms need aggressive sales policy for plastics to Bulgaria

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

The firms are in jeopardy of losing ground to their main competitors, Germany and Italy, the report by the embassy's Economic and Trade Affairs Bureau underlined.

Although Greece is Bulgaria's third largest supplier of plastics, its market share declined to 12.6% in 2004 from 17% in 1999.

At the same time, the market stakes of Germany and Italy rose despite Greece's geographical advantage, which appears to have remained unexploited, the report noted.

[20] International banking conference in Athens Dec 8

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

Among topics on the agenda are Greek banks in southeastern Europe, the role of technology in banking services, and forecasts for the market over the next five years.

The keynote speaker will be the European Union's competition commissioner, Mario Monti. Other speakers include the head of the Union of Greek Banks and the chairman of Alpha Bank.

[21] Elbiemek sells subsidiary to Spanish explosives firm

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

The Spanish buyer is to set up operations in Greece, Elbiemek said in a statement.

[22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

ATHENS, 3/12/2005 (ANA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.57% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.55% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.04% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 149 to 102 with 73 remaining unchanged.

Stock Futures: