Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-12-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Jordan sign economic cooperation accords, King Abdallah holds talks with President

[02] FinMin Alogoskoufis says public deficit will fall for the first time below 3% with 2006 budget

[03] Labor Minister Panayiotopoulos says 2006 budget is 'sincere and stable'

[04] Country is 'regressing', former PM says

[05] KKE parliamentary spokesman Skyllakos terms 2006 budget 'socially unfair'

[06] Greece's UN representatives Vassilakis and Papadopoulou address UN Security Council sessions

[07] PM confers with health minister

[08] PM meets sports and justice ministers, European ombudsman

[09] European Commission adopts new waste strategy

[10] Interior Ministry promotes modernization of public administration

[11] Police to take over issue of passports in 2006, government says

[12] Tourist arrivals up 16 pct this year, minister says

[13] Olympic Airlines expects increased passenger traffic in 2006

[14] D. Contominas resigns from board of Interamerican

[15] European Commission closes media ownership case against Greece

[16] Minister of State kicks off dialogue on media license system

[17] Tram service to be extended to Piraeus

[18] Greek stocks end flat on Wednesday

[19] Exhibition of Acropolis photographs opens

[20] Archbishop visits women's prison

[21] UNICEF sphere unveiled on Wednesday

[22] Court reappoints Giotopoulos' counsel in November 17 trial

[23] Rebel monks at Esfigmenou monastery protest at cut phone lines, power

[24] Bogus 'bomb' at Athens bank

[25] Singer Binis dies at 82

[26] Spokesman says Turkish side to blame for losing 120 million euros

[27] National Federation of Cypriots calls Blair to withdraw from property case

[01] Greece, Jordan sign economic cooperation accords, King Abdallah holds talks with President

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

Tourism development minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and Jordanian industry and trade minister Sharif al-Zubi on Wednesday signed an agreement on bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector, while deputy foreign minister Evripides Stylianidis and al-Zubi signed an agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments. The agreements were signed in the presence of the two heads of state.

After their meeting, Papoulias praised the Jordanian monarch's position in favor of a moderate Islam and against terrorism, and said they were in agreement that the establishment of a Palestinian state was the only solution for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The two men also took positions in favor of a united and democratic Iraq.

"We agreed that the confrontation of terrorism cannot be effected only with suppressive means but that, in order to be tackled at its roots, it is necessary to improve the education and living conditions of the peoples, and for human rights to be respected," Papoulias told reporters.

He also said that he had Abdallah had "reaffirmed the very good relations between our two countries and the proximity of our views on the difficult and complex issues facing the Middle East".

King Abdallah stressed the desire for further strengthening bilateral economic relations, adding that, for that purpose, he would meet on Thursday with "select members of Greek industry and the private sector".

Abdallah was greeted at the Presidential Mansion with honors of head of state by the Air Force philharmonic orchestra and an honor guard of the Presidential Guard.

Immediately afterwards, Papoulias and Abdallah held private talks, after which they were joined by the delegations of the two countries. The two economic cooperation agreements were signed during the wider meeting.

Abdallah closed his statements with an invitation to Papoulias to visit Jordan soon.

Athens mayor awards Jordan's Abdallah Medal of Merit: Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis awarded King Abdallah of Jordan the city's Gold Medal of Merit during a special ceremony at Town Hall on Wednesday.

In her address, Bakoyannis referred to Abdallah's contribution to peace, understanding and the modernization of the Middle East.

She also praised the work of Abdallah's father, Hussein, stressing that Jordan is today a country, recognized as a significant stabilizing factor in the region and respected by all.

Bakoyannis also referred to the historical ties between the people of Jordan and Greece and to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem, which falls partly under Jordan's jurisdiction.

On his part, Abdallah also referred to the close ties and friendly relations between the two countries and to his efforts for peace in the Middle East.

Finally, a Memorandum of Friendship was signed by Bakoyannis and Amman Mayor Nidal al-Hadid.

Abdallah is on a working visit to Greece, accompanied by his wife, Queen Rania.

[02] FinMin Alogoskoufis says public deficit will fall for the first time below 3% with 2006 budget

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

He added that from 2007, "all the citizens will start paying fewer taxes."

Defending the choice of the fiscal review, he said it exposed "secret debts and deficits," during the governance of the country by the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK).

He said that "from these practices, the budget will be burdened every year with 400 million euros until 2019."

Alogoskoufis said that the public debt revealed by the review "is 20 billion euros greater than that recognized by the PASOK governments."

He questioned:"What happened to the 20 billion euros? They went to mismanagement, wastefulness, lack of transparency everywhere, to the public sector and to the Public Utilities and Corporations (DEKO) where PASOK established its partisan state."

In the context of his attack against the main opposition PASOK party, Alogoskoufis also referred to "the great national success" of Greece obtaining 20 billion euros from the EU budget. The finance minister noted that if the EU budget was not agreed on during the British presidency summit in Brussels last Saturday, and talks continued during the new year under the Austrian EU presidency, then "Greece would have lost four billion euros."

[03] Labor Minister Panayiotopoulos says 2006 budget is 'sincere and stable'

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

The labor minister said "this budget which sets the stable bases of our country's development course, we have the certainty and expectation that it will very soon secure for us more wealth in order for us to proceed in redistribution policies."

Panayiotopoulos accused the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) governments about "the 19,000 euros debt which they burdened on every child which is born, the great public debts to the social insurance agencies which exceed nine billion euros and hospitals' debts to third parties which reach 2.5 billion euros."

Main opposition PASOK deputy and former deputy economy and finance minister George Floridis said "we handed over to you a country of the European Monetary Union, of the Olympic Games, a Greece of modern projects, with Cyprus in the European Union, a country of national champions of Public Utilities and Corporations (DEKO), with the highest rate of growth which was 4.7 per cent, without monetary threats."

PASOK former deputy finance minister Foridis added:"You (ruling New Democracy) turned it into a country under (EU) economic supervision. It has become a pessimistic country and phobic and the Greek people decided to assign to you the unique job which you know how to do. Opposition to PASOK."

In reply to the remarks by PASOK deputy Floridis, Deputy Economy and Finance Minister Antonis Bezas said:"In PASOK they cannot become aware that henceforth a new policy is being implemented. Since 1993 until 2004, state rule prevailed and harsh taxation policy at three expense of the small and medium-sized enterprises. The political empty talk has nothing to do with reality but is for domestic consumption."

Health and Social Solidarity Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis spoke of an improvement in the absorption of EU funds for health care and of salary increases for staff in his ministry in 2005.

Kaklamanis said that the absorption of EU funds for health care increased from 12.5 per cent to 39.4 per cent and that debts by hospitals to third parties which amounted to 2.5 billion euros were settled.

For 2006, Kaklamanis promised the completion of the entry to the National Health Service (ESY) of 6,000 nurses.

PASOK's Political Council member Anna Diamantopoulou said:"Neither a censure nor statues are needed for the results of the EU Summit. The 20.1 billion euros which Greece received is certainly a development breather with the prerequisite that there will be a program and plan. This is why we should not resort to jubilation."

However, Diamantopoulou claimed that this sum had already been "locked" in September 2003 when her party was in power.

[04] Country is 'regressing', former PM says

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

"There is nothing to provide optimism to the great majority of Greek citizens," Simitis said.

He described the 2006 budget as a "virtual budget" that will never be implemented.

The former premier also accused the New Democracy government of degrading the country and limiting its potential through the problems it creates with the European Union.

Simitis continued his criticism of the government, saying it had failed to realize a projected growth rate of 5%, it had succeeded in reducing state revenues and increasing public debt.

As for reforms, Simitis spoke of 'anti-reforms' and referred to education as an example where "the vicious cycle of shoddy interventions was being repeated".

On the foreign policy front, Simitis said that New Democracy's approach in Greek-Turkish relations was faulty and will lead to "new adventures with Turkey, who will want to resolve any issue it considers pending on a bilateral basis."

As for the outcome of the European Summit regarding the EU budget, Simitis said that it cannot be attributed to Greece's handling and negotiations, but to initiatives taken by Spain, Portugal and Germany.

[05] KKE parliamentary spokesman Skyllakos terms 2006 budget 'socially unfair'

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

He said the budget was "untrustworthy" in that "it will not be maintained."

Skyllakos said that "even more untrustworthy" is the "confrontation" between the ruling New Democracy (ND) party and the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). "We also had austerity under PASOK rule and we also have intense austerity under ND governance," the KKE parliamentary spokesman emphasized.

Commenting on the results of the European Union (EU) Summit in Brussels last week, Skyllakos said that "although we will receive 20.1 billion euros until 2013, we are contributing about the same amount to the EU budget."

He noted that the orientation of these funds is "in the interest of European capital" and that a great part of these "will return to big businesses abroad".

[06] Greece's UN representatives Vassilakis and Papadopoulou address UN Security Council sessions

NEW YORK, 22/12/2005 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

On her part, Greece's Alternate Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Alexandra Papadopoulou, during Tuesday's official session of the UN Security Council on the UN's mission in Sierra Leone, said:"Greece hopes that the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) will formulate a strategy which will support, in an effective and coordinated way, the government of Sierra Leone to strengthen its ability to follow economic and social development policies, so as to confront the remaining challenges and to avert the possibility of future clashes., especially through the Plan for the Reduction of Poverty."

[07] PM confers with health minister

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

He also said the premier gave him the go-ahead for tabling a bill on primary health care in the first half of 2006, adding that Karamanlis' 'thumbs up' was very important given that the bill entailed a high cost and would bring about changes to the institutional framework.

Asked whether he had discussed with the prime minister the prospect of his candidacy for mayor of Athens, Kaklamanis noted that he had discussed this matter with Karamanlis during the summer and that it would be discussed again in due course after current Athens mayor Dora Bakoyannis publicly stated whether she intended to run for re-election or not.

Asked if he would have sufficient time to table the bill on primary health care in the event of his candidacy for the Athens mayorship, Kaklamanis replied that "no one is irreplaceable", adding that the issue of primary health care was a platform commitment of the government and was not dependent on individuals. He further added that every minister should know, on the day that he/she is sworn in, that the post is not permanent and that they could leave it the very next day.

[08] PM meets sports and justice ministers, European ombudsman

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

Orfanos said his meeting with the premier had covered all issues concerning Greek sports and the ministry's finances, which had shown a marked improvement.

"We owe nothing from 2004 and 2005 and we are settling debts of � 70 million from previous years," he said.

One of the topics discussed was football violence, the creation of a special police force for sports events and the introduction of named tickets. Orfanos said that a ministerial decree calling for tickets to be issued in a holders' name would soon be published.

[09] European Commission adopts new waste strategy

BRUSSELS, 22/12/2005 (ANA/MPA/V. Demiris)

The strategy "aims to help Europe become a recycling society that seeks to avoid waste and uses waste as a resource," the Commission said in a statement.

The strategy includes a proposal to revise the 1975 Waste Framework Directive, focusing on the way resources are used; making national waste prevention programs mandatory; setting environmental standards that will specify under which conditions certain recycled wastes are no longer considered waste; and simplifying waste legislation.

"Waste volume has been disproportionately increasing, outpacing even economic growth. Waste generation, disposal and recycling are of concern to all of us: individuals, companies, and public authorities. Now is the time to modernize our approach and to promote more and better recycling," Dimas said.

"Our strategy does precisely that," he concluded.

According to the Commission, waste generation in the EU is estimated at more than 1.3 billion tones per year and is increasing at rates comparable to economic growth.

[10] Interior Ministry promotes modernization of public administration

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

The ministry, within the context of the "Information Society" project, is implementing a set of programs, with a budget of more than � 400 million, in order to help public authorities develop electronic services and to install the necessary information technology infrastructure.

The Information Society project is estimated to save the state � 65 million.

Interior ministry replies to KEDKE complaints: Responding to an announcement by the municipalities and communities union KEDKE, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos stressed on Wednesday that the government fully respected its funding commitments to local authorities.

Replying to KEDKE's complaints, a ministry announcement said that all funds due to local government from 2004 had been paid in full, while the repayment of money "held back" by PASOK governments between 1997-2003 had begun and would be completed within the time limit agreed with the finance ministry.

With respect to contract workers at local authorities, the minister stressed that the government had ended their "captivity" by converting the contracts of those covering permanent and standing needs to indefinite contracts.

[11] Police to take over issue of passports in 2006, government says

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

He said the new passports would have three-level security features, including a watermark, single thematic designs and invisible designs that will only appear with the use of specialized equipment, as well as security measures allowing the Passport Office and the criminal labs to check their authenticity.

In addition to the above, from next August passports will also be equipped with microchips for the digital identification of their holders.

The passports that have been issued by prefectures will continue to be valid until the end of 2006 but after January 1, 2007 only those issued by the Greek Police Passport Office will be valid.

Voulgarakis said that a new passport service has been founded, which will operate as a central service with 99 regional offices throughout the country. The director of the new police passport office will be Stylianos Kouris.

The minister said the process for the issue of passports had been simplified and would now be quicker, with new passports usually issued within days and never more than six months from the date that the application was submitted. There is also provision for the issue of passports in a single day for emergency cases, such as patients needing to travel abroad for medical care, death of relatives up to the second degree and destruction of property owned outside Greece.

The passports will be valid for five years for adults, two years for children under 14 and up until the 18th year for children over 14.

Those living abroad will be able to apply to 151 Greek consular authorities around the world.

During the press conference, Voulgarakis once again categorically denied allegations that Pakistani immigrants living in Greece had been abducted and interrogated during the summer, after the terrorist attacks on London.

The minister described the charges as "a prank or provocation" and said that his statements on Tuesday had been misinterpreted.

[12] Tourist arrivals up 16 pct this year, minister says

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Avramopoulos said Greece's National Tourism Organization forecast a 10.35 percent increase in tourist arrivals next year. The Greek minister also presented a survey, conducted by MRB, on foreign tourists' satisfaction visiting Greece.

Avramopoulos said Greece was moving forward with an integrated strategic growth plan in tourism and stressed that foreign tourism offices have been transformed into small headquarters at the heart of international tourism developments. The London office promotes investment opportunities in Greece, the Paris office promotes cultural tourism, the Frankfurt office promotes group travel and the Milan office acts as an administrative hub to absorb community funds.

The Greek minister said Greece would submit a proposal to adopt a European common tourism policy at next EU tourism council meeting to be held in Vienna.

Tourism Deputy Minister Anastasios Liaskos said the ministry would soon table a draft bill on spa tourism, agro-tourism and was promoting initiatives on religious tourism in the country.

MRB's survey showed that 43.5 percent of foreign tourists said they were fully satisfied with their vacations in Greece, 53.7 pct said there were rather ratified. Hygiene, food cost, road safety, hotel cost and taxi were the factors showing the least satisfaction levels, while 44.3 percent of foreign tourists said they found nothing less than expected from their stay in Greece.

A 52.7 pct of foreign tourists said their vacations were very or slight better than expected, with 77 percent of them saying they would return to Greece.

[13] Olympic Airlines expects increased passenger traffic in 2006

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Papageorgiou said he was fully confident that Olympic Airlines, in its present form, would win the bet despite negative predictions made by its opponents, and would continue flying until a new company was established in 2006.

OA's chief recently completed a tour in European countries and in the US to meet with foreign tour operators. Papageorgiou said the climate of his meetings was very positive and said the message he received was that a significant increase in passenger traffic was expected next year. Olympic Airlines reported a 13 percent increase in its international passenger traffic, while domestic passenger traffic rose by 1-1.5 pct this year, compared with 2004.

Papageorgiou said OA's good performance in 2005 was achieved despite the fact that the Greek national airline operated with less aircraft compared with the previous year. He sounded optimistic over a new company to succeed Olympic Airlines -currently under formation- since "it will not carry with it sins of the past".

The Greek government has hired Sambre to draft a number of business plans for the new airline company with the aim the new company to be profitable. Plans are expected to be ready by January 15. OA's chief executive Odysseas Vlamis expressed his optimism that the government would find the necessary private capital to create the new company. Vlamis said Olympic Airlines would present its summer flight program by the end of January.

Olympic Airlines is one of the safest airlines in the world, operating under very high standards. It is not just an airline company, but a national symbol that has to be safeguarded to continue operating. OA's chairman urged everyone to help in efforts to preserve the national carrier.

[14] D. Contominas resigns from board of Interamerican

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

Following a period of very difficult market conditions, Interamerican has been undergoing a stringent re-structuring program, aimed at regaining its market leadership and developing the agents' network, which is the key distribution channel. Mr. Contominas, with the rest of the management board of Interamerican implemented a number of measures to re-energise the commercial vitality of the company, re-structure the agency network, and reduce the company's cost base, all of which will benefit its key stakeholder - the customer.

Now that the program is complete, it is clear that it has been successful, and Interamerican will be able to report greatly improved results over those of 2004. It may, therefore, be viewed as a suitable time for Mr Contominas to be able to devote his abilities to his interests in the energy and technology sectors, both in and outside of Greece. He has been the defining personality of the company for many years, but he leaves it poised to underwrite its position as Greece's best known and respected insurer.

The new Chairman, Adrian Hegarty, with CEO George Kotsalos and his management team will continue the revitalization process so that the company is in a good position to develop further and enhance its leading market position, whilst providing improved and more streamlined services to its customers.

Maarten Dijkshoorn, chairman and CEO of Eureko, said, "It is impossible to quantify Dimitri Contominas' contribution to the development of Interamerican. We would like to express our gratitude for his commitment to the company and to Eureko."

Eureko is wholly committed to supporting the whole team in its plans going forward, and to its success in the years ahead.

Eureko, Interamerican's parent company, views its Greek operation as the springboard for its development in the Balkans, and has fully supported the measures taken by the management, and is impressed by the determination of the management team to make 2006 a defining year in the company's success story.

Eureko applauds the recent actions of the Greek regulators in curtailing the operations of those Greek insurers that do not meet solvency requirements, and it is pleased to state that Interamerican has a strong solvency ratio.

Eureko recently announced that it had completed the transaction announced earlier in the year, in which it acquired Interpolis, the insurance operation of Rabobank, merging it with its existing Dutch company, Achmea. At the same time, Rabobank increased its shareholding in Eureko, from 5% to 37%, making Rabobank the second-largest shareholder in Eureko. It is in the context of this new, pre-dominantly institutional shareholder structure that Mr. Contominas has also offered to sell his 3.3% shareholding in Eureko.

[15] European Commission closes media ownership case against Greece

22/12/2005 (ANA)

Greek legislation required media companies (television stations, radio stations, newspapers and magazines) to have registered shares held by individuals (in the words of the legislation "registered to a natural person"). With regard to television and radio, one clause stated that companies lawfully established outside Greece in a country where there was no obligation that shares be registered to a natural person, could be authorized, under certain conditions, to hold a small share of the capital of a radio or television company.

Since these provisions failed to comply with the principles of free establishment and free movement of capital, the Commission initiated infringement proceedings against Greece, sending it a letter of formal notice in July 2005. The Greek legislation referred to in the letter of formal notice was amended by Law 3314/10.11.2005 to bring it into line with Community law. Therefore, the infringement proceedings can now be closed, the Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

[16] Minister of State kicks off dialogue on media license system

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

The first day of dialogue was attended by radio and TV station associations, the Audiovisual Media Institute, the Competition Commission, academics and the president of the National Radio and Television Council.

Roussopoulos said the government's goal was to pass legislation on the licensing and media concentration within 2006, hopefully with the broadest possible consensus among the bodies involved and the parties and in Parliament, and asked the bodies present to present their proposals by January 16 so that dialogue might be completed by the end of February.

[17] Tram service to be extended to Piraeus

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

During a luncheon he hosted for journalists in light of the Christmas season, Psilianos stressed that the specific project will be tendered in 2006, while work will last at least two years.

He noted that Transport and Communications Minister Michalis Liapis and the political parties agreed about the tram project.

According to a survey, 61 per cent Piraeus inhabitants say "yes" to the extension of the tram to their city. According to a similar survey conducted by the Piraeus Trade Association, more than 70 per cent of shopkeepers agree to the extension of the tram to Piraeus.

[18] Greek stocks end flat on Wednesday

ATHENS, 22/12/2005 (ANA)

The composite index fell 0.06 percent to end at 3,610.70 points, with turnover a heavy 316.1 million euros.

The Blue Chip index fell 0.32 percent the medium capitalization index rose 1.05 percent and the small capitalization index jumped 2.19 percent.

The Construction and Base Metals indices scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.77 pct), followed by the Publications index (up 1.52 pct).

On the other hand, the Telecoms (1.95 pct), IT Solutions (0.72 pct) and Investment (0.69 pct) indices suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 185 to 84 with another 57 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: OTE top in stock futures trade

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