Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-12-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece presents updated Stability and Growth Programme for 2005-08

[02] Gov't sets priority on curbing tax evasion

[03] PM confers with interior minister

[04] Prosecutor's office takes over investigation into alleged abductions/interrogations of Pakistani nationals

[05] Political parties on alleged abductions of Pakistanis

[06] FYROM leaders disagree about Albania's future

[07] Foreign minister holds reception for journalists covering ministry

[08] Greek trade deficit down 0.6 pct in Jan-Oct, yr/yr

[09] Thessaloniki shoppers report disappointing revenues in Christmas season

[10] Economic relations between Greece and Cyprus acquire new dimensions

[11] Prefectures and consumer groups to propose new law for market inspections

[12] ABNA eyes enlargement, Athens News Agency to take over rotating presidency in 2007

[13] Gov't extends deadline for work and residence permit applications

[14] BA airplane returns to Thessaloniki after indication of malfunction

[15] Robbers take � 39,200 in early-morning bank heist

[16] Border police seize 128 kilos of cannabis on Greek-Albanian border

[17] 'Journey to Mount Athos' photo collection by Boissonas published

[18] Foreign Minister Iacovou calls on Turkey to meet EU obligations

[19] Congressmen call US government to discourage citizens from entering Cyprus illegally

[20] President Papadopoulos says Ledra Street crossing not to open with bridge

[21] Cyprus tables new ideas on Ledras street crossing point

[22] Cypriot foreign minister says Ledra Street proposals not new

[23] Astromeritis-Zodhia crossing point closes for six weeks

[01] Greece presents updated Stability and Growth Programme for 2005-08

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

The programme envisages strong growth rates in the 2006-2008 period, with average growth rates of 3.9 percent annually. Strong growth will result from an increase in public investments in combination with higher private investments and a strong private consumption in the country.

Greece's Economy ministry expects corporate profits to grow further due to a 10 percentage point cut of tax factors in the 2005-2007 period (to be introduced in three stages).

Profitability also will be supported by the introduction of a new investment law aimed to expand business and investment activity in the country. Credit expansion towards the private sector (households and enterprises) is expected to continue growing at high rates without raising the risk for the country's financial sector.

The programme envisages that a strong and dynamic growth would be supported by structural reforms aimed to boost productivity and employment. Reforms are expected to contribute in accelerating GDP growth rates and to support growth in regional Greece.

Employment is forecast to increase by an average 1.6 percent annually over the 2006-08 period, with unemployment rate expected to drop from 10.4 percent of the workforce in 2005, to 9.8 pct in 2006, 8.9 pct in 2007 and 8.0 pct in 2008. The updated stability programme also envisages a slowdown in the inflation rate from 2006 onwards.

The programme projects that Greece's fiscal deficit will drop below 3.0 pct of GDP by the end of 2006. The government's 2006 budget plan envisages a general government deficit at 2.6 pct of GDP this year with fiscal adjustment based on reducing spending and boosting revenues.

General government spending is forecast to drop to 44.7 pct in 2006 from 48.2 pct in 2004, while the fiscal deficit is projected to fall to 1.7 pct of the country's GDP by 2008.

The general government's debt is expected to ease from 107.9 pct of GDP this year to 104.8 pct in 2006, 101.1 pct in 2007 and 96.8 pct in 2008.

The government's updated stability programme also aims to ensure the long-term viability of the pension system and of the country's fiscal condition. The programme envisages the introduction of a new draft law on state procurement aimed to cut costs by 15 pct.

[02] Gov't sets priority on curbing tax evasion

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

Among the moves contained in the programme are computerized cross-checks of invoice data and a public awareness campaign to show that tax payers are harmed by tax evaders.

In addition, Value Added Tax will be imposed on new housing and fuel tax is to rise by 5.0% in 2006 to reach a 20% hike by the end of 2009 in line with a rate floor set by the European Union.

[03] PM confers with interior minister

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

Pavlopoulos told reporters after the meeting that he and the premier had discussed the procedures for the Constitutional revision, adding that there would be more meetings on the issue.

[04] Prosecutor's office takes over investigation into alleged abductions/interrogations of Pakistani nationals

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

According to an announcement by the prosecutors department, the work of the Security police, which has been completed, was to locate and take depositions of the alleged victims.

The investigation will now focus on a recent article appearing in the To Proto Thema weekly newspaper that listed the names of the agents who allegedly carried out the abductions and interrogations, and on the deposition of the lawyer representing the Pakistanis, who is seeking prosecution of the agents.

Papaggelopoulos was due to announce on Wednesday the name of the prosecutor who would be put in charge of the investigation.

The abduction and interrogation claims have been denied by the Pakistani Embassy in Greece, which said that it had received no complaints from the relatives or friends of the alleged victims, and by Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao when he was in Greece for a quadrilateral meeting on preventing organized crime two weeks ago.

According one of the two lawyers representing the group, however, the Pakistani Embassy had been informed of the abductions on the very next day after they occurred and had done nothing, while putting pressure on the victims not to report the incident to the authorities.

The abductions were reported by the head of the Pakistani Community in Greece Tzavet Aslam, while the left-wing Coalition (Synaspismos) party has also been active in seeking an investigation into the matter.

British foreign secretary Jack Straw has also denied the allegations as "utter nonsense".

KKE party on complaints about abductions of Pakistanis

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Tuesday said that reports alleging the abduction of Pakistanis living in Greece for questioning by secret services highlighted the need for stronger action by the people's movement to defend fundamental democratic rights and freedoms that were being "mortally hurt by the despicable agreements and terrorist measures of EU governments".

The case, which has been denied by the government, the Greek police and the Embassy of Pakistan, is now being investigated by a Greek public prosecutor.

In an announcement, KKE said that the government was exposed because it had implemented the agreement signed by main opposition PASOK when it was in government that called for cooperation or action by secret services in the framework of the EU, with or without prior warning to the Greek government.

"The Greek people must decisively condemn both the highly dangerous action and cooperation of secret services but also secret cooperation between New Democracy and PASOK in implementing anti-democratic/terrorist measures that include secret deals with the EU and the US. KKE demands full elucidation of the abduction cases. The information that is published further clouds rather than elucidates matters. KKE calls on the people to fight for the abolition of the above agreements," the announcement says.

[05] Political parties on alleged abductions of Pakistanis

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

Responding to questions during a radio interview, Athanassakis said the charges - if proved true - concerned the violation of human and citizens' rights and were an issue of democracy.

"EYP (the Greek intelligence service) is a state service and is obliged to operate within the framework of legality. And this is true for both Greeks and foreigners living in our country. The security of citizens cannot be carved up into categories," he said.

According to a senior member of the Coalition of the Left, Progress and Ecology party, Panagiotis Lafazanis, the "things happening at this time are unprecedented and highly dangerous".

Lafazanis claimed that the government, in spite of repeated revelations about the abductions, was continuing to cover-up proven abductions of citizens by Greek and British secret services that had occurred in three places throughout the country: Petralona, Giannena and Oinofyta.

He said the issue had taken on "massive dimensions" and that it concerned democracy itself and national security. He also claimed that responsibility for the cover-up no longer concerned only the public order ministry but the entire government, as well as the prime minister.

The Coalition party was among those backing some 20-odd Pakistanis who claim that they were abducted and interrogated shortly after the terrorist attacks against London in July. The Greek government and Pakistan's Embassy in Athens have denied that the abductions took place, while the allegations and press reports on the matter are now the subject of a judicial investigation launched by the Greek public prosecutor's office.

[06] FYROM leaders disagree about Albania's future

SKOPJE, 28/12/2005 (ANA/MPA/N. Frangopoulos)

Ahmeti, whose party is a member of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) coalition government, said that if Albanians aspire to create a "Greater Albania" they may end up with nothing.

In recent comments, Jaferi claimed that unifying western parts of FYROM where Albanians constitute the majority and Kosovo with Albania would "resolve the Albanian issue" and would "serve as the catalyst to relieving tension in the region".

[07] Foreign minister holds reception for journalists covering ministry

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

During informal talks with the journalists that attended, the minister referred to all the major foreign policy issues that concern Greece, either directly or indirectly, including the country's relations with Turkey and developments in Kosovo.

With respect to the former, Molyviatis stressed that the "casus belli" or 'cause of war' threat against Greece in the event that it decided to extend its territorial waters to the international standards of 12 nautical miles was an anachronism that was not in line with the principles of the European Union and the ways of doing things within the European Community.

Regarding Kosovo, the minister underlined that any decision about its future status should not lead to the destabilization of the surrounding region.

[08] Greek trade deficit down 0.6 pct in Jan-Oct, yr/yr

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

NSS, in its regular report, said the trade deficit totalled 23.324 billion euros in the first 10 months of 2005, from 23.398 billion euros in the corresponding period in 2004.

The value of export-deliveries totalled 11.231 billion euros in the January-October period, from 9.955 billion last year, an increase of 12.8 percent.

The value of import-arrivals totalled 34.555 billion euros from 33.353 billion over the same periods respectively, for an increase of 3.6 pct.

[09] Thessaloniki shoppers report disappointing revenues in Christmas season

THESSALLONIKI, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

Kostas Hatzaridis told ANA that more people visited the city's shops during the Christmas season but revenues were lower compared with 2004. Lazaridis said he expected the Christmas and New Year's shopping period to report an 8-10 percent decline in turnover and noted that his estimates were very moderate.

Hatzaridis said consumers focused on food for the Christmas table and consumer products for women and children.

[10] Economic relations between Greece and Cyprus acquire new dimensions

NICOSIA, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

With Cyprus' accession to the EU on May 1, 2004, Greece and Cyprus form a rapidly developing axis with important political extensions.

"In 4 to 6 years we will be able to speak about an integrated economic union, a unified economic field with the Greek and Cypriots traders and businesspersons as protagonists," diplomatic and economic circles of the two countries told the Cyprus daily 'Politis' newspaper.

According to the newspaper, the statistical data for the first half of 2005 are particularly encouraging.

On the level of bilateral trade, Greek exports to Cyprus covered 17 per cent of the imports in the Cypriot market, presenting an increase, in comparison to 2004, to the tune of 33 per cent.

This corresponds to 26 per cent of imports which Cyprus makes from EU member-countries and renders Greece among the top positions of Cyprus' trade partners.

Correspondingly, Cypriot exports to Greece covered 13.5 per cent of Cypriot exports and 24.5 per cent of the total Cypriot exports to EU countries.

The Greek side assesses that it is probable that within 2005 the exports to Cyprus "will break the barrier" of one billion euros, while the corresponding Cypriot exports to Greece will approach 200 million euros.

[11] Prefectures and consumer groups to propose new law for market inspections

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

The meeting also decided that prefectures and consumer groups will work together to inform the general public.

It was attended by ENAE President Fofi Gennimata and other ENAE officials and the presidents of the Consumers Union, EKPOIZO, KEPKA and INKA.

In statements afterward, Gennimata said the common goal was to protect consumers and ensure that he knew what he was eating and paying for. She said that local authority inspections had so far prevented some 3 million tones of food unfit from consumption from reaching the market.

[12] ABNA eyes enlargement, Athens News Agency to take over rotating presidency in 2007

SOFIA, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

The committee, comprising ABNA president for 2006 Hilmi Bengi, general director of the Turkish news agency Anadolu, ABNA secretary general Spyros Kouzinopoulos, general director of the Macedonian Press Agency (MPA), and Maxim Minchev, general director of the Bulgarian news agency BTA, was set up by the ABNA General Assembly that took place in Banja Luka (Bosnia-Herzegovina) in October. Also taking part in the meeting was MPA legal consultant Aris Halikias.

On the mandate of the General Assembly, the committee has drafted a deep-rooted reform of the ABNA charter and the association's adaptation to the modern-day needs, also enabling its expansion with the future membership of other news agencies from the SE Europe region.

The committee further decided that the ABNA general secretariat's permanent headquarters should remain in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, where the HQ has been tentatively based since the association's establishment in 1995, and that Athens-based Athens News Agency-Macedonian Press Agency (ANA-MPE, the new news agency formed following the recent merger of the Athens-based ANA and Thessaloniki-based MPA) general director George Tambakopoulos would undertake the rotating annual ABNA presidency for the year 2007.

The Association of the Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) was established in 1995, aiming both at the development of full-scale cooperation between the region's news agencies, and aspiring to contribute to the prevailing of an atmosphere of peace, friendship, security and cooperation in our region, which was once considered the "powder keg of Europe".

The founding conference of the Association was held in Thessaloniki on June 26, 1995, on Macedonian Press Agency's initiative, while the 1st General Assembly was held in Antalya, Turkey, on December 15-16, 1995, the day after the signing of the Dayton Agreement in Paris which ended the bloody civil war in Bosnia- Herzegovina.

Regular Members of the Association of the Balkan News Agencies are the following news agencies: the Athens News Agency (Athens, Greece), ANADOLU (Ankara, Turkey), A�A (Tirana, Albania), ��A (Sofia, Bulgaria), Macedonian Press Agency (Thessaloniki, Greece), ��A (Skopje, FYROM), ROMPRESS (Bucharest, Romania), SRNA (Banja Luka, Serbia-Montenegro), and TANJUG (Belgrade, Serbia-Montenegro), while the following agencies are observers: STA (Ljubliana, Slovenia), MOLDPRESS (Chisinau, Moldova), and FENA (Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina).

[13] Gov't extends deadline for work and residence permit applications

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

[14] BA airplane returns to Thessaloniki after indication of malfunction

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

The BA Boeing 737 took off from Macedonia Airport on Monday afternoon for London, but as it was flying over FYROM the captain saw a malfunction alert appearing on the plane's instrument panel, and returned to Thessaloniki.

The planes 95 passengers were accommodated for the night at hotels near the airport. Of those, 32 passengers left Thessaloniki early Tuesday morning on a different flight to London, where they have already arrived; while the remaining 63 were due to depart Thessaloniki on a BA flight on Tuesday afternoon.

The Boeing will remain at Macedonia Airport pending inspection by British technicians due to arrive from London.

[15] Robbers take � 39,200 in early-morning bank heist

THESSALLONIKI, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

The two men escaped on a motorbike with the loot after they held customers and staff at a branch of Emporiki Bank at gunpoint.

Police have launched an investigation to find their whereabouts.

[16] Border police seize 128 kilos of cannabis on Greek-Albanian border

IOANNINA, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

The incident occurred in the forest region of Delfinakio, Ioannina, when border police who were on patrol, located six Albanians walking through an inaccessible path, carrying five sacks. The police arrested them after finding 120 packages of cannabis, totally weighing 127.970 kilos, in the sacks.

Following investigations, the six Albanians were found to be members of a large gang which often traffics drugs from inaccessible regions to the borders. In continuation on Greek territory, they deliver them to accomplices living in Greece and transport them to Athens.

Investigations have already extended to Athens, but also in Albania, in cooperation with the Albanian police who were informed.

The arrested were led before the public prosecutor.

[17] 'Journey to Mount Athos' photo collection by Boissonas published

ATHENS, 28/12/2005 (ANA)

The publication was produced and published jointly by Agioreitiki Estia, the Thessaloniki Photography Museum and the Organization for the Promotion of Greek Culture.

In an address presented the new book, Karamanlis stressed that Boissonas - as well as a famous philhellene - was a pioneer of efforts to perfect the art of photography in the early 20th century and that the photographs combined historic with pure artistic value.

According to the premier, the collection also captures the essence of Orthodox monasticism and made accessible to the broad public one of the most important aspects of Greece's living traditions.

[18] Foreign Minister Iacovou calls on Turkey to meet EU obligations

NICOSIA, 28/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)

"If Turkey does not proceed with implementation of all its obligations, it will be accountable to Brussels within 2006," he told CNA on Tuesday, commenting on remarks by senior Turkish government officials that Europe has made a mistake in accepting Cyprus in its ranks and that Ankara will not move unilaterally by opening its ports and airport to Cypriot air and sea transport.

The minister said that Turkey has an obligation towards the EU but also towards Cyprus, as a member state, to ratify and implement the protocol extending its customs union agreement with Brussels to cover Cyprus too.

So far Turkey has refused to either recognize Cyprus or extend the customs union to this Eastern Mediterranean island, where Ankara maintains some 35,000 troops since it invaded and occupied its Northern third. Cypriot aircraft and vessels are prohibited from using Turkish air space or ports.

Iacovou pointed out that Turkey, as an acceding country, has undertaken to meet certain obligations towards the Union, which will monitor progress towards their implementation.

The minister dismissed as "nonsense" claims by Abdullatif Sener, Turkish minister of state, that the EU has erred in accepting Cyprus as a member.

[19] Congressmen call US government to discourage citizens from entering Cyprus illegally

NICOSIA, 28/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)

US government personnel and Members of Congress from entering Cyprus illegally and not encourage them to participate in Turkey's violation of the Chicago Convention.

In the letter, signed by another 60 Congressmen, he points out that a fundamental requirement for joining the European Union is for Turkey to recognize all member states of the EU including the Republic of Cyprus.

''Not only has Turkey failed to recognize Cyprus but it continues to occupy illegally over 37% of the island with a standing force of over 43,000 Turkish troops after invading the country in 1974 and expelling over 180,000 Greek Cypriots." he notes.

The congressmen express also their concerns about two recent events that seemingly undermine stated US policy regarding non-recognition of the ''Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus''.

''You recently invited Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, the recognized leader of the Turkish-Cypriot community, to formally meet with you in Washington, DC. Additionally, we feel that the State Department's support for the travel of US citizens, US government personnel and Members of Congress with direct flights to the Tymbou airport is an additional cause for concern, as it is not a designated legal port of entry," it noted.

[20] President Papadopoulos says Ledra Street crossing not to open with bridge

LIMASSOL, 28/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)

The Turkish Cypriot side has been constructing an overpass for pedestrian crossings in order to facilitate the movement of military vehicles in the area.

In statements in Limassol, President Papadopoulos also replied to questions about a Christmas present sent to him by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, saying that it was a hamper with various delicacies.

He added that he would be returning the gesture by sending a gift to Talat for the New Year.

[21] Cyprus tables new ideas on Ledras street crossing point

NICOSIA, 28/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Iacovou has told CNA that new proposals have been submitted to the UN with regard to efforts to open an additional crossing point in Nicosia to facilitate even further movement to and from the northern Turkish-occupied areas of the country.

The proposals come at a time when the Turkish side insists it will open unilaterally the crossing point at Ledras street, where it has constructed within the UN controlled-buffer zone a bridge, contrary to ongoing attempts to open the crossing point.

"We will not accept such faits accomplish as the operation of the bridge in Ledras street. Our new proposals provide for a level passageway, which will not be controlled by any military force," he explained.

Replying to questions, he said the Turkish side is acting unilaterally, ignoring the UN and the government proposals on the matter when it continues to insist that the newly constructed bridge must be used for those wishing to cross into the occupied part of the country.

"We shall not accept the opening of Ledras street crossing point under such circumstances," the minister stressed.

He said the new proposals are in the hands of the UN, who have communicated them to the Turkish side. Instead of responding to them, the Turkish side continues its verbal statements and public functions for the unilateral opening of the crossing point.

At present there are five crossing points that facilitate movement of people to and from the occupied north.

[22] Cypriot foreign minister says Ledra Street proposals not new

NICOSIA, 28/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Iacovou clarified to CNA that ''they are not new proposals but the well known proposals of the Greek Cypriot side.''

These proposals include the immediate freezing of all activities being carried out in the Ledra and Ermou area and have to do with the crossing point, and that discussions commence immediately under the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) to decide on the necessary arrangements to open a new crossing point.

[23] Astromeritis-Zodhia crossing point closes for six weeks

NICOSIA, 28/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)

According to a UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) press release, the crossing point will close for a period of approximately six weeks ''following agreement by the two sides'' and that ''as anticipated in August 2005, the buffer zone road between the two checkpoints will undergo necessary roadwork and infrastructural improvements as required under EU transportation standards.''

Travelers are asked to use the Ayios Dometios crossing point as an alternate route until the work is completed, it notes, adding that UNFICYP will announce the re-opening of the Zodhia-Astromeritis crossing point as that date approaches.

The roadwork is funded by the European Union and managed by the United Nations Development Programme through the Partnership for the Future Programme.

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