Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-02-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Dora Bakoyannis cites upcoming initiatives

[02] Cypriot president refers to upcoming meeting with UN chief

[03] Greek-Turkish round-table discussion on advancing peace, democracy

[04] Dep. FM Stylianidis meets Albanian counterpart Gajo in Tirana

[05] Greek Police chief Aggelakos formally submits resignation

[06] New ND party secretary to meet PM on Monday

[07] Voulgarakis addresses ND event in Thessaloniki

[08] Culture minister inaugurates photo exhibition

[09] Deputy DM pays courtesy visit to US aircraft carrier

[10] Alavanos launches sharp criticism of gov't, other parties

[11] Latest poll shows marginal PASOK edge over ruling ND

[12] Liapis inaugurates bus training centre

[13] President Karolos Papoulias attends event organized by Greek students from Austria

[14] Archbishop: New cultural or religious war would be catastrophic

[15] Peace groups hold protest rally outside US base in Crete

[16] Monument to fallen police officers unveiled

[17] Home-made bomb explodes outside French bank, no damage

[18] Storm causes problems in greater Athens area

[19] Ereli: Commercial transactions with northern Cyprus are not illegal

[20] House delegation leaves for Libya

[01] FM Dora Bakoyannis cites upcoming initiatives

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

The foreign minister said that immediately after her participation in the European Union's Council of General Affairs, she will begin a tour of the Balkans with visits to Sarajevo, Pristina and Belgrade, while she will also be visiting Skopje, Sofia and Bucharest in the near future.

Referring to FYROM's position on the 'name issue', Bakoyannis said "insistence on the absolute refusal of any mutually acceptable solution on their part is a political mistake. Skopje must seek, just like Athens, a mutually acceptable solution."

Bakoyannis pointed out that the country's foreign policy will not change, while referring to Greek-Turkish relations, she said Greek interests are served by a "European Turkey".

Commenting on her Turkish counterpart's visit to Athens, she said Greece's support for Turkey's European prospects is clear but "it is not unconditional and terms have already been set both by us and the rest of our partners."

Asked what the Greek government will do if Turkey has not fulfilled criteria set for it by the EU by the end of the year, Bakoyannis said "when the time comes we know very well what we shall do in every case."

Regarding efforts to solve the issue of Cyprus, the foreign minister said "we cannot stand another failure", adding that "whatever is prepared must be a plan of such a kind that both communities will accept it. There can be no solutions without the knowledge of the people."

Bakoyannis also said in her interview that she had never asked for the foreign ministry, given to her in the recent government reshuffle, and pointed out that the government is also a victim of the phone-tapping issue.

Bakoyannis' comments were carried in an interview with the Sunday edition of the newspaper "Vima".

[02] Cypriot president refers to upcoming meeting with UN chief

VIENNA, 27/02/2006 (ANA-MPA / D. Dimitrakoudis)

Papadopoulos cited his forthcoming meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in Paris on Feb. 28, the European Union's capability of playing a more active role in the Cyprus issue, a solution depending on Turkey's volition, as well as to Ankara's obligations towards the European Union.

The Cypriot president said Greek Cypriots were right to say "No" in a referendum on the Annan Plan. He also referred to the positive aspects of Cyprus' accession to the EU, as well as its possible accession to the Eurozone, without however, social programmes being sacrificed.

Regarding his meeting with Annan, Papadopoulos said he does not foresee anything more than what than what the UN chief has already said, namely, for a meeting in Europe to go over a general review of the Cyprus issues and to discuss various related aspects.

[03] Greek-Turkish round-table discussion on advancing peace, democracy

ISTANBUL, 27/02/2006 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

The discussion was opened by Leadership Institute president Antonis Livanios and Liberal Thinking president Dr. Attila Yayla, and was also attended by Greece's consul general Alexis Alexandris.

The discussion was part of the programme Young Leaders Promote Greece-Turkey Communication in the road to the European Union.

[04] Dep. FM Stylianidis meets Albanian counterpart Gajo in Tirana

TIRANA, 27/02/2006 (ANA-MPA)

Earlier, Stylianidis inaugurated a school in Himare, a town in southern Albania that hosts a large ethnic Greek community, as well as a waterworks project in the Drymades district.

Stylianidis noted that "the Greek community in Albania constitutes a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two peoples and contributes in the approach of the neighboring country towards the European Union."

Both the projects are financed by aid provided by the Greek foreign ministry via its Hellenic Aid programme. The 19th century building operated until 1946 as a Greek school and its reopening is expected in September.

Stylianidis will also sign an agreement with the Albanian government in Tirana on Monday regarding the illegal trafficking of children.

[05] Greek Police chief Aggelakos formally submits resignation

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

Lt.-Gen. Aggelakos informed new Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras of his resignation earlier in the week when the two men met to discuss Aggelakos' intended resignation.

The ministry revealed on Friday that Polydoras accepted the resignation, noting that "the successful also leave", adding that Aggelakos' term in office had been excellent.

Aggelakos, whose resignation comes six months ahead of the completion of his term, will remain in office, but will be on regular leave until Tuesday, when the KYSEA council for foreign affairs and defense will meet to select a new EL.AS chief.

In his letter, Aggelakos said he was resigning to facilitate the promotion of other, younger officers who have the credentials.

Aggelakos has a long service record in the narcotics squad, while he also served as director of the Attica Security Police, and security chief for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

[06] New ND party secretary to meet PM on Monday

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

The new secretary also met with party officials at ND's head offices in Athens on Saturday and participated in a meeting of the Overseas Hellenism secretariat.

Zagoritis said the meeting shows the priority given by the party to overseas Greeks, adding that ND's Action Programme will be announced in due course and after he meets with his predecessor Vangelis Meimarakis and other party officials.

Zagoritis said that the meeting reflected the priority placed by ND on the Greeks abroad.

He noted that the party's action plan would be announced in due course, following a meeting between himself and his predecessor Evangelos Meimarakis -- who resigned from the post of ND secretary after being appointed defense minister in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

[07] Voulgarakis addresses ND event in Thessaloniki

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

He said ND was the leading political force in Greece today while, referring to main opposition PASOK, he said that no matter how many "different suits" it wore or transformations it underwent, history had recorded ND's choices.

[08] Culture minister inaugurates photo exhibition

THESSALONIKI, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

During his first official presence after assuming his new duties, Voulgarakis reassured the Photography Museum of funding amounting to 440,000 euros, stressing that the money concerns the upgrading of the Museum's function and the digitalization of its archives.

The annual International Photography Festival has been organized in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, over the past 18 years. It lasts from late February until early April.

[09] Deputy DM pays courtesy visit to US aircraft carrier

CORFU, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

Albanian Defence Minister Fatmir Mediu, and ruling ND deputies from Corfu Nikos Dendias and Nikos Georgiadis, among others, also boarded the vessel with Mihaloliakos.

Two Greek soldiers injured during an attack in Afghanistan also boarded the aircraft carrier at the invitation of the US embassy in Athens as being victims in the war against terrorism.

The officials were welcomed by US ambassador to Athens Charles Ries.

All of the visitors were briefed by the aircraft carrier's command on its activities.

[10] Alavanos launches sharp criticism of gov't, other parties

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

Commenting on Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' address to the ruling New Democracy (ND) central committee, Alavanos said he agreed with the premier's view of a "lasting clash with the pathogenies we inherited from the past", but maintained that the main force of the past in Greece was the ND government.

"With the abolition of the 8-hour workday, it (the government) is returning us to the beginning of the 20th century. With its militarized response to the social struggles, as we saw recently with the seamen, it is taking us back to the darkest moments of our modern history where the social and political problems received a military response from authority," Alavanos said.

Commenting on the government's handling of the seamen's strike, Alavanos charged an attempt to divide society, pitting farmers against seamen. He added that, instead of cultivating enmity, which he said was ND's permanent policy, it could have defused the crisis by withdrawing the controversial bill and commencing dialogue with the seamen.

Alavanos accused the prime minister of purposeful abuse of the term 'reform', and PASOK of consensus to the major choices of the government, of remaining silent and of frequently exceeding the government's policy.

"Despite this stance by the PASOK leadership, we will continue to put forward proposals for joint action," he added.

Alavanos further criticized the KKE, saying it was bound to a deeply heretical philosophy, and accused it of attempting to exploit the social struggles for partisan purposes.

Turning to the upcoming prefectural and municipal elections, Alavanos said SYN did not want the local government elections to turn into a "card game" among the political parties "through agreements, exchanges, negotiations", but instead an effort for substantive dialogue and proposals for finding solutions to the problems faced by the local societies.

Alavanos opined that all that had taken place with the Pakistanis and the telephone tapings indicated that "an international para-state operates in Greece".

Meanwhile, an off-the-agenda debate on unemployment will take place in Parliament on Monday at the initiative of Synaspismos.

[11] Latest poll shows marginal PASOK edge over ruling ND

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

The poll was published for the Sunday edition of the newspaper "Ethnos", and carried out by the firm Alko from Feb. 12 to Feb. 21 this year.

Respondents gave PASOK 34.4 percent, ND 34 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 6.7 percent, the out-of-Parliament Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) 5.6 percent and the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) 2.8 percent.

A previous poll conducted by the same firm in November 2005 gave ND 34.8 percent, PASOK 33.6, KKE 6.6, LA.OS 3.4 and Synaspismos 3 percent.

Regarding the question of "most suitable for prime minister", Premier Costas Karamanlis is ahead with 43.4 percent, against 35.7 percent for PASOK leader George Papandreou.

Lastly, on the question of "who do you think will win the next elections", 49 percent of respondents said ND will win again, while 34.3 picked PASOK.

[12] Liapis inaugurates bus training centre

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

He also presented prizes to the children of ETHEL employees who gained entrance to institutions of higher education in the year 2005.

He also referred to the extension of the ETHEL network, noting that a tender was in progress for the acquisition of 520 new cutting-edge anti-pollution technology buses, and added that a tender would also be launched in the spring for equipping the ETHEL fleet with telematics systems.

[13] President Karolos Papoulias attends event organized by Greek students from Austria

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

Also present were Deputy Defense Minister Vassilis Mihaloliakos, MPs, ambassadors and many other officials.

[14] Archbishop: New cultural or religious war would be catastrophic

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

"The cartoons against Mohammed are not the cause but the excuse. All of us are worried over a new war between cultures or religions, something that would be catastrophic for humanity," he said, adding that Muslims' grievances are related to the marginalization, scorn and exploitation they face by certain individuals operating under Christianity's banner.

The Archbishop underlined that today's Europe, "despite the fact that it is called a Christian continent, forsakes and scorns its roots, and this is why what prevails in Europe at present is a spiritual vacuum, chaos and confusion ... Europe's culture is based upon three hills: Calvary, the Acropolis and the Capitol. These are the three poles around which Europe's culture developed."

In an unrelated development, Christodoulos will host a reception for Greek Euro-deputies and EU Commissioner Stavros Dimas on Monday.

[15] Peace groups hold protest rally outside US base in Crete

HANIA, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

The rally had an international character since members of foreign peace groups, which had arrived in the city of Hania in the framework of two-day events organized by Crete's four peace groups and other agencies, also participated.

The demonstrators initially assembled in the Municipal Market Square and then headed for the American base.

Speakers from the peace committees on the island stressed that "the American navy base of Souda is not merely a foreign base on Greek soil, but it is American territory in our country. It is the starting point for multiple activities aimed at serving and promoting imperialist interests against the peoples of the world."

The rally was monitored by a strong police force that heavily guarded the entrance to the base, while a police helicopter coordinated measures aimed at keeping order.

[16] Monument to fallen police officers unveiled

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

"No one can live, as an individual or as a society, if he does not honor his dead and does not respect the sacrifices of heroes," Polydoras said during the ceremony, which was attended by Archbishop Christodoulos, the EL.AS (Greek Police) leadership, retired officers, and the families of the victims.

Earlier, the Archbishop officiated at a memorial service.

The monument was designed and donated by retired police sergeant Evangelos Mitsos, and crafted by architect K. Manetas.

[17] Home-made bomb explodes outside French bank, no damage

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

The bomb exploded at 4:45 a.m., but was of very small magnitude and caused no damage.

Earlier, an anonymous caller telephoned a local Athens daily and TV channels warning of an impending explosion outside the bank in 45 minutes, while claiming that the terrorist attack was in support for the uprising in the French suburbs.

The bomb was comprised of a small quantity of explosive materials, a timer, and a standard detonator.

[18] Storm causes problems in greater Athens area

ATHENS, 27/02/2006 (ANA)

The Fire Brigade was summoned 25 times from 3.30 a.m. to 5.30 a.m. to deal with fallen trees and to remove various objects swept into streets and obstructing traffic.

[19] Ereli: Commercial transactions with northern Cyprus are not illegal

NICOSIA, 27/02/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Invited to name the American companies that are doing business with the Turkish Cypriots and what kind of products they are using, Ereli noted that the US government does not regulate commercial transaction.

"Commercial transactions with the northern part of Cyprus are not illegal by any definition that I'm aware of," the spokesman said.

Invited to say if these actions are legal, Ereli replied "yes."

Answering a question, he clarified though, that the US policy regarding recognition of the so called "state" in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, has not changed.

"Our policy and recognition hasn't changed," he concluded.

[20] House delegation leaves for Libya

NICOSIA, 27/02/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Members of the Cypriot Parliament, Eleni Theocharous and Stella Demetriou-Misiaouli, will represent Cyprus at the Congress.

During their stay there, they will have a series of meetings with Libya government officials, members of the General People's Congress and other political and academic representatives.

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