Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-04-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ground exists for good outcome of negotiations between employers and employees, finance minister says

[02] Deputy FM and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bryza discuss issues of mutual interest

[03] Greek permanent UN representative addresses Security Council meeting on Middle East

[04] President Papoulias on official visit to Egypt

[05] Gov't on Karamanlis-Erdogan meeting

[06] Public order minister addresses Parliament on phone-tapping issue

[07] Interior minister comments on regional policy and local administration

[08] Education Minister Yiannakou replies to statement by the Catholic Church of Greece

[09] Fallout continues over AGB criminal probe; firm denies wrongdoing

[10] U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Freed makes statement on Greece-FYROM relations

[11] Deputy FM Stylianidis addresses event in Kozani on 'The future of Europe'

[12] Events marking Greece's National Independence Day culminate in New York this weekend

[13] HAHC honorees include Sarbanes, Spanos, Yiannakou, Ries

[14] Development minister discuss energy issues with US official

[15] Minister predicts better tourism season in '06

[16] Gov't aims to increase renewable energy sources' percentage of nat'l power output

[17] Gov't, gas station owners launch consultations

[18] PASOK Secretary visits phosphoric fertilizer plant in Thessaloniki

[19] Greek-listed companies' profits up 38.36 pct in 2005, report

[20] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

[21] No evidence of foul play in Korydallos prison fire, police say; gov't expresses sorrow for deaths

[22] Interior minister addresses conference on equality of sexes

[23] Event held in Athens on the problem of drugs in the Balkans

[24] 'Golden Aristotle' for centegenarian academic Kriaras

[25] Book on Alexander the Great stresses his contribution to science

[26] Sweden returns ancient coins to Greece

[27] 'Le Monde' director gives lecture on future of the press

[28] Traffic fatalities slightly down in Jan. 06 from corresponding month in '05

[29] Ombudsman's annual report submitted to Parliament

[30] SYN leader Alavanos visits Red Cross hospital

[31] � 1.25 mill. taken in Rethymno robbery

[32] Britain says Turkey must implement protocol

[01] Ground exists for good outcome of negotiations between employers and employees, finance minister says

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Alogoskoufis reiterated that the government does not interfere in the negotiations which, as he said, are always "time-consuming and tough".

However, the minister expressed the view that employees' income can be safeguarded by the negotiations and the result be one that will benefit the national economy, employment, the unemployed and Greek businesses, whether they may be profit-making or facing problems.

Replying to a question on the 4th Community Support Framework (CSF), the minister said that the distribution of funds will be announced in the next two months and reassured that "the government's decision is for far greater emphasis to be placed on regional programs from the national sector, than had been given in the 3rd CSF."

On the question of the future of the two independent companies composing the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), HELEXPO S.A. and TIF S.A., Alogoskoufis said that he is in contact with the minister of Macedonia and Thrace for an examination of what must be done.

During the ensuing meeting the administration of SBBE raised a series of issues for the minister, the first being the new map of regional funding, that is linked directly to the development law.

SBBE also mentioned the request for the establishment of a regional competitiveness council in northern Greece, as well as the need for Thessaloniki to be characterized as an "exhibition city", with the relocation of TIF and the creation of a new exhibition centre outside the centre of the city.

The administration of SBBE further raised the issue of special incentives in border regions, with the continuation of subsidization with 12 percent of labor cost in businesses in eastern Macedonia and Thrace by the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED).

[02] Deputy FM and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bryza discuss issues of mutual interest

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"The European prospect of our neighborhood is very important for both the United States and the European Union, because with this prospect there will be a neighborhood of stability, cooperation and prosperity in southeastern Europe, which is in the interests of all," Valinakis said after the talks.

"We are speaking about the changing of our neighborhood, of the Balkans, of southeastern Europe, into a European neighborhood, given that almost all the countries in the region are proceeding, each one with different speeds of course, towards Euro-Atlantic incorporation. This means that in order to get there they must fulfill all the conditions, preconditions and prerequisites first which have been set by the European Union and have been described clearly in relevant texts," he added.

Valinakis further pointed out that these countries' European prospect "will produce opportunities for all, not only those bordering with our neighborhood but in general for all the countries that can participate in the new European neighborhood of cooperation and prosperity."

Energy issues discussed in Stylianidis-Bryza meeting: Energy-related issues and Greece's role as a regional energy transport hub dominated talks here on Friday morning between Deputy Foreign Minister Evripides Stylianidis and visiting US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza.

Stylianis said after the meeting that their talks centered on the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

The deputy minister said the Greek side briefed Bryza on the progress of work of the pipeline and on the expediency of the project, which gives new opportunities for the refueling of the international market from one further network and operates complementary in the flow of oil through the Bosporus Straits.

Deputy Foreign Minister Stylianidis reiterated to his American interlocutor that the Greek side views as particularly important the participation of U.S. companies in the construction of the oil pipeline.

[03] Greek permanent UN representative addresses Security Council meeting on Middle East

NEW YORK, 1/4/2006 (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou)

"We expect all sides involved to display political maturity and wisdom, avoid provocative acts and rhetoric and take advantage of the opportunity to enable the future of both their peoples to be characterized by peace, optimism and prosperity," he said.

The ambassador further said that "all the sides involved are well aware of the challenges, as well as the opportunities created by this new era. Greece remains adhered to the continuation of efforts to achieve an overall, just and viable peace in the Middle East, based on relevant Security Council resolutions."

Vassilakis also noted that "the international community expects from the new Palestinian government, under the leadership of Hamas, to denounce violence and to disarm, to recognize Israel's right to exist and to respect all previous agreements and understandings, including the Road Map. The Palestinian government will be assessed on the basis of these criteria, not only by the international community, but also by the Palestinian people themselves."

Lastly, the ambassador said that "in parallel, we call on the new government of Israel, which will be formed in the coming days, to respect Israel's commitments based on the Road Map and to avoid unilateral acts that may prejudge the outcome of negotiations on the final status quo, rendering the solution of two states unworkable."

[04] President Papoulias on official visit to Egypt

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

On Monday, Papoulias will be received by Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak in Cairo.

Papoulias schedule includes contacts with representatives of the ethnic Greek community in Egypt.

The church dedication will be officiated by Ecumenical Patriarchate Vartholomeos and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros.

Deputy FM Theodoros Kassimis to visit Alexandria on April 2: Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis will travel to Alexandria, Egypt, on April 2, accompanying President Karolos Papoulias, who will represent the government at the inauguration ceremony of the Evangelismos Cathedral and the inauguration ceremony for the Patriarchal Home.

On April 3, Kassimis will accompany President Papoulias during his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. In the afternoon of the same day, the deputy foreign minister will attend celebrations of the Greek community in Cairo, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding under the title of "A Greek century in Cairo."

[05] Gov't on Karamanlis-Erdogan meeting

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"Preparations for the Summit that is being organized and in which the countries of Southeastern Europe will participate are in progress. We are still at the stage in the proceedings where we are finalizing, through the foreign ministry and our embassies, the countries that will participate in the summit at the highest level," the spokesman said.

[06] Public order minister addresses Parliament on phone-tapping issue

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Invoking relevant talks he had with EYP commander Yiannis Korantis and "bypassing", as he said, the time the controversial apparatus was purchased, Polydoras mentioned that EYP has the old system of monitoring fixed-line telephone communications which is unable to register conversations taking place, either with mobile phones or with fixed-line telephones that use digital connections.

The minister called on the deputies of PASOK to accept this official version and not claim that "EYP is a right-wing dominated parastate source", adding that 85 percent of people serving there support the labor union group of PASOK.

Commenting on indicators showing increased crime in the year 2005, Polydoras said that in 2004, due to the Olympic Games, the indicators were particularly low ("we had the best negative record") and in 2005 "maybe there was a slight slackening."

The minister further said that "let us not disseminate a climate of phobia; it is not good either for society or for the police. I wish to reassure you sincerely that the situation is under control."

[07] Interior minister comments on regional policy and local administration

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"A difficult economic conjuncture is in store for us, a 4th Community Support Framework in the region of 20 billion euros, which must find the infrastructures and institutions of the country in a state of readiness," he said.

"Maybe this process is of no interest for some people but for a government, however, which respects its mission it is of great interest since the greatest part depends on the course of the structures of regions and local administration, despite the fact that some have not realized this," he added.

Speaking to the Sky radio station, Pavlopoulos admitted that regions had been downgraded in past years due to the Olympic Games, compared to investments and infrastructures in Athens, recalling the statement made by the prime minister at the Thessaloniki International Fair, immediately after the Olympic Games, that "the time of regions has come" something that, as the minister said, "we are turning into practice."

[08] Education Minister Yiannakou replies to statement by the Catholic Church of Greece

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The education minister was responding to an announcement made by the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church which criticized Deputy Education Minister George Kalos, because, as it claimed, he spoke in the Greek Parliament "of a so-called demand by the Catholic Church of Greece to depend on the Vatican in such a way which would not abide it the Greek legal order."

The same announcement claims that since 1997, the Greek State systematically refuses to abide by the unanimous decision of the European Human Rights Court for the recognition of the legal personality of the Catholic Church of Greece.

Yiannakou said:"With the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church of Greece, I personally met and expressed the will of the Greek state, for a legal status to be institutionalized following consultation with its representatives. In this direction, the Catholic Church has sent to the education ministry the names of its four representatives in order for a commission to be established which will examine the issue and will propose a relative legislative arrangement. In the coming days, the persons who will represent the side of the state will also be appointed, so that the composition of this Commission to be officially announced.

[09] Fallout continues over AGB criminal probe; firm denies wrongdoing

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Asked on Friday about the ensuring furor, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros declined to answer a bevy of press questions related to the actual judicial investigation, however, he stressed that the government's high-profile decision to institute a framework for broadcast licensing and the concentration of media also involves the establishment of a legal framework regarding television ratings.

"The goal of this effort is to ensure the greatest possible credibility of measurements, while the creation of a non-profit agency, with the participation of various entities, to check the accuracy of television viewer ratings and circulation numbers for newspapers is also being proposed," Antonaros said.

The spokesman added that the documentation in question was submitted by AGB prior to the March 2004 elections, in answer to press questions insinuating the opposite, "the government did its duty and performed the necessary checks, the judicial probe, of course, will clearly prove who didn't perform their duty when they should have."

On his part, Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos stressed that "we're asking that a TV ratings firm that's committed fraud to be dealt with like super markets selling spoiled meat; in other words, that it be shut down".

Additionally, he called for the country's three state-run channels to be excluded from any ratings measurement, thus allowing them to "competitively" face Greece's numerous private channels with quality programming, as he said.

The development comes after a first instance court prosecutor in Athens on Thursday filed felony charges of filing fake statements, fraud against the state as well as private television stations against AGB Hellas President Ioannis Anastasakos, Managing Director Spyros Zavitsianos and major shareholder Stavros Leousis.

According to an indictment, the AGB Hellas officials allegedly filed bogus statements regarding the company's financial links to local advertising firms and television stations, whereas the fraud counts refer to damage incurred by television stations from the contracts they had with AGB.

Additionally, 17 instances pointing to irregular measurements of TV ratings were cited by the prosecutor, whose report was conveyed to the president of the first instance prosecutor's office, Dimitris Papaggelopoulos.

Among others, prosecutor Eleni Touloupaki reportedly charges that certain television stations' ratings were measured at a time when they were not broadcasting; that one TV viewer equipped with an AGB monitor was recorded as having watched 38 straight hours worth of programming; that television ratings were recorded in at least three provinces during a time when there was no television signal in the specific areas, whereas one man, identified as the father of a large family in Athens, is listed as being born in 1961, but with children born in 1962 and 1963. The only phone number listed for the man also belongs to AGB, according to reports.

A preliminary investigation was also ordered to find out why AGB failed to provide necessary financial and other documentation to the National Radio-Television Council (ERS), a semi-independent broadcasting watchdog, whereas some press reports in Athens on Friday claimed that the ERS board members would deal with the AGB issue in the next few days, even possibly during a scheduled Friday afternoon session.

Firm flatly denies charges: Meanwhile, in a press statement released on Thursday, AGB Nielsen Media Research, the full name of the multinational's subsidiary in Greece, called the indictment "unprecedented" and "absolutely groundless".

"All of the testimony by Greek and foreign experts, all the official reports regarding measurements of television viewership, ones included in the indictment, prove the impartial operation of the company and verify the credibility of its results..."

Moreover, the press release notes that the company will seek recourse in both the Greek and European justice system as well as with international organizations, while again noting that its leadership will be fully exonerated by Greek courts.

In a separate press release, Leousis also stresses that the charges are baseless, while noting that his share in a local advertising firm, Solid Communications, along with AGB, is well-known in the domestic advertising market and legally declared to authorities.

[10] U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Freed makes statement on Greece-FYROM relations

SKOPJE, 1/4/2006 (ANA-MPA - N. Frangopoulos)

"Greece did not try to prevent efforts made by the country until today for its accession to the European Union under the name of FYROM. It gave its word on this and acted accordingly," he told the Slav service of the "Voice of America."

"Greece told us that there are no open issues with 'Macedonia', apart from that of the name. I hope that things are like this and we, of course, support good relations between the two countries," he added.

Freed said that he United States recognized FYROM with its constitutional name and remains on this position, adding that Washington supports the mediating effort by Matthew Nimetz and will accept any solution that will result from the talks at the UN headquarters on the pending issue concerning the name.

[11] Deputy FM Stylianidis addresses event in Kozani on 'The future of Europe'

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Arriving at the event, Stylianidis said:"The European Union has decided from the start both deepening and enlargement, it proceeded in the accession of the 10 states and began to discuss the further expansion towards the western Balkans and Turkey, inaugurating also the policy of new European neighborliness and strengthening the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, while in the interior a plan was worked out for a constitutional treaty which was ratified by 14 states but 'stumbled' in the referendums of Denmark and France. However, the effort does not stop because history has shown that Europe is proceeding slowly but never turns back."

Former EU Commissioner and current main opposition PASOK deputy Christos Papoutsis termed as crucial the phase which Europe finds itself in, "as we must rediscuss the future, the prospects," and described as an important factor "the securing of all the prerequisites which will offer security to the European citizens, will guarantee the future European society with cohesion and solidarity and the enlargement of the Union will continue in such a way which will not disperse internal cohesion, while at the same time will give hope to the peoples of the states which today are candidates for members, for our common European future."

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Eurodeputy G. Toussas said that "the KKE has declared itself against the European Union and it is confirmed daily from reality." He added that "the experience which we have acquired in the 26 years from our country's accession shows that it is an imperialist union, an alliance of wolves, which basically has as motive and criterion of its anti-popular policy, the safeguarding of the profits of big capital through giving a blow to the wages and social rights of the working people."

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) Political Bureau member Panos Trigazis said that the future of Europe "depends on the course of change which the European Union is called upon to follow." He said that for Synaspismos, present-day Europe must move in a different direction, "for a social, democratic, peace-loving Europe," and that it needs "a new democratic Constitution."

[12] Events marking Greece's National Independence Day culminate in New York this weekend

NEW YORK, 1/4/2006 (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou)

On Sunday, at 8 p.m. (Greek time) the great parade will start at Manhattan's 5th Avenue.

The parade will be preceded by a Te Deum at the Holy Trinity Church and a reception with greetings by official guests.

The Greek government will be represented by Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Kalatzis and Deputy Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Athanasios Nakos.

This year's parade is dedicated to the Greek immigrants and to youth.

The events will be attended by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) President Andrew Athens, the president of "Marathon" bank, Paul Stathopoulos, and businessman John Ragos.

[13] HAHC honorees include Sarbanes, Spanos, Yiannakou, Ries

WASHINGTON, 1/4/2006 (ANA-MPA)

[14] Development minister discuss energy issues with US official

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The Greek minister presented issues related with the operation of an Energy Community, the projects of building two natural gas pipelines, one between Greece and Italy and another between Greece and Turkey, an oil pipeline project between Burgas in Bulgaria and Alexandroupolis in Greece and the Greek position in an EU policy for a safe, competitive and sustainable energy in Europe.

The US official will attend, as an observer, an energy ministers' council to be held in Thessaloniki on Saturday.

[15] Minister predicts better tourism season in '06

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Addressing a National Tourism Council's meeting, Palli-Petralia said "although there is no magic recipe to solve problems," she pledged to work hard towards this aim and urged for the support of the tourism industry. The Greek minister said tourism was not a field of political confrontation. "Businesspeople in the tourism sector must feel security for the future," she stressed.

She also acknowledged that existing problems were acting as "brakes" to growth and pledged to combat red-tape.

Drafting and implementing a "long-term tourism policy with a single strategy" was the main priority of the ministry and it was aimed to ensure increased demand for the country's tourism product and to support the quality of the country's tourism product.

She announced that a joint venture by MRB, PRC and a Spanish company was selected for drafting a marketing and advertising strategy for Greek tourism and stressed the need to focus on countries and population groups.

The minister also announced that the ministry would soon table a draft bill on spa tourism, agro-tourism, sports tourism, a presidential decree on car race tracks and the start of an effort to coding tourism legislation.

[16] Gov't aims to increase renewable energy sources' percentage of nat'l power output

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Addressing a seminar entitled "trading emissions and mechanisms to promote renewable energy sources", the minister reminded that earlier in the week an inner Cabinet meeting approved a draft law on renewable energy sources and combined energy projects.

A new regulatory framework in the country will contribute in raising investments in renewable energy sources and strengthening a system of electricity production, he said.

[17] Gov't, gas station owners launch consultations

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The two sides are to lay specific proposals on the table at a new meeting scheduled for next week.

[18] PASOK Secretary visits phosphoric fertilizer plant in Thessaloniki

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The PASOK Secretary visited the plant on Friday, accompanied by deputies Evangelos Venizelos, Yiannis Magriotis, Chrysa Arapoglou and Yiannis Drivelegas.

Xenoyiannakopoulou expressed PASOK's support for the full reopening of the plant.

She called on the government "to stop hiding behind the bank's administrations which itself appointed," adding that "with great ease the government intervenes in the banking sector to safeguard the rights of banks at the expense of the employees and the insured."

[19] Greek-listed companies' profits up 38.36 pct in 2005, report

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The report attributed the significant increase in last year's figures to a positive impact of financial companies (insurance, banks, holding, investments) as well as refineries. Excluding the banking sector and investment firms, the rate of increase would be cut to 4.6 pct, with net profits at 3.597 billion euros, while at the parent level, profits would be down 6.6 percent to 2.526 billion euros in 2005.

Pegasus Securities said 76 percent of listed companies (249 enterprises) reported parent profits, 34 percent (111 companies) raised their profitability, 31 percent (100 companies) reported lower profits and 12 percent (38 companies) reversed losses.

The report also said that 24 percent listed enterprises (77 companies) reported losses, 6.0 percent (20 companies) widened their losses, 7.0 percent (24 companies) cut their losses and 10 percent (33 companies) reversed profits.

In group level, 75 percent of listed enterprises (191 companies) were profitable, 34 percent (84 companies) raised their profits, 32 percent (81 companies) reported lower profits and 10 percent (25 companies) reversed losses.

Twenty-five percent of Greek-listed enterprises (62 companies) reported losses, 4.0 percent (10 companies) higher losses, 9.0 percent (23 companies) lower losses and 11 percent (29 companies) reversed profits.

Kekrops, Eurobrokers, Attikat and Altius recorded the best performance at the parent level, while Mytilineos, Ippotour, Rokas and Neochimiki the best performance at the group level.

Pegasus Securities said listed companies' dividend payouts totaled 3.1 billion euros.

[20] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

ATHENS, 1/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.07% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 1.05% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.25% up.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 149 to 115 with 50 remaining unchanged.

The stocks with the highest turnover were Alpha Bank, Vovos International, National Bank of Greece, and Aluminium de Grece.

Derivatives Market Close: Intracom top in stock futures trade

Stock Futures: