Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-04-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Reforms will continue, PM stresses at ND conference for local government

[02] Party secretary, ministers address ND local gov't conference

[03] Interior minister points to government reforms

[04] Athens mayor, ND's Tzamtzis on elections

[05] PASOK party spokesman comments on PM's address at local administration conference

[06] Communist Party criticises PM's speech

[07] European Socialist Group, PASOK to hold seminar on local gov't

[08] Congressional resolution referring to FYROM as 'Macedonia' withdrawn

[09] FM hosts luncheon for Greek euro deputies

[10] Deputy FM inaugurates int'l symposium on the expat community, inter-cultural exchange

[11] Resigned PASOK Parl. Group coordinator's letter to party leader

[12] FinMin, SYN on resignation of PASOK's Floridis

[13] Deputy DM addresses conference on development and stability in SE Mediterranean

[14] Coalition party leader holds talks with German Democratic Socialism Party president

[15] European meeting of communist and workers' parties beginning on Saturday

[16] Solidarity march for Kurdish people held in Thessaloniki

[17] FinMin underlines need for dialogue on pension system

[18] Gov't encourages Greek business investments in Georgia

[19] Greece aims to become energy hub in Southeastern Europe

[20] Contract to build long-delayed Thessaloniki metro signed

[21] Chamber event focuses on Indian economy, market

[22] INFOTE to present its Greek business network in USA

[23] Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling completes purchase of Lanitis Bros Ltd.

[24] Seaplane route to Corfu inaugurated

[25] Germanwings launches Iraklio-Cologne route

[26] Business delegation to Lebanon

[27] Technical Chamber of Greece begins national conference on Rhodes

[28] EXPO exhibitions have great development impact on cities hosting them

[29] ERT Satellite Television presents its changes and targets

[30] Vavylis re-sentenced to 7-year prison term

[31] Justice Minister: Most inmates to be transferred from Korydallos by early '07

[32] Commission again warns Athens over environmental protection

[33] Border guards seize 100 kilos of Indian cannabis

[34] Police officers face felony charges in rape case

[35] Athens University dean George Bambiniotis new president of Hellenic Foundation for Culture

[36] President Papadopoulos to pay official visit to India

[01] Reforms will continue, PM stresses at ND conference for local government

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Kicking off Friday's conference, Karamanlis once again emphasized the government's determination to press on with necessary changes and reforms and attacked main opposition PASOK, underlining that Greeks did not want those proposing work without social insurance for the young, unlimited freedom to fire and hire and more taxes.

The conference had begun by observing a minute's silence in memory of the late former premier George Rallis, who died recently.

Referring to the local elections in October, Karamanlis said that the ruling party will support prefecture and municipal tickets that best serve the interests of local societies, backing candidates that do not necessarily arise from within its own ranks but those that have a strong foothold in local societies.

At the same time, indirectly addressing potential rebels, he stressed that everyone was obliged to go along with the candidates chosen and stressed that "we must contribute with all our power so that the results are positive and hopeful for local communities".

Karamanlis also stressed that the party intended to continue "opening itself to all society" and rejected divisive conflicts and polarizing tension.

Regarding policy for local government, the premier pointed out that local authorities were now receiving all the funds that were due to them - unlike the situation under previous PASOK governments - that their debts were being settled and that a gradual payment of the funds that had been withheld in past years was now beginning.

The funding of local authorities was now carried out through a modern, completely transparent and objective system, geared to boosting regional development, Karamanlis added.

He also noted that prefectures had for the first time acquired steady funds of their own, which were today three times higher than in 2004, while the five-year development program Thiseas made � 3.5 billion available to municipalities and communities on completely objective and transparent terms over five years, as opposed to the previous program that provided � 1.7 billion over seven years.

According to Karamanlis, 6,500 projects had already been approved for funding under this program, with another 2,500 now in the process of being tendered.

The premier additionally noted the importance of the new local government codes being introduced by the government, which would help upgrade their organization and operation, their rights and obligations and introduce innovative institutions, such as the option of holding local referenda.

He particularly emphasized the government's introduction of first-round elections to local authorities with a 42 percent majority, saying the government had dared to make a radical change that had been demanded by the voters.

[02] Party secretary, ministers address ND local gov't conference

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Zagoritis stressed that the government's goal was to make local government stronger and called on all members of the party to fall in line with the candidates that the party chose to support in the upcoming local elections.

"Victory and success for ND are providing solutions to the day-to-day problems of citizens, the prevalence of political morals and strengthening local communities," he stressed.

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, on her part, stressed that the upcoming local elections were an important political contest and that ND should emerge from Friday's conference with a clear strategy for victory.

She also underlined that there must be a message of absolute confidence and support for the candidates chosen to run in the local elections, who must know that they had the backing of the entire party.

Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis stressed that the government would not being judged at these elections but at the general elections in two years time, while stressing that important work had been done over the past two years that had to be promoted.

"The interior ministry has solved long-standing problems and the citizens must be told," he said.

According to Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, meanwhile, main opposition PASOK was "fishing in murky waters", generating uncertainty among voters, working people and youth and "continuing its long period of political immaturity".

Former health minister Nikitas Kaklamanis who will be running for Athens mayor stressed that the upcoming election will be crucial and called on Athenians, who he said were not carried away by party-political divisions and motives, to rally to the struggle for a better Athens.

He also announced that he was officially beginning his election campaign for the mayor's post on Thursday.

[03] Interior minister points to government reforms

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

According to the minister, the present government had in two years succeeded in doing all the things that previous PASOK governments had failed to achieve during 10 or more years in power, beginning with a series of emergency measures to help settle local government debts on favorable terms.

Pavlopoulos stressed the central role of the Thiseas program, noting that 45 per cent of the program's funds had already been distributed, as well as a series of steps taken by the government to tackle the "pathogenies of the past", such as determining the amount of local authority funds that had been withheld in 1998-2003 and starting a process to pay these.

Regarding local authority temporary workers, meanwhile, he pointed out that the government had promised to cover the conversion cost of making their contracts indefinite from the state budget.

Noting that a draft bill for the local authorities code will be tabled in Parliament on Monday, the minister said this would set up guarantees for social control of local government, establish a charter of rights for municipal citizens, draw up the local resident's guide and require that municipal authorities give an annual report its finances in a public session.

The bill also introduced a series of articles that limit supervision by the State, boost the social role of local authorities, modernize their financial management with transparent terms and reforms local authority enterprises, he said.

Turning to prefecture authorities, Pavlopoulos noted the increase in their funds under a modern funding and distribution system, and that they were now able to initiate investments and road repairs. He also pointed to new legislation for a prefectures' code, which will be named after Theodoros Katrivanos.

[04] Athens mayor, ND's Tzamtzis on elections

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Tzamtzis noted that municipal and prefecture elections have their own "content" and did not judge governments but they did lead to conclusions and judge people and abilities.

[05] PASOK party spokesman comments on PM's address at local administration conference

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Athanassakis added that the prime minister "will continue to undermine social cohesion with his so-called reforms and create generalized insecurity in society and will continue to break all his pre-election promises and implement ND's secret agenda."

The spokesman went on to say that Karamanlis "will continue on the path of hypocrisy and lies at a time when society really wants seriousness, responsibility and consistency and will continue to cover up the great crime of phone-tapping and the question is why."

Athanassakis further said that ND "does not believe even today" in decentralization and local administration. ND believes and serves and wants an ineffective concentrated and clientele state.

Responding to the statements by Athanassakis, the interior ministry said in an announcement that "all that has been done for local administration over the past two years did not take place not only during the last 10 years of PASOK governance but throughout the entire duration of its government tenures".

It said that "it is PASOK that never believed in decentralization and local administration," adding that "this is proved by the fact that in March 2004 (when the last general elections were held in the country) it had left first and second degree local administration in a state of economic collapse."

Lastly, it accuses Athanassakis of "a tactic of distorting reality," noting that "one could not expect PASOK's press representative to tell the truth because this was also his tactic during the period of the country's governance by PASOK."

[06] Communist Party criticises PM's speech

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

In its announcement, the party also dismissed the "charter of rights" for municipal citizens as "nothing more than a joke".

"The rights to work for all, free time and dignified living are foreign to the interests that ND serves. This was proved when it signed the disgraceful Collective Agreement between SEB and GSEE," the party said, while calling on the electorate to vote against both ruling ND and main opposition PASOK.

[07] European Socialist Group, PASOK to hold seminar on local gov't

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The purpose of the seminar is to brief PASOK officials and the candidates in the upcoming municipal and prefectural elections backed by PASOK, of policies and trends prevailing in the EU regarding local government and its role in European integration, improving citizens' quality of life and its contribution to integrating vulnerable social groups.

PASOK President George Papandreou will deliver the closing address on Sunday afternoon, while the Secretary of the party's National Council Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou will inaugurate the event.

Other speakers will include Gerhard Stahl, Secretary General of the EU Committee of the Regions; Giovanni Di Stasi, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe; Edi Rama, Mayor of Tirana, Albania; Pasqual Maragall, former mayor of Barcelona and President of Catalonia's Socialist party - Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya (PSC); and Marietta Karamanli, Deputy Mayor of Le Mans, France.

[08] Congressional resolution referring to FYROM as 'Macedonia' withdrawn

WASHINGTON, 08/04/2006 (ANA-MPA / T. Ellis)

The development comes after an intervention by three high-ranking members of the so-called "Hellenic caucus" in Congress -- Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Caroline Maloney (D-NY) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). Twenty-two out of 49 members of the committee expressed their opposition to the name "Macedonia" in the resolution.

On a state legislature level, a resolution tabled in Illinois' general assembly in support of the rights (religious, linguistic and self-determination) of "Macedonians" living in the Balkans was also thrown out following concerted efforts by ethnic Greek groups in the United States.

[09] FM hosts luncheon for Greek euro deputies

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The topics discussed during Friday's luncheon included developments within the European Union, enlargement, Western Balkan countries' and Turkey's EU accession prospects and the Cyprus issue.

Bakoyannis also briefed the euro deputies on the outcome of her recent visits to the US and Cyprus and asked them to contribute in the effort to promote national issues, saying that the current period is particularly important.

After the event, head of New Democracy's euro deputies Yiannis Varvitsiotis described the session as "a constructive exchange of views," while PASOK euro deputy and Secretary of the party's National Council Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou said it was an interesting meeting but noted that "more activity is necessary."

"Many important opportunities have been lost," she said.

ND euro deputy and former foreign minister Antonis Samaras said that agreement among political parties on national issues "is a good start."

Asked whether he sees a change in the country's foreign policy, Samaras answered that "current policy is a linear extension of the previous foreign policy."

[10] Deputy FM inaugurates int'l symposium on the expat community, inter-cultural exchange

THESSALONIKI, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The symposium, organized by the Thessaloniki Aristotelio University and and the Paris Sorbonne University, will examine issues related to the phenomenon of Diaspora, its history, related attitudes, its effect on culture as well as the effects of globalization.

"The intense mobility of populations witnessed in the early '90s, in combination with the creation of structures and opportunities for a globalize society makes the study of expatriate communities' behaviors and effects within the group mandatory," he said.

This, he said, is necessary so as "to reinforce actions that will prevent assimilation and will strengthen the cooperation among peoples through respect and the preservation of diversity, thus avoiding any attempts at coercing or guiding national conscience and preventing the disruption of peoples' cultural continuity, in whatever form it is expressed."

At the end of the first session, Kassimis was awarded a distinction by Sorbonne Professor Eliane Chiron.

The symposium is being sponsored by the foreign ministry's General Secretariat for Overseas Greeks.

[11] Resigned PASOK Parl. Group coordinator's letter to party leader

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Papandreou on Thursday evening called for and received Floridis' resignation following statements he made earlier in the day to an Athens radio station on labor relations and the social insurance system. PASOK Spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said Thursday that "the positions expressed by Mr. Floridis are his personal views, which create misinterpretations and do not reflect the positions of PASOK."

In his letter to Papandreou released on Friday, Floridis insisted on his positions, at the same time severely criticizing the New Democracy (ND) government on its policies concerning the Greek economy and labor relations.

Floridis claimed a "distortion" of his views "attempted by some sides", insinuating also on the part of PASOK cadres.

He further said that PASOK "must not cease its effort to forge modern positions on how to ensure employment and the security of workers and unemployed, particularly the young people", adding his belief that the views he expressed during the radio interview were within the framework of PASOK's policy endeavors.

Floridis stressed that PASOK must not be afraid of confronting the future and stipulating proposals that truly supported the working people in the face of "the old and new aristocracy of wealth, which is organizing itself with the ND government as its vehicle", and accused the current government of "systematically attacking the working people and their fundamental rights".

[12] FinMin, SYN on resignation of PASOK's Floridis

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Floridis was asked to resign by PASOK President George Papandreou on Thursday after making statements on an Athens radio station on labor relations and the social security system.

"Unrestricted firings and an increase in income tax - that is the real content of PASOK's [economic] policy," Alogoskoufis said.

"The only purpose of PASOK's vulgar attacks against the government's economic policy was to hide [PASOK's] objectives. The Scandinavian model of unrestricted firing and high taxation, which PASOK President likes to refer to, cannot be implemented in Greece. Further, this model requires consensual political behaviour, which over the years, PASOK has proven it cannot adopt," Alogoskoufis said.

On his part, Panagiotis Lafazanis, member of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party's Political Secretariat member and responsible for the party's economic and social policy, said: "It is ironic that Mr. Floridis is being expelled for specifying the neoliberal direction taken by PASOK's leadership, which in some cases goes way beyond industrialists' most secret desires."

"The statements the former PASOK economic coordinator made about firings, pale in comparison to proposals made by Mr. George Papandreou regarding non-insurance of young workers for the first four years of employment and proposals regarding private universities," he added.

Finally, Lafazanis said that "PASOK's policy is at an absolute impasse; [on the one hand], PASOK's leadership wants to appear as an opposition force, on the other it effectively agrees with government policies, as became evident recently with the unacceptable collective labor agreement for low wage earners, which both [Prime Minister Costas] Mr. Karamanlis and Mr. Papandreou hailed."

[13] Deputy DM addresses conference on development and stability in SE Mediterranean

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

"The consolidation of security and stability in the SE Mediterranean requires a coordinated campaign of international diplomacy to overcome prejudices, handle the misunderstandings created with success and build mutual confidence and understanding," he said.

The deputy minister reminded that "Greece is participating actively in every initiative by the international community concerning the shaping of security and stability parameters which will determine the future of the SE Mediterranean."

Mihaloliakos further said that "our country places special importance on strengthening political dialogue, promoting measures for building confidence between the partners and promoting investments in Mediterranean countries to back the reformist process."

[14] Coalition party leader holds talks with German Democratic Socialism Party president

BERLIN, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Alavanos said after the meeting that they discussed cooperation between the Left, particularly "the convergence of the historic left with the radical socialists who do not accept the options of social democrat parties on the dissolution of the social state and the unaccountability of markets."

He added that the Germans have taken great steps with the creation of the Parliamentary Group of the Left and noted that "we are also taking small but important steps in this direction as, for example, with the creation of the ticket for the Athens-Piraeus supraprefecture."

[15] European meeting of communist and workers' parties beginning on Saturday

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The inauguration of the conference, that will be open to journalists, will be carried out by KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga.

Changes taking place in education, in the direction of privatization, will be discussed during the conference. The discussion will focus on the issue of "The Lisbon strategy and restructuring in the educational systems. Struggle fronts and the response of the workers' and communist movement."

Possibilities of "developing cooperation among communists and the assumption of joint initiatives to seek education that will serve the modern-day enlarged popular needs" will also be examined.

[16] Solidarity march for Kurdish people held in Thessaloniki

THESSALONIKI, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The demonstrators gathered in the area of Kamara and marched through main streets towards the Turkish consulate. A banner at the head of the march read "The struggle of the Kurdish people is just."

Police forces and vans blocked the way for the demonstrators at a short distance from the consulate, preventing them from approaching it.

[17] FinMin underlines need for dialogue on pension system

VIENNA, 08/04/2006 (ANA-MPA/D. Dimitrakoudis)

Speaking to reporters in Vienna, during a Eurogroup meeting, and an informal Dialogue Forum with Asian countries organized by the Austrian EU presidency, the Greek minister stressed the necessity of a dialogue to focus, initially, on the condition of the pension system. The government was implementing a specific reform program with success and with significant results, he said. He stressed that the government must prepare the ground for reforms not included in its four-year program, but for the next four years.

The European economy is steadily improving with its prospects looking good, Alogoskoufis said.

Speaking to reporters, after a Eurogroup meeting, the Greek minister said Euro-zone finance ministers were discussing European Commission's estimates, not yet published, but noted that forecasts were generally favorable.

Alogoskoufis stressed there were imbalances in the global economy and in Asia, with the foreign exchange issue and the fact that Asia has not yet promoted structural reforms to open its markets to foreign products. The European view on the issue was that Asia must be more flexible in its currency regime to support a more balanced international trade and a more balanced global economy.

[18] Gov't encourages Greek business investments in Georgia

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

During a meeting between the Greek and Georgian delegations, which was also attended by foreign ministry secretary general Theodoros Skylakakis, the prospect of Greek participation in the privatization of the Black Sea port of Batumi, and cooperation in energy issues, was discussed.

Stylianidis noted that Georgia was a priority country in Greece's developmental policy, while Chogovadze expressed appreciation for the assistance received by his country, making special reference to the Greek foreign ministry's Hellenic Aid organization's financing allocated to the Tblisi tourism school for the transfer of know-how in the tourism sector.

The visiting delegation said that present-day George was very different from the Georgia of the past, and that significant efforts were made to rid the country of the mismanagement of the past. The Georgian delegates also expressed the desire to diversify its exports and not be dependent solely on Russia, with which its relations have cooled off recently.

Chogovadze said George sought to sign a Free Trade Pact with the European Union, taking advantage of the European Neighborhood institutional framework.

Referring to Batumi, he invited the Greek business community to take part in the privatization process aimed at concession of the management of the port for 49 years, adding that international interest has been manifested in this privatization.

Stylianidis said he encouraged Greek entrepreneurs, and particularly the shipping community, banks and other companies involved in port management, to take part in that effort, adding that the foreign ministry would provide the necessary political support, but adding that it was up to the market to decide.

Both sides noted the particular importance of the port of Batumi, which services the neighboring countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey), and through which large quantities of oil products transited.

On cooperation in the energy sector, Stylianidis noted that the natural gas pipeline stretching from Baku to Greece passes through Georgia, and thus was a positive precedent for further cooperation. The two sides further expressed interest in cooperation in the field of alternative energy, in which Greece has acquired substantial know-how in the past decades.

The composition of the Georgian delegation, which also included the deputy ministers of development and energy, the chairman of the state enterprises management organization, the national investments organization director, and the vice-president of the country's central bank, reflected the priorities of the Georgian government regarding cooperation with Greece.

Stylianidis said that there would be a follow-up to Friday's meeting with a visit by a Greek delegation to Georgia.

He also said that the historic bonds between the two countries -- which were stressed by both sides -- would contribute to the strengthening of their bilateral relations.

[19] Greece aims to become energy hub in Southeastern Europe

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Addressing a meeting of the World Union of LNG Importing Companies in Athens, the Greek minister stressed that Greece has build a LNG terminal in Revithousa budgeted at 300 million euros. The unit has two storage tanks with a capacity of 130,000 cubic meters. The project is part of a strategy to diversify the country's energy sources and to meet increased demand for natural gas.

The Revithousa terminal has the capacity to supply the country's National Transportation System with natural gas at 407 cubic meters of LNG per hour. It is one of the most advanced terminals in the world and can offer services to vessels with a tonnage of up to 130,000 cubic meters.

Sioufas said Greece's Natural Gas Public Enterprise (DEPA) is currently implementing a upgrading of Revithousa's facilities with a project worth 46 million euros, of which 21.5 million euros will be paid by the Greek state. After completion of the project, Revithousa will have a supply capacity of 1,000 cubic meters of LNG per hour.

Development Deputy Minister Anastasios Nerantzis said that liquefied natural gas was contributing in improving the country's energy balance, enhancing the security of total energy supply and promoted competition in the domestic market. He underlined that Greece was promoting all necessary actions to become a significant energy hub in Southeastern Europe.

The meeting was attended by representatives of: BG GROUP PLC (UK), DISTRIGAS (Belgium), GAS NATURAL SDG (Spain), GAZ DE FRANCE (France), KOREA GAS CORPORATION (South Korea), MITSUBISHI GAS CORPORATION (Japan), MITSUBISHI FRANCE SAS (France), OSAKA GAS CO (Japan), SUEZ GLOBAL LNG LTD (US), TOKYO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY (Japan) ��� TOKYO GAS LTD (Japan).

[20] Contract to build long-delayed Thessaloniki metro signed

THESSALONIKI, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The 1.1-billion-euro agreement was signed by Public Works Minister George Souflias and representatives of the winning consortium (AEGEK, Impreglio, Ansando, TSF, Seli and Ansaldobreda), while Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos signed on behalf of the municipality, which is the second largest in the east Mediterranean country, behind Athens, and the capital of the Macedonia province of northern Greece.

In brief statements to reporters, Souflias said funding for the project has been derived from the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF) program and with a favorable loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The minister said the initial phase envisions a 9.6-kilometer metro axis with 13 stations, running across the breadth of Thessaloniki, a metropolis built mostly parallel to its seafront along the Thermaikos Gulf. Actual work is expected to begin in May, with construction expected to last 6.5 years.

Supervision of the construction project, on the state's side, will be entrusted to Attiko Metro S.A., the semi-state firm that manages Athens metro system.

In an unrelated development, Souflias also commented on another long-delayed but absolutely imperative major infrastructure project in Greece, namely, the creation of a land registry.

"...The European Union has declined to fund it (land registry) because of past illegalities and mismanagement, and the only solution now is self-financing with a fair and proportional manner, along with state support. Everything else is just talk," Souflias told reporters, adding that a relevant draft bill will be tabled in Parliament over the next few days.

[21] Chamber event focuses on Indian economy, market

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

According to speakers at the event, entitled "India in the 21st Century", a massive trade gap currently exists between the two countries, with Greek exports to India totaling US$26.3 million in 2004, as opposed to $329.8 million worth of Indian imports to Greece the same year.

[22] INFOTE to present its Greek business network in USA

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

INFOTE said in a statement on Friday that it will take part in two international exhibitions: Greece Expo at the Lincoln Centre, New York and Hermes Expo, Atlantic City, April 8-9.

Special events to present the network (www.greekbiz.com) will also be organized in Chicago on April 5 in cooperation with the Council of Greeks Abroad; and in New York April 7 under the auspices of the Greek Press Office and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.

Handling the company's US promotion will be CEO Ioannis Vassilaras, accompanied by senior management.

The Greek Business Network is an internet club and meeting place for businesses and professionals to promote contact and new business partnerships amongst its members, the statement said.

It has so far been introduced to the Greek business communities in Australia, Romania, and Canada.

INFOTE, a subsidiary of Athens-quoted Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), also offers electronic and voice services.

The company plans to become the leading information provider in south Eastern Europe.

[23] Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling completes purchase of Lanitis Bros Ltd.

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling said it now controlled 95.43 percent of Lanitis Bros' equity capital and would seek the delisting of the latter company's shares from the Cyprus Stock Exchange.

Doros Constantinou, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling's chief executive, expressed his satisfaction over the successful outcome of the purchase and stressed that Lanitis Bros has a complete portfolio of bottled beverages.

[24] Seaplane route to Corfu inaugurated

PATRA, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The firm inaugurating seaplane routes, AirSea Lines, has also announced routes from Patra, Greece's biggest port on its western coast, to the Ionian islands of Zakynthos and Cephalonia. Fares reportedly begin at 80 euros.

[25] Germanwings launches Iraklio-Cologne route

IRAKLIO, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The route, served by a weekly flight that is due to double at the peak of the summer season, is the airline's third link between Greece and Germany.

[26] Business delegation to Lebanon

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The delegation, arranged with the Thessaloniki Chamber of Trade and Industry, will have the opportunity to make contact with Lebanese firms and learn about the country's market.

[27] Technical Chamber of Greece begins national conference on Rhodes

RHODES, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

The conference will run through Sunday and will focus on issues such us a review of fees for studies and supervision of private works, technical education issues, engineers' professional rights and others.

[28] EXPO exhibitions have great development impact on cities hosting them

THESSALONIKI, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

He said that EXPO exhibitions have been visited by half a billion people to date, while addressing the two-day international conference organized by the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Light Industry and Professional chambers, the Thessaloniki Trade Society and the federations of Industries and Exporters of Northern Greece.

He further pointed out that despite the considerable revenues produced for host cities by the EXPO exhibitions, the infrastructures created to host them can be changed in the future into very profitable places of business activity.

[29] ERT Satellite Television presents its changes and targets

NEW YORK, 08/04/2006 (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou)

ERT Sat will become ERT world and the first presentation for this change and for the program's "new structure and philosophy" took place in New York. The director of ERT's Satellite Television, Nikos Kourtis, spoke to journalists and members of the Greek American community, saying that "our aim is to have ERT world acquire the image of a National Satellite Television."

The program's coordinator, journalist Yiannis Provis, said that "we are seeking new ways and new forms to enable ERT world to respond to the world of expatriates."

Also present at the event, was the Archbishop of America Dimitrios who congratulated ERT's officials and expressed the gratitude of the Greek American community for the "interest and love" shown by Greece's state-run television for expatriate Hellenism and wished "every success for the targets and visions of the officials."

Greece's general consul in New York, Ekaterini Boura, referred to the "national significance" of Greek television outside the borders of the country.

The director of the Greek Press Office, Theodosis Dimitrakopoulos spoke of the "need for promoting informative and cultural programs which will also appeal to a foreign audience as well."

Kourtis presented an analytical program with the changes, targets and innovations of the satellite program, pointing out that "one of our main pursuits is increasing the program production percentage, particularly for satellite television, which will respond to the interests and wishes of Diaspora Greeks and of people of Greek origin, as well as of the international community, which will be informed of Greek issues, mainly of a cultural content."

[30] Vavylis re-sentenced to 7-year prison term

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Vavylis was flown to Athens on Thursday following his extradition from Italy.

In a statement before the three-judge misdemeanor tribunal, Vavylis repeated his defense of transporting a small amount of heroin into Greece more than a decade ago in order to help local law enforcement authorities.

Vavylis, a former aide of ousted former Jerusalem patriarch Irineos, has been accused of forgery, fraud, being an accomplice to fraud, appropriating objects of great value entrusted to him by the manager of foreign property, complicity to embezzle, stealing police documents, theft, forging a passport, harboring a criminal, libel and perjury, among others.

The charges concern his activities in Greece, Israel and Italy, while his "career" includes stints as a police informant, a law enforcement equipment sales rep and even impersonation of a monk.

[31] Justice Minister: Most inmates to be transferred from Korydallos by early '07

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Justice Minister Anastasis Papaligouras, whose portfolio includes supervision of correctional facilities, made the statement in Parliament during debate on a tabled question towards the government regarding conditions in the prisons.

The question, tabled by Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) MP Fotis Kouvelis, comes a week after three inmates at Korydallos sustained fatal burns during a fire in their cell.

Papaligouras said the goal in the medium-term is to transform Korydallos, the largest prison complex in the country, into a holding facility for court defendants held without bail.

The Korydallos complex, located in the working class near-Piraeus municipality of the same name, currently hosts separate wings for convicted felons, drug-related inmates, a women's section, an infirmary, a specially modified courtroom and special holding cells for high-risk and notable inmates, such as the convicted "November 17" members and two aging protagonists of a military junta.

The minister also touched on the problem of prison overcrowding, saying the government inherited a correctional system with 9,500 inmates and prisoners being housed in facilities built to accommodate 5,500, whereas an urgent program to build six new units and renovate another unit will add 2,400 new beds.

The renovated unit, in the Elaiona township of rural Thebes prefecture, north of Athens, will house women inmates, he said, after the current unit is transferred from Korydallos.

[32] Commission again warns Athens over environmental protection

BRUSSELS, 08/04/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The second case concerns the lack of protection of wild birds in the Messolonghi lagoon of western Greece, which was designated as a special protection area under the Wild Birds Directive and is part of the Natura 2000 EU-wide network of protected nature sites, according to a Commission press release.

"Discharging urban waste water without proper treatment constitutes a danger to both health and the environment. By not complying with European law, the Greek authorities not only risk further legal action, but also considerable losses of EU funding," Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, who hails from Greece, said.

The Commission has sent Greece a first written warning for not having executed the European Court of Justice's ruling of June 2004.

The Commission has also sent Greece a first written warning for failing to endow the Messolonghi lagoon with a legal protection regime, in spite of a European Court of Justice ruling from 2005. The lagoon was recognized on an international level under the Ramsar Convention for wetlands and was designated as a special protection area (SPA) under the Wild Birds Directive. SPAs are scientifically identified areas critical for the survival of the bird species targeted by the Directive. They form part of the EU-wide Natura 2000 network of protected nature sites and areas.

[33] Border guards seize 100 kilos of Indian cannabis

FLORINA, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

According to a police announcement, border guards from the Krystallopighi department, acting on a tip-off, stopped the car at dawn on Friday. The car's driver, however, managed to flee into the night while his co-driver, a 27-year-old Albanian, was arrested for lacking necessary travel documents.

An ensuing search of the car, with the assistance of a sniffer dog, led to the discovery of 100 packets of Indian cannabis, each weighing one kilo, which were confiscated.

[34] Police officers face felony charges in rape case

RHODES, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Two of the police officers are charged with rape and abuse of power, while the other four are charged with either violation of duties, abuse of power and/or complicity.

The two businessmen are being charged with forced prostitution and violation of immigration laws. According to the woman, the two had arranged for her to go to Rhodes from Crete on March 23.

The police officers are denying the woman's allegations, saying that her accusations were made in an attempt to disrupt the process of extradition the police had begun.

The charges were brought against the eight suspects by Rhodes' First Instance Prosecutor Yiorgos Economou, who has also ordered that the woman be guarded on a 24-hour basis by police.

The woman is being hospitalized and is being provided with psychological support.

[35] Athens University dean George Bambiniotis new president of Hellenic Foundation for Culture

ATHENS, 08/04/2006 (ANA)

Voulgarakis accepted the resignation from the post of Stavros Xarhakos on Thursday night who said in a letter that he resigned to facilitate the Foundation's new task.

According to an announcement by the culture ministry, the Foundation's new board will be announced in the next few days.

[36] President Papadopoulos to pay official visit to India

NICOSIA , 08/04/2006(CNA/ANA-MPA)

During his visit in India, President Papadopoulos will hold official talks with his Indian counterpart, the Indian Prime Minster Dr.

Manmohan Singh, and other members of the Cabinet, with whom he will discuss the Cyprus problem, ways to enhance the Cyprus-India relations, the United Nations reform, as well as other international matters.

According to an official press release, during his stay in India, President Papadopoulos will address the business symposium organized by the Chambers of Commerce of New Delhi, and he will be the key speaker at a conference by the ''Indian World Affairs Council''.

President Papadopoulos will also visit Mumbai and Bangalore, where he will meet with local Governors and officials of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

He will also visit Indian industries of high technology.

President Papadopoulos will be accompanied by Foreign Minister George Iacovou, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, George Lillikas, Director General of the Ministry of Finance, Christos Patsalides and the President's special advisor Chrysis Pantelides.

Moreover, a delegation of Cypriot businessmen and academics will accompany the president during his visit.

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