Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-05-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Bakoyannis: History does not forgive missed opportunities

[02] President Papoulias, PM Karamanlis and party leaders issue messages regarding Pontian genocide

[03] President voices message against war and barbarity, in memorial event for victims of Nazi atrocities

[04] PASOK leader attacks gov't on farm, foreign policy

[05] PASOK party's regional conferences continuing over weekend

[06] Coalition party leader addresses Central Political Committee

[07] SYN leader says gov't is 'dissolving the social state'

[08] Poll shows dissatisfaction with PASOK's exercise of opposition

[09] Former PASOK party minister visits Xanthi

[10] Annual Marathon Peace march held

[11] Crete's peace movements demonstrate outside US base at Akrotiri

[12] Central bank governor appeals for more rapid structural changes

[13] Parliamentary deputies call for upgrading of Souda port

[14] Conference held in Patra on 'Western Railway Axis'

[15] Conference on social dimension of new technologies

[16] Athens municipality honors Mother's Day

[17] Studies: Low percentage of women in top local gov't positions

[18] Fatal traffic accidents decrease in Thessaloniki during first four months of year

[19] Police arrest two for trafficking child porn through Internet

[20] Two arrested on migrant-smuggling charges

[21] Olympiakos crowned champions; AEK in champions League qualifier

[22] Papadopoulos says Turkey does not intend to implement EU Protocol

[23] Cypriot, British ministers meet in Vienna

[01] FM Bakoyannis: History does not forgive missed opportunities

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In an interview appearing in the Sunday edition of the daily Ethnos, Bakoyannis said progress was already being made in the direction of setting up so-called "technical committees" that will discuss certain issues of common interest.

She added that the volition of the Cyprus government was for the committees to also deal with political issues, "in other words, issues of substance", so that they could act in a preparatory way for a new initiative, which she stressed must be well-prepared.

"With respect to the Cyprus issue, I have said a simple truth, which is understood by all my counterparts: A solution that is imposed, against the view of the people, cannot be a solution. For there to be a solution, it must be well-prepared and acceptable by both leadership and people," Bakoyannis continued. Turning to the outstanding matter of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' visit to Turkey, Bakoyannis reiterated that "at this time we are seeking a new date via the diplomatic channels". Asked whether this date could possibly be in 2006, she replied "of course".

In reply to another question, the foreign minister reiterated Athens' standing position, namely, "in cases of search and rescue operations inside the Athens FIR (Flight Information Region), the authority and coordination belongs to Greece".

Turning to the outstanding matter of prime minister Costas Karamanlis' visit to Turkey, Bakoyannis reiterated that "at this time we are seeking a new date via the diplomatic channels" and, asked whether this date could prospectively be in 2006, she replied "of course".

To another question, the foreign minister reiterated the firm Greek position that "in cases of search and rescue operations inside the Athens FIR (Flight Information Region), the authority and coordination belongs to Greece".

[02] President Papoulias, PM Karamanlis and party leaders issue messages regarding Pontian genocide

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The event was hosted at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, Macedonia by the National Federation of Pontian (ethnic Greeks in the Black Sea area) Societies.

Papoulias said noted that "the Black Sea Greeks, despite all adversities, have healed their wounds, are living on the land of the motherland, are contributing to the progress achieved in our country and preserve the roots and memory of lost motherlands."

The prime minister, on his part, stressed that "respecting, in practice, the teachings of history, Greece today is a force of peace, democracy and development for the wider region. Being the only European Union member-state in southeastern Europe, we actively support the effort of all our neighbors to join the European family, provided, of course, that they fully respond to all obligations entailed by the option of this path."

Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou said the history of Pontian Hellenism is well known, as is its contribution to the development of modern-day Greece, while adding that the international community must recognize the Pontian genocide.

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party leader Alekos Alavanos said his party remains steadfastly in solidarity with the struggles of the Pontian communities.

The leader of the out-of-Parliament Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party, George Karatzaferis, called on Greeks never to forget the sacrifice of the Pontians.

[03] President voices message against war and barbarity, in memorial event for victims of Nazi atrocities

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Peace cannot be imposed by war, Papoulias told reporters at the event, adding that it was everyone's duty to resist barbarity and the school of thought that maintains that only through violence can there be progress and democracy.

"It is a duty for me, as a man who lived 15 years in Germany and still cannot reply to the question: Why this barbarity, why this inhumanity? The new generation of Germans is, of course, consoling. The political class of Germans has come to overcome this heavy past. I believe it has overcome it," Papoulias said.

Germany, he continued, "is a progressive, democratic country that is fighting for its future".

"I believe, though, that we have the duty of resisting barbarity. Of resisting the thought, the school, that maintains that only with violence can there be progress and democracy," Papoulias said, adding: "Progress and democracy presuppose peace, and peace cannot be imposed by polemic means. We, all the peoples, must fight (for peace), on a global scale, and the political class must be at the forefront. The struggle for peace is the ultimate ideal of the land and, through peace, all the virtues of a humanitarian civilization will arise."

At a lunch hosted later in his honor, the President called for vigilance against barbarity, stressing that knowledge of history was the safe way to political maturity.

"The horrendous and callous crimes committed in the name of the Hitlerian principle of 'collective responsibility' comprise a dark page in the history of the 20th century, to which we have the duty to return in our effort to interpret that abhorrent phenomenon so that it may never be repeated," Papoulias said.

Today, we express our respect to the victims of the Nazi barbarity who, on that morning of April 24, 1944, became martyrs in the struggle for freedom, the President continued.

He said the collective experience of the Nazi occupation was another side of the collective duty: to never allow time to cover up these crimes and to be on a constant vigilance so that the world may not fall again into barbarity.

"For me, personally, my presence in every corner of Greece that suffered under the occupation and vindictiveness of the occupiers is a great honor and duty. And for every generation of our country, the knowledge of history is, I believe, a safe path to political maturity," Papoulias continued.

President Papoulias attended a Te Deum at the Archangellon (Archangels) Church, followed by a memorial service at the Momument of the Fallen, where he laid a wreath.

Also attending the events were Macedonia-Thrace minister George Kalantzis, MPs, Vermio mayor Sophocles Sidiropoulos, and representatives of the local authorities.

[04] PASOK leader attacks gov't on farm, foreign policy

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papandreou repeatedly accused the New Democracy (ND) government of 'secret agendas', and spoke of "hopes lost", adding that PASOK was the "third road".

Regarding foreign policy, Papandreou said Greece was "absent" both in the Balkans and in Europe.

"Everything is where we (the preceding PASOK governments) left them," he said, charging that the government was interested only in "dividing the citizens into green (PASOK-affiliated) and blue (ND-affiliated), and working out methods to establish the client-state and political favors".

Additionally, he accused the government of "using an old right-wing recipe", adding that the measures it was taking and its public pronouncements provided only "crumbs", aimed at the elections. "The only thing they care about is the elections and how to get the vote of the ordinary citizen".

Regarding the everyday problems faced by the citizens, Papandreou spoke of a "climate of high prices", accusing the government of not being able to control the market to the benefit of the consumers while, on the economy, he said that the steps taken for the dismissed workers of the Naousa textile mills were inadequate.

He accused Karamanlis of choosing to cut back on funds to the provinces for infrastructure projects, saying that the premier "considers investment in the provinces wasteful spending", and also accused the government of abandoning the farm sector.

Gov't spokesman: Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, commenting on an earlier address by main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou at a local party conference in Lamia, central Greece, said that "wooden language, demolishing everything and polarization are the last resort of Mr. Papandreou and his party."

"It is the only thing they can respond with vis-à-vis the tangible results of the new governance, results which the citizens and all international organizations are aware of. Unfortunately, for them, they cannot convince anyone any more," Roussopoulos added.

[05] PASOK party's regional conferences continuing over weekend

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The purpose of the initiative is to promote and discuss the party's positions on local administration, decentralization and public administration, as well as to examine issues concerning regional development and local societies.

PASOK wants the regional conferences to become a wider venue for dialogue and consultation and discussions will include party cadres, deputies, Eurodeputies and municipal and prefecture candidates.

Party leader George Papandreou will be addressing a regional conference in Lamia, central Greece, at the Labor Centre on Sunday morning. Three other regional conferences will be taking place in other cities on the same day.

[06] Coalition party leader addresses Central Political Committee

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Alavanos said that the government has been exposed because it had provided assurances that no abductions had taken place.

Referring at length to the dialogue on the social insurance issue, the Coalition party leader stressed that his party is utilizing every possibility at its disposal, particularly in Parliament, to promote its own proposals as well as its substantiated positions on the social insurance issue.

On the question of the constitution's amendment, Alavanos said that before laws concerning the previous amendments in 1996 and 2001 were issued, meaning before these amendments were implemented, we are heading for a new constitutional amendment.

Alavanos announced that next week the party will be promoting a series of positions regarding support for social rights and the social state, the widening of freedoms and of democracy and respect for the environment.

Lastly, commenting on the work of the 4th European Social Forum that took place earlier this month, Alavanos expressed his absolute satisfaction.

[07] SYN leader says gov't is 'dissolving the social state'

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

ND, he said, was establishing a bankers' state, re-establishing the partisan state with its essential abolition of the ASEP (civil service hiring examinations board), and turning Greece over "to the international para-state of the US and British secret services".

Alavanos also accused the main opposition PASOK party of being in line with the views of the government on central points, "from the lack of daring to reveal the US's role in the telephone tapings, to the retirement age".

He said, however, that it was "a good thing" that PASOK, "which backed the institution of the (Kavala-Drama-Xanthi) supra-prefecture as a fortress against the rights of the minority citizens of Greece, is taking, after so many years, a step towards our perception", and called on the main opposition party to co-sign an amendment to be tabled by SYN calling for the abolition of the two supra-prefectures in northern Greece.

[08] Poll shows dissatisfaction with PASOK's exercise of opposition

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to the results of the poll, conducted on May 10-11 by phone nationwide in a sampling of 1,359 households, 48.5 percent of the respondents said they were "not satisfied" and 13.0 percent replied they were "rather not satisfied", while 19.9 percent replied that they were "satisfied" and 16.8 percent said they were "rather satisfied". Another 1.9 percent were "not sure" or declined to reply.

Respondents were more or less in agreement, however, on PASOK leader George Papandreou's decision to back Gul Karahasan, a woman member of the Moslem community and alternate secretary of PASOK's municipal organization in Miki in the Xanthi prefecture, as the PASOK-backed candidate for the Drama-Xanthi-Kavala supraprefecture.

More specifically, 46.1 percent "agree", with the decision and 8.3 percent "rather agree", while 38.9 percent "disagree" and 5.3 percent "rather disagree", whereas 1.4 percent were not sure or declined to reply.

The percentages varied somewhat among the 611 households polled in the Drama, Xanthi, Kavala region, where 44.2 percent "agree", 8.2 percent "rather agree", 43.9 percent "disagree" and 5.3 percent "rather disagree", while 0.7 percent were not sure or declined to reply.

However, with respect to voters' intent in the households polled in the Drama-Kavala-Xanthi supra-prefecture, the ruling New Democracy (ND) party-backed candidate led with 41.9 percent over Karahasan, who was backed by 27.7 percent of the respondents, while 14.7 percent backed "other candidates" and 15.7 percent were not sure or declined to reply.

[09] Former PASOK party minister visits Xanthi

15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papandreou was referring to the stir caused by the party's nomination of Gul Karahasan for the Drama-Kavala-Xanthi supraprefecture and to comments made by a section of the press that the main opposition party will lose the votes of the Christian population in Thrace.

Addressing a press conference shortly before a scheduled meeting with local party cadres and candidates, she pointed out that PASOK chose a young and capable woman to run for the supraprefecture in the region to show that all citizens have the same rights and obligations and that there are competent and capable women who can and must provide for local administration.

[10] Annual Marathon Peace march held

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Anti-war, pacifist and pro-peace banners and slogans again dominated the march, begun by late peace activist and leftist MP Grigoris Lambrakis more than 45 years.

[11] Crete's peace movements demonstrate outside US base at Akrotiri

15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Demonstrators gathered outside the Hania municipal market at noon, from where a convoy of cars went to the US base -- where a strong police contingent was deployed -- chanting "Foreign bases off the island" and "Greece must remain out of the US plans for an intervention in Iran", as well as other anti-US, anti-NATO and anti-war slogans.

[12] Central bank governor appeals for more rapid structural changes

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The central bank governor said he was concerned about ensuring conditions of stability and structural changes in the economy. He also stressed that lack of structural changes was responsible for poverty, and rejected criticism that he was counter-acting the interests of the salaried personnel.

Garganas said he was also concerned over the plethora of commissions and other charges imposed by banks on customers, saying he has proposed to the government that it introduce legislation enabling the central bank to handle "issues regarding the protection of citizens in their transactions with the banks". One of those issues proposed, he continued, is the establishment of rules on determining which transactions the banks would be slapped with commissions or payment for expenses incurred.

The Bank of Greece governor again warned citizens to avoid excessive borrowing, and for trade unions not to demand salary increases that generate inflation and consequently reduce the real incomes of wage-earners. He also politicians should not be drawn into a race of promises of benefits ahead of the next elections.

Garganas said he was satisfied, however, by the agreement between the two mainstream parties -- ruling New Democracy (ND) party and main opposition PASOK -- to discuss the future of the social insurance system.

He said it was only right that social and political consensus be ensured, but warned that lack of consensus must not become an alibi for avoiding necessary changes.

His comments were carried in the Sunday edition of Kathimerini.

[13] Parliamentary deputies call for upgrading of Souda port

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The issue was discussed at the Hania Prefecture on Saturday in the presence of ruling New Democracy party Deputy Stelios Nikiforakis and main opposition PASOK party Deputies Manolis Skoulakis and Nikos Christodoulakis.

The participants agreed to jointly pursue the demand for the creation of an agency titled "Souda Port SA" which will include all the ports in the prefecture. What will be sought will be the business and commercial upgrading of the port and of its infrastructures.

[14] Conference held in Patra on 'Western Railway Axis'

15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The importance of the project was stressed during the conference since, as speakers pointed out, it directly concerns 1.5 million inhabitants and constitutes a basic precondition for the development of the country's western coast.

Former transport and communications minister Christos Verelis said in his address that "the project will contribute to the improvement and development in general of infrastructures in nearby regions, contributing in principle and in this way to the economic development of Ipiros and Western Greece."

[15] Conference on social dimension of new technologies

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

This was revealed during a conference held at the "Books Arcade" on the issue of "The social dimension of new technologies."

Ruling New Democracy party Deputy and president of the Permanent Parliamentary National Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, Panayiotis Kammenos, said at the conference that Greece is far behind regarding Internet issues since we have the highest access cost to the Internet in our country. He added that in countries such as Bulgaria invoices are 50 percent cheaper compared to Greece.

[16] Athens municipality honors Mother's Day

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Children painted cards and gave flowers to their mothers, where the city's philharmonic orchestra played in the background.

The event was attended by Athens Mayor Theodoros Bechrakis, deputy mayors and municipal councilors.

[17] Studies: Low percentage of women in top local gov't positions

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to two studies presented, only 56.86 percent of the women elected in municipal governments and 56.76 percent of women elected to prefecture governments believed that women held a satisfactory proportion of high-ranking administrative posts.

[18] Fatal traffic accidents decrease in Thessaloniki during first four months of year

15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

During this period 16 fatal accidents occurred compared to 34 in the previous year. A total of 20 people were killed, 74 were seriously injured and 669 were injured to a lesser degree.

During the corresponding four-month period last year 38 people were killed, 107 were seriously injured and 763 slightly.

The Traffic Department pointed out that "the most decisive factor is the conscientious compliance of motorists and pedestrians with road safety rules" and realizing the, very often, tragic hazards existing on roads.

[19] Police arrest two for trafficking child porn through Internet

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to police, the culprits, one of whom is a businessman in Mykonos, had created a website through which they used to refer Internet users to other websites abroad containing porn, mainly involving children.

At the same time, whoever entered the website in question had his telephone diverted to telephone numbers abroad at a high cost.

Two electronic computers and four hard discs were found in the homes of the offenders which, according to police, contained tens of thousands of digital archives with videos and photographs showing hardcore porn between children, adults and animals.

[20] Two arrested on migrant-smuggling charges

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to reports, each of the illegal immigrants had paid the suspects 500 euros to gain entrance into the country.

[21] Olympiakos crowned champions; AEK in champions League qualifier

ATHENS, 15/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

AEK Athens, meanwhile, ended the season on a positive note by edging Panathinaikos Athens for second place to guarantee a Champions League playoff qualifying match in August. Both rivals ended with 67 points, with AEK going ahead in the head-to-head matches. AEK earned a scoreless tie with Xanthi at home on Sunday at the same time as Panathinaikos handily beat Larissa away 3-0.

All matches played over the weekend for the Greek first division soccer championship had the following results:

Iraklis Thessaloniki - Kallithea Athens 3-2

OFI Crete - Levadiakos Livadia 2-0

Olympiakos Piraeus - Ionikos Piraeus 0-0

PAOK Thessaloniki - Apollon Kalamaria 1-2

Egaleo Athens - Panionios Athens 0-3

Akratitos Athens - Atromitos Athens 0-2

Larissa - Panathinaikos Athens 0-3

AEK Athens �" Xanthi 0-0

Final standings after 30 weeks of play:

Olympiakos 70 (Champions League)

AEK 67 (Champions League - 3rd qualifying round)

Panathinaikos 67 (UEFA Cup)

Iraklis 51 (UEFA Cup)

Xanthi 47 (UEFA Cup)

PAOK 46 (UEFA Cup)

Atromitos 42 (Intertoto)

Larissa 39

Apollon Kalamaria 38

Egaleo 33

Ionikos 32

Panionios 32

OFI 31

Levadiakos 31 (Relegated)

Kallithea 20 (Relegated)

Akratitos 18 (Relegated)

 Levadiakos, Kallithea and Akratitos were relegated to the second division, while Ergotelis Crete, Kerkyra (Corfu) and Aris Thessaloniki were promoted to the first division.

[22] Papadopoulos says Turkey does not intend to implement EU Protocol

LARNACA, 15/5/2006 (CNA/ANA)

He also called on "those not led by malicious intent" to criticize the Turkish side and make clear that so far it has not consented to the operation of the technical committees that will deal with aspects of the Cyprus problem, or to the appointment of the third member of the Committee for Missing Persons.

President Papadopoulos was speaking yesterday at Larnaca Airport on his return from Vienna, where he participated in the EU-Latin America and Caribbean summit.

Replying to questions, President Papadopoulos said that in Paris, during his meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, "it was agreed that committees would be set up to prepare the ground for the discussion of the fundamental issues of the Cyprus problem, as well as other matters aiming at improving the climate and dealing with routine issues."

"For both the agreement of both is necessary," he pointed out, adding that "instead of criticizing our side for the fact that the committees have not yet started work, those who are not led by malicious intent should criticize the Turkish side and make clear that so far it has not consented to the operation of the technical committees or to the appointment of the third member of the Committee for Missing Persons."

Referring to the implementation of the Ankara Protocol, President Papadopoulos said that Turkey "not only has failed to comply so far, but provocatively at every opportunity declares on every level that it does not intend to."

"This is an issue that will be examined, as already decided, by the Commission of the EU and later by the Council, in October or November this year," he added.

Asked if any indications were given during his meeting in Vienna with Annan that the UN would exert pressure on Turkey towards the operation of the technical committees, President Papadopoulos said Annan asked "what was going on" and knew the answer.

He added that Annan's Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller has briefed the UN Secretary General on the current status.

[23] Cypriot, British ministers meet in Vienna

NICOSIA, 15/5/2006 (CNA/ANA)

Hoon said he knows Cyprus quite well following his term in office at the European Parliament and through contacts with the Cypriot community in Britain.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has asked his minister to list bilateral relations in his list of priorities of issues that he has to deal with, according to an official press release.

The two ministers reaffirmed the sincere wish of their governments to improve relations, which have been somewhat strained in the recent past.

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