Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-01-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't faces issues of terrorism with high priority and respects the constitutional order, Justice Minister says

[02] Greek authorities in charge of Athens RPG strike investigation - Washington

[03] PM Costas Karamanlis addresses meeting of Prefectural Committee presidents

[04] Gov't on social spending policy

[05] GSEE on government pledge to increase social spending

[06] Gov't on university asylum regime

[07] ND Secretary Zagoritis on 'abuse of university asylum'

[08] PASOK party president condemns Turkish-Armenian journalist's assassination

[09] Greek MEPs hold press conference

[10] Appellate court rules against extradition of Pakistani man

[11] Greek-US agreement to sign MOU on KnowHow transfer

[12] Transport minister inaugurates revamped railway line

[13] Greece further liberalises natural gas market

[14] Employment minister attends Berlin employment ministers council

[15] Tourism minister optimistic over 2007

[16] PPC expands activities in renewable energy sources

[17] Greek, Italian telecoms authorities to cooperate

[18] Dubai Financial shrugs off Piraeus offer

[19] Indian Silks Exhibition buyer/seller meet to be held in Athens

[20] Greek industrial activity up in November 2006, yr/yr

[21] Eight municipalities sign 'digital community' agreement

[22] Bulgaria sees rise in business with Greece

[23] National Bank makes offer for Ukraine bank

[24] Alumil Rom gets 10-day extension to settle IPO

[25] Greek stocks end flat on Friday

[26] Derivatives Market Close: PPC top in stock futures trade

[27] Foreign Exchange Rates

[28] Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey meeting on final proposals for tackling Evros River flooding

[29] Death, injuries in brawls, robbery

[30] N17 defendant says Koufodinas, Giotopoulos the terror gang's most experienced members

[31] Eleven stockbrokers acquitted on appeal

[32] Gov't on cancer vaccine price issue

[33] AIDS now from fatal to long-term disease, professor says

[34] Women's event held in Thessaloniki on Greece's immigration policy

[35] Appeals court prosecutor orders inquiry into incidents at Wednesday's rally

[36] Athens Bar Association criticises European Human Rights Court

[37] Lawyer Sakis Kehagioglou released after appearing before magistrate

[38] Ilias Theodorou appointed SG of Athens Municipality

[39] Hunter goes missing in Preveza

[40] Weather Forecast: Unseasonally warm on Saturday

[41] The Athens dailies at a glance

[42] Turkey has no rights over Cyprus-Lebanon exclusive economic zone agreement

[43] EU Mediterranean Agriculture Ministerial meeting in Cyprus

[44] Green Party and YKP sign joint declaration for a demilitarized Nicosia

[01] Gov't faces issues of terrorism with high priority and respects the constitutional order, Justice Minister says

Replying to press questions after the meeting, with respect to the university asylum prompted by the recent violent incidents by masked troublemakers during a demonstration, Papaligouras said that "it is time for the university to become an asylum for ideas, and not for such actions that we see occuring".

Regarding the incidents themselves, Papaligiouras said that "the State has the organisation to effectively tackle them with the necessary (safety) valves".

To another question on the operation and use of security cameras, the justice minister said that a decision was awaited from the Council of State, stressing that "the government faces issues of terrorism with high priority and respects the constitutional order".

He was referring to a government petition tabled with the Council of State, the country's supreme administrative court, requesting permission to use video-footage from traffic surveil-lance cameras in the environs of the US embassy in Athens in its investigation on last Friday's early-morning rocket attack at the embassy, which caused minor material damage but no injuries.

Under a standing ruling by the Personal Data Protection inde-pendent authority, the use of footage from the traffic sur-veillance cameras for any other purpose is prohibited.

Questioned on the role of the Independent Authorities, Papali-gouras noted that "the institution has been tried internationally", adding that the institution was relatively new in Greece, and their effectiveness "will be judged over the course of time".

To a question on new incidents of judicial corruption that have recently come to light, Papaligouras replied that "as you know, the government tackles every incident of corruption effici-ently".

[02] Greek authorities in charge of Athens RPG strike investigation - Washington

It is up to Greek authorities to determine who was responsible for last week's rocket-propelled grenade strike against the United States Embassy and the results of the investigation, State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters during Thursday's press briefing.

He was replying to a question concerning the contribution of FBI experts in enhancing the embassy's CCTV recordings of three suspects taken on the day of the attack - now in the hands of Greek authorities - to bring out more details, and whether the final results would be circulated by the DOS or FBI.

"I think the people that will determine the results of the investigation are the Greek security police and security forces who are doing the investigation," Casey said, while pointing out that U.S. agencies were obviously going to cooperate with them in every way possible.

"If FBI officials can help contribute to that investigation, whether that's through helping to do enhancements of video-tapes or whatever else they're capable of doing, if it will help the Greek authorities in their investigation, we're certainly happy to do it," he said.

Asked whether Washington ruled out the possibility that the attack was actually a covert operation by an intelligence agency rather than a strike by a terrorist group, Casey replied that taking military action, such as firing RPGs against a diplomatic facility was an act of terror, regardless of who was behind it.

[03] PM Costas Karamanlis addresses meeting of Prefectural Committee presidents

Karamanlis said that the parties of the 21st century must create developments and not be dragged along by them and pointed out that modern parties must understand the messages of society and compose and produce policy.

Saying that the new era requires modern parties, the prime minister announced the reconstruction of the party's regional organising.

"Our party is an agency of changes and reforms. Our policy is in the right direction, however, we still have a difficult path ahead of us. The problems bequethed to us by yesterday cannot be tackled easily," he said.

Karamanlis further stressed that the government "will not deviate from its course since the positive results of its policy make it imperative for it to continue along the same path with an intensified pace."

Addressing the cadres participating in the meeting, Karamanlis said "I trust you and I request from you to trust citizens as well because this is our principle, regardless of individual political views."

[04] Gov't on social spending policy

Commenting on Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis' state-ments of a day earlier, Antonaros cited an extra 2.5 billion euros for social spending.

[05] GSEE on government pledge to increase social spending

After three years in which its policies had shaved incomes, reduced the buying power of wage earners and pensioners and redistributed wealth in favour of the economically powerful, the government had finally discovered poverty and degradation in Greek society, Panagopoulos noted.

The government's proposals did not provide solutions to the very real problems of Greek society but instead further magnified injustices and social exclusion, he added.

"They are selling hope with a five-year horizon, when their proposals essentially lead not to the reduction but a sharing of poverty," Panagopoulos stressed.

[06] Gov't on university asylum regime

He also pointed out, in reference to the university asylum status, that the government has proved that it observes the Constitution and laws, as opposed to others who do not.

The spokesman also stated that lifting the university asylum is not under discussion, while responding to a question on whether the asylum prevents police from making arrests during clashes with self-styled anarchists, he told reporters that the state does everything that needs to be done to limit delinquent behavior.

Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) president Alekos Alavanos, meanwhile, stressed that his party and leftist forces will be on the academic community's side and will fight for the university asylum.

He also accused main opposition PASOK of supporting ruling New Democracy by not saying "no" to a revision of Article 16.

[07] ND Secretary Zagoritis on 'abuse of university asylum'

He was speaking following the meeting earlier in the day of the party's Council of Presidents of Prefectural Administrative Committees (NODE).

He added that "this situation must concern all of us and first of all, those who violate the asylum."

Asked by reporters why the police made no arrests during the recent disturbances, Zagoritis stated that "the Greek police always attempts the avoidance of further tension and greater disturbances."

"I am the last person to judge the methods of the police authorities, they have plans of handling crises, the most important thing is for disturbances to be avoided and not for arrests to be made," the ND's Secretary added.

President Papoulias appeals to Libyan leader for pardon for Palestinian doctor, Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death

Greece's President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias has sent a letter to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi appealing for a pardon to be granted to a the Palestinian doctor and five Bulgarian nurses who have been sentenced to death for "the deliberate infection of 426 cildren with the HIV virus in a Benghazi hospital", it was announced on Friday.

The sentence of death by fire squad has drawn strong protests from the international community.

Papoulias, who has long-standing personal ties with the Libyan leader, expressed in his letter the "sentiments of grief and indignation over the deaths of the children", and stressed that "the European Union and Greece are prepared to help".

Papoulias' initiative comes ahead of a state visit to Bulgaria scheduled for February 12 and 13.

The Bulgarian state has protested that the trial that resulted in the December 2006 conviction of the six and their death penalty verdict was "unfair", and has charged a full violation of the rights of the defendants who backed their claims of inno-cence with scientific evidence that the children had contracted the virus in the hospital where they were being treated, where HIV and hepatitis viral strains were circulating, at least three years before the medical workers arrived in Libya in March 1998, blaming the infections on unhygienic practices at the hospital.

The six co-defendants, who have already served seven years in prison (since 1999), were initially convicted and sentenced to death a year earlier, but after international outcry the Libyan Supreme Court ordered a retrial, which upheld the initial verdict and sentence, with the case returning automatically to the Supreme Court for appeal.

Fifty of the children have died, while the rest were treated in Europe.

[08] PASOK party president condemns Turkish-Armenian journalist's assassination

"Hrant Dink was an intellectual journalist who worked hard with consistency, a profound feeling of responsibility and great energy for democratic rights and freedom of the Press in Turkey, facing judicial prosecutions," he said.

High-profile Turkish-Armenian editor, Hrant Dink, a frequent target of nationalist anger for his comments on the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War One, was shot as he left his weekly newspaper Agos around 1300 GMT Friday in the centre of Istanbul.

"His assassination is an act of violence that constitutes a blow to efforts being made to strengthen the country's European prospects," Papandreou added and pointed out that "Hrant Dink is the victim of the fanaticism of those forces that are pursuing obscurantism."

Lastly, Papandreou said that "all we democratic socialists in Greece and all over the world condemn the hideous assassi-nation of Hrant Dink and express the hope that the Turkish authorities will take every necessary action to achieve the complete solving of the crime and the sending of the perpe-trators to Justice."

[09] Greek MEPs hold press conference

Apart from Kratsa, also participating in the conference were representatives of the Greek opposition parties represented in the European Parliament, with the exception of Popular Ortho-dox Rally (LAOS) MEP George Karatzaferis.

The topics discussed included the changes to the EuroParlia-ment following the accession of 12 new member-states and upcoming challenges facing Europe. According to the MEPs, the new member-states had been easily incorporated, while problems due to the increase of the official languages from 11 to 22 had been dealt with through new procedures in interpretation and translation.

They said the past two years had been dominated by efforts to adapt to the EU's rapid enlargement and overcoming the shock of the rejection of the EU Constitutional Treaty in some EU countries. At the same time, the EU Parliament had been able to wrap up important issues and important acts of legislation.

Kratsa noted that the Greek Parliament would be taking over the presidency of the EuroMediterranean Parliamentary assembly in March, and that she looked forward to close coope-ration with Greek Parliament President Anna Psarouda Benaki.

[10] Appellate court rules against extradition of Pakistani man

Islamabad requested the extradition of Javed Aslam, via an Interpol warrant, on migrant trafficking charges.

Aslam garnered a measure of notoriety over the past year as a champion of several Pakistani men who claim they were illegally arrested and interrogated by counter-terrorism agents in Greece following the London underground bombings in July 2005.

Financial News

[11] Greek-US agreement to sign MOU on KnowHow transfer

They also examined the prospect for cooperation in specific sectors of economic activity presenting innovation interest.

During the meeting, Sioufas announced that an International Forum on Competitiveness will be held in Athens in the autumn, with the participation of representatives of the corresponding Councils from the countries of SE Europe, the Black Sea countries, and the countries of the Middle East and N. Africa.

Also present at the meeting were development ministry special secretary on competitiveness Spyros Efstathopoulos, Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) secretary general Thanassis Lavidas, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) president and general director St. Kostopoulos and Al. Lamnidis, respe-ctively, US embassy commercial counselor Stephen Alley, and the minister's special advisor Vassilis Rallis.

Event held on world competitiveness

The President of the Competitiveness Council of the United States Deborah Wince-Smith stressed the need for dynamic reaction by a country such as Greece regarding the issue of competitiveness in the international environment, speaking in the Old Parliament building on Friday evening.

She also expressed her conviction that Greece is facing the issue of challenges appearing in the competitiveness sector very seriously.

Addresses were also made by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and the Secretary General of the Federation of Greek Industries and President of the Greece-U.S. Business Council, Thanassis Lavidas. The event was also attended by the main opposition PASOK party's development, tourism and shipping sector chief Christos Papoutsis.

The Competitiveness Council of the U.S. was founded in the mid-'80s and makes proposals on the policy of the U.S. in this sector and also cooperates with its partners and organisations at an international level.

[12] Transport minister inaugurates revamped railway line

Liapis said that the Kozani-Grevena-Kalabaka railway line project is in the process of being examined, and assured that in the next few years western Macedonia will acquire a complete railway network with north and south axes.

The transport minister also stated that 2-billion-euro major infrastructure projects will be constructed by 2013, stressing that the updated railway network is a fundamental element for economic growth and prosperity.

[13] Greece further liberalises natural gas market

[14] Employment minister attends Berlin employment ministers council

Greece and Bulgaria are jointly examining exemptions for specific categories of Bulgarian workers who will be able to find employment in Greece legally during the existing two-year transitional period as well -during which the free movement of Bulgarian workers to Greece is not valid- according to a statement by Employment and Social Solidarity Minister Savvas Tsitouridis on the sidelines of the informal Council of Employment Ministers that came to an end here on Friday night.

During this two-year period, which began with Bulgaria's accession to the European Union as of January 1, 2007, and also applies to Romania, a relative "flexibility" could be secured for Bulgarian workers in sectors where the Greek economy is in need and is unable to fill relevant shortages from the local labour market, Tsitouridis told Greek reporters.

Defining sectors and, possibly, the arithmetical ceiling, are issues whose examination has been scheduled at a technical level, while the solutions to be proposed will constitute a focal point in talks the Greek minister will be having during his visit to Bulgaria in March, at the invitation of his counterpart Emilia Maslarova.

[15] Tourism minister optimistic over 2007

Addressing a ceremony to celebrate the new year, the minister said both employees and the political leadership of the ministry would be judged by results and underlined her optimism over tourism trends this year.

[16] PPC expands activities in renewable energy sources

The six-year plan (2007-2012) envisages large investments - through corporate partnerships with third parties - of projects in renewable energy sources with a total power of 900 MW by 2012. PPC Renewables seeks to obtain and preserve up to 23 percent of the Greek renewable energy sources' market by the year 2014 through a series of policies including: 1) maximizing efficiency of its skilled-workforce, 2) maximizing the performance of its windpower and hydroelectric parks of total power of 85 MW and implementing new investments in the sector of total power of 45 MW.

PPC's board also approved a cooperation between PPC Renewables with EdF Energies Nouvelles in the joint building of windpower parks in the country.

[17] Greek, Italian telecoms authorities to cooperate

According to an announcement issued on Friday by EETT, the aim of the memorandum is to exchange experiences and technical know-how regarding regulation and oversight in electronic communications in the two countries, which will contribute to joint actions and an efficient handling of important issues arising in this market.

[18] Dubai Financial shrugs off Piraeus offer

"Dubai Financial wishes to express its full support for Marfin Popular Bank's management, both in terms of its vision and strategy, and in terms of the initiatives it has taken for the creation of value," the shareholder said in a statement.

"We have no interest in accepting the proposal submitted by Piraeus Bank," the statement noted.

Dubai holds about 17% of Marfin.

[19] Indian Silks Exhibition buyer/seller meet to be held in Athens

The Buyer Seller Meet will be open for business from 1000 hours to 1800 hours on all the three days.

Silk is a traditional product of India. India is the second largest producer of silk in the world and the only country to produce all the four commercially produced varieties of silk, i.e. mulberry, tasar, yeri and muga. The silk production in India has gone up from about 7000 tons in 1985 to over 14000 tons now.

Greece has long been associated with silk. It seems to have been woven very early on the island of Kós, mentioned by Aristotle mentions as the place where silk was �first spun,� About A.D. 550 two former missionaries to China, succeeded in smuggling to Constantinople, in a hollow staff, both the eggs of the silkworm and the seeds of the mulberry tree. Byzantium became famous for splendid silken textiles and embroideries, used throughout medieval Europe for royal and ecclesiastical costumes and furnishings. From the 10th century, Thebes became a centre of the new silk trade, and by the middle of the twelfth century, the city had become the biggest producer of silks in the entire Byzantine empire, surpassing even the Byzantine capital at Constantinople. The women of Thebes were famed for their skills at weaving. Theban silk was prized above all others during this period, both for its quality and its excellent reputation, according to the embassy announcement

India exports silk to over 100 countries. Major export destinations for Indian silks include the USA, Britain and Italy. India silk exports during the year 2005-06 (April-March) reached US$ 713 million. Silk fabrics form the largest category of silk exports from India. They range from dazzling dupions to fine mulberry organzas, tuffetas, crepe, georgette, chiffon, tabby, satin and twills. Quality designers all over the world use Indian silk fabrics for their premium selections, the announce-ment said.

The event will showcase the splendour of Indian silks and products by reputed Indian exporters and will be a rare opportunity for Greek business in the textile, furnishings, made-ups and dress materials and the fashion designers.

[20] Greek industrial activity up in November 2006, yr/yr

The statistics service, in a report, attributed the increase to a 3.5 pct rise in the domestic market turnover index and a 5.4 pct decline in the foreign market turnover index.

The mining sector turnover index jumped 27.2 pct in November, while the turnover index in the manufacturing sector rose 0.7 pct over the same period.

The new orders index in the industrial sector (measuring both domestic and foreign markets) rose 6.6 pct in November compared with the same month in 2005. The rise reflected an 18.1 pct increase in the foreign market index and a 0.7 pct rise in the domestic market index.

[21] Eight municipalities sign 'digital community' agreement

The agreement on the use of digital technologies management systems signed by the municipalities of Trikala, Larisa, Lamia, Grevena, Karditsa, Volos, Katerini and Nea Ionia of Volos lays the ground for the establishment of the first digital community in the country, with the objective to better serve the citizens.

The eight municipalities stressed in the declaration of coopera-tion that their aspiration is to further improve the people�s quality of life, boost employment and improve the municipa-lities� competitiveness in the globalized economy.

Deputy finance minister addresses event organised by General Information Systems Secretariat

Deputy Finance and Economy Minister Antonis Bezas was the main speaker at an event organised in Patra, western Greece, by the General Information Systems Secretariat on Friday on the presentation of electronic services it provides for citizens and businesses.

Bezas referred to the government's economic policy and to reforms, changes in taxation and the utilisation of new technologies.

"The course of reforms will be continued. However, because economic development must be distributed fairly to all it is a priority for us, with initiatives to be undertaken in the near future, to improve the effectiveness of social expenditures to combat poverty, meaning to strengthen social cohesion in our country," he said.

Presenting data on state revenues, the deputy minister said "total revenues increased by 8.8 percent during the 12-month period between January-December 2006, compared to an annual target of 8.6 percent. From these, tax revenues increased by 6.8 percent, exceeding the target of tax revenues that had been foreseen."

[22] Bulgaria sees rise in business with Greece

Bulgarian businesses are expected to show rising interest in coming years in trade fairs arranged by Greece's Helexpo in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, and in alliances with Greek firms, the head of Bulgaria's Economic Development Centre said on Friday.

According to Alexander Bozkov, Bulgaria's entry into the European Union will make it easier for companies based in Sofia or nearby to show their products in Thessaloniki.

In addition, Thessaloniki has a larger port than Varna that is conveniently located in the Mediterranean, he said in an interview to the ANA-MPA.

[23] National Bank makes offer for Ukraine bank

In a reply to the Athens Stock Exchange, National stated that the move followed a statement to investors on January 12 that the management was interested in two Ukrainian banks.

In a separate development, National said its holding in Finansbank of Turkey was now 82.8%.

[24] Alumil Rom gets 10-day extension to settle IPO

The settlement was been postponed in early January after charges that certain investors breached market regulations in public offering procedures.

An Alumil Mylonas announcement to the press stated that the 10-day deadline aimed to give time for a final solution to the problem and noted that the results of the public offering would be published after the deadline expired.

Alumil Rom aims to list its shares on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. The parent company said developments would not affect its subsidiary's listing in the market.

[25] Greek stocks end flat on Friday

Most sectors ended higher with the Media (7.35 pct), Utilities (1.86 pct) and Personal-Home Products (1.39 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Chemicals (2.77 pct), Technology (0.80 pct) and Commerce (0.75 pct) suffered the heaviest losses.

The Big Cap index eased 0.01 pct, the Mid Cap index rose 0.21 pct and the Small Cap index ended 0.31 pct higher.

Marak Electronic (18.40 pct), Pegasos (18.39 pct) and Ikona-Ihos (13.04 pct) were top gainers, while Boutaris (7.25 pct), MLS (5.69 pct) and Zampa (5.0 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 144 to 113 with another 48 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +0.52%

Industrials: -0.63%

Commercial: -0.75%

Construction: +0.49%

Media: +7.35%

Oil & Gas: -0.43%

Personal & Household: +1.39%

Raw Materials: -0.12%

Travel & Leisure: +0.11%

Technology: -0.80%

Telecoms: +0.07%

Banks: -0.15%

Food & Beverages: +0.11%

Health: +0.84%

Utilities: +1.86%

Chemicals: -2.77%

Financial Services: +0.26%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Marfin Popular Bank, Eurobank, and Piraeus Bank.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 25.10

ATEbank: 4.24

Public Power Corp (PPC): 21.40

HBC Coca Cola: 29.30

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.98

Emporiki Bank: 22.98

National Bank of Greece: 37.20

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 29.68

Intralot: 28.36

Cosmote: 24.20

OPAP: 30.30

OTE: 23.60

Titan Cement Company: 43.20

[26] Derivatives Market Close: PPC top in stock futures trade