Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-03-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Bakoyannis interview in Athens daily

[02] Deputy FM Kassimis begins visit to Jordan

[03] Interior minister opens event on new Municipal/Community Code

[04] Psarouda-Benaki assumes presidency of Euro-Med parliamentary assembly

[05] Former PM Simitis airs concerns over future of EU

[06] Greece among top countries with social sensitivity

[07] Thessaloniki to acquire two new hospitals

[08] KKE leader addresses Euro-Med Left Parties conference in Cyprus

[09] PASOK MP calls for nat'l meeting on Cyprus issue

[10] GSEE congress concludes with vote for new board

[11] ND Sec't Zagoritis addresses ND's youth organisation

[12] Alavanos addresses Synaspismos conference

[13] FinMin cites safeguards for funds' investments; comments on pension reform

[14] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[15] Four missing, 7 dead after boat carrying illegal immigrants capsizes off Samos

[16] Athens Academy denies press report referring to sixth-grade history book

[17] Anti-war rallies in Athens, Thessaloniki

[18] Street violence by masked youths in Thessaloniki

[19] Police sweep in three prefectures for protection racket, drug trafficking

[20] Police on trail of int'l prostitution ring after arrest in Thessaloniki

[21] President inaugurates Pottery Museum in Volos

[22] Former minister dies

[23] Sports

[24] Partly cloudy on Monday

[25] The Sunday editions of Athens' newspapers at a glance

[26] Cyprus president reiterates commitment to July 8 agreement

[27] United European Left: Occupation of Cyprus must end Papandreou addresses party rally in Serres

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Sunday called for the holding of general elections as soon as possible, during a party rally in Serres, northern Greece.

"Elections are the solution. It's time for the people to speak," he said during a speech in a Serres' indoor arena.

He added that his party "has started a relentless and uncompromising struggle for the defence of the people's interests, with the slogan 'enough is enough'."

Papandreou attributed "enormous responsibility" to Employment and Social Protection Minister Savvas Tsitouridis over the matter of the handling of the assets of a civil servants' auxiliary fund by the brokerage firm "Acropolis", while criticising Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for merely "observing developments without participating."

"An entire mechanism has been set up with funds' assets, with the money of the insured, with your money, in order for certain individuals to get commissions; parasitic party middlemen," he charged.

At the same time, the PASOK leader said it was not only a matter concerning justice. "It's an enormous political scandal and the government is obliged to assume its political responsibility, for truth to shine and for the guilty to stand trial."

Papandreou expressed certainty that his party will win the next general elections.

He also launched an attack against Agriculture Minister Evangelos Basiakos, saying "it's as if he's living on another planet, he briefs the prime minister that farmers' incomes have increased."

In a related development, voting will begin on Monday for 3,000 delegates to participate at congress for the re-establishment of PASOK's affiliated youth wing. The congress will be held from March 29-31.

[01] FM Bakoyannis interview in Athens daily

She also dismissed reports in the local press claiming a "momentary chill" in Greek-Russian relations because of the specific comments.

Moreover, Bakoyannis said Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' successful tenure as premier justifies not only another four-year term, his second, but a third term as well.

Finally, she said she does not see any change in Ankara's behavior of late vis-�-vis Greek-Turkish relations, judging that Turkish leadership has several other pressing foreign policy issues (i.e. Iraq) on the forefront at present.

Bakoyannis' interview was published in the Sunday edition of the Athens daily "Vima".

[02] Deputy FM Kassimis begins visit to Jordan

During his visit, Kassimis will discuss with Jordanian officials a handful of restoration projects, the founding of a monastery for pilgrims on the East Bank of the Jordan River and the building of a new school for the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

The Greek deputy foreign minister will meet with Jordan's Foreign Minister Abdelilah Khatib, Interior Minister Eid Fayez, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Osama Dabbas, adviser to the King on religious issues, Prince Ghazi bin Mohammnad, and officials of the Orthodox communities.

[03] Interior minister opens event on new Municipal/Community Code

Pavlopoulos reiterated that the central aspiration was to substantively advance regional development in Greece, adding that the fruition of that goal could not be achieved without the full activation of the Local Government Organisations (OTA), and adding that the ministry had seen to the best possible preparation and shielding of the OTA.

Given that more than 82 percent of the funds earmarked for Greece under the EU's 4th Community Support Framework (CSF), translating into more than 16.8 billion euros, were being channeled to the periphery, one could perceive the magnitude of the challenge that the OTA were called on to meet, he said.

Combined with the funding for agricultural development and the fisheries sector, the total EU participation reaches 24.4 billion euros and, together with the national participation, the overall sum reaches 36.4 billion euros, the minister added.

He explained that a basic part of the ministry's effort for timely and efficient preparation of the first-degree OTA was the formulation of the new Code, "which comprises the institutional 'passport' of the municipalities and communities to the 4th CSF, and more generally to the new era of regional development and digital transactions with the citizen".

[04] Psarouda-Benaki assumes presidency of Euro-Med parliamentary assembly

Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki assumed the presidency of the Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary assembly following the conclusion of the group's 3rd plenary session in Tunis, Tunisia over the weekend.

In a brief address, Psarouda-Benaki said one of goals of the Greek presidency is to aid efforts at environmental protection, while she also said the issue of dealing with illegal immigration is also a priority.

Finally, she referred to the need for a fair and viable solution to the Middle East problem.

[05] Former PM Simitis airs concerns over future of EU

Simitis was quoted in an interview published in the Sunday edition of the Athens daily "Ethnos", and on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome.

Among others, the former Greek premier said a "two-speed" Europe is necessary, while expressing support for a decision-making process based on majority voting by member-states in place of the current system of unanimity.

Finally, he also criticised his successor at the country's helm, Costas Karamanlis, for "merely observing, passively" EU developments.

[06] Greece among top countries with social sensitivity

The state backed and assisted every effort to make the Greek society more humane, he said, and particularly the children suffering from disabilities and their families "who are waging a tough battle".

He called for the organisation of a social state that will take care of, protect and socially rehabilitate these children, and cultivate their dexterities and abilities.

Avramopoulos referred to the state-of-the-art Motor Analysis Laboratory that ELEPAP is acquiring in Thessaloniki, calling it a pilot programme for the entire country. The Laboratory, he said, will provide an integrated model for early diagnosis and determination of the adequate treatment.

ELEPAP, a non-profit philanthropic foundation, was established in 1937 with its headquarters in Athens and five branches in Thessaloniki, Hania (Crete), Ioannina, Volos and Agrinio. It has treated more than 100,000 children to date, and its purpose is the therapy and rehabilitation of children with disabilities.

[07] Thessaloniki to acquire two new hospitals

During a meeting with Mikra mayor Theodoros Goustilis, Avramopoulos said that in the next two weeks the programme contracts will be signed with all the sides involved. The two men discussed the prospects of the project in detail.

"The two hospitals will fill a huge void that has arisen in the past decades in the wider area of northern Greece," Avramopoulos said.

[08] KKE leader addresses Euro-Med Left Parties conference in Cyprus

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga on Saturday said her party was ready to back "joint actions to the benefit of the territorial integrity and sovereign rights of every country against any military force that undertakes to carry out whatever not achieved by military intervention", addressing a conference of the Euro-Mediterranean Left Parties organised by the Cyprus left-wing AKEL party in Nicosia.

Such joint actions, she explained, concerned the resolution of the Cyprus problem, the Palestinian issue and, in general "action against the plan for the 'Wider Middle East'."

Papariga reiterated the KKE's opposition to participation by Greece in EU military missions. "We have taken a stand for the return of all the military missions to our country.

AKEL secretary general Demetris Christofias said that general US policy in the wider region of the Middle East "has led to further impasses and crises", adding that the US government "sees further militarisation as the solution to the impasse in Iraq, and wants to create a new regime which, in one way or another, will satisfy its (US) interests".

The conference, attended by representatives of Left parties from Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, was also addressed by president of the United European Left/Nordic Green Left group in the European Parliament Francis Wurtz, and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) executive bureau member and member of the Palestinian People's Party political bureau Hanna Ramireh.

[09] PASOK MP calls for nat'l meeting on Cyprus issue

Main opposition PASOK deputy and former minister Theodoros Pangalos on Sunday called for "a national meeting to pave the way for a strategy on the Cyprus issue."

In an interview published in the Sunday's edition of the "Politis" newspaper, Pangalos, who heads PASOK's foreign and defence sector, said "I believe it's the job the Cypriot government and of Cyprus' political world to take the initiative."

Pangalos also met with former Cyprus president Glafkos Clerides at his home near Larnaca. During the meeting, Clerides reportedly expressed concern over a "stagnation" in efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.

On Saturday evening, Cyprus' EDEK party, during the start of its 11th congress, honored WWII resistance figure and veteran leftist politician Manolis Glezos.

[10] GSEE congress concludes with vote for new board

PASKE increased its strength from 2004 by 17 more delegates (a total of 46.5 percent of the vote) for 21 seats on the new board. PASKE won 21 seats during the 32nd GSEE congress three years ago.

New Democracy-affiliated DAKE was preferred by 134 delegates (115 in 2004) for 26.96 percent of the vote and 12 seats, up from 11 three years ago.

Third place went to DAS, unionists affiliated with the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), which garnered the vote of 104 delegates for nine seats (20.92 percent). The grouping lost a seat.

Finally, the "Autonomous Intervention" grouping received the votes of 31 delegates, which translates into three seats, 6.23 percent. This grouping had received 29 votes and two seats in 2004. Four hundred and seventy-two delegates had voted in the 2004 elections.

[11] ND Sec't Zagoritis addresses ND's youth organisation

He launched a stinging attack against main opposition PASOK, especially over its criticism of education reforms, which he termed as "necessary," while he expressed optimism on the results of the 2008 general elections.

"In March 2004 the majority of the Greek people gave a mandate to ND to change a page in the country and for an end to be put to the lost opportunities and ineffectiveness of PASOK," Zagoritis said.

On education issues, he noted that "we are not dogmatic, we are carrying out reforms and if we see that something is not going well, we will correct it, "adding that "we will proceed with the reforms, we will next stay to yesterday, we are not interested in the political cost."

[12] Alavanos addresses Synaspismos conference

Alavanos said his party's role in the student protests has greatly expanded its political presence and influence, while he again called for unity.

He also referred to internal debates on whether the party should adhere to a "euro-left" framework or favor more radical positions, saying the question of "closer to PASOK or closer to KKE" has already been surpassed. Along those lines he called on delegates at the party conference to shy away from dividing themselves into ideological groupings.

On Saturday, Synaspismos opened a meeting of the party's standing congress, with the participation of 1,300 delegates.

Two positions were at the focus of discussions: the decision by the majority of the Central Political Committee on February 11 endorsing the re-establishment of the SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left), and the minority's (the progressive wing) position opposing the decision.

The Central Political Committee's decision was presented to the delegates by party secretary Nikos Hountis, while the progressive wing's position was presented by Spyros Lykoudis.

Hountis stressed the need for approval of the political framework for the re-establishment of SYRIZA on the basis of the declaration already adopted, which provides that the title of the collaborating political forces should remain SYRIZA and that there should be a unified electoral ballet headed by Alavanos.

Also, it is proposed that cadres from the collaborating forces should be placed in electable positions on the ballot, Hountis added.

The Synaspismos secretary noted the need for coordination of this cooperation and organising joint action, while at the same time respecting the autonomy and principles of each and every force comprising the SYRIZA, and proposed the establishment of ad hoc committees for better organisation of the electoral campaign.

Financial News

[13] FinMin cites safeguards for funds' investments; comments on pension reform

Alogoskoufis made the statement in an interview published on Sunday by the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", and in the wake of mounting opposition criticism related to the case and charges of lack of transparency and high commissions.

He dismissed heated criticism, however, that the specific bond was issue was "hidden", while announcing that a set of institutional measures to better safeguard funds' investments will be unveiled this week.

Furthermore, the high-ranking minister said reforms in Greece's cavernous public sector is a major goal and challenge for the next four-year government term, saying that lack of meritocracy, which is fuelled by petty partisan interests, is the public sector's greatest plague. He also said that discussion on social security reform should commence in the first year of any new government term

[14] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.343

Pound sterling 0.689

Danish kroner 7.508

Swedish kroner 9.336

Japanese yen 156.86

Swiss franc 1.618

Norwegian kroner 8.204

Cyprus pound 0.584

Canadian dollar 1.576

Australian dollar 1.689

General News

[15] Four missing, 7 dead after boat carrying illegal immigrants capsizes off Samos

A Somali woman, who was found on a Samos shore early Saturday, told police that the boat she was on had overturned and capsized, resulting in the passengers, which she said were 22, finding themselves in the water.

A search and rescue operation was immediately mounted, with at least three coastguard vessels assisted by a Super Puma helicopter. Rescuers initially pinpointed five more illegal immigrants, all from Afghanistan, who had managed to swim to shore in the Sideras area of Samos, while the bodies of seven more people have been recovered so far by coastguard officers.

Five more survivors were found and rescued later.

[16] Athens Academy denies press report referring to sixth-grade history book

The book has drawn criticism from a handful of historians and politicians, the Church of Greece and organisations of people hailing from Asia Minor, such as Pontian groups.

According to a press release, the Academy will convey its written observations and critique of the textbook to Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou this week.

The Athens weekly "Paron" on Sunday claimed that the Athens Academy has characterised the specific textbook as "flawed" on a number of points, following an education ministry request for a review.

[17] Anti-war rallies in Athens, Thessaloniki

A rally was held in central Syntagma Square, which was followed by a march to the US embassy in Athens, organised jointly by trade unions, peace movements, anti-racism organisations, immigrant communities, the Stop the War Alliance, the Greek Social Forum, the students' (university) takeovers coordinating committee, and other organisations.

Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Stop the wars and occupations" and "Foreign armies must be removed from the Middle East", and also called for money to be channeled to education and health instead of armaments.

A concert was also staged, with anti-war songs, while brief greetings to the demonstrators were addressed by representatives of the participating organisations and movements, as well as international anti-war activists such as Jimmy Massey (US), co-founder of the "Iraq Veterans Against the War" (IVAW) organisation.

In Thessaloniki, a similar demonstration was staged by the Union of Civil Servants' Organisations in the city centre.

The protestors condemned the "invasion and occupation" of Iraq, demanding "an end to the war and withdrawal of the occupation forces".

No traffic problems arose as the demonstrators marched from the Venizelos statue in downtown Thessaloniki to the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry, after which they peacefully dispersed.

[18] Street violence by masked youths in Thessaloniki

Earlier, the same group of masked youths clashed with ethnic Cypriot students assembled inside an Aristotle University law school auditorium to elect a new board to represent the national organisation of Cypriot college students in Greece.

Several students were reportedly hospitalised, according to reports.

[19] Police sweep in three prefectures for protection racket, drug trafficking

A total of 15 arrests were recorded by Saturday afternoon.

Acting on a tip-off, the Attica Security Police sent a team of officers to Patras to corroborate the information and collect evidence on the organised crime ring's activities.

During an investigation that lasted several months, it was ascertained that instances of "protection extortion" of shops first appeared in Patras in the mid-1990s, and had grown to the point where four extortion rings were presently operating in the city with more than 40 members.

The gangs had divided up the shops in Patras amongst themselves, demanding (and receiving) 'payments' of 600-2,000 euros per month from the shop-owners. They also "imposed" doormen (bouncers) at the shops, who were members of their gangs and who were paid by the shop-owners. In the event that a shop-owner refused to pay, they would become victims of arson of their cars, beatings, threats, etc.

Underworld wars eventually broke out among the four gangs over the acquisition of a larger portion of the 'market', leading to armed encounters and homicide attempts, culminating in the April 14, 2005 murder in Patras of a leading member of the first organisation by members of a rival organisation.

Of the 15 people arrested so far, four are believed to be involved in the killing. Police have also confiscated a firearm, ammunition and small quantities of drugs.

[20] Police on trail of int'l prostitution ring after arrest in Thessaloniki

A police investigation on the internet turned up three websites and an e-mail address offering users sexual encounters with known models all over the world for a fee.

The authorities, in a coordinated operation, arrested the 21-year-old woman at a hotel in Thessaloniki for breaking the law on prostitution. An address book found in her possession revealed that she had visited three cities in France, and Thessaloniki, in March 2007.

[21] President inaugurates Pottery Museum in Volos

The inauguration ceremony for the museum, organised by the Piraeus Bank Group's Cultural Foundation, was also attended by culture minister George Voulgarakis.

Papoulias urged the country's youth to embrace such efforts, explaining that they were not simply living monuments to the country's history, but also to Greece's immense effort to find itself where it was today.

"I am optimistic, because the country has both a history and a future," the President said.

He said that the museum was "perfect" with respect to aesthetics, as well as a great project from the historical and sociological aspect.

[22] Former minister dies

Main opposition PASOK party press spokesman Petros Efthymiou, in a statement on Saturday, said that Papadopoulos had been an outstanding personality -- both as a human being and as a scientist -- and an active citizen who greatly contributed to the field of health.

Efthymiou further said that Papadopoulos, a doctor, had also distinguished himself with his contribution to PASOK's goals and was a man with democratic sentiments and integrity.

[23] Sports

Panathinaikos Athens - Atromitos Athens 1-2

Xanthi - Panionios Athens 1-1

Ergotelis Crete - Apollon Kalamaria 0-1

Ionikos Piraeus - PAOK Thessaloniki 0-2

Olympiakos Piraeus - Aris Thessaloniki 0-0

Egaleo Athens - OFI Crete 1-2

Iraklis Thessaloniki - Larissa 1-0

Kerkyra - AEK Athens 0-1

Standings after 26 weeks of play:

Olympiakos 63 points

AEK 55

Panathinaikos 51

PAOK 39

Aris 37

OFI 36

Panionios 36

Atromitos 34

Ergotelis 33

Xanthi 32

Larissa 31

Apollon Kalamaria 31

Kerkyra 30

Egaleo 27

Iraklis 25

Ionikos 4

Note: Ionikos has been deducted five points for disciplinary reasons.

Weather forecast

[24] Partly cloudy on Monday

[25] The Sunday editions of Athens' newspapers at a glance

APOGEVMATINI: "Increases in retroactive pay for military officers"

AVGHI: "What 'zero tolerance'? Prime minister's assurance put to the test"

AVRIANI: "Free-for-all over commissions in (state-run pension funds') bond sales"

CHORA: "Numerous additions to town planning zones"

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Agreement for pipeline signed amid hoopla, the difficult part begins with construction..."

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Report on civil servants' pension fund bond delivered to prosecutor (for further investigation)"

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The puzzle for commissions (in bond sales). Scandal in pension funds"

EPOCH: "Framework law on education will remain inactive"

ETHNOS: "They're (government) dolling out millions from agriculture insurance fund"

KATHIMERINI: "Russian invasion of capital investments in EU"

LOGOS: "Pipeline deal a pre-election weapon for (PM Costas) Karamanlis"

NIKI: "(Main opposition) cites specific names in pension fund scandals"

PARON: "Historic intervention by Athens Academy vis-�-vis controversy over sixth-grade history book"

PROTO THEMA: "Scandal at football pools organisation (OPAP) reaches Karamanlis"

RIZOSPASTIS: "Sector-wide collective bargaining agreements: Intensification of activity ahead of March 29"

TO VIMA: "Three revelations, one order. Order from Brussels: Overhaul public healthcare system and allocate more money to education"

VRADYNI: "Government coffers opening for lower-income classes"

Cyprus Affairs

[26] Cyprus president reiterates commitment to July 8 agreement

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has reiterated the Greek Cypriot side's commitment to the implementation of the July 8, 2006, agreement, stressing that he will not accept any diversion from the process provided by the agreement.

''Our aim is to promote the full implementation of the July 8 agreement so the road for substantive negotiations to achieve a proper settlement opens,'' Papadopoulos said, addressing a Social Democrats Movement's Congress on Sunday.

He added that ''if we accept now derogation from the process to allegedly assist the Turkish Cypriot side, we will create a prece-dent for other more painful and of more decisive importance de-rogations, which at the end will neutralize the whole process and agreement.''

According to Papadopoulos, the Greek Cypriot side will ''continue to strive for a functional and viable solution as soon as possible, on the basis determined by the United Nations and in the framework outlined by the European values and principles.''

''We have before us the well-known process, which was launched at our own initiative on July 8 last year and to that we remain consistent and committed,'' he stressed.

Referring to the decision to demolish the wall at Ledras Street, Papadopoulos noted that the contacts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots are useful, noting however that ''opening roads for contacts between the two communities is not enough.''

The primary goal, he added, is to open the road towards a solution which will reunify the people and our country and will establish security and the best future for all citizens of our country,'' he added.

Papadopoulos noted that the aim and desire for reunification cannot be exhausted with verbal declarations such as ''we desire solution soon'' and ''we support reunification''.

''Reunification has a substantive and particular content,'' he said, adding that real reunification means reunification of Cyprus' land, society, economy and institutions.''

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

On July 8, 2006, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met in the presence of senior UN official Ibrahim Gambari and agreed to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and those that concern substantive issues.

[27] United European Left: Occupation of Cyprus must end

President of the Confederal Group United European Left/Nordic Green Left Francis Wurtz said on Saturday that the occupation of Cyprus, an EU member-state, by Turkey, a country aspiring to join the EU, must end.

''With the prospect of a regulation of the northern Ireland question, Cyprus will soon be the only country in the EU experiencing military occupation by another country, which moreover is a candidate for accession to the EU," Wurtz told a Euro-Mediterranean meeting of

Left Parties hosted by left-wing AKEL party in Nicosia, adding that ''this anomaly has to come to an end.''

He reiterated that the European Left supports the principle of a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation in Cyprus, and ''places its hopes in close cooperation between both communities in a reunified Cyprus.''

Addressing the meeting, AKEL General Secretary and Cyprus House President Demetris Christofias said that the efforts of Turkey's expansionist circles to impose unacceptable solutions to the Cyprus problem, contrary to the international law and the relevant UN resolutions, are continuing.

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