Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-04-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM chairs meeting on allocating 4th CSF; promises 80% to regions

[02] PASOK's V. Papandreou on distribution of 4th CSF

[03] Bakoyannis-Abbas meet in Athens

[04] Abbas proclaimed honorary member of 'Andreas Papandreou' Foundation

[05] Papandreou: bonds affair an 'organised criminal plan'

[06] Poll records 1.5-point lead for ruling party, anger over bonds issue

[07] 40th year since 1967 military coup in Greece

[08] Education minister on EU court ruling over recognition of degrees

[09] Greece's Information SG concludes visit to Washington

[10] JP Morgan offer 'being evaluated', Finmin says

[11] JP Morgan offer 'beneficial', employment minister says

[12] Foreign Exchange Rates - Saturday-Monday

[13] Seminar on local government organised by 'Karamanlis' Institute and ND

[14] National Road Safety Conference held in Thessaloniki

[15] Events mark 92nd anniversary of Armenian genocide

[16] National parade by Greek-Americans at Manhattan's 5th Avenue

[17] Patriarch of Alexandria on renovation of Cairo's Saint George Monastery

[18] Police capture escaped prisoner

[19] Two arrested for smuggling immigrants in northern Greece

[20] Lawyers to abstain from duties on April 25

[21] Olympiakos wins Greek Super League soccer championship

[22] Sunny on Monday

[23] The Sunday editions of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] PM chairs meeting on allocating 4th CSF; promises 80% to regions

"We are making use of our country's competitive advantages, creating strong developmental centres in each of our regions, we are bolstering the weakest of these, strengthening them with national funds and this is happening for the first time," Karamanlis stated.

The meeting was attended by Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Deputy Minister Christos Folias and Deputy Interior Minister Thanassis Nakos, as well as regional heads of the country's 13 EU-mandated administrative regions.

The prime minister underlined that, following the approval of its NSRF by the European Commission on March 28, Greece is the first of the cohesion countries to receive such a big funding package that has successfully completed negotiations and gained approval for the 2007-2013 NSRF.

"Greece is changing its pace. It now has an opportunity to begin first on the road that leads to true convergence," Karamanlis underlined. He noted that in December 2005, through grueling negotiations and against pressures to reduce funds, the government "succeeded in securing 24.4 billion euros in funds for the next seven years".

With the national contribution, these funds represented a total package of 36,5 billion euros that would be spent on the country's development, particularly in regional areas, Karamanlis added.

The prime minister also underlined the government's efforts to simplify the tortuous bureaucratic procedures that had led to delays and losses of funds under previous programmes.

"For the management and implementation of the 4th CSF we are creating a small and flexible formation that will guarantee speed, transparency and efficiency," he stressed.

He said that the EU funds for the next seven years would be used to finance productive investments, which aimed to produce measurable economic and social results, growth that was strong, balanced and sustainable, more and better-paid jobs and prosperity for all and in all areas.

The government's goal was to use the 4th CSF to turn Greece into "a country with an outward-looking and competitive economy. A country that produces, promoting innovation and quality, a country that invests in new knowledge and its human resources, a country that takes the lead in protecting the environment."

[02] PASOK's V. Papandreou on distribution of 4th CSF

She added that "the proposals and the wishes for the Regions, are only on paper."

[03] Bakoyannis-Abbas meet in Athens

Bakoyannis underlined the need to seek a solution based on the Road Map and the criteria set by the "Quartet". She also pointed out that, for the resumption of direct aid from the European Union to Palestine, the statements and actions of members of the Palestinian Authority should also be taken into account in addition to the three criteria of the Quartet.

The foreign minister noted that achieving progress in the peace process could potentially create a domino of positive developments in the region.

"The creation of a national unity government, the recent renewal of a proposal for an Arab peace-making initiative and the first positive messages from Israel, open up particularly promising prospects for promoting a peace-making dialogue," she said.

According to Bakoyannis, meanwhile, the regular dialogue between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was useful and helped to build trust. She urged that it continue, so that results might be achieved on urgent issues for improving living conditions in Palestinian territories.

Among these urgent issues she listed achieving an end to violence, establishing security and restoring free movement, returning withheld taxes, as well as setting free the captive Israeli soldier and the Palestinian ministers and MPs.

"The final goal remains a solution of two states based on the Road Map and the criteria of the Quartet, with an end to the occupation and the foundation of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state that will coexist with security next to Israel," Bakoyannis said.

It would be a "powerful" political message if the prospects of creating a Palestinian state were clarified, possibly by establishing a new time schedule, she added.

She also pledged Greece's support, alongside its EU partners, in the effort set up an international mechanism for sending humanitarian and developmental aid to the Palestinian people and to strengthen the institutions of the Palestinian state.

"Greece, as it proved during its presidency of the UN Security Council, will continue to make every effort to establish peace and stability in the region. Greece will support these positions at the next EU General Affairs Council, where the Palestinian issue will be raised," she told Abbas, while stressing the need for Europe to have a "single voice" on this issue.

According to Abbas, the creation of a national unity government and its new programme, as well as the reconfirmation of an Arab peace-making initiative, "satisfied all the conditions in order to proceed toward the implementation of the vision of U.S. President George Bush and the Quartet for the foundation of an independent Palestinian state and proceed toward a solution of two states".

He said his meetings with the Israeli prime minister were part of this framework and that they focused on "daily issues for Palestinians and issues that can lead to finding a solution".

Expressing his thanks toward the EU and Greece for their support, he urged the EU to lift its embargo because its continuation would only lead to an increase in extremism, which no one wanted.

"The Palestinian people must be helped to lead a normal life so that the situation can be normalised," he added.

Asked to comment on the initiative by Arab countries, the Palestinian president said it was a "Declaration of Principles that leads to peace" and described it as "balanced".

"It asks Israel to withdraw from the territories it occupied in 1967 and, in exchange, 57 Islamic and Arab countries are willing to normalise their relations with Israel. It is an extremely important initiative and its implementation is exceptionally vital for achieving peace in the Middle East," he said.

Regarding the Israeli soldier that is being held prisoner, Abbas said that efforts were being made for his release, so that he could return to his family.

"At the same time, we say that there are 10,000 Palestinians being held and we also have a right to demand their release," he noted.

Regarding BBC reporter Alan Johnston, who was abducted in Gaza, Abbas repeated an earlier statement that the reporter was alive and that the Palestinian Authority was making efforts to ensure that he would be set free.

[04] Abbas proclaimed honorary member of 'Andreas Papandreou' Foundation

"My father called Yasser Arafat a brother. Allow me, Mahmoud, to welcome you in Athens and at the 'Andreas Papandreou' Foundation with the same address. My dear brother, welcome," main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader and Socialist International President George Papandreou said.

Papandreou welcomed Abbas and Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr, at an event during which Abbas was proclaimed honorary member of the International Council of the "Andreas Papandreou" Foundation.

Having referred to the close bonds of friendship and solidarity between the Greek and Palestinian peoples, Papandreou said "we warmly support the solution of two states, of Israel and of Palestine, based on mutual recognition, which will co-exist with respect to international law, peace and security."

Papandreou stressed that PASOK and Socialist International (SI) "are working towards this target," adding that he will continue visiting the region, "promoting the process of peace and asking for guarantees for the protection of the rights and the respect of the just demands of the Palestinian people."

The PASOK leader and SI president assessed as a new opportunity for the promotion of a peace dialogue the formation of a government of national unity in Palestine and the recent renewal of the proposal of the Arab peace initiative and said that these positive steps must open the road also for the termination of the economic embargo which has been imposed on the Palestinian people.

Papandreou stressed that Greece must play a continuous role in this matter, which is of vital importance for the entire region and underlined that President Abbas guarantees the peaceful course for the solution of the Middle East and of the Palestinian issue.

On his part, Abbas said "we are calling for help for us to consolidate peace and these which we are asking for are contained in the Bush vision for two states, the UN resolutions and the Arab peace initiative." At the same time, he called for the lifting "of the unjust exclusion which has been imposed on us."

Abbas further stressed that "the Palestinian people is suffering from the lack of basic goods for more than a year now, however, they have not despaired, they seek and ask for peace."

The Palestinian Authority leadership attended a dinner on Sunday evening hosted by Papandreou at his residence in Kastri. Also present at the dinner was President of the Republc Karolos Papoulias.

A photo exhibition on Greek-Palestinian friendship was also inaugurated at the foundation's premises for the material of which the PASOK leader thanked the ANA-MPA and George Hallaq.

[05] Papandreou: bonds affair an 'organised criminal plan'

According to Papandreou, the bonds affair was an "organised criminal plan" that required setting up an entire mechanism - in every section of which were members of the ruling New Democracy party. Describing the government as "criminal", he also stressed that it was "a crime for which there is no statute of limitations, it is ongoing, and that returning the stolen goods does not expunge it".

Speaking at an event organised by PASOK on democracy and transparency, PASOK's leader asserted that the bonds affair revealed a broader plan:

"There was an attempt to create a system of power with unlimited economic resources that would ensure ND's long-term residence in power," he said.

Players in this scheme included a long list of ND-backed financial players, which he called the "neo-yuppies, the London group that had also made an appearance under the Mitsotakis government of 1990-1993 and were now back, "falling on public wealth like locusts with the collusion of the Karamanlis government".

"The set in motion the train of the big robbery on the route Athens-London-Cyprus-Cayman Islands," Papandreou said.

Turning his fire on Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis personally, he accused him of being "abset and in hiding" and said that his government was "finished, hanging grimly onto power by tooth and nail".

If Karamanlis was not aware of what was happening, then he was unfit to be prime minister, while if he was aware he was also unfit to be prime minister, Papandreou added.

He was critical of an offer by JP Morgan to buy back the bond in question - saying the move was tantamount to an admission of guilt - and called for legislative measures for the compensation of pension funds and their investment in the "old, safe bonds". He also demanded that the guilty be punished without exception, including politicians and their friends and relatives.

During his speech, Papandreou also appealed to the left-wing parties to join with PASOK and "not let Greece be delivered into the hands of a new and ruthless economic oligarchy".

He also stressed that the problem was not in the laws but in the lack of political will to stamp out corruption, underlining that he was determined to put an end to this vicious circle.

Gov't spokesman responds

Minister of State and Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Sunday responded to main opposition PASOK leader George Papanderou's criticism earlier in the day over the government's handling of the structured bonds issue, particularly its purchase at inflated prices by Greek social insurance funds.

"Mr. Papandreou, as a high-profile minister, served without objections a certain system of power which had favoured practices of cover-up and immunity. The belated interest he is showing while in the opposition, does not convince anybody," Roussopoulos said.

[06] Poll records 1.5-point lead for ruling party, anger over bonds issue

The poll was carried out on April 17-19 and consisted of 1,001 interviews conducted over the phone with respondents in all parts of the country.

Of these, 33.6 percent said that they intended to vote for ND in the next elections, 32.1 percent said they would vote for PASOK, 5.6 percent for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), 4.4 percent for the Coalition of the Left, of Movements and Ecology (SYN), 3.8 percent for the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party, 10 percent said they would abstain or cast a blank or spoiled vote and 7.4 percent said they were undecided.

In a similar poll conducted by Metron Analysis in October 2006, ND had a 3.2 percent lead over PASOK, with 33.8 percent backing ND and 30.6 percent backing the main opposition.

Regarding revelations that Greek social insurance funds had made questionable investments in high-risk structured bonds issued by the government that they had purchased at inflated prices, 81 percent of those asked considered government members responsible.

In response to the question "For each of the government members mentioned, do you consider that they bear political responsibility?", 71 percent replied 'yes' for Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis, 59.4 percent replied 'yes' in the case of Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and 43.9 percent replied 'yes' in the case of Deputy Economy Minister Petros Doukas.

At the same time, 59.2 percent are opposed to holding early elections, against 33.9 percent in favour, while 62.8 percent believe that the prime minister should carry out a cabinet reshuffle in the near future, 23.6 percent are opposed and 13.6 percent replied don't know/won't answer.

[07] 40th year since 1967 military coup in Greece

In a visit to the former EAT-ESA headquarters on Saturday, where many opponents of the junta were held and tortured during the dictatorship, main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou said that the threat to democratic institutions came from undermining them and the concentration of power of conservative forces in Europe and in Greece.

Referring to those held by EAT-ESA, he stressed that they were still seen as symbols of high principles and vision.

Papandreou visited the prisoners' cells, including the cell of Alekos Panagoulis, the man who almost succeeded in an attempt to assassinate the dictator Georgios Papadopoulos.

As he left the scene of torture, Papandreou met the head of the Coalition of the Left, of Movements and Ecology party Alekos Alavanos, who had been held at EAT-ESA himself for 2.5 months, and the two party leaders shook hands.

New Democracy party's message

The ruling party's message stressed that the seven years that followed April 21, 1967 were among the grimmest pages of modern Greek history.

"Forty years later, a strong democracy pays homage to those who fought and sacrificed themselves to restore it," the ND announcement said, noting that the progressive view that had humanity, social cohesion and social justice at its core was as timely as ever.

"The challenge is and was clear: to confront accumulated problems and chronic maladies," it added.

The government was continuing the changes and reforms that would guarantee improved prospects for all Greeks and, above all, the younger generation, it concluded.

PASOK stresses need to protect human rights

In its own message, the main opposition party described the seven-year junta as the darkest period of Greece's recent history, which culminated in the tragic invasion and occupation of Cyprus.

Though 40 years had passed since that time and democracy was more stable than ever, it was still wounded when the interests of the few were promoted at the expense of the many and when individual rights and freedoms were cut back, the party underlined.

"It is wounded when fear and insecurity about the future are the dominant feelings in society. It is wounded when, instead of society imposing its terms and conditions on a globalised market, conservative governments throughout the world allow the market to impose its terms on society."

"But it is wounded chiefly from the efforts of conservative governments to dismantle the welfare state, one of the fundamental supports of modern democracy," the party said.

It stressed that PASOK would not allow one step backward or any concession from the rights that Greek people had gained through struggles and sacrifices.

"Deepening democracy and democratic procedures is the duty of every socialist and democratic political force, as well as the common obligation of all those that serve the principles and values of freedom, equality, justice and respect for the dignity of every human being, which represents the ultimate value," the announcement concluded.

Left-wing parties messages for 1967 coup's anniversary

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of Left, of Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) parties issued messages condemning the seven-year dictatorial rule by the colonels.

"KKE calls on the working class and popular forces, capitalising on their political and class experiences, to formulate criteria and demands for their rights, which will respond to their own needs and those of capital," a KKE statement read.

"KKE calls on working people and youth to create their own anti-imperialistic alliance, aiming at radical changes in power and economy," the statement added.

Synaspismos, on its part, underlined in an announcement that "the main message of the sordid anniversary of April 21 is that the struggle for democracy must be continuous" and that "its institutional shielding against phenomena of decadence, its defence against any attempt to restrict democratic rights and its steadfast broadening with institutions safeguarding the participation of citizens, are elements directly linked to this struggle."

[08] Education minister on EU court ruling over recognition of degrees

She was referring to a decision by the Advocate General at the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice last Thursday that Greece was violating EU regulations by failing to recognise degrees awarded by EU member-state universities and other educational institutes for studies carried out at affiliated private campuses in Greece.

"It is not about recognition of degrees. It is a question of professional rights, which come under competition issues in the European Commission," Yiannakou explained.

Regarding a proposal by the University of Western Macedonia to set up a new department in Kastoria teaching industrial design, landscape design and restoration of monuments, the minister said it was an "interesting proposal" which would have to go through the regular channels in order to ensure that it was viable.

"For the past two years, new departments are not set up without first conducting feasibility and viability studies, especially in the regions, because of the problems that arose in the past when new departments were set up with incredible ease without observing the basic rules of higher education," the minister noted.

Universities seek greater role under research law; minister pledges 420 million

The 54th Congress of Rectors held in Kastoria ended on Sunday with a resolution asking for a greater role for universities in national planning for scientific research and technology, especially laws governing the foundation of research centres.

The previous day, Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou had pledged 420 million euros to fund research in universities from the new Community Support Framework, saying that this would be given directly by the education ministry, and announced the government intended to launch dialogue on a National Strategy Plan for Research. She also referred to initiatives to create an interactive system between "universities and research centres" and measures to ensure "much greater institutional involvement of universities in research programmes" in collaboration with the development ministry.

"There is only one goal. A good state university, which will be among the best European universities. We want a final product that will help with our strategy," she stressed.

In comments on the the framework bill for higher education, meanwhile, she underlined that the law would be followed to the letter and had no "obscure" points or problems. Yiannakou noted that evaluation of universities had already begun and would benefit young people, first and foremost.

"Through evaluation we will have both good studies and healthy competition and good degrees that count and good jobs. And all this is in young people's favour," she said.

In their resolution, rectors welcomed the move for a national strategy on research but expressed concerns that the proposals of a government committee were downgrading the important role of universities, demanding a final role that accorded to their significance.

Among others, they asked that legislative measures for founding research centres include universities, and that the interactive system proposed by the minister give "equal weighting" to universities and research centres in terms of distinctions, infrastructure and human resources.

"A law for research and technology should seek to reinforce and not to decrease research activity in universities," the resolution states, while calling for legislative measures fostering the development and practice of research in universities.

[09] Greece's Information SG concludes visit to Washington

Greece's Information Secretary General Panos Livadas concluded his visit to Washington on Sunday.

During his stay in the American capital, Livadas spoke at the Wilson Center and at the Hellenic-American Institute. He also met with Greek-American Congressmen with whom he exchanged views regarding Greek-American relations, national matters and the Greek community in the United States.

Greece's Ambassador to the US, Alexandros Mallias, hosted an official farewell dinner in honour of Livadas, which was attended by Greek-American and American officials and journalists from various mass media. In a brief address, Ambassador Mallias referred to modern Greece and to the role which it is playing in the broader region.

Livadas said that he was impressed by the fact that in the various meetings he had, he ascertained that 4th generation Greek-Americans have the same sentiments of love for Greece.

Financial News

[10] JP Morgan offer 'being evaluated', Finmin says

The Greek government is carefully evaluating JP Morgan's proposal to buy back a controversial structured bond worth 280 million euros, Greek Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis told reporters on Saturday after the end of an informal ECOFIN Council held here in Berlin.

"I will repeat what I said yesterday, which is that we have to be very careful. We are looking at this proposal very seriously and, as I said, our criteria are whether it ensures full compensation of any losses incurred by social insurance funds that bought these bonds on the secondary market from the other players that participated in the secondary market," he said.

Replying to other questions regarding the offer made by JP Morgan, meanwhile, the minister said the government had been informed but not come to any "understanding" on this issue.

He did point out, however, that the move indicated that neither JP Morgan nor the Greek finance ministry had anything to fear from the specific bond, which was issued with complete transparency.

"As to whether there was overpricing of the bond on the secondary market by other players and whether this overpricing caused losses to certain funds, this is another issue that is now under investigation and we will see if we will accept the specific proposal or not, whether it is truly possible that all those in the chain that intervened from the issuance of the bond until it reached the funds are prepared to reverse their actions," Alogoskoufis added.

Regarding an upcoming visit to Athens by European Commissioner for monetary affairs Joaquin Almunia, Alogoskoufis said the Commissioner was coming at the invitation of the finance ministry to take part in a conference on the "European social model" and an Economist conference.

Almunia is expected to express the Commission's standing views on European issues and the Greek economy, he added.

Regarding the results of the ECOFIN meeting, Alogoskoufis said he was very satisfied with the discussion that took place on Friday regarding the sense of insecurity and uncertainty created by globalisation.

A proposal by Germany and Austria to change the method of VAT payments for cross-border transactions in order to avoid tax evasion, however, was regarded as "premature" by Athens and other countries, the minister said.

[11] JP Morgan offer 'beneficial', employment minister says

The social insurance funds would not lose money, the minister assured in statements on the sidelines of a meeting of Bar Association presidents held in Florina.

Asked if there were political responsibilities over the affair, Tsitouridis said that it was the government's responsibility to continue its work and shield pension funds.

JP Morgan on Friday announced an initiative to repurchase a structured bond, worth 280 million euros, from North Asset Management at the same price it sold it, before again submitting an offer to return the bond to the Greek state under the initial terms of issuance.

The purchase of the specific bond by the state-run civil servants' supplementary fund under questionable terms caused a political firestorm in the country between the government and opposition, with the former tabling urgent legislation envisioning stricter rules for the management of funds' reserves and investments, while the opposition made accusations of fraudulent practices and sleaze.

JP Morgan said its offer aimed at annulling a structured bond, worth 280 million euros, issued by the Hellenic (Greek) Republic on Feb. 22, 2007. The bond was later sold to North Asset Management (NAM), according to standard rules of the market. In its announcement, the investment firm said it would repurchase the bond from NAM at the same price it sold it, at 92.95 pct of its nominal value. After the repurchase, JP Morgan plans to submit an offer to return the bond to the Hellenic Republic under the initial terms and annul a swap agreement, ensuring that the Hellenic Republic suffered no damages from the transaction.

[12] Foreign Exchange Rates - Saturday-Monday

U.S. dollar 1.371

Pound sterling 0.684

Danish kroner 7.511

Swedish kroner 9.268

Japanese yen 162.74

Swiss franc 1.654

Norwegian kroner 8.172

Cyprus pound 0.586

Canadian dollar 1.545

Australian dollar 1.642

General News

[13] Seminar on local government organised by 'Karamanlis' Institute and ND

It was organised by the "Constantine Karamanlis" Institute for Democracy, in collaboration with the ruling New Democracy party's Secretariat for Local Government and the ND Secretariat for Political Planning and Programming.

Among the speakers were a number of MPs and representatives of local government bodies, as well as MP Ioannis Varvitsiotis, who heads the Institute for Democracy, ND Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis and Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis.

Varvitsiotis called for enhanced financial independence for local authorities but also pointed to worrying reports of mismanagement within them.

Kaklamanis said that his departure from the central political scene to local government was final and he thanked Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for giving him the opportunity to run for mayor in in Athens.

He said that the mayors begging for funds from central government should cease to exist and said that he was striving for the foundation and operation of a new company, Demos SA, that would be able to coordinate and make best use of the funds coming in from the 4th Community Support Framework.

According to Zagoritis, meanwhile, the government was open to the messages of the time and "responding with vision and determination to the challenges of local societies".

He stressed the government's determination to forge ahead with planned reforms needed by the country and said the goal was a "state that had social sensitivity".

He also reiterated the government's determination to stamp out corruption in all forms:

"Silence, connivance and covering up does not express us, we are opposed to corruption. You should know that whoever betrays our trust will suffer the consequences and earn scorn from all of us," Zagoritis stressed.

[14] National Road Safety Conference held in Thessaloniki

According to a speaker from the Transport Institute of Greece (IME), one in five road accidents involving lorries and trucks led to a fatality, a rate more than double that for all types of vehicles.

In 2004, for example, there were 608 accidents involving trucks, of which 130 led to the death of one or more people. This represented a rate of 21.4%, compared with 9.5% for vehicle accidents generally.

Collisions with private cars were the most frequent form of accident involving trucks, accounting for 33.1 percent of the total, of which 18.4% involved a fatality. Next most frequent were collisions with two-wheeled vehicles (motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles), with pedestrians (13.8 percent) and lastly with other trucks (1.6 percent). The last case was also much more likely to lead to a death, however, with the percentage rising to 40 percent.

Another topic discussed at the meeting was the transport of hazardous substances - such as fuels, chemicals, toxic wastes or explosives- a cargo whose total worth is estimated at around 15 billion euros annually in Greece, while the annual turnover from its transportation is around 75 million euros. Human error and bad weather were to blame for most accidents where a hazardous substance was involved, while 18 percent of such accidents led to an explosion and 10 percent to large death counts (17 or more people).

Other speakers appealed for a shift toward bio-fuels and the use of natural gas by buses, taxis and school buses in a bid to clean up pollution in cities, where vehicle exhaust is estimated to account for 60 percent of pollution caused.

[15] Events mark 92nd anniversary of Armenian genocide

The main speaker at the events in Athens was New Democracy MEP Ioannis Varvitsiotis, who stressed that Turkey's refusal to recognise the genocide of the Armenians was a political issue. He noted that it had recently also reached the United States in the form of a Congress resolution that would define the mass killings of 1.5 million Armenians during World War I as genocide, sparking heated debates as its sponsors try to seek a House vote in the face of opposition from the White House.

Varvitsiotis pointed out that the European Parliament had recognised the genocide in 1987, while at the same time appealing to Turkey to begin negotiations with the Armenian people and was continuing to exert pressure in this direction. He stressed that it was an obligation that Turkey had to cover since it was seeking to join the European Union.

Brief speeches were also made by Deputy Development Minister Anastasios Nerantzis, who represented the Greek government and MP Fotis Kouvelis, the chairman of the Greek Parliament's Greece-Armenia friendship group, who represented the Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki, among others.

Central speaker at the events organised in Thessaloniki was Cypriot MEP and former Cyprus foreign minister Ioannis Cassoulides, who said that MEPs had succeeded in making Ankara's recognition of the Armenian genocide before its EU accession included in reports concerning Turkey.

[16] National parade by Greek-Americans at Manhattan's 5th Avenue

Tens of thousands of Greek-Americans observed the Greek parade which was held at Manhattan's 5th Avenue on Sunday to honour the anniversary of Greece's National Independence Day, March 25.

The parade was opened by Evzones of the Presidential Guard, while the Band of the Greek Navy played Greek marches.

It was one of the biggest parades held these past years.

Ceremony heads were Greek-American businessman Nicholas Davadzis and the Order of the Leaders of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with the aim of projecting the religious freedoms and the demand for the unhindered mission and functioning of the Patriarchate in Istanbul.

The Greek Parliament was represented by 3rd Vice-President Ioannis Tragakis. Also present were Greek Ambassador to the United States, Alexandros Mallias, the Consul General in New York, Ekaterini Boura, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, senior staff of Greek services and many American officials.

Archbishop of America Demetrios officiated a service at Saint Trinity Church in the morning.

[17] Patriarch of Alexandria on renovation of Cairo's Saint George Monastery

Patriarch of Alexandria Theodoros B' has expressed his great satisfaction over the sending of a first group of Foreign Ministry experts who will arrive in the Egyptian capital on Monday to examine at close hand how the renovation of the historic Saint George Monastery in Cairo can be implemented in practice.

"We express our joy that the state yet again recognises the problems of our Patriarchate and the need to solve them," he said.

[18] Police capture escaped prisoner

The prisoner, a resident of Thrace arrested on charges of drug-smuggling, managed to escape at around 21:00 on Friday night by removing the bars from a toilet window and shimmying up a drainpipe onto a next-door building, where the dropped into the courtyard and was quickly lost.

Officers at the police station immediately set up a search and he was eventually sighted on Irinis Avenue by the officer on duty and a guard, who arrested him with the assistance of colleagues from the Piraeus police headquarters.

Because he was arrested by officers from the police station that he escaped from within the time allowed, a sworn administrative inquiry and preliminary investigation into the escape was automatically cancelled, in accordance with police regulations.

[19] Two arrested for smuggling immigrants in northern Greece

Also arrested were 11 illegal immigrants from Iraq, while the driver managed to get away.

[20] Lawyers to abstain from duties on April 25

According to the presidium of the Plenum of the Bar Associations of Greece, the abstention will take place to protest against the delay observed in the attributing of justice and the harsh penalties imposed.

The lawyers also express their opposition to the legislative settlement for the securing of civil responsibility from accidents, underlining that it is at the expense of the citizen and insults the Bar.

Soccer

[21] Olympiakos wins Greek Super League soccer championship

Results of the other Super League soccer matches played over the weekend:

Apollon Kalamaria - Atromitos Athens 1-0

Panionios Athens - PAOK Thessaloniki 3-1

Panathinaikos Athens - Aris Thessaloniki 0-1

Xanthi - OFI Crete 4-1

Ergotelis Crete - Larissa 2-0

Ionikos Piraeus - AEK Athens 1-5

Egaleo Athens - Iraklis Thessaloniki 0-1

Standings after 28 weeks of play:

Olympiakos 67 points (Champion)

AEK 61 (Champions League)

Panathinaikos 52

Aris 43

Panionios 42

PAOK 42

OFI 39

Ergotelis 36

Xanthi 35

Apollon Kalamaria 35

Atromitos 34

Larissa 32

Kerkyra 31

Iraklis 29

Egaleo 27

Ionikos 4

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

Weather Forecast

[22] Sunny on Monday

[23] The Sunday editions of Athens' dailies at a glance

APOGEVMATINI: "Land register: all properties to be registered - including those without building permits...When, where and how the statements must be submitted".

AVGHI: "Karamanlis being drawn along. Trick with JP Morgan a retreat and an admission of guilt. Cabinet reshuffle likely".

AVRIANI: "Elections in June or a sweeping cabinet reshuffle? The crucial dilemma faced by Karamanlis".

CHORA: "Committee set up to give solution created ad hoc. Environment ministry bill to Parliament in the summer. An end to illegal building.

ELEFTHERI ORA: "PM looking for way out of the dead ends created for him by his ministers, sailing the government ship that has run aground and...Karamanlis on the island...of the lotus-eaters (refers to the mythical 'Land of the Lotus Eaters' in Homer's Ulysses, who lived in a perpetual stupor".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Preparation for elections. Relief after 'restructuring' of bond and plans for October".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Karamanlis to the till. Bonds scandal. Prime Minister foots political bill after the tactic-revelation by JP Morgan".

EPOCHI: "Bring back the Funds! Attempt at a strategy to extricate from the crisis"

ETHNOS: "Attempt to escape from the nightmare of the bonds. Desperate plan by Karamanlis to salvage his public image".

KATHIMERINI: "Karamanlis alone in front of the chess board. Prime Minister's crucial meetings today to seek a way out".

LOGOS: "'New order' in tertiary education. What changes with the mandatory recognition of degrees from vocational training centres".

NIKI: "Elections in June. Advice to Karamanlis to take the risk before it's too late".

PARON: "As a way out of the deep crisis, Karamanlis is considering elections".

PROTO THEMA: "Kick them out now, Karamanlis. Difference between ND-PASOK reduced to 1.5 percent. Metron Analysis poll shows 81% attach political responsibility to Tsitouridis, Alogoskoufis and Doukas".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Class unity of Greek and foreign workers should strengthen. Announcement by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Central Committee Political Bureau on immigrants".

VIMA: "On probation...The scandal with the bonds accelerating developments. Costas Karamanlis planning elections in September".

VRADYNI: "They're crushing the auctions circuit network. Heavy blow to the 'crows' that infest auctions".

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