Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-08-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis points to falling unemployment since March 2004

[02] New armed forces chief appointed

[03] PASOK leader Papandreou addresses rally in Agrinio

[04] KKE leader unveils candidates for Sept. 16 electi�n

[05] Alavanos on upcoming elections

[06] Decision on eligible voters; parties' state funding announced

[07] Papathemelis on exclusion from TV debate

[08] Prosecution launched over purchase, sale of bonds by National Road Works Fund

[09] Funds accept JP Morgan offer to repurchase 280-mln-euro structured bond, interest included

[10] Positive evaluation of Cosmote by Morgan Stanley

[11] Merger of fish farming companies approved

[12] Sales of SIDMA S.A. up 18%

[13] Minoan Lines' 1st half 2007 finances at same level as 2006

[14] Athens Stock Exchange: Bullish session on Wed.

[15] Greek bond market closing report

[16] ADEX closing report

[17] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[18] Twenty individuals arrested for Thessaloniki street clashes on Tues.

[19] Baby bear hit by car; injured in the leg

[20] Crime of passion in downtown Athens

[21] Sunny, windy on Thursday

[22] President Papadopoulos says no preconditions for meeting with Talat

[23] CEH welcomes proposed legislation calling for end of Turkish occupation

[24] Cyprus has right to explore oil deposits, says US

[25] Slovak Ambassador to continue supporting a Cyprus solution Politics

[01] Karamanlis points to falling unemployment since March 2004

Karamanlis, who declared early elections for Sept. 16 last week to essentially renew his mandate for reforms, reminded on Wednesday that unemployment stood at 11.3 percent when he took over in early March 2004.

We made good on our pledges; we achieved what was unattainable by other past governments. However, this is not enough; we do not say that we have solved the problem, we are still not satisfied, Karamanlis said.

The prime minister and ruling New Democracy president again called joblessness the biggest social problem facing the country, an issue that requires "constant vigilance, persistent efforts, comprehensive planning and radical policies to deal with the problem at its root."

In touching on the coming elections, Karamanlis said the government is presenting citizens with the truth and its work over the past three and a half years, calling on Greek citizens to evaluate what the government has done.

"Those who are responsible for the explosion in unemployment today dare to act the part of critic, closing their eyes and ears, trying to fish for votes while playing with the justified concern of young people," he stressed.

[02] New armed forces chief appointed

The out-going armed forces chief of staff, Adm. Panayiotis Hinofotis, resigned on Tuesday and was replaced on Wednesday by the current head of the army's general staff, Gen. Dimitris Grapsas.

[03] PASOK leader Papandreou addresses rally in Agrinio

"Today Agrinio spoke, the people spoke, the democratic campaign of victory spoke, which is erupting throughout the country. The (general) elections have been judged," he said.

He added:

"In 26 days from today, Greece is changing a page, the Right returns to its known position: in the main opposition, the new change is coming and from September 17 the new PASOK government will get to work."

Papandreou said that PASOK "is beginning with the guide, its renewed programme and its founding values for a strong Greece, with social justice, security, a smile, prospects, a strong position in the European Union and prestige in the world, a Greece with extroversion and dynamics."

The PASOK leader went on to say that "Mr. (Prime Minister Costas) Karamanlis did not decide the elections. His policy collapsed, his government has fallen. Now, no one hears them (the New Democracy government) any more and no one believes them. The only ND plan and that of Mr. Karamanlis is how to serve major interests. He now sees the rage of the citizens mounting from the incompetency, in the handling of the wildfires, in the delay in giving essential support to those affected."

[04] KKE leader unveils candidates for Sept. 16 electi�n

Papariga herself will appear on the first and second Athens election districts, as party leaders in Greece have the right to stand in two separate districts.

Among others, she noted that the primary characteristic of the Greek communist party's ballots is the fact that a majority of candidates are workers and wage-earners (roughly 70 percent), of which 35 percent are college graduates. Additionally, roughly 41 percent of the party's candidates for the Sept. 16 election are newcomers, with one-fifth under the age of 35 and with women candidates making up 23 percent of the lists.

Prior to her press conference, Papariga toured the Evangelismos state hospital in downtown Athens, the country's largest medical facility.

While there, Papariga reiterated her party's criticism that both ND and PASOK are working against the public healthcare system in favor of private interests, whereas she also termed views of the rival Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) as "dangerous".

[05] Alavanos on upcoming elections

The goals set are making the upcoming elections the elections of the new generation and highlighting the major issues facing the Greek people, such as pensions, remuneration, ecological issues, education, health, etc.

At this point, Alavanos criticised the two major parties, saying that an effort is being made for the elections to focus only on the field of corruption and no discussion to be held on the other major problems.

Alavanos said that he condemns the tactics of the ruling New Democracy party in a series of incidents, as he cited the mobile phone tapping incident, the bonds affair and claims by a group of Pakistanis that they were illegally detained. He also accused both major parties of cover ups, as he said.

[06] Decision on eligible voters; parties' state funding announced

According to the ministry, catalogues of eligible voters for the Sept. 16 election include changes (additions or removal of voters' names) up until June 30, 2007, whereas court decisions after that date may affect individuals already listed on catalogues.

In an urgent circular to regional general secretaries, the ministry calls on regional authorities to notify local government entities of the decision.

Meanwhile, in a related development, a joint decision by the interior and economy ministries on Wednesday also announced the level of state funding allocated to eligible political parties, namely, those parties represented in Parliament and the European Parliament.

The level of funding is based on the number of seats held by each party.

Specifically , ruling New Democracy party was allocated 3.02 million euros; main opposition PASOK 2.70 million euros; the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) approximately 393,000 euros; the Coalition of the Left-dominated "Coalition of the Radical Left (Syriza)" approximately 217,000 euros and the out-of-Parliament but Europarliament-represented Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) party roughly 146,000 euros.

[07] Papathemelis on exclusion from TV debate

"The last obstacle is the Interparty Committee that, in any case, has the opinion that we must be excluded from the debate, while it put Mr.(George) Karatzaferis (the leader of the LA.OS party) in. The decison by the appraisal committee is profoundly undemocratic, it is an unconstitutional action..." Papathemelis told reporters.

[08] Prosecution launched over purchase, sale of bonds by National Road Works Fund

The controversial transactions probed were carried out during the 2003-2004 period, when the president and managing director of TEO was the main opposition PASOK party's general director until recently, Ioannis Papaconstantinou, who resigned after the case was revealed.

The file of proceedings and the relevant report prepared by the prosecutor, on completion of his investigation, was forwarded to the investigating magistrate after prosecution was launched for four criminal charges.

Prosecution launched concerns actions prosecuted regarding incriminating circumstances on embezzlers of public funds and includes the following offences:

1. Breach of trust related to service at the expense of a Legal Entity of Public Law, that was perpetrated under conditions that were very incriminating, and being an object of very great value, while the benefit pursued or achieved by the perpetrator and the corresponding loss incurred or threatened for the TEO SA Legal Entity of Public Law exceeds a total of 150,000 euros.

2. Forgery with use with the aim of achieving property benefit and harm by a third party at the expense of a Legal Entity of Public Law, that was carried out under conditions that were very incriminating, and being an object of very great value, the benefit pursued or achieved by the perpetrator and the corresponding loss incurred or threatened for the TEO SA Legal Entity of Public Law exceeds a total of 150,000 euros.

3. Direct complicity in the offence of breach of trust.

4. Acceptance and sale of products of a crime of very great value by a perpetrator who is attempting such actions by profession and habit and that was perpetrated in relation to the aforesaid act of breach of trust.

It is noted that prosecution is directed at the former president and managing director of TEO, Ioannis Papaconstantinou, those in charge of the ARTION brockerage company, as well as every other person responsible who will be revealed by the investigation.

Replying to questions on prosecution against Papaconstantinou, main opposition PASOK party spokesman Yiannis Rangousis made the following statement:

"The outgoing Karamanlis government is once again involving its own partisan plans in Justice. The day on which the Zorbas report came to light, the Karamanlis government thinks that it can get away from its responsibilities with cheap and unprovoked diversions. However, the citizens have minds, they are aware and they fully realise the specific partisan expediency."

Financial News

[09] Funds accept JP Morgan offer to repurchase 280-mln-euro structured bond, interest included

According to the president of the civil servants' supplementary fund (TEADY), Andreas Kintis, JP Morgan agreed to pay the interest on the bond up until the day it is repurchased, while he said Aug. 31 is probably the day when the transaction will occur.

The four funds include TEADY, the newspaper vendors' fund, the pharmacy employees' fund and the supplementary fund for social security funds' employees (TEAPOKA).

Gov't: Commitment fulfilled

In the wake of the announcement, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and Employment and Social Protection Minister Vassilis Magginas issued the following statement on the repurchase of the restructured bond:

"The process regarding the repurchase, by the social security funds, of 280-million-euro bond was completed today During the sessions a relevant contract was signed that anticipates the repurchase of the bond, as well as payment of the interest of the second quarter by the international financing group JP Morgan

The government's commitment, namely, that not one euro of the funds' reserves will be lost, has been fulfilled"

Political reverberations continue

Meanwhile, pre-election charges and counter-charges, particularly between the government and main opposition PASOK, reached a fever pitch earlier on Wednesday in the wake of a finalised independent prosecutor's probe into the structured bonds affair that dominated the political limelight throughout the spring and early summer.

A report detailing the investigation's findings, overseen by independent prosecutor and head of the money laundering watchdog authority, George Zorbas, was officially filed last week, although the report remains confidential.

On Wednesday Justice Minister Anastasis Papaligouras, himself at the centre of much of PASOK's criticism, reiterated that the justice ministry and the government "do not interfere with the independent justice system."

"PASOK, on the other hand, is attempting the crudest of interventions, abusing and threatening judicial officers because they are not complying with their (PASOK) partisan indications. In this way, it is turning directly against the independence of justice, treating it with contempt and undermining the institution. The only necessary replacement is the replacement of PASOK's partisan animosity with basic, to say the least, political seriousness," the minister said, in response to repeated opposition calls that he step down.

On his part, ND party spokesman Constantine Arvanitopoulos said that there should be no "shadows" on the issue and ample light must be shed. The spokesman recalled that it was the ND government that had revealed the issue and had referred it to justice, while also sacking the persons involved.

He further stressed that the Zorbas report is part of the evidence that the judiciary will be taking into consideration in its investigation on the bonds issue.

Asked whether there had been money illegally funneled to ND's campaign coffers - a charge repeated on Wednesday by a portion of the press -- Arvanitopoulos was categorical in refuting the media claims.

PASOK reaction

Referring to the same issue, main opposition PASOK spokesman Yiannis Ragoussis said PASOK "sees" expediency in the proclamation of elections on Sept. 16. He added that bonds issue determined "the date of the elections in order to avert revelations about the outgoing government."

Ragoussis added that developments have vindicated the longstanding positions of PASOK leader George Papandreou on the issue, and pointed out that PASOK's president, "being tomorrow's prime minister, is the only one who can guarantee a law-abiding state in which institutions will function without being influenced and will provide equality before the law and of rights."

Asked to comment on statements by Papaligouras, Ragoussis reiterated his call for the minister to resign.

Also commenting on the "Zorbas report", the PASOK spokesman said "it reveals an obscure backstage, a picture of institutional decline on the bonds scandal that has appeared over our country."

[10] Positive evaluation of Cosmote by Morgan Stanley

The analysts of the well known financial firm foresee that the income of the Cosmote Group will increase in the 2nd quarter of the year by 37% and will reach 740 million euros, the EBITDA will speed up to 20% and reach 244 million euros from 13% it was in the 1st quarter, while net profits will approach 100 million euros and specifically 97, marking a 19% increase.

[11] Merger of fish farming companies approved

According to the plan for the merger which is being proposed by the companies' boards, the merger will take place with the absorption of Parko Perdika S.A. by Selonta S.A.

The merger is expected to be completed by the end of October, 2008.

[12] Sales of SIDMA S.A. up 18%

Specifically, in the first half of 2007, the Group's overall sales amounted to 129 million euros, against 107 million euros in the corresponding six-month period of 2006.

Net profit increased by 14% in the first half of 2007, from 5.2% in the first half of 2006.

Net profit after tax in June 2007 reached 5.3 million euros compared to 3.8 million euros in June 2006, marking a 42% increase.

[13] Minoan Lines' 1st half 2007 finances at same level as 2006

The operational profits of the company (EBITDA) increased by 50.9% and amounted to 18.2 million euros against 12.1% in the corresponding period last year.

The net results of the first half of 2007 were transformed to a loss of 1.8 million euros against a loss of 7 million euros in the corresponding period last year, resulting in an improvement by 5.2 million euros (+74.5%).

[14] Athens Stock Exchange: Bullish session on Wed.

Most sector indices were up, with the biggest gains in Mass Media (6.88 percent), Industrial Products (3.05 percent) and Technology (2.78 percent).

The Big Cap index ended 1.66 pct up, the Mid Cap index was down by 2.17 pct and the Small cap index lost 1.80 pct.

Advancers far out paced decliners by 238 to 31 with another 28 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +1.45%

Industrials: +3.05%

Commercial: +0.48%

Construction: +2.07%

Media: +6.88%

Oil & Gas: +1.64%

Personal & Household: +1.87%

Raw Materials: +2.59%

Travel & Leisure: +1.22%

Technology: +2.78%

Telecoms: +0.35%

Banks: +1.95%

Food & Beverages: +1.97%

Health: +2.14%

Utilities: -0.36%

Chemicals: +1.92%

Financial Services: +2.28%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Marfin Investment Group, National Bank, Piraeus Bank and OTE.

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

Alpha Bank: 22.58

ATEbank: 3.66

Public Power Corp (PPC): 21.74

HBC Coca Cola: 35.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.46

Emporiki Bank: 19.38

National Bank of Greece: 41.60

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 24.50

Intralot: 24.60

Cosmote: 22.34

OPAP: 26.20

OTE: 23.24

Titan Cement Company: 37.10

[15] Greek bond market closing report

The 10-year benchmark bond (July 20, 2017) was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 580 million euros. The Greek bond yielded 4.62 pct.

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.05 pct, the two-day rate 4.05 pct, the one-week rate 4.14 pct, the one-month rate 4.45 pct, the three-month rate 4.65 pct, the six-month rate 4.70 pct and the 12-month rate 4.71 pct.

[16] ADEX closing report

The September contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at a discount of 0.76 pct while the August contract on the FTSE 40 index at a premium of 0.18 percent.

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 7,396 contracts worth 86.228 million euros, with 43,469 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 508 contracts worth 14.238 million euros, with 1,077 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 8,400 contracts worth 12.820 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Alpha Bank (1,047) followed by ELTEX (739), Atebak (662), Post Office Savings Bank (629), National Bank (590), Intracom (528), Marfin Investment Group (464), Bank of Piraeus (351), Mytilineos (305), Viochalko (244), Public Power Corporation (192), Attica 178 and OPAP (141).

[17] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

U.S. dollar 1.360

Pound sterling 0.684

Danish kroner 7.501

Swedish kroner 9.460

Japanese yen 156.56

Swiss franc 1.643

Norwegian kroner 8.055

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.441

Australian dollar 1.688

General News

[18] Twenty individuals arrested for Thessaloniki street clashes on Tues.

All of the suspects are adults and Greek citizens, authorities said.

Mostly masked self-styled anti-state individuals took to the streets of Thessaloniki on Tuesday, hurling homemade firebombs and stones at police and storefronts in the city's centre. The incidents came on the sidelines of a protest by African migrants in the northern city and anti-racism activists over the death of a Nigerian man on Saturday.

The victim, who was reportedly hawking bootleg CDs to caf� patrons in the Kalamaria district, jumped off a first-floor balcony to avoid what he believed were two plainclothes police officers heading his way.

A coroner on Tuesday ruled the death an accident, while police authorities in Thessaloniki denied that any patrols, uniformed or undercover, were on duty at the location during the incident.

[19] Baby bear hit by car; injured in the leg

The baby bear was found injured in the leg and was transferred for treatment at the Veterinary Station for the Care of Wild Animals, of the urban non-profit-making company "Arktouros", which is located at Aeto of Florina prefecture.

In the event that the veterinarians deem that the bear's health has been restored, then the animal will be again set free in the natural environment near the point where he was found.

It is the 10th case of a bear falling victim of a traffic accident these past four years in eastern Macedonia, while the nine previous ones were fatal. The baby bear at Polyfyto is the second which has been found in the area of the Egnatia Motorway.

For this reason, "Arktouros" has already sent a memorandum to the relevant authorities so as to deal with the problem and for adequate measures to be taken for the protection of animals.

[20] Crime of passion in downtown Athens

The man was walking in the street with his Albanian friend, when her former companion suddenly appeared before them, carrying a knife.

Before he could react, the Albanian attacked him, stabbed him and fled. The victim was rushed to Evangelismos hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Weather Forecast

[21] Sunny, windy on Thursday

Cyprus Affairs

[22] President Papadopoulos says no preconditions for meeting with Talat

President Tassos Papadopoulos said on Wednesday that the condition for his meeting on September 5 with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat was that both sides would meet without preconditions.

Speaking on the sidelines of a reception in honour of the delegates to the 15th congress of overseas Cypriots and commenting on Talat's remarks that he would attend the meeting without preconditions, President Papadopoulos said ''this was the precondition of the meeting, that we are both going without terms and preconditions.''

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

A meeting has been scheduled for September 5 between President Papadopoulos and Talat.

[23] CEH welcomes proposed legislation calling for end of Turkish occupation

Leaders of the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) have described plans to introduce in the US Senate legislation calling for an end to the Turkish occupation as ''another major American step to end Turkey's occupation of Cyprus.''

The announcement of the plans was made on Tuesday by US Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

The bill says, Turkey's pretext for occupation ''has been refuted by over 13 million crossings by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots into each other's communities without incident.''

"This Senate action by such a highly-regarded member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and member of the Senate Republican Leadership, respectively, will add considerable weight to a rapidly-growing American discontent with 42,000 Turkish troops in Cyprus, a member of the European Union,'' CEH says.

The leaders of CEH noted that ''for some years, legislation addressing the Cyprus crisis in the Senate and House has had few advocates'' and that, given the greatly increased advocacy for Cyprus in America of late, it is anticipated that this Senate bill, as well as a recent House bill, ''will enjoy significant cosponsorship.''

[24] Cyprus has right to explore oil deposits, says US

Acting Spokesman for the US State Department Gonzalo Gallegos has said that the Republic of Cyprus is a sovereign nation and has the right to invite bids for oil exploration within its own economic zone.

He also said that the involvement of US firms in investments, such as the exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, is a business decision, not a political one.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday regarding the US position on tenders by the Republic of Cyprus for the exploitation of oil and natural gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, Gallegos said ''the Republic of Cyprus has announced the results of bids to obtain oil and gas exploration licenses in Cyprus's exclusive economic zone.''

He added that ''an American firm is among the bidders'' and that ''the Republic of Cyprus is a sovereign nation with the right to request bids for oil exploration within its own economic zone.''

''The involvement of US firms in such investment is a business decision, not a political one,'' he concluded.

[25] Slovak Ambassador to continue supporting a Cyprus solution

Slovak Ambassador to Cyprus Anna Turenicova pledged her country's readiness to continue Slovakia's role in promoting a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Turenicova made the statement during a meeting on Wednesday with Interior Minister Christos Patsalides, as part of her visits to ministries and government departments.

Slovakia has been organizing meetings of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties at Ledra Palace in Nicosia for 18 years.

On his part, Minister Patsalides said he received assurances from Turenicova that Slovakia will continue supporting a Cyprus settlement, noting Slovakia's position "boosts efforts to solve the Cyprus problem."

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