Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-10-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] FYROM name dispute a 'good neighbour' issue, Greece says

[02] "Interim Accord still in force," Koumoutsakos stresses

[03] Koumoutsakos on UN special representative in Cyprus

[04] FM spokesman comments on Turkey, Iraq

[05] Papandreou accuses gov't of 'extreme neo-conservative turn' on social security issue

[06] Papandreou meets with the OSCE assembly VP

[07] Government on rebuilding programme for fire-stricken areas

[08] Draft law regulates Armed Forces' remuneration rates

[09] "Hour of the Prime Minister" to be activated on October 19

[10] SYRIZA on return of 'premier's hour' in Parliament

[11] Minister of State visits ANA-MPA in Athens

[12] Government on bid to cut down red tape

[13] Greek origin German FDP Eurodeputy of year

[14] Government says pension reform will not affect rights of insured

[15] GSEE says no to social security dialogue with gov't

[16] SYRIZA MP on state's failure to pay 1pct GDP to pension system

[17] Prime minister Karamanlis meets with FinMin

[18] Greek FinMin in Bulgaria on Thurs.

[19] High-ranking Turkish diplomat Berk concludes visit promoting Izmir's 2015 World Expo bid

[20] Hellenic Shipyards sells rolling stock unit to Dr. Meyer

[21] Aegean Marine Petroleum buys out Belgian company Bunkers at Sea

[22] Inauguration of passenger ferry in Piraeus

[23] Hellenic Petroleum in oil exploration contract in Egypt

[24] Greek economy grew by 4.1 pct in Q2, Eurostat

[25] European Commission to revise Telecommunications Law on November 13

[26] Transport minister on new technologies

[27] Daskalopoulos resigns as chairman of Vivartia

[28] Frigoglass launches refrigerator production unit in China

[29] Conference on Greek development model

[30] Seminar on water saving in Greek farming

[31] Intralot examines acquisition in Bulgaria

[32] Board of Piraeus Port Organization submits resignation

[33] Greek stocks end 0.65 pct higher

[34] ADEX closing report

[35] Greek bond market closing report

[36] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday

[37] Dry run for transfer of antiquities to new Acropolis Museum completed

[38] Archbishop Christodoulos undergoes supplementary tests in Jackson Memorial Hospital

[39] President Papoulias receives Rights of the Individual president

[40] Greece honors Austrian fire-fighters

[41] Presentation in Madrid of joint series of Greece-Spain stamps

[42] Pensioner, civil servant members of Internet porn ring

[43] Technology and Research Foundation to hold two-day event in Crete

[44] Scattered showers on Friday

[45] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[46] Palmas: Armenian genocide a fact, just like Turkish invasion

[47] First round of presidential elections to be held on 17 February 2008

[48] Cyprus announces Lebanon reconstruction project

[49] Cypriot contingent to participate in Spain's National Day parade Politics

[01] FYROM name dispute a 'good neighbour' issue, Greece says

"[Skopje's] intransigency and the outstanding issue of the name, combined with the policy of the recent period, pertain to an issue of good neighbour relations. We consider that this behaviour does not address the need for good neighbour relations and, on this basis, we have stressed our policy with clarity. We want a mutually acceptable solution to this issue. Greece's decision about FYROM's accession to NATO will be taken on the basis of an overall evaluation," Koumoutsakos said.

Clarifying the Greek position, the spokesman said that Athens dealt with the issue of the name and all other regional issues in terms of the future:

"The Greek strategy for the region looks forward. We supported and support the European prospects of all our neighbouring states because we believe that this leads to a future of stability, peace and growth. But, at the same time, in order to build the future on firm foundations there must first be a settlement of outstanding issues that create negative repercussions for the region. One of the issues of particular interest to Greece is that of [FYROM's] name, which has been combined for some time on the part of Skopje - beyond its intransigency during the negotiating process in itself - with a policy of historically inaccurate references and actions with an irredentist mentality."

Summarizing the Greek position, Koumoutsakos underlined that accession to alliances and organisations based on solidarity and a community of values could not be based on outstanding problems that directly pertained to respect and adherence of good neighbour ethics.

Regarding the negotiations for the name problem mediated by Nimetz and whether the Greek government still had confidence in the envoy, Koumoutsakos noted that Nimetz "continues to act in the framework of the existing mandate that he has and, of course, Greece participates in this effort in a way that is active and constructive."

Commenting on Nimetz's recent statement that urged the governments and main opposition parties in Athens and Skopje to have a sense of what was in their nation's interest and the framework in which the region's problems might be solved, Koumoutsakos replied that, in his view, all those handling foreign policy issues in the Greek political system "displayed the required sense of responsibility".

The spokesman was also questioned about recent statements by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Rosemary DiCarlo - who had said that the name issue should not be an obstacle to FYROM's NATO accession course - and asked if Athens viewed these as constructive.

In his reply, Koumoutsakos said that the statement repeated established U.S. positions and stressed that it should not be viewed out of context.

"We retain Mrs DiCarlo's clear encouragement for substantive negotiations and a constructive stance in order to find a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of the name," he told reporters, adding that this was also Greece's goal and that outlined in the decisions of the UN Security Council and the Interim Agreement signed by Greece and FYROM.

"Regarding what constitutes a condition for a country's accession to a military alliance, such as NATO, we believe that no one can disagree that, among others, an active respect for good neighbour relations is fundamental, especially for a country seeking to join an alliance in which a bordering country is one of the oldest members. In addition, no one can dispute that each member-state of European and Euro-Atlantic institutions has and wholly retains all the rights arising from its participation in them. In any case, Skopje's candidacy for both NATO and the EU will be judged by Greece globally," the spokesman added.

Greece objects to the use of the name 'Macedonia' by FYROM on the grounds that it conceals future irredentist ambitions against the northern Greek province of the same name, which shares a border with FYROM and has access to the northern Aegean Sea. Greeks also object to what they view as historically misleading attempts by FYROM authorities to establish a connection to ancient Macedon and the ancient king and general Alexander the Great, through moves like adopting the Vergina Sun as the country's symbol or the renaming of Skopje airport after Alexander. Greece considers Alexander, who was born in an area of Macedonia that is well within the Greek border, to be an inextricable part of Greece's history and legacy.

[02] "Interim Accord still in force," Koumoutsakos stresses

"We are in the framework of the Interim Accord, which continues to apply. We are not in a framework of terminating the accord," Koumoutsakos stressed, adding that international agreements were considered to remain in force until they were terminated.

"The framework in which we are acting is that the Interim Accord has a specific goal and was contracted for the purpose of helping in the resolution of the issue in a way that could be accepted by both sides," he said.

At the same time, he stressed that Athens has repeatedly indicated that the accord could not be applied selectively.

The Interim Accord of 1995 ended a Greek economic embargo against the tiny landlocked republic, initiated bilateral relations and stipulated that Greece would not prevent FYROM from applying to join international organisations. In return, Skopje agreed to remove the Vergina Sun from its flag and to reword articles of its Constitution that Greece considered irredentist, while both sides agreed to participate in UN-mediated negotiations to find a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue.

PM confers with foreign minister

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis conferred on Thursday with foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis.

No statements were made after the meeting.

[03] Koumoutsakos on UN special representative in Cyprus

Koumoutsakos told reporters during a regular press briefing that, as far as he knows, reservations on Moller have been expressed by only one side, adding that his likely replacement will inevitably cause additional delays in the implementation of the July 8, 2006 agreement.

"The agreement in question has already met with the Turkish Cypriot side's obstructionist, evasive and recantation tactics, as known to all," the spokesman said, adding that, for the moment, nothing concrete can be said.

[04] FM spokesman comments on Turkey, Iraq

To another question, asked to comment on information of a prospective intervention by Turkish forces in northern Iraq, Koumoutsakos stressed that terrorism was a phenomenon that required effective confrontation, but added that this entailed not only 'after the fact' policy against terrorists. "One must also seek the causes that create it and also confront the phenomenon at its roots," he said.

On the prospect of movement of troops beyond the borders, he said that respect of the territorial integrity and indepdence of states was a firm policy not only of Greece's but also the of the entire European Union.

Asked to comment on a US Congress decision to recognise the Armenian Genocide, Koumoutsakos noted that Greece's parliament has recognised the genocide with a relevant resolution dated April 25, 1996.

[05] Papandreou accuses gov't of 'extreme neo-conservative turn' on social security issue

Papandreou said that PASOK has been vindicated for criticism it has exercised of the government regarding the "tax raid it is preparing for middle and lower classes, for the poll tax on ownership and for the lack of planning and care for the medium-level and poorer citizen."

He also spoke of "the government's confusion concerning heating oil and its refusal to provide a bonus for all in need of this" and of the "alchemies", as he said, of the finance minister on the GDP which he determined as being 25 percent higher, while the European Commission considered that the increase was not more than 9 percent.

Papandreou went on to say that the government "is balancing between the powerful, the haves and our friends, at the expense of the majority of the Greek people."

He added that its "secret agenda on the social security issue is being revealed today."

The PASOK party leader further accused the government of failing to fulfill the state's commitments towards social security funds and of giving away debts to delaying and inconsistent people, "rewarding illegality and contribution-evasion."

Papandreou said that his party will not accept surprise moves and ulitateral decisions, adding that the party will be assuming all necessary initiatives and promoting its own proposals on the social security issue with responsibility towards public interest and the insured Greek.

Gov't spokesman responds

Minister of State and Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Thursday evening responded to statements made earlier in the day by main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on the social security issue.

"The road of polarization and tension is a proven impasse for those who choose it," Roussopoulos said.

"The Greeks chose to follow the road of reforms. The only road which proves to lead to solid solutions, which produces tangible benefit for all," the government spokesman added.

[06] Papandreou meets with the OSCE assembly VP

According to a PASOK press release, Lizin -- who also serves as a special representative on the Guantanamo issue -- briefed Papandreou on action taken by the OSCE regarding the Guantanamo prison, as well as the latest report prepared by the organisation's parliamentary assembly on the same issue.

On his part, Papandreou briefed Lisin on SI's initiatives on the matter, reminding also of his relevant statements in February 2006, in which he noted that "we must allot every suspect in terrorist actions the rights and freedoms that they are accused of trying to take away from us."

[07] Government on rebuilding programme for fire-stricken areas

He described the programme as "huge" and said it provided for the rebuilding of 2,100 structures, of which 1,000 were residences, and the repair of another 1,500, of which more than 800 were residences.

Antonaros clarified that the measures included all buildings, regardless of whether they were a main residence or holiday home, provided that they had not previously been abandoned.

He reported that the estimated cost of the programme was roughly 150 million euros, which would be taken out of the Special Fund for Emergencies, and that the building work would not be handled by the ministry centrally but by individual owners who would received free financial assistance from the government.

The spokesman said that the state aid would be paid in three installments, starting with an initial payment of 35 percent and then two equal installments as the work progressed except for work costing less than 3,000 euros altogether, which would be paid in a single installment.

[08] Draft law regulates Armed Forces' remuneration rates

The deputy minister rejected the LAOS MP's allegations that the government was not meeting its election campaign pledges, stressing that the estimated cost and the country's overall fiscal state are being taken under consideration in the process.

He assured that all pledges made by the government will be materialized in the near future, including favorable changes concerning benefits. According to the new draft law, all officers will see a wage increase of 11.5 percent by January 1, 2008.

[09] "Hour of the Prime Minister" to be activated on October 19

The "hour of the prime minister" will be activated on Friday, October 19.

According to article 129 of the Parliament's Rules of Procedure, the Prime Minister himself answers at least two questions of his choosing at least once a week.

[10] SYRIZA on return of 'premier's hour' in Parliament

Alavanos said SYRI��'s high-profile criticism over the past four years caused the development.

[11] Minister of State visits ANA-MPA in Athens

Roussopoulos also toured the spaces which have been transformed specifically for radio and television.

[12] Government on bid to cut down red tape

According to Antonaros, the circular sought to eradicate instances when certain administrative processes and documents had required applicants to get six, 10 or more signatures without any justification whatever.

He noted that the involvement of several administrative bodies and services in processes made them dysfunctional and was an obstacle to attempts to modernise public administration and more quickly process the affairs of the public and businesses.

[13] Greek origin German FDP Eurodeputy of year

His election, through voting by Eurodeputies through the Internet, is considered as being a small surprise since Hatzimarkakis belongs to a small party and the candidates of major parties support each other. This fact pleased Hatzimarkakis immensely.

"I understand my election as a message to continue my work for a Europe that will be friendlier towards research and science," the Cretan origin Eurodeputy of the German Liberals told the ANA-MPA.

Financial News

[14] Government says pension reform will not affect rights of insured

"This was made known by the prime minister himself at the last meeting of New Democracy's Central Committee in a way that is not open to dispute, both for the principles and the main axes, that we must all sit down and find a solution for reforming the social insurance issue so that it is fair in the long term, so that all Greeks that go into retirement will get the best pensions possible," he said.

Regarding the positions expressed by central bank governor Nikos Garganas on pension system reform, the spokesman said that it was the government's policy not to comment on the central bank's positions and that the government had its own positions, which had been laid out with absolute clarity and were known to all.

Regarding whether a solution was possible without increasing retirement ages or contributions, the spokesman replied that this had been covered many times before:

"Everything that has been said continues to apply in full. We are not touching any of these," he added.

[15] GSEE says no to social security dialogue with gov't

GSEE said a bilateral basis for such a dialogue, i.e. the government, on one side, and social partners on the other, is unacceptable, while also referring to an "unorganised dialogue (held) only for the sake of appearances, and one that targets basic and fundamental pension rights".

GSEE president Yiannis Panagopoulos, who hails from the PASOK-affiliated PASKE labour grouping, said GSEE will only participate only in public deliberations within Parliament committee sessions.

Additionally, Panagopoulos said the labour umbrella group also wants four conditions met in any future agenda of dialogue, namely, additional government funding; mergers of funds; increases in low pensions and funds' administrative overhaul.

Conversely, GSEE secretary Costas Poupakis, who hails from the ruling New Democracy-affiliated DAKE labour grouping, said he supports dialogue at all levels under the condition that the government fulfils its commitments on the supremely important issue of social security reform.

Moreover, he sharply criticised PASKE leaders for "petty party (PASOK) expediencies".

[16] SYRIZA MP on state's failure to pay 1pct GDP to pension system

"The government is essentially admitting that the state is breaking the law," Lafazanis noted, adding that the failure to fully pay state contributions to pension funds equated a 3.5-billion-euro shortfall in their coffers.

"Subsidies below 1 percent of GDP are a blow to the employment sector," the MP added.

Replying to Lafazanis, the deputy minister accused him of populism and stressed the need to continue dialogue between all the parties involved on reforming the pension system. She asserted that it was impossible to save state pension funds with the current structure of the system, regardless of how much money was poured into them.

[17] Prime minister Karamanlis meets with FinMin

Alogoskoufis noted that two important bills have been tabled, one concerning the fight against tax evasion and the other on materialisation of the EU's Fourth Community Support Framework (CSF) with respect to the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) covering 2007-2013, in addition to the 2008 budget.

[18] Greek FinMin in Bulgaria on Thurs.

During his stay in Sofia, the minister will meet with Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Assen Gagauzov and Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov.

He will be accompanied by Panagiotis Drosos, secretary general for Investments and Development and Ploutarhos Sakellaris, head of the ministry's Economic Experts' Council.

Commenting on a decision by the European Commission to approve a voluntary consolidation of banks' pension funds with the Social Insurance Fund (IKA), the Greek minister said the decision vindicated a major reform by the government, which was brought about by dialogue. He also said the new regime contributed to a fairer pension system and a a more effective banking system.

EU Competition Commission Neelie Kroes on Wednesday expressed her satisfaction over the approval and said the Greek law on bank workers' pension fund was a structural reform aimed at ensuring the viability of the pension system.

On Thursday evening, the Bulgarian finance minister hosted a dinner in honor of his Greek counterpart.

[19] High-ranking Turkish diplomat Berk concludes visit promoting Izmir's 2015 World Expo bid

The high-ranking Turkish diplomat, who serves as the Turkish foreign minister's special envoy, was received here by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis.

Berk said he is optimistic that Greece will vote for Izmir during a March vote in Paris, where the Aegean port city will vie against Milan for the right to host the World Expo.

Among others, he referred to the prospect for greater promotion of the entire Aegean and eastern Mediterranean region with the holding of the Expo in Izmir, as well as its potential boost for the tourism sector in both Turkey and Greece.

Additionally, Amb. Berk said Ankara has backed Greece's candidacies and bids in various international fora and events over the past few years, and now looks forward to Athens' support for Izmir's bid.

In an unrelated development, Berk said some 200 Turkish businesses will participate in an annual trade summit to be held this year in the southwestern port city of Kalamata at the end of the month, saying the expanded Turkish participation is a show of solidarity towards fire-ravaged areas of the Peloponnese.

[20] Hellenic Shipyards sells rolling stock unit to Dr. Meyer

Dr Meyer wants to raise its workforce from 200 currently to 700 seeking to gain from an Hellenic Railways plan to invest around 1.2 billion euros in a program to upgrade trains in the country. The German company plans to invest 7 million euros to upgrade facilities seeking to double sales to around 30 million euros annually.

[21] Aegean Marine Petroleum buys out Belgian company Bunkers at Sea

With this business move, Aegean Marine Petroleum acquires access to one of the most commercial and strategically important shipping points worldwide.

The Belgian BaS is the only offshore supplier of shipping fuel in the Northern and Irish Sea, the British Channel and the French Atlantic, with the bulk of sale of shipping fuel in 2006 reaching 325,000 MT.

BaS has two supply tankers, which have come to the ownership of Aegean. Beyond the two vessels, Aegean will add to the operation of the station a third tanker, the Aegean Princess, of a capacity of 7,000 MT.

[22] Inauguration of passenger ferry in Piraeus

Voulgarakis added that coastal shipping was and remains a focal wager for the Greek state because Greece has the known particularity, because the Greek economy also has its known parameters and because it is extremely important for one to have the possibility of exploiting all the comparative advantages that the particularity of coastal shipping can provide for him, in relation to that of insular policy.

The ship "Ariadni" of the Hellenic Seaways company carries out trips from Piraeus to Hania, on the island of Crete, and with it the company has completed its four-year investments programme amounting to 200 million euros.

The ship has a capacity of 1,850 passengers and 650 cars and has an operational speed of 25 knots.

[23] Hellenic Petroleum in oil exploration contract in Egypt

The contract was signed during a ceremony at the presence of Egypt's Oil Minister Eng. Sameh Fahmy. Mesaha is a region located in upper Egypt, at the borders with Sudan and covers an area of 57,000 sq.km. The contract has an initial duration of four years with an option to extend for another nine years.

The joint venture also includes Melrose Resources, Oil Search and Egypt's state Ganoub El Wadi oil company.

[24] Greek economy grew by 4.1 pct in Q2, Eurostat

The EU executive's statistics agency, in a report, said Greek Gross Domestic Product fell by 0.9 percent in the April-June period, from the January-March period.

Economic growth in the Eurozone was 2.5 pct in the second quarter, while in the EU-27 GDP grew by 2.8 percent. Latvia (11.0 pct) and Estonia (7.7 pct) recorded the highest GDP percentage growth rates, while Denmark (0.6 pct) and France (1.3 pct) the lowest growth rates in the second quarter of 2007. GDP growth was 0.3 percent in the Eurozone in the second quarter from the first quarter and 0.5 percent in the EU-27 over the same period.

The US economy grew by 1.9 percent in the second quarter of the year, while in Japan GDP grew by 1.7 pct.

[25] European Commission to revise Telecommunications Law on November 13

This was deduced by replies given by Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding, during a press conference given on Thursday afternoon in the framework of a meeting of National Regulating Authorities in Athens on issues concerning the telecommunications sector.

Reding underlined the progress achieved by Greece in the broadband sector and pointed out that the Greek Regulating Authority succeeded in starting its work in 2006, a task that was not easy, as she said.

She further said that regulating authorities in every member-state have a very important role to play to avoid unauthorised practices.

Lastly, Reding said that figures concerning broadband links in Greece in 2006 have doubled, since the infiltration rate is 6.8 percent, that is one of the highest rates in Europe, but Greece can do even better.

[26] Transport minister on new technologies

The press conference was given on the sidelines of the session of national regulatory authorities of EU member-states, that is taking place in Athens on issues mainly concerning the telecommunications sector.

Hatzidakis noted that the Greek government is investing a great deal in telecommunications and in new technologies and it will do everything possible to enable the distance separating it from the more advanced EU member-states to be covered.

The minister also said, in reply to questions by the press, that many and good jobs can be created in the telecommunications sector.

[27] Daskalopoulos resigns as chairman of Vivartia

In his letter of resignation, Daskalopoulos said his tenure in the creation and development of Vivartia was completed after the completion of a public offer by Marfin Investment Group (MIG) to buy out the company.

Daskalopoulos is also president of the Federation of Greek Industries and Enterprises (SEB), Greece's largest employers' union.

MIG on Tuesday unexpectedly announced the placement Vivartia's shares to "strategic investors", without further details given.

[28] Frigoglass launches refrigerator production unit in China

The project's budget was 15.3 million euros.

[29] Conference on Greek development model

The conference includes a discussion on successful international models, the international environment and national policy, international competitiveness and indigenous determining factors, the major problems of tomorrow, the state and economic development, the relation between salaries, unemployment and competitiveness and the new national strategy framework of development and the possibilities that it offers.

[30] Seminar on water saving in Greek farming

Addressing the seminar, organised by PASEGES, Gemtos recommended the creation of dams, water tanks, water distribution systems, irrigation systems and waste procession systems as ways to save water.

A report presented in the seminar said that 76 percent of total cotton production in the EU (around 1.45 million tons of unprocessed cotton) is cultivated in Greece and in particularly the regions of Thessaly, Macedonia, Thrace and Central Greece.

[31] Intralot examines acquisition in Bulgaria

[32] Board of Piraeus Port Organization submits resignation

The ministry announced that the new administration will be appointed in the coming days.

[33] Greek stocks end 0.65 pct higher

Most sectors moved higher with the Utilities (2.42 pct), Industrial Products (1.45 pct) and Telecommunications (1.43 percent) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Food/Beverage (1.13 pct), Travel (0.17 pct) and Insurance (0.16 pct) suffered losses.

The Big Cap index rose 0.72 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.77 pct higher and the Small Cap index rose 0.60 percent. Alpha Grissin (19.53 pct), Epilektos (8.24 pct) and Koubas (7.30 pct) were top gainers, while Ippotour (7.95 pct), AEGEK (5.19 pct) and Atermon (5.08 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 171 to 78 with another 50 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -0.16%

Industrials: +1.45%

Commercial: +1.35%

Construction: +0.85%

Media: +1.17%

Oil & Gas: +0.19%

Personal & Household: +0.61%

Raw Materials: +1.39%

Travel & Leisure: -0.17%

Technology: +1.17%

Telecoms: +1.43%

Banks: +0.77%

Food & Beverages: -1.13%

Health: +1.15%

Utilities: +2.42%

Chemicals: +1.07%

Financial Services: -0.13%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, DEH, Bank of Cyprus, Marfin Popular Bank and Piraeus Bank.

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

Alpha Bank: 24.88

ATEbank: 4.10

Public Power Corp (PPC): 29.84

HBC Coca Cola: 39.80

Hellenic Petroleum: 11.40

Emporiki Bank: 20.40

National Bank of Greece: 46.00

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 26.02

Intralot: 29.50

Cosmote: 24.86

OPAP: 28.02

OTE: 26.00

Titan Cement Company: 35.50

[34] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 5,734 contracts worth 79.427 million euros, with 32,730 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 397 contracts worth 13.495 million euros, with 1,791 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 14,903 contracts worth 23.635 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Marfin Investment Group's contracts (3,692), followed by Marfin Popular Bank (2,212), PPC (1,335), Piraeus Bank (586), National Bank (1,162), Alpha Bank (389), Intracom (1,037), Cyprus Bank (936) and ATEbank (312).

[35] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate fell to 3.85 pct from 3.95 pct on Wednesday, the two-day rate fell to 3.90 percent from 4.0 percent, the one-month rate fell to 4.25 percent to 4.30 percent and the 12-month rate was 4.70 percent.

[36] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.431

Pound sterling 0.702

Danish kroner 7.510

Swedish kroner 9.182

Japanese yen 168.3

Swiss franc 1.686

Norwegian kroner 7.743

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.398

Australian dollar 1.584

General News

[37] Dry run for transfer of antiquities to new Acropolis Museum completed

Three large industrial cranes set up on the renowned archaeological site -- one within the remains of the classical-era theatre of Dionysus and one adjacent to the Acropolis Museum -- successfully manoeuvred a container carrying a 2.5-ton block of marble from atop the Acropolis hill to the new glass-&-steel facility.

The first stage of the transfer will take place on Sunday, during which the three cranes will carry out an aerial transfer of a section of the western frieze of the Parthenon Temple -- one of the heaviest exhibits to be transported -- from the old museum to the top floor of the new museum, which has been named the Parthenon Hall.

"The transfer operation of the exhibits from the old museum to the new Acropolis Museum is in the best of hands. It is in the hands of people with knowledge, experience and, most of all, with a high sense of responsibility," Culture Minister Mihalis Liapis said, after watching the trial run.

He expressed certainty that the entire operation will be completed safely, adding that the new Acropolis Museum will negate whatever claims -- an indirect reference to the British Museum's leadership -- of a lack of modern spaces in the Greek capital to host antiquities, while noting that it was late Greek statesman Constantine Karamanlis, Liapis' uncle, who 30 years ago had envisioned a new Acropolis Museum.

[38] Archbishop Christodoulos undergoes supplementary tests in Jackson Memorial Hospital

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos underwent new supplementary tests at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami on Thursday.

His post-operational condition is developing satisfactorily, according to doctor Andreas Tzakis, while the type and place of the Archbishop's therapeutical treatment has not yet been decided because doctors are waiting for all the results of tests carried out.

Archbishop Christodoulos received a telephone call from Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Thursday, while he was also visited in his room by Greece's Ambassador to Washington Alexandros Mallias. His close associates and the Greek general consul in Tampa, Andreas Psycharis, are remaining by his side.

According to an associate of Archbishop Christodoulos, "he expressed the desire to return to Greece, but he is waiting to see what doctors will propose to him."

[39] President Papoulias receives Rights of the Individual president

Welcoming the members of the committee, Papoulias stressed that they are doing a superb job and he received from Papaioannou the committee's annual report.

[40] Greece honors Austrian fire-fighters

New Greek ambassador to Austria Panayiotis Zografos on Wednesday evening honored the 29 men of the Austrian armed forces and fire brigade for their contribution in extinguishing wildfires that devastated southern Greece last August.

Expressing Athens' gratitude to the honored Austrians, Zografos referred to Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis' statements on the need to quickly establish, within the EU framework, a special European rapid deployment force to deal with natural disasters.

[41] Presentation in Madrid of joint series of Greece-Spain stamps

Greek Ambassador in Madrid George Gavriilidis and the president of the Spainish Post Offices, Jose Damian Santiago, on Thursday presented at the Greek Embassy in Madrid, the joint series of Greece-Spain stamps dedicated to "Mediterranean Archaeology", which depict statues.

The Greek ambassador referred to Asklipios, ancient god of medicine and to the city of Ampurias, one of the most important ancient Greek settlements in Spain.

[42] Pensioner, civil servant members of Internet porn ring

This was revealed by investigations conducted by the Attica Electronic Crime Squad that reached the ring through cooperation with Europol and police forces from Thessaloniki and Naxos.

The investigations were part of a largescale and coordinated operation codenamed "Coala", that took place simultaneously in a number of European countries.

Authorities said that searches at the home of the 60-year-old in Drama and of the 30-year-old's father in Thessaloniki led to the discovery of 50 CD-DVDs, six hard discs, two electronic computers and a videotape containing hardcore child porn.

Investigations also revealed that the perpetrators were two of the five Greek associates of the Italian, who were arrested over the last few hours in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patra.

Authorities got onto their trail after using information that a large number of Internet users, both in the country and abroad, were visiting a website having a porn content.

A digital analysis of the electronic traces was carried out and it was ultimately discovered that the five people arrested had in their possession thousands of photos and videos with child porn that they had purchased through the Internet from the Italian paedophile.

The latter used to travel to countries in southeastern Europe and find minors who he abused sexually and then sold the material on the Internet for 200-2,000 euros.

[43] Technology and Research Foundation to hold two-day event in Crete

The aim of the two-day event, which is held every two years, is the review of the research activities of ITE's seven institutes, which are based in Iraklio, Rethymno, Patras and Ioannina, as well as the growth and strengthening of cooperation between researchers in modern scientific and research directions.

Weather Forecast

[44] Scattered showers on Friday

[45] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Free construction of 2,100 homes and repair of another 1,500 - The decision for the fire-stricken signed".

APOGEVMATINI: "3 'camps' of hopeful successors in the Church - The arguments between doctors and hierarchs intensify, while the Archbishop is still in hospital".

AVGHI: "Orchestrated attack on the social insurance rights - The government's policy line".

AVRIANI: "Venizelos-Skandalidis (PASOK leader George Papandreou's co-candidates for the party leadership): They must demand deep audit into the PASOK finances".

CHORA: "Garganas' new warning bell on social insurance system - Necessary, effective solutions".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Garganas torpedo on social insurance reforms - After the Committee (of experts reviewing the social insurance system) chairman, the central bank governor (Garganas) spoke of increase in (retirement) ages".

ELEFTHEROS: "Tighten your belts further - Cutbacks in early retirement pensions and tight incomes policy proposed by Bank of Greece".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Rock scenes in PASOK - Venizelos accuses George of 'dirty warfare' - He is 'base and two-faced', the PASOK leader's associates retort".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Chaos now divides the camps of the two (main) contenders (Papandreou and Venizelos)" for the PASOK leadership.

ESTIA: "Papandreou or Venizelos? What will judge (the outcome of) the November 11 showdown".

ETHNOS: "They're wagering on partition of PASOK - Sudden decision: All the burning issues after November 11".

KATHIMERINI: "IKA (state Social Insurance Foundation), the big patient of the social insurance system - 2 billion euros in evaded contributions".

LOGOS: "Garganas 'bomb' - He sounds the warning bell on the viability of the social insurance system".

NIKI: "Pangalos (PASOK founding member and MP) caustic regarding Venizelos - Interview with NIKI".

PONTIKI (weekly): "Now the difficulties begin - PASOK - Hits without boundaries by the duellers - In the final stretch to November 11".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Alert over social insurance".

TA NEA: "He razed pensions, retirement ages - Garganas rolls out the carpet for tough measures".

TO VIMA: "Garganas sounds warning bell for new hazards - The central bank governor strikes again".

VRADYNI: "Compensation for fire-stricken in 18 prefectures - The government promised less, is doing more".

Cyprus Affairs

[46] Palmas: Armenian genocide a fact, just like Turkish invasion

The Armenian genocide by Turkey constitutes an unquestionable historical fact, just like the fact that Turkey invaded in 1974 the Republic of Cyprus and still occupies the northern part of its territory, Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas said on Thursday.

Palmas was invited to comment on the resolution passed by the US House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs that describes the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Armenians early in the last century as genocide.

"The Armenian genocide by Turkey constitutes an unquestionable historical fact, just as unquestionable is the fact that Turkey invaded in 1974 the Republic of Cyprus and still occupies the northern part of our country," Palmas said.

Invited to say whether this development would affect the Cyprus issue, Palmas said that one should react with caution and realism.

"We should remain cautious and realistic and not consider that the decisions of a Committee of a Body, like the US House of Representatives, would shake or change US-Turkey relations to such an extent that the international political scene would totally change," he said.

The issue, he noted, "concerns mainly Turkey and the US, and the Cypriot government has no other comment to make."

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

[47] First round of presidential elections to be held on 17 February 2008

The first round of the presidential elections will be held on 17 February 2008, followed by a second round on 24 February 2008 if no candidate secures 50% plus one vote in the first round.

Minister of the Interior Christos Patsalides said during a press conference on Thursday that on 4 January 2008 the Minister will be issuing the decree proclaiming the elections and the Chief Returning Officer and other officers will be appointed.

On 11 January 2008 the Chief Returning Officer will announce the date and place for submitting candidacies, and probably on 18 January the candidacies will be submitted, followed on 8 February by the notification regarding the polling stations.

Patsalides said the main priority of the Ministry was for all new voters to register, noting that there were about 27,000 persons aged between 18 and 30 who were not registered and who would be called to do so.

He added that the Ministry of the Interior has proven over the years that it is capable of organising democratic elections and ''this massive and arduous work, which is regulated with the necessary coordination for carrying out democratic and flawless elections, is for us a celebration of democracy and an indication of the smooth functioning of democratic institutions in the state.''

Head of the Election Department at the Ministry of the Interior Demetris Demetriou said there were nearly 500,000 registered voters and that the number would rise to about 520,000 with the registration of the new voters.

Patsalides pointed out that by 2 July 2007 there were 499,526 registered voters, of which 318 Turkish Cypriots living in the government controlled areas of the Republic.

[48] Cyprus announces Lebanon reconstruction project

Cyprus informed the Government of Lebanon, that it has selected the project "Good Governance for Enhanced Post-War Reconstruction: An Integrated Approach to Respond to Recovery in Southern Lebanon", and will make financial contributions over the next two years as a proof of the feelings of friendship, respect and mutual support that have linked the two countries.

In his address during the Lebanon reconstruction project announcement in Nicosia on Wednesday, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Alexandros N. Zenon said the terrible events that occurred in Lebanon last year and the tragic conditions that they have inflicted on the country and its people could not but have generated the support and solidarity of the international community and the people of Cyprus, reminding them of the Turkish invasion of 1974.

He said Cyprus responded immediately to the needs faced by the Lebanese people and became active in the international efforts at providing immediate relief, placing its ports and airports at the disposal of the international community, and Cyprus was used as a launching base for the delivery of aid into Lebanon, and for the evacuation of civilians - Lebanese and foreigners alike - from the war zone.

Zenon also said that after the war ended, Cyprus participated in the Stockholm pledging conference for the reconstruction of Lebanon, whereby a contribution of $100.000 was made and which has already been delivered to Lebanon.

In addition, after a suggestion put forward by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Development Cooperation Policy-making Body, the Inter-ministerial Body dealing with Cyprus' Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Activities, decided to include Lebanon in the list of top priority countries for Cypriot Development Cooperation, as of 2007.

During the Paris III Conference for the reconstruction of Lebanon, last January, the Government of Cyprus announced its intention to contribute another $170.000 in the reconstruction process, over and above any other previously announced contribution.

Zenon also said that in the past few months, CYPRUSAID staff, from both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Planning Bureau, which is jointly responsible for development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid activities, have been evaluating projects under preparation in Lebanon, with the close cooperation of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Beirut.

"It is my distinct pleasure, to use this opportunity to officially inform the Government of Lebanon, that Cyprus has selected the project "Good Governance for Enhanced Post-War Reconstruction: An Integrated Approach to Respond to Recovery in Southern Lebanon", Zenon told the country's ambassador during the ceremony that Cyprus has also agreed to "contribute $500.000 - $250.000 in 2007 and $250.000 in 2008''.

"This contribution is the largest ever made by the Republic of Cyprus' service for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid and constitutes a concrete proof of the feelings of friendship, respect and mutual support that have always linked Cyprus and Lebanon", Zenon concluded.

[49] Cypriot contingent to participate in Spain's National Day parade

Cyprus' Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that a military contingent consisting of four members of the

Cyprus National Guard will participate in the military parade that will take place in Madrid on October 12, to mark Spain's National Day.

According to an official press release, the Cypriot contingent will participate in the parade holding the flag of the Republic of Cyprus.

The participation is taking place upon an official invitation extended to Cyprus by the Chief of the General Staff of the Spanish Army.

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