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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 09-11-16Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Monday, 16 November 2009 Issue No: 3350CONTENTS
[01] Christofias on latest Cyprus issue developments, TurkeyCyprus President Demetris Christofias on Saturday referred directly to the latest developments on the long-standing Cyprus issue, in light of a crucial EU summit in December, speaking on the sidelines of an event in Thessaloniki ."We are giving battle to persuade people that if Turkey insists in not cooperating in efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus issue, and to ignore its promises to the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus , that cannot be done without repercussions. The EU will not remain idle; measures must be taken," he said. Queried over what measures should be taken if Turkey does not follow through on its commitments ahead of the EU summit, Christofias said this will be discussed by the island republic's national council of political leaders and with the Greek government. In reference to the likelihood of a veto, he underlined: "I do not know if a veto exists. What does a veto mean? We may say that we not agree in opening all of the chapters, and some may call this a veto". Christofias was declared an honorary citizen of Kalamaria municipality of eastern Thessaloniki during the event. [02] Greek cites 'preposterous condition' of Cyprus' occupationGreece's foreign ministry on Saturday issued a statement on the occasion of the bleak 26th anniversary of the declaration a pseudo-state in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, sternly warning that the Cyprus problem is "still an issue of invasion an occupation of an independent country, which is member of United Nations and European Union."Athens also stressed that "this preposterous condition must be ended". "Nov. 15, 1983 remains a black page for those who respect international laws; Greece supports the President of the Republic of Cyprus (Demetris) Christofias' efforts to bring about an agreed solution. A solution for Cyprus, without guardians, that will lead to the end of the Turkish occupation on the island and reunification of the island, allowing Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to live together in a secure, free and a prosperous environment, as guaranteed by Cyprus' participation (as a member) in the European Union." [03] Alternate FM: Balkans a priority for AthensAlternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas on Saturday stressed that "the Balkans is our neighbourhood and our top priority, and therefore, Greece must and should play a leading role, as it did in the period 1994-2004," in reference to the previous PASOK governments.He was quoted in an Athens daily's Saturday edition. On Turkey's upcoming evaluation by the 27 EU members, he reiterated that the judgment must be derived in an impartial manner, adding that "everything is on the table, everything is studied with seriousness and once again the result is up to Turkey". [04] ND leadership race in final stretchFormer foreign minister and main opposition New Democracy leadership candidate Dora Bakoyannis on Saturday criticised the government's policy regarding specific foreign affair issues, during a speech in Hania, Crete."I am concerned over the fact that the government and Prime Minister are holding meetings with fYRoM's government before a specific date with the UN negotiator is determined ... I am concerned when I hear Mr. (Nikola) Gruevski threatening that he will be the one that will terminate dialogue if we do not comply". Bakoyannis also referred to the Cyprus issue and the government's positions. "I am concerned when I hear for the first time in Greece's modern history that a Greek premier first visited Turkey ... and afterwards travelled to Cyprus". Bakoyannis noted that after the conclusion of the election in ND she will visit Cyprus to send, as she said, a message of support that main opposition ND stands by its side, as it did when it was government. Samaras interview On his part, ND leadership candidate Antonis Samaras, in an interview with a Sunday newspaper, said that if he is elected to ND's helm, he will clash with "centre-left stereotypes" and views dealing with competitiveness, the spread prosperity, the role of the middle class and welfare. In a criticism of his main rival for the post, former foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, he characterised her political positions as "vague". Referring to pending fYRoM "name issue", he stressed that he will follow former PM Costas Karamanlis' positions, and the "red line" he set in Bucharest. Asked if he will vote for the re-election of Karolos Papoulias as President of Republic, he answered in the affirmative, noting that "Mr. Karamanlis' promise will be kept". Opinion polls results Finally, two opinion polls were released in a same number of newspapers on Sunday regarding the upcoming main opposition New Democracy party's leadership election. According to the results of an opinion poll conducted for the "Ethnos" newspaper, former minister Antonis Samaras leads the race with 45.3 percent, followed by former minister Dora Bakoyannis, who received 41.1 percent of respondents' preference, while Thessaloniki prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis garnered 10.5 percent. In another opinion poll published in the Sunday edition of 'Kathimerini', Samaras was picked by 43 percent of respondents, followed by Bakoyannis with 35 percent. Psomiadis is third with 18 percent. General News [05] Police detain suspect allegedly linked to terror cellA 22-year-old local woman reportedly sought by authorities for her alleged involvement in a shadowy ultra-left terror gang that recently sprung onto the forefront of law enforcement attention was arrested on Friday evening.The suspect was scheduled to face a special judicial magistrate on Saturday. According to initial reports, the woman was arrested in central Athens after clashes between riot police and self-styled "anti-state" activists in Exarchia, the Greek capital's more-or-less "bohemian" district. Four other suspects linked with the "Conspiracy of Cells of Fire" group were arrested on Sept 23, 2009 following a police raid in what authorities labeled a "bomb-making" safehouse in the northern Athens suburb of Halandri. All four of the latter suspects have denied any wrongdoing. [06] Missing man's body discoveredThe body of a 42-year-old man, missing since Nov. 8, was located on Sunday by a rescue crew in the Belitsa River of Pella prefecture, northern Greece .The man was swept away by flood waters while a passenger in a car driven by his 35-year-old wife. His body was found 15 kilometres further down the river from the spot where he disappeared. [07] Bodies of 2 men found on beachThe bodies of two men, aged between 25-30 years, old were found on Sunday on a beach in Anavyssos, southeast of greater Athens.According to police, the two victims are of Asian descent, and reportedly show signs of lacerations on their head and body. Authorities estimate that homicides occurred elsewhere, with the bodies possibly thrown off a vessel. Weather forecast [08] Fair on MondayFair weather and northwesterly winds are forecast for Monday. Wind velocity will reach 5 on the Beaufort scale. Clouds and fog in the early morning in the northern parts of country, with temperatures ranging from 3C to 18C. Temperatures between 5C to 21C; 9C to 22C on the islands. Mostly fair in Athens, 10C to 20C; cloudy in Thessaloniki, 8C to 17C.[09] The Sunday edition of Athens ' newspapers at a glanceThe course of the economy, the 2010 draft budget, EU recommendations and developments in main opposition New Democracy (ND) ahead of a leadership election dominated the headlines on Sunday in Athens ' newspapers.ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Police on alert - Extraordinary security measures". APOGEVMATINI: "Pensions according to contributions". AVGHI: "Government performs (economic) shock therapy". AVRIANI: "Prime Minister George Papandreou on collision course with unions, old PASOK and the Left". ELEFTEROS TYPOS: "Opinion poll for ND: Reversals and thriller at ballot box". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "And now, we're in a hurry". ETHNOS: "Storm of measures on all economic fronts". KATHIMERINI: "EU: Change state budget". LOGOS: "Government opens Pandora's box". PARON (weekly): "Nepotism in ND collapsing". PROTO THEMA (weekly): "PM's legal advisor Glykeria Siouti is lying over newspaper's revelations regarding Siemens Hellas slush funds". REAL NEWS (weekly): "They're dismantling ND, opinion polls indicate". RIZOSPASTIS: "We'll give a mass response of struggle in PAME rally Nov. 24." VIMA: " Brussels ' strict recommendations: Abolish Ministries and reduce armaments". VRADYNI: "Raises in salaries, pensions". 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: GEORGE TAMBAKOPOULOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |