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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 10-01-04Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Monday, 4 January 2010 Issue No: 3387CONTENTS
[01] Greece's political leaders issue messages for the new yearPresident of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias stressed in his New Year's message that "every year at this time some seek the joy of the celebration in its material dimension.""I think that greater spiritual satisfaction can come if we turn to offering. Each of us has something to give to his fellow man who is suffering from illness, poverty, from loneliness, from exclusion from the lack of perspective and hope," he added. President Papoulias noted that his thoughts "are first of all with the weak, the defenceless and those treated unjustly" and conveyed his concern to them for all that the state owes to them and his regret for all that they have been deprived of. "My thoughts are also with the young people who are being called on to survive in an environment that is becoming all the more competitive, all the more harsher, all the more bare of humanitarian values and visions," he stressed. The president extended his greetings tho those who are distant from their loved ones, soldiers, those working in hospitals and those undergoing treatment, to seamen, to every fellow countryman who is not participating in the celebration. "I am absolutely sure of the creative forces of the Greek people and of their ability to face adversities and difficulties. It is now common knowledge that the time has come for decisive changes in the functioning of the Greek state and in collective mentalities and conceptions. In its history, Hellenism has shown that it succeeds with bigger issues more so than with small ones. The big ones are being judged in our times. And I am optimistic that 2010 will be a better year for the many," he concluded. PM Papandreou Prime Minister George Papandreou expressed his wish for the new year 2010 to usher in "major, bold and just decisions, major changes and reversals." The premier, in a message released on Thursday, stressed that "a difficult year ends and a new one is coming. We will welcome it with optimism and hope; with the expectation and belief that it will be a better year for all, for Greece and for Greek citizens. 2009 leaves our country in the midst of a turning point; beyond the problems in the economy we have experienced our country's depreciation; of democratic institutions, in our production chain and a depreciation of the social state. These problems did not appear from nowhere. Despite our country's progress in recent decades, only on a few occasions have we taken the trouble, or even attempted, to face the huge and long-standing problems in the country ... Today we are called on to give a battle for our lost credibility." "In 2010 we will together take the first step, the most crucial step. I deeply believe in our abilities, in the Greek people's significant reserves of creativeness," Papandreou said, expressing his best wishes. ND leader Samaras Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras stressed in his New Year's message that many fear the future in crucial times, adding that one must not let fear overshadow his heart. "You must always remember that the thickest darkness is shortly before the first light appears. Light will begin to appear in 2010. Hope exists and dawn will not be late," he said. Samaras underlined that 2009 was difficult for many and wished that 2010 will be better for all. "In the new year New Democracy will show its new face, it shall inspire with its proposals, it shall stop all that it must stop, it shall promote all that it must promote and it shall win the wager on behalf of society and of young people in particular, on behalf of our Greece. For this reason do not fear for Greece. It has boundless forces inside it. You must believe in yourselves. You must believe in your capabilities. After the crisis a new and better page for Greece shall open," the ND leader added. KKE leader statement Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga said in a statement that "we can" in 2010 and this is "a case of decision and choice." Papariga added that "if the people do not decide to literally terrorise those above, the government, parties, the plutocracy, then it is certain that they, like real terrorists, will fall upon the people with the worst measures." She further stressed that the people "can react, counter-attack, the movement can regroup and terrorise them." President receives best wishes President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on New Year's day expressed his optimism that the country's problems will be dealt with successfully, in comments to reporters at the presidential mansion. He also received best wishes and greetings from political, judicial, military, Church and trade union leaderships, and conveyed his best wishes to PM George Papandreou. He also exchanged seasons greetings with main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga and Popular Orthodox Rally president George Karatzaferis, as well as Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos. [02] PM Papandreou to visit BelgradeGreek Prime Minister George Papandreou will leave for Belgrade on January 4 to address the Annual Conference of the Ambassadors of Serbia.During his visit to Belgrade, the prime minister will be meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and with Serbian President Boris Tadic. [03] ND leader visits children's infirmaryMain opposition New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras visited the Children's Infirmary in Penteli on Thursday, accompanied by Health sector chief Marios Salmas, party spokesman Panos Panayiotopoulos and Deputy Argyris Dinopoulos.The ND leader was given a guided tour of the premises, he listened to carrols sung for him by the children and gave them gifts. Samaras said in a brief address that the most difficult times are those when the children do not have their parents and added that "this deficit of love and affection is provided by the foundation's employees and volunteers," while pointing out that society must give lessons of love on a daily basis and not only on holy days. [04] Mitsotakis calls for nat'l unity gov'tHonorary New Democracy president and former premier Constantinos Mitsotakis on Thursday reiterated his call for a "national emergency government", pointing to a majority PASOK government led by Prime Minister George Papandreou.Mitsotakis noted that 2010 will be a crucial year for the country, either for the better or worse. [05] PM to be proclaimed honourary citizen of KalamataPrime Minister George Papandreou will be proclaimed an honourary citizen of the city of Kalamata, in the Peloponnese, by a decision taken on Wednesday by the city's municipal council. The proclamation ceremony will be taking place on February 2, the day on which the city will be celebrating its patron saint and protector.Financial News [06] Greek airlines announce new destinationsTwo Greek passenger airlines, Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines, on Wednesday announced new flight destinations that will be on offer in 2010.Olympic Air will inaugurate flights schedule between Athens and Beirut, leaving on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the week starting January 2 and ending January 9. These will depart from Athens at 1:00, arrive in Beirut at 3:05 and depart at 3:05 to return to Athens at 5:55. After January 1 and until March 27, these flights will be carried out by the new Airbus A319 aircraft and also offer the option of a business-class seat, which will be available at a special promotional price until the end of February. Aegean has announced two additions to its foreign destinations as of January 1, when it starts offering flights to Tel Aviv and Belgrade. The airline said there will be a daily flight to Tel Aviv departing at 11:00 in the morning and returning at 13:50 and seven flights a week to Belgrade. General News [07] Five arrested for ill-treatment of detaineeFive policemen have been arrested for the ill-treatment of a 30-year-old Chilean detainee at the Acropolis Police Station at noon on Thursday, accused of torturing and abusing authority.Apart from torturing the detainee for an insignificant reason to make him reveal his actions, in order to cover up their own action they prepared a file of proceedings with the false accusation that the 30-year-old had attempted to escape. The arrested policemen were brought before a public prosecutor early on Saturday and have been suspended from their duties, pending an investigation, for penal offences and disciplinary misconduct that entails dismissal. [08] Chrysohoidis on ill-treatment caseCitizen Protection Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis on Saturday condemned the case of the ill-treatment of a foreign detainee at the Acropolis Police Station on New Year's Eve, stressing that those responsible will be punished in an exemplary fashion."On New Year's Eve, a foreign detainee at the Acropolis Police Station was turned into a boxing sack by some inhuman and unscrupulous policemen. According to all the available information, after being tortured and beaten up, he was taken to hospital where he is being treated for his wounds," the minister said. "We are determined to protect the citizen effectively, placing absolute respect for human rights and the showing of responsibility and professionalism before lawlessness, high-handedness and violence, from wherever it may come. We shall not make any discounts in our mission to guarantee the security and the freedoms of every fellow man of ours," he added. [09] Journalist Kakaounakis diesJournalist and publisher Nikos Kakaounakis died on Wednesday evening at the age of 71.Kakaounakis was hospitalised following complications from major intestinal surgery. He was born in the perfecture of Hania, Crete and studied in an ecclesiastical school. Kakaounakis began career as a reporter in 1965 with the "Vima" newspaper. He later worked for several newspapers and televisions stations in Athens. In 1999 he founded the "Sto Karfi" weekly. [10] Suspects charged in mayor's killingTwo suspects have been charged in the murder of Paggaio Mayor Triantafyllos Koukoudis, who was found on Wednesday tied with with multiple gunshot wounds in his car's trunk.The two men have been identified as treasurers in the same rural municipality of northeast Greece where the victim served as mayor. The vehicle was spotted in a remote seaside region west of the port city of Kavala on Wednesday evening. At a press conference on Thursday, the chief of Kavala police, Alexandros Bitzis, said a coroner's findings indicated that the victim was hit in the face with a blunt object and was shot eight times in the chest and head. Police said missing funds from the municipality's treasury were the motive for the crime. According to reports, the two men had arranged to meet the victim on Sunday in a remote area in order to hand over property deeds as a "guarantee" for the embezzled money. A third man was arrested for supplying the weapon allegedly used in the fatal shooting. The 50-year-old mayor had left his home for a scheduled meeting in the Nea Peramos district. When he failed to return, his brother reported his disappearance at noon on Tuesday. [11] Woman's body found in playgroundThe body of a woman, aged 20 to 25 years old, was found in a playground in the Ano Patissia district of central Athens. Police said the woman fell victim to homicide. Her body was naked while her clothes, cellphone and purse were scattered nearby. According to police, the victim was hit by a brick or stone on the head.[12] Plane dispatched to retrieve body of seamenAn aircraft dispatched to retrieve the bodies of three Greek and six foreign seamen, who died on board the bulk carrier "Aegean Wind", landed on Thursday in Curacao, the Dutch Antilles. The plane is scheduled to depart Curacao in the afternoon.The freighter was towed to the port of Curacao on Monday, after the fire that broke out on the vessel on Christmas Day as it was sailing 90 miles off the coast of Venezuela. [13] Heroin bust at border postA foreign national was arrested at the Krystallopigi border post �n drug trafficking charges. According to police, a search of the suspect's car by a sniffer dog revealed more than a kilo and a half of heroin.Weather Forecast [14] Cloudy on MondayCloudy and rainy weather and northerly winds are forecast in most parts of the country on Monday, with wind velocity reaching 3-7 beaufort. Temperatures will range between -4C and 14C. Cloudy in Athens, with northwesterly 4-6 beaufort winds and temperatures ranging from 6C to 11C. Same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures ranging from -2C to 5C.[15] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceThe course of the economy, projected new measures and taxes as well as changes in real estate taxes, mostly dominated the headlines on Sunday in Athens' newspapers.ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Red light for environment as we continue to pay penalties to Europe for violations". APOGEVMATINI: "2010 changes that burn our pockets - Instead of presents, Santa arrived laden with taxes..." ARTHRO: "Low and middle size incomes fail to pay additional taxes". AVGHI: "Shocking recipe 'kills' economy". AVRIANI: "If 'black' economy is not bashed then unemployment will reach 40 percent". ELEFTHERI ORA: "Ruling PASOK believed that when they assumed power they would automatically solve problems - Now they are swamped". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Five changes in real estate - 30 percent hike in objective values". EPOCHI: "Storm of severe measures and reactions pending". ETHNOS : "Shocking proposal for hikes in objective values in real estate ". KATHIMERINI: "The difficult wages of 2010 - Prime Minister George Papandreou determined to impose harsh measures". LOGOS: "Government ... restarts". NIKI: "25 billion euros dissapear in thin air - Athens Stock Exchange in profiteers' mercy". PARON: "Economy Minister Louka Katseli cites FinMin George Papaconstantinou's five mistakes in letter with recipient the Prime Minister". PROTO THEMA: "Government's mistake sends abroad 10 billion euros". REALNEWS: "EU sends 'letter bomb' to Finance Minister Papaconstantinou - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso orders raises in taxes". RIZOSPASTIS: "Big labour union bargains away workers' rights". TO VIMA: "The age of puzzles - Six questions demand answers". VETO: "Outcry over pensions in public sector - Raise in women's age retirement terrifies". VRADYNI: "All new taxes in real estate - What will you pay in 2010". 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 |
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