Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-07-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Foreign minister arrives in Cyprus on 1st day of island's EU presidency

[02] PM has round of meetings to discuss EU summit outcome

[03] Economic officials hold meeting in light of policy statements in Parliament

[04] SYRIZA leader criticises gov't stance at EU summit; outlines plans for reorganising party

[05] Gov't counters SYRIZA criticism

[06] PASOK leader comments on EU summit decisions

[07] Meeting held on defence ministry budget issues

[08] Education minister attends rectors' conference, promises universities will be running in September

[09] Rectors' resolution outlines objections to framework law for higher education

[10] Political parties express condolences for Thymios Karakatsanis

[11] Alt. Finmin says modification of 'socially unjust' policies 'could be considered open'

[12] Development Minister Hatzidakis on recent EU summit's decisions

[13] Government to announce programme for young unemployed, minister reveals

[14] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

[15] Arms smugglers uncovered in joint Greek-U.S. police operation

[16] New group claims responsibility for attack on Microsoft offices in Athens

[17] Suspected robber dies of injuries following shootout with police in Petralona, Athens

[18] Kifissia shootout suspects to be charged for seven armed robberies

[19] Two arrested for multiple, 'mafia-style' hit on Cyprus

[20] Dead body found in burning building in Tavros, Athens

[21] Young woman found murdered in Egaleo park

[22] Two home invasions by robbers reported on Sunday

[23] Man, 53, dies in suicide leap from roof in Alimos

[24] Four arrests in Loutraki for illegal chance games

[25] Wildfires reported in Mani, Laconia

[26] Fair on Monday

[27] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[01] Foreign minister arrives in Cyprus on 1st day of island's EU presidency

Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos arrived at Cyprus' Larnaca airport on Sunday for an official visit to the island republic, the first by a foreign official since the start of Cyprus' stint in the EU presidency on July 1.

In statements at the airport, Avramopoulos expressed his complete conviction that the Cyprus Republic would be completely successful in carrying out its work as the EU presidency, though this coincided with a difficult period due to the economic crisis and the generally volatility in the area.

He also underlined that the Cyprus issue remains a "supreme priority" of Greece's foreign policy, for the coalition 'national responsibility' government and its leader, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

Avramopoulos was greeted at Larnaca airport by Cyprus Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis and Greece's ambassador to Nicosia Vassilis Papaioannou.

In statements concerning the Cyprus issue, Avramopoulos stressed that "we remain dedicated to our common goal, which is to end the Turkisn occupation and settlement and to find a just, viable and functional solution in the framework of United Nations decisions and in accordance with the values of the European Union and Community entitlements".

He noted that his visit on Sunday, his first in his capacity as Greece's foreign minister, ushered in Cyprus' EU presidency that began on the same day.

"I feel exceptionally happy that the time of my visit coincides with Cyprus taking over the European Union presidency for the first time in its history," he added.

Avramopoulos said that his meetings in Nicosia will give him an opportunity for a more detailed briefing on the latest developments surrounding the Cyprus issue and to exchange views with Cypriot government officials and political parties on ways to coordinate the actions of Greece and Cyprus in order to achieve shared goals.

[02] PM has round of meetings to discuss EU summit outcome

There followed a meeting between the prime minister, government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou and personal aides, while sources revealed that there had been a lengthy meeting between the premier and the government's economic team on Saturday to discuss the results of the summit and the finance ministry's immediate priorities prior to the presentation of the government policy statement.

The prime minister also had a meeting on Saturday with Defence Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos.

[03] Economic officials hold meeting in light of policy statements in Parliament

Participating in the meeting were Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras, Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructures, Transport and Networks Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and members of the prime minister's office.

[04] SYRIZA leader criticises gov't stance at EU summit; outlines plans for reorganising party

He also outlined his planned strategy as the main opposition party and his efforts to ensure that SYRIZA was politically and organisationally transformed in order to cope with its new role and conditions.

Tsipras stressed that the government should state clearly that unless the same things that applied to Spain and Italy in terms of direct recapitalisation of their banks were also applied for Greece, the troika had no business coming to Athens. He also called on the government to present a veto to the European agreement if this was not the case.

SYRIZA's leader stressed that the party had achieved a historic success in the June 17 elections and expressed his conviction that, had a leftist government been brought to power on June 17, the situation in Europe would now be entirely different.

"Our people missed an opportunity," he said, pointing to the government's stance at the EU summit and stressing that SYRIZA would never have "intervened at the summit through letters of submission and servitude. Letters that confirm the government's dedication to the catastrophic policy of the Memorandums and recession."

On the contrary, he added, SYRIZA would not now be the German chancellor's 'soft pillow', but a main component of the alliance of the European south.

He was also critical of the leaders of the two junior parties in the coalition, PASOK's Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left (Dem.Ar) leader Fotis Kouvelis, especially their decision not to go to the summit when they had earlier criticised SYRIZA's refusal to join a 'national negotiation team'.

"We really wonder what is the point of putting together national teams when you're not even ready to enter the pitch," he said.

In terms of reorganising his party, Tsipras stressed that this must be a deeply political process that will enhance not only the political aspects of the party but also those relating to its characteristics as a movement and its international alliances.

He said this must be based on a grass-roots self-organisation, with open meetings everywhere, a lively political discussion, immediate goals for organising solidarity and social resistance and processes that must move quickly but with steady steps through a democratic dialogue in order to create a modern, popular, democratic party of the Left.

Tsipras noted that a process of open meetings will lead to a national party conference in October and from this a National Council that will represent all the political and social forces that converge in this attempt. The National Council will also serve as the Central Organisational Committee of the founding conference of the new party to be held in spring 2013.

[05] Gov't counters SYRIZA criticism

"Three decades later, Greeks once again heard promises of an undefined 'third way' to socialism. We won't give in to the temptation to make references to history, repetition and farce. We hope that Mr. Tsipras keeps his only realistic promise and one day transforms SYRIZA into the responsible opposition that the seriousness of the situation demands," Kedikoglou said.

He also underlined that the government "will continue to fight to modify those policies that led the country to recession and thousands of Greeks to unemployment," he added.

[06] PASOK leader comments on EU summit decisions

He noted the decision allowing the direct recapitalisation of banks and also the second calling for fiscal consolidation that was "friendlier" to growth. Noting that the first was an issue that he had also raised with Greek political party leaders, including that it might be accepted once 'balances' in Europe had changed as they now had.

Venizelos underlined that Greece must now succeed in getting this demand included in an overall 'regrouping' plan, similar to that proposed by PASOK prior to the elections.

Another issue raised by PASOK's leader was to ascertain the manner that the extra fiscal consolidation time would be financed, saying this should happen without another round of approvals from EU member-states.

[07] Meeting held on defence ministry budget issues

Defence Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos underlined that the primary concern was to cut costs without in any way undermining the combat-readiness of the Armed Forces. He stressed that the aim was to boost both the deterrent force and morale of the armed forces, adding that the sacrifices that armed forces personnel had to make should not affect their devotion to duty.

Staikouras noted that there were problems in terms of revenue and spending that made things more difficult due to the crisis and made it clear that the government's intention was to "proceed with a more rational distribution of resources without affect the combat ability of the Armed Forces".

[08] Education minister attends rectors' conference, promises universities will be running in September

The minister stressed that it was time to let go the past and look to the future, after rectors' presented him with a resolution adopted by the conference that criticised the current legislative framework for higher education as "anti-academic" and "unenforceable" and demanded that it be withdrawn.

Arvanitopoulos heard the rectors' complaints but did not make any statement revealing the government's intentions, saying it would have to wait until after the government policy statement had been presented.

He was accompanied on his trip to the rectors' conference by Deputy Education Minister Theodoros Papatheodorou, himself a former rector of the University of the Peloponnese.

[09] Rectors' resolution outlines objections to framework law for higher education

In the resolution they emphasised that higher education was heading toward administrative chaos as the terms of rectors, deans and other bodies and officials expired and their replacements did not exist, creating a legal and administrative vacuum. They raised a number of points that they said made the law essentially unenforceable and also voiced objections to various issues - such as the automatic striking of students from the register when they failed to renew their registration after two successive semesters or the transfer of the adult 'lifelong education' department from the education to the labour ministry.

Education, Religions, Culture and Sport Minister Kostas Arvanitopoulos is due to visit the rectors' conference on Saturday evening.

[10] Political parties express condolences for Thymios Karakatsanis

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga said his death was a "great loss" for Greek theatre and described him as one of the "foremost actors of our country that left an indelible mark on theatrical affairs". She also referred to his deeply held political beliefs and his willingness to comment on political events through his art, especially noting his unique performances in the ancient Greek comedies of Aristophanes.

"We express our grief for the loss of Thymios Karakatsanis and our warm condolences to his family," she said.

Messages praising his work as an artist on stage were also issued by the Coalition of the Left (SYN) party, which noted that his performances in the plays of Aristophanes, in particular, were a "legacy for younger generations".

The PASOK party expressed sorrow at the death of "an actor who with his special tone wrote great pages in our country's theatrical history" while the head of the Arma Politon party Yiannis Dimaras described him as one of the most talented actors of his generation, who was deeply politicised and always ready to intervene through his art in social issues.

Piraeus Mayor Vassilis Mihaloliakos also commented on the actor's death, saying he was a "special child of Piraeus, a rare man and a unique artist".

Actor-director Thymios Karakatsanis died on Saturday at the age of 72, following a long-running battle with cancer. A widely respected comic actor with a long career in the theatre but also in films, his last performances were in Arthur Miller's play 'Death of a Salesman' in Athens in 2008-2010.

Financial News

[11] Alt. Finmin says modification of 'socially unjust' policies 'could be considered open'

He said the government's goals was to achieve fiscal consolidation and discipline, combined with a recovery of the economy and social justice.

He also said that "structural and operational interventions" were underway at the General Accounting Office of State in order to improve its efficiency and the quality of cooperation with the ministries on issues of fiscal discipline".

[12] Development Minister Hatzidakis on recent EU summit's decisions

"If we are reliable they (the partners) will show their solidarity. We must not conceal that there is a suspicion all over the past period, a reservedness due to the fact that they feel that Greece committed itself to do certain things and did not do them all. The government must forge ahead showing its commitment to promote structural changes and reforms," the minister said.

Hatzidakis also said the new tax system, combatting tax evasion, the simplification of the business environment, the promotion of the privatisations are moves that will show that Greece is taking initiatives and will constitute a pleasant surprise on the part of the country.

[13] Government to announce programme for young unemployed, minister reveals

Vroutsis said the programme will be financed using European funds that are already at the disposal of the labour ministry.

[14] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

U.S. Dollar 1277

Pound sterling 818

Danish kroner 7544

Swedish kroner 8904

Japanese yen 101.63

Swiss franc 1221

Norwegian kroner 7646

Canadian dollar 1306

Australian dollar 1252

General News

[15] Arms smugglers uncovered in joint Greek-U.S. police operation

The three suspects were arrested on Friday during coordinated raids carried out by Greek police in Attica, the Ionian island of Zakynthos and a village in the Rethymno region on the island of Crete. A fourth man, a 45-year-old Greek-American believed to be the ring leader, had earlier been arrested in the U.S.

An investigation into the criminal ring's activities began about four months ago in March when a shipment containing 69 fire arms of various types and calibres, as well as a large amount of ammunition, was found and recalled by U.S. authorities in Naples, Italy. This led to the arrest of the suspected ring leader by U.S. authorities in early June.

Based on the findings of U.S. authorities, the Greek-American was buying the weapons and the ammunition in the U.S. and loading them onto cars that he owned that were then sent by ship to Naples, where they were picked up by the two Greek suspects from Zakynthos. The greater part of the arms shipments were then sent to Crete to be picked up by a third suspect, a 67-year-old man from a village in Rethymno.

Using this method, the group had imported 40 fire arms, mostly revolvers and other handguns, and some 1500 bullets into Greece in January 2010. These guns, based on the findings of the investigation, mostly ended up on the island of Zakynthos where police have arrested two men aged 37 and 44 years old, respectively, in connection with the case.

Greek authorities also found and confiscated a Marlin 0.22 rifle and a revolver believed to originate from the same 2010 shipment in a specially designed cache within the home of one of the suspects.

In Athens, in the home belonging to the ring leader, police found and confiscated three electronic evacuation devices, a hunting shotgun and various documents concerning the arrival in Greece and the trip to Italy carried out by members of the organisation in March 2012 in order to pick up the shipment that was intercepted and confiscated.

Evidence collected at the home of the 67-year-old suspect in Rethymno included a military rifle, a telescopic sight, fire arm components and various types of ammunition, as well as the telephone number that he used to contact the group's leader.

The organised crime ring is believed to have earned large sums through its activities, while the police are continuing the investigation in the framework of international police cooperation.

[16] New group claims responsibility for attack on Microsoft offices in Athens

In the 15-page proclamation posted on the indymedia site on Friday night, the author reveals that the van used by three unidentified individuals to break into the building entrance was booby-trapped with 150 litres of petrol.

"Throughout the duration of the operation we ensured that no one would be in any danger and, contrary to the claims of various publications, we did not use guns to immobilise the staff," it writes.

In addition to the petrol, the van also contained 14 gas canisters and the ensuing fire inflicted serious damage on the ground floor of the building on Kifissias avenue and less serious damage to the first floor.

The proclamation said that the attack was also an act of solidarity with "the rebel Olga Economidou" who is being held in connection with the "Conspiracy of Cells of Fire" terror group's activities and the "anarchist Mario Lopez" that was injured by a bomb he was carrying in Mexico, as well as "anarchist prisoners accused of participation in FAI attacks in Italy" and all "captive revolutionaries" and "anarchist comrades" incarcerated in prisons around the world.

It also referred at length to the recent Greek elections and especially the ultra-nationalist "Golden Dawn" party, with the author noting that "the continual increase in the momentum of the fascists should on no account leave us indifferent because they do not yet pose an apparently serious danger because we will find ourselves faced with a surprise and this will not be pleasant. Therefore, the knife-toting members of this party should not now feel reassured because they are now guarded by police. As the saying go: two birds with one stone".

[17] Suspected robber dies of injuries following shootout with police in Petralona, Athens

The 38-year-old Georgian national that died in hospital was shot and caught by DIAS motorcycle police after he refused to comply with a stop and search request but instead opened fire on them. Police believe the suspect, along with a 33-year-old Georgian accomplice, had earlier carried out an armed robbery targeting a family in the Petralona area, stealing jewellery and other valuables at gunpoint.

The robbery was reported to the police emergency number and a team of DIAS motorcycle police arrived soon afterward, spotting the two suspects as they were walking down the street. Considering them suspicious, police ordered them to submit to a search, whereupon the 38-year-old opened fire and attempted to flee.

The police officers shot back, fatally wounding the 38-year-old Georgian and finally taking both men into custody. Both suspects have a criminal record for involvement in break-ins, robberies and other offences.

The 33-year-old will be led before a public prosecutor on Saturday.

[18] Kifissia shootout suspects to be charged for seven armed robberies

The two men, aged 25 and 34 years old, respectively, were arrested following an exchange of fire with police in which one officer was shot in the leg.

An investigation carried out by the Attica security police Prosecution of Crimes Against Property department has uncovered evidence that the two foreign nationals had carried out a number of armed robberies targeting houses in the well-heeled northern suburbs in recent months. Their favourite method was to enter the home in the early morning and hold anyone they found inside at gunpoint or knifepoint while they searched the house and took money, jewellery, electronic goods and car keys, often using the cars in order to get away.

They have so far been linked to a break-in where they held the owner at gunpoint but finally took nothing on June 22, a robbery where a maid and a workman were held at gunpoint in Drosia on June 21, where they also took the workman's car, a similar armed robbery on a Nea Erithrea home on June 13, another in Kifissia on June 6, a robbery in Politia on June 3, a break-in in Penteli on May 28 and the robbery of a Kifissia residence on March 13 where they removed an entire safe containing money and jewels. The pair have been identified by their victims in each of the above robberies.

At the time of their arrest, the 25-year-old was carrying a small rucksack containing a serrated knife with a 21-cm blade, various burglary tools, a cell phone, 500 euro, gloves and various kinds of keys. At the site of the shootout, police also recovered a loaded Browning pistol with a clip and ammunition, 70 euro, jewellery and watches, bullet casings and shot, a baseball cap, a black bandanna and a pair of trainers.

During a search in the homes of the two suspects, authorities confiscated lap-tops, cameras, watches and other items that may have been taken in the robberies.

The 34-year-old was led before an Athens first-instance court prosecutor and the 25-year-old remains in hospital under guard.

[19] Two arrested for multiple, 'mafia-style' hit on Cyprus

The two suspects were tracked down and arrested by Greek counter-terrorism squad officers on Saturday, after which authorities also conducted a search of their homes.

The two are accused of shooting three Cypriot nationals and two Romanian nationals in the head, all five employed as personal security for a Cypriot businessman, in what the Cyprus media described as a "mafia-style hit".

Police sources said both men had ties with 'anti-establishment' groups in Athens. The 29-year-old, in particular, had been arrested on November 17, 2010 for participating in riots on the anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising and for a sit-in at a building on Valtetsiou street, as well as having been detained repeatedly for participating in violent incidents, attacks and other offences. Greek police consider that the quintuple murder on Cyprus was a contract killing and not linked to a terrorist act.

The five victims were working for a security firm employed by the Cypriot businessman and were members of his personal guard.

[20] Dead body found in burning building in Tavros, Athens

The paint shop was on the ground floor of a three-storey building at 111 Pireos street in Tavros, southwest Athens and had suffered extensive damage as a result of the fire, which also spread to the first floor and was only partially under control later in the afternoon.

The man's body was found in the building's lift and the cause of death may have been suffocation by inhaling smoke. Efforts were underway to remove the dead body and take it to a morgue to determine the precise cause of death.

Thirty firemen and 10 fire engines were deployed to put out the fire.

[21] Young woman found murdered in Egaleo park

[22] Two home invasions by robbers reported on Sunday

In the Ilioupolis robbery, four men armed with two guns and a knife forced their way into a first-floor apartment through the front door and held the owner at gunpoint as they grabbed jewels and money before getting away.

At roughly the same time, an unidentified robber broke into a first-floor apartment in Agios Panteleimonas and beat the woman living there with his fists, grabbed money and jewels that were in the apartment, then fled. The woman has been taken to KAT hospital to receive first aid.

[23] Man, 53, dies in suicide leap from roof in Alimos

[24] Four arrests in Loutraki for illegal chance games

Police ascertained in a shop belonging to the woman that three electronic computers had been installed and activated for the holding of an illegal chance game that contained a suitable software programme and were connected to a network with a central electronic computer.

In addition, the holding of the illegal chance game had been made possible for the 51-year-old and the 36-year-old at two of the computers, while the 50-year-old had a telecontrol device in his possession that activated the computers' screens.

Four electronic computers, eight portable saving devices, a telecontrol device and two modem devices were found during the check and confiscated.

[25] Wildfires reported in Mani, Laconia

Meanwhile, a second wildfire was reported at 4:30 p.m. in the region of Leimona in Skala, Laconia where fire-fighting forces on the ground and from the air are battling to put out the flames, with two PJL water-bombing planes taking off from Kalamata airport.

A fire that started in Voutsi, Gortynia is now under control with fire-fighters remaining on the scene to prevent any reignition of the flames due to the strong winds.

Weather Forecast:

[26] Fair on Monday

[27] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

AVRIANI: "Bold initiatives to kickstart the Greek economy".

AVGHI: "In a new era with the democratic party of the Left".

DIMOKRATIA: "Without mercy! Summer minefield".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Immediate action on seven axes".

EPOCHI: "Dangerously absent New Democracy (ND), PASOK and Democratic Left (Dem.Ar) in role of obedient student".

ETHNOS: "Express sales to private sector of Greek Railways [OSE] and bank subsidiaries".

EXPRESS: "Plan for 20 percent haircut of public-sector debts".

FREE SUNDAY: "Greek loneliness in a changing Europe".

KATHIMERINI: "Another chance if....".

LOGOS: "Get a 60-installment settlement with the tax office".

NIKI: "When to put your money back into the banks".

PROTO THEMA: "A 'sandwich' plan for the selection of 1,400 executives".

REAL NEWS: "Veto from the [EU-IMF] troika".

RIZOSPASTIS: "No waiting - action now, counter to the attack of the coalition government-EU".

TO ARTHRO: "The fairytale of renegotiation"

TO PARASKINIO: "Classified documents about the huge [hydrocarbon fields] in the Aegean"

TO PARON: "Hellish summer with blackmail from the IMF".

VIMA: "Pass from [Italian PM Mario Monti] for a 50-billion-euro breather from debt".

VRADYNI: "Public utilities and bank the key measures for pensions"

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