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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-10-29Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Tuesday, 29 October 2013 Issue No: 4497CONTENTS
[01] Military parade in Thessaloniki commemorates October 28 "Ochi Day" national holiday; messagesGreece commemorated the anniversary of October 28 ("Ochi Day") national holiday with the annual military parade in Thessaloniki and student parades in Athens and most cities nationwide.The military parade was completed uneventfully in the presence of Republic President Karolos Papoulias, Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, Parliament vice-president Maria Kollia Tsarouha, Macedonia-Thrace Minister Thodoros Karaoglou, PASOK MP Antonis Saoulidis representing PASOK, MPs, the armed forces leadership, Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia Regional Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris, US Consul General Robert Sanders, Cypriot Defence Minister Fotis Fotiou, among others. After a long absence, armoured tanks and mechanized army units participated again in the military parade following a decision by Defence Minister Avramopoulos, while Air Force aircraft flew over the city. Strong security measures were into effect, with thousands of police officers guarding the official review stand and the greater area, while spectators had to have personal invitations to be allowed close to the officials. Speaking from Thessaloniki, Republic President Karolos Papoulias sent a message to the European partners that "the Greek people gave what they had to give to overcome the crisis," underlining that "they cannot give anything else and will not give in to blackmails". Commenting after the parade, he reminded "the blood shed by the Greek people in the battle against fascism in 1940" and noted that "Europe should not forget it". He said that Greece's resistance "was the first anti-fascist victory in Europe, that awakened the then Europe which was asleep in the 1938 Munich compromise" Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, who represented the government in the military parade in Thessaloniki, called for unity and solidarity and invited all forces to support the government while expressing certainty that the economic crisis will be overcome. Avramopoulos underlined that "Greece has gone through much tougher times in the past and was able to rise victorious," noting that the country "will come out victorious from this ordeal as well". Referring to the armed forces, he said that they are the guarantors of the country's independence and territorial integrity, noting that "they are the defenders of democracy and the people's conquests". He also said that "a message was sent to the greater region which goes through a phase of instability, liquidity and uncertainty," underlining that "Greece is strong, a strong stabilizing factor, always at the service of international law". "We send a message to our neighbors, to all our friends in Europe reminding them that this country has a great history and has contributed greatly to the conquest of freedom and democracy in the free world and that's the way we intend to carry on," he underlined. PASOK representative Antonis Saoulidis underlined that "we can and we should oppose totalitarianism and condemn violence, fascism and the neo-Nazis," and called for unity "in the efforts for a better Greece and better days for all Greeks". [02] President Papoulias: Crisis is a battle the Greeks will winRecent messages show that the crisis will be overcome, President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias said in Thessaloniki on Sunday following an inauguration of an exhibition on World War II artefacts at the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry titled "This is how we fought in 1940.""The most recent messages make me feel optimistic we shall overcome the crisis," Papoulias said, "because this is a battle resembling difficult battles the Greek people have waged victoriously in the past." Macedonia-Thrace Minister Theodoros Karaoglou presented the president with the Gold Medal of Valour and said that, as in 1940, the Greek people said a resounding No to neo-Nazis and to those nostalgic for those dark times. Papoulias is in Thessaloniki as of Saturday to attend three-day celebrations in honour of the city's patron saint, the anniversary of its liberation from Ottoman rule and the October 28 national holiday. Papoulias was given a tour of the exhibition by the director of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, Vassilis Nikoltsios. The show includes photographs and objects of the first two years of the war in Greece, when the country fought Italy and Albania (Oct. 28 1940-April 23, 1941), and some objects from the Battle of Crete, which followed with Germany's invasion. The uniform of commander in chief Alexandros Papagos and personal items of the Sophia Vembo (called "the singer of victory" for her rousing renditions of national songs during WWII) are part of the exhibition, which will run until January 31, 2014 (9:00 am-4:00 pm Mon.-Fri., 9:00 am-2:00 pm Sat.-Sun.). The opening was also attended by Cyprus Defence Minister Fotis Fotiou, Alternate Environment Minister Stavros Kalafatis, deputies Giorgos Orfanos of New Democracy and Theodossis Konstantinidis of the Communist Party of Greece, National Defence Ministry Chief of Staff Michail Kostarakos, US Consul in Thessaloniki Robert Sanders, and others. [03] President Papoulias attends Thessaloniki celebrations, sends strong message against neo-NazismThe northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on Saturday launched three days of celebrations in honour of St. Dimitrios, the city's patron saint, the anniversary of Thessaloniki's liberation from Ottoman rule and the October 28 national holiday marking Greece's resistance to Axis powers in WWII. The events were attended by President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, who on the occasion of the holiday sent out a strong message against fascism and neo-Nazism.The three-day events kicked off with a celebratory morning mass at St. Dimitrios' Cathedral, led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who has been in the city since October 19. In statements addressing the congregation, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his conviction that Greece will be able to cope and overcome all crises, with the grace of God. The mass was attended by President Papoulias and government Vice-President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who represented the government and sent a message of unity and optimism, stressing that the Greek people "can succeed" in a brief statement as he arrived at the Cathedral. A lengthier address was given later by President Papoulias, at a dinner hosted by the commander of the 3rd Army Corps at the Thessaloniki officers' mess, in which he delivered a strong message against fascism and neo-Nazism that clearly referred to the problems created by the far-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) party but did not name it specifically. The president did not conceal his concern that swastikas and other Nazi paraphernalia had been used in a country that had paid dearly for Nazi barbarity, stressing that no Greek "can pretend to be a patriot and admire the symbols of Nazism" because that was "an affront to our history". On the occasion of the celebrations taking place in the city, Papoulias underlined the need to preserve memory of history, noting that for younger generations, lack of knowledge about one's history was "something like blindness". The dinner was also addressed by Patriarch Bartholomew and attended by Venizelos. Others attending the morning mass included Macedonia-Thrace Minister Thodoros Karaoglou, Deputy Education Minister Costas Gioulekas, who stressed that there will be 'no new measures' brought to Parliament, Alternate Environment Minister Stavros Kalafatis, the general secretary for coordinating the government's work Dimitris Vartzopoulos, as well as a number of MPs, members of the military, the U.S. Consul and local government officials. [04] Defence Minister Avramopoulos' message from Thessaloniki calls for unity, solidarityDefence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, who represented the government in the military parade in Thessaloniki on Monday, called for unity and solidarity and invited all forces to support the government while expressing certainty that the economic crisis will be overcome.Avramopoulos underlined that "Greece has gone through much tougher times in the past and was able to rise victorious," noting that the country "will come out victorious from this ordeal as well". Referring to the armed forces, he said that they are the guarantors of the country's independence and territorial integrity, noting that "they are the defenders of democracy and the people's conquests". He also said that "a message was sent to the greater region which goes through a phase of instability, liquidity and uncertainty," underlining that "Greece is strong, a strong stabilizing factor, always at the service of international law". "We send a message to our neighbors, to all our friends in Europe reminding them that this country has a great history and has contributed greatly to the conquest of freedom and democracy in the free world and that's the way we intend to carry on," he underlined. Avramopoulos also referred to his Cypriot counterpart Fotis Fotiou, who was among the officials watching the parade, noting the solidarity shared by the two peoples. [05] Defence Minister calls on Greeks to remember national unity of WWII eventsNational Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos noted the importance of the October 28 holiday and the need to update its message of national unity, in an order of the day issued on Sunday on the occasion."The struggle of the Greek people and its armed forces did not just honour our history, but it gave hope to all nations of the world at a time when fascism was winning," Avramopoulos said. "This act still constitutes today for all peoples of the world a heroic stance in defence of our civilisation's values." The anniversary, he said, "is an opportunity to update the national messages of that time and acquire again power, self-confidence and hope, and give Greece the future, recognition and dynamism it deserves, in the name of the Greek people's sacrifices and of the younger generation's dreams." [06] Dendias: Oct. 28 celebrations society's 'answer' to FascistsIn his message for the October 28 national holiday, which celebrates Greece's resistance to Axis forces at the start of WWII, Public Order and Citizen Protection Minister Nikolaos Dendias on Saturday stressed that through the celebrations "Greek democracy actively gives our society's answer" to those promoting fascism and neo-Nazism.He stressed that the holiday was a day to remember and pay tribute to all the Greeks that fell to defend the country's freedom in 1940 and the national resistance against the Nazi and Fascist occupation that followed, "in which ordinary people led the way". "The sacrifices of our parents and grandparents for freedom are the foundation of today's democracy," he stressed, noting that the relevance of the holiday was greater now than ever before, when the neo-Nazis were trying to 'revive' the ghosts that had bathed Europe in blood in WWII. "The history of the country itself, the struggles of, among others, the men of the security forces, the Greek Police, the fire brigade and the civilian staff of the public order and citizen protection ministry, the success in all these efforts in all these fields are a shining example in the struggle that we are daily fight in order to overcome the difficulties of the great crisis," he added. [07] PASOK, DIMAR slam invitation to Golden Dawn to attend Thessaloniki paradeBoth the ruling coalition party PASOK and opposition Democratic Left (DIM.AR) criticised Central Macedonia Region authority chief Apostolos Tzitzikostas on Saturday for his invitation to the far-right party Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) to attend the military parade for the October 28 national holiday.PASOK noted that the region's chief "seems not to have been informed that GD has been described by judicial investigating authorities as a criminal organisation and its leadership remanded in custody" and said Tzitzikostas should recall his invitation to GD representatives. DIMAR, meanwhile, issued an announcement saying that it will not participate in the Thessaloniki parade in protest against the decision to invite GD. In a reply to those objecting to the invitation sent to GD, the Central Macedonia Region authority on Saturday issued an announcement saying that it had "done nothing other than what is outlined by law, under which the Region of Central Macedonia is obliged to send invitations to the celebration of the national holiday of 28th October to all MPs of all parties represented in the Hellenic Parliament." According to the authority, the law does not allow the region to act in any other way. [08] KKE's Koutsoubas message for the October 28 national holidayOpposition Communist Party (KKE) general secretary Dimitris Koutsoubas in his message for the October 28 national holiday on Monday called on the people to organize a popular alliance against the monopolies, capitalism, the EU and NATO to exit the crisis, like in the 1940s when people resisted the Nazis, imperialism and exploitation.[09] Students parade in Thessaloniki to commemorate "Ochi Day"The annual school parade to commemorate the anniversary of October 28 ("Ochi Day") took place in Thessaloniki, with the participation of students from primary and secondary schools, on Sunday.The national holiday commemorates Greece's resounding "Ochi" (No) to an ultimatum by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini's for free passage before invading Greece, during World War II. Students marched past a stand of officials on the corner of main Tsimiski and Aristotelous street, with people lining the sidewalks. Officials attending included Macedonia regional governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the region's secretary general, the Defence Ministry's special secretary and other officials. A brief incident took place at the end of the student parade when teachers' and other associations as well as representatives of main opposition SYRIZA started moving towards Tsimiski to rally after the parade, but were pushed to the sidewalk by police. A second protest rally took place at Venizelos and Tsimiski Streets by the "Movement United Against Racism and the Fascist Threat" (KEERFA). Later in the day, SYRIZA deputy Despina Charalambidou, who was at the first protest, issued a statement protesting police action against the demonstration while the party's press office issued a separate statement criticising New Democracy for what it called Tzitzikostas' "unacceptable stance." A student parade took place in Athens on Monday to commemorate the anniversary of October 28 ("Ochi Day") national holiday under stringent security measures. The parade included participants of the Special Olympics and Boy and Girl Scout units. Earlier, a service was held at Agios Dionysios Areopagitis Greek Orthodox church and wreaths laid at the monument of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square. The government was represented by Education and Religion Minister Constantine Arvanitopoulos, and Greek Parliament by parliamentary vice president Ioannis Drivelengas. Attica region director Yiannis Sgouros and Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis were also present. Pedestrian access to the parade area was restricted, with viewers allowed only at Panepistimiou Street, from Voukourestiou on, as Syntagma Square, where the officials' stands were, had been shut off. Administrative staff of the University of Athens and Athens Polytechnic held a rally at Propylaea downtown to protest transfers and layoffs in the public sector, while members of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) held their own national anniversary event on Korais walkway that included speeches and the laying of wreaths outside the former Gestapo jail. [10] New York state, Canadian Greeks hold parades for October 28thNEW YORK (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou)The Federation of Greek Associations of New York held their annual parade in Astoria, New York's borough of Queens, to commemorate the October 28 national holiday, as after-school centres in Greek Orthodox communities held events including speeches, recitals of poetry or singing. Earlier, in New York, a liturgy was held at the Astoria church of Sts Catherine and George. The parade terminated at the Stathakis Centre, where wreaths were laid and a cultural programme was presented. In Washington, DC, the "Ochi Day Foundation" held its celebrations for the third year in a row that included World War II veterans, members of Congress and representatives of Greek communities abroad. During the commemoration, an award was presented to David Harris, American Jewish Committee executive director. The award is named after Chrysostomos, metropolitan of the island of Zakynthos, who helped save hundreds of Jews from the Nazis during the German occupation of Greece. Meanwhile, in Montreal, Greek General Consul Thanos Kalfopoulos and Cyprus honorary consul Michalis Paidoussis attended a service at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. George, with the attendance also of organisations and agencies of Greeks abroad. A commemorative lunch followed at the Community centre of Montreal Greeks, where a cultural programme was performed by students, and Canadian MP of Greek descent Leo (Leonidas) Housakos presented an award to the community's leading priest, Giorgos Salatelis. Also, consul Kafopoulos presented member of the Montreal City Council Mary Deros a recognition for her contributions to the Greeks in Montreal. The luncheon was attended by regional politicians as well. In Toronto, a Greek parade was held down Danforth Avenue on Sunday, with students braving low temperatures to commemorate the holiday. The parade was also preceded by a service at the St. Demetrius Greek Orthodox Cathedral, followed by the laying of wreaths at a statue honoring those who died at the beginning of WWII fighting at the borders with Albania. Speaking after the parade, Greek general consul in Toronto Dimitris Azemopoulos told an audience at the Pan-Macedonian Association, "We didn't do anything else but our duty...We would fall, get up, fall again, and get up again and continue. We couldn't stop, it wasn't right, it was necessary to beat the enemy. There were no differences among us, no political hate, no class distinctions, ideas, or beliefs separating us." The events were also attended by local government ministers, deputies and offiicals. Greek soldiers fallen in WWII are still in mass graves in Albania, general secretary for transparency Sourlas says General Secretary for Transparency and honorary president of the association of relatives of soldiers killed on the battlefield Giorgos Sourlas on Monday attended events commemorating the October 28 national anniversary in neighboring Albania. Sourlas underlined that "we are marking yet another anniversary of the 1940-41 epic while patriots who fell while fighting in northern Epirus during the Greek-Italian war remain unburied or temporary buried for 73 years now". Sourlas said that "1,400 soldiers are still buried in mass graves in Permet (Premeti) and another 400 in Kelcyre (Klisoura) with their bones scattered on the battlefields". He underlined that this is a major national issue that is still pending, saying that "the heroes are waiting for us to meet our religious and national obligations, to do our duty as dictated by our historical heritage. Only then the events commemorating the October 28 national anniversary will have a substantive meaning". "The 7,976 candles we lit at the military cemetery of Vouliarati should guide us to do our duty and meet the expectations of our heroes who gave their lives for our country," he underlined. [11] Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew made honorary citizen of ThessalonikiEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was on Saturday declared an honorary citizen of the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki in central Macedonia, during a special ceremony at the city's municipal council chamber.Accepting the title of honorary citizen and the city's gold medal, Patriarch Bartholomew said he was "doubly honoured" and that the honour "reflected on the most sacred institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate" with which the city retained unshakeable ties. Presenting the medal, Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris noted that it was an honour for the city that the Patriarch had accepted the title of honorary citizen and praised his constant messages against racism and for respect for others, irrespective of race, creed, colour, language and nationality. [12] PM holds round of meetings on return from BrusselsPrime Minister Antonis Samaras had a succession of meetings with close aides at the government headquarters on Saturday, following his return from the European Council meeting in Brussels the previous day.Sources said that the government was generally satisfied with the results of the prime minister's initiative to rally together the European south over the issue of illegal migration. According to other sources in Brussels, meanwhile, European leaders praised Samaras' initiative on migration, which is an issue affecting all of Europe and not just the countries in the south, noting that the issue is being more rapidly addressed following the decisions made at the summit. [13] Defence Minister on brief official visits to Georgia, ArmeniaNational Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos is paying a one-day official visit on Monday to Georgia, where he will meet with Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Alasania. Their meeting will be followed by a dinner in honour of Avramopoulos, the Greek ministry said on Sunday.Avramopoulos will leave the same day for an official visit to Armenia, where is scheduled to meet with his Armenian counterpart, Seyran Ohanyan, and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan, on Tuesday. Before returning to Athens on Tuesday night, he will also be received by President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. [14] France expresses regret over deadlock in Greek-FYROM talksNEW YORK (ANA-MPA/ P. Panagiotou)France on Friday expressed regret over the deadlock in talks between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) regarding the name dispute. France's permanent delegation at the United Nations made the statement after Friday's two-hour meeting between negotiators of the two countries and the UN Secretary-General's special envoy for the name dispute Matthew Nimetz. In its statement, France noted that this deadlock was "harmful for good neighbour relations in the region" and expressed France's support for Nimetz's efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute, stressing that this must be found soon under UN auspices, through dialogue and compromise. In statements concerning the meeting, Nimetz said that the effort to find a solution will continue and that the April document presented to the two sides "is still on the table". "These talks have been continuing for many, many years, nothing has been thrown away, we come back to ideas," he added. He noted that there were still serious differences between the two sides and that a discussion had taken place with both parties concerning the next steps but no decision had been made on what these steps will be. Finally, he pointed out that the UN could not "unlock" doors for other organisation and bodies. "Obviously there is interest for FYROM to progress in its relations with the EU and NATO. I would like to point out that the goal of the entire area is to join the EU and the Atlantic Alliance. I hope that at some point we will resolve the issue of the name. What NATO and the EU will do is not something that we can control or on which we are negotiating," he said. [15] Errikos Dunant hospital's fate in the balance following court decision, minister saysThe fate of the Errikos Dunant hospital run by the Red Cross in Athens hangs in the balance once again, following a court decision issued by a Greek magistrate's court, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said, noting that the court's decision on Friday greatly increases the difficulty of finding a solution concerning the hospital.Georgiadis said the ministry will appeal against the decision through the courts, adding that he bears no responsibility for the fate of the hospital in the meantime. "In spite of the Greek government's desire to take over responsibility from the Greek Red Cross, proposing a temporary board able to solve the problems and restore its relations with the international Red Cross and elections for a new board in six months, the recent decision by the magistrate's court has made this effort impossible," he pointed out. He said the temporary board members chosen by the ministry had convened on Friday and determined that the issue was at a complete deadlock and that the ministry would not be held in the slightest way responsible for whatever happened to either the Greek Red Cross or the hospital "until a reliable temporary board able to efficiently carry out its mission is in place". "The responsibility rests solely with those who, through their intervention, asked to take over the management of the Greek Red Cross," he added. [16] Alexandroupolis mayor receives visiting Russian delegationA Russian delegation comprising the mayor of Sosnovy Bor in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad nuclear power plant general director accompanied by Russian Consul General to Thessaloniki Alexei Popov visited Alexandroupolis where they met with the city mayor and Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, it was announced on Monday.The visit was held in the context of the efforts to further improve bilateral relations between the twinned cities of Alexandroupolis and Sosnovy Bor. The talks focused on business, tourism and cultural issues. Financial News [17] Shipping Minister Varvitsiotis proposes the lifting of the back-to-work order for seamenShipping & Aegean Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis on Monday recommended to the prime minister the lifting of the back-to-work order for seamen effective since February 6, 2013.Varvitsiotis underlined that a firm demand by the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) is being met, adding that a creative cooperation with the federation is being ratified for the benefit of society. "Seamen play a leading role in the effort made to lead the country out of the crisis," the minister said. PNO has announced that it will participate in the 24-hour nationwide strike called by private sector umbrella union GSEE for November 6. General News [18] Greeks are the least happy people in Europe, survey showsBERLIN (ANA-MPA / F. Karaviti)The Greeks are the least happy people in Europe according the annual Deutsche Post "Happiness Atlas" report published in the financial magazine "Wirtschaftswoche" on Monday. The country with the happiest people in Europe is Denmark. Researchers noted that the satisfaction gap between the European peoples has grown since 2002 when the first report was released. The gap between Greece and Denmark is 5.5 points compared with 3.4 points in 2002. In 2007, Greece was graded with 5.7 points compared with 3.4 points today. The situation is similar in all countries affected by the economic crisis where the "happiness" level has dropped considerably. On the contrary, the "happiness" level has increased in the Baltic states. The report is based on a sample of 3,000 Europeans. [19] Police examine young man for match to missing toddler Ben Needham, lost from Kos in 1991NICOSIA (ANA-MPA/A. Viketos)A young man who was identified through a video as possibly being Ben Needham, a 21-month-old toddler who disappeared from the Eastern Aegean island of Kos in 1991 while vacationing with his parents, was located in Cyprus on Sunday in the south coastal city of Limassol and has voluntarily given blood for DNA testing. The case began when the Interpol office at the Greek Police forwarded a video provided to Interpol by the president of the Kos Bar Association to Cyprus Police. It showed a young man bearing close resemblance to an age-progressed sketch of Needham released by Scotland Yard attending an Orthodox Easter service at the Limassol church of Aghia Triada. The young man was found after neighbours recognised a photo provided by the Cyprus Police. He said he is 22 years old, lives with his aunt and uncle near the church and originates from Romania. He has been living in Cyprus since February, and his parents live abroad. He said he recognised himself in the video and photos but was afraid to contact police because he didn't know why they were looking for him. The Cyprus Interpol branch has urgently requested DNA material from Ben Needham's parents, through the Greek and British Interpol offices, to see if there is a match. Cyprus Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou said that investigations would be launched on Cyprus for trade in children by Roma, following the cases of Ben and, in Greece, Maria, who was found living in a Roma camp in Farsala with a family other than that of her biological family, now identified as a Roma couple living in Bulgaria. [20] Pilgrimage to northern Greece by people from Tuzla, TurkeyA large mission of 700 people from Tuzla in Turkey, whose ancestors had to leave the northern Greek regions of Kilkis, Thessaloniki, Kavala and Dramas under the population exchange in 1923 between Greece and Turkey in the context of the Treaty of Lausanne, arrived at the northeastern seaport of Kavala on Monday, on a pilgrimage voyage.The Turkish mission, including people who were small children during the population exchange, headed Tuzla Mayor Sadi Yazici accompanied by Turkish Deputy European Affairs Minister Alaattin Buyukkaya, Turkish parliament MPs, local city council members and a large number of journalists and television crews. Ninety years after one of the biggest population movements in the 20th century, people from Tuzla visited the homeland of their ancestors making the trip back on board a chartered cruise ship. The mission was welcomed at the seaport of Kavala by the local authorities with Kavala Mayor Kostis Simitsis noting the warm welcome the people of Tuzla had offered to a Greek mission that visited the town last April. The Turkish deputy minister underlined the need to fix major political mistakes of the past, noting that old wounds must heal and have real reconciliation. [21] Greek, German and Czech police bust international ring of document forgersThe Greek, German and Czech police forces on Saturday announced the dismantling of a major ring of international document forgers making fake travel documents, who were caught as a result of a wide-ranging joint operation involving all three police forces code-named 'Lord'.The Greek Police said they had apprehended and arrested two Algerian nationals in connection with the case, following raids on apartments in Athens on October 17. During these raids, Greek authorities found and confiscated 1,134 passports, 808 identity cards and more than 50,000 watermarks used by countries throughout the world. They also found a vast quantity of materials used to create forged documents, in quantities that are estimated to have generated more than three million euros in profits for the criminal gang. The international police operation was carried out under the supervision and coordination of the European agencies Europol and Eurojust, while the sections of the Greek force participating included the Attica Aliens Directorate, specifically its coordination department. The arrests were the culmination of months of police work that led authorities to two Algerian nationals suspected of being members of the international ring. The two suspects have been charged with forgery, forging certificates, drug possession and violation of laws on foreign nationals. One of them also had an outstanding European warrant for his arrest. Greek police conducted searches in the presence of a judicial official on three residences in Athens, where the evidence listed above was found. The bust represents the largest quantity of materials used to forged documents ever found and confiscated in Europe. Specifically, the evidence found in a house in Peristeri included a lap-top, a digital camera and the sum of 500 euros, while the evidence found on premises in Kypseli included eight passports of various countries, believed to be fake, five IDs for third parties, again probably fake, a large number of adhesive plastic covers used by various countries, a large number of passport photos of various individuals, four digital cameras, a cell phone and 33 grammes cannabis. Most of the evidence was discovered in a central Athens residence and included 1,126 passports of third parties from different countries, 803 ID cards, 65 residence permits, 93 driving licences, passport watermarks, a fully-equipped workshop for forging passports and other documents equipped with a computer, scanner/printer, cutting tools and paper and plastic sheeting. All of the documents found are believed to be fake. Police also confiscated three cell phones, the sum of 285 euros and keys to the above houses found on the two suspects, who were led before an Athens Misdemeanours Court prosecutor. [22] Fishing boat with migrants turns down Greek help, heads towards ItalyA fishing boat with about 120 migrants is sailing in international waters 110 nautical miles southwest of Pylos (southwestern Peloponnese).The boat has turned down help from the Greek Coast Guard and is heading towards Italy. A Danish-flagged merchant ship nearby is following its movements closely and keeping the Merchant Marine Ministry's Search and Rescue Centre informed. [23] Anti-fascist rally in Agios Panteleimonas ends without incidentA march and rally against fascism, from Agios Panteleimonas Square in the run-down inner Athens district of the same name to the offices of the far-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) party near Larissis Station in Athens was held without incident on Saturday afternoon.Contact between the anti-fascist protest and GD supporters that held a counter-rally in the same area was prevented by a strong police presence guarding the march, which dispersed after ending in Karaiskaki Square, in Athens' Metaxourgio district. Roads around Karaiskaki Square have been opened to traffic but not along Diligianni Street toward the Larissis train station, which remains closed for security reasons, as do the Metaxourgio and Larissis metro stations. Those participating in the anti-fascism march included political and social organisations, local residents' movements and representatives of immigrant communities. Prior to the march, organisers had laid on street theatre and musical events in Agios Panteleimonas Square, while police had closed Acharnon Avenue and surrounding roads and metro trains were not stopping at Larissis station. [24] Escaped Trikala Prison inmate recapturedAn escaped prisoner from Trikala prison that failed to return after furlough in December 2012 is in custody again, following his arrest in Glyfada, Attica by Thessaloniki Security Police, police announced on Saturday.The 35-year-old had been serving an 11-year sentence for grand theft, weapons law violations and forgery and also has an outstanding sentence passed by a Thessaloniki appeals court of 10 years and four months on various counts of theft and perjury. [25] Ano Liosia Roma the mother of baby found in Mytilene, LesvosA DNA test has shown that a 43-year-old Roma woman in Ano Liosia, Attica is the birth mother of a two-month-old baby found in a Roma settlement in Mytilene, on the Aegean island of Lesvos, police announced on Saturday.The woman was subjected to a DNA test and then released, they said. The investigation was launched last Wednesday, after police were informed that a Roma couple on the island had attempted to register the birth of a baby without the necessary documents. After searching the settlement, they found that the couple did have a small baby but that it was not biologically related to them. [26] Man arrested for antiquities law, gun violations in PellaA 50-year-old man living in the northern Greek area of Pella, Macedonia has been arrested on suspicion of violating laws on antiquities and weapons possession, the Thessaloniki police announced on Saturday.A raid on the suspect's home and his carpentry business turned up two prehistoric stone tools, eight residues of processed lead, eight copper coins from the Ottoman and Medieval eras and 13 fragments of unidentified copper objects. He also had a shotgun, 102 shotgun cartridges, a metal detector, a hunting knife, digging equipment and various photographs depicting ancient coins and locations. The suspect will be led before an Edessa public prosecutor. Soccer [27] Super League resultsOlympiakos Piraeus beat OFI Crete by 5-1 in a match played at home over the weekend for the Greek soccer Super League and retained its lead in the standings.In other action: Xanthi-Atromitos Athens 0-2 Asteras Tripoli-Levadiakos 2-0 Ergotelis Crete-Panathinaikos 0-2 Aris Thessaloniki-Platanias Crete 1-2 Veria-PAS Yiannena 2-2 Panionios Athens-Apollon Smyrnis (Athens) 2-1 Panthrakikos Xanthi-PAOK Thessaloniki 0-3 Panetolikos-Kalloni Mytilini 4-0 Standings after 9 weeks of play: 1.Olympiakos 25 2.PAOK 22 3. Atromitos Athens 17 4. Panathinaikos 14 5. Ergotelis 14 6. Panetolikos 13 7. Xanthi 13 8. Panthrakikos Xanthi 13 9. Asteras Tripoli 13 10. Panionios Athens 1 12 11. PAS Yiannena 11 12. Kalloni 9 13. Platanias Crete 8 14. Aris Thessaloniki 8 15. Levadiakos 8 16. Apollon Smyrnis (Athens) 7 17. OFI Crete 6 18. Veria 6 Weather forecast [28] Varied, depending on areaA mix of weather patterns for Tuesday: scattered clouds in most of the country, except for northern and western Greece, where it will be generally fair but preceded by reduced visibility early in the morning. In western Greece it will also turn to overcast later in the day. Weak winds throughout, with northerly winds 3 to 4 Beaufort at the Aegean islands and Crete. Temperatures ranging from 7C to 27C on average. In Athens, scattered clouds with low visibility in the early hours. Weak winds, and temperatures from 11C to 26C. In Thessaloniki, generally fair, low visibility in the early morning, and weak winds. Temperatures from 11C to 24C.[29] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesMany of the Sunday editions of the Greek papers were released on Saturday due to the upcoming bank holiday, focusing mainly on the state of the economy and the prospect of new measures.AVGI: "A show of resistance with dismissals, head taxes and penalty for pensions" ESTIA: "Today the historic article of 28th October 1940" ETHNOS TIS KYRIAKIS: "The secret plan for the new social insurance system" ELEFTHERI ORA TIS KYRIAKIS: "'The tomb of Alexander the Great is in Haghia Sophia" EPOCHI: "Troi-capable of anything" KATHIMERINI: "Thriller negotiations, Athens-troika close to the edge" KYRIAKATIKI DIMOKRATIA: "The 32 measures that are coming" KYRIAKATIKI ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Depth bomb for [PASOK leader Evangelos] Venizelos" KYRIAKATIKOS RIZOSPASTIS: "Clashes for the support of capital. Barbaric measures for the people" LOGOS: "One in four Greeks is poor" NAFTEMPORIKI: "Government 'concedes' additional measures of 500 million" PROTO THEMA: "Troika shops on 100 rich Greeks to the tax office" PARON TIS KYRIAKIS: "7,500 in jail for owing taxes, IKA contributions" TYPOS TIS KYRIAKIS: "All the changes to the social insurance system" REAL NEWS: "Cut wages, lay people off" VIMA: "'Greece sighing in its tax offices" VRADYNI TIS KYRIAKIS: "Retire now with full pension and lump sum" 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: ANTONIS SKYLLAKOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |