Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-01-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't rejects published list of alleged terrorists

[02] Irene Papas honoured with 'European Women of 2002' prize

[03] Karamanlis: Looming EU expansion a deadline for Cyprus talks

[04] G. Papandreou dismisses 'list' of Nov. 17 suspects

[05] Patriarch in Iran: Christian-Muslim dialogue has begun

[06] Orthodox archbishop says years needed to heal Sept. 11 wounds

[07] National Bank of Greece workers may strike over Alpha merger

[08] Main opposition sees no benefit so far from PM's trip to US

[09] Coalition of the Left says terrorism talk used as lever for power

[10] Main opposition sees alleged terrorist suspect list as spy fiction

[11] Minister intimates breakthrough in the wings on terrorism

[12] Hellenic Bank firebombed in Thessaloniki, no injuries

[13] Winter sales begin on Monday with euro, drachma pricing

[14] Main opposition boss raps weather emergency services

[15] US defence secretary welcomes talks with Greek PM

[16] Weather Forecast: Scattered cloud, lower temperature Monday

[17] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[18] Weather: Scattered cloud on Sunday

[01] Gov't rejects published list of alleged terrorists

The government on Sunday flatly dismissed the same-day front-page publication of a purported Greek intelligence report apparently listing various terrorists, including a handful of ruling PASOK party cadres.

The high-profile article in the newspaper "Sto Karfi" published what it claims is a report comprised by former Greek intelligence agent Nikos Gryllakis, complete with the names of various alleged operative and would-be terrorists, including individuals tied to the notorious "November 17" urban terrorist group.

"We view these scenarios as both ridiculous and base," government spokesman Christos Protopapas said in a statement.

"We cannot waste time over this. Before us lie the country's problems. Our attention is exclusively focused on these," he added.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who returned to Athens on Saturday from an official trip to the United States, told reporters during the flight that in his six years as premier he has never encountered any such a list of terrorist suspects.

Reporters asked Simitis to comment on the story following leaks that it would be published the following day.

[02] Irene Papas honoured with 'European Women of 2002' prize

Greek actress Irene Papas was officially bestowed the ?European Women Prize for 2002" during a ceremony at the Belgian senate assembly on Sunday.

Papas received the award for her contribution to the promotion, at European Union level, of a European cultural identity.

She was also honoured for her initiatives for a pluralistic Europe based on the common cultural values of its peoples.

[03] Karamanlis: Looming EU expansion a deadline for Cyprus talks

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Sunday reiterated that his party considers European Union accession for Cyprus as Athens primary foreign policy goal.

Karamanlis also emphasised in a television interview that the island republics EU accession should proceed regardless of developments over a Cyprus solution.

In answer to a question on whether he favours a deadline for talks between the two communities on the island republic leading to a solution, Karamanlis cited expected decisions on EU expansion at some point next year as more-or-less providing a cut-off point.

He also referred to presidential elections in Cyprus in early 2003.

?Within 2002 or before the end of 2002 these things will have to be cleared up,? he said, adding: ?We all want a political solution, as long as it is fair and viable. But if it is not achieved because the Turkish Cypriot side, and basically Turkey, does not want a fair and viable solution, then accession must be promoted without hindrance.?

Finally, he warned that ?theres no question of (EU) expansion without Cyprus participating in the first wave of new member-states.?

[04] G. Papandreou dismisses 'list' of Nov. 17 suspects

Foreign Minister George Papandreou joined the chorus of reaction to Sundays press publication of a list of names, including several well-known PASOK cadres, allegedly involved in the notorious ?November 17? terrorist group.

In radio comments, Papandreou said Greece is committed to the struggle against terrorism, while stressing that the high-profile ?list of names? is without merit.

?One must completely separate the struggle for democracy in our country up until 1974, which in turn was conducted via legal means and parties ... from the terrorist actions that have no relation to those struggles,? Papandreou said.

[05] Patriarch in Iran: Christian-Muslim dialogue has begun

TEHRAN (ANA) - Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Sunday stressed from Shiite-dominated Iran that ?a new period of dialogue between Christians and Muslims has begun?.

Speaking on the third day of his historic visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Vartholomeos told reporters after his 40-meeting with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami that ?were ready for this dialogue ... We have nothing to fear ... The terrible events of the last few months necessitate a rapprochement; were finding such a response in Iran.?

Vartholomeos visit to Iran is the first-ever by an Ecumenical Patriarch -- the ?Primus inter pares? among Orthodox Patriarchs representing approximately 250 million Eastern Orthodox faithful around the world and comes amidst a vigorous Patriarchate initiative to jumpstart an international dialogue among the worlds major monotheistic religions.

After his 40-minute meeting with Iranian president, the Patriarch praised reformist Khatami, saying the latter is ready to open a ?window? of dialogue.

?The president (Khatami) is concerned about the international situation,? Vartholomeos told reporters, while adding that ?specific steps on what must be done between us were discussed?.

Earlier in the day the Ecumenical Patriarch delivered a keynote address at the Institute for International and Political Studies, where he again stressed that a dialogue between the Islamic world and Christedom is taking place without "delving into theological or dogmatic issues".

"The goal of these efforts, in fact, is the establishment of peace in the modern world," he said.

[06] Orthodox archbishop says years needed to heal Sept. 11 wounds

Orthodox Archbishop Dimitrios of America said in Athens Cathedral on Sunday that years were needed to heal the wounds from terrorist attacks in Washington and New York on September 11, in which ethnic Greeks from twenty families died.

Dimitrios also said that he saw the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the centre of Orthodoxy and Hellenism, both of which knew no geographical bounds.

The senior cleric arrived in the Greek capital on Saturday at the start of an official visit for talks with the country's political leaders that he said he hoped would contribute to closer ties between ethnic Greeks in the US and their country of origin.

Also on Saturday, Dimitrios met Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece for talks.

[07] National Bank of Greece workers may strike over Alpha merger

Workers at National Bank of Greece, the country's largest commercial credit institution, may launch strike action if the managements of National and Alpha Bank backtrack on any pledges made in connection with a merger planned for this year.

National's staff association said in a statement on Sunday that concern had arisen over the attitude of certain senior executives at Alpha, the country's second largest bank, towards operation of the new unit to be formed from the merger.

Both banks are blue chips on the Athens Stock Exchange.

[08] Main opposition sees no benefit so far from PM's trip to US

The leader of the main oppposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, said that no benefit for the nation had so far emerged from a visit to the US last week by the prime minister.

"It is too soon to make a full assessment of the outcome of this visit. From the data so far, however, it seems that no benefit for the nation was gained," Karamanlis said during a tour of Hania, Crete.

He told reporters that in 2002 major national issues would reach a head, requiring national unity.

On the question of the European army and Turkey, a difference of opinion had essentially been formalised, while on the Cyprus issue the US side had not taken a stand, Karamanlis said.

He repeated his party's call for the creation of a national foreign policy council.

[09] Coalition of the Left says terrorism talk used as lever for power

The leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Nikos Konstantopoulos, said on Sunday that issues surrounding terrorism were repeatedly used as a lever for political debstabilisation and power.

"This is drivel that is rehashed every so often as material for a manufactured political crisis and political destabilisation," Konstantopoulos said in reply to reporters' questions.

[10] Main opposition sees alleged terrorist suspect list as spy fiction

The main opposition New Democracy (ND) party on Sunday brushed off as spy fiction an article in the Sunday Karfi newspaper that alleged to make public a report claiming links between members of the ruling PASOK party and the November 17 terrorist group, also citing names.

"John Le Carre-type scenarios - as New Democracy called them when they were being adopted by others, are not worthy of serious consideration," ND media spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said in a statement.

"We are glad that even those who until recently accepted the assertions of diseased minds today reject them," Roussopoulos added.

He charged the government with trying to divert public attention from the country's problems.

[11] Minister intimates breakthrough in the wings on terrorism

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Sunday intimated that a breakthrough was imminent in the quest to unravel terrorist operations.

"I think that in this matter we should be sparing of words, serious and responsible. This is the tone set by the prime minister, and this is the tone used by the government ministers concerned," Venizelos told reporters.

"And I am glad that in a very large section of the press a belief has been consolidated that we are very near to very specific and tangible results," he said.

[12] Hellenic Bank firebombed in Thessaloniki, no injuries

Masked attackers firebombed a branch of Hellenic Bank in the northern port city of Thessaloniki early on Sunday, damaging a cashpoint machine. No-one was injured, police said.

The four hooded attackers tried unsuccessfully to smash the bank's glass frontage with paving stones before disabling a surveillance camera and hurling three firebombs at the building, according to police.

[13] Winter sales begin on Monday with euro, drachma pricing

The winter sales begin on Monday, with retailers required to mark both the original and new reduced price of goods in euros and drachmas.

The sales, which end on February 28, are to begin almost two weeks late this year due to introduction of the euro on January 1 in a move to lessen confusion over the new currency.

[14] Main opposition boss raps weather emergency services

The leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, sharply critised state services for failing to coordinate in aiding areas hit by heavy snowfall last week.

"It is inconceivable that the country should be cut in two. The extent of damge is so great that it requires an aid request to the European Union, beyond state budget funds," Karamanlis said in Crete on Saturday.

During a two-day tour of weather damaged areas in the town of Hania, he called on the government to record the damage and pay compensation immediately, also freezing the debts of farmers for a year.

Karamanlis acknowledged that weather conditions had been unusually severe, but still maintained that state services had failed to show readiness.

[15] US defence secretary welcomes talks with Greek PM

WASHINGTON (ANA/A.Ellis) - US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld welcomed talks he held last week with visiting Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Replying to a reporter's question, Rumsfeld said the talks had covered the battle against global terrorism, and security at the Olympic Games to be held in Salt Lake City and Athens.

The meeting, which he described as 'very good', was a session between NATO allies and friends, the US official added.

[16] Weather Forecast: Scattered cloud, lower temperature Monday

Scattered cloud is forecast throughout the country on Monday, with rain likely in the west and south. The morning will be misty. Winds variable, light to moderate, turning strong in parts of the Aegean later in the day. In the north, temperatures will range from -8C to 8C; on the rest of the mainland from -4C to 13C; and in the islands from 5C to 14C. Light cloud in Athens with temperatures between 4C and 13C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures from -4C to 6C.

[17] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

Indicative tourist buying rates per euro

U.S. dollar 0.899

Pound sterling 0.622

Danish kroner 7.493

Swedish kroner 9.223

Japanese yen 118.7

Swiss franc 1.491

Norwegian kroner 8.015

Cyprus pound 0.580

Canadian dollar 1.440

Australian dollar 1.725

[18] Weather: Scattered cloud on Sunday

Scattered cloud is forecast throughout the country on Sunday, becoming overcast in parts of the west and south. The morning will be misty in some parts of the country. Winds northerly, light to moderate. In the north, temperatures will range from -5C to 10C; on the rest of the mainland from -1C to 15C; and in the islands from 4C to 15C. Light cloud in Athens with temperatures between 5C and 15C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures from -1C to 10C.

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