Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-03-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece capable of keeping Iraq war repercussions under control, PM says

[02] Arab League secretary general extremely concerned over Iraq crisis

[03] PM praises telethon raising funds for Iraqi children

[04] Turkish plane hijacker imprisoned pending trial on two felony charges

[05] Turkish warplanes violate Greek national airspace

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[07] Weather Forecast: Scattered cloud, showers on Tuesday

[08] Greek stocks plunge to new six-year lows on Monday

[01] Greece capable of keeping Iraq war repercussions under control, PM says

Greece was capable of keeping the repercussions of the Iraq war under control, prime minister Costas Simitis said Monday, adding that urgent measures for the Greek economy were not required at this time.

Addressing a nationwide conference of his ruling PASOK party on SMEs (small and medium-size enterprises), Simitis said that, to date, the developments had been smooth and there was calm on the market, which needed to be maintained.

He said that if the government's policy for a strong economy and growth was adhered to with consistency past 2004, then Greece in 2006 would mave more, not fewer, prospects for development. ''We will have national and Community resources,'' he added.

The Greek economy, he said, was not isolated from the international developments, adding that the government would not be carried away by the prevailing recession into abandoning its goals.

He said the economic policy followed by the government thus far enabled it to not have to resort to emergency measures, which would spread a wave of uncertainty among the working people and productive classes, and accused those demanding urgent measures as aiming at causing unrest.

Simitis also described as a ''big opportunity to increasing Greece's negotiating strength and presence'' the fact that Greece was currently presiding over the European Union, and criticised those who claimed that the EU presidency had come at the wrong time.

He said that the repercussions would not be big for a large country if it did not handle the presidency well, but on the contrary, a small country such as Greece could increase its negotiating power and presence from within the presidency. ''It is an opportunity,'' he said.

[02] Arab League secretary general extremely concerned over Iraq crisis

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa held consecutive meetings with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou in Athens on Monday and appeared extremely concerned over the development of the Iraq crisis and its repercussions in the wider region.

Speaking after his meeting with Papandreou, Moussa said we are in the middle of a very serious crisis and stressed the need for the challenges and dangers they entail be handled as soon as possible.

''The issue is how the war will stop as soon as possible to enable us to be led to a political settlement of whatever issues have been raised,'' he said.

Moussa said the European Union, the Arab League, the Greek EU presidency and many other foreign leaders should have continuous intensive consultations ''for a solution to be found as soon as possible.''

Asked whether he is concerned over the possibility of other countries getting involved in the war, such as Syria or Iran, Mousa said the situation in Iraq is very serious, one way or another, and one can imagine how tragic it would become if whatever other country got involved in the war.

On the question of what the Arab League can do for an end to the crisis, Moussa said consultations and contacts are continuing with the EU presidency, Russia and other countries able to contribute in this direction, clarifying that he cannot announce something more specific at this stage.

Papandreou said his discussion with the Arab League's secretary general ''in these very difficult times'' was very important and useful, adding that the EU had very close cooperation with the Arab countries all these past months and weeks and will continue its consultations with the Arab League, sending a message that there is no clash between Europe and the Arab world.

The foreign minister reminded that the EU had made efforts to avert military operations and assured that efforts should be continued and that the Greek presidency will try to contribute to the finding of a political solution within the framework of UN resolutions.

[03] PM praises telethon raising funds for Iraqi children

Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday expressed praise for a telethon being organised by the private Greek television station Alpha to raise funds for aid to Iraqi children, including medicine and other basic needs.

Greek society was steadily oriented toward peace and had a developed sense of solidarity with the victims of the war, he said.

''I want to applaud every initiative taken in the framework of humanitarian aid for the civilian population and especially children, who are the innocent victims of a military conflict that could have been avoided,'' the prime minister said.

[04] Turkish plane hijacker imprisoned pending trial on two felony charges (Adds)

The young hijacker of a Turkish Airlines plane with 203 people aboard who was arrested on the weekend in Athens where the plane stopped for refuelling was on Monday imprisoned pending trial on two felonies and a misdemeanour.

Turkish national Ozjur Cencaslan, 20, is charged with infringing aviation regulations, and hijacking an airplane thus causing hazard to human life, both felonies, and illegal posession of arms.

Cencaslan late Friday hijacked a Turkish Airlines Airbus 130 carrying out domestic flight TK160 from Istanbul to Ankara, and forced the pilots to touch down at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos international airport for refuelling in order to continue on to Germany.

The Airbus was carrying 194 passengers and a nine-member crew, who were all released by the hijacker in Athens.

According to sources, Cencaslan claimed before an Athens examining magistrate on Monday that he had been compelled to hijack the plane in order to go to Germany to see his wife since he had been unable to obtain a visa.

Commenting on the incident, Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Monday said the hijacker would be tried based on Greek law and that Turkey had not asked for the man to be deported.

[05] Turkish warplanes violate Greek national airspace

Nine formations of Turkish warplanes made an equal number of air traffic rules infringements on Monday, which developed into five violations of national airspace in regions of the northern and central Aegean and to the east of the island of Rhodes, press reports said.

Greek jets recognised and intercepted the 25 Turkish warplanes, while in six cases the interception process developed into an engagement.

The Turkish aircraft intercepted by Greek planes following an engagement were armed.

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.098

Pound sterling 0.695

Danish kroner 7.485

Swedish kroner 9.334

Japanese yen 130.2

Swiss franc 1.488

Norwegian kroner 7.962

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.616

Australian dollar 1.822

[07] Weather Forecast: Scattered cloud, showers on Tuesday

Scattered cloud and showers are forecast in all parts of the country. Early morning mist is expected on the mainland. Winds variable, light to moderate, turning strong at sea. On the mainland, temperatures will range from 4C to 18C; and in the islands from 7C to 17C. Temperatures in Athens between 8C and 17C; and in Thessaloniki from 6C to 15C.

[08] Greek stocks plunge to new six-year lows on Monday

Greek stocks plunged to new six-year lows in the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday, as fears of a prolonged war in Iraq led international and domestic investors to massive liquidation of equity holdings.

The general index ended 3.34 percent lower at 1,467.30 points, with turnover a low 72.8 million euros.

All sector indicex ended lower, with the Textile, Telecommunications, Holding, Wholesale, Cement and Publication sectors suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day (6.38 percent, 5.25 percent, 4.94 percent, 4.54 percent, 3.90 percent and 3.30 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 3.75 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 2.75 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 3.83 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 3.59 percent off.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 295 to 34 with another 23 issues unchanged.

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