Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-12-09

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Forecast: Cloud, showers on Tuesday

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates: Tuesday

[03] Gov't hails ends of 'N17' trial as victory for democracy

[04] ATHOC managing director presents shot-put plan for Olympic Games

[05] Authorities meet with 7-nation advisory group on 2004 security

[01] Weather Forecast: Cloud, showers on Tuesday

Cloud is forecast throughout the country with showers in most parts of the country. Snow will fall on high ground, and the Ionian can expect storms. Winds variable, very strong to gale force. Temperatures low, with a minimum of 5C and maximum of 12C in Athens; and in Thessaloniki, 1C to 7C.

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates: Tuesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.231

Pound sterling 0.709

Danish kroner 7.501

Swedish kroner 9.004

Japanese yen 132.4

Swiss franc 1.560

Norwegian kroner 8.144

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.602

Australian dollar 1.662

[03] Gov't hails ends of 'N17' trial as victory for democracy

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Monday hailed the end of the ''November 17'' trial as a victory of democracy over terrorism, saying the trial had been carried out flawlessly and with respect for the individual rights of the accused.

Earlier on Monday, the Three-Member Criminal Appeals Court announced its verdicts for the 19 defendants on trial as N17 members, acquitting four and recognising mitigating circumstances for another three.

According to the spokesman, Greece society had finally been freed from the scourge of terrorism after decades and the country was now considered one of the safest on the planet.

Protopapas said the court's decision also confirmed the thorough job done by the government and Greek law enforcement authorities.

Asked to comment on statements by Public Order Minister George Floridis regarding the possibility of further terrorism-related arrests, Protopapas stressed that N17 had been operationally dismantled.

He said it was natural for Floridis to declare the readiness and determination of law enforcement agencies to pre-empt any move that might arise from marginal members of N17 or international terrorism.

Justice minister: ''triumph of our legal culture''

Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos on Monday said the court's decision was a ''triumph of our legal culture'' and ruled out any possibility of extraditing those acquitted to the United States or any other country.

He said the entire procedure leading up to the verdict had ensured protection of the defendants' rights, that lawyers and other participants in the trial were able to exercise their functions unobstructed and that there was the maximum possible news coverage of the proceedings.

Main opposition New Democracy

New Democracy spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that justice had done its duty and that the decision was an important landmark in the fight against terrorism.

''Terrorism is the enemy of democracy, therefore the fight against it is incessant,'' he added.

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos)

Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos responded to questions of journalists saying ''the decision of the court must be respected. Until the judicial process concludes its second (appeal) phase, everyone should let justice do its job, following the principles of a just trial and democratic guarantees, which is the content of our civilization.

[04] ATHOC managing director presents shot-put plan for Olympic Games

Athens Olympic Games Organising Committee (ATHOC) managing director Spyros Kapralos said on Monday the holding of the shot-put event in Ancient Olympic during the Olympic Games is aimed at promoting the unique character of the location, Greek culture and respect for history.

He was speaking during the presentation of the relevant operational plan prepared by the Organising Committee.

''Our purpose is also to show that the Greeks know how to safeguard and promote their cultural treasures. Both ATHOC 2004 President Mrs. Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki and all of us who are involved in this case have placed as a precondition absolute respect for the historical character of the location above all,'' Kapralos said.

He also pointed out that the shot-put event will take place at the stadium in Ancient Olympia on August 18, both for men and women.

[05] Authorities meet with 7-nation advisory group on 2004 security

Greek authorities and 2004 organisers (ATHOC) met with representatives of a seven-nation Olympic security advisory committee here on Monday. No announcements or a press release was issued afterwards.

The latest meeting also included the participation of a top Scotland Yard cadre.

Officials from Greek Police, the defence ministry, a specially formed Olympics security directorate as well as ATHOC met with representatives from the United States, Britain, France, Spain, Israel and Australia.

The meeting, held at the public order ministry, is part of regular contacts between the sides to focus directly on 2004 Games security.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article