Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-03-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Parties must work together for exit from crisis

[02] Controlled explosion of forgotten suitcase near US embassy, no dangerous materials found

[03] Eight officers shot, 2 dead in shootout

[04] Vehicles museum

[05] Maria Callas exhibition in NY

[06] Athens Newspaper Headlines 

[01] Parties must work together for exit from crisis

"It has to be understood that no crisis can be overcome unless there is a high degree of unanimity and cooperation," Petalotis stressed, adding that the government's policies for exiting the crisis were now at a "crucial turning point".

The spokesman noted that the government extended an invitation to all political forces, from the right to the left, "so that we can reach an understanding on specific issues in order to emerge from the crisis, with each side holding fast to their ideological and political approach".

Asked to comment on the jeers that greeted members of the government but also Prime Minister George Papandreou during a recent visit to Berlin, Petalotis replied that the government will not allow anyone to take advantage of such discontent or difference of opinion with the government in order to incite situations of "disintegration and chaos".

The spokesman urged ND to take a position on such actions, noting that several of the party's high-ranking officials had often publicly incited and encouraged people to take the law into their own hands and had "resorted to uncontrolled populism" in "various and specific actions".

Asked when Greece might expect to emerge from the crisis, Petalotis stressed that there could be no guarantees about the timing but appeared confident that this would be in the near future, provided that Greece made the necessary effort with the required sense of responsibility.

"As long as we meet our targets then we are in no danger," he stressed.

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[02] Controlled explosion of forgotten suitcase near US embassy, no dangerous materials found

The investigation turned up that the suitcase had been forgotten at the spot and contained only clothing and personal items.

The forgotten suitcase was spotted at about 9:00 a.m. by a passerby, who considered the item to be suspicious, and alerted police.

The area around the building on Semitelou street was immediately cordoned off, and traffic resumed after the alert was over.

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[03] Eight officers shot, 2 dead in shootout

Two motorcycle policemen were fatally shot in the incident, one dying at the scene and the other roughly three hours later at a local hospital. The fallen officers were identified as Georgios Skylogiannis, 22, who joined the force in 2009 and special police guard Ioannis Evangelinelis, 23, who joined in 2008. Another policeman is in serious but stable condition after sustaining a gunshot wound in the abdomen, while a fourth was shot in the knee.(���-�PA)

The violent incident occurred during a police chase and after the vehicle driven by the gunmen, a Volvo SUV, was identified as sporting stolen license plates. The vehicle itself, later found abandoned with two assault rifles and a handgun inside, was also stolen from a private residence in northern Athens that was also burglarised. (���-�PA)

Another four motorcycle officers were hit by gunfire but emerged unscathed thanks to the bullet-proof vests and helmets they were wearing. The assault rifles were identified as the AK-47 type, i.e. "Kalashnikovs".(���-�PA)

The incident comes a week after police intercepted a getaway car on a south-central highway carrying five armed suspects, all Albanian nationals, suspected of robbing a handful of banks and post offices in the Fthiotida prefecture in the course of several days. One suspect was killed during the incident while the others were arrested. (���-�PA)

Condolences by political leadership

In a statement immediately after the announcement that the two young police officers had died in the line of duty, President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias issued the following announcement:

"I want to express my sincerest condolences over the death of these two young police officers, who fell in the line of duty. I am certain that Greek society was shocked by the fact that these two young men were killed in their attempt to protect law and order and social peace. We are living in rough times; crime is becoming more and more violent and acquiring ever more abhorrent forms � Again, allow me to express my solidarity and support to the relatives of the victims."(���-�PA)

Government spokesman Giorgos Petalotis also issued a statement on behalf of PM George Papandreou and the entire government, where he also expresses his stern condemnation for the "cowardly attack on the police officers in Renti". (���-�PA)

"To the families of the victims, we would like to express our condolences, and to the injured, our best wishes for a speedy recovery," Petalotis said, while citing a certainty that the criminals will soon be arrested and punished. (���-�PA)

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[04] Vehicles museum

The recently-inaugurated Museum, located on the top level of the three-storey Athenian Capitol multi-purpose cultural, commercial and recreational facility, features an 1895 fire pump, the oldest exhibit on display, while other highlights include cars belonging to historical figures of the arts and politics, some of which were acquired through international auctions over the last three decades.

The Athenian Capitol mall, which also contains a conference center, a 3D cinema, some 30 shops, and 10 restaurants and cafes, as well as an 8-storey underground garage with a capacity of 800 cars, is a 45 million euro investment by the Charagionis Group is expected to attract more than three million visitors annually.

All the Museum's exhibits are from the private collection of Group founder Theodoros Charagionis, which currently numbers 292 vehicles.

Initially, 111 of the vehicles will be on display in the alternating exhibition. They will be replaced by 100-120 other vehicles next year, and by the remaining vehicles of the collection the following year.

The Museum also plans to host parallel theme exhibitions such as racing cars, and exhibits dedicated to vehicles originating from different industries, such as Ferrari, or different countries, such as Italy.

Among the current exhibits are actor Paul Newman's Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, legendary Led Zeppelin rock group frontsman Robert Plant's 1959 Chrysler �mperial, Formula 1 driver Lorenzo Bandini's personal 1953 Lancia Aurelia with its Gucci-designed interior, as well as cars that belonged to dukes, barons and members of the House of Lords.

A special road safety program for children will also be running at the Museum on weekdays, specialised for a variety of age groups.

Another attraction is a Formula 1 simulator, while the Museum Store offers a host of collector-item memorabilia.

The Vehicle Museum, situated at the corner of Patission and Triti Septemvriou street, will be open to the public from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.

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[05] Maria Callas exhibition in NY

The exhibition, entitled "Maria Callas: A Woman, a Voice, a Myth", will feature an impressive collection of 22 stage costumes, 30 pieces of jewelry and 30 rare photographs.

The event is organised by the general consulate of Greece in NYC and the Italian Cultural Institute, sponsored by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

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[06] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The death of 2 police officers in a shootout and economic issues dominated the front page headlines in Athens' newspapers on Wednesday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "New salary scale in public sector".

AVGHI: "Layoffs and 10 billion euros cutbacks in public sector".

AVRIANI: "Prosecutor investigation into insider trading speculations in proposed National Bank-Alpha Bank merger".

ELEFTHEROS: "Lack of coordination between ministries and government headquarters peaks".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "125 benefits face the firing squad".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "New criteria for salary promotions".

ETHNOS: "Murderous attack against policemen".

IMERISSIA: "3-speed court for tax evasion".

KATHIMERINI: "Cold-blooded murder of two young policemen".

LOGOS: "Strict penalties for tax dodgers".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Global alert over inflationary threat".

NIKI: "The entire truth about the fuel".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Layoffs in Cosmote a harbinger of new, harsh anti-labor measures".

TA NEA: "Public sector: The benefits at risk".

VRADYNI: "Employers not paying and firing".

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