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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-12-30Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>December 30, 2005CONTENTS
[01] FM Molyviatis: Kosovo a critical issue, solution must strengthen Balkan security, stabilityBelgrade, 30/12/2005 (ANA/N. Pelpas)Kosovo was one of the most critical issues, and its solution should aim at strengthening security and stability in the Balkans, Greece foreign minister Petros Molyviatis said in an interview with the Serbian news agency BETA.Molyviatis said that the Greek government, in all the discussions on Kosovo's future status, incessantly stressed that "the solution must be the result of negotiations and not the product of imposition, it must be founded on the European Union principles and values, and it must respect international legality, keeping in mind the UN Security Council resolutions". Referring to his recent visits to Pristina and Belgrade together with his Croatian and Romanian counterparts, the Greek foreign minister stressed the need for continuous and substantive breifing of the neighboring countries on the Kosovo issue. "The role of the United Nations, the European Union, the US, Russia and the other countries of the Contact Group is indisputably important, but the neighboring countries must also have a significant role, since they are the ones that will directly be affected by the consequences of the developments," Molyviatis stressed. He said Greece had a particularly weighty role in the process for a Kosovo solution, given that it was the only country in the region that is a member of the EU and NATO, and given its non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council "in this critical period". On developments concerning the cohesion of the state union of Serbia and Montenegro, Molyviatis said it was a "crucial matter that has serious repercussions on the entire Balkan region, particularly now that the process for deciding the future status quo of Kosovo is underway". Molyviatis further spoke on bilateral relations between Greece and Serbia-Montenegro, noting that the two countries were bound by historic ties of friendship while, their political relations were excellent and their economic ties were being strengthened, as were their relations in the sectors of tourism and culture as well. [02] PM and Education minister discuss universities bill, Constitutional revisionATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis received Education and Religious Affairs Minister Marietta Yiannakou on Thursday to discuss a draft bill concerning universities and their equivalents and a planned revision of the Constitution.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Yiannakou pointed out that New Democracy's program included a position for private, non-profit universities, which will be proposed during the revision of the Constitution. She said that public dialogue on the universities' bill had essentially begun with the proposals submitted by the expert committee and that the government was now waiting to hear the proposals of university deans. Answering questions about the separation of Church and State in the framework of a Constitutional revision, Yiannakou said that certain issues could be settled without revising the Constitution. As an example she listed cremation of the dead, saying that this will soon be discussed in Parliament and had been suggested by MPs of all parties. [03] ND seen as more involved in farmers' problems, GPO poll findsATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)New Democracy's government is seen to care more about farmers' problems and to be doing a better job of promoting the development of agriculture than their PASOK predecessors, according to a poll conducted by GPO that was released on Thursday.The poll was conducted between December 5-9 on behalf of the Centre for Political Research and Communication. According to the results of the poll, about 31.2 per cent believe that the present government cares more about farmers compared with PASOK, while 24.6 per cent believe the opposite. Around 40.2 per cent of those asked replied that neither government cared for farmers or that both were the same. Slightly more (36.9 per cent) believe ND is promoting better policies for the development of agriculture in accordance with Community and national capabilities, compared with 24.6 per cent who believe that the previous PASOK government was better, while 36.1 percent believe that ND has more effectively defended Greek positions for the agricultural sector in Europe, compared with 29 percent who believe that PASOK was more effective. About 37.5 per cent considers that a PASOK government under its current leader George Papandreou would be worse than the present government for agriculture overall, compared with 32.5 per cent who believe that a PASOK government would be better for farmers. The poll shows widespread acceptance for current Agriculture Minister Evangelos Bassiakos, with 47 per cent of the public and 47.6 per cent of farmers having a positive image of him, compared with 41.4 per cent for his PASOK predecessor George Drys. [04] Roussopoulos says contract workers at state-run ERT will be made permanentATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)Minister of State and Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos in a statement on Thursday evening said that contract workers at state-run Greek Radio and Television (ERT) would be made permanent.According to a Ministry of State press release, Roussopoulos said:"Yet another commitment by the government is being implemented. With the 1,498 contract workers being made permanent, and in implementation of Presidential Decree 164/2004, of Internal Affairs, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the years long hardship of employees (journalists, technicians and administrative staff) which covered and are covering the needs of ERT S.A. has come to an end. Through this decision an important step is being made in the direction of upgrading the role of state-run radio and television in our country." [05] Minor changes made in composition of PASOK leader's staffATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)Minor changes in the composition of his staff have been made by main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou, who withdraws from the position of president of the "Andreas Papandreou Foundation", in view of his election as president of Socialist International.Furthermore, Papandreou has placed Theodoros Pangalos responsible for the party's procedures for the revision of the Constitution, a position previously held by Evangelos Venizelos. The most important change in Papandreou's staff is the return of Pavlos Geroulanos, who was appointed as director of the PASOK leader's political office, a position which was until now held by Vassilis Valassopoulos. Valassopoulos has been placed head of the committee for business planning and decentralization. Achileas Mitsos has been placed as president of the "Andreas Papandreou Foundation". [06] Parliament president expresses New Year's wishesATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki expressed her wishes for the year ahead in a related statement issued on Thurs-day.In her message, Psarouda-Benaki also makes reference to issues affecting most societies throughout the world, such as unemployment, economic recession, environmental damage and violation of human rights. For these issues to be addressed, a common strategy and cooperation are necessary, she stressed. The battle must be won first on a European level, she added. "The efforts to create a European Constitutional Treaty failed at the initial stage, but the struggle for a strong Europe with a common strategy on key issues continues," Psarouda-Benaki noted. Referring specifically to Greece, Psarouda-Benaki emphasized the importance of Greece's role, particularly with the EU accession and candidacy of Balkan countries. According to Psarouda-Benaki, Greece must capitalize on its position and advantages not only to benefit itself but the region in general. "It is our duty to support democracy and to protect its true expression which is parliament," she said. SYN issues New Year message: The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party reiterated that it will continue to fight for a better future for the country and its citizens, in a message it issued on Thursday ahead of the New Year. "Solidarity and social struggles, anti-war movements and resistance to neo-liberal globalization is the path that we, as the Left, have chosen so that hope for peace, humaneness, life and rights in our times can exist," the message said. [07] Athens Academy awards honorary distinctionsATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)The Athens Academy, in the presence of former president of the Republic Constantine Stephanopoulos, on Thursday evening awarded medals, prizes and distinctions to citizens which have been distinguished for their works.Attending the event were Deputy Education and Religious Affairs Minister George Kalos, Aegean Minister Aristotelis Pavlidis, former Prime Minister George Rallis and many politicians and academics. The president of the Academy, Emmanuel Roukounas, gave a speech on the theme "The Transformation of the International Community", analyzing the close relations existing between the international community and international law, the role of international organizations as well as the course of the last decades on the issue of human rights. The Academy's Secretary General, Nikolaos Matsaniotis, spoke about the academy's work during 2005. [08] Greek producer price index up 6.5 pct in November, yr/yrATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)Greece's Producer Price Composite Index (measuring the total of the domestic and foreign market) jumped 6.5 percent in November compared with the same month last year, the National Statistics Service said on Thursday.The index, however, fell by 0.7 percent in November from the previous month. NSS, in its regular report, said the average producer price index rose 4.8 percent in the 12-month period from December 2004 to November 2005, compared with the corresponding period last year. [09] Greece is key investor in Romania, envoy saysBUCHAREST, 30/12/2005 (ANA/MPA)Greece is one of Romania's most significant investors, the Greek ambassador in Bucharest said on Thursday.In an interview to the Nine O'Clock newspaper, Athanasios Dendoulis noted that excellent political and economic ties between Greece and Romania had further improved in 2005. Bilateral cooperation has been aided by contact at the UN's Security Council, of which both countries are non-permanent members. Greek capital invested in Romania this year topped 3.0 billion US dollars, with the emphasis on construction, Dendoulis added. [10] Stocks riseATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)The Athens share index closed at 3,658.17 points, up 0.56%. Turnover was 188.9 million euros.The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalisation shares ended 0.67% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.65 higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.66% down. Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 158 to 124 with 47 remaining unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Emporiki Bank top in stock futures trade Equity Index Futures: [11] Rhodes casino manager arrested for firing trade unionistsATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)The managing director of the Rhodes Casino was arrested at the island's airport on Thursday as he was preparing to board a plane for Athens.Enrico Aidan's arrest came in the wake of a petition filed by six staff union leaders, all of whom were dismissed by management on Wednesday in a long-standing dispute over conditions and terms of employment. Aidan was charged by a Rhodes public prosecutor and set free after a court hearing was set for February 3, 2006. Staff at the casino threatened to begin rolling 48-hour strikes from New Year's Eve. Later, Greece's largest trade union umbrella, the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE), said that management had failed to respect the law and its contractual obligations. The union called on the tourism ministry to order reinstatement of the sacked trade unionists. In a separate statement, the ministry said it had asked management to refrain from dismissals and honor its contractual commitments. It also sought data on casino personnel from the last years to see if the company had met contractual requirements. The moves were ordered by Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, the statement said. [12] Sports minister hopes for violence-free stadiumsATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)Deputy Culture Minister responsible for sports George Orfanos on Thursday expressed his wish that violence will cease to exist in the country's soccer stadiums in 2006, in response to related journalists' questions."We hope that 2006 will be a decisive year. It will contribute effectively in allowing society to win the battle; for sports fans who genuinely love sports to be back in the stadiums," Orfanos said. He also referred to a relevant ministerial decision which calls for the recording of ticket buyers' names. Reviewing 2005, Orfanos said that progress had been made in terms of better organization and the creation of new sports infrastructure, but admitted that more needs to be done. [13] Athens TEI Professor Papapostolou exhibits photos of the Acropolis in NYNEW YORK, 30/12/2005 (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou)The inauguration of a photographic exhibition on the Acropolis by Athens Technological Educational Institute (TEI) Professor Apostolos Papapostolou was held at the Press and Communications Office of Greece in New York on Wednesday evening.Papapostolou was presented to the audience by the director of the Press Office, Theodosis Dimitrakopoulos who said that that through this digital photographic exhibition, "Acropolis is shown from a different optical angle, impressing even more the Greek and foreign spectator." Among the guests at the inauguration ceremony was Greece's Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis. [14] Thessaloniki prefect a 'bridenapper' in revival of ancient Christmas customATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)Thessaloniki Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis on Thursday played a starring role as the "bridenapper" in his city's revival of the "Momoeria" - an ancient custom predating Christianity that was kept alive by the Greeks of the Black Sea.The "Momoeria" are essentially a symbolic re-enactment of the ancient myth of Persephone, who was abducted and taken as a wife by the god of the underworld Pluto, that is heavily laced with satire, ribald jokes and ad-libbed repartee. The central figure is Momos, the ancient Greek god of mirth and satire, who urges his 12 followers to find ways to provoke laughter and satire among those present. The central aim was to make people laugh at their faults, expose and come to terms with social misconduct and thus bring good luck and plenty in the coming year. Though pre-Christian, the custom survived through the centuries and was included by the Church in the 12-day Christmas holiday period in areas of Macedonia and the shores of the Black Sea. In its present-day form, the protagonists are the bride, who is abducted by a 'man of the village', the devil that incites all forms of mischief, a doctor that determines the "condition" of the bride and a judge that imposes penalties on the abductor. Psomiadis proved himself an able "bride-snatcher" on Thursday and was heartily cheered on by onlookers at Aristotelous Square, where the custom was re-enacted by local associations of Black Sea Greeks. [15] Authorities warn of flood risk along Epirus riversATHENS, 30/12/2005 (ANA)Local authorities in Epirus on Thursday warned that rivers in their region will flood if the predictions of renewed heavy rain on Friday prove true.They said that rivers throughout Epirus are currently highly swollen by the large quantities of rain that fell over the past few days, while in some cases there has been flooding that did not threaten inhabited areas. The high waters of the Acheron River have cut off access on minor roads, while the Arachthos River in Ioannina prefecture has flooded crops. Many roads have also been cut off due to subsidence, rockfall and landslides. [16] President Papadopoulos hopes Cyprus to be reunited in 2006NICOSIA, 30/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)President of the Republic of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos on Thursday expressed hope that the year 2006 would see the reunification of Cyprus.Speaking after a Christmas celebration at the Democratic Party (DIKO), which he leads, President Papadopoulos said that ''for the people, our only wish is the reunification of our homeland.'' Addressing the gathering, President Papadopoulos said the people expect DIKO ''to prove ourselves worthy of the trust we enjoy from the people and this will be portrayed with our steadfast policy, hard work and effort to make our messages heard.'' Referring to the upcoming parliamentary elections, he said efforts were being made to attract more supporters ''so that we can play the historic role of our party.'' [17] Kissinger's role during 1974 events outlined in Foreign Office documentsLONDON, 30/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's priority interest during the tragic events of 1974 in Cyprus was not to take any risk of losing Turkey's goodwill in relation to the US policy in the area.This is the main conclusion of a report by James Callaghan, who was then UK Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary of State, which together with other confidential papers of that time were released for publication on Thursday according to the 30 years rule. The report, titled British Policy on Cyprus: July-September 1974, gives backround information on the events and the policy pursued by each side involved in the crisis. ''I had from the first," the report says, ''been in frequent telephonic communication with Dr Kissinger. Initially, indeed, it appeared that British and US policy was identical and, certainly I and my staff were unstinting in conveying information and opinion to the Americans.'' ''In fact, despite the appearance of confidence our policies and our actions never marched together - Throughout the summer there was doubt about the extent to which the Americans were willing to exert the pressures at their disposal to dissuade the Turks from aggressive action. The Turks themselves concluded early on that American pressure was merely a paper tiger. I was less willing to doubt their assurances to me. The events demonstrated that Dr Kissinger was more concerned with the maintenance of Turkish goodwill as a bulwark between the Soviet Union and the Arab states,'' it adds. James Callaghan goes on to say that towards the end of August the Turks, not having yet established themselves firmly in the territories they occupied, might have been more forthcoming for a compromise on proposals for a solution if a new initiative was taken. He writes in his report: ''I sent Sir John Killick and my Assistant Private Secretary to Washington. Dr Kissinger received them with courtesy but made it plain that he was unwilling to give the wholehearted support I sought. In these circumstances for us to proceed with such an initiative would have been to court failure''. He adds that on January the 9th, 1975, the British Ambassador to Washington Rasbotham had lunch with Dr Kissinger during which Cyprus came up in the context of a wider discussion on western security. Rasbotham reported to the Foreign Office: ''Dr Kissinger said that with all due respect to the special position of the United Kingdom , Cyprus was a peripheral issue from the US perspective, when compared with the importance of Turkey to the security of the eastern Mediterranean .In particular Turkey's role was crucial to US-Soviet relations over the Middle East. If Turkey's security was undermined, there would no longer be any barrier between the Soviet Union and Syria." [18] Cyprus to study Foreign Office documentsNICOSIA, 30/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said on Thursday that the government of the Republic of Cyprus would study in depth documents released by the British Foreign Office, but noted that what has been published does not throw much light on what was already known about the specific period in the mid 70s.Replying to questions during his daily briefing, Chrysostomides said ''what is published does not throw further light on what we already knew about the period referred to.'' ''However, the government will study in depth these documents and if there is anything of public interest, it will be duly announced. I have no further comments, nor do I wish to enter into the details of what has been published in relation to these documents,'' he added. [19] US supports Cyprus talks under UN auspices leading to agreed solutionNICOSIA, 30/12/2005 (CNA/ANA)The US supports negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus question, under the auspices of the United Nations, that will lead to an agreed solution of the Cyprus problem, new US Ambassador to Nicosia Roland Schlicher said on Thursday, during a meeting here with President of the House of Represen-tatives Demetris Christofias.According to a press release issued by the Parliament, the Cypriot House President stressed at the meeting that the Greek-Cypriot side remains committed in reaching a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Christofias underlined that the solution should be agreed upon after negotiations and should take into consideration the concerns of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities. House President briefed Schlicher on the present phase of the Cypriot question, and referred to the reasons that led the Greek Cypriots to reject the UN plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue. "The people rejected the particular plan and not the solution itself," Christofias told the US Ambassador during their meeting. Schlicher said that he looks forward to his cooperation with the Parliament and to dialogue aiming to enhance the bilateral relations between Cyprus and the US. "The US supports negotiations, under the UN auspices, that will lead to an agreed solution of the Cyprus problem," Schlicher stressed. The House President also held a meeting with outgoing Special Representative of UN Secretary General in Cyprus, Zbigniew Wlosowicz, with whom they discussed the problems that have arisen in the efforts to open the Ledras Street checkpoint in Nicosia. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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