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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-10-04Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>October 4, 2006CONTENTS
[01] Inner Cabinet discusses foreign policy issues, culture ministry bill introducing sponsorships policyATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)The Inner Cabinet convened on Tuesday, chaired by prime minister Costas Karamanlis, to discuss foreign policy issues and a culture ministry bill on sponsorships, with foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis and culture minister George Voulgarakis as the main speakers.Bakoyannis told reporters after the meeting that she briefed the Inner Cabinet on the results of Greece's presidency of the UN Security Council during the month of September, and on her visit to the US last week -- during which she addressed several Security Council sessions before heading on to Washington for talks with US government officials -- as well as the developments regarding Turkey's European prospects. Replying to press questions, Bakoyannis reiterated that this autumn, with respect to Turkey, was a period in which great caution must be displayed by all sides. Noting that the EU's first progress report on Turkey was imminent, she said that an overall evaluation would be made in end-December by Greece and all the other EU member states. Asked to comment on US President George Bush's recent endorsement of Turkey's EU prospect, Bakoyannis said that this was a firm position of the US, adding that it was a statement of political support, but also stressing that it was the European Union that would evaluate and decide on the issue. She also reiterated Greece's support of Turkey's European orientation under the oft-stated conditions. Voulgarakis, in turn, stressed the exceptional importance of the fact that Greece was acquiring a policy on sponsorships, as this would release and accrue funds that would be channeled to the restoration of monuments and also to the projection of cultural events in both Greece and abroad. The culture ministry's bill, he said, would fill a large void. Responding to questions on the developments in the education sector, Bakoyannis appealed to the striking public elementary school teachers, who are in their third week of mobilization, to open up the schools and engage in a dialogue with education minister Marietta Yannakou whom, she said, has repeatedly stated that the education ministry's doors were open to them. Bakoyannis added, in reply to another question, that during an appearance on state television earlier in the day, she had lauded the education minister's work and the extent of the effort she has made. She said the dialogue that has been conducted so far was not widely known, thus rejecting opposition criticism, clarifying, in reply to a question, that the dialogue was not more widely know because it appeared that, at the time, the journalists had not been interested in it. Regarding the "climate of clash" that has arisen, Bakoyannis stressed that the climate of polarization was not helping, especially at a time when understanding and wider consensus were necessary in order for the reforms to proceed. In a further clarification, national economy and finance minister George Alogoskoufis reiterated that the government has exhausted all the margins regarding the teachers' financial demands, stressing the fact that the (2007) state budget he tabled in parliament on Monday forecast a deficit of below 3 percentage points of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first time since Greece's entry into the EMU, while at the same time it also ensured social priorities such as an increase in the EKAS supplementary benefit for low pensions, in the OGA farmers' social insurance fund pensions, and in the unemployment benefits. [02] New bill encourages private sponsorship of arts and culture, minister saysATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)The draft bill on arts sponsorship approved by the inner cabinet on Tuesday will introduce major incentives for sponsorship the arts with private capital, Culture Minister George Voulgarakis told reporters as he presented the bill in a later press conference.He said the new bill, which is expected will to become law before the end of the year, will grant private sponsors the highest possible tax relief for private capital granted to bodies involved in cultural activity, or two-thirds of the amount given. More specifically, 66 percent of the amount given in cash, or the value of the service offered as a cultural grant, will be deducted from the donor's gross income, whether this is a private individual or a company. The minister expressed hopes that this major tax break, which exceeded his best hopes, would be a powerful incentive to attract sponsorship for both contemporary arts and Greece's ancient cultural heritage. Among the provisions of the bill is the creation of a special Sponsorship Bureau that will answer directly to the culture ministry and will receive the sponsorship proposals targeting the state sector, which would then be sent to the sponsorship Council with a recommendation. The sponsorship council will be constituted by order of the culture minister and have nine members, chaired by a broadly respected figures of the arts, sciences or economy. The rest of the members will drawn among representatives of Chambers of Commerce, the finance ministry, the culture ministry, state museum directors, representatives of the arts, and the Union of Advertising Companies. According to the minister, who clarified that the same set of laws would also apply to foreign nationals and Greeks abroad, one of the main aims of the bill was to enhance cooperation between the state and the 'Society of Citizens' and to build up the trust of the public and businesses in cultural organizations. In addition, the bill will establish a 'Sponsorships prize' and also raise money to promote Greek culture through a levy of 6 percent of each cash grant submitted via the Sponsorship Bureau, which will be withheld and paid to the Hellenic Culture Organization, a societe anonyme company. [03] Bill against antiquities smuggling in the wings, Voulgarakis saysATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)A draft bill designed to enhance protection of Greece' ancient treasures and make it easier to arrest antiquities smugglers is expected to be ready within six months, Culture Minister George Voulgarakis revealed on Tuesday.He also announced that a meeting later the same day between culture ministry officials and representatives of the Getty Museum to begin the second round of talks for the return of two ancient Greek artifacts that Greece believes were smuggled out of the country illegally. In the meantime, the culture ministry was continuing contacts with the Italian culture ministry to exchange information and tactics regarding ways to combat antiquities smugglers. [04] Papandreou foresees early electionsATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Tuesday reiterated his position over the prospect of early elections, speaking this time to members of his party's Parliament group.His appearance came a day after the government unveiled portions of its draft budget for 2007, which Papandreou said lacked transparency, was unreliable and socially unfair. Turning to recent developments, he again criticized a government decision -- last week -- re-evaluating the country's GDP upwards (25 percent), while he referred to growing public sector corruption, for which he cited several proposals. Among others, he said PASOK would make board of director appointments in public sector companies an open process; forbid the inclusion of amendments or riders to draft bills after discussion in Parliament concludes, and, shift proposed weapons contracts to Parliament's jurisdiction. Furthermore, Papandreou also expressed a brief but direct position regarding the state's involvement in the economy - which in Greece is huge - saying that he "believes more in the protection of the public interest and not in the (protection of the) public stake in enterprises." He added that he favored partnerships with foreign firms, but was against the practice of merely turning local businesses into subsidiaries of multinationals. In terms of specific references, Papandreou said a buyout of a Turkish bank (Finansbank) by the National Bank of Greece, the country's largest credit institution, was "scandalous", while he termed high-profile investments by state-run ATEbank as "very risky". In other matters, the PASOK leader said the upcoming local government elections were a "crucial battle." Finally, Papandreou denied a charge by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis that PASOK and its leadership were responsible for a climate of "political divisiveness" in the country. [05] FM Bakoyannis says early general elections will not be heldATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Tuesday night said that "there is no question of early general elections," adding that "the government still has many things to do."Bakoyannis was speaking from Patra, western Greece, where she met with deputies and local New Democracy (ND) party officials, in light of the local government elections which will be held on October 15. "There is no question of early general elections. The government still has many things to do. It will complete its four-year term and then elections will be held," Bakoyannis told reporters after the meeting. She added that on Thursday a two-day meeting will be held in Athens' coastal district of Lagonisi of foreign ministers of Mediterranean countries which face problems with illegal immigration. "The aim is for there to be European confrontation and support. The countries which are in the periphery of the European Union bear enormous burden and cost in order for them to safeguard the European borders. The support of these countries is the aim of this meeting," Bakoyannis added. [06] Papoulias briefed by Syn leader; latter airs charges over political system, media groupsATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos said after a meeting Tuesday with President Karolos Papoulias that he raised certain issues concerning the country's political system, which he charged is operating amid a "problematic democracy".Alavanos also referred to the Vodafone phone tapping case, and the lack of transparency in the public and private sector in tandem with the lack of political volition to tackle the problem, as he said. In addition, he referred to mass media sector, stressing that some media groups are not fulfilling their role as a "fourth estate" to check and prevent the abuse of political power, but rather are seeking to become a "state-within-state" by targeting fundamental values and downgrading the parliamentary system and the country's political figures. Alavanos also spoke of escalating police authoritarianism, while even maintaining that certain police officers have directed a fascist-like attack on his party. [07] Teacher-government dispute escalates after alleged police attackATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Teachers and the government each dug into their positions on Tuesday, as striking teachers refused to back down from demands for substantial pay increases and the government insisted that it had already taken action to meet them, within the limits of what the economy could bear.Tension escalated even further in the wake of allegations by strikers that a member of the riot police used brass knuckles to assault teachers during a protest on Monday. Commenting on the assault claim, alternate government spokesman stressed the government's condemnation and rejection of "all behavior that exceeds the limits". "This applies regardless, whether it is about the use of a metal ring or an attachment on a police man's uniform, or the wooden boards with which certain protestors attempted to break through the ranks of the police," he said. He denied that this statement 'traded-off' the violence of police and protestors or that it encouraged the police to continue using strong-arm tactics against protestors, stressing that the government's condemnation had been absolutely unequivocal. Meanwhile, protest action by teachers continued with a picket in Thessaloniki on Tuesday as the strike entered the second day of its third consecutive week. Regarding the €105 benefit that teachers want to see paid immediately in full, rather than the six half-year increments beginning in 2007 offered by the government, Antonaros pointed out that payment of the benefit was among the government's pre-election pledges and that it had already been carried out. He clarified that the full benefit represented roughly 12 percent of the pay of a newly-appointed teacher. "Even if you divide this by three - which are the six half-year installments - the increase represents 4 per cent of the salary, apart from the regular pay increases for public sector staff," he claimed. Teachers have rejected the government's offer as paltry, pointing out that the initial addition to their pay will come to just €17.50, representing a salary increase just over 1.8 percent. They demand that the full €105 monthly benefit begin to be paid at once, stressing that their salaries are very low by European standards. Another demand made by teachers is a substantial increase in the starting pay of newly appointed teachers to €1,400 a month, up from about €950 at present. Responding to questions about his statement on Monday that most Greeks would be unable to sympathize with teachers' demands for a 45 percent pay rise, Antonaros denied that the government was seeking to set groups of workers against each other: "However, this doesn't mean that we must hide or paint a rosier picture of facts and real events," he added. As the primary school and kindergarten teachers' strike drags on into week three, joined by highschool teachers on Monday and Tuesday, teacher unions as continuing to claim turnouts as high as 60-75 percent for the strike while the government puts strike participation closer to about 40 percent. [08] Coalition party leader tables questions for PM on educationATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Alekos Alavanos on Tuesday tabled a question for Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Parliament concerning primary and secondary education.Alavanos accused the government of displaying "proverbial apathy and indifference" to the ongoing strikes by teachers in primary and secondary schools, ignoring the fact that perpetuating the present situation would seriously interfere with the educational process and was completely upsetting the lives of working families. He urged the prime minister to take measures to "end the crisis in primary and secondary education by meeting the just demands made by the teachers of the various levels, in the framework of a dignified treatment of them by the state". He also urged the government to raise spending on education in line with its pre-election pledges, which promised to devote 5 percent of GDP to education, and to improve both the curriculum and the training of teachers, among others. [09] Gov't reports 'excellent' political climate with RussiaATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)The government sees an 'excellent' political climate between Greece and Russia, which has contributed to an improvement in economic ties, Deputy Foreign Minister Euripides Stylianidis said on Tuesday.Stylianidis, who handles economic diplomacy, was referring to meetings between Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Russian President Vladimir Putin; and contacts by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and Transport Minister Mihalis Liapis with their Russian counterparts. Among key successes were signing of a pact for construction of a pipeline to carry Russian oil to Greece through Bulgaria, a discernible rise in domestic exports to Russia, and a sharp rise in Russian tourism to Greece, he noted. Greek exports to Russia rose by 24% in the first half of 2006 against 21% for Russian exports to Greece. Products most heavily promoted for dispatch to Russia were peaches and oranges, olive oil, feta cheese and fur, which is a major export for northern Greece. Wine is destined for promotion as an export to Russia, Stylianidis reported. In the first half of 2006, Russian tourists to Greece rose by 41.8% from the same period a year earlier, largely stemming from an easing of restrictions in entry visa issuance, he noted. [10] EU Defense Ministers meeting ends in Levi, FinlandATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)EU Defense Ministers wrapped up their two-day informal meeting in Levi, Finland on Tuesday with the European Defense Agency (EDA) Steering Board meeting and a debate on the level and prospects of the European civil-military coordination in crisis management (CMCO). They also discussed the recent crisis in Lebanon, the EU contribution to the efforts to rebuild the country and the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Deputy Defense Minister Vasilis Mihaloliakos, who represented Greece, told the meeting that Greece acknowledges the need for reinforced civil-military cooperation in crisis management operations, taking under consideration the different mandate given and the peculiarities of each mission. He stressed that the European Defense Agency should continue to evolve to fulfill its mission and support efforts aimed at improving EU defense capabilities. He also added that the financial limitations faced by certain member states in their national defense budgets should be taken under consideration. In the discussion on the crisis in Lebanon, Mihaloliakos emphasized that Greece, as a result of its geo-strategic position and its participation in international organizations, as well as based on its expressed wish, plays a major role in the wider region as a factor of stability, peace, security and prosperity. He added that Greece was among the first countries to back a ceasefire and offer immediate and effective humanitarian aid, stressing that the policy followed will always be purely anthropocentric. The deputy defense minister had a separate meeting with EU High Representative of Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana. [11] Rehn refers to Finnish proposal regarding Cypriot-flagged carriers in TurkeyANKARA, 4/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)EU Commissioner Olli Rehn said here on Tuesday that he was encouraged that "neither side" had rejected a Finnish presidency idea for breaking a deadlock over allowing Cypriot vessels and airplanes into Turkish ports and airports, respectively, although he declined to elaborate, while merely noting that the proposal had the EU's support.Rehn also told reporters that he would urge Turkish ministers to "re-launch" reforms and meet the EU condition of opening Turkey's harbors and airports to Cypriot-flagged carriers. Asked about a high-profile comment, a day earlier, by the powerful Turkish military chief of staff, who referred to a "threat” by "radical Islamism” in Turkey, Rehn initially responded by saying he respects the Turkish military's professionalism, while stressing however, "as in any other European democracy, the military must be under full civilian, democratic control.” The EU Commissioner also referred to the infamous article 301 of the Turkish penal code, which punishes offenders for "insulting Turkishness”, stressing that he is obliged to reiterate the same negative opinion of the anti-free speech law. "Those opposing repealing the unjustified restrictions of free speech in article 301 and other parts of Turkish law are effectively opposing a key condition of EU membership ... nowhere is there such a wide, sweeping conception of insulting, say Englishness or Finnishness, as there is (of insulting Turkishness) in article 301," the Finnish EU commissioner said. [12] President Karolos Papoulias attends Cyprus Independence Day receptionATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)President Karolos Papoulias attended a reception given by the Ambassador of Cyprus in Athens Angelos Georgis, at a downtown Athens hotel on Tuesday night, on the occasion of Cyprus's Independence Day anniversary.Guests at the reception also included Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou, Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras, Minister of Macedonia and Thrace George Kalantzis, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, former President of the Republic Christos Sartzetakis and Communist Party of Greece (KKE) secretary general Aleka Papariga. [13] Hijacked Turkish airliner infringes Athens FIR, lands in ItalyATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)A Turkish airliner carrying out a Tirana-Istanbul flight and flying 15 miles inside the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) headed back to the Tirana FIR at about 6 in the afternoon on Tuesday, mentioning that a hijack had taken place, according to an announcement by the National Defense General Staff, while foreign news agencies reported that shortly afterwards the aircraft had landed in Brindisi, Italy.Two pairs of Greek F-16 warplanes had taken off immediately and had led the airliner outside the Athens FIR. Turkish airliner hijackers surrender, protest Pope's visit to Turkey: The hijacker of a Turkish passenger airliner, protesting the planned visit to Turkey by the Pope, wanted to convey a message to him. This was the reason for the hijacking, according to initial reports that have not yet been confirmed by the Italian authorities in Brindisi. The Turkish airliner was escorted by two Italian F-16 warplanes before landing. The hijacker finally surrendered to the Italian authorities and sought political asylum, a police spokesman said. He added that the crew and passengers then got off the plane. ENAC, the aircraft's security service, announced that the Turk had wanted to deliver the message to the Pope. Hijackers wanted to read letter to Pope: The NTV channel which invoked security sources, reported that the airliner carried 107 passengers, five of whom had Turkish nationality, and six crew and had been forced to land at a military airport in Brindisi, Italy. NTV said the hijacker agreed to surrender to the Italian authorities on condition that he were permitted to read a letter to the Pope in public. Albanian government official: The Albanian deputy public order minister said on Tuesday night that all passengers on board the hijacked airliner at Brindisi airport were in good health. The Top Channel television network had two live reports with two of the airliner's passengers. The one was a deputy of the opposition Socialist Party and the other a journalist working for the Top Media group to which Top Channel belongs, who stated that all were in good health, while the hijacker was in the cockpit at the time the discussion was taking place. Shortly afterwards, the same television channel made another effort to contact the journalist, but the telephones were not functioning. [14] Jerusalem Patriarch in AthensATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Jerusalem Patriarch Theofilos and Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis discussed the Jerusalem Patriarchate's operation on Tuesday, as the former is on an official visit to Greece.Theofilos also briefed the Greek side on efforts to reform the previously scandal-plagued Patriarchate, efforts following his enthronement. Finally, he thanked Athens and the deputy FM for their active support. On his part, Kassimis cited the Greek state's interest and initiatives in favor of the Orthodox Patriarchate of the Holy Land. [15] Unemployment downATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Unemployment in September 2006 fell to 414,223 registered jobless from 452,779 in the same month a year earlier, the Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) said on Tuesday.The jobless rate dropped to 8.8% in the second quarter of 2006 from 9.7% in the same period of 2005, OAED said in a monthly report. The data was relayed by Deputy Employment Minister Gerassimos Yiakoumatos. [16] International defense trade fair opensATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Defendory International 2006, an international defense industry trade fair, opened in the port of Piraeus on Tuesday.Inaugurating the event, Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis repeated the government's pledge of helping the domestic industry, private and public sector, to strengthen its position for opportunities under the European Defense Organization. "Upgrading and modernizing the Greek defense industry in a transparent manner is a basic priority of the government, as shown, for example, in the new procurements law," Meimarakis added. [17] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks dropATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)The Athens share index closed at 3,893.05 points, showing a decline of 0.63%. Turnover was 279.3 million euros.The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.63% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks 0.78% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.43% down. Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 142 to 93 with 63 remaining unchanged. Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: 10-yr benchmark at 4.02 pct Foreign Exchange Rates Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank: U.S. dollar 1.283 [18] Dragon's Cave in Kastoria to open to visitors soon4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)The Dragon’s Cave site in Kastoria, northwestern Greece, will soon be exploited by the local municipality for tourism purposes in a way that will promote the exceptional natural beauty of its seven lakes and rare flora, it was announced on Tuesday.The opening of the cave, which is situated close to Lake Kastoria and was discovered in 1940 by three local residents, has the shape of a dragon, thus acquiring its name. Based on the existing plans, tourist corridors will be constructed, while stalactite- and stalagmite-friendly lighting will be installed, and measures will be also be taken to protect the cave’s rare flora. The project, budgeted at 2.63 million euro, is slated for completion in two years. There are an estimated 10,000 recorded caves throughout Greece and, after the project is completed, the Dragon’s Cave will be among the country’s 12 caves open to visitors. The Greek caves that are currently open to visitors are Petralona Cave in Halkidiki, Perama Cave in Ioannina, Alistrati Cave in Serres, Dyros Cave, Mara Cave in Drama, Dikteou Androu Cave in Crete, Mellisanthi Cave in Cephalonia, Pramaton Cave in Ioannina, Aghios Georgios Cave in Kilkis, Sykia Cave in Chios, Katsias Cave in Tripolis, and Vathi Cave. [19] Papageorgiou General Hospital Nephrology Division receives ISO certification4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Thessaloniki’s Papageorgiou General Hospital Nephrology Division received EN ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality standards.There are two artificial dialysis centres in Greece with quality standard certification but the only certification for a hospital nephrology division was received by the Papageorgiou General Hospital. Its Nephrology Division and artificial dialysis unit have capacity for 275 patients. The first steps to receive the ISO certification from a German firm were made a year ago and the hospital also received a commendation because a total of 36 specifications were finally met, in addition to the 6 that were mandatory. Within the next decade, no hospital division will be allowed to operate without a quality standard certification. [20] Annual US Diversity Visa Lottery Program beginsATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)The US Congress-mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, or Visa Lottery Program, begins on Wednesday, October 4, and will end on December 3, 2006, the US embassy in Athens announced on Tuesday.Greek citizens and citizens of the other 174 countries that meet the necessary criteria are encouraged to apply early, the Embassy announcement said. Applicants, whose names are selected randomly, will be eligible to apply for one of 50,000 permanent resident visas made available annually to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States, the Embassy said. The 2008 lottery will mark the fourth year in which the registration process has been conducted entirely via the Internet. Persons seeking to enter the lottery program must register online through the designated Web site <http://www.dvlottery.state.gov>, and digital photos must be submitted with the registration form. Paper entries will not be accepted, according to the DV-2008 instructions. Instructions and further details are available in Greek at http://www.usembassy.gr/consular/immigrant_visas.htm. [21] New procedures for UK visa applicants as of October 10ATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)The British government is introducing biometric data collection (fingerscans) as part of a world-wide biometric identification process, designed to protect an individual's identity, facilitate future entry to the UK, combat visa fraud and abuse of the UK's immigration and asylum systems. With effect from October 10 all visa applicants, irrespective of nationality, will have to apply in person at the British Embassy in Athens and have their fingerscans taken, a press release by the British Embassy to Greece said on Tuesday.Those wishing to lodge a visa application will first have to book an appointment by telephoning the visa booking line on 210-7272600, while an on-line booking system will be introduced by the Embassy at a later stage. According to the press release, all visa applicants must have their fingerscans taken, with the exception of children under the age of five. An exemption may also be granted to applicants who for genuine reasons cannot provide fingerscans. Also exempt from the fingerscan requirement are the following categories of applicants: - Holders of Diplomatic passports and accompanying dependants traveling on official government business - Holders of Official passports who are traveling on official government business in the UK - United Nations officials holding UN Travel Documents who are traveling on official UN business - Commonwealth and NATO armed forces personnel posted for service in the UK - Holders of a certificate of entitlement confirming right of abode in the UK. The Embassy explained that fingerscans will be collected from each applicant by using an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical will be used, and the procedure will take no more than two minutes to complete. Visa applications cannot be processed until applicants are able to provide acceptable fingerscans, while, if an applicant refuses to provide fingerscans, the visa application process cannot be processed, the Embassy press release added. [22] Reported 6pct of women in Greece are victims of abuseATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)The proportion of Greek women who are victims of abuse appears to be much smaller compared to available figures in the rest of the European countries. According to figures received by the National Center for Social Solidarity, 6 percent of women in Greece were the victims of violent behavior from their spouses or mates compared to 20 percent in the rest of Europe.However, officials believe that the number of violent incidents targeting women is probably higher but remain unrecorded either because women are reluctant to admit that they have been the victims of abuse or because they regard violent behavior as normal. The profile of the average woman victim of domestic violence is 40 years of age, married and unemployed. Meanwhile, the number of foreign women in Greece who have reported to authorities that they have been the victims of abuse by their mates remains small because many of them are in the country illegally and are afraid of being deported. [23] Turkish cargo vessel stranded off MykonosATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)A Turkish-flagged cargo vessel remained anchored just off the Cyclades holiday island of Mykonos on Tuesday afternoon after reporting an engine breakdown the previous evening.According to the coast guard, the vessel had departed a Turkish port carrying 5,900 metric tons of steel, before developing engine problems in the open sea. The vessel, identified as the "Serez", later drifted to within one nautical mile off Mykonos' northern coast. The coast guard said the ship's skipper reported the problem to the local port authority, whereas the dispatch of a Greek tugboat to the stricken vessel is pending. A coast guard patrol boat is also at the scene to offer assistance. The vessel carries an 18-member crew, 17 Turkish nationals and one Ukrainian. [24] Albanian detainees escape police station lockup facilityATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Police have launched a manhunt in northern Greece for three Albanian nationals who escaped from the police station lockup facility in Polygyros, Halkidiki, northernern Greece, overnight after removing part of the window's external metal railing using a sharp object.The three escapees had been arrested on theft charges based on a temporary detention warrant issued by a local magistrate. [25] Protest targets lack, abuse of sidewalks in AthensATHENS, 4/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)Members of an urban environmental advocacy group on Tuesday staged a symbolic protest in downtown Athens decrying the lack of sidewalks and the systematic encroachment, as they said, of sidewalks by various businesses, cafeteria tables and chairs, as well as various types of parked vehicles.The "Ecologiki Athina" group staged the protest outside a well-known hotel in Syntagma Square, across from Parliament, accusing the hotel of repeatedly blocking the sidewalk with parked cars. [26] Cyprus Government Spokesman: Turkish demands are 'absurd'NICOSIA, 4/10/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)Cypriot Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis rejected here Tuesday Turkish demands to end the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots so that Ankara would extend its Customs Union with the EU's ten new member states including the Republic of Cyprus.Pashiardis comments came a day after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statements that his country does not intend to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and airplanes if the so-called economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is not lifted. The National Council, (top advisory body to the President), convened on Tuesday, under President Tassos Papadopoulos who informed members on the latest developments regarding the July 8 agreement and Turkey's EU accession course, in view of the European Commission's Progress Report on Turkey to be published on November 8. ''When Erdogan declares that the so-called isolation should be ended so that Turkey will open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and airplanes, essentially he calls on us to recognize the pseudostate, so that Ankara abides by its European obligations,'' Pashiardis said. ''In short we are being called on pay a heavy political cost so that Ankara will settle its debt to the EU,'' he said, adding that ''only Turkey could submit such an absurd demand and only an irrational Cypriot government would satisfy it,'' Pashiardis added. He also reiterated that the so-called isolation ''is a slogan which has nothing to do with reality, nor with Ankara's sincere concern for the Turkish Cypriots but it relates with the Turkish side's concern to politically upgrade the pseudo state.'' ''Instead of recognizing the Republic of Cyprus, as the EU demands, Turkey demands from the Republic of Cyprus to recognize the pseudo-state,'' Pashiardis added. Replying to a question whether there is a stalemate in the July 8 agreement, Pashiardis said that there is no stalemate, adding that efforts to promote the agreement are continuing ''despite the fact that no meetings between the representatives of the two leaders took place for several days now.'' ''The deliberations are taking place through the United Nations,'' Pashiardis added, reiterating that ''our side is always at the disposal of UN SG's Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller's and always ready to cooperate with sincerity and the necessary good will for the full and unconditional implementation of the July 8 agreement.'' Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on July 8th 2006, during a meeting in the presence of UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day to day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. Following the agreement, senior aides of the two leaders in Cyprus, Tasos Tzionis and Rasit Pertev, began meetings in Moller's office in the UN-controlled buffer zone to work out the modalities for the implementation of the July agreement. Although Turkey signed in July 2005 the protocol extending its customs union to all ten EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, it still refuses to ratify it and open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft because it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus. On September 21, 2005 the EU issued a counter-declaration on Turkey's unilateral declaration that it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, urging Turkey to implement the customs union protocol and normalize its relations with Cyprus. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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