Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-05-24
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1194), May 24, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Expert committees to present reports on Greek-Turkish relations
soon, Pangalos says
[02] Demirel reiterates proposal for non-aggression pact between
Greece, Turkey
[03] Agreement difficult for EU's 15, Premier says
[04] European Socialist meeting
[05] Albright sees progress in Greek-Turkish relations
[06] Pangalos welcomes possible Burns posting to Athens
[07] Foreign ministry to get new free operations room
[08] Pangalos to visit Albania ahead of next month's elections
[09] Police hosts anti-racism seminar
[10] Navy exercises in the Aegean
[11] Greece to revive bid to retrieve Parthenon Marbles
[12] Romania calls for support for EU, NATO bids
[13] Constantinescu awarded City of Athens gold medal
[14] Simitis wishes election success to French socialist party
[15] New border police force to be formed
[16] Karamanlis meets with EU ambassadors
[17] Fines announced by commission over Delta scandal
[18] Gov't rejects call to sack minister over drug comments
[19] Papandreou responds
[20] Lufthansa extends thanks to Greek air traffic control
[21] Greek-FYROM trade on the rise
[22] Athens bourse sets new historic record
[23] Greek industrial production on the rise
[24] Florina SA in fruit juice project in Bulgaria
[25] Gov't adopts 1.8 bln. drachmas anti-flood project
[26] Development minister attends IEA meeting
[27] O. Beinoglu SA launches new cargo depot
[28] Police recover 40 stolen paintings
[01] Expert committees to present reports on Greek-Turkish relations
soon, Pangalos says
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Greek and Turkish experts studying problems in bilateral
relations are to present their respective reports to the Dutch
European Union presidency, possibly as soon as Monday, Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos told a press conference yesterday.
Mr. Pangalos expressed the hope that the Turkish group's report
would contain "positive and constructive positions". He said the
two groups would study each other's reports, to be exchanged via
the EU presidency.
He also reiterated Greece's "fervent wish for a solution to
problems with Turkey".
Asked to comment on an interview with Turkish President Suleyman
Demirel screened on Greece's Antenna TV station last night, in
which Mr. Demirel proposed the signing of a non-aggression pact
with Greece, Mr. Pangalos said:
"If the Turkish president's statements constitute an abandonment
of the (Turkish policy of) casus belli, this will be a very
significant development."
He said, however, that if the abandonment of "casus belli" was
accompanied by conditions such as a demand that neither country
did anything to displease the other, such as Greece exercising
its right to extend its territorial waters to the 12-mile limit,
then this would be a step backwards, as it would be tantamount
to asking Greece to adopt Turkey's position .
Mr. Pangalos said that no politician, whether in Greece or
Turkey, would want to assume the cost of a military
confrontation. He also noted a warning from the US that it would
intervene militarily to stop such a confrontation.
The foreign minister drew attention to both countries'
commitments to a number of international treaties obliging them
to avoid military conflict.
Asked to comment on reservations reportedly expressed by Cypriot
leaders over a possible non-aggression pact between Greece and
Turkey, Mr. Pangalos reiterated that any military action by
Turkey against Cyprus would be considered by Greece as cause for
war. However, he added that neither Greece nor Cyprus should
dictate policy to each other, and that Greece should not become
involved in the Cypriot election campaign.
Finally, with regard to the proposed summer moratorium on
military flights in the Aegean, the foreign minister reiterated
that Greece was in favor of such a move, noting that there were
still certain reservations on the part of Turkey.
[02] Demirel reiterates proposal for non-aggression pact between
Greece, Turkey
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Turkish President Suleyman Demirel yesterday reiterated an old
proposal for an agreement of good neighborliness and
co-operation to be signed between Greece and Turkey.
Mr. Demirel made the statement during an interview with the
private television channel Antenna aired last night.
Questioned on whether he would agree to the prospect of a
non-aggression pact with Greece, Mr. Demirel said "Yes. In fact
I had proposed such an agreement to (former prime minister) Mr.
Mitsotakis. A good neighborliness and co-operation pact."
During the interview, he frequently repeated that problems in
Greek-Turkish relations can be resolved through dialogue.
"We are ready to improve our relations with Greece, starting a
dialogue and taking all necessary measures. We keep our word on
what we proposed in the past."
In Turkey's view, he said, the sovereignty of 130 small islands
and rocky islets in the Aegean is questionable. He said this
issue must be handled first with dialogue and accused Greece of
attempting to occupy the islets.
Mr. Demirel said the issue of the island of Gavdos was an
isolated incident which must not be generalized. Questioned on
the Imia islets and on why Turkey's claims to the 130 islets
appeared in 1996, he said the issue has existed since the 1930s
and 1950 s, adding that if Greece had not gone ahead with
settling the islands, the January 1996 Imia crisis would never
have occurred.
"In our view, the sovereignty of these islands is open," he
said. When asked why his country refuses to refer the issue to
the International Court at The Hague, he said "let us discuss
first and we might reach some conclusions. We might find some
solutions."
On the question of Turkey's refusal to clarify which are the
so-called "gray zones", Mr. Demirel said "if someone wants to
find out which ones they are then Turkey will certainly announce
them."
Questioned on Turkey's statement that Greece's extension of its
territorial waters to 12 miles would be casus belli, the Turkish
president said this has been so for many years.
"Whether the Aegean Sea becomes a Greek lake is an issue of
vital importance to Turkey," he said.
[03] Agreement difficult for EU's 15, Premier says
Noordwjik, The Netherlands (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
There was a "willingness" to agree on a revision of the
Maastricht Treaty, but it was unlikely it would be reached
between European Union (EU) members at the June summit in
Amsterdam, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday.
Speaking to the press following a special summit of government
leaders called by the Dutch EU presidency, Mr. Simitis said
"there is a political willingness to reach final agreement, but
many issues remain unsolved, and it is not expected that there
will be a final agreement on June 16-17".
The current meeting has called together government leaders to
pave the way for the revision of the Maastricht Treaty, which
was signed in 1992.
"What was sought at this day's meeting was the institutional
revision of the community and the guaranteeing of the
effectiveness of its operations," Mr. Simitis said.
He pointed out that the effectiveness "can be guaranteed without
reducing the number of European Commission members and at the
same time by strengthening the role of its president."
This referred to another topic on the meeting's agenda, of the
distribution and importance of the voting power of
representatives from member-states, and the possibility of
allowing each state at least one member on the Commission.
Mr. Simitis expressed satisfaction that indications showed the
revised treaty would mention the European Union's aim to
"preserve common values, fundamental interests, independence and
integrity of the Union according to the principles of the United
Nat ions founding charter, and the strengthening of security in
the Union under any of its forms."
[04] European Socialist meeting
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Premier Simitis was represented by Alternate Foreign Minister
George Papandreou at a European Socialist leaders meeting in
Noordwjik earlier yesterday.
Mr. Papandreou told the press that the presence of the
Socialists in the European Council was enhanced by the recent
landslide election victory of the British Labor Party, adding
that this would be felt in the new reforms agreement.
Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, who had his European summit
debut, called yesterday for a "radical shift" in the European
Union to re-focus on concerns of real interest to its citizens,
such as jobs.
His Labor party's election victory over the Conservatives has
been welcomed in Europe as crucial to the Inter-Governmental
Conference (IGC) negotiations, which have slowed due to British
objections to deeper EU integration.
Mr. Papandreou said British foreign policy showed evidence of
change, especially in the fields of social policy and the
inclusion of a social protocol in the new treaty.
He said however that European socialists held differing views
over certain issues such as defense and the integration of the
Western European Union to the EU.
He added that the Socialist leaders would have the opportunity
to sound each other out at the IGC talks in Sweden on June 4-7
and in Amsterdam on the eve of the summit.
[05] Albright sees progress in Greek-Turkish relations
Washington, 24/05/1997 (ANA - A. Ellis)
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said yesterday she
believed there has been progress in Greek-Turkish relations.
"I think we have seen some fairly positive steps, in terms of
some improvement in Greek-Turkish relations and we hope very
much this trend continues," she said during a press conference
shortly before departing for Europe yesterday.
Ms Albright described Greece and Turkey as "very important NATO
allies", adding that "we have great need and trust of both of
them, and it is obviously much better when their relations are
in a good track."
Ms Albright reiterated that the Cyprus problem is a priority for
the US and noted that the resolution process must be promoted
this year.
The Cyprus question, she said, "is again a priority issue for
us, even though the dispute is on the books for a long time".
She stressed that the US has "felt that this was an important
year in terms of trying to move the process forward," adding
that she is "considering how to deal with this issue."
Ms Albright disclosed that the US Presidential Emissary for
Cyprus Richard Beattie has been appointed as her advisor for the
reorganization of State Department issues, adding that she is
considering whom to name in his place.
[06] Pangalos welcomes possible Burns posting to Athens
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday responded
positively to reports that State Department spokesman Nicholas
Burns will be appointed ambassador to Greece in the summer,
saying he had a "personal liking" for the US official.
US administration officials said yesterday that Mr. Burns was
expected to be named ambassador to Greece in the summer,
replacing Washington's present envoy, Thomas Niles. Meanwhile,
Mr. Pangalos told a press conference yesterday that he would fly
to Paris on Monday to attend an OECD ministerial meeting before
traveling on to Lisbon on Wednesday to represent Greece at the
NATO foreign ministers meeting.
The agenda of the NATO meeting will focus on preparations for
the Alliance summit in Madrid in early July.
Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Pangalos said no meetings
had been scheduled on the sidelines of the Lisbon meeting with
Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller or other counterparts, but
did not rule out such meetings eventually taking place.
[07] Foreign ministry to get new free operations room
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday announced major
decisions concerning the structure, organization and operation
of his ministry, including the setting up of a modern
"operations center" for use in crisis situations. The operations
center, Mr. Pangalos said, will be housed in the basement of the
ministry building in the center of Athens.
He added that the cost of the center would not burden public
finances, since the project would be paid entirely by the
president of the Athens Medical Center, George Apostolopoulos,
in the form of a donation.
Work on the center will begin this year, Mr. Pangalos said,
adding that it will be equipped with modern telecommunications
systems and operate in close collaboration with the
corresponding center at the defense ministry. Mr. Pangalos also
announced changes to the entrance requirements for embassy
attachi candidates.
In addition to the present requirement of two working languages,
candidates will also have to have a basic knowledge of
economics, reflecting the emphasis which the ministry wishes to
place on economic diplomacy.
[08] Pangalos to visit Albania ahead of next month's elections
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is to visit Albania early
next month, he announced at a press conference yesterday. He
said his visit would probably take place on June 3, following
the European Union Foreign Ministers' Council in Brussels.
Asked whether he would meet with Albanian President Sali
Berisha, the foreign minister said he would be meeting with all
leaders, while if possible he would also visit Greek forces
participating in the multinational force there.
Meanwhile, commenting on press reports to the effect that Italy
was involving itself in the Albanian election campaign, Mr.
Pangalos said that the Italian ambassador in Athens had denied
such an involvement, while the Italian envoy in Tirana had made
a statement declaring that his statements quoted in the press
had been distorted.
The foreign minister dismissed the view that "Greek and Serbian
circles" had caused the upheaval in Albania, saying that there
were no real ultra-nationalist forces in Greece, apart from a
few isolated voices. Commenting on reports of illegal visas
being issued by diplomatic staff in Albania, Mr. Pangalos drew
attention to the ministry's limited ability to investigate such
activities. However, he said there had been such accusations in
the past but only in two or three cases had they been specific.
An investigation of the allegations had indicated that they
concerned circles outside the consulate.
The minister defended the staff at Greece's consulates in
Albania who he said were generally above suspicion. "While this
does not mean that some of them might not be led astray, this
could happen within any group of people, even politicians or
journalists," he concluded.
[09] Police hosts anti-racism seminar
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Greek police hosted a one-day meeting on racism and xenophobia
at the General Police headquarters yesterday. The meeting,
attended by policemen from all ranks, was coordinated by Panteio
University rector Emilios Metaxopoulos, who said Greece "hosts
and embraces every foreigner, when that person contributes to
the society of his new homeland".
Panteio professor of Sociology and Criminal Law Iakovos
Farsedakis condemned the use of personality tests by
psychologists, especially on the intelligence quotient factor,
for purposes of discrimination.
Journalist Theodoros Karzis pointed out that "the famed German
miracle would have been unattainable without 500,000 Greek
immigrants, three million Turks and the rest of the
multi-national mosaic which formed the basic labor force."
[10] Navy exercises in the Aegean
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
The Hellenic Navy will hold exercises in the Saronic Gulf and
the greater Aegean area on May 25 to 30, the Navy General Staff
announced yesterday. The exercises are part of the annual
training of the fleet, and had been scheduled for a long time.
[11] Greece to revive bid to retrieve Parthenon Marbles
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos told Parliament yesterday
that Athens would submit a fresh request to the new British
government for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the
British Museum.
Replying to a question tabled by a Coalition of the Left and
Progress deputy, Mr. Venizelos said the government would
undertake a series of initiatives for the return of the marbles,
which were handed to Lord Elgin by the Ottoman rulers in the
early 19t h century.
Mr. Venizelos said he would be sending a letter to the British
government within the next few days and on June 30 would discuss
the issue with his British counterpart on the sidelines of the
meeting of European Union culture ministers.
"I do not believe that the negative position adopted by the new
British government is final," Mr. Venizelos said.
[12] Romania calls for support for EU, NATO bids
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Visiting Romanian President Emil Constantinescu yesterday asked
for the Greek Parliament's assistance in Bucharest's bid to join
the European Union and NATO, during talks with Parliament
President Apostolos Kaklamanis.
Mr. Constantinescu, who is on a three-day visit to Greece,
received assurances during talks on Thursday with President
Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis that
Athens would support Romania's efforts to join NATO and the EU.
In his talks with Mr. Constantinescu yesterday morning, Mr.
Kaklamanis referred to the "great possibilities" which the two
countries have to contribute towards consolidating co-operation
and peaceful co-existence in the Balkan region.
Commenting on the issue of security in Europe, Mr. Kaklamanis
said the continent needed a security system "of a higher level,
over and above NATO, in which all European countries
participate."
"Merely shifting the dividing lines of the Cold War eastwards is
no answer to the problem of collective security in Europe," he
added. Mr. Kaklamanis accepted an invitation from Mr.
Constantinescu to visit Romania at the head of an all-party
parliamentary delegation.
[13] Constantinescu awarded City of Athens gold medal
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos awarded the City of Athens
gold medal of merit to the Romanian president at the Old Town
Hall yesterday.
"An Athenian is not just any person born in this city, but any
person who has struggled for the higher values born in this
city: democracy, freedom and respect for human dignity. These
principles and values are recognizable in your political
action," the mayor said in his address.
Mr. Constantinescu said he was honored especially because "for
each of us, Athens will always be the place where modern
civilization was established. This is where the democracy and
European values which we are promoting together today were born."
[14] Simitis wishes election success to French socialist party
Beauvais, (ANA - G. Zitouniati)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis last night wished the French
socialist party success, during its last pre-election rally
before the first round of ballots.
In a message delivered by Development Minister Vasso Papandreou,
currently on a visit to France, Mr. Simitis stressed the
importance of the elections, not only for France but also for
the European Union "which is going through a difficult phase."
Socialist parties, he said, must unite their forces for a
stronger and fairer Europe.
[15] New border police force to be formed
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Public Order Minister George Romeos said yesterday that his
ministry will create a police force to guard Greece's borders to
meet increased surveillance needs created on the country's
northern and eastern borders.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Mr. Romeos said roughly 1,000
police officers will be hired in October for a five-year period
for the force.
Replying to criticism by ND deputies on cases of corruption
detected in the Greek Police (ELAS), Mr. Romeos announced the
creation of an internal affairs service for the Greek police,
which will examine reports of corruption and will be able to
refer the cases to court.
Mr. Romeos added the government intends to examine a series of
responsibilities currently held by the police in order to cede
them to municipalities and municipal police forces.
The opposition criticized the public order ministry's policy,
accusing the government of treating the security forces in an
unfair, inhuman, dissenting and mocking way.
[16] Karamanlis meets with EU ambassadors
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy President Costas Karamanlis met
with the Ambassadors of EU member-states to Athens over a
working luncheon yesterday, focusing on issues of mutual
interest.
Mr. Karamanlis said the meeting had also a symbolic meaning,
stressing the main opposition's "firm European orientation."
He said New Democracy desired a more active role in the European
integration process.
The luncheon was also attended by ND Parliamentary Group's
Secretary General Stavros Dimas, the party's International
Relations Secretary Marietta Yiannakou-Koutsikou and Mr.
Karamanlis' advisers on diplomatic issues, Petros Moliviatis and
Dimitris Petrounakos.
[17] Fines announced by commission over Delta scandal
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Nine individuals and three listed companies were ordered by the
Capital Market Commission to pay a total of 720 million drachmas
in fines for involvement in the Delta Securities scandal of last
November.
Delta's inability to meet its cash obligations, amounting to 2.6
billion drachmas, brought its collapse and closed the Athens
Bourse for the first time ever on November 9, 1996.
Following a report by three independent auditors from abroad,
the fines were reduced for charges including trading on insider
information, distorting the market and spreading false and
inaccurate rumors.
The individuals fined were the following (amount of fine in
parentheses):
- Vassilios Kostopoulos, in connection with Magrizos company
shares (150 million drachmas).
- Constantine Georgakis, in connection with Parnassos and Atemke
shares (150 million).
- Constantine Varypombiotis, in connection with Parnassos shares
(100 million).
- Spyridon Yiassafakis and Emmanuel Hadzakis, in connection with
Magrizos (60 million and 40 million, respectively).
- Evangelia and Chryssoula Georgaki, in connection with
Parnassos and Atemke shares (10 million each).
- Ioannis Markopoulos and Lambros Frangos, in connection with
Parnassos shares (25 million and 15 million, respectively).
The following securities companies listed in the Athens Stock
Exchange were fined:
- Ioniki, 90 million drachmas
- Sigma, 50 million drachmas and
- Euroxx, 30 million drachmas.
The commission also delivered written reprimands to Devletoglou,
Ethniki and Kappa Securities for not acting with the necessary
care to protect the market from prearranged transactions.
The commission has placed all securities companies listed above
on a three-month probation for violations of the professional
code of conduct.
[18] Gov't rejects call to sack minister over drug comments
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
The government yesterday strongly reacted to a demand by
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga for the
removal of Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou because
of the views he expressed in favor of the decriminalization of
marijuana use.
"Ms. Papariga and the KKE would be advised to do and speak less
so that they will be compromised less," government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas said, while underlining that the positions
expressed by Mr. Papandreou were his own personal views.
Mr. Papandreou said in an interview with a Greek magazine that
the use of marijuana should be decriminalized and people allowed
to grow the plant for their own personal use.
In many instances, Mr. Reppas said, politicians act as dictated
by their conscience. What is important, the spokesman added, is
"policy not individuals".
"Government policy on the issue of narcotics has a specific
basis, namely the findings of the relevant all-party committee
and the issue does not lend itself for quarrels," Mr. Reppas
said.
The spokesman rejected criticism from Ms Papariga that Mr.
Papandreou was using his position to promote his personal views,
stressing that the minister had expressed the same views on
numerous occasions in the past.
When asked to comment on the matter, Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos underlined that Mr. Papandreou had expressed his views
"as a citizen" and therefore there could be no question of
linking them with his remaining a minister or not.
Mr. Pangalos also stressed that Mr. Papandreou had on many
occasions in the past expressed the same views, adding that the
issue of narcotics was one of conscience.
"Personally, I feel uncomfortable when a party comes along and
says 'this is my party view'. It's a nightmare," Mr. Pangalos
said.
[19] Papandreou responds
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Mr. Papandreou's press office later attributed criticism to his
views from the media and politicians to "a slanderous attempt at
distortion".
An announcement said Mr. Papandreou's critics were trying to
present the minister as supposedly "inviting young people to
cultivate marijuana".
"Not only does Mr. Papandreou not encourage the use of
marijuana, he goes much further by rejecting alcohol and
tobacco," the announcement added.
The announcement underlined that Mr. Papandreou's view that
users should become "disentangled" from their relationship with
dealers was an old one which had been discussed in Parliament as
well as at science conferences.
"Mr. Papandreou expresses his views without petty political
considerations," the announcement said, adding that "the
conclusion from the rhetoric of recent days is that ignorance
and prejudice kills". The announcement urges Mr. Papandreou's
critics to consider the long list of drug deaths, put an end to
their "witch-hunt", contemplate the problems facing youth with
candor and to opt for dialogue rather than confrontation.
[20] Lufthansa extends thanks to Greek air traffic control
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Lufthansa German Airlines has officially thanked Greek Air
Traffic Control for improving the punctuality of flights
departing Athens airport from 30 to 93 per cent.
"While only about 30 per cent of the Lufthansa planes leaving
Athens in Summer 1996 were punctual, in January 1997 the rate
increased to 77 per cent and in February and March even up to 93
per cent...," Lufthansa said in an official letter dated May 13.
The letter noted that in February and March 1997, 93 per cent of
all Lufthansa departures from Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion
left on time.
"Our passengers appreciate that they can rely again on our
services. The image of Greek Traffic Control has risen
tremendously and last but not least, our company is happy that
punctuality is back again to international standards," Lufthansa
said in the letter.
[21] Greek-FYROM trade on the rise
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Trade between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (FYROM) is steadily improving and is forecast to reach
$300 million in 1998 from $180 million last year.
According to figures released yesterday by the National
Statistics Service (NSS), Greece ranks fourth in FYROM's
external trade after Germany, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
and Slovenia.
The European Union is the biggest trade partner of the
neighboring country. FYROM's exports to the EU account for 42.7
percent of total exports, while imports from the 15-member union
represent 38.7 percent.
The NSS notes that FYROM's trade with the EU is greater than
with the former Yugoslav republics, with exports to those
countries accounting for 33.1 percent of the total and imports
21 percent.
[22] Athens bourse sets new historic record
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
The Athens Stock Exchange made history on Friday with the
general index breaking two records as it surpassed the previous
all-time high of 1,684.31 points, set in July 5, 1990, and
breached the 'psychological' barrier of 1,700 for the first time
in history.
The index closed at 1,727.70 points, up 2.60 percent, to show a
total gain of 85.08 percent since the start of the year.
The president of the Shareholders' Union, Dimitris Karagounis,
told the ANA that "the rise in share prices is not merely a
temporary phenomenon, rather it reflects the steady fall in
inflation and interest rates, expectations of high corporate
profits during 1997 and the stable economic policies pursued by
the government".
He also predicted the continuation of the upward trend in the
medium- and long-term, despite temporary correction and setbacks.
Analysts said that the 2,000 target for the end of the year
remained realistic due to the upcoming new flotation of OTE's
shares. They also noted that despite the spectacular jump of the
market during the first five months of the year the average P/E
ratio remained at the very attractive level of 12 percent.
Trading remained at voluminous levels and turnover reached 32.4
billion drachmas. Most sector indices scored gains, once again
led by banks with an increase of 2.65 percent. Insurances rose
1. 58 percent, Investment jumped 5.18 percent, Industrials
increased 1.85 percent, Holdings ended 0.68 percent higher,
Miscellaneous rose 1.19 percent, but Leasing was unchanged and
Construction fell 0.29 percent.
The Parallel Market index ended up 0.22 percent. Broadly,
advancers led decliners by 132 to 96 with another 28 issues
remaining unchanged. Bank of Piraeus, Sarandopoulos and Ekter
scored the biggest gains at the upper limit of daily
fluctuations, while Intertyp and Viokarpet suffered the heaviest
losses of the day.
National Bank of Greece ended at 38,500, Commercial Bank at
14,750, Ergobank at 21,350, Alpha Credit Bank at 22,155 and OTE
at 7,095 drachmas.
[23] Greek industrial production on the rise
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Industrial production in the European Union increased by 0.5
percent on average in December 1996 to February 1997 compared to
the previous three-month period, according to Eurostat, the EU's
statistics agency.
Greece marked a steady improvement on a monthly basis showing a
0.2 percent increase in industrial production during the same
period.
Sweden, Finland, Britain and Germany showed strong increases,
while industrial production fell in Belgium and Italy.
Eurostat said that industrial production in the 15-member bloc
had shown a steady monthly gain since last summer. During the
same three-month period, US production rose 1.2 percent and in
Japan the increase was 1.9 percent.
[24] Florina SA in fruit juice project in Bulgaria
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Florina SA, a Greek fruit juice production company, has bought
Hlebozavod-4, a former bakery in Bulgaria, for $640,000.
According to a statement by the Privatization Organization of
Sofia, the deal is the biggest privatization project it has
signed since the start of the year.
Payment for the deal was in cash handed over during the signing
of the contracts. The bakery will be transformed into a fruit
juice production unit at a cost of four million US dollars.
The new unit is expected to create 130 new jobs in the next five
years. Hlebozavod-4's installations have a surface area of 8,000
square meters on a 36,000-square meters site, located in a
suburb of the Bulgarian capital Sofia.
[25] Gov't adopts 1.8 bln. drachmas anti-flood project
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
The Greek government has endorsed credits of 1,836,920,000
drachmas as part of a long-term project to carry out flood
prevention works around the country, including reconstruction
after severe floods in January.
The latest projects, which are due to be tendered by the Public
Works ministry, are as follows:
* Reconstruction of a major highway in the industrial
Aspropyrgos area near Piraeus (1.5 billion drachmas)
* Reconstruction of the Krikelioti river bed, Evrytania
prefecture (45 million drachmas)
* Engineering studies for bridge repairs in the prefectures of
Phthiotida, Korinthia and Achaia (120 million drachmas)
* Construction of walkways over drainage ditches, Evia
prefecture (10 million drachmas)
* Reconstruction of the Karpenisioti river bed and its
tributaries, Evrytania prefecture (110 million drachmas)
* Building work at Paramythia heliport, Thesprotia prefecture
(21.24 million drachmas)
* Building work at Keramitsa heliport, Thesprotia prefecture
(30.68 million drachmas)
[26] Development minister attends IEA meeting
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Energy ministers from leading industrial countries met in Paris
to discuss government policies in the energy sector in the
framework of a constantly changing international environment and
the fight against global warming.
Development Minister Vasso Papandreou represented Greece in the
24-nation International Energy Agency, which meets at
ministerial level once every two years.
The Greek minister stressed that globalization of the energy
market and liberalization under way in the sectors of
electricity and natural gas had created new circumstances for
government energy policies, but that energy should retain the
nature of a utility.
Referring to the problem of the changing global climate, Ms.
Papandreou stressed the need for international co-operation in
facing the problem, and the obligation by developed countries to
commit themselves to significantly reducing emissions by the
year 2010.
This would follow the example set by European Union
member-states agreeing to reduce emissions by 15 percent by that
time.
The Greek minister urged a revaluation of the relationship
between society and the environment.
[27] O. Beinoglu SA launches new cargo depot
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
A new private cargo transit depot serving the needs of Balkan
states will be launched on May 31 in the Sindos industrial zone
near Thessaloniki. Orfeus Beinoglu SA's transit depot,
comprising an office building and a warehouse with a loading
capability of 20,000 cubic meters, is built to the latest
European standards and is fully equipped to service both transit
and interstate commerce.
The Greek company was founded in 1923 and has a workforce of 300
people. Orfeus Beinoglu SA has made investments in real estate
and equipment totaling 15 million drachmas and its 1996 turnover
exceeded seven billion drachmas. The company has opened branches
in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Beirut, Istanbul and
Sofia during the last decade, and has plans for new investments
in Skopje and Tirana.
Orfeus Beinoglu's activities include road, air and sea transport
all over the world, logistics and customs services and transit
transport to the Balkans.
[28] Police recover 40 stolen paintings
Athens, 24/05/1997 (ANA)
Some 40 priceless paintings stolen from Goulandris-Horn
Foundation in 1994 were recovered by police yesterday when they
raided a central Athens flat.
The artworks - from a Mytilini museum - were stolen around March
17-18, 1994, in what the press at the time called the "theft of
the century".
Police arrested Grigoris Rousopoulos, 45, from Kozani.
Rousopoulos escaped from the Korydallos prison where he was
being held in remand in January 1994, fleeing to Italy with fake
travel papers. He was arrested in Italy and extradited to Greece
where he served another two months on remand in Trikala jail.
Also found in Rousopoulos' apartment were a number of paintings
and some jewelry from a recent theft in Ayia Paraskevi and from
others in the Athens area.
Police said Rousopoulos also had in his possession an exercise
book filled with newspaper and magazine cuttings on artworks,
jewelry, with notes on where these were held.
End of English language section.
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