Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-10
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1208), June 10, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Regional stability, development top agenda at FMs'meeting
[02] G. Papandreou comments
[03] Language incident
[04] US representative
[05] Meeting of Balkan entrepreneurs focuses on privatization
[06] Balkan co-operation enters new era, Pangalos says
[07] Ankara sends deputy under-secretary to FMs' conference
[08] German MPs take the initiative on Greek-Turkish relations
[09] Holbrooke: Solution to Cyprus may lead to Greek-Turkish
rapprochement
[10] IGC the focus of Simitis-Kok meeting in Athens
[11] Athens awaits results of UN Cyprus meeting
[12] ECOFIN rules out delay, easing of EMU criteria
[13] Joint military exercise with Greek, US forces
[14] Bulgarian inspectors in Greece for CFE checks
[15] Patriarch of Alexandria on official visit to Ecumenical
Patriarchate
[16] Synaspismos' calls for direct talks with PASOK, KKE, DHKKI
[17] Gov't says Mitsotakis welcome to brief foreign ministry
[18] Tzoumakas promises draft bill on forests by end of June
[19] Court hearing on Kostakos sinking begins
[20] Papazoi outlines investment potential in Aegean to expatriates
[21] OTE buys 20 per cent of Serbian state telecom
[22] OTE share registration opens tomorrow
[23] Gov't, Olympic Metro dispute headed for court
[24] Bus tickets to rise, pending approval
[25] Greek foreign minister urges closer Balkan economic ties
[26] Greek wholesale prices up 2.5 pct year-on-year
[27] Greek stocks recoup losses, end flat
[28] Interreg-Phare meeting approves 6 Mecu for Bulgaria
[29] EU group pushes for measures to boost employment
[30] Shortlist for Onassis International Theater Competition announced
[01] Regional stability, development top agenda at FMs'meeting
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday invited his
southeast European counterparts to work towards the
establishment of a broad co-operation aimed at consolidating
political stability and economic development in the region.
Speaking at the opening session of a two-day conference of
southeast European foreign ministers in Thessaloniki, Mr.
Pangalos said the progress achieved since a similar meeting in
Sofia last year was "significant", but "below our true
capabilities." The opportunities lost must be made up for at the
Thessaloniki meeting, he added.
Taking part in the conference are foreign ministers from the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bulgaria,
Yugoslavia and Romania, as well as the foreign under-secretary
of Albania and the assistant foreign under-secretary of Turkey.
The Greek side is being represented by Mr. Pangalos, Alternate
Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Foreign Under-secretary
Yiannos Kranidiotis.
Many governments have expressed interest in the conference, with
the United States, Germany, France and Britain sending
representatives.
In all, 17 countries have sent observers, among them Russia's
Foreign Under-secretary Nikolai Avanasievski.
During the conference, the ministers will examine issues
concerning broader political co-operation in sectors such as the
protection of the environment, the promotion of humanitarian,
social and cultural co-operation and common action to fight
organized crime.
They will also be discussing the development of economic
co-operation between the Balkan countries and initiatives aimed
at regional co-operation in southeast Europe.
Noting that the countries represented by ministers at the
conference shared the same ideals on which the European Union
was founded, Mr. Pangalos intimated that they should work
towards the construction of a similar union of their own.
Mr. Pangalos also underlined the region's importance for peace
and development in Europe as a whole, expressing the view that
European integration could never be complete without the
participation of the countries of southeast Europe.
Referring to the axes around which co-operation should be
developed, he said they could be none other than the principles
of international conduct, namely, equality between states, the
non-use of violence or threat of violence, the inviolability of
borders, respect for the territorial integrity of states, the
peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for human rights.
"That is, all the elements which govern our own national foreign
policy," Mr. Pangalos said.
The Greek foreign minister also stressed the need for
strengthening economic ties between the countries of the region
at a bilateral, multilateral and regional level, as well as the
implementation of specific programs for the development of the
region's infrastructure.
At this point, he reminded the conference of the opportunities
for cross-border co-operation afforded by EU programs.
Lastly, Mr. Pangalos recalled the proposal submitted by Greece
in February at the Council of Ministers, calling for the
long-term solution of problems arising for countries in the
region in the present phase of their transition to a market
economy.
Analysts, meanwhile, attached particular importance to the
meeting of 130 businessmen from Balkan countries which is being
held parallel to the ministers' conference. One of the main
issues on the businessmen's agenda is the course of
privatization in the Balkan states. Conclusions and decisions of
the southeast European foreign ministers will be announced in a
joint statement today, which is expected to be referred to as
the "Thessaloniki Statement".
Prime Minister Costas Simitis described the conference as "a
decisive step towards further progress in co-operation between
the countries of the region".
In a message to participating ministers, Mr. Simitis said "the
conference illustrates our intention to inaugurate a new era in
our co-operation and to work together for a better future for
our peoples and for the region as a whole".
"Following the changes which have taken place in the region, our
countries must seek new challenges and take advantage of new
opportunities, within the framework of a new European space,"
the premier said.
He assured that Greece would continue to actively co-operate in
joint efforts and, as an EU member, promote initiatives for the
benefit of the region.
"I am convinced that the successful outcome of your meeting will
be a milestone in the development of the conference for
stability, security and co-operation in southeast Europe," Mr.
Simitis said.
[02] G. Papandreou comments
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
The conference expresses the joint willingness of peoples from
southeastern Europe to co-operate, Alternate Foreign Minister
George Papandreou noted.
The Greek side, he said, had proposed discussion on the issues
of southeast European leaders' meeting on Crete, setting up a
crisis prevention and management center in Sofia and founding a
mutual aid fund for economic support and strengthening
development efforts.
[03] Language incident
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
"We spoke the same language," Bulgarian Foreign Minister
Madezhda Mihailova told reporters after talks with her FYROM
counterpart Blagoja Hatjinski on the sidelines of the
Thessaloniki conference. Ms Mihailova's choice of words raised
some eyebrows among the press, given that the main thorn in
relations between the two countries is Sofia's refusal to
recognize the so-called "Macedonian" language FYROM claims is
spoken in that landlocked country, while Sofia considers it a
Bulgarian dialect.
The two ministers discussed the entire spectrum of relations
between Skopje and Sofia, against the background of the new
situation in Bulgaria following recent elections. They
reportedly agreed to seek solutions based on the criterion of
the two countries' European orientation. With regard to the
language issue, they agreed that a process should soon be
commenced aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution.
[04] US representative
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, Richard Shifter, an adviser to US Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright, later expressed Washington's "strong
interest" in the development of relations of co-operation
between the countries of southeast Europe.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Shifter, who heads the US delegation
observing the sessions of the Thessaloniki conference, expressed
Washington's satisfaction at the fact co-operation was being
promoted between the countries of the region. He added that the
US government "warmly supports this co-operation", noting that
"it is very positive that the committees of the Initiative for
Co-operation in Southeast Europe are convening twice a month in
the various capitals."
[05] Meeting of Balkan entrepreneurs focuses on privatization
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Greek businesses are will be offered significant opportunities
for investment in the Balkans as denationalization programs get
under way by countries in the region, a senior Greek national
economy ministry official said yesterday.
Ministry Secretary-General Nikos Zahariadis, who chaired a
morning meeting of businessmen from Balkan states on the
sidelines of the Balkan foreign ministers' meeting in
Thessaloniki yesterday, said that if entrepreneurs were cautious
they could make profitable investments in neighboring states.
Greece had a number of agencies and organizations - such as the
Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) - that could alleviate the
risks of investing in these countries, he added.
Some 130 entrepreneurs and government representatives attended
the session, including businessmen from Bulgaria, Romania, the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Turkey and
Albania, who presented the targets of their privatization
programs.
Mr. Zahariadis said that in Turkey, FYROM and Albania there was
"specific planning" for privatization programs that they were
still in their infancy, while procedures in Bulgaria and Romania
were being stepped up.
Bulgaria, he noted, has set 1998 as the deadline for its
privatization program, while Romania was selling off industries
that continued to remain under state control in other countries.
The meeting, organized by the Federation of Northern Greek
Industrialists (SBBE), served as an exploratory avenue for the
65 Greek entrepreneurs participating, SBBE president Vasillis
Takas said.
Greek entrepreneurs wanted "a clear and simple statement of the
privatization situation", he said, as well as information on
guarantees, particularly from the European Union and the
avoidance of double taxation.
"Entrepreneurs want an organization in each country for
privatization and not many co-responsible agencies; (for the one
organization) to be transparent and process speedily; for there
to be protection of investment capital; for the opportunity to
use the capital market - even though most countries are at an
'embryonic' stage - and finally, to clarify the guidelines on
labor relations and the protection of the environment," he said.
[06] Balkan co-operation enters new era, Pangalos says
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Foreign ministers attending the southeast nations' conference in
Thessaloniki decided yesterday to establish an annual meeting on
a rotational basis.
At the close of the first day of the conference, Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos said that their meeting next year
would be held in Turkey, in 1999 in Romania and in the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in the year 2000.
The representatives of foreign ministries also decided to
propose an informal meeting of Balkan leaders to take place
annually, starting with Greece at the end of the year.
"We are entering a new era in Balkan co-operation," Mr. Pangalos
said. "Up to now, there were ideas and meetings that had an
uncertain outcome. Today we succeeded in establishing Balkan
co-operation as a perspective for the future," he added.
He said "the Balkan people should be able to discuss their
problems on their own, without foreign intervention".
Mr. Pangalos said they had agreed that leaders of Balkan
countries would meet informally, with decisions taken
unanimously. "They will be however substantial political
discussions, without binding decisions, on issues of interest,"
the foreign minister explained, adding that it was agreed that
such meetings should also be held by the ministries of national
defense, public order and commerce from Balkan countries. He
said he would convey to Parliament President Apostolos
Kaklamanis the idea of convening the presidents of Balkan
parliaments also.
Asked to comment on statements by FYROM Foreign Minister
Hatjinski that bilateral relations between Greece and FYROM
could continue without being obstructed by the issue of the
name, Mr. Pangalos replied, he said: "This is exactly what the
intermediary agreement states. However, it also seeks a solution
to the issue of the name, and a solution will be necessary if
Greece is obliged to ratify an international development
relating to our neighbor country under a certain name. If there
is something like that one day, there must be a name and it must
be such that the Greek parliament finds the majority it will
need for this ratification", he added.
[07] Ankara sends deputy under-secretary to FMs' conference
Istanbul, 10/06/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
Deputy Under-secretary Ali Tuygan is expected to represent
Turkey at the two-day Balkan foreign ministers' conference in
Thessaloniki.
Ambassador Tuygan is responsible for relations with Balkan
countries in the Turkish foreign ministry and will stand in for
Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller.
In addition, the Turkish press criticized the absence of a
higher ranking official at the conference and stated that Athens
was quickly replacing Ankara in the limelight.
"The attention of all Balkan countries which early in the 1990s
was focused on Turkey is now focused on Greece," wrote Cenghiz
Chadar in the daily "Sabah".
The daily "Hurriyet" claimed that "the Balkans have surrendered
to Athens," and added that Turkey was the only country not being
represented on a ministerial level in the conference. Turkish
analysts noted that Greece now wields noteworthy leverage in the
Balkans, although relations were not close with any of its
neighbors two years ago.
Meanwhile, Ankara's ambassador to Athens, Uamit Pamir, came
under fire in a portion of Turkish press after a speech in
Athens by visiting Turkish Under-secretary Onur Oymen, which
prompted a response by the foreign ministry spokesman, who
stated that "Mr. Pamir distinguished himself and is expected to
undertake important duties".
[08] German MPs take the initiative on Greek-Turkish relations
Bonn, 10/06/1997 (ANA - P. Stangos)
Two members of the Greek and Turkish communities in Germany have
begun an initiative that it is hoped will overcome divisions
between the two communities and the stereotype of "historical
enmity" between the two.
Greek-origin Social Democratic Party (SDP) deputy Yiannis
Sakellariou and Turkish-origin Greens Party deputy Cem
Oezdemir's initiative has drawn the interest of the Dutch
presidency of the European Union, with a Dutch diplomat present
at a recent press conference saying he was there "due to the
particular interest of the Dutch presidency in this issue".
The two MPs made clear that they were acting neither for party
interests nor on the behalf of the governments of Greece or
Turkey.
"Our enterprise does not aspire to offer a magical solution to
the existing problems nor to replace those initiatives and
efforts," Mr. Sakellariou said.
"What we are trying to do is to contribute to overcoming the
lack of communication between the more than two million Turkish
citizens and almost half million Greeks of Germany and to
strengthen existing initiatives and complementary efforts."
Both men have planned a joint tour of Turkey and Greece at the
end of September with the main aim of sensitizing the mass media
and public opinion to the need for Greek-Turkish rapprochement.
"The greatest problem in understanding between the two
governments is the current lack of a credible and reliable
interlocutor on the Turkish side," Mr. Oezdemir said.
The two MPs also plan to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch
Vartholomeos to support the long-standing request to reopen the
Halki Theological Academy and to visit Thrace to discuss
problems affecting the Moslem minority in Greece.
Cultural events and youth exchange trips between Greece, Germany
and Turkey are also planned.
[09] Holbrooke: Solution to Cyprus may lead to Greek-Turkish
rapprochement
Washington, 10/06/1997 (ANA T. Ellis)
Solution of the Cyprus problem could open the way for a "greater
historical rapprochement between Athens and Ankara," US special
presidential envoy for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke was quoted as
saying in yesterday's edition of the "Financial Times."
He added that dangers in the eastern Mediterranean are greater
than those that existed in Bosnia.
The situation in Cyprus could "explode at any moment, bringing
into direct conflict two eastern allies, Greece and Turkey," the
chief negotiator of the Dayton peace accords for Bosnia.
"The Greeks and Turks must learn that they have nothing to gain
from the other's weaknesses," he said. Mr. Holbrooke also called
on both nations to normalize relations, citing the meetings of
French President Charles de Gaulle and German Chancellor Konr ad
Adenauer in the 1950s and 1960s.
Meanwhile, in an interview to the BBC, transmitted by Cyprus'
RIK, Mr. Holbrooke was quoted as saying that the Cyprus issue is
a problem that may remain in its present state forever or break
out one of these days into a tragedy that will sweep other
countries in the area.
He added that he will discuss the Cyprus issue with British
special envoy Sir David Hannay and UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan.
Mr. Holbrooke said in the radio broadcast that the solution to
the Cyprus issue would not be arrived at in so short a time as
the Dayton agreements on Bosnia, because the two problems were
very different and both sides had toughened their stance in the
23 years since the Turkish invasion of the island republic.
[10] IGC the focus of Simitis-Kok meeting in Athens
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Dutch Prime Minister and
European Council President Wim Kok held talks last night,
focusing on latest problems in the Intergovernmental Conference
on revising the Maastricht Treaty so a new European Union treaty
will materialize at the European Council in Amsterdam on June
15-16.
Mr. Kok is conducting a round of capitals to achieve a
convergence of views to enable the Amsterdam summit to reach an
agreement on the Intergovernmental conference.
In a statement after the talks, Mr. Kok said certain issues
which need to be resolved continue to exist in the sector of the
Intergovernmental Conference and thanked the Greek side for
co-operation it provided for the Dutch presidency at this stage.
The conclusion reached from his statement is that the Dutch
presidency expects a successful conclusion to the
Intergovernmental Conference in Amsterdam.
"We hope and believe that the Intergovernmental Conference will
take on its finalized form," Mr. Kok said, and clarified that if
there is more time for negotiating the Intergovernmental
Conference, problems can become complicated even more and
claimed that there is mutual influence between the
Intergovernmental Conference and the Economic and Monetary Union
(EMU).
Mr. Kok will meet his French counterpart Lionel Jospin today to
promote pending issues - the French side is very reserved on the
issue of the Stability Pact.
On his part, Mr. Simitis said the European unification process
must go ahead and the European summit in Amsterdam must lead to
decisions. He said the Dutch presidency has made considerable
efforts to achieve convergence of views between member-states.
He further said the Greek side has received positive replies on
the issue of borders and islands in the framework of negotiating.
Replying to a question on the "committee of experts", Mr.
Simitis said the Greek experts are at present studying the
document containing the positions of their Turkish colleagues
and then they will comment on it in writing and make their
questions and observations.
[11] Athens awaits results of UN Cyprus meeting
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Greece must wait for the outcome of the first face-to-face
contact between the Cypriot government and the Turkish-Cypriot
side before making any final decisions, government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.
Mr. Reppas was responding to a question on whether Greece would
be undertaking any initiative on the Cyprus problem within the
framework of the European Union.
Cypriot president Glafcos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader
Rauf Denktash are expected to be invited to New York for a
direct meeting by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in early
July.
"The accession procedure (for Cyprus' entry to the EU) must go
ahead but a resolution of the Cyprus problem must also be
found," Mr. Reppas said. "Bearing in mind past events
(occupation troops, the Turkish-Cypriot stance and previous
discussions) we are reserved but hope and aspire towards
significant progress".
[12] ECOFIN rules out delay, easing of EMU criteria
Brussels, 10/06/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
The European Union's 15 economic and monetary affairs ministers
agreed that there is no question of either delaying existing
time commitments or easing criteria for Economic and Monetary
Union (EMU).
The majority of member-states, including Greece, supported the
proposals made by the new French government at the meeting,
which is convening in Luxembourg as of yesterday morning.
French Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn asked for more
time to enable Paria to examine the changes which it might
possibly propose in relation to the stability pact of
member-states that will adopt the unified currency.
France supports the creation of a protocol on employment and
growth which must be ratified, in its view, together with the
stability pact at the summit in Amsterdam on June 16-17. France
further maintained that the Council of Economic and Monetary
Affairs must have the possibility of "controlling" the central
European bank.
The "15" agreed that the issue of the protocol will constitute a
topic of discussion over the period until the summit, so that it
can be ascertained whether its ratification is feasible next
week - they also expressed their common political will to reach
an agreement in Amsterdam next week.
EU analysts stressed yesterday that it is doubtful whether this
will be feasible and did not rule out the possibility that the
stability pact might not be ultimately ratified by the Amsterdam
summit.
The Dutch presidency did not rule out the possibility of an
extraordinary ECOFIN Council being convened on this issue by
next Monday.
Speaking to the press, National Economy and Finance Minister
Yiannos Papantoniou said Greece shares the views of the new
French government and that many of these views have been
frequently supported by Greece.
Mr. Papantoniou said "following the recent election results in
France and Britain the ground for developing these ideas is more
suitable."
According to Greek diplomatic sources, the political balance has
now changed in the framework of the council and this is clear to
all EU officials.
[13] Joint military exercise with Greek, US forces
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
A medium-scale exercise code-named "Megas Alexandros" will start
on Thursday.
Several armed forces units from both Greece and the United
States will participate in the exercise. It will be conducted in
the region of the Pagasitikos Gulf, the Aegean, the islands of
Skyros and Agios Efstratios and will include, among others, a
beach landing. It will be directed by the national defense
general staff and will be completed on June 20.
[14] Bulgarian inspectors in Greece for CFE checks
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Bulgarian inspectors will inspect Greek military units as of
today and until June 13 within the framework of the CFE Treaty
on reducing conventional weapons in Europe. Russian inspectors
are paying a similar visit to Greece as of yesterday.
[15] Patriarch of Alexandria on official visit to Ecumenical
Patriarchate
Istanbul, 10/06/199 (ANA)
The new Patriarch of Alexandria and all Egypt Petros is paying
an official visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, his first
visit after being elected Patriarch of Alexandria.
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Patriarch Petros jointly
officiated at a church service at the Agios Georgios Cathedral
at the Phanar on Sunday. The service was attended by Greece's
general consul in Istanbul Fotios Xydas. An official dinner was
given after the service.
The Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarch of Alexandria had
previously attended a reception in their honor by Egypt's
general consul Ibrahim Saban at the Egyptian consulate at the
Bosphorus. Finally, the Ecumenical Patriarch offered a reception
at the Patriarchal Mansion in honor of Petros and his entourage.
[16] Synaspismos' calls for direct talks with PASOK, KKE, DHKKI
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos
Constantopoulos appealed to PASOK, the Communist Party of Greece
(KKE) and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) for what he
called "face-to-face" dialogue aimed at achieving policy
commitments concerning the nation's major problems.
In an interview with the Athens daily "Ethnos", Mr.
Constantopoulos invokes co-operation between socialists and
communists as in France where they spoke "face-to-face and
without networks and groups."
Mr. Constantopoulos said he is addressing his proposal to party
leaders Costas Simitis, Dimitris Tsovolas and Aleka Papariga,
adding that "each one is responsible for his refusal and the
reasons he invokes for this refusal. Issues up for discussion
are the economy, foreign policy, social problems and public
life."
Commenting on Mr. Constantopoulos' proposal, government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the government is open to
dialogue provided there is a request by political party leaders.
Referring to the essence of the issue, Mr. Reppas said the
invitation violates open doors because, as he said, the
government has declared itself in favor of dialogue and social
dialogue is tangible proof.
On his part, Mr. Tsovolas rejected a proposal by Synaspismos for
talks between center-left parties, saying that government policy
was "anti-popular and anti-development and dangerous for the
country in terms of national issues".
"The government's policy is established and will not change," he
said.
[17] Gov't says Mitsotakis welcome to brief foreign ministry
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Politicians who return from abroad are welcome to brief the
foreign ministry on their return, government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas said yesterday.
Asked to comment on whether honorary New Democracy leader
Constantine Mitsotakis had briefed Prime Minister Costas Simitis
on his return from a private visit to Turkey, Mr. Reppas said he
didn't know of such a contact being made, but he knew that Mr.
Mitsotakis planned to brief Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
"Always, when Greek politicians, especially of the caliber of
Mr. Mitsotakis, visit abroad, their briefing is welcome. We are
awaiting his briefing with pleasure," Mr. Reppas said.
Mr. Mitsotakis was in Turkey to receive the Abdi Ipekci Prize
for promoting Greek-Turkish friendship.
[18] Tzoumakas promises draft bill on forests by end of June
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
A draft bill on forests will be tabled in Parliament by the end
of June, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas stressed
yesterday, adding that the bill is an attempt to rationalize the
chaotic state ownership throughout Greece.
The bill is divided into three sections, the first one relating
to the ownership of forestland. According to this, all
structures built on forestland up to 1975 will be legalized,
while the rest will either be razed to the ground or their
owners called on to pay fines equaling up to 50 per cent of the
land value, as set by the state.
The bill also establishes which areas are to be leased to
stockbreeders for grazing, and also provides for the final
distribution of cultivable land to landless farmers.
Strenuous reaction to the bill was led by the main opposition
New Democracy, whose spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos charged the
government with trying to "overturn the legal framework of
forest protection."
"All this is happening in order to examine the issue of
legalizing illegal structures built decades ago."
He also called on the government to "give up his
experimentations" with the issue.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) charged that the bill
"legalizes large-scale land transgressors and recognizes non
existing ownership, opening the road for a new destruction in
the country's forests".
Synaspismos said that the government is opening the way to
faster destruction of forest lands by granting pardons.
[19] Court hearing on Kostakos sinking begins
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
A Piraeus First Instance Court yesterday opened proceedings on a
lawsuit filed by the state against the owners of a ferry boat
that collided with a navy missile boat on Nov. 4, sinking the
vessel "Kostakos".
Samaina, the firm owning the vessel by the same name, is being
sued by the state for 20 billion drachmas for allegedly being
responsible for the sinking of the Kostakos just off the coast
of Samos, a maritime accident which claimed the lives of four
officers.
The case is proceeding in the face of two conflicting reports
from each side, with the plaintiffs pointing to responsibility
of the navy vessel's captain and deckwatch officers for the
early morning accident.
A decision is not expected to be reached before the end of the
week.
[20] Papazoi outlines investment potential in Aegean to expatriates
New York, 10/06/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
The course of the Greek economy and the goals of the Greek
government's development policy were outlined by Aegean Minister
Elizabeth Papazoi to Greek-American businessmen yesterday at an
event organized by the US Federation of Aegean Islands.
Ms Papazoi placed weight on investment opportunities in the
Aegean, saying: "We are open to any proposal for co-operation
and initiative from the expatriate community to bolster the
local economies of the Aegean islands."
The importance of investment for the islands and particularly
those in border regions was stressed by the minister. She also
noted the problem of Turkish threats, which she characterized as
"real threats which constitute a serious danger to our country ".
"The two most serious Turkish threats over the Aegean are
developmental stagnation and environmental damage," she said,
stressing that 8.0 percent of the Greek state budget was spent
on defense.
During her meeting yesterday with US government officials and
members of the Congress, Ms Papazoi stressed that a brake had to
be put on pollution caused by Turkey on the Aegean coast.
Asked whether Turkey's accession to Europe would be of benefit
to the Aegean islands, Ms Papazoi said:
"If we could change Turkey tomorrow into a democratic country
with the economic realities which match those of the European
Union, then I would say it would be for the best. Because it is
the only way to stop the provocations and threats."
Ms Papazoi was due to meet with Archbishop of North and South
America Spyridon yesterday.
[21] OTE buys 20 per cent of Serbian state telecom
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
The Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) yesterday
signed a deal to buy a 20 per cent stake in the Serbian
Telecommunications Organization (PTT), part of a partial
privatization of the utility.
The Italian telecoms giant Stet will acquire the remaining 29
percent of PTT's privatized equity, worth 1.56 billion
deutschmarks. The agreement was signed at the Serbian government
building by the general directors of the three companies
involved in the deal in a ceremony attended by Serbia's Prime
Minister Mirko Marianovic and other government officials.
OTE's chairman Dimitris Papoulias said that the agreement would
improve Serbia's telecommunications and strengthen Serbian-Greek
relations.
The deal is one of the largest investments ever for OTE and
paves the way for the Greek utility's plans to expand into the
Balkans and the former communist countries of eastern Europe.
PTT's general director Aleksa Jokic said that the agreement
would help improve telecom services in Serbia.
Mr. Marianovic said the strategic investment in the state
telecom was one of the largest ever made in the Balkans and
stressed that it would contribute to the economic growth of
Serbia, raising output and strengthening industry.
After the signing ceremony, the three delegations visited
Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.
On its part, OTE said the agreement is of strategic importance
for Greece.
An announcement issued by OTE noted that the agreement
materializes an announcement by the state utility concerning a
five-year business plan for the period covering 1996-2000
concerning internationalizing OTE activities.
Apart from 20 per cent of Telecom Srbija's shares, OTE acquires
through the agreement a mobile telephony license which will
provide services with the GSM system. The investment for the
Greek side amounts to 674 billion deutschmarks, while 125
million deutschmarks from this amount will be provided for the
mobile telephony license.
The Serbian side keeps the majority of shares (51 per cent) and
the Serbian government will participate with a privileged share.
Decisions will be taken with a simple majority at the general
assembly, while two members of OTE, two from Telecom Italia and
four from PTT will participate in the nine-member board.
[22] OTE share registration opens tomorrow
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) shares will be
offered to the public from almost all Greek banks and listed
securities beginning tomorrow through Friday, June 13, the
National Bank of Greece announced yesterday.
An investor will have to deposit the equivalent value of the
shares he wishes to acquire, in blocks of 10 shares during
registration.
The share price will be revealed on June 16, but a range is
expected to be announced this afternoon.
The final value per share will be determined by the
product/equation of share demand multiplied by the maximum share
price in the range of price offering.
National Bank said the final price would be determined by demand
from institutional investors in Greece and abroad, through a
parallel process of bookbuilding, combined with public demand.
The bookbuilding process began yesterday and was expected to be
completed by Friday.
[23] Gov't, Olympic Metro dispute headed for court
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
The dispute between the government and the consortium Olympic
Metro is headed to the courts after the latter refused to
evacuate the section of the under-construction metro section
between Syntagma Square and Kerameikos. Environment, Town
Planning and Public Works Under-secretary Christos Verelis said
the government is consequently obliged to initiate legal action.
That section of the metro project has been removed from the
contract following what the government called exorbitant
financial demands made by the consortium.
According to reports, tendering has already taken place and bids
have been made by several Greek firms to construct a pilot
tunnel between Syntagma and Kerameikos in order to ascertain
what antiquities exist and to enable necessary measures to be
taken during construction of the regular tunnel.
In addition, the consortium stated that it will not be ready to
deliver the remaining project in 1999, or within the time limit
set in its contract, and continues to put forward new demands,
reports state.
[24] Bus tickets to rise, pending approval
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
The price of bus tickets will increase to 100 drachmas in July,
from the current 75, if the Prices and Incomes Commission
approves of a transport ministry proposal, it was announced
yesterday.
The ministry is also asking for a rise in the multiple-ride bus
cards to 5,000 drachmas from the current 3,750 drachmas.
It said the increases would help cover part of the deficit and
operation costs, which are calculated at 270 drachmas per
passenger.
The president of the Organization for Urban Transport of Attica
said his organization intends to extend bus lanes an additional
6,500 meters and add 100 new buses in the western Athens region
that will run on natural gas.
[25] Greek foreign minister urges closer Balkan economic ties
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stressed the need for
closer economic ties among Balkan countries and new programs to
develop the region's infrastructure. Speaking at a Balkan
foreign ministers' conference in Thessaloniki, Mr. Pangalos said
states should co-operate on a bilateral, multilateral and
regional level, backed by European Union cross-border programs.
He repeated a proposal submitted by Greece in February at the EU
Council of Ministers calling for a long-term solution to
problems faced by Balkan countries during their transition to a
market economy.
Around 130 businessmen from Balkan countries are attending a
meeting being held on the sidelines of the ministers' conference.
One of the main issues on the businessmen's agenda is
privatization in Balkan states.
[26] Greek wholesale prices up 2.5 pct year-on-year
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Greek wholesale prices rose 2.9 percent in the first four months
of the year compared with the corresponding period of 1996.
According to figures released by the National Statistics
Service, the wholesale price index was 0.8 percent up
month-on-month after a 0.9 percent rise in April last year.
Year-on-year wholesale price inflation rose by 2.5 percent,
significantly lower than last year's 7 percent increase.
[27] Greek stocks recoup losses, end flat
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
Shares remained under pressure on the Athens Stock Exchange at
the beginning of the week but managed to claw back earlier heavy
losses to end fractionally lower.
The general index, however, ended below the 1,600 support level
at 1,589.79 points, down 0.16 percent. Sector indices ended
mixed to lower. Banks rose 0.47 percent, Leasing was 0.44
percent off, Insurance fell 0.68 percent, Investment dropped
0.48 percent, Industrials eased 0.82 percent, Construction rose
0.07 percent, Holding was 0.35 percent up and Miscellaneous fell
0.63 percent. The Parallel Market index eased 0.28 percent.
Trading was moderate on turnover of 16.2 billion drachmas.
Broadly, declining issues led advancing ones by 125 to 94 with
another 20 stocks remaining unchanged.
Mytilineos, Flexopak, Ideal and Agrinio Metalplastics scored the
biggest gains, while General Bank, Kekrops, Elviemek and
Parnassos suffered the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece closed at 35,995 drachmas, Ergobank at
18,050, Alpha Credit Bank at 19,400, Titan Cement at 25,210,
Intracom at 13,100 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization
(OTE) at 6,905 drachmas.
Traders said the market was awaiting OTE's second public share
offer starting on Wednesday.
[28] Interreg-Phare meeting approves 6 Mecu for Bulgaria
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
A Greek-Bulgarian Interreg-Phare joint planning and monitoring
committee successfully completed a meeting in Alexandroupoli to
review progress made in cross-border co-operation projects and
initiatives to speed up their completion.
The meeting adopted a proposal by the secretary general of the
east Macedonia and Thrace region Athanasios Lagos, for priority
funding of 6 million Mecu to Bulgaria, part of which would be
used to fund construction of a new road linking Drama to Deltsev
.
The project is part of a cross-border strategic development plan
for road links due for completion at the start of 1998.
[29] EU group pushes for measures to boost employment
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
A group of European Union member-states are pressing for
measures to boost employment in the EU ahead of the
Intergovernmental Conference to be held in Amsterdam on June
15-16.
Greece, Sweden, Austria and Belgium, backed by France and
Britain, maintain that the new pact to replace the Maastricht
Treaty will have to include a special chapter on the
coordination of member-states policies, increasing employment
and reducing the n umber of jobless.
Since the signing of the Maastricht treaty in 1991, the
situation in national labor markets has changed significantly.
An economic recession, which happened to start the same year,
lasted more than three years and had dramatic effects on
employment.
But last year the EU labor market saw a rise in employment and a
fall in jobless numbers. According to Eurostat, the EU's
statistical agency, unemployment fell to 10.7 percent in 1995
from 11.1 percent the previous year, to ease to 10.4 percent in
1996 .
However, long-term unemployment rose to 50 percent last year.
Long-term unemployment is considered to be the open sore on the
labor market. The long-term jobless are lagging in vocational
training and are kept out of the labor market, and some end up
on the fringe of society.
Long-term unemployment usually hits fragile groups of workers,
such as women, immigrants, the elderly and those in jobs lost
due to advances in technology.
The EU adopted the White Paper on development, competitiveness
and employment in 1993 in its effort to tackle the rising
numbers of unemployed.
Later on, in December 1994 in Essen, the EU defined five
priority fields in order to proceed with necessary structural
reforms for the labor market.
The European Council in Cannes in June 1995 urged the 15
member-bloc to submit long-term national employment programs.
However, the majority of EU states now admit there is a need for
something more concrete, a commitment to confirm that employment
is indeed a priority policy issue for the European Union.
[30] Shortlist for Onassis International Theater Competition announced
Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)
The Onassis Foundation yesterday announced the shortlist for the
Onassis International Theater Competition for original plays.
The three finalists will be announced at a ceremony at the
Athens Concert Hall on September 16, alongside the
non-competitive Onassis Prizes for International Understanding
and Social Achievement, Culture and Environment.
The first prize winner of the Onassis International Competition
for an original play will receive a pocket of $250,000, the
second $200,000 and the third $150,000.
President Kostis Stephanopoulos will award the prizes at the
invitation-only ceremony.
The shortlist for the International Theater Competition is as
follows: Isis Baiao "Mont-de-Piete", Guisi Cataldo "Le Voce de
Buie", Juan Jose Gonzalez Garcia "Clamor Mudo", Nagle Jackson
"The Elevation of Thieves", Anton Juan "Tuko! Tuko! or Princess
of the Lizard Moon", Gabriel Lanci "The Resurrection Play",
Panayotis Mentis "Save", Peter Muller "Shadow of the Vampire",
Majula Padmanabhan "Harvest" and Aleksei Slapovsky "Adam's
Sister".
End of English language section.
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