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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-13

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1211), June 13, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca


CONTENTS

  • [01] 1.7 trillion drs. five-year energy investment program announced
  • [02] Albanian Socialist leader Nano visiting Greece
  • [03] Business as usual at Greek consulate in Albania
  • [04] Meeting focuses on upcoming EU summit
  • [05] Cabinet discusses IGC today
  • [06] Apostolakis say Ankara must realize that Aegean borders won't change
  • [07] Greek MPs concerned at ongoing Turkish actions in Iraq
  • [08] Washington says warship transfers to Greece, Turkey separate issues
  • [09] Ankara displeased with events marking Greeks' genocide in Turkey
  • [10] Gov't says Schengen-related independent authority to be formed soon
  • [11] Parliament committee to focus on Constitutional revision
  • [12] Mitsotakis ready to stand for presidential elections
  • [13] Karamanlis harshly criticizes Gov't on relations with Turkey, IGC
  • [14] Turkey again raises regional headquarters issue
  • [15] Pangalos, Kyrkos speak on center-left co-operation
  • [16] Greek-US memorandum on technological co-operation in Balkans
  • [17] Study for rehabilitation of Lake Pamvotis
  • [18] Minister sees GDP growth at 3.5 pct in 1997
  • [19] OECD forecasts restrained economic development for Greece in '97
  • [20] Russian envoy says delay in pipeline due to Caspian consortium
  • [21] Greece pioneers Gov't investment in Crete alternative energy project
  • [22] Greece unable to meet EU public debt criteria in '97 - OECD
  • [23] Greece to combat public sector corruption
  • [24] Greek stocks end down in robust trade
  • [25] Greece-FYROM trade volume surge
  • [26] Chipita may build new plant in E. Europe
  • [27] UN ranks Greece 20th on quality of life

  • [01] 1.7 trillion drs. five-year energy investment program announced

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Development Minister Vasso Papandreou yesterday announced 1.7 trillion drachmas (US$615 million) in energy investments over the next five years.

    The aim of the huge investment program is to secure the country's energy adequacy and to increase Greece's competitiveness in the energy sector in view of an imminent deregulation of markets, the minister said.

    Planned investments would be accompanied by structural reforms in state enterprises so as to ensure their efficiency in the new framework.

    A study is currently underway for reorganization of the Public Power Corp. (DEH), while the restructuring of the Public Petroleum Corp. (DEP) is also being considered, aiming at its listing on the Athens Stock Exchange by the end of the year.

    Speaking on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Aspropyrgos Hellenic Refineries (ELDA), Ms Papandreou said investments of one trillion drachmas were planned in the power production sector and 500 billion drachmas in infrastructure for the supply of natural gas, while the DEP group would also make investments of 230 billion drachmas during that same period.

    She said another 150 billion drachmas would be invested in the development of renewable energy sources by the year 1999 via the Operational Program for Energy (EPE). Along these lines, she announced a 4.7 billion drachmas project for the development o f the world's largest photovoltaic power station in Mires, Crete, by the US-based company Enron.

    The minister said that in the first phase of the program, the government has approved 51 investment proposals for 57 projects, budgeted at 39.9 billion drachmas.

    The approved projects are in the fields of energy-saving and renewable energy sources.

    Tenders for the second EPE will be invited early next month, with the likely deadline for submission of proposals in September.

    Ms Papandreou said prospective investors would be provided with a series of support means in drafting their proposals, particularly in the areas of automation, small photovoltaic systems as well as geothermal systems, for which the number was low in the first EPE.

    A separate invitation and a guide will be issued for energy investments in small- and medium-sized enterprises, with approximately the same dates for projects worth 30 billion drachmas and backed by investment subsidies worth 8.5 billion.

    Seventy-four per cent of the already approved projects, by both private and public enterprises, are outside the Attica area. They include the establishment of photovoltaic and solar installations, wind parks, biogas and biomass units, small hydroelectric works, substitution with natural gas etc.

    [02] Albanian Socialist leader Nano visiting Greece

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis last night discussed the situation currently prevailing in Albania in light of general elections in that country on June 29 with Albanian Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano, who is visiting Greece at the invitation of the ruling PASOK party.

    Today, Mr. Nano will meet National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis and Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos.

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos also held talks with Mr. Nano, who is heading an Albanian Socialist Party delegation. No statements were made after the meeting. Afterwards, Mr. Nano later held talks with PASOK executive bureau members Yiannis Souladakis, Theodoros Tsoukatos and Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, centering on the possibility of co-operation between the two parties in view of the general elections.

    On his part, Mr. Kranidiotis reiterated that the Greek consulate in Gjirokaster will operate again fully when conditions prevailing in the area are normalized.

    After the talks, Mr. Nano and Mr. Souladakis appealed to Greek media to contribute in creating a positive climate before the run-up to the elections, noting that this would encourage the thousands of Albanian nationals currently in Greece to return home to vote.

    Athens has already assured Albanians in Greece that it will do everything to facilitate their traveling to Albania and return to Greece.

    Mr. Nano expressed satisfaction at co-operation between his party and PASOK, as well as regarding co-operation between the governments of the two countries.

    "Socialists and Social Democrats in the Balkan peninsula may constitute a more rapid alternative for the incorporation of their countries in the European Union" he said. He also underlined the importance for "all to co-operate in efforts towards normalization and the overcoming of the crisis" in Albania. He referred in particular to the members of the ethnic Greek minority in Albania and what he called "Albanian refugees" in Greece through "a course characterized by the direct operation of institutions, democratic trust and the creation of common opportunities in the future".

    In addition, Mr. Nano explained that the multinational force deployed in Albania will also undertake to protect OSCE observers, who will arrive in the country for the elections.

    [03] Business as usual at Greek consulate in Albania

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Greece said yesterday that its embassy in Tirana and consulate in Gjirokaster were operating as usual, with the exception of the consulate section which issues visas. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that the suspension of visa issuing was temporary.

    The consulate in the southern Albanian town was again attacked by gunmen on Wednesday. Guards said the gunmen fired about 40 rounds, causing minor damage to the building but no casualties.

    Mr. Reppas said that the government was checking the accuracy of reports concerning the "extent" of Wednesday's attack which resulted in the suspension of the visa section's operations.

    Commenting on elections in the neighboring country later this month, Mr. Reppas said Greece was making every effort aimed at the holding of elections in an atmosphere "without outrages".

    He appealed to all parties wishing to act as observers in Albania "to contribute to the smooth holding of the elections". His appeal was directed to academics, journalists and others.

    The number of Greek observers, he added, may surpass 100 "and the government has taken all the necessary measures to facilitate them in their task".

    Meanwhile, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos yesterday expressed concern over the situation in Albania. Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Constantopoulos attributed responsibility to President Sali Berisha, accusing him of "pursuing tension of a civil war nature".

    He also criticized the government over its diplomatic handling of the crisis in Albania, as well as for the absence of Greek diplomatic representatives in the neighboring country following the recall of Gjirokaster Consul Nikos Kanellos and Ambassador Constantine Prevedourakis. Mr. Constantopoulos is scheduled to meet with visiting Albanian Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano today.

    [04] Meeting focuses on upcoming EU summit

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis chaired a meeting at the Maximos Mansion last night in light of the European Union summit in Amsterdam and today's cabinet meeting, which will also examine the Intergovernmental Conference.

    The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, among others.

    [05] Cabinet discusses IGC today

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis will chair a meeting of the Cabinet today which will focus on the intergovernmental conference (IGC), pharmaceuticals policy and the new fiscal code.

    Announcing the meeting, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the final text of the IGC was expected yesterday, from which, he added, the protocol on Gibraltar has been withdrawn at the request of Britain and Spain.

    In the draft text of the new treaty, he added, the wording of the Dutch presidency on external borders remains and will "probably" be "an element" in the final text.

    [06] Apostolakis say Ankara must realize that Aegean borders won't change

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    National Defense Under-secretary Dimitris Apostolakis, currently on a tour of the Dodecanese, said Ankara must accept that the borders of the Aegean have been consolidated and will not change in any way.

    "The borders of the Aegean have been consolidated and will not change in any way. If the Turks accept this and stop using the threat of war it is certain that a better period can develop for the two peoples," he said.

    "We are living in a difficult region and we are facing a specific threat. However, whatever act of force against Greece will meet with a swift and painful reply. We are not a warlike people. We want peace and Greece is working for stability in the regio n. Unfortunately, we are faced with threats alone. We have the right to defend even the last inch of land," he added.

    Replying to a question on the extension of Greek territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, Mr. Apostolakis said "it is the government's steadfast position that no-one can doubt Greece's right to extend its territorial waters. It reserves the right to exercise this measure whenever it considers it expedient. Nobody has waived or sold out this right."

    Mr. Apostolakis arrived on Rhodes yesterday morning and was given a briefing by division commander Maj.-Gen. Athanasios Nikolodimos. He is accompanied by the chief of the Army General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Manoussos Paragioudakis, ASDEN chief Lt. Gen. Dimitris Arvanitis, and other officials,

    He later visited the border island of Kastellorizo, where he met the island's mayor P. Panygiris and local officials. The defense under-secretary also flew to the islet of Ro by helicopter where he inspected a military guard.

    [07] Greek MPs concerned at ongoing Turkish actions in Iraq

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Twenty-three MPs, members of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, have expressed concern over and condemnation of the ongoing Turkish military strikes in northern Iraq.

    In an statement, the MPs said the strikes were a "blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity (by one UN member state) of another UN member nation". They called on the Turkish government to withdraw its troops from Iraqi territory, adding that they were "monitoring with concern" the developments in the Kurdish matter. They also appealed to the Turkish government to realize that a political settlement was the "only solution to any demands of the country's Kurdish population".

    The statement was signed by MPs Karolos Papoulias, Sifis Valyrakis and Stelios Papathemelis of the ruling PASOK party, and L. Lymberakidis and Christos Vyzovitis of the main opposition New Democracy party, amongst others.

    [08] Washington says warship transfers to Greece, Turkey separate issues

    Washington, 13/06/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said yesterday the Clinton administration did not link the respective agreements for the lending and transfer of warships to Greece and Turkey, and reiterated its support for their implementation, which requires approval of the US Congress.

    "According to the law, Congress must be informed of our intention to renew the lease of navy vessels to Greece. We support a renewal of the lease of the Adams-type destroyers, and the Knox-type frigates to Greece...

    "In the case of Turkey, we want to proceed to the transfer of frigates. I would be less than honest if I said that there weren't certain problems with Congress, but we continue to support the transfer of frigates to Turkey, and we shall continue doing so. We want both agreements to be implemented, but we don't link them. Greece and Turkey are two equally important allies of the US," he said.

    [09] Ankara displeased with events marking Greeks' genocide in Turkey

    Istanbul, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Ankara has filed a demarche with the Greek ambassador to Turkey expressing its discontent with events marking the anniversary of the Black Sea Greeks' (Pontians) genocide in 1919, a Turkish foreign ministry statement stated yesterday.

    "The effort to make fanatic accusations against Turkey causes disappointment to the Turkish public opinion, while efforts - with self-sacrifice - are made to find solutions to bilateral issues," the statement stated, adding that efforts to find solutions to Greek-Turkish differences may be reviewed.

    The statement said the Turkish government was very annoyed at the fact that "symbols of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) have appeared in these events."

    [10] Gov't says Schengen-related independent authority to be formed soon

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that the composition of the independent administrative authority envisaged by the Schengen Pact will be announced soon, and will include prominent personalities of broad acceptance.

    Meanwhile, the abstention of a sizable number of main opposition New Democracy party deputies from voting on ratification of the Schengen Treaty on Wednesday continued to cause varied internal party reactions yesterday.

    Main opposition ND deputy Panos Kammenos said 38 signatures of ND deputies had been collected so far for discussion of the possibility of holding a referendum on the issue, and that he had noted a willingness on the part of smaller parties to also sign the petition.

    Former education minister Vasilis Kontoyiannopoulos said there was an issue of functioning of the party's Parliamentary group and relevant ethics rules had to be set.

    With 78 deputies absent, the 300-member house voted 142 to 80 ratify the treaty.

    Meanwhile, 35-year-old policeman Giorgos Triantafyllopoulos, who joined religious protesters while on duty outside Parliament during the debate on the treaty, was charged by a public prosecutor with abandoning his post and insubordination.

    [11] Parliament committee to focus on Constitutional revision

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday set up a 50-member committee comprising deputies of all Parliament parties, which will tackle the issue of Constitutional revision.

    Speaking during yesterday's debate, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis criticized the government for its intention to abolish the existing provision for dissolution of Parliament if a candidate for the presidency of the republic fails to secure a three-fifths majority in the third round.

    He said the role of the president had to be strengthened in the direction of exercising checks on the Constitutionality of laws, instead of downgraded.

    "Besides, we need an institutional counterbalance," he said. Synaspismos cites disagreements with Gov't over Constitution revision The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party yesterday expressed disagreement with government positions concerning revision of the Constitution.

    Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos also expressed strong opposition to a proposed amendment to revise the procedure for the election of the president of the republic.

    The government wants to abolish the third round of elections for president, proposing that the position be elected by an absolute majority of 151 deputies' votes.

    "If (ruling) PASOK wants to avoid elections (for the president of the republic), then the solution would be to re-elect Mr. (President Kostis) Stephanopoulos..." Mr. Constantopoulos said.

    [12] Mitsotakis ready to stand for presidential elections

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Former prime minister and current honorary president of the main opposition party Constantine Mitsotakis said he would stand for president of the republic if the constitution was changed to provide for direct such elections.

    Speaking to Athens daily "Eleftheros Typos", Mr. Mitsotakis said New Democracy had not yet taken an official stance on the issue and that "some do not accept the provision of direct presidential elections on the legalistic pretext that it undermines the position."

    "This is mistaken," he said. "The president should be directly elected by the people and not by small-party maneuvers of 151 votes of the sitting Parliament which PASOK is advocating".

    [13] Karamanlis harshly criticizes Gov't on relations with Turkey, IGC

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis lashed out against the government yesterday, criticizing its handling of Greek-Turkish relations, its positions vis-a-vis the IGC and proposed amendments to the Constitution.

    Addressing his party's Parliamentary group, Mr. Karamanlis warned the government that he would now allow mishandling of issues of primary importance.

    He added that dialogue between the peoples of Greece and Turkey constituted a national goal, saying he supported cultivating conditions which would allow for the conduct of dialogue.

    Mr. Karamanlis said the government was presenting "a vague and unclear attitude" to Turkey, while trying to "please" international public opinion.

    Commenting on the recent appointment of Richard Holbrooke as the special US presidential envoy for Cyprus, the ND leader said:

    "We have to be cautious because we have no tangible examples that equal distances are held between the victim and the aggressor."

    Commenting on the Intergovernmental Conference, he said Greece should stick to the Maastricht Treaty conditions and went on to say that progress in the issue of common foreign and security policy had been stalled.

    Turning to the issue of constitutional revision, he criticized the government for ambiguity and hypocrisy, and called on Prime Minister Costas Simitis to make a commitment on the issue.

    Mr. Simitis on Wednesday stated his support for the proposal to disengage the election of president of the republic from the possibility of dissolving Parliament, as envisaged in current Constitutional provisions.

    Opening Parliament's debate on constitutional revision, the prime minister said that "recourse to elections is not justified in the present context of the president's responsibilities," and that "political life has conquered the level of maturity which allows an appropriate innovation."

    Mr. Karamanlis said the issue of the constitutional revision would be discussed in a special party seminar.

    Addressing the meeting, former ND leader Miltiades Evert said the government should set priorities on foreign policy, with Greek-Turkish relations at the top of the list, followed by the Cyprus issue.

    ND deputy and former minister Dora Bakoyiannis said foreign policy issues should not be the subject of "demagogy" and "populism," adding that society was confused over the crucial issues facing Greece.

    [14] Turkey again raises regional headquarters issue

    Brussels, 13/06/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

    The issue of NATO's regional headquarters within the alliance's new structural organization was again brought up by Ankara during yesterday's Defense Ministers' conference here.

    Speaking to reporters afterwards, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said Turkish Defense Minister Turhan Tayan's proposal for a joint regional headquarters covering both Greece and Turkey has the obvious intention of gaining more favorable terms for Turkey's claims vis-a-vis Greece.

    He added that Ankara has isolated itself, while no NATO member-state agrees with the Turkish proposal.

    [15] Pangalos, Kyrkos speak on center-left co-operation

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday called for an "ope-ning to society" in light of upcoming municipal elections so that a gradual converge of political and social forces active of the center-left area will be achieved.

    Mr. Pangalos spoke at an event at the Nikaia municipal garden in Piraeus, along with veteran leftist leader Leonidas Kyrkos, who defended the Coalition of the Left and Progress' (Synaspismos) proposal for dialogue over center-left issues and initiatives. Premier Costas Simitis was also present at the event.

    [16] Greek-US memorandum on technological co-operation in Balkans

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    A technological co-operation memorandum between Greece and the United States concerning the Balkans was signed in Thessaloniki yesterday.

    The memorandum was jointly signed by National Economy Ministry Secretary-General Nikos Zahariadis and the chief of the US Commerce Department's technology section for Europe and Africa, Lucy Richards, during a meeting held at the Thessaloniki Technological Park.

    Technological co-operation concerns the sectors of telecommunications, informatics, the environment, construction, foodstuffs and agriculture.

    The memorandum signed determines specific actions to be undertaken to promote co-operation as well as mechanisms to promote co-operation.

    [17] Study for rehabilitation of Lake Pamvotis

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    The Onassis Foundation and Western Australia University professor Jorg Imberger yesterday signed a 68-million-drachma, two-year agreement for the conducting of research and submission of proposals for the rehabilitation of Lake Pamvotis in Ioannina, northwestern Greece.

    Australian ambassador to Athens Robert Merrillees and Ioannina Mayor Mr. Glinavos attended the signing ceremony.

    [18] Minister sees GDP growth at 3.5 pct in 1997

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    National Economy and Finance Minister Yannos Papantoniou forecast GDP growth of 3.5 percent for 1997.

    He said after a three-hour meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, Finance Undersecretaries George Drys, Christos Pachtas and Nikos Christodoulakis, and Bank of Greece governor Lucas Papademos that positive trends were emerging in key economic indicators.

    Mr. Papantoniou said the budget was being strictly adhered to, presenting an "impressive recovery" in public revenues in the past two months, and that inflation was on a "steady decline", while GDP growth this year would be 3.5 percent.

    He said there was "absolutely no need for new economic measures, simply strict adherence to the economic policy being exercised", adding that this would ensure "development in 1998 will be very positive for everyone".

    [19] OECD forecasts restrained economic development for Greece in '97

    Paris, 13/06/1997 (ANA/AFP)

    The rate of economic development in Greece will be restrained this year, while domestic demand will be considerable, powered primarily by investments, according to a six-month prediction by the Organization for Economic and Co-operation Development (OECD) publicized yesterday.

    The study estimates a 3 per cent increase in GDP this year compared to a 2.6 per cent increase in 1996.

    The recovery of private consumption will be favored by an increase in available incomes for households, the OECD added.

    Plans funded by European Union resources must help public investments a great deal, while the decrease in interest rates must continue to encourage investment in the housing sector.

    A restrictive monetary policy has allowed for a considerable decrease in the inflation rate, it was added. The OECD estimates a 6 per cent increase in prices this year, the lowest inflation rate since 1973. However, this rate remains higher than targets set by the Greek government which is a 4.5 per cent inflation rate.

    The OECD expresses its reservations on the Greek economy's possibilities to meet predictions. In its view there is a possible danger of salary increases which will be higher than predicted. In addition, the profit margins for businesses could be dealt a blow by the cost of currency as well as by an increase in the cost of salaries. Consequently, investments will be shaken and this will affect the growth rate, constituting a high risk scenario in implementing targets set by the budget, the OECD stressed.

    [20] Russian envoy says delay in pipeline due to Caspian consortium

    Sofia, 13/06/1997 (ANA - N. Hios)

    The main obstacle for construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline is the Caspian Central Asian consortium for the time being, according to a statement by the Russian ambassador in Sofia Leonid Kerestedziants and published in the newspaper "Trud".

    The Russian official said the Caspian consortium must supply oil which neither Russia, nor Bulgaria nor Greece possess.

    Russia assumed the obligation to guarantee the project's capacity and efficiency, while all three countries must guarantee suppliers that they can also use the oil pipeline, he added.

    [21] Greece pioneers Gov't investment in Crete alternative energy project

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    "The Greek government backs investments involving alternative sources of energy and for this reason has taken the pioneering decision to support the construction of the world's biggest photovoltaic power station on Crete," Development Minister Vasso Papandreou told a press conference yesterday.

    In effect, Ms Papandreou inaugurated the beginning of a promising relationship between the government and the environmental organization Greenpeace in an effort, as she said, to protect Greece by promoting alternative energy sources". "The vast energy sources in Greece must be fully exploited," she added, describing solar energy as "a choice of strategic importance".

    A Greenpeace press release meanwhile said that "solar power today entered a new era" following the Greek government's decision to begin construction of the photovoltaic power station.

    The station is part of a two-year campaign by Greenpeace to transform Crete into a solar-powered island.

    According to Greenpeace, Ms Papandreou yesterday agreed to fund the first 5 Megawatt tranche of the proposed 50 Megawatt power station with the US company ENRON Solar.

    The European Union and the Greek government will fund 55 per cent of the capital costs. Total investment, the organization said, is 17.75 million dollars.

    ENRON's plan submitted to the Greek government proposes building 9 Megawatts a year until 50 Megawatts is reached by the year 2003. The largest photovoltaic power station at the moment is 3.3 Megawatts in Italy.

    "This smashes conventional assumptions on solar power in terms of scale and costs. The solar age is no longer a dream of the future but a reality today," Thilo Bode, executive director of Greenpeace International said in the press release.

    At 50 Megawatts, the Crete solar power station would be fifteen times larger than any other solar installation in the world, more than four times cheaper than the average costs of photovoltaic energy, and provide electricity for nearly 100,000 people, which is one-eighth of Crete's population. "This is the type of energy investment which governments must now implement if we are to have any chance of averting dangerous climate change, and if countries are to meet their own greenhouse gas reductio n commitments," Mr. Bode said.

    Ms Papandreou yesterday visited Greenpeace's ship "Sirius", which is anchored at Flisvos near Piraeus, and shown around by Mr. Bode.

    Mr. Bode thanked Ms Papandreou for the Greek government's co-operation, saying: "Greece is taking the leading role in renewable sources of energy in Europe and the entire world".

    [22] Greece unable to meet EU public debt criteria in '97 - OECD

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicted that Germany, France and Italy, along with Greece, would not fulfill the public deficit criteria set by the Maastricht treaty this year. The Paris-based OECD in its semi-annual report for 1997 said that the three countries would show deficits of around 3.2 percent of GDP, while Greece would show a 6.0 percent deficit.

    The Maastricht treaty's criteria set a three percent target as a condition to participate in European economic and monetary union.

    The organization, however, predicted that Germany, France and Italy would meet the public deficit criteria next year. In its general economic report, the OECD predicted that industrial nations would show the biggest growth in a decade in 1997 and 1998.

    The average growth of the 29 member-states was expected to reach 3 percent this year, falling to 2.7 percent in 1998, it said.

    The United States would lead the group's economic growth, with a predicted 3.6 percent rate in 1997, while Germany's rate would be 2.2 percent. Unemployment would remain an outstanding problem, especially in the European Union, where the jobless rate was expected to top 11.2 percent this year, and fall to 10.8 percent in 1998.

    [23] Greece to combat public sector corruption

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Interior and Public Administration minister Alekos Papadopoulos intends to propose new disciplinary procedures designed to combat corruption in public services.

    The "regime of impunity" in the public administration had to end, Mr. Papadopoulos said in a television interview on Wednesday. He added that he would propose to the cabinet new disciplinary procedures for civil servants implicated in corruption, which would be contained in the new civil servants' code.

    Mechanisms to control and eliminate corruption in the public sector were being established for the first time, Mr. Papadopoulos said. He recalled the introduction of special tax inspectors, public administration inspectors and the planned introduction of an Ombudsman to protect consumers, which he anticipated would begin in October.

    Asked to comment on a recent ALCO opinion poll showing that 65% of 2,400 people surveyed believed the state to be corrupt (18%) or rather corrupt (47%), Mr. Papadopoulos said it was unacceptable that one should speak of corrupt civil servants and consider that society was blameless.

    "Corruption does not apply to the total of civil servants, but is in society itself", the minister said, adding that "the law of omerta (silence) is applied by many parties because it suits them".

    [24] Greek stocks end down in robust trade

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Stock prices halted a two-day rally on the Athens Stock Exchange to end moderately lower despite vigorous trading and big gains in the construction sector.

    The general index closed 0.41 percent lower at 1,631.90 points reflecting a drop in heavily weighted Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and a fall in bank shares.

    OTE remained the barometer of the market on the second day of subscription to a public offering of 45 million shares. Its price fell 250 drachmas to 7,200 reversing a strong advance of more than 800 drachmas in the last four sessions. Sector indices ended mixed.

    Banks fell 0.27 percent, Leasing was 0.65 percent higher, Insurance rose 0.52 percent, Investment was 0.94 percent up, Industrials eased 0.02 percent, Holding was 0.73 percent off and Miscellaneous rose 1.10 percent. The Parallel Market inde x surged 2.02 percent.

    Trading was extremely heavy on turnover of 30 billion drachmas. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 116 to 105 with another 23 issues unchanged. Keranis, Bank of Athens, Mouriadis and Heliofin scored the biggest gains, while Mohlos, Ergodata and Alysid a suffered the heaviest losses of the day.

    National Bank ended at 36,845 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,450, Alpha Credit Bank at 20,150, Titan at 26,000, Intracom at 13,750 and Aluminium of Greece at 18,900 drachmas.

    [25] Greece-FYROM trade volume surge

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    The general director of the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) elaborated on what he called the "positive prospects for both economic and commercial co-operation between Greece and FYROM." He was speaking during a special ceremony marking the close of an HEPO-organized seminar for 20 senior managers of the public and private sector in FYROM.

    G. Koutsodimos said the volume of trade between the two countries increased considerably in the past year.

    "Greece now holds the fourth position on the list of FYROM's most important trading partners with trade volume worth US$180 million," Mr. Koutsodimos said.

    Greece stood at the 14th position in the beginning of 1996.

    He forecast that in 1998 Greece will be FYROM's second most important trading partner after Germany, with a trade volume reaching US$300 million.

    Meanwhile, according to HEPO data, Greece is expected to be the largest investor to Skopje in 1997, with investments amounting to more than US$160 million.

    [26] Chipita may build new plant in E. Europe

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Chipita SA, a Greek light snacks company, announced it will hold a share split scheme by offering one free share for each old one, reducing the nominal value of stock.

    The company forecast a 15-20 percent rise in sales and turnover for 1997 and speedier growth in 1998.

    Chipita is due to launch two new production lines next year, one for the production of a new type of croissant and another to extend capacity for bake rolls in order to meet increased demand.

    The company is carrying out market research for the creation of a new factory in eastern Europe. Chipita holds 24 percent of Bulgaria's light snacks market.

    Last Saturday its subsidiary began sales of croissants in Egypt.

    Last year's sales rose to 21.8 billion drachmas from 14.3 billion in 1995 and the firm's net profit was 1.8 billion drachmas, up from 912 million. The company is paying a dividend of 130 drachmas per share.

    [27] UN ranks Greece 20th on quality of life

    Athens, 13/06/1997 (ANA)

    Canada, France, Norway and the United States have the highest quality of life while Greece holds the 20th place, according to the United Nations Human Development Index.

    The index, published by the UN Development Program, measures living standards according to per capita income, life expectancy and educational standards. The latest report was based on 1994 figures.

    Statistics showed that rich countries offer a better standard of living even to poor people, but stressed that a high per capita income does not necessarily raise the quality of life.

    Poverty, however, has worsened in Australia, Belgium, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Britain and the United States while it has decreased in Canada, Denmark, France, Italy and Spain.

    The United States has one of the world's highest per capita incomes at $26,397. But the report said the number of people living in poverty has gradually risen from 16 percent in 1974 to more than 19 percent in 1994.

    Among developing countries the poverty index showed deprivation in health care, education and water quality. Malnourishment in children also increased.

    End of English language section.


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