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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-24

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 1219), June 24, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Europartenariat '97 opens in Piraeus
  • [02] Holbrooke says Cyprus unrelated to Aegean, backs bi-zonal federation
  • [03] Philippines' Ramos holds talks with Greece's leadership
  • [04] Trade agreement
  • [05] Fino confident of broad coalition Gov't from Albanian elections
  • [06] Greek delegation at Earth Summit
  • [07] German state parliament delegation in Athens
  • [08] Major ecclesiastical conference begins in Austria
  • [09] British sports minister: Athens has strong arguments for 2004 Games
  • [10] Greek army chief on official visit to Spain
  • [11] Reppas: Ciller playing to domestic audience
  • [12] Greece stresses need for Balkan countries' NATO inclusion
  • [13] Greek military chief winds up visit to Armenia
  • [14] Ankara's response
  • [15] Gligorov confirms FYROM proposal on name
  • [16] FYROM wants Greek help in association agreement with EU
  • [17] Romanian military unit begins CFE inspections
  • [18] Dismissals will begin if Olympic strike continues, Gov't warns
  • [19] Venizelos, Lang meet
  • [20] Korean War commemorated this week
  • [21] Bregovic, Dalaras concert to kick off Cultural Olympiad
  • [22] Parliamentary delegation visits Cuba
  • [23] Institutional selling undermines stock market confidence
  • [24] Euro-conference okays transport links between Greece, Austria
  • [25] Greece changes penalties for tax evaders
  • [26] EU debate on social dialogue in southeast Europe starts Tuesday
  • [27] Seminar on Euro's impact
  • [28] Xiosbank slightly raises interest rate on deposits
  • [29] Pension issue, family benefits discussed by ADEDY, Gov't
  • [30] Consulate security breached

  • [01] Europartenariat '97 opens in Piraeus

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    The 16th Europartenariat opened at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus yesterday, bringing together representatives from small- and medium-sized enterprises of Europe, the Americas and Asia.

    European Commissioner for Energy, SMEs and Tourism Christos Papoutsis opened the two-day meeting which aims at improving relations and furthering trade between European Union businessmen and those of other countries.

    In her brief address, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said that it is an indisputable fact that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) receive the strongest impact from the abolition of economic boundaries and that the government maintains a high degree of interest in promoting and supporting all initiatives leading to their survival and adjustment.

    In this framework, she added, the Europartenariat meeting can and must:

    - bring into direct contact as many as possible of the participating enterprises, with the purpose of widening the development of co-operation and

    - create new ideas, new trends for the competitiveness of enterprises with the purpose of their peaceful co-existence in the new economic environment.

    On his part, Mr. Papoutsis underlined that only 550 days are left until the start of the third and last stage of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

    The strengthening of the competitiveness of European enterprises, economic development and the creation of employment constitute major priorities, he said, adding that to this effort, the European Commission also organizes these meetings in the framework of Europartenariat.

    On his part, National Economy Under-secretary Alekos Baltas said that shakeups brought about on the international scene and particularly in the region of Europe, with the opening of markets, have now created new factors, namely, strong competition between enterprises and an increase in their interdependence.

    In this framework, it is shown how important meetings such as Europartenariat are for countries such as Greece. The trend of companies to improve the quality of their products and expand into the international market is of vital significance both for the region in which each company is active and the national economy. This is so because the degree of internationalization of enterprises in the region directly affects their viability and at a national level constitutes a measure of the country's capacity to safeguard the cohesion and dynamism of its economic system.

    Moreover, the President of the Federation of Northern Greece Exporters and the head of the organizing committee of Europartenariat, A. Genitsaris, said that Greece aspires to constitute once again, at least over these two days, the center of the world business activity.

    This dynamic meeting, he said, has no precedent as far as Greece is concerned. It constitutes the conclusion of a huge organizing effort which includes the choosing of 400 dynamic SMEs from all branches and from all over Greece; the creation and printing of the official catalogue in six languages and 60,000 copies; its promotion all over the universe and close co-operation with National Advisers, namely, the organizations which have undertaken to coordinate foreign trade missions.

    The Europartenariat has been held since 1987 under the sponsorship of the European Commission. It is held at a different country annually, and this year's, the second for Greece, has been organized by the Federation of Northern Greece Exporters.

    The next Europartenariat '97 meeting will be held in the French city of Clermont-Ferrand in October.

    Finally, 1,100 entrepreneurial meetings had taken place by noon on the first day .

    Over the two-day period, 10,500 meetings are expected in all.

    [02] Holbrooke says Cyprus unrelated to Aegean, backs bi-zonal federation

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    The Cyprus issue should be solved within the framework of a single sovereign state, special US presidential envoy on the Cyprus issue Richard Holbrooke said in a televised interview yesterday.

    In an interview held jointly by Greek television reporter Alexis Papahelas and Turkish reporter Mehmet Ali Birant for the Greek television station "Mega", Mr. Holbrooke said that the solution of a single sovereignty in the framework of a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation seemed to him "unavoidable".

    Mr. Holbrooke expressed support for the idea of free movement between the Cyprus Republic and the Turkish-occupied north, noting that "there was freedom of movement before (the Turkish invasion of) 1974".

    The newly appointed US envoy said that preliminary talks he had with both sides indicated that there were profound differences between the two, which the US diplomat said he was not sure would be overcome in their entirety.

    In addition, he firmly opposed the idea of linking the Cyprus issue with Greek-Turkish relations, especially concerning the Aegean, and noted that none of the representatives he met in Athens or Ankara wished to associate the Cyprus issue with any other problem.

    The Cyprus issue is the primary problem between Greece and Turkey, he said, noting that due to the profoundly different views each had precluded a Dayton-type solution for Cyprus, as neither side was ready for such a procedure. A solution was not impossible, he noted, by the end of negotiations, after "differences in views are reduced".

    As to the direct talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, which open near New York under the aegis of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Mr. Holbrooke said he would not attend the talks. He said he would do his best towards a solution of the Cyprus issue, but expressed doubt about an outcome, part of which he added would depend on Turkey's acquiring a stable government.

    [03] Philippines' Ramos holds talks with Greece's leadership

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    The president of the Philippines Fidel Ramos yesterday held talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis focusing on closer political and economic ties between the two countries. Mr. Ramos is the first head of state of the Pacific archipelago nation to visit Greece.

    Earlier, he met with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos with whom he discussed a wide range of issues of interest to both countries.

    Mr. Ramos arrived in Athens on Sunday evening at the head of a 12-member official delegation on the last leg of a tour of Britain, Oman and Greece.

    During the delegation's visit here, a number of agreements will be signed, including a bilateral cultural accord and a memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Bureau of Export Trade Promotion and the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO).

    The Filipino delegation includes Labor Secretary Leonardo Quisumbing, Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar Baautista, Senator Alberto Romulo and Foreign Affairs Under-secretary Rodolfo Severin, who was due to meet with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday.

    Mr. Ramos was due to meet yesterday with leaders of various political parties, Greek shipowners and managers of Greek-flagged vessels, which employ about 36,000 Filipino seamen.

    During an official dinner later in the evening in honor of the Filipino president, Mr. Stephanopoulos thanked Mr. Ramos for his nation's stance concerning the illegal occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkish troops.

    Before leaving today, Mr. Ramos will also meet with representatives of various Filipino organizations in Greece, which hosts about 25,000 Filipino workers.

    According to reports, the main purpose of Mr. Ramos' visit is to further political, maritime and economic ties between the two countries. Philippine trade with Greece, though small-scale, has been steadily increasing over the last five years.

    A graduate of the top US army academy West Point, the 69-year-old Ramos was a former defense minister and chief of staff of the Philippine armed forces before becoming president in 1992.

    Specifically, the Philippine president's talks with Mr. Stephanopoulos and Mr. Simitis focused on bilateral relations, given the large number of Filipino workers in Greece and seamen on Greek-flagged ships, as well as the situation in the Balkans, south east Europe and southeast Asia.

    President Stephanopoulos told reporters after his morning meeting with Mr. Ramos, which was also attended by Mr. Pangalos and Labor Minister Miltiades Papaioannou, that there were no problems in bilateral relations and stressed the prospects for further expanding co-operation between the two countries.

    He said he had briefed his Filipino counterpart on the problems in the Balkans and southeast Europe, adding that the substantial presence of Filipinos in Greece constituted an "additional bond in our relations.

    President Ramos underlined the common interests of the two maritime countries, noting that bilateral relations were also strengthened through the dialogue that had commenced between the EU and ASEAN, to which the Philippines belonged.

    He also stressed the prospects for strengthening the ties between the two countries in the commercial, shipbuilding and repair and investment sectors, saying consultations would begin for an agreement that would promote protection of investments.

    [04] Trade agreement

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    The co-operation agreement between the Philippine Bureau of Export Trade Promotion and HEPO will be aimed at developing and expanding commercial and economic transactions between the two countries. Within this framework, HEPO has already scheduled a series of activities, the most important being a trade mission to the Philippines and other countries of southeast Asia in October this year.

    Also on the occasion of Mr. Ramos' visit to Greece, a delegation of Filipino businessmen will tomorrow visit the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry for contacts with their Greek counterparts.

    Later, during an official ceremony at Athens City Hall, Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos bestowed the Golden Medal of the City of Athens to Mr. Ramos.

    On his part, the president invited the Athens mayor to officially visit Manila.

    In his address, Mr. Avramopoulos said: "we honor you as an Athenian citizen, Mr. President, because an Athenian is not only the inhabitant of this city, or he who had the fortune to be born here, but anyone in the world who has set as an aim in life to struggle for the great and noble values of democracy and respect for human dignity, which were born in this city'.

    Mr. Ramos thanked the president, and referred to the friendly relations between the two countries.

    "We have made many common efforts, our embassy together with the Athens municipal authority have organized many cultural events, choirs, and exhibitions from the Philippines, and I would like to add that Filipino organizations here in Athens have benefited greatly from many social facilities, but also from medical services provided by the municipal authority."

    [05] Fino confident of broad coalition Gov't from Albanian elections

    Tirana, 24/06/1997 (ANA - P. Haritou)

    Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino yesterday expressed confidence that general elections in his country next Sunday would produce a broadly based coalition government, and called on all Albanians currently in Greece to return home to vote.

    "Bearing in mind the situation which has been shaped and expressing the positions of my party, I believe that the elections will result in a broadly based coalition government," Mr. Fino said in an exclusive interview with the ANA.

    Asked about the difficulties experienced by the two main parties in presenting their programs in certain parts of the country, Mr. Fino said it was his party which had proposed alternative campaign methods, such as television or radio "but the other parties preferred rallies and tours".

    Replying to another question on the apparent reluctance of the approximately 400,000 Albanians in Greece to return to their country to vote, Mr. Fino underlined that they should return to Albania to vote, particularly since they had been given assurances that they would be able to come back to Greece.

    Mr. Fino said Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and the Greek Embassy in Tirana had given assurances that coaches of Albanians returning to vote would be protected by the multinational force in Albania and local police squads.

    [06] Greek delegation at Earth Summit

    United Nations, 24/06/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

    Environment Under-secretary Theodoros Koliopanos is representing Greece at the Earth Summit which opens tomorrow in New York.

    Mr. Koliopanos, who arrived to the United States on Sunday afternoon and has already participated in a meeting of the European Union member-states, will address the summit today.

    This morning, Mr. Koliopanos and the remaining members of the Greek delegation will attend the opening of the summit, which will evaluate the results of the Rio de Janeiro Summit's decisions five years ago.

    [07] German state parliament delegation in Athens

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis received a delegation from the parliament of Baden-Wurtenberg yesterday and briefed its members on Greek positions regarding Greek-Turkish relations and stability in the Balkans.

    The delegation is headed by the president of the Baden-Wurtenberg parliament, Mr. Straub.

    Mr. Kaklamanis outlined what he called Turkey's expansionist policy towards Greece, adding that Athens wants Ankara to proceed with accelerated democratization and not be overrun by Islamic fundamentalism.

    "The image of present-day Turkey resembles that of Iran shortly before the collapse of the monarchist regime. Unless it is democratized and unless a political solution is given to the Kurdish issue, it will continue to remain a huge problem for Europe," he said.

    Greece's initiatives to consolidate peace and co-operation in the Balkans, the overall repercussions of the Kurdish issue and education for ethnic Greek children in Germany were among the matters also discussed during the talks.

    Mr. Straub invited Mr. Kaklamanis to visit Baden-Wurtenberg in the framework of the official visit he will pay to Germany in November at the invitation of the president of the German Federal Parliament.

    [08] Major ecclesiastical conference begins in Austria

    Vienna, 24/06/1997 (ANA-D.Dimitrakoudis)

    Representatives from several eastern and western Christian churches opened their meeting here yesterday with nearly 30,000 people attending the opening ceremony of the Second European Ecumenical Conference held in Graz's central square. The meeting is expected to last until Sunday.

    In addition to about 1,000 representatives of churches from throughout Europe, more than 10,000 people from 43 countries will also attend. A notable exception, however, will be Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

    Vartholomeos canceled his attendance, charging that the Moscow Patriarchate and the Vatican attempted to dominate the meeting.

    Participants include Russian Patriarch Alexiy II, Karekin of Armenia, the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, and the World Council of Churches secretary general.

    Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Austria Michael and Roman Catholic Archbishop of Austria Johann Weber jointly officiated at a special service held at the main cathedral of Graz on Sunday night, before the official opening.

    [09] British sports minister: Athens has strong arguments for 2004 Games

    London, 24/06/1997 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

    British Sports Minister Tony Banks has expressed the view that Athens has very strong arguments and special reasons to organize the Olympic Games of 2004.

    He added that if the games were ever to be organized in one place on a permanent basis, there is no doubt that this place should be Greece.

    "The Greeks always have special reasons and very strong arguments to organize the Olympic Games, taking into account that they gave them to the world. There is also an argument that has concerned me at times, if there should be a permanent home for the holding of the Olympic Games. And it has been recommended that the permanent place for the Olympic Games should be Greece, as their (Games) organization is now becoming increasingly costly. So, I believe that the Greeks have a very good case," he said.

    Mr. Banks intends to spend his summer holidays this year on the island of Symi, of which he is an honorary citizen.

    [10] Greek army chief on official visit to Spain

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    The chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Lt-Gen. Manoussos Paragioudakis yesterday began a four-day official visit to Spain at the invitation of his Spanish counterpart, Lt-Gen. Jose Faura Martin. During his stay, Lt. Gen. Paragioudakis will visit military academies, units and be briefed on the activities of the Spanish army.

    He will also have talks with the chief of Spain's national defense general staff and Lt. Gen. Martin on issues of common interest.

    [11] Reppas: Ciller playing to domestic audience

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller's statements on Greek-Turkish relations are part of the "domestic political game" in the neighboring country and serve only to compromise both her and Turkey, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.

    This situation, Mr. Reppas added, merely creates an adverse climate which is "pointless".

    The spokesman also dismissed statements by Ms Ciller on Cyprus' accession to the European Union, stressing that "the course of the island republic's accession has been decided by the EU".

    In a written statement issued by the Turkish foreign ministry, Ms Ciller reiterated that Cyprus could not join the EU before Turkey.

    Mr. Reppas once again condemned the violations of Cyprus airspace by Turkish aircraft, adding that "all the appropriate representations" had been made.

    [12] Greece stresses need for Balkan countries' NATO inclusion

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Addressing a meeting on European security in Prague on Sunday, National Defense Under-secretary Dimitris Apostolakis stressed the need for NATO's enlargement towards central and eastern Europe not to proceed on a selective basis but to include Balkan countries such as Bulgaria and Romania.

    The event is part of NATO's three-day seminar, organized in the Czech Republic covering political and military decision-making.

    Mr. Apostolakis also expressed the need for protection clauses contained in Article 5 not to have a selective effect, since NATO must provide suitable guarantees for the security of all of its members.

    He held private talks with the defense ministers of Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands concerning NATO's enlargement, the situation in Albania, factors of instability in the eastern Mediterranean and bilateral co-operation issues with these countries.

    [13] Greek military chief winds up visit to Armenia

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Promotion of co-operation between the armed forces of Greece and Armenia was the focal point of talks held in the one-time Soviet republic by the National Defense General Staff Chief Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis.

    Gen. Tzoganis examined issues concerning training and co-operation exercises within the framework of the NATO-sponsored program "Partnership for Peace" (PfP), with the chief of Armenia's armed forces and First National Defense Under-secretary Gen. Harutunian.

    The talks once again ascertained the strong ties linking the two countries which constitute the given basis of a sincere and continuous co-operation for the future.

    Gen. Tzoganis paid a courtesy all on the Armenian president, the prime minister, the parliament president, the defense minister and the Patriarch of All Armenia.

    [14] Ankara's response

    Istanbul, 24/06/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

    "Turkey is closely watching the agreement reached between Greece and Armenia on the exchange of military information and the widening of the joint exercises program," Turkish foreign ministry alternate spokesman Sermet Atatzanli said yesterday.

    "The issue concerns the security of Turkey and for this reason it is showing the necessary sensitivity," he added.

    Several Turkish press reports presented the agreement as a "strengthening of the front of evil", and claimed that "co-operation between countries which the general staff is accusing of being PKK supporters is being strengthened."

    [15] Gligorov confirms FYROM proposal on name

    Skopje, 24/06/1997 (ANA - M. Vihou)

    The president of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Kiro Gligorov, confirmed unofficial reports that FYROM has submitted a proposal to UN mediator Cyrus Vance on resolving the dispute with Greece over the landlocked, former Yugoslav republic's name.

    In a statement on his return from the United States, Mr. Gligorov said FYROM has submitted its official proposal on the name at the negotiating table in New York, but he did not elaborate.

    The statement in essence confirms a report in the weekly "Pouls" newspaper about two months ago which, invoking unofficial sources, which claimed that an official proposal has been submitted on the name, by which FYROM will keep its constitutional name on the international scene, while in its bilateral relations with Greece the latter can call it whatever it wishes.

    [16] FYROM wants Greek help in association agreement with EU

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    The head of the FYROM liaison office in Greece, Ljupco Arsovski, requested Greece's assistance for speedy approval by the European Parliament of the EU-FYROM association agreement, informed sources said.

    The request was made during a meeting with Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou held at Mr. Arsovski's request.

    The same sources also said that during the half-hour meeting Mr. Arsovski expressed desire to seek ways of overcoming the practical problems that will arise from the application of the Schengen agreement.

    [17] Romanian military unit begins CFE inspections

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    A nine-member team of Romanian military inspectors today began a tour of Greek military units, which will last until June 29.

    The visit is in the framework of the CFE Treaty for the reduction of conventional arms in Europe.

    [18] Dismissals will begin if Olympic strike continues, Gov't warns

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    The government will not succumb to blackmail by Olympic Aviation technicians holding a "go-slow" strike, and will proceed to dismissals if they don't call off their action, Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis said yesterday.

    In statements to the press from Helsinki, where he is attending the third European Union conference for transport ministers, Mr. Kastanidis said that the technicians are "creating serious problems in services by asking for rash economic demands in the midst of the tourist season, while passenger movement is especially high".

    "The government will not accept and will not succumb to this blackmail. If they don't stop immediately this go-slow strike and help the company carry out its summer schedule, the government will proceed through the board to dismissals of those responsible," he said.

    Mr. Kastanidis also said the government had filed a lawsuit leading to the arrest of employees caught striking, "in order that those responsible for this situation be tried by justice".

    The strike began over the weekend and created havoc at Greek airports as canceled or postponed flights led to hundreds of travelers being stranded at airports throughout Greece.

    Nineteen scheduled domestic flights were canceled yesterday as a result of the "go slow" action. Up until noon, a further five scheduled flights eventually left after delays of three to four hours.

    Meanwhile, the president of the technicians and mechanics' labor union, Theodosis Arbatzoglou, stressed that the "go slow" action was not tantamount to a strike, but a refusal to work overtime.

    "We are working our normal eight-hour shifts, in order to press for the hiring of seasonal staff who are necessary for maintaining the normal flights schedule," he added.

    Mr. Arbatzoglou claimed that Olympic Aviation's flight schedule relied entirely on overtime work, which often meant employees having to work an additional six to 10 hours after their regular eight-hour shift.

    He added that three aircraft were currently grounded and the problems for passengers were increasing.

    Olympic Aviation is a subsidiary of Olympic Airways and controls the domestic flights, which it carries out with airplanes carrying a maximum of 80 passengers each.

    [19] Venizelos, Lang meet

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos held a meeting yesterday with former French culture minister and president of the French Parliament's foreign policy committee Jack Lang focusing on issues of mutual interest.

    Mr. Lang and Mr. Venizelos discussed issues related to European cultural policy, the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece and the promotion of the "Thessaloniki Charter," a ten-point document containing the aspirations of European scholars and politicians for the 21st civilization.

    [20] Korean War commemorated this week

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    A wreath-laying ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the Korean War will be held Wednesday at 11:30am at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square.

    The ceremony is being organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to pay its respect and to commemorate the noble spirit of the Greek heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend the freedom of the world.

    The Korean Ambassador in Athens expressed his government's and people's gratitude to the Hellenic Republic and the people of Greece on this special day.

    [21] Bregovic, Dalaras concert to kick off Cultural Olympiad

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Cultural events within the framework of Athens' bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games will get under way on July 2 with a joint concert by world renowned Yugoslav composer Goran Bregovic and one of Greece's most popular singers, George Dalaras.

    "The cultural events which we are organizing constitute a prelude to the four-year cultural Olympiad which will be held from 2001 to 2004," Athens 2004 Bid Committee President Yianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki told reporters yesterday.

    "It is a great honor for us that George Dalaras and Goran Bregovic will be inaugurating this cultural period and are providing such valuable support for Athens' bid to host the 2004 Games," she added.

    "I am a strong supporter of the Olympic Games. I was bitterly disappointed and hurt when we were not selected for the 1996 Olympics," Mr. Dalaras said.

    Mr. Bregovic said he remembered the Winter Games in Sarajevo, where he was born and grew up.

    "It was one of the most pleasant experiences of my life. I hope with all my heart that Athens will have the opportunity to experience the joyous moments of an Olympiad," the composer said.

    [22] Parliamentary delegation visits Cuba

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    A Greek Parliamentary delegation is visiting Havana for meetings with Cuban officials, including President Fidel Castro.

    Nine members of the Parliamentary committee of national defense and foreign affairs will meet with Mr. Castro, the president of the Cuban parliament, ministers of national defense and foreign affairs, and the chairmen of related parliamentary committees .

    The delegation is headed by PASOK deputy and former foreign minister Karolos Papoulias.

    [23] Institutional selling undermines stock market confidence

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Stock prices remained under pressure on the Athens Stock Exchange extending last week's huge losses with investors suffering a confidence crisis in the market.

    Foreign and domestic institutional investors have led the market down during the last five sessions pushing the general index below the 1,500 psychological level, 260 points lower than the year's high of 1,727.70 points two weeks ago.

    According to market players the reaction reflected disappointment among institutional investors over errors in the distribution of Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) shares, which led to institutional overbooking.

    The market also was wary of a proposal for a 10 percent one-off payment on corporate profits, the prospect of higher interest rates in the domestic money market, and problems linked to a further fall in inflation.

    The general index closed 2.16 percent lower at 1,467.92 points, reflecting losses in the banking and investment sectors, down 2.66 and 4.30 percent respectively.

    Most other sector indices also lost ground. Industrials fell 2.64 percent, Insurance was 1.67 percent off, Leasing dropped 1.64 percent, Construction fell 1.63 percent and Miscellaneous eased 1.45 percent. Holding bucked the trend to end 0.40 percent up .

    The Parallel Market index eased 1.28 percent.

    Trading was heavy with turnover at 640 billion drachmas due to the transfer of 47 million shares of OTE, placed on public offer on June 11-13, from the state to main underwriter National Bank of Greece and then to other underwriters.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 159 to 62 with another 26 issues unchanged.

    Petzetakis, Aspis, Levenderis and Ideal scored the biggest percentage gains while Bank of Central Greece, Interinvest and Parnassos suffered the heaviest losses of the day.

    National Bank of Greece ended at 33,500 drachmas, Ergobank at 16,350, Alpha Credit Bank at 17,780, Titan at 11,850 and OTE at 6,600 drachmas.

    [24] Euro-conference okays transport links between Greece, Austria

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    A pan-European transport conference in Helsinki on Monday endorsed the creation of a road and rail link between the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki and Salzburg, Austria.

    Speaking on the first day of the conference, Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis underlined the importance of the new road and rail axis, which will pass through countries of the former Yugoslavia.

    Mr. Kastanidis called on delegates to help find a happy medium between protecting the environment in central Europe, and meeting infrastructure needs of eastern Europe and outlying European Union countries such as Greece, while keeping transport costs down.

    [25] Greece changes penalties for tax evaders

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Greek Finance Under-secretary George Drys unveiled a more lax penalty system for taxpayers who fail to submit tax returns or are guilty of errors or inaccuracies, but tougher legal sanctions against evaders.

    Under the new system additional taxes cannot exceed 300 percent in cases of inaccuracies or non-submission of tax returns in order to combat tax evasion. Legal sanctions will be stricter.

    The new settlement system applies to taxpayers who have pending cases with the tax collecting agency that have yet to be cleared or relate to outstanding debts, Mr. Drys said.

    The system envisages ten-year imprisonment for tax evasion on annual income of more than 50 million drachmas, and one-year imprisonment for evasion on annual income exceeding 5 million drachmas.

    Ten-year imprisonment is envisaged for tax evasion on Value Added Tax and related withholding taxes of more than 25 million drachmas a year.

    [26] EU debate on social dialogue in southeast Europe starts Tuesday

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    The first international conference to discuss promoting social dialogue in southeast European states begins in Thessaloniki on Tuesday, organized by the European Union.

    The EU's Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC) has invited representatives of social partners and professional groups in southeastern Europe to the two-day meeting.

    The agenda includes promotion of social, political and economic co-operation among countries in the region, and with the EU.

    The meeting will also discuss issues arising from the social dialogue which has already begun in the region.

    Attending the conference are 30 social agencies from eight southeast European states - Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Croatia, FYROM, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey. The EU also has sent a delegation to the meeting.

    Greece will be represented by 26 social agencies including the biggest workers' and employers' unions in the country.

    [27] Seminar on Euro's impact

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    A seminar entitled "The Euro's Consolidation: What it Means for the Businesses," will take place on at the end of the month in Athens.

    The June 30 seminar is organized by the European Information Centers of the Athens and Piers' chambers of commerce and industry, the Hellenic Organization of Small and Medium Sized-Enterprises and Craftsmen (EOMMEX), the competent department of the European Commission and others.

    The seminar will focus on issues related to the European Union after the IGC as well as problems facing businesses in the light of the consolidation of the Euro as a single EU currency.

    [28] Xiosbank slightly raises interest rate on deposits

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Xiosbank raised the interest rate on it's Xiosalma savings plan by a quarter of a percentage point yesterday.

    Specifically, for an account more than two million drachmas, the nominal rate stands at 9.5 per cent, while the annual return stands at 9.92 per cent.

    [29] Pension issue, family benefits discussed by ADEDY, Gov't

    Athens, 24/06/1997 (ANA)

    Leaders of the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) held talks with Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis yesterday on the pensions issue and the problem of paying family benefits to both spouses.

    Mr. Christodoulakis promised the trade unionists that as of Aug. 1, state pensions will be paid on the basis of the new salary scale, which is expected to lead to an average increase in pensions ranging between 7 and 8 per cent.

    However, Mr. Christodoulakis rejected ADEDY's claim for payment of family bonuses to both husband and wife.

    He did, however, leave open the possibility of payment to a spouse working in the public sector of benefits alone, since the remaining family benefits will only be received by the spouse employed in the private sector.

    [30] Consulate security breached

    Gjirokaster, 24/06/1997 (ANA - P. Barka)

    Police guarding the Greek consulate in this southern Albanian town yesterday discovered the consulate had been broken into without their knowledge.

    The unidentified persons gained entry and caused minor damage to two offices, left a hand grenade on a desk and left.

    The consulate has ceased issuing visas for the past ten days and all material associated with the issuing of visas has been removed from offices.

    The general navy staff said yesterday it was questioning two Albanian nationals found aboard an inflatable craft which a coast guard patrol pursued towards the northern coast of Corfu yesterday.

    No contraband was found aboard the vessel, although authorities believe it may have been dumped overboard.

    End of English language section.


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