Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-27
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1222), June 27, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Simitis confident of successful Athens 2004 bid
[02] Pangalos to visit Malaysia, Hong Kong
[03] President briefed on foreign ministry archive project
[04] Further cleanup of capital prior to 'Athens '97' decided
[05] Clerides to stop in Athens before NY talks
[06] Kaklamanis meets Patriarch of Alexandria
[07] Athens: FYROM 'lacks will' to resolve name issue
[08] Oslo urges Turkey towards respect for international law
[09] EU socialist finance ministers to meet in Athens
[10] Gov't reacts to Oymen statements
[11] Int'l environmental seminar opens on Halki
[12] Parliamentary observers delegation leaves for Tirana today
[13] Karamanlis
[14] Violence continues in southern Albania
[15] Australian FM in Athens today
[16] Premier outlines new ERS board's responsibilities
[17] KKE, DHKKI respond
[18] Broadcast ads must observe rules, gov't says
[19] Gov't, Left Coalition have little in common, Constantopoulos says
[20] Gov't announces more centers for drug prevention
[21] EU Education Ministers' Council concludes in Luxembourg
[22] Union FMs fail to formulate common positions on new members
[23] Tsohatzopoulos meets with Spyridon
[24] Press briefing
[25] Bulgarian president in Athens in early July
[26] Anthony Quinn to be honored on Crete
[27] Mortgage Bank focuses on services for expatriates
[28] Greenpeace congratulations to Gov't over solar power plant
decision
[29] Greek delegation to visit Romania on June 29
[30] National Bank of Greece posts higher profits
[31] Profit-taking curbs rally on Greek bourse
[32] Olympic Airways to launch charter subsidiary
[33] Egypt to compensate Greeks who lost fortunes
[34] Tourism conference begins today
[35] Court finds Greece late to enact conservation rules
[01] Simitis confident of successful Athens 2004 bid
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday he was convinced
that Athens had a great possibility of succeeding in its bid to
host the 2004 Olympic Games, after being briefed on the Greek
capital's candidacy by Athens 2004 committee president Yianna
Angelopoulou-Daskalaki.
Mr. Simitis expressed complete satisfaction at the efforts so
far of the "Athens 2004" bid committee and
Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, in particular, following the briefing at
the committee's headquarters at Zappeion Hall.
"We have a very good chance of being selected to stage the
Games. From what the committee told me, we have a very good
chance not only because of the excellent infrastructure, but
also because we are proposing a different spirit for the
Olympics. We do not want them to be a strictly athletic event,
but rather a cultural event which highlights peace and
friendship between peoples," Mr. Simitis said.
Noting that Greece had great experience in staging major sports
events, Mr. Simitis said the hosting in Athens of the World
Athletics Championship in August would serve as a general test.
"We shall show in August that Greece is capable of staging the
Olympic Games," he said.
Replying to questions which have been aired concerning the cost
of staging the Games, the premier stressed that it was an issue
which could be "dealt with."
"We spend a great deal of money to promote our country with
regard to tourism," he noted.
Mr. Simitis also expressed the view that the staging of the
Olympics could help Greece in its national issues.
"There are always hotbeds of crisis, particularly in the
Balkans. We can project the spirit of Olympism as a means of
promoting peace and co-operation among peoples. Greece confronts
all problems with a peaceful approach," Mr. Simitis said,
expressing the hope that Athens would eventually be chosen.
[02] Pangalos to visit Malaysia, Hong Kong
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will pay a two-day official
visit to Kuala Lumpur beginning today, the foreign ministry
announced yesterday.
On Sunday, Mr. Pangalos will fly on to Hong Kong to attend
events marking the British handover of the city to China.
On July 2, Mr. Pangalos will pay a two-day official visit to
Alma-Ata, the capital of Kazakhstan, for talks with the
country's political leadership.
[03] President briefed on foreign ministry archive project
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
President Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday received a briefing
from Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos on the course of work
under way on classifying foreign ministry archives. The project
is headed by Foteini Constantopoulos, the wife of the president
of the Coalition of the Left and Progress.
Mr. Stephanopoulos told reporters later that certain of the
documents could be used by Greece to support its arguments
against Turkish claims, saying they were "strong weapons".
A team of experts working on the documents has discovered
documents related to the islands of Imvros and Tenedos, which
are to be included in a file to be used at international
organizations such as the United Nations.
Ms Constantopoulos said that the project was facing enormous
difficulties due to the enormous number of documents requiring
classification but said that progress had been made. She made
pointed reference to the inclusion of three Turkish researchers
on the project, noting that there were no Greek researchers
working on Turkish archives. Two of the Turkish researchers are
working on past population exchanges while the other is working
on documents relating to the Greek Red Cross.
[04] Further cleanup of capital prior to 'Athens '97' decided
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
A special plan to further improve the Greek capital's
cleanliness will be implemented during the "Athens '97" events,
covering all areas of Attica prefecture related to the
activities of the World Athletics Championships.
According to a draft plan presented by the member of the Central
Organizing Committee (KOE) and Athens Deputy Mayor Angelos
Moschonas at a KOE meeting yesterday, these regions include
areas around the two airports; the Vouliagmeni, Syngrou,
Poseidonos, Amfitheas, Karea and Veikou motorways; the wider
area surrounding the Athens Olympic Stadium; the metro station
"Eirini"; the areas along which the marathon and walking races
will take place; the Panathenian Stadium in Athens; Zappeion
Hall; the National Gardens; the Pedion tou Areos Square; the
Peace and Friendship indoor stadium in Faliro and the nearby
Karaiskaki stadium.
KOE decided not to have invitations issued on the days of the
games, as is the case with all world athletics championships.
Admission to the Athens Olympic Stadium will only be possible
with tickets and with accreditation for individuals involved in
organizing the events.
[05] Clerides to stop in Athens before NY talks
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides will visit Athens "in the
first days of July" for talks with Greece's political leadership
prior to his direct talks in New York with Turkish Cypriot
leader Rauf Denktash under the auspices of the United Nations,
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.
The spokesman did not specify the exact date of Mr. Clerides's
visit.
[06] Kaklamanis meets Patriarch of Alexandria
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
President of the Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis expressed his
interest regarding problems faced by the Alexandria Patriarchate
and generally Hellenism and Orthodoxy in Africa during a meeting
with Alexandria Patriarch Petros, who visited him yesterday
morning.
The two men discussed problems facing the Patriarchate with
special emphasis on increases in staff and missionaries.
[07] Athens: FYROM 'lacks will' to resolve name issue
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
The government yesterday attributed a recent proposal submitted
by Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro
Gligorov to UN mediator Cyrus Vance to "a lack of will" on the
part of Skopje to find a mutually acceptable solution to the
issue of the neighboring state's name.
Replying to reporters' questions, government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas said that according to the government's information, Mr.
Gligorov had submitted a proposal which was in effect a
reiteration of its original position that his country should
adopt the name which it currently uses, the "Republic of
Macedonia."
Due to this stance on the part of Skopje, Mr. Reppas said, a
problem has arisen because FYROM is not displaying the
appropriate will to find a solution to the dispute between the
two countries on the basis of their interim agreement.
Asked to comment on reports that Mr. Gligorov had been accused
in FYROM of attempting to compromise with Greece, Mr. Reppas
said the government did not intend to get involved in the
domestic political disputes of the neighboring country.
[08] Oslo urges Turkey towards respect for international law
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Norway's visiting Parliament President, Kirsti Grondahl,
yesterday stressed the importance Oslo attaches to
democratization in Turkey and respect for the principles of
international law and treaties governing relations between
states.
Ms Gronhdahl, who arrived here on Wednesday on a four-day
official visit, was speaking to reporters after talks with her
Greek counterpart, Apostolos Kaklamanis.
During the talks, Mr. Kaklamanis briefed Ms Grondahl on the
situation in the Balkans, Greek-Turkish relations and the
ongoing Cyprus problem. "The participation of our country in the
peace force in Cyprus and in other peacekeeping missions in the
Balkans and elsewhere constitute the practical expression of
Norway's dedication and respect for the principles enshrined in
the Charter and resolutions of the United Nations concerning
peace, stability and security in the world," Ms Grondahl said.
On the Cyprus problem, Ms Grondahl asked Mr. Kaklamanis how he
viewed the mission of newly appointed US presidential envoy for
the issue, Richard Holbrooke.
Mr. Kaklamanis said all initiatives aimed at finding a
settlement of the Cyprus problem were welcome, while stressing
the need for a more active role by Europe in this direction.
Commenting on Greece's stabilizing role in the Balkans, Mr.
Kaklamanis underlined that the only problem in the country's
foreign relations was with Turkey, as a result of Ankara's
expansionist policy at Greece's expense, with repeated
provocations in the Aegean and Thrace.
The talks between Ms Grondahl and Mr. Kaklamanis also centered
on bilateral economic and cultural co-operation as well as the
functioning of the two countries' parliaments.
Both sides confirmed their desire to further develop relations
through contacts at all levels.
Within this framework, Ms Grondahl invited Mr. Kaklamanis to pay
an official visit to Oslo at the head of a parliamentary
delegation.
Mr. Kaklamanis accepted the invitation.
[09] EU socialist finance ministers to meet in Athens
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Socialist finance ministers from European Union member-states
will meet in Athens this weekend to discuss strengthening the
social state, accelerating growth and boosting employment in the
EU.
The meeting is organized by National Economy and Finance
Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and will be attended by Prime
Minister Costas Simitis.
The meeting will be held with the participation of British
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, French Finance
Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Portuguese Finance Minister
Antonio de Sousa-Franco, Italian Finance Minister Vincenzo Visco
and Finnish
Finance Minister Arja Alho as well as former Swedish finance
minister Kjell-Olof Feldt and former Irish finance minister and
leader of the Irish Labor Party, Ruari Quinn.
Former European Commission president Jacques Delors will also
participate at the meeting.
The focus of the meeting will be to find a clear socialist
economic and social policy which will fall in line with the EMU
and the single European currency while boosting growth and
restricting unemployment. European Socialists have been calling
for better coordination of EU economic policies through a
political body which would be enhanced with the jurisdiction to
consult with the European Central Bank, in an effort to put
growth under political control and not in the hands of bankers
and technocrats.
The meeting will also be attended by European officials,
including the president of the European Committee of the German
Parliament, the president of the Socialists in the Parliament of
Luxembourg, an Austrian Socialist Party representative
responsible for economic issues, the Vice-President of the
European Parliament and economic experts.
Greek participants include PASOK Eurodeputy Paraskevas Avgerinos
and professors Yiannis Spraos and Adamantios Pepelasis.
[10] Gov't reacts to Oymen statements
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
The government reacted strongly yesterday to statements by
Turkish Foreign Under-secretary Onur Oymen on Wednesday who was
reported as saying that in Greece, there are people who "get
upset" with the idea of dialogue between Athens and Ankara.
Stressing that Turkey was currently in a phase of "searching for
balances," Mr. Reppas described Mr. Oymen's statements as "rash,
imprudent and harmful for the two countries' relations."
"The famous Mr. Oymen, with his statements is putting his
government up for ridicule and compromising his country which
appears not to respect international law and international
treaties," Mr. Reppas said.
[11] Int'l environmental seminar opens on Halki
Istanbul, 27/06/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos opened an international
ecological seminar entitled "Environ-ment and Justice" on the
island of Halki yesterday, despite attempts by Turkish police to
obstruct the ceremony. Local police reportedly tried to deny
permission for the seminar, and created problems during the
inauguration ceremony.
The annual seminar falls under the aegis of the Ecumenical
Patriarch Vartholomeos and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in
his capacity as honorary president of the World Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF).
The seminar, which will last four days, aims to promote
environmental awareness and social responsibility for world
leaders.
Speakers and visitors include clergy, professors, politicians,
representatives of the European Commission and other agencies.
Messages have been conveyed to the seminar by US President Bill
Clinton, European Commission President Jacques Santer,
Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, Prince Philip and others.
[12] Parliamentary observers delegation leaves for Tirana today
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
A seven-member interparty parliamentary delegation leaves for
Tirana today to act as observers in general elections in the
neighboring country on Sunday.
For the same reason, four Greek Eurodeputies will travel to
Albania. Ruling PASOK party deputy Eleftherios Veryvakis will be
going to Albania as an observer with the Council of Europe.
Meanwhile, seven coaches carrying Albanian nationals intending
to vote in Sunday's poll left for Albania yesterday from the
northern port city of Thessaloniki.
The coaches were carrying almost 300 people but authorities say
the number of those returning to vote has been small, probably
due to the fear of attack from the armed gangs roaming the
Albanian countryside.
[13] Karamanlis
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis said
yesterday that the elections did not appear to be heading
towards meeting the necessary preconditions for them to be fair
and representative "so as to provide for an optimistic prospect
of stability for the future".
[14] Violence continues in southern Albania
Gjirokaster, (ANA - P. Barkas)
Reports from this Albanian city earlier yesterday said that
Theodoros Bezianis, the former president of the local branch of
the ethnic Greek "Omonia" party had been kidnapped near his
village of Frastani.
The circumstances of the kidnapping were not immediately clear.
Mr. Bezianis' daughter, who is standing for election in Sunday's
poll as a candidate for the Human Rights Party, insisted that
the kidnapping was politically motivated.
Mr. Bezianis, an American citizen, is one of five ethnic Greeks
imprisoned in Albania in 1994 on charges of espionage and
weapons possession after a gunman killed two Albanian soldiers
in a conscript camp near the border.
Their arrest and conviction in August 1994 rekindled a simmering
feud between Athens and Tirana over the human rights of the
ethnic Greek minority in southern Albania, estimated by Athens
at 400,000.
Albanian President Sali Berisha released one of the five on
Christmas Eve 1994 and the remaining four - on appeal to
Albania's Supreme Court - had their sentences reduced or
suspended.
Mr. Bezianis' daughter said her father had been receiving
threatening phone calls for the last few days to withdraw his
candidacy. Her brother Costas Bezianis is the proprietor of the
largest soft drink bottling plant in southern Albania and has
also been the target of threats and attacks.
A later report from Ioannina said another ethnic Greek Albanian,
Vassilis Kremydas, the president of the Examilia community and
brother-in-law of the former president of "Omonia" Sotiris
Kyriazatis, had been kidnapped by armed men in Sarande.
The report said the kidnappers had asked for a ransom of 40
million drachmas by today or Mr. Kremydas would be killed.
[15] Australian FM in Athens today
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer will visit Athens
today for talks with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, an Australian
Embassy announcement said yesterday. The announcement said that
Mr. Downer would also be having talks with other government
officials on bilateral relations.
[16] Premier outlines new ERS board's responsibilities
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis told members of the new National
Radio-Television Council (ERS) board yesterday that the
government guaranteed the council's complete independence, while
he also outlined the responsibilities the board should
concentrate on.
The new ERS board held its first meeting yesterday.
Stressing the importance of the harmonious operation of the mass
media in a democratic society, the premier went on to elaborate
on government efforts to establish a "credible," institutional
framework to replace what he called the "chaos" which was
brought about in the media market in Greece following the
deregulation of the mass media.
Mr. Simitis said the government was trying to formulate a
"reliable and sound" institutional framework that would put an
end to the uncontrolled growth of radio and television in Greece
by founding the ERS, among other measures.
Specifically, he called on ERS board members to pay particular
attention to the granting, with transparent procedures, of
broadcast licenses based on the quality of a station's
programming and its financial viability, while ensuring that
stations' finances stand up to scrutiny.
Other responsibilities the premier said should be exercised by
the ERS board include the monitoring of stations so that
broadcasters' respect privacy and human dignity and that a
standard of quality for programs is ensured.
ERS' new president, Stephanos Kasimatis, said council members
were burdened with a heavy task, adding that he didn't
anticipate success to come easy.
"I do not wish for legality and ethics to be imposed by
sanctions," he said. "That would not make us happy."
He also made an appeal to mass media owners to "actively help to
overcome current problems," while calling on journalists to
assume responsibility for better quality in the mass media field.
[17] KKE, DHKKI respond
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
A Communist Party of Greece (KKE) official,meanwhile, said that
all Parliament parties should be represented in the ERS together
with journalists' unions such as ESHEA and POESY.
"The prime minister has once more confirmed that the PASOK
government would not be willing to assume responsibility for the
miserable phenomena which are reproduced daily by certain major
private channels, and to have a clash with the mass media
enterprises," KKE political bureau representative Makis Kopsidis
said.
Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) President Dimitris Tsovolas
said that Mr. Simitis' address to the council's meeting was a
"monument of hypocrisy."
DHKKI is the only party in Parliament not represented on the
council.
According to sources, DHKKI will apply for an injunction against
the ERS board to gain representation on the board.
[18] Broadcast ads must observe rules, gov't says
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
The National Radio and Television Council (ERS) must see to it
that radio and television stations observe limitations on air
time for advertisements, and level fines in cases of abuse,
Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas noted yesterday.
In a letter to the ERS board, Mr. Reppas said there were
detailed instructions as to the day and time zones as well as
programs during which advertisements could be aired.
The council had the obligation to monitor advertisements on a
daily basis, he added.
[19] Gov't, Left Coalition have little in common, Constantopoulos says
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
The government and the opposition Coalition of the Left and
Progress are at odds on major issues, Coalition president Nikos
Constantopoulos said yesterday, following his meeting with Prime
Minister Costas Simitis.
The Coalition's positions on regional decentralization with
self-government, the results of the inter-governmental
conference, plans to revise the Constitution and Mr.
Constantopoulos' recent call for dialogue between ruling party
PASOK, the Democratic
Social Movement (DHKKI) and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
were the focus of the meeting yesterday.
"Our party has different approaches on these issues," the
Coalition leader said. "The government has to move towards more
progressive policies."
His call for dialogue between the leftist parties represented in
Parliament has apparently come to a dead end, with DHKKI and KKE
replying negatively.
Mr. Simitis listed to the proposal for dialogue but did not
respond, Mr. Constantopoulos said. "The Coalition is awaiting an
official response from (ruling) PASOK and the government".
He said the Coalition differed from the government on the issue
of the election of the president of the republic, saying that
the Coalition insisted that the president be elected by a
two-thirds majority and not a simply majority as proposed by the
government.
He complained to the prime minister that there should have been
a parliamentary debate on the inter-governmental conference
before the Amsterdam summit.
Mr. Constantopoulos however said he supported a recent proposal
for a one-off tax on company profits, included in the
recently-released Spraos report on convergence for the Greek
economy.
[20] Gov't announces more centers for drug prevention
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Replying to questions on the occasion of International Drug
Prevention Day, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said
another 26 centers will be created throughout the country to
contribute towards preventing drug abuse.
In another development, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
launched a new attack against Alternate Foreign Minister George
Papandreou, who in an interview yesterday, said people who are
already users of hashish should be given the possibility to
cultivate the drug for their own exclusive use.
Replying to questions on Mr. Papandreou's views, Mr. Reppas said
George Papandreou expressed his personal positions, adding that
the government's positions are known.
Mr. Reppas further said there should be closer co-operation
between the state, economic bodies and citizens to facilitate
the handling of the serious problem posed by illegal drugs.
KKE criticized Mr. Papandreou for his "known positions on the
free cultivation of hashish" and considers the government
jointly responsible for "tolerating such statements by one of
its ministers."
[21] EU Education Ministers' Council concludes in Luxembourg
Luxembourg, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
The last EU Education Ministers' Council under the union's Dutch
presidency concluded yesterday here, with Greece represented by
Education Under-secretary Ioannis Anthopoulos.
The council's agenda included the implementation of the
"Socrates Program", the learning of foreign languages and the
guarding of schools.
Referring to the program, Mr. Anthopoulos told the council that
allocations to education should be increased since "it was best
to invest in the human factor". He stressed the program's budget
had been cut, in spite of the favoring position of many
member-states.
Replying to reporters' questions in relation to "open
universities", Mr. Anthopoulos said that it was fully understood
that university degrees did not open the door to a position in
the public sector.
[22] Union FMs fail to formulate common positions on new members
Luxembourg, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
EU Council of Foreign Ministers president Hans van Mierlo won't
have any news for third countries in an Amsterdam meeting today
between the Dutch presidency, the European Commission, 11
candidates for EU accession and Turkey.
The reason lies in the fact that it had not been possible to
obtain common views from the 15 member-states to enable the
Dutch presidency to announce the EU's targets in relation to the
gradual accession of candidate third countries, as initially
expected.
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said a French
proposal for a permanent conference of various member-states and
Turkey was rejected because all the partners expressed their
reservations. All EU member-states and candidate countries for
accession are now awaiting the European Commission's decisions
on July 15, which will refer to the prospects of each candidate
country for accession.
Mr. Papandreou said the European Commission's avises will be
ready on the above date, adding that the message which must be
sent to the third countries is that we support their European
orientation on the known preconditions, of course.
Referring to Cyprus, Mr. Papandreou said it is certain that
accession negotiations will start six months after the end of
the Intergovernmental Conference. He said the new Treaty will be
signed by member-states in October. Consequently, negotiations
for its accession will start in March or April.
The member-states agreed during the General Affairs Council that
after general elections are held in Albania, specific moves must
be made on behalf of the EU to consolidate peace, legality and
democracy in the country.
In an another development, the Council began with a discussion
of the issue of employment. Luxembourg, which takes over the
presidency from the Netherlands on July 1, called on the
governments of member-states to discuss the issue with social
partners such as employers and unionists before the
extraordinary European Council on the issue, to be held later in
the year.
Discussion was also held on creating a Common Foreign and
Security Policy for planning and communication as well as the
incorporation of the Schengen general secretariat into the
Council of Ministers secretariat.
The earlier sessions also discussed follow-up to the Amsterdam
summit, and the procedures involved in having the Treaty
translated into all EU languages.
[23] Tsohatzopoulos meets with Spyridon
New York, 27/06/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday met with
Archbishop of North and South America Spyridon and discussed
national issues and relations between Greece and Greek-Americans.
"I am pleased because this visit illustrates the standing will
of Greece and the Greek government to keep ties with the
overseas Greek community alive and to strengthen them as much as
possible to make them indissoluble," Spyridon said.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the meeting gave him an opportunity to
brief the archbishop on "new conditions and new challenges"
facing Greece and to brief him on his contacts so far with US
officials.
He said that the US Greek community had always been supportive
of Greece. "The thing we are obliged to do is to brief them (the
US Greeks) on where we are, what our goals are ... We are trying
with success for an equal position in the European Union,
undertaking responsibilities and meeting these responsibilities,
protecting security, co-operation and stability in the Balkans,
whether it be in Bosnia, or Albania," he said.
He said Greece wanted pressure to be brought to bear on
"provocative Turkish behavior which undermined stability in the
region of which we have need not only in Greece but in the
entire region."
[24] Press briefing
New York, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos yesterday briefed reporters on the results of
his contacts in the US, and the prospects for promotion of
Greece's national issues.
The minister referred to yesterday's meeting with members of the
"Wall Street Journal's" editorial board, adding that the meeting
was especially friendly, while he said Greece's stabilizing role
in the Balkans seemed to have been understood in the US.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed that Greece was focusing its
attention on Turkey's recent activities, such as the questioning
by Ankara of Greece's sovereignty of the Imia islets, and
cautioning about the danger of a more general destabilization in
region.
"Turkey's revisionist tactic was not a Greek problem", the
defense minister said.
Referring to developments in Bosnia, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told US
officials "it would be unwise not to complete such an
'investment' in security by allowing an untimely withdrawal of
the multinational force from Bosnia".
Last night he met representatives of several Greek-American
organizations and addressed a gathering in Astoria.
[25] Bulgarian president in Athens in early July
Sofia, 27/06/1997 (AFP/ANA)
Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov will pay an official visit to
Greece on July 2-4, the Bulgarian presidency announced
yesterday. Mr. Stoyanov will hold talks with President Kostis
Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Parliament
President Apostolos Kaklamanis. He will also visit Thessaloniki
and the monastic community of Mt. Athos.
[26] Anthony Quinn to be honored on Crete
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Legendary Hollywood actor Anthony Quinn arrived on Crete
yesterday afternoon, together with his wife and three of his
children.
Mr. Quinn will attend a ceremony on Saturday in Rethymno, during
which he will receive the "Letters and Arts Award" by the
municipality.
"I have lived some of the happiest days of life here", he told
reporters in Irakleio yesterday, adding: "During the shooting of
'Zorba the Greek' I made many Greek friends".
The award, established two years ago, is given to prominent
personalities whose presence in Greece has honored and promoted
the country internationally through an art form. Irene Papas had
received the award two years ago.
[27] Mortgage Bank focuses on services for expatriates
Montreal, 27/06/1997 (ANA - I. Fragouli)
The National Mortgage Bank of Greece will pay more attention to
Greek customers and investors living outside Greece, with a
number of specially designed programs and banking products.
Mortgage Bank Governor Vassilis Rapanos announced the focus on
expatriates while on a visit to Toronto yesterday for contacts
with the area's ethnic Greeks.
The visit also coincides with the bank's 70th anniversary.
A bank delegation visited Montreal and Quebec last Monday and
briefed Greek community representatives on the bank's new
products. Mortgage Bank officials stressed that as part of its
reorganization, the bank has been considering the creation of a
special department to cater for the specific needs of its
overseas customers.
[28] Greenpeace congratulations to Gov't over solar power plant
decision
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday received a letter of
congratulations from Greenpeace International chief Thilo Bode.
In his letter to the Greek premier, Mr. Bode referred to the
positive measures taken by the government on the improvement of
renewable energy sources and especially the building of the
world's largest solar photovoltic electric power plant on Crete.
The Greenpeace official described the power plant as a unique,
historical achievement.
He said that in view of the Kyoto meeting, next December, it was
vitally important for governments to be able to implement a
series of alternative practices in the efforts to reduce
emissions agravating the greenhouse effect.
Finally, Mr. Bode called on Greece to continue playing a leading
role in solar systems, taking advantage of the economic benefits
involved in investments and new job positions.
[29] Greek delegation to visit Romania on June 29
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
A delegation of the inter-Balkan co-operation section of the
Macedonia-Thrace Ministry will visit Romania on Sunday to
promote new flexible policies and create a strong framework for
economic, business, commercial and cultural co-operation with a
developmental dimension.
The delegation will be headed by ministry general secretary,
Chryssa Manolia, and will include representatives of economic
and productive agencies of northern Greece.
The mission is within the framework of initiatives being
undertaken by Greece for the development of a climate of peace
and co-operation between the peoples of the region and is the
first in a series of planned visits to the Balkan countries by
the Inter -Balkan Co-operation Committee.
During the visit to Bucharest, Ms. Manolia will have talks with
her counterparts at the Romanian ministries of reform, industry
and energy, culture and tourism.
[30] National Bank of Greece posts higher profits
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
National Bank of Greece's net profits before provisions rose to
61.4 billion drachmas in 1996 from 53.5 billion in 1995, marking
a 14.2 percent increase, the bank's chairman Theodoros Karatzas
said.
Presenting last year's results to the annual shareholders
meeting, Mr. Karatzas said that consolidated net profits were
127.3 billion drachmas from 93.3 billion the year before, up
36.4 percent.
The bank's share price jumped 145 percent since the start of the
year compared with a 92 percent rise of the banking index on the
Athens Stock Exchange, Mr. Karatzas said.
National Bank of Greece's pre-tax profits almost doubled in the
first five months of 1997 totaling 24.1 billion drachmas from
12.1 billion in the corresponding period last year.
Mr. Karatzas said the bank had changed since last year due to
modernization and major cuts in operating expenses.
The bank's workforce shrank to 14,832 in 1996 from 15,178 in
late 1995, he said
National Bank will hold a share capital increase by the end of
the year in order to boost its capital base and increase its
solvency rating to 14 percent from 9-10 percent.
The bank also plans to open new branches in Sofia, Bucharest and
Tirana and launch a new round of expansion in the Balkans
focusing on Skopje and Belgrade.
Mr. Karatzas also said the bank wouldn't hesitate to ease
interest rates further, conditions allowing. He expressed
satisfaction over progress in the economy, and optimism over the
Greek stock market's future.
[31] Profit-taking curbs rally on Greek bourse
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
A wave of profit-taking focused in the banking sector halted a
two-day rally of prices on the Athens Stock Exchange although
traders said a trend towards recovery remained unchanged.
The general index closed at 1,530.34 points, down 0.86 percent,
reflecting losses in the banking sector, off 1.82 percent.
Trading was extremely heavy with turnover at 40.8 billion
drachmas.
Other sectors ended mixed. Insurance rose 2.88 percent, Leasing
increased 0.24 percent, Investment ended 0.09 percent up,
Industrials were 0.91 percent higher, Construction rose 0.81
percent, Holding fell 1.68 percent and Miscellaneous dropped
1.12 percent. The Parallel Market index eased 0.41 percent.
Shares of Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) again
lost ground to end at 6,300, off 150 drachmas.
Broadly, decliners led advancers by 123 to 92 with another 32
issues unchanged.
Papoutsanis, Etem, Interinvest and National Insurance scored the
biggest percentage gains, while Bank of Central Greece, Elviemek
and Lampsa suffered the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 34,400 drachmas, Ergobank at
16,800, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,950, Titan at 12,890 and
Intracom at 12,525 drachmas.
[32] Olympic Airways to launch charter subsidiary
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Olympic Airways, Greece's national carrier, will set up a
charter flights company with Macedonian Airways and Olympic
Aviation, Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis
said.
Speaking at an inauguration ceremony for new facilities at
Macedonia airport in Thessaloniki, Mr. Kastanidis said the new
charter firm would be a subsidiary of the Olympic Airways Group.
State-run Olympic Airways would improve services by launching a
two-year restructuring program in the autumn, he said. The
four-billion drachma project at Macedonia airport includes
extension of the main passenger lounge and arrivals and
departure halls, and facilities for handicapped people.
Scheduled for tendering by end-year are 11 billion drachmas of
projects. They include runway improvements and extension of the
airport's main building to incorporate the control tower and
house the new charter subsidiary, Mr. Kastanidis said. The
projects would help to transform Macedonia into an international
airport, he said.
[33] Egypt to compensate Greeks who lost fortunes
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
Bilateral relations were reviewed during a Greek-Egyptian
relations symposium organized by the Commerce and Industry
Chamber of Athens (EBEA) and the Greek-Egyptian friendship
association in Athens.
The seminar focused on trade between the two countries, Egyptian
investments in Greece, the creation of joint ventures between
Greek and Egyptian businesses, and co-operation in the banking
sector.
In his address, EBEA president Yiannis Papathanasiou outlined
the longtime relations between the two countries and expressed
his confidence in strengthening economic, trade and social ties.
Egypt's ambassador in Athens Samir Self El Yazal said Cairo was
willing to compensate Greek-Egyptians who lost their fortunes
when they fled from Egypt several decades ago.
He also noted problems standing in the way of closer relations,
in particular obtaining visas for Egyptians.
Greek and Egyptian businessmen held several meetings during the
seminar.
[34] Tourism conference begins today
Athens, 27/06/1997 (ANA)
More than 300 British reporters, writers and businessmen active
in the tourism sector will participate in an annual conference
of the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) starting at the
Asteras Hotel in Vouliagmeni this morning and lasting until
Sunday.
Among others, addresses will be made by British Trade
Under-secretary Nigel Griffiths responsible for competition and
consumer issues , Greek Tourist Organization (EOT)
Secretary-General Nikos Skoulas, tour operators and other
specialists on tourist issues.
[35] Court finds Greece late to enact conservation rules
Luxembourg, 27/06/1997 (Reuter/ANA)
The European Court of Justice said yesterday Greece was late in
enacting Community rules on conservation of wild fauna and flora
habitats.
Greece did not deny the directive was not transposed within the
two year period between June 1992 and 1994 but argued that the
delay in implementation was attributable to technical
legislative problems.
The court strictly applies member state responsibility for
transposing Community law into member state law within the time
period laid out in European Union Council of Ministers
directives.
End of English language section.
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