Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-07-08
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1231), July 8, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Thessaloniki forest, other areas plagued by fires
[02] Opposition criticism
[03] Judicial investigation
[04] Other fires
[05] IKA draft bill aims to combat negligent employers
[06] Medical sector striking
[07] Greece offers its support to rebuild Albania
[08] Yilmaz cites peaceful dialogue for 'Turkish interests in Aegean'
[09] Clerides speaks to the press ahead of New York direct talks
[10] Simitis meeting at NATO summit with Turkish leadership not ruled
out
[11] PASOK executive bureau meeting on Monday
[12] Synaspismos delegation met with France's Hue
[13] Private school fee increases
[14] Group warns of serious pollution to Pagasitikos Gulf
[15] Greek hostage released in Albania
[16] Monetary union, Italy's convergence program discussed at ECOFIN
[17] Greek equities jump on blue chip buying spree
[18] EU's May inflation unchanged at 1.5 pct
[19] Greece's Citibank launches new housing loan
[20] Greek minister calls for polyglot Internet
[21] Xiosbank posts 37 pct surge in H1 business credit
[22] IOC President in Athens today
[23] Large German contingent for athletics championships
[01] Thessaloniki forest, other areas plagued by fires
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
Greece was at the mercy of several forest fires raging
throughout the country yesterday, with the most destructive
being the blaze that enveloped the Seikh Sou urban forest above
Thessaloniki, which was still burning late last night.
The agriculture ministry announced that a total of 56 fires had
broken out in the areas of Ioannina, Lamia, Larisa, Hania,
Tripoli, Grevena, Evia, Kozani, Agrinio, Trikala and the
Argolida prefecture.
The Seikh Sou fire broke out on Sunday afternoon at five
different spots, and continued after having burned about 40 per
cent (more than 1,000 hectares) of the forest's total area. The
fire damaged a few residences and threatened other inhabited
areas, while reports late yesterday noted that the fire was
beginning to subside following firefighting efforts.
In response to the crisis, the government's Crisis Management
Committee will meet this morning at 10:30 to consider the issue
of the forest fires, while a government delegation will leave
for Thessaloniki afterwards.
Meanwhile, according to reliable sources, the Greek government
yesterday afternoon appealed through the foreign ministry to the
European Commission for assistance in extinguishing the dozens
of fires currently raging across Greece.
Athens also asked for both human and technical resources to help
save the country's remaining forests.
On his part, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas and the
heads of forestry services are facing severe criticism over the
blaze, which by conservative estimates has already destroyed
thousands of hectares of forest land around the country during
the past three days.
The agriculture minister admitted that forest fire-fighting
forces were slow in their mobilization, but pointed to the
shortage in the appropriate equipment and staff. He said all
forces available were utilized.
Mr. Tzoumakas told state radio in Thessaloniki earlier in the
day that the Seikh Sou fire was the work of arsonists.
Acting government spokesman Nikos Athanasakis attributed the
extent of the blaze to "high temperatures" and strong winds, as
well as the fact that fires were being fought simultaneously in
13 prefectures throughout the country, while Macedonia-Thrace
Minister Philippos Petsalnikos reportedly asked for more
fire-fighting aircraft to be sent to the area.
He also attributed the blaze to arsonists.
The president of forestry employees' union placed emphasis on
the ineffective organization and called for new standards in
forest fire-fighting.
Land operations were supplemented yesterday morning by two
Canadair firefighting planes, two Chinook helicopters and two
Air Force C-130s carrying fire-retardant liquid.
[02] Opposition criticism
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
An announcement by the main opposition New Democracy party
accused Mr. Tzoumakas of having disintegrated forestry services,
while ND leader Costas Karamanlis spoke of an ineffective and
inadequate state apparatus.
Mr. Karamanlis yesterday visited the region of Seikh Sou while
the fire was raging.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) blamed the government for
what it called the "catastrophic damage" caused by forest fires.
In an announcement, KKE said that governments in recent years
have abandoned the country's forests to profiteers and land
speculators. In particular, KKE stressed that the latest bill on
forests put weapons in arsonists' hands, since the bill
re-classified thousands of square kilometers of forestland and
"gave the green light" to arsonists.
The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) has asked
from all authorities, political leadership, authorities and
local government to publicly apologize for the "lack of
protection measures and the weakness of the state apparatus."
The Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI), in an announcement,
spoke of a lack of government policy in the sector of forest
protection. DHKKI called on the government to take all necessary
measures for the operation of forest protection stations across
the country.
The leader of the Political Spring party, Antonis Samaras, who
visited the area of Panorama yesterday, said that "organized
interests" were behind the fires.
[03] Judicial investigation
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
In reaction to the massive destruction, the chief of
Thessaloniki's appeals courts, Anastasios Kapolas, ordered an
urgent preliminary inquiry yesterday into widespread allegations
of arson as well as delays in dealing with the fires.
Several individuals also filed lawsuits at the appeals court
yesterday against any official responsible, directly pointing to
what their motions cited as "state negligence" over dealing with
the Seikh Sou blaze.
Mr. Kapolas assigned the case to prosecutor St. Katsarelis.
In addition, local residents charged that fire-fighting aircraft
were about three and a half hours late in arriving at the fronts
of the fire.
The prosecutor will also investigate whether fire-fighting
airplanes were made available at the Macedonia airport on a
permanent alert for such emergency cases in northern Greece, as
they ought to have been.
[04] Other fires
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
While Thessaloniki was mourning the Seikh Sou forest, a fire in
Farsala, Larisa prefecture, burned 4,000 hectares of wheat
stubble before being put out.
The fire started accidentally when a farmer's wife tried to burn
the wheat stubble in her field.
Strong winds spread the fire to many fronts close to Farsala,
threatening communities and burning down greenhouses,
sheep-folds and farm storage areas.
In the same prefecture, a fire that broke out in Tyrnavos was
put out early yesterday after burning dozens of sheep, damaging
14 sheep-folds and torching 80 hectares of mostly pastureland.
Another fire broke out at the FAGE dairy plant on the
Larisa-Farsala roadway but was quickly extinguished.
Smaller fires broke out in the Larisa area but were also placed
under control soon.
Still burning yesterday was a fire that broke out Sunday
afternoon at Dryovouno, Kozani, while a fire in Kilada, Kozani
that destroyed forest and farmland was brought under control
Sunday morning.
Four other fires that broke out Sunday in Grevena prefecture
were extinguished yesterday.
A further 1,200 hectares were burnt in the Dionysos area of
Livadia, near Thebes, in a fire that was still blazing after
all-night firefighting operations, while a fir forest was
destroyed at Giona, in Fokida prefecture.
Farmland near Dervani, Megalopoli, in the Peloponnese, also
caught on fire yesterday and efforts to extinguish it were being
hampered by high winds.
Fires were also still blazing in northern Evia, Ioannina,
Konitsa, Atalanti, Domokos, Farsala, Samos, Almyros, Argolida
and Vyzitsa, near Pelion.
Meanwhile, a fire was still raging yesterday afternoon on
Kaimakcalan mountain range in Kilkis prefecture, and near the
border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
The fire, which broke out yesterday morning in the village of
Kentriko, has spread north, burning a large expanse of
forestland.
[05] IKA draft bill aims to combat negligent employers
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
The Social Security Foundation (IKA) will stand to gain billions
of drachmas owed by state-run agencies and private sector
companies under a draft bill expected to be tabled in Parliament
this summer.
Labor and Social Security Minister Miltiadis Papaioannou said
yesterday that the draft bill aims at bringing debtors to IKA on
par with debtors to the state.
Mr. Papaioannou said the total contributions owed to IKA
exceeded 570 billion drachmas, of which 75 billion drachmas were
owed to IKA by the state itself.
In the case of public utilities and corporations, which owed IKA
25 billion drachmas, they would be allowed to borrow in order to
repay their debts to IKA.
This, he said, had been agreed in co-operation with National
Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.
Another source of repayment will come from privatization of
state utilities such as the Hellenic Telecommunications
Organization (OTE) and the Public Power Corp. (DEH).
The bill will include the following provisions:
- The formation of a special service to locate uninsured
employees that will conduct surprise checks 24 hours a day and
level fines amounting to more than half a million drachmas per
uninsured employee.
- Each company will have a special form stamped by IKA to fill
out right before an individual is hired.
- Employers must notify of any change in a company's status,
headquarters and the home address of the owner or businessman. -
Any dismissal of an uninsured person will be considered invalid.
- The insurance payment status of each company will be taken
into account for any transaction concerning a company's
ownership, making it impossible to proceed if it owes funds to
IKA.
IKA governor Grigoris Solomos said that the technical consultant
to staff the new services had been hired already and more
hirings would be made.
In terms of IKA services provided to insured employees, Mr.
Papaioannou said an additional 1,900 doctors would be hired to
improve them.
The draft bill will be presented to the General Confederation of
Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the Federation of Greek Industries
(SEB) for review and comments.
[06] Medical sector striking
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
Pharmacies in Greece will go on strike Thursday and Friday, to
protest against the government's revised drug pricelist.
The doctors working for the Social Security Foundation (IKA)
will go on strike July 14 and 15 over financial and
organizational demands.
Doctors working in hospitals have been on strike which ends
tomorrow. They are expected to extend their strike, putting more
pressure on large hospitals which have only been accepting
emergency cases.
[07] Greece offers its support to rebuild Albania
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
Athens yesterday pledged to support Albania's Socialists, the
officially declared winners of that country's general elections,
saying Greece would be willing to offer assistance to assist
Europe's poorest country.
"The premier told (Albania's Socialist leader Fatos) Nano that
Greece would be on the side of the neighboring country and
offered to provide assistance to restore Albania," acting
government spokesman Nikos Athanasakis said yesterday.
He said Prime Minister Costas Simitis held a telephone
conversation with Mr. Nano, whose party won a landslide victory
in the elections, informing the Greek premier that his party had
won a two-thirds majority in parliament over President Sali
Berisha's Democratic Party.
With final results still to come after Sunday's runoff vote in
34 districts, Albania's Socialist party prepared to form a new
government, which is expected to put an end to the chaos and
bloodshed that sweeped the country over the past four months.
Mr. Nano said he will become prime minister, replacing fellow
Socialist Bashkim Fino, who was appointed interim prime minister
in March when the government resigned and an early election was
called following the collapse of five pyramid investment schemes.
According to Mr. Athanasakis, the Greek contingent, as part of
the peacekeeping force to Albania, is set to begin its gradual
withdrawal from the country on July 18.
He said Greek troops may prolong their presence in Albania if
the new Albanian government raised the issue and came forward
with specific proposals.
[08] Yilmaz cites peaceful dialogue for 'Turkish interests in Aegean'
Istanbul, 08/07/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
New Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said yesterday that his
government believed that Turkey's vital interests in the Aegean
should be resolved with mutual understanding and constructive,
peaceful dialogue.
Unveiling a government policy statement before the Turkish
National Assembly, Mr. Yilmaz also reiterated Ankara's full
support to the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in the
Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, saying that "Cyprus was vital
to Turkey's security."
"With regard to the Cyprus issue, which is a national issue, we
will continue supporting our rights and obligations stemming
from agreements, and we will support the 'Turkish Republic in
Northern Cyprus'. Our government knows of Cyprus' vital
importance not only to the 'TRNC', but directly to Turkey and in
terms of its security", Mr. Yilmaz said.
The illegal pseudo-state, propped up in 1983, is recognized only
by Ankara.
Another of the new coalition Turkish government's priorities
will be efforts to join the European Union as soon as possible.
Mr. Yilmaz stressed that "our government will seek a balance of
mutual benefit in relations with the EU."
[09] Clerides speaks to the press ahead of New York direct talks
New York, 08/07/1997 (ANA-M. Georgiadou/CNA)
President Glafcos Clerides arrived in New York yesterday for
UN-led direct talks with Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash,
scheduled to start tomorrow and last until Sunday, aiming at a
settlement of the protracted Cyprus problem.
Speaking to the press on arrival, President Clerides said that
UN resolutions cannot be subject to interpretation, pointing out
that the Greek Cypriot side enters the talks "in good will,
ready to negotiate a solution that will secure the future of the
two communities on the island."
Answering a relevant question, Mr. Clerides stressed that to
reach a solution "we have to accept what is stated in UN
resolutions is not subject to interpretation."
Giving as an example the issue of one indivisible sovereignty,
repeated in successive UN resolutions, Mr. Clerides said it is
accepted by Mr. Denktash "but according to his own
interpretation" of the issue.
"The definitions should be such, so as to be acceptable by both
communities and not be subject to interpretation," he added.
Responding to another question, Mr. Clerides said Britain and
the US have submitted a document to the UN on various points
discussed during the visit of former British Foreign Secretary
Malcolm Rifkind, to the island.
"The UN, " Mr. Clerides added, is examining it (the document)
but has not committed itself on how to use it."
Regarding the security issue, Mr. Clerides stressed that it is
"one of the basic aspects" of the Cyprus problem, noting that "a
solution will be impossible if the Greek and Turkish Cypriots do
not feel secure for the future."
The President of the Republic repeated the proposals made by the
Greek Cypriot side on security, that included the
demilitarization of the island and the stationing of an
international force under a UN Security Council mandate.
These proposals, he noted, were rejected by the Turkish Cypriot
side which insists on the Treaty of Guarantee which became part
and parcel of the package deal reached in Zurich in 1959 that
established the Republic of Cyprus.
The Treaty names Greece, Turkey and Britain as the guarantor
powers of the Republic of Cyprus, giving them the right of joint
or even unilateral action for the purpose of re-establishing the
state of affairs.
The Turkish Cypriot side insists on the maintenance of this
Treaty and asks for an increase of Greek and Turkish military
presence on the island.
Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash had two informal meetings in
Nicosia in October 1994, which reached a deadlock. The two men
have not met since.
Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus
territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions
calling for their withdrawal.
[10] Simitis meeting at NATO summit with Turkish leadership not ruled
out
Madrid, 08/07/1997 (ANA - S. Liarelis)
The possibility of Prime Minister Costas Simitis meeting
Turkey's representative on the sidelines of the NATO summit, due
to start here today, cannot be ruled out.
Diplomatic sources said that no relevant request has been made
on the part of Greece, while Ankara's position is the same.
However, the same sources stressed that a meeting cannot be
ruled out on the sidelines of the NATO conference.
Until noon yesterday, the Greek side had received no accurate
information on the composition of the Turkish delegation at the
NATO summit, namely, whether President Suleyman Demirel or new
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will be present.
The leaders of the 16 NATO member-states will also discuss the
alliance's new military structure, although it is considered
absolutely certain that no decisions will be taken and that the
whole issue will be referred to the next summit conference in
December.
Dissension prevails on this issue between France and the United
States, which concerns the administration of the NATO
headquarters in the Mediterranean, while at the same time Turkey
has objections over the number of subheadquarters in NATO's
southern f lank.
The alliance's other member-states agree that four
subheadquarters must be created in the south (Greece, Turkey,
Italy and Spain), but only Turkey disagrees and calls for the
creation of two subheadquarters, a prospect meaning that one
subheadquarters would have operational control over NATO's
southeastern flank, namely, the region covered by Turkey and
Greece.
Serious disagreements also exist on the question of NATO's
expansion.
US President Bill Clinton as well as several northern NATO
countries claim that at a first stage enlargement must only
include three countries - Poland, Hungary and the Czech
Republic. But a message must be sent from the Madrid summit to
the other countries wishing to join NATO that their accession to
the alliance will follow soon but without a specific time
commitment being made.
Greece and the other southern countries maintain that
enlargement must include Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria.
However, given the position of Washington and the other northern
countries, diplomatic sources said that the southern countries
will aim at having NATO's enlargement taking place in two
phases, while requesting a time commitment for the second phase
of enlargement.
Greece in particular will request balanced handling for all
Balkan countries.
[11] PASOK executive bureau meeting on Monday
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
PASOK's executive bureau met yesterday to discuss, among others,
preparation of the party's central committee congress, scheduled
to be held in Nafplio on July 18-19.
PASOK secretary Costas Skandalidis said that the executive
bureau would meet on Monday to review its activities, especially
after Prime Minister Costas Simitis' completion of a year in
power.
Mr. Simitis, who called the next meeting, will examine the
party's political strategy and priorities for the near future.
[12] Synaspismos delegation met with France's Hue
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
A delegation of the Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) met French Communist Party Secretary Robert Hue in
Madrid on Saturday for talks on developments in France, Greece
and the European Union.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of a meeting for leftist
and progressive parties.
According to an announcement by Synaspismos, Mr. Hue said the
success of the experiment with the coalition government in
France is connected to support by the French people.
"Every time we disagree, we do not topple the government but
appeal to the people, explain our positions to them and call on
them to pressure to have the government implement the policy
which they want," Mr. Hue said.
On the part of Synaspismos, the interest of Greek public opinion
was stressed over developments in France, while a reference was
made to the PASOK government's policy. Mr. Hue was also briefed
on Synaspismos' prospects in light of municipal elections in
Greece next year.
[13] Private school fee increases
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
Private and vocational schools will be allowed to increase their
fees by 4% as of September, according to an amendment to be
tabled in parliament within the next few days by the Development
Ministry.
The new ruling covers all fees including board, transport,
foreign languages, music, dance and extra coaching.
There will be fines ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 drachmas per
student for any school owners who overcharge.
[14] Group warns of serious pollution to Pagasitikos Gulf
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
The Pagasitikos Gulf receives more than 10 tons of industrial
waste every day, according to the environmental organization
"Mediterranean Network SOS".
In a recent decision, the Council of State stressed that "the
Pagasitikos Gulf is receiving serious pressures and unless the
ecological destruction of the ecosystem is tackled in time there
is the risk of the value of the gulf being degraded altogether. "
The organization said that large quantities of fertilizers and
pesticides used all over the plain of Thessaly end up in the
gulf.
[15] Greek hostage released in Albania
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
A Greek bus driver who had been kidnapped Sunday by Albanian
"Mafia" members near the Albanian town of Tepelene while
returning to Athens from Fieri, was freed yesterday morning.
Nikolaos Rodokanakis, a bus driver for the Hellenic Railways
Organization (OSE), was freed after the intervention of another
group of armed Albanians.
[16] Monetary union, Italy's convergence program discussed at ECOFIN
Brussels, 08/07/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
The European Union's Council of Economic and Monetary Affairs
(ECOFIN) concluded its session here last night with the
ratification of Italy's convergence program and an exchange of
views on issues concerning economic and monetary union that must
be promoted during the current six-month presidency by
Luxembourg.
Addressing the session, National Economy Minister Yiannos
Papantoniou stressed the significance of implementing two basic
commitments undertaken by the "15" at the Amsterdam summit in
relation to strengthening employment and coordinating
member-states' national economic policies.
On the question of employment, Mr. Papantoniou said the EU's
summit scheduled for November must adopt specific measures to
decrease the number of unemployed. He said activating the
European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund
to primarily support investment plans for small- and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as promoting
inter-European networks and certain other infrastructure works
could be conducive in decreasing unemployment.
Referring to the coordination of national economic policies, Mr.
Papantoniou said that during yesterday's talks at the Council,
Greece and many other national delegations expressed support for
creating an economic coordination pact in the framework of which
the role the EU's Council of Economic and Monetary Affairs will
play in connection with the framework for exercising and the
targets set for monetary policy will be defined with accuracy.
The Council expressed satisfaction over efforts made by the
Italian government to meet criteria set in the Maastricht Treaty
in connection with the program for the convergence of the
Italian economy with the economies of the other European
countries.
Commenting on the Italian program, Mr. Papantoniou said it is
still early for conclusions to be made, adding that he is
certain that if the Italian economy fulfills Maastricht criteria
then Italy will not have different treatment from other
countries in connection to its accession to the Euro currency.
[17] Greek equities jump on blue chip buying spree
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
Strong buying interest in banking and industrial shares pushed
the Athens Stock Exchange sharply higher in the first trading
session of the week to finish up 2.21 percent. The general index
jumped to 1,547.64 points with all sector indices scoring big
gains. Trading was scant and turnover was 8.8 billion drachmas.
Banks rose 2.48 percent, Leasing was 0.23 percent up, Insurance
increased 1.60 percent, Investment ended 1.58 percent higher,
Industrials rose 2.48 percent, Construction increased 1.62
percent, Holding rose 2.57 percent and Miscellaneous was 1.60
percent up. The Parallel Market index closed 1.56 percent
higher. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 138 to 67 with
another 25 issues unchanged.
Benroubi, Bank of Central Greece, Ergobank and Piraeus
Investment scored the biggest percentage gains, while SATO,
Xylemporia and Keranis suffered the heaviest losses of the day.
National Bank of Greece ended at 34,400 drachmas, Ergobank at
17,110, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,800, Titan Cement at 14,700,
Intracom at 12,490 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization
at 6,515 drachmas.
[18] EU's May inflation unchanged at 1.5 pct
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
The European Union's annual inflation rate was 1.5 percent in
May, the same as in April and down from 2.6 percent one year
earlier, the EU statistics office Eurostat said.
Inflation was lowest in France and Finland (both 0.9 percent)
while Greece had the highest rate at 5.3 percent.
The rates are calculated as an average of member states'
harmonized indices of consumer prices (HICPs).
| Annual inflation measured by HICP |
|---|
| May '97 | April '97 | May '96 |
|---|
| Belgium | 1.5 | 0.9 | 2.0 |
| Denmark | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Germany | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| Greece | 5.3 | 5.7 | 8.3 |
| Spain | 1.3 | 1.6 | 3.8 |
| France | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.6 |
| Ireland | 1.4 | n/a | 1.9 |
| Italy | 1.7 | 1.9 | 4.4 |
| Luxembourg | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Netherlands | 1.7 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| Austria | 1.5 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Portugal | 1.9 | 1.6 | 3.1 |
| Finland | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Sweden | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Britain | 1.6 | 1.6 | n/a |
| EU15 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.6 |
[19] Greece's Citibank launches new housing loan
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
Greece's Citibank announced a new housing loan without mortgage
carrying a five-year duration for amounts ranging from five to
10 million drachmas. Up to now, the bank has used this kind of
lending facility for home renovation.
The base lending rate was set at 14 percent with the beneficiary
bearing the cost of insurance.
[20] Greek minister calls for polyglot Internet
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
Technical changes should be made to the Internet, currently
dominated by English, to allow users to carry information in
their own languages, Transport and Communications Minister Haris
Kastanidis told a European data networks conference in Bonn.
"The attempt to impose only one language for communications and
data exchange on the networks will have a negative impact on the
cultural and language identity of users, as culture and language
are the fundamental means of expression of all peoples," Mr.
Kastanidis said.
Information technology specialists and more than 40 ministers
mostly from eastern and western Europe are attending the two-day
conference, which ends on Tuesday. Also represented are Japan,
the United States and Canada.
[21] Xiosbank posts 37 pct surge in H1 business credit
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
Xiosbank reported a 37 percent increase in its average balance
of business credit lending in the first six months of 1997,
totaling 49.8 billion drachmas compared with the corresponding
period last year.
The figure exceeded initial estimates for the whole of 1997.
Xiosbank attributed the jump to its new lending policy created
to meet special needs of its clientele by offering more flexible
credit products.
[22] IOC President in Athens today
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Juan Antonio
Samaranch arrives in Athens today to attend the commencement of
the 37th International Summit of the International Olympic
Academy.
Prior to attending the ceremony, Mr. Samaranch will plant an
olive tree in his name in the forest of the "IOC members."
The ceremony will be attended by members of the Cabinet, Athens
Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, and the President of the Athens
2004 candidacy committee, Ms. Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki.
The IOC meets on September 5 in Lausanne, Switzerland, to choose
the winner from the five-city shortlist.
The shortlist includes Athens, Rome, Buenos Aires, Cape Town and
Stockholm, chosen from eleven candidate cities originally
bidding for the Games.
A winning city must gain more than 50 percent of the votes from
the IOC -- voting goes in rounds, with the least popular
selection being drummed out each time until a winner is declared.
[23] Large German contingent for athletics championships
Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)
Germany will participate in the World Athletics Championships in
Athens between Aug. 1-10 with 34 male and 39 female athletes.
The German team will be headed by discus thrower Lars Riedel and
the women's shotput star Astrid Kubernuss.
End of English language section.
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