Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-12
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1287), September 12, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Miller reiterates US interest for Cyprus solution
[02] ... Holbrooke
[03] ... State Department
[04] Annan rules out new round of talks
[05] Yilmaz reiterates threat over Cyprus' EU prospects
[06] ... ND
[07] Visiting Albanian FM to begin official contacts today
[08] Skandalidis meets with Albanian Socialist Party Secretary
[09] Kaklamanis stresses Turkey's contempt for UN resolutions on
Cyprus
[10] Patriarch to visit Thessaloniki this month
[11] Official Shevardnadze visit to Greece
[12] Visiting Armenian official discusses bilateral, regional issues
[13] Dangerous radioactive material missing
[14] Human Rights Watch official in Athens
[15] Simitis briefed by Furas on 2004
[16] ... Gov't spokesman
[17] ... Mayor briefs main opposition leader
[18] ... Pol.An.
[19] Premier visits unheralded Ramnous archaeological site
[20] Fans swamp box office for U2 tickets
[21] Police arrest five in drug haul
[22] Constantopoulos: Premier misleading public opinion on economy
[23] Samaras criticizes Simitis, Gov't over economy, foreign policy
[24] Series of events showcase Jewish presence in Thessaloniki
[25] Greenpeace presses for gov't-funded solar homes
[26] Footwear manufacturers face uphill battle, report says
[27] Local employment agreements enter final phase
[28] Turkish invitation to merchant marine minister
[29] ATE contract with ad firm
[30] Business delegation from Marmaris on unofficial visit to Rhodes
[31] Trade groups press for delay in real estate tax value increases
[32] Greek stocks sink in overbought market
[33] Ergobank's mutual funds asset up 5.8 pct in August
[34] Greek builders positioning for 2004 Olympics deals
[35] EU reports 27,000 visits to Athens office web site
[36] UN to consider accelerating single hull tanker ban
[01] Miller reiterates US interest for Cyprus solution
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
The United States has decided to work hard on a solution of the
Cyprus problem, according to an announcement yesterday evening
in Athens by the US State Department's special coordinator on
the Cyprus issue, Thomas Miller.
He made the statement after a meeting with Foreign
Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis.
Mr. Miller, who is in Athens as part of his visit to Greece,
Turkey and Cyprus, said he will work in close co-operation with
US presidential envoy Richard Holbrooke.
The US official noted that his country was still in the early
stage of the effort for a Cyprus solution, which he described as
a complex and serious problem that has no relation with Bosnia.
Replying to a question as to why the US allowed a spreading of
tension over the purchase by Cyprus of the Russian-made S-300
missile systems, especially since it was known that installation
of the missiles was not to take place in the near future, Mr.
Miller said the US had expressed concern on the issue from the
beginning.
He added, however, that it was important that interested parties
focus their attention on the core of the Cyprus problem.
Speaking on the same issue, Mr. Kranidiotis reiterated that the
Cyprus Republic has the self-evident right to defend its
territory, and underlined that Cypriot President Glafcos
Clerides has long ago submitted a proposal for the island's
demilitarization .
The foreign under-secretary said he told Mr. Miller of the need
to exert appropriate pressure on Turkey to comply with
international legality towards a solution of the protracted
Cyprus problem, and expressed his disappointment over the stance
adopted by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash at the recent
direct Cyprus talks in Montreux.
Mr. Miller arrived from Ankara and is to continue on to Nicosia,
the final stop on his tour of the region.
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said after his
meeting with Mr. Miller that there had been "an exchange of
useful opinions" on the prospects for a resolution of the Cyprus
problem.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he hoped that the joint effort by Mr.
Miller and Mr. Holbrooke would be met positively by all sides,
so that in the time it takes Cyprus to accede to the European
Union, a positive solution could be found.
"The Cyprus issue is one of high priority for President
Clinton," Mr. Miller reiterated.
He clarified that he was not bringing any specific proposal for
a resolution to his tour of the region.
[02] ... Holbrooke
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, according to an ANA dispatch from New York, Mr.
Holbrooke said that the US was a strong believer in Cyprus
joining the European Union.
He added, however, that the US position "is very clear".
"We think a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation should join the
EU," Mr. Holbrooke said after meeting with the Primate of the
Greek Orthodox Church in Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos, who is
currently visiting Washington.
Mr. Holbrooke noting that this is a subject he has discussed at
length with EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek.
"Turkey should also be a member although that is down the road
at a future date," he said.
The US position on Cyprus' accession to the EU would be
discussed at length with European officials when Mr. Miller
visits Brussels next week.
Mr. Holbrooke said Mr. Miller's mission was of an "exploratory
character" and that he would be visiting himself "later in the
year".
Asked whether the deployment of the S-300 missiles, purchased by
the Cyprus government, would create a danger, Mr. Holbrooke
appeared to downplay the issue.
The missiles, he said, "are a long way off. Let's cross that
bridge when we come to it".
[03] ... State Department
Washington, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
A possible meeting between the prime ministers of Greece and
Turkey in November at the Balkan summit meeting on Crete is a
very positive development, the US said yesterday.
According to an ANA dispatch, such a development would
"contribute to the promotion of dialogue between the two sides
and could contribute to negotiated solutions, US State
Department spokesman Jim Foley said.
"Each time the prime ministers of Greece and Turkey meet, the US
is deeply satisfied and encourages both sides," he added.
Referring to Mr. Miller's visit to the region, Mr. Foley said
the US State Department official had called on Turkish officials
he had met with to "lower the tones" because it did not aid in
creating a constructive climate.
Mr. Foley pointed out that the issue of "rising tone of rhetoric
in the region which the US think is very counter-productive" was
brought up in discussions.
"As he will do in his visits also to Athens and Nicosia, he
urged a general toning down of the rhetoric and expressed the US
government's support for continued efforts to achieve peaceful
solutions", Mr. Foley said.
[04] Annan rules out new round of talks
New York, 12/09/1997 (ANA/AFP/Reuter)
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday ruled out
new rounds of talks on Cyprus taking place this year under UN
auspices, due to the holding of presidential elections on the
island republic in February.
"I do not think that we can anticipate new talks this year due
to the elections which have been scheduled in Cyprus," Mr. Annan
told a press conference in New York.
"I believe it will be more realistic and rational for them to
take place after the elections because I think that these
elections are already casting a shadow on the talks," he added.
Mr. Annan expressed his regret over the failure of talks held in
Switzerland last month. However, after disclosing that Cyprus
President Glafcos Clerides had proposed a return to the
negotiating table, he said that "he had hoped that the Turkish
side would be ready to make the same gesture."
[05] Yilmaz reiterates threat over Cyprus' EU prospects
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
On his part, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz threatened
according to a ANA dispatch from Istanbul, that Cyprus' division
would become permanent if the process of the island's accession
to the European Union (EU) continues.
"If the Greek side, hiding behind the EU and inviting Russia to
Cyprus, forces us towards a solution agreeing with its own
views, the present situation in Cyprus will become permanent,"
Mr. Yilmaz said.
He said that Turkey seeks Greek friendship, adding that if
Greek-Turkish relations improve, armament expenses will be
reduced.
Mr. Yilmaz was quoted by the Turkish Anadolu news agency as
saying that the Cyprus issue could be solved if Greece abandons
what he claimed were "demands on the Aegean".
Meanwhile, an ANA dispatch from Brussels quoted German
Eurodeputy Werner Konrad (a Christian Democrat) as saying that
"parallel negotiations" should be held between "two legally
recognized Cypriot governments".
In statements he made in Stockholm, Mr. Konrad claimed that "the
EU ought to know that the accession of Cyprus to its group,
without a previous political settlement on its political
problem, practically means the division of the island". It would
be "more honest", he said, "if the northern section's status is
cleared up before accession talks begin" for the island, to
allow Turkish Cypriots to decide for their future freely and
independently, not "as representatives of Turkey".
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
In a later statement, main opposition New Democracy party
spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said "Turkish provocativeness is
escalating by the day. The delirium of doubting international
legality is manifesting itself this time in the words of the
Turkish prime minister himself."
The statement went on to say that "the Greek government's
dangerously passive stance must be revised at last before it is
too late. The tactic of unilateral submission and tolerance does
not produce results."
[07] Visiting Albanian FM to begin official contacts today
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo arrived in Greece
yesterday, while today he begins a three-day official visit.
He is scheduled to meet with the president of the republic, the
premier, the foreign ministry's leadership and political party
leaders.
Yesterday, he was received by the leader of the Democratic
Social Movement (DHKKI), Dimitris Tsovolas.
"Relations between our two countries need to be closer and more
sincere for the good of the peoples of Greece and Albania," Mr.
Tsovolas said after the meeting at Parliament.
Mr. Milo said Greece's policy towards Albania had "proven itself
to be a policy of safe support for Albania, a fact that is
further indicated by the relations developing between the two
peoples which will tolerate the passing of time and create a new
image, not only for our two countries but for the Balkans."
[08] Skandalidis meets with Albanian Socialist Party Secretary
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said yesterday
Greece's presence in Albania helped considerably during that
country recent political turmoil.
He spoke after holding talks here with Albanian Socialist Party
Secretary Panteli Maiko.
According to Mr. Skandalidis, Mr. Maiko praised the success of
the recent visit paid by a government delegation to Albania.
Mr. Maiko, who is responding to a previous visit paid by Mr.
Skandalidis to Albania, said the preconditions exist at present
for the realization of what the two peoples want. He also
stressed the hospitality offered to Albanians workers living in
Greece.
[09] Kaklamanis stresses Turkey's contempt for UN resolutions on
Cyprus
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
The Cyprus issue is a drama that continues because of the
contempt for and transgression of international resolutions by
Turkey and indifference by the major powers, Parliament
President Apostolos Kaklamanis said yesterday.
"The case of Cyprus is like a nail in the heart of every patriot
and every Greek," he said after meeting members of a senior
citizens' center on Rhodes.
Mr. Kaklamanis also said the prospects were bright for the
ethnic Greek minority living in Albania, which is now able to
partake of the benefits of democracy and human rights.
[10] Patriarch to visit Thessaloniki this month
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will visit Thessaloniki later
this month at the invitation of the Cultural Capital of Europe
Organization.
Vartholomeos will officially begin his visit on Sept. 28 when he
will be received with full head of state honors.
President Kostis Stephanopoulos and a government delegation,
Thessaloniki Metropolitan Panteleimon, and other dignitaries
will be present at the official reception.
The Patriarch will be accompanied by the patriarchs of Romania,
Bulgaria and Georgia. He will officiate at a service at the
city's Agios Demetrios Cathedral and is scheduled to have
meetings with several local and regional figures. Also on the
program are visits to the exhibitions "Treasures of Mount
Athos", "Alexander the Great in European Art", and a book
exhibition.
On Sept. 30, Vartholomeos will lead volunteers planting trees at
the Seikh Sou urban forest above the city, half of which was
destroyed in a fire earlier this summer, while at the same time
he will declare open an international conference on the
environment of Mount Athos.
The Patriarch's visit will end on October 2. Meanwhile,
according to an ANA dispatch from Washington, the US Senate and
House of Representatives will award Vartholomeos the "Gold Medal
of Congress", the highest such distinction by the US Congress.
In the past, only four religious leaders have received the
medal. George Washington was the first recipient.
So far, almost half of the number of senators and more than
three quarters of representatives from both Republican and
Democratic parties have endorsed the proposal. A ceremony is
expected to take place during the Patriarch's visit to
Washington in October.
While in the US, the Patriarch will be received by US President
Bill Clinton, Vice-President Al Gore and Congress' leadership.
In a related matter, the new abbot of the Holy Monastery of
Saint John the Divine on Patmos, Archimandrite Amphilochios
Kamitsis, yesterday visited the Ecumenical Patriarch, a dispatch
from Istanbul reported.
The archimandrite was accompanied by outgoing abbot Bishop
Tralleon Isidoros and other religious representatives from the
Patmos monastery.
[11] Official Shevardnadze visit to Greece
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Greece and Georgia will sign a friendship and co-operation
agreement on Monday when Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze
begins an official three-day visit to Greece, at the invitation
of his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos.
Mr. Shevardnadze will meet privately with Mr. Stephanopoulos on
Monday morning, and later with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
He is also expected to meet with President of Parliament
Apostolos Kaklamanis and the leaders of political parties, as
well as Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and Greek business
figures interested in investing in his country.
Mr. Shevardnadze will also receive the Onassis Foundation's
prize for International Understanding and Social Achievement
during his visit to Athens and will also fly to Thessaloniki,
before traveling to the autonomous monastic community of Mount
Athos.
Mr. Shevardnadze's visit is an indication of the increasing
closeness of Greek-Georgian relations - Athens and Tbilisi
signed a defense co-operation protocol in July, during Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos' visit to the Georgian capital,
while Mr. Shevardnadze recently announced that Greek would be
officially taught in Georgian public schools. Some 60,000 Black
Sea area ethnic Greeks are estimated to reside in Georgia.
On the trade and economic level, the Greek telecoms utility OTE
clinched in May a US$14 million contract for the construction of
a fiber optics cable network in Georgia, while the largest
private Greek telecoms firm Intracom recently announced it had
won the contract to introduce a card telephone system in the
country.
[12] Visiting Armenian official discusses bilateral, regional issues
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis held talks yesterday
with Armenian First Foreign Under-secretary Vartan Oskanian on
issues concerning bilateral relations between the two countries,
both at political and economic level.
According to a relevant announcement, progress in the framework
of Black Sea co-operation was discussed, prospects for
tripartite co-operation between Iran, Armenia and Greece, issues
concerning Armenia's relations with the European Union, as well
as developments in the Caucasus region, with emphasis on the
situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Mr. Kranidiotis briefed Mr. Oskanian on Greek foreign policy
issues, the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations and
developments in the Balkans.
[13] Dangerous radioactive material missing
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
A hazardous radioactive substance has been found missing or
stolen from the bankrupt plastics plant Ariplast in Argolida
prefecture, which according to the Greek Atomic Energy
Commission is worthless but extremely harmful.
The substance, about the size of a match-box, was found missing
last Saturday. The plant has been closed down following its
closure in 1988, and had then been taken over by National Bank.
Police authorities in Argos are investigating the case.
Anyone with information should contact Argos police at
0751-67,222 and 62.242, or the Greek Atomic Energy Commission on
65.15.194 and 65.14.716
[14] Human Rights Watch official in Athens
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis met "Human Rights
Watch" official Chris Panico, who arrived yesterday in Athens.
Mr. Panico is currently in Greece as part of his tour of various
countries in the region.
A foreign ministry announcement said during the meeting, Mr.
Kranidiotis expounded on Greece's positions on human rights and
ways of protection contained in the country's Constitution. He
stressed the fact that Greece had entered and adhered to all
international treaties on the protection of human rights,
placing special emphasis on the importance of international law
and international treaties.
While in Athens, Mr. Panico will also meet representatives of
various bodies for discussions on human rights issues.
[15] Simitis briefed by Furas on 2004
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis met with Sports Under-secretary
Andreas Fouras yesterday to discuss Athens' successful bid to
host the Olympic Games of 2004.
Coming out of the meeting in Parliament, Mr. Fouras declined to
give any details, except to convey Mr. Simitis' pleasure that
the Athens bid met with success.
According to reports, Mr. Simitis asked the sports
under-secretary during their meeting to beg in contacts for
possible members on the Olympics organizing committee. Mr.
Fouras later met with a representative of the national economy
ministry and the prime minister's legal counsel.
[16] ... Gov't spokesman
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
The agreement that will be signed between the International
Olympic Committee (IOC) and Athens will include an element of
choice by the government, spokesman Dimitris Reppas said
yesterday.
Responding to questions following the publication yesterday of
the Olympic founding charter and its terms, Mr. Reppas said that
the text was a framework within which one could make adjustments
to specific points, providing the opportunity to better serve
Greek interests.
The text of the agreement may possibly be introduced to
Parliament for discussion and voting, after passing through
Parliamentary committees.
He said that the government had made no decision yet on any
issue related to the organizational committee for the 2004 Games.
[17] ... Mayor briefs main opposition leader
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos paid a visit
yesterday to main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader
Costas Karamanlis, in order to brief him on the 2004 bid as well
as to inform him of the contract terms.
Asked whether he supported Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki as head
of the new organization to take charge of the Games, Mr.
Avramopoulos replied that he had said a long time ago that she
should become chairwoman and keep the people who worked with her
on the bid committee.
Mr. Karamanlis said that short-sighted party politics should not
be allowed to take over the Games, and the rate of preparation
for major projects should be accelerated.
The ND leader said that an independent supra-party agency should
guarantee transparency, and added that rural Greece should not
be ignored as the major focus shift to Athens and its facilities.
[18] ... Pol.An.
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
The state investment program should redistribute funds for
projects to rural Greece, now that Athens will be funded for the
Olympics, Political Spring (Pol.An) party leader Antonis Samaras
said yesterday.
He also said that there should be no additional taxation for the
Games.
[19] Premier visits unheralded Ramnous archaeological site
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis visited the Ramnous archaeological
site yesterday, accompanied by Culture Minister Evangelos
Venizelos and Deputy of State and archaeology professor Dimitris
Pantermalis.
Ramnous was at one point considered abandoned by the state,
while abandonment has been combined with the looting of several
important archaeological findings at least five times. Ramnous
was included a year ago in a program for the promotion of 70
archaeological sites under the responsibility of Prof.
Pantermalis and a group of archaeologists and architects from
Thessaloniki University. Only a day before Mr. Simitis' visit,
the site was provided with electricity and bathroom facilities.
Mr. Venizelos said 120 million drachmas were provided for the
site in 1997, while 36 billion drachmas have so far been
provided for all 70 archaeological sites, an amount which is
very small for such a program, as he noted.
Welcoming Mr. Simitis, Mr. Venizelos pointed out that "Ramnous
was chosen because it is "idyllic, marginal and inaccessible. It
receives a small number of visitors, it is distant from the
center of Athens and it mobilizes archaeological forces."
Mr. Simitis was also briefed by archaeologist Mr. Petrakos, who
supervises excavation work. "Only with systematic handling, the
appropriate performance of work and care to salvage
archaeological sites will we be able to live up to historical
commitments and contribute substantively to the development of
cultural tourism," Mr. Simitis said.
[20] Fans swamp box office for U2 tickets
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
The Thessaloniki Cultural Capital kiosk and box office in
Aristotelous Square was swamped yesterday by thousands of people
eager to buy tickets to the Irish rock group U2 concert in the
city on September 26.
More than 3,000 people queued up to three hours ahead of the 10
a.m. box office opening time to be first to buy tickets. The
crowd spilled over into the city's central street of
Mitropoleous, exacerbating traffic problems for city residents.
Thessaloniki Cultural Capital artistic director Panos
Theodoridis said some 800 tickets were being sold per hour and
that he expected them to be sold out by 6 p.m., when the box
office shut. Another 3,000 tickets went on sale in Athens
yesterday.
[21] Police arrest five in drug haul
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Police arrested three Greek and two Albanian nationals in Aghii
Theodori yesterday for possession of 193 kilos of hashish and
410 grams of cocaine.
They also confiscated over 1.3 million drachmas, two mobile
phones, two precision scales and a gun.
Meletios Dagres, 40, and Vassilis Vassiliou, 32, were arrested
while transferring 67 kilos of hashish between cars before
transporting it to Athens.
Nikos Mangos, 55, and Albanian nationals Fatos Hafa, 21, and
Yiannis Tzafas, 27, were arrested a little while later in the
same area, which is north of Athens.
The remaining cocaine was hidden in barrels, some of which were
buried in the yard of Mangos' house.
Police said the narcotics came from Albania and are
investigating how they were smuggled into Greece and whether
there are other accomplices.
[22] Constantopoulos: Premier misleading public opinion on economy
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki yesterday,
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos
Constantopoulos attributed to Prime Minister Costas Simitis
intentions of misleading public opinion and of "beautifying" the
state of the economy.
Mr. Constantopoulos predicted that the economy might worsen
following the assumption of the 2004 Olympics, with the
additional needs it entails.
He said that in his successive speeches at the inauguration of
the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) last week, Mr. Simitis
did not provide the real picture of the state of the economy and
did not present the axes of the economic policy the government
will follow next year.
Mr. Constantopoulos said that in Synaspismos' view the
government does not have a substantive convergence program for
the problems faced by the economy and lacks the will to go ahead
with major modernization incisions for the Greek economy and
society and consistently implements the conception which places
the consequences of economic convergence on the economically
weaker strata.
Referring to the "Kapodistrias" plan, Mr. Constantopoulos said
his party favors the merging of communities into viable and
workable municipalities.
On the question of the Olympics, Mr. Constantopoulos said the
Olympics must be a success, but at the same time negative
consequences must be curbed.
[23] Samaras criticizes Simitis, Gov't over economy, foreign policy
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras criticized
government policy in the sectors of foreign policy and on the
economy yesterday.
Mr. Samaras was speaking at a news conference held on the
sidelines of the Thessaloniki International Fair.
Commenting on Prime Minister Costas Simitis' speech on the
government's economic policy last week, Mr. Samaras said that
the premier attempted to deceive both the political parties and
the people, withholding figures regarding the deficit of the
balance of trade.
According to Mr. Samaras the deficit has doubled.
Turning to national issues, Mr. Samaras described as "an accord
of shame" the Madrid communiqui, signed between Greece and
Turkey on the sidelines of a NATO summit over the summer.
[24] Series of events showcase Jewish presence in Thessaloniki
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
A series of events are to be organized as part of festivities
for the Thessaloniki - Cultural Capital of Europe '97, to mark
the Jewish presence in the northern Greek city.
An announcement in Thessaloniki by the Cultural Capital
Organization said the 'week of memory' for the Jewish presence
will open on Sunday and close on Sept. 22.
Performances will be given by several Jewish artists, dancing
and theater groups and the Israeli 'East-West Ensemble', which
will play ethnic-jazz works at the Roman Forum on Sept. 20.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netaniahu was to have attended
the opening of the cultural events, however, his trip was
canceled due to other obligations.
[25] Greenpeace presses for gov't-funded solar homes
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
The Greek branch of Greenpeace yesterday put on a presentation
outside the development ministry to promote the use of solar
energy in the construction of new homes.
Thirty activists placed 1,000 cardboard solar homes at the
entrance to the ministry and hung a banner reading "A thousand
solar homes in Greece", to pressure the government to half fund
the placement of solar energy in homes.
[26] Footwear manufacturers face uphill battle, report says
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
The future for Greek footwear manufacturers appears positive for
up-to-date and well-organized factories, despite a slack in
production and sales in the domestic market, according to a
report released recently.
A Economic and Industrial Research Foundation (IOBE) report
shows that the domestic market is made more competitive by an
increase of imports as well as a very low increase of exports.
Greek domestic sales for any type of shoes, including slippers,
reached nearly 33.9 million pairs in 1996. Of these, 39.2 per
cent were made of leather, 25 per cent of plastic or elastic
materials and 35.3 per cent of cloth, while the remaining 0.5
per cent were related to special types, such as orthopedic shoes.
Greek manufacturers produced nearly 10.9 million pairs of shoes,
meaning that domestic production covered in value 55 per cent of
the local market.
The trade balance has been negative for Greece from 1990 to the
present, both in quality and value. The average annual rate of
change in domestic production value since 1990 is -7.4 per cent.
In 1995, the trade deficit reached nearly 18.6 million pairs ,
the value deficit exceeding 118 million ECUs.
[27] Local employment agreements enter final phase
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
The government and local government entities have entered the
final phase required for the signing of Local Employment
Agreements (TSA).
Local government entities are from the seven regions selected
for the pilot implementation of the program, aimed at combating
unemployment and increasing employment. The revelation was made
yesterday by the president of the National Employment Institute,
Yiannis Tsamourgielis.
The TSA will initially be promoted in the following regions:
Imathia, Magnisia, Viotia, Achaia, Kozani, Florina, Drama,
western Attica and Piraeus.
The president of the National Employment Institute noted the
continuous and satisfactory presence of employers' and labor
organizations, as well as of self-administration bodies in
discussions on the composition of the TSA. He said 73 per cent
of proposals concern local initiatives.
The agreements concerning western Athens and Piraeus will be
announced with the agreement on the General Confederation of
Greek Workers (GSEE) due to their considerable size and
importance.
[28] Turkish invitation to merchant marine minister
Istanbul, 12/09/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
Turkish Merchant Marine Minister Burhan Kara announced yesterday
that he will invite his Greek counterpart Stavros Soumakis at a
session of the Turkish national council on merchant marine,
scheduled to take place here on Oct. 27.
[29] ATE contract with ad firm
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Agricultural Bank (ATE) yesterday signed a co-operation contract
with advertising firm McCann-Erickson Athens, which aims at
implementing the ATE group's new communications policy. An ATE
announcement said the new PR strategy is targeted at maintaining
the bank's leading role in traditional markets in the farming
sector, as well as its dynamic entry into other markets.
[30] Business delegation from Marmaris on unofficial visit to Rhodes
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Businessmen and authorities from the Turkish city of Marmaris
recently announced their desire for better co-operation on
tourism and trade issues with nearby Rhodes.
To this end, a six-member delegation from the city arrived on
the island yesterday morning for contacts with local officials.
Despite the fact that the visit is considered unofficial,
discussions will be held on issues concerning tourist and
commercial co-operation. A large delegation of Turkish
businessmen from the Izmir Chamber of Commerce had visited
Rhodes last June and had contacts on issues regarding commercial
co-operation.
[31] Trade groups press for delay in real estate tax value increases
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
The Panhellenic Federation of Real Estate Owners (POMIDA) and
the General Confederation of Small Manufacturers and
Professionals of Greece (GSEBEE) announced their opposition to
an increase in the objective tax values of real estate.
In a letter to the civil leadership of the National Economy and
Finance Ministry, POMIDA requests a postponement of the increase
until the year 1999 due to the negative consequences it will
have for building, the real estate market, trade and the economy
in its entirety.
The letter added that real estate is already burdened with 30
taxes and dues and a possible increase in objective values will
bring about a dramatic increase in the taxation burden for
citizens and will have a strong inflationary effect.
In an announcement, GSEBEE stressed that an increase in
objective values will create a new climate of unrest among small
and average-sized enterprises (SMEs) and repeated its steadfast
claim for the abolition of the objective criteria taxation
system be cause every time a criteria indicator is changed
taxation for SMEs increases in a multiple fashion.
The president of the Central Chamber Union Andreas Kyriazis also
expressed opposition to the imposition of new taxes on business
activities.
In a statement yesterday, Mr. Kyriazis said "their possible
additional taxation burden will lead to economic deadlock and
ultimately to the weakening of the country's productive and
business units since their tax-paying capacity has been
exhausted."
Mr. Kyriazis said the government must avoid proposals for easy
solutions and proceed immediately with the implementation of
another policy, which is a decrease in what he called the
massive amounts of public expenditures and a speedup in
privatizations.
[32] Greek stocks sink in overbought market
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Greek equities remained under strong pressure for the second
consecutive session on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday to
lose further ground.
The market was overbought after a sharp advance in prices during
the first two sessions of the week and investors needed a
breather, traders said.
The general index closed 1.73 percent lower at 1,641.04 points,
with most sector indices losing ground. Banks fell 2.17 percent,
Construction dropped 2.58 percent, Leasing eased 1.68 percent,
Insurance ended 0.56 percent off, Investment ended 1.49 percent
down, Industrials fell 1.73 percent, Miscellaneous eased 0.58
percent but Holding bucked the trend to end 0.15 percent higher.
The parallel market index for small cap companies dropped 2.10
percent.
Trading remained heavy and turnover was 20.2 billion drachmas.
Broadly, decliners led advancers by 184 to 42 with another 15
issues unchanged.
Sigalas, Pavlides, Bank of Athens and Parnassos scored the
biggest percent gains, while Betros, Pairis and Demetriades
suffered the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 34,900 drachmas, Ergobank at
17,790, Alpha Credit Bank at 19,550, Delta Dairy at 4,125, Titan
Cement at 15,695, Intracom at 13,600 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization (OTE) at 6,840, down 60 drachmas.
The National Bank of Greece predicted that the Athens bourse
would resume its upward trend in early autumn.
In its third economic bulletin of the year, the bank also
predicted a rise in OTE's share price due to the
internationalization of the group.
Referring to the monetary policy, National Bank stressed that
the central bank would stick to the hard-drachma policy but at a
more flexible manner facilitating increased volatility in the
domestic money market rates.
[33] Ergobank's mutual funds asset up 5.8 pct in August
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Net assets of Ergobank's mutual funds rose 5.8 percent in August
from July to total 545 billion drachmas, the bank said yesterday
in a monthly report.
The mutual fund's net assets increased a spectacular 47.7
percent, or 175 billion drachmas from the start of the year. The
sharp rise in equity prices on the Athens Stock Exchange pushed
the value of Ergobank's growth mutual fund to 9.5 billion
drachmas in August, an increase of 846 percent from January 1.
[34] Greek builders positioning for 2004 Olympics deals
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Greek engineering contractors are positioning to meet business
challenges over the next seven years after Athens won its bid
this month to host the 2004 Olympic Games. According to sources
in the Athens Stock Exchange, Meton is at an advanced stage of
talks to acquire a majority stake in Parnassos Enterprises,
which is listed on the Greek bourse.
[35] EU reports 27,000 visits to Athens office web site
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
More than 27,000 people have visited the web site of the
European Union's office in Athens from the start of the year,
according to figures presented by EU officials at the
Thessaloniki international trade fair.
This year's trade fair is dedicated to the European Union to
celebrate signature of the Rome Convention 40 years ago.
The figures show that 75 percent of web site visitors were Greek
citizens and the remaining 25 percent Greeks living in Europe,
the United States and Australia.
The EU Commission's representation in Athens provides
information on the 15-nation bloc's activities through the
Internet in 4,000 electronic pages containing key data and
archaeological background in nine out of the EU's 11 official
languages.
[36] UN to consider accelerating single hull tanker ban
Athens, 12/09/1997 (ANA)
Maritime authorities will next week look at accelerating the ban
on the use of single hull tankers responsible for a series of
recent oil spills, the United Nations agency for marine affairs
said.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said it would
consider a proposal from Japan to bring forward the date for
replacing single hull tankers with double hull vessels.
Japan is urging other governments to force shipowners to replace
single-hulled tankers with double hull tankers following the
Diamond Grace spill in Tokyo Bay in July, IMO said.
It is believed that under certain conditions, a double hull,
which has two layers of steel, would reduce the likelihood of
oil being spilled if a tanker collides or runs aground.
Double hulls have been mandatory for new tankers since 1994 but
there is a phase-in period of up to 30 years for existing
vessels.
Speeding up the process would have dramatic implications for the
tanker and oil industries in vessel replacement costs.
Double hulls were first made mandatory in US waters after the
Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 in Alaska.
Rising tanker freight rates over the past year have encouraged
shipowners to continue trading old, single hull tankers built in
the early 1970s instead of sending them for scrap.
The London meeting of IMO's marine environment protection
committee, from September 18-25, will also consider alternative
designs to double hulls offer the same level of protection from
oil spilling in an accident.
End of English language section.
|
