Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-01-17
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1392), January 17, 1998
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Ankara's provocations an effort to present
EU-Turkish difference as Greek-Turkish
[02] ... G. Papandreou
[03] ... ND
[04] Turkey claims Greece violates Madrid communiqui
[05] Conference on the "Agenda 2000
[06] Government adopts proposals on social welfare reform
[07] NATO expansion tops talks between Solana, Th. Georgiou
[08] Athens to host Balkans conference this June
[09] Stephanopoulos in Bombay
[10] Gov't on Stephanopoulos' statements
[11] Simitis: Gov't work, good image the responsibility of all
ministers
[12] Greece willing to help resolve Kosovo issue: Papandreou
[13] Debate on abolition of Article 19
[14] Acclaimed actor Demetris Horn dies at the age of 77
[15] European news agencies hold bi-annual meeting in Brussels
[16] Cypriot-flagged vessel sinks off Canada
[17] Kranidiotis visit to CoE headquarters
[18] Anarchists violence mars student protest
[19] KKE criticism of Washington
[20] Protest outside US embassy
[21] US Commerce Secretary in Athens for talks on bilateral trade
[22] Greek stocks rebound at the end of the week
[23] Olympic Airways lowers cost of transatlantic flights
[24] Retail sales volume up 0.9 pct in October 1997
[25] Bank of Greece offers banking to illegal immigrants
[26] Commission asks for clarifications on public utilities'
procurements
[27] Fisherman, sponge divers given extension for rendering VAT
[28] Drama interested in natural gas
[01] Ankara's provocations an effort to present
EU-Turkish difference as Greek-Turkish
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Greece yesterday attributed the recent increase in Turkish
provocativeness in the Aegean as an effort to present what is
essentially a European-Turkish difference, namely, lack of
respect for international law by the latter, as a bilateral
problem between Athens and Ankara.
"Following the European Union summit in Luxembourg and the
conditions set by Europe, Turkey found itself under pressure.
So, Ankara is trying, in view of the next meeting of EU foreign
ministers, to present a Euro-Turkish issue - respect for
international law - as a bilateral dispute, and this is why it
is following the tactics which we see," foreign ministry
spokesman Costas Bikas said.
"Greece is responding with determination and cool-headedness,"
he added.
Mr. Bikas said the ministry had on Thursday and yesterday
briefed several ambassadors accredited to Athens on Turkey's
intentions.
The head of the foreign ministry section for Greek-Turkish
affairs, Ilias Klis, yesterday briefed the US and British
ambassadors, Nicholas Burns and Sir Michael Llewellyn Smith,
respectively.
Mr. Bikas said Mr. Klis had yesterday invited the other EU
ambassadors in Athens for a briefing.
[02] ... G. Papandreou
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, Alternate Foreign Minister
George Papandreou said in a radio interview that the major
priority for Athens was not to allow Ankara to create tension in
the Aegean, as well as to deal with Turkish provocativeness
through diplomatic means at the same time.
Regarding an incident on Thursday near the Imia islets in the
eastern Aegean, which were approached by two Turkish fishing
vessels accompanied by a Turkish patrol boat, Mr. Papandreou
said that according to all indications Turkey wanted to create
tension.
"The Greek answer is the interception of any violations (of
airspace) on one hand, and on the other, not to allow Turkey to
attain its goal, namely, create a conflict and clashes," he
added.
"Of course, the (territorial) limits stand, national sovereignty
is inviolable, and Greece is always ready to reply effectively
whenever needed. But up to the present moment, I think it has
been coolheadedness that has enabled us to deal effectively with
this or any other provocation, and our moves on a diplomatic
level have contributed to the sending of a sound message to
Turkey on what the international community expect of it," the
alternate foreign minister said.
Regarding the issue of recent statements by US ambassador in
Athens Nicholas Burns concerning national airspace limits and
territorial waters, Mr. Papandreou said it was of minor
importance and exaggerated by part of the Greek press.
"Turkey's provocations do not concern this particular issue. We
have infringements even within the six-mile limit, and there has
been, more generally, a provocative stand for many years with
particular intensity recently and after Luxembourg. I think this
is the essential issue and not whether the airspace is 10
(nautical) miles and territorial waters six," he concluded.
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris
Spiliotopoulos yesterday said escalating Turkish provocativeness
requires a steadfast and resolute policy as well as diplomatic
handling.
Criticizing the government, he said "instead of denouncing
Turkey's attitude internationally, it limits itself to low-key
reactions, either with demarches to Ankara or a mere briefing of
the US and the EU."
Mr. Spiliotopoulos added that it is time the government abandons
this tactic, "which does not intercept, but makes Turkey even
more audacious."
[04] Turkey claims Greece violates Madrid communiqui
Istanbul, 17/01/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
The Turkish foreign ministry yesterday accused National Defense
Under-secretary Demetris Apostolakis of having an aggressive
attitude, while it claimed that Greece violated the Madrid
communiqui.
An announcement by the Turkish foreign ministry stressed that
recent statements by Mr. Apostolakis on Turkish violations of
Greek airspace and restraint shown by Greek pilots "clearly show
the aggressive attitude of Greece towards Turkey."
"Greece is violating the Madrid communiqui," the announcement
said, claiming that it had been decided in Madrid that the two
countries will solve their problems in friendly and peaceful
ways.
"We are expecting Greece to behave in accordance with
international laws," the announcement said.
The Turkish foreign ministry also denied charges that measures
are not being taken in Turkey for the protection of ethnic
Greek-owned buildings and that a perpetrator of attacks against
Greek foundations has never been arrested.
In a written statement, the Turkish foreign ministry reiterated
its regret over a fire at a holy well in Istanbul, along with
the robbery and murder of a church sexton, saying that all
Turkish officials will do their duty as always.
After expressing its regrets over the elderly sexton's murder
and the vandalizing of the Agios Therapon church, Ankara
complained over what it said was the expected trial in Greece of
pseudo-mufti Mehmet Emin Aga.
Turkish stressed: "we wish Greece to respect religious freedom
and its international promises."
[05] Conference on the "Agenda 2000
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
A conference on the "Agenda 2000", the framework for discussion
of changes involved in the enlargement of the European Union,
will be held in Iraklion today for secretary generals of the
country's regions.
The meeting is being organized by the foreign ministry and the
Region of Crete.
The keynote address is to be given by Alternate Foreign Minister
George Papandreou.
Another conference on the same issue is to be held during the
afternoon for producer and other associations.
[06] Government adopts proposals on social welfare reform
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
The Greek cabinet yesterday gave the green light for drafting of
new legislation for the restructuring of social welfare funds.
A cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis
endorsed proposals on home employment schemes for the elderly in
102 municipalities, transfer of kindergartens under local
authority control and their evening operation. The new
legislation will aim at a more efficient operation of state
foundations through their cut back from a current total of 1990
to less than 900.
Prime Minister Costas Simitis said that social welfare in Greece
had developed in an unbalanced manner in recent years resulting
to further burdening the system and leading to a more
inefficient operation.
Our target, said Mr. Simitis, is to better organize our national
social welfare system through expanding and improving services
to citizens. Health and Welfare Minister Costas Geitonas
stressed that funding for the program has been secured in this
year's budget and already approved by the cabinet.
[07] NATO expansion tops talks between Solana, Th. Georgiou
Brussels, 17/01/1998 (ANA - P. Pantelis)
NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana and the Greek president of
the Atlantic Union Accord, Th. Georgiou, discussed issues
concerning NATO enlargement during their meeting at NATO's
headquarters here yesterday.
It is the first time Mr. Solana holds an official meeting with
the President of the Atlantic Union Accord and it is the first
time the Union has elected a Greek president.
The Paris-based Atlantic Union Accord constitutes a network of
international communication and co-operation. At present it
represents 32 non-governmental organizations from NATO
member-states and associated countries.
The Greek President held a private meeting with NATO's
Secretary-General. It was followed by a working meeting with
Alternate Secretary-General S. Balazzino and the Atlantic Union
Accords' five vice-presidents from corresponding organizations
of the US, France, Britain, Belgium and Bulgaria.
The main issue in discussion was the Atlantic Union Accord's
contribution to NATO enlargement and its ratification by
national Parliaments. Moreover, preparation for the celebration
of NATO's 50th anniversary to be held in the US in April with
the accession of the three new member-states Poland, Hungary and
the Czech Republic.
Mr. Georgiou also met with the chief of the Allied Forces in
Europe US Gen. Wesley Clark and West European Union (WEU)
Secretary-General Jose Cutilheiro. Mr. Georgiou referred to the
Atlantic Union Accord's orientation towards the WEU, NATO's
European arm, whose Presidency is held by Greece during the
present six-month period.
[08] Athens to host Balkans conference this June
Strasbourg, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
The European Socialist Party (ESP) will hold a Balkans
Conference in Athens in June, in a follow-up to a similar
conference in Thessaloniki last April that examined issues of
security, stability, economic development and the creation o f
European institutions in the Balkans.
The Thessaloniki conference drew the participation of socialist,
social democrat and labor parties from all Balkan countries for
the first time.
The issue of security and stability in the Balkans was at the
center of discussions in Strasbourg yesterday by the ESP
Presidium, which unanimously adopted the Athens proposal by
Greek National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos
(representing the ruling PASOK party) and Foreign
Under-secretary Yannos Kranidiotis (a member of the Presidium).
The Presidium also approved a proposal by the two Greek
representatives to host a European Conference on employment,
social security and welfare state issues in Greece next summer.
Mr. Kranidiotis further briefed the ESP Presidium on the
positive results of the southeastern European heads of state and
government conference held early December in Crete, and on the
"continuing, unacceptable and provocative attitude of Turkey"
after the EU summit in Luxembourg.
[09] Stephanopoulos in Bombay
Bombay, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos continued his
week-long tour of India in Bombay yesterday where he met with
local authorities and was guest of honor at a reception given by
the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Indian
Chamber of Commerce.
The president called for more trade between the two countries
and stressed Greece's position of influence within the Balkans,
as well as its close relations with the countries of the former
Soviet bloc.
Economy Under-secretary Alexandros Baltas, who is accompanying
the president along with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos,
said that within 1998 the institutional framework for
co-operation between the two countries would be ready.
He said existing agreements on the avoidance of double taxation,
the protection of investments and the civil aviation agreement
would be renewed.
Today the Greek delegation is to visit Bombay's Elephant Island
and then fly to Calcutta, the last stop on the president's tour
of India.
[10] Gov't on Stephanopoulos' statements
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas yesterday refused to
comment on President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos'
statements about the possibility of an armed conflict in the
Aegean, although he indirectly agreed with him.
Mr. Reppas said that the president has sensitivities relating to
all issues, but being the first citizen of the country he is
interested about the integrity of the nation and Greece's
national dignity.
Seen in that light, the president's statement was as always on
target, Mr. Reppas added.
[11] Simitis: Gov't work, good image the responsibility of all
ministers
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis said the effectiveness of the
government's work and the government's good image is the
responsibility of all the ministers.
Mr. Simitis was addressing a cabinet meeting yesterday, shortly
before a discussion on welfare issues began, which was the focal
point of the meeting, according to an announcement by government
spokesman Demetris Reppas.
He said all ministers are politically responsible for tackling
problems on the basis of the government's policy statements. He
added that there are no successful or failed ministers but a
successful or failed government.
He further said that a common position by all ministers is
imperative for the promotion of the government's work to enable
it to be supported by the Greek people.
Mr. Simitis said clientele relations existed which must be
abolished, particularly in connection with transfers of civil
servants and military officials. He made an appeal for these
phenomena to be faced with objective processes to enable the
government 's credibility to be enhanced.
"A state of law must prevail and results to be achieved for the
benefit of the citizens," he said.
Mr. Simitis said discussions on intraparty issues are of no
interest to citizens who are interested in the effectiveness of
the government's work and the resolution of problems.
According to reports, Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos
maintained that the government's communication policy is bad.
Mr. Reppas agreed with this remark, replying to a relevant
question, saying among others that he himself is not satisfied
with the way the people receive the government's work.
[12] Greece willing to help resolve Kosovo issue: Papandreou
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou told Parliament
yesterday that Greece would be willing to host Yugoslav
President Slobodan Milosevic, Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano
and the leader of the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, Ibrahim
Rugova, within the framework of any effort to resolve the Kosovo
problem.
Mr. Papandreou was replying to a question tabled by main
opposition New Democracy deputy Ioannis Varvitsiotis following
the recent student uprising in Pristina and the activities of
the self-proclaimed "Liberation Army of Kosovo".
The minister said Greece's position on the problem was identical
to the official position of the European Union, namely that it
rejected the option of independence for Kosovo and respected the
borders of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, coupled with
prospects for wider autonomy for the province.
According to Mr. Papandreou, the recent student demonstrations
in Pristina arose from the non-implementation of an education
agreement between Mr. Milosevic and Mr. Rugova.
Mr. Papandreou strongly criticized the wave of "terrorist,
criminal activities" by the self-proclaimed "liberation army of
Albanian speakers of Kosovo" and condemned "the logic of using
violence" in the region.
He also noted Greece's substantial contribution with regard to
the first meeting in 50 years between the leaders of Albania and
Yugoslavia, Mr. Nano and Mr. Milosevic, on the sidelines of the
recent summit on Crete.
[13] Debate on abolition of Article 19
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Maintenance of Article 19 of the Citizenship Code violates basic
democratic principles and does not contribute to the integration
of the Moslem minority into mainstream Greek society, Alternate
Foreign Minister George Papandreou said in a radio interview
yesterday.
"The philosophy of Article 19 was mistaken, and in practice
harmful to Greek interests. First of all, as an image in an
international environment, where human rights are on the
chessboard.
"Secondly, we want to help in the smooth integration of the
Moslem population in Greek society, so that they feel as
citizens of this country. This policy (of Article 19) did not
contribute in this direction and created all the supports for
Turkish propaganda to utilize them and differentiate them from
the Greek public life in general," he said.
The Coalition of the Left welcomed in a statement the announced
abolition of Article 19, adding that the 'sensitive' Thrace
region would be better protected through the formulation of
conditions of equality and rights before the law for the
minority, and with development without discrimination for all
citizens.
Conversely, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras
described any decision of the government to abolish Article 19
as "an act of recklessness".
[14] Acclaimed actor Demetris Horn dies at the age of 77
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
One of Greece's most talented and celebrated stage and cinema
actors, Demetris Horn, died yesterday afternoon at an Athens
clinic from a heart attack. He was 77.
Born in Athens in 1921, the son of well-known playwright
Pantelis Horn, he studied drama at the Greek National Theater's
Drama School from 1937 to 1940.
His acclaimed theatrical performances included Shakespeare's
"Twelfth Night", "Richard II", "Richard III" and "Hamlet", as
well as Moliere's "Don Juan", Chekhov's "Ivanov", Pirantello's
"Henry IV", and Schaffer's "Sleuth", while his Greek cinema
credits include Michael Cacoyiannis' "Sunday Awakening" and "The
Girl in Black".
Horn was appointed director of the state-run Greek Radio and
Television (ERT) network in 1974, and established the
Goulandris-Horn Foundation for the study of Greek civilization
with his wife Anna in 1980.
A funeral service with the attendance of only close family and
friends and without eulogies will be held, according to the
veteran actor's last wishes.
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and other prominent political
figures made statements on Horn's death.
Mr. Simitis said the late actor, with an unrivaled acting
abilities and integrity, would remain a shining example for all
younger generations of Greek actors.
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who is in Stockholm, said
Horn had linked his name and significant talent with a whole era.
New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis said Horn's
recognition and reputation has surpassed the borders of the
country, and his contribution to the country's cultural life was
tremendous.
Former Communist Party of Greece secretary general Harilaos
Florakis said a great actor had gone, and equally great was the
vacuum left behind in the field of art.
Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos
said Horn's work expressed and beautified an entire era.
Former president of the republic Constantine Karamanlis said: "I
learned of the death of my friend with great pain. He was a
great artist and an outstanding man. His place in the history of
Greek theater will remain unique."
Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said the lights
will never go out for Horn's charismatic personality.
[15] European news agencies hold bi-annual meeting in Brussels
Brussels, 17/01/1998 (ANA - Spinthourakis)
The Union of European News Agencies (EUNA) presidium yesterday
held its bi-annual meeting here and discussed the preparations
for a general assembly of the European news agencies to be held
at Oslo this May.
The meeting also dealt with issues concerning future development
of news agencies, such as use of the Internet.
Athens News Agency General Director and EUNA Vice-President
Andreas Christodoulides represented ANA.
Greek Eurodeputy Katerina Daskalaki was invited to address the
General Assembly in May on the European Parliament's report
concerning the European press.
[16] Cypriot-flagged vessel sinks off Canada
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Canadian coast-guard rescue teams had retrieved the bodies of 15
crew-members of the Cypriot-flagged cargo ship "Flare" last
night, which went down in rough seas some 50 miles from Canada's
Atlantic coast earlier yesterday.
Four members from the 25-man crew, three Filipinos and a
Romanian national, were rescued from a lifeboat.
The vessel, traveling without cargo on route from Rotterdam to
Montreal, transmitted an SOS at 11 a.m. Greek time, and was then
lost from the radio frequencies of other vessels and the
Canadian coast-guard.
All four Greek nationals are reported dead or missing, including
the vessel's captain, Zannis Georgoulis.
[17] Kranidiotis visit to CoE headquarters
Strasbourg, 17/01/1998 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis visited the Council
of Europe here yesterday for contacts on issues concerning
rights linked to the European Accord for the Protection of Human
Rights.
He met Council of Europe Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys,
Alternate Secretary-General Hans Kruger, the Director of the
Human Rights Department Pierre Ibrere and members of the
European Commission and the Human Rights Court.
Mr. Kranidiotis discussed with them prospects of co-operation
between Greece and the Commission and the Human Rights Court,
announcing the Greek government's intention to abolish article
19 of the Citizenship Code but without retroactive effect.
Legislative settlement will be promoted in Greek Parliament in
the next few days.
He also made a briefing on other decisions taken by Greece aimed
at enabling Greece to live up to international obligations it
has assumed in the human rights sector.
Mr. Kranidiotis referred in particular to the new organizing
structure in Greece related to issues concerning the handling of
cases with the Commission and the Human Rights Court.
He further discussed the prospects of the Greek Council of
Europe Presidency, mentioning that Greece will give priority to
human rights issues, as well as to serious migration issues
which have been harassing Europe of late.
[18] Anarchists violence mars student protest
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
An otherwise peaceful protest march by students beginning from
the Athens University's main administration building (Propylea)
on Panepistimiou street to the education ministry was marred
yesterday by the firebombing of a state-owned vehicle.
According to informed sources, the bomb was placed by anarchists
mingling with the protesting students. The march was at all
times monitored by a large riot police contingent.
Shortly after yesterday's incidents in central Athens, a group
of youths stopped a Mercedes vehicle being driven near the
Polytechnic, before forcing the driver to get out and set fire
to the vehicle with a petrol bomb.
The blaze, which caused serious damage to the vehicle, was put
out by firefighters.
The attacks follow two separate bomb attacks Thursday night in
the east Athens district of Zographou, where the Athens
University's student dormitories are located.
In the first incident, a private school bus was seriously
damaged by a makeshift firebomb. No one has claimed
responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, a bus belonging to the urban transport company (OASA)
parked near Zographou cemetery and the dormitories also
sustained serious damage from petrol bombs, allegedly thrown by
anarchists.
The anarchists who destroyed the OASA bus also broke windows in
the cemetery's chapel and caused damage to a nearby cafe.
Local residents yesterday expressed their anger at the absence
of police in the area despite repeated calls for help. They also
allege that shortly after arriving on the scene, a fire brigade
crew suddenly left after communicating with headquarters,
without extinguishing the fire.
According to eyewitness accounts, the anarchists emerged from
the nearby campus where several college students had attended a
concert.
[19] KKE criticism of Washington
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga
in a statement from Thessaloniki yesterday said that the US is
promoting the dispute of Greece's sovereign rights.
Ms. Papariga is in Thessaloniki for a two-day visit of local
industries and workers' unions, as well as the TVX goldmines at
Olympiada, Halkidiki.
[20] Protest outside US embassy
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Meanwhile, KKE organized a demonstration at Lavrion Square
yesterday, attended by some 1,000 protesters who later marched
to the US embassy.
Demonstrators denounced what they called the provocative
statements of US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns.
In a press release, KKE said "the new ambassador is working for
the enforcement of the criminal order of the US and NATO."
Other protests were held in other cities as well.
[21] US Commerce Secretary in Athens for talks on bilateral trade
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
US Secretary of Commerce William Daley will be in Athens today
to participate in talks on boosting trade between Greece and the
United States.
Also participating in the talks, which begin today, will be
World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) president Andrew Athens,
who arrived in Athens yesterday on the invitation of US
Ambassador Nicholas Burns.
Mr. Daley, the first member of the Clinton administration to
visit Greece, told reporters in Washington that he would also
promote the participation of US firms in tenders announced by
the Greek government for state procurements, while also naming
the sectors of telecommunications and environmental protection
as areas of investment potential.
The level of trade between Greece and the US currently stands at
1.5 billion dollars.
Mr. Athens told the ANA that Mr. Daley, whom he met with earlier
this week, would convey the US interest in expanding trade
relations with Greece as "the Greek market is an important
factor of political and economic stability in southeastern
Europe".
He also said he was awaiting a "positive result" from his
request that Mr. Daley also visit the Ecumenical Orthodox
Patriarchate of Constantinople.
[22] Greek stocks rebound at the end of the week
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Greek equities ended the week yesterday on a firm tone
rebounding moderately after Thursday's sharp fall to fresh
three-month lows on the Athens Stock Exchange.
Traders said the market was encouraged by a recovery in
international markets and by a stable condition in domestic
money markets which saw capital inflows totaling 70 million US
dollars and interbank interest rates move in range.
Also the drachma was firmer against the ECU and the DMark, but
slightly lower against the US dollar. The general index closed
1.24 percent up at 1,411.29 points for a week loss of 4.68
percent.
Trading was heavy with turnover at 22.5 billion drachmas. The
week's turnover totaled 99.934 billion drachmas to a daily
average of 20 billion.
Sector indices were mixed. Banks rose 1.50 percent, Insurance
increased 1.69 percent, Leasing fell 0.13 percent, Investment
ended 0.79 percent up, Constructions fell 0.72 percent,
Industrials were 1.38 percent higher, Miscellaneous surged 3.20
percent and Holding rose 1.09 percent. The parallel market index
for small cap companies rose 2.50 percent, while the FTSE/ASE
ended at 776.23 points, up 1.20 percent, but off 6.99 percent in
the week.
Broadly, advancers led decliners by 137 to 78 with another 23
issues unchanged.
Kambas, Petzetakis, Papoutsanis and Ideal scored the biggest
percentage gains at the day's upper limit of 8.0 percent, while
Tzirakian, Balkan Export, Fourlis, Sato and Pouliades suffered
the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 20,100 drachmas, Ergobank at
13,300, Alpha Credit Bank at 14,490, Delta Dairy 2,750, Titan
Cement at 13,705, Intracom 14,660 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 5,575.
[23] Olympic Airways lowers cost of transatlantic flights
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Olympic Airways, Greece's national carrier, yesterday announced
new lower prices on four transatlantic flights and one European
destination.
OA's board approved a reduction in ticket prices to New York
from 167,000 to 130,000 drachmas, to Boston from 167,000 to
130,000, Montreal from 174,000 to 135,000 and Toronto from
181,000 to 135,000.
The national carrier also announced a reduction in the cost of
round trip to London from Athens and Thessaloniki to 70,000
drachmas.
[24] Retail sales volume up 0.9 pct in October 1997
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
Greece's retail sales volume rose by 0.9 percent in October 1997
compared with the corresponding period in 1996, a national
statistics service statement said yesterday.
The volume of retail sales was 2.3 percent higher in the period
from January to October 1997 from the same period the previous
year.
[25] Bank of Greece offers banking to illegal immigrants
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
The Bank of Greece has lifted restrictions that prohibited
illegal immigrants from opening and holding bank accounts with
Greece-based financial institutions.
"Provision of banking services, especially savings accounts, to
non-European Union subjects who cannot prove their legal stay in
Greece is liberalized," the central bank stated.
The Bank of Greece said it expected the removal of restrictions
to favorably affect Greece's economy and the country's balance
of payments as well as facilitate illegal workers.
The new regulation, set to be activated Feb. 1, will provide
safety to an estimated half a million illegal immigrants who up
to now were forced to keep their savings in cash form, resulting
in increased criminal activity.
"The workers resorted to the transfer of savings to their home
countries, running the risk of capital loss due to monetary
instability there," the cental bank said.
Illegal immigrants wishing to open bank accounts will still need
to present formal documentation of their identity (passport) and
will be liable to standard controls for money laundering, it
added.
[26] Commission asks for clarifications on public utilities'
procurements
Brussels, 17/01/1998 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
The European Commission has asked Athens for clarifications
regarding approximately 200 programmatic agreements for
procurements by public utilities from domestic private
enterprises before Dec. 31, 1997.
The clarifications concern contracts in the sectors of water
supply, transports, energy and telecommunications.
The transitional period of Greece's exemption regarding the four
sectors from the application of Directive 93/98 expired on the
above date.
[27] Fisherman, sponge divers given extension for rendering VAT
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
The period allowing fishermen and sponge divers to adjust to an
obligation to render VAT to the state has been extended for a
year, until Dec. 31, 1998.
Until then, these two categories of professionals will not
render VAT receipts to the state.
The extension is anticipated by a decision signed by Finance
Under-secretary George Drys aimed at lifting the deadlock
created following vehement reactions from fishermen and sponge
divers to the new status, which the government attempted to
apply as of this year under pressures from the European Union.
Reactions culminated in past days with the blocking of ports on
several Aegean islands.
According to the status existing in Greece to date, these two
categories are subject to the status governing farmers and do
not render VAT to the state.
The decision notes that efforts will be made to find a joint
solution with fishermens' and sponge divers' unions by the end
of 1998 so that they can pay a lump-sum VAT as of 1999 on the
basis of some turnover to be set in accordance with a vessel's
length without the obligation to keep accounting books.
Fishermen and sponge divers protesting the new tax rules
yesterday continued to blockade the ports of Leros, Patmos,
Naxos, Kalymnos, Irakleio and Santorini for the fifth
consecutive day.
Before Mr. Drys decision was announced, fishermen's
representatives told ANA that the ports of Samos, Karlovasi,
Pythagoreio, Fourni, Agios Kyrikos and Evdilos would be
blockaded, affecting all ships after the departure at 4 p.m.
yesterday of the ferry "Milena".
Before the new tax regulations, fishermen were included in the
same tax category as farmers and were exempt from paying
value-added tax (VAT) on their catches.
[28] Drama interested in natural gas
Athens, 17/01/1998 (ANA)
The city of Drama yesterday agreed in principle to promote the
use of natural gas and it is willing to participate in the
seven-billion-drachma project to the tune of 20 per cent.
Drama will be connected with a 75-kilometer local network to a
natural gas main network through the Kavala Public Natural Gas
Enterprise (DEPA) facilities.
End of English language section.
|
