Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-04-04

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis focuses on recent Asian economic crisis, EMU

[02] Greek banks see Dr 30-40 bln drachma loss due to single currency

[03] Gov't, Pol.An criticise Mitsotakis statements

[04] US Senate votes on possible visa-free travel

[05] Athens protests latest desecration of Orthodox cemetery in Turkey

[06] Karadayi in Athens on Monday for WEU meeting

[07] SAE's Athens briefs Kaklamanis programmes for ethnic Greeks in former Soviet states

[08] New police patrol cars this month

[09] Constantopoulos outlines Synaspismos' election strategy

[10] Teachers strike throughout Greece

[11] OA talks continue

[12] Papoutsis says Greece'c EMU target feasible

[13] NATO Planning Office director to visit Greece

[14] Venizelos calls for regional cultural unity through Mediterranean network

[15] Tsohatzopoulos

[16] Correction

[17] UNHCR spokeswoman to give Athens press conference

[18] Roussel trial postponed to October

[19] Commission warns eight EU members on implementing environmental laws

[20] Karamanlis urges accelerated privatisations

[21] Koliopanos calls for 'environmental scepticism' in economic, social processes

[22] Greece outlines its agricultural position at Athens meeting on CAP

[23] OTE positions announced

[24] Combined European transport networks discussed at int'l conference

[01] Simitis focuses on recent Asian economic crisis, EMU

LONDON, 4/4/1998 (ANA - G. Papachristos)

He made three points regarding certain lessons to be drawn from the crisis:

Firstly, the necessity of creating conditions of greater stability in the international economy's functioning.

"We must boost the mechanisms that prevent and avert such serious crisesIparticularly in international capital markets," he said.

Secondly, that actions of the European Union in that regard should take into account the need for safeguarding success in meeting the challenge of the common currency.

And thirdly, the need for promoting structural changes in Asian economies.

He also stressed the importance of the provision of technical aid for financial restructuring, the fight against mechanisms for money laundering and drug trafficking, as well as cooperation in the fields of environmental protection and protection of the dignity of women and children.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Greek prime minister said the leaders attending the summit had decided that the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and other organisations would undertake the task of establishing greater transparency in the movements of international capital, so as to boost the stability of the international economy.

"We agreed that something had to be done, and this is a very important step, " he said. The drachma: Replying to questions on the likely impact which the decisions reached at the summit would have on the everyday life of Greek citizens, Mr. Simitis said that in the most developed countries and Greece, the increases in the remuneration of workers could take the form of increases in the quality of life and technological services.

The drachma Referring to the drachma's incorporation onto the European Union's Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM), the prime minister said he had found full support from his EU counterparts attending the summit.

He was replying to a reporter's question on talk of fears that consumer price inflation might resurge, following a 14 per cent devaluation on March 14, which was linked to the ERM entry.

"All (the leaders) I spoke to offered their support and congratulations. They also expressed their conviction that the Greek economy had taken steady steps forward and is now entering the final phase towards Economic and Monetary Union," Mr. Simitis sai d.

The premier met British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday evening at 10 Downing Street for talks on EU developments. China visit: In a related development, Mr. Simitis said yesterday that he had accepted an invitation to visit the People's Republic of China following a meeting on the sidelines of the Europe-Asia summit.

The invitation was made by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, and the date will be set through diplomatic channels, Mr. Simitis said.

He also described Greece's relations with China as extremely good. Greece, Japan seek closer economic ties: Finally, Mr. Simitis and his Japanese counterpart Ryutaro Hashimoto also met to discuss closer bilateral economic ties. Currently, the trade balance is in Japan's favour.

The two premiers also discussed boosting Japanese tourism to Greece, Mr. Simitis said. Kosovo: During discussion of the Kosovo crisis, Mr. Simitis said Greece staunchly supported respect for the rules of international law and human rights, as well as the inviolability of borders in the Balkans.

He added that various powers had their share of responsibility for the crisis, and expressed support for dialogue between the two sides.

Athens News Agency

[02] Greek banks see Dr 30-40 bln drachma loss due to single currency

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

Theodore Karatzas, the bank's governor and chairman of the Greek Banks Union, presented the study on the impact on the Greek banking system of adoption of the euro.

He said the cost of adaptation to the euro was affordable for the country's financial sector. The study, which is the result of several months of research, is expected to become an aid for the management of banks ahead of the adoption of the single currency and the ensuing changes.

Nikos Karamouzis, National Bank of Greece's deputy governor and the architect of the study, said that Greek banks also faced another 30 billion drachmas in losses from adjusting their operational systems to the euro.

He said that the cost of replacing drachma notes and coins with euros was still unknown.

Investment banking was expected to be the first banking sector in Greece to feel the euro's impact, followed by treasury and dealing rooms, asset management and corporate finance.

Retail banking was expected to have the least trouble. Mr. Karatzas urged Greek banks to take initiatives by expanding into new markets, offering new products and investing in new technology in order to remain competitive in the EMU market from January 1st, 1999.

He said that the drachma's entry into the euro by 2001 was a national goal and the most important development in the country's history after the Second World War.

Mr. Karatzas said that in the transition period from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2000, the euro should be dealt with as another foreign currency by the Greek banking sector.

He said that the drachma was safe within the European Exchange Rate Mechanism because the government would have to strictly adhere to monetary stability as set by the Maastricht criteria.

Karatzas dismissed speculation that the Greek currency was expected to face new pressures ahead of an EU summit in May to decide the euro's participants. Greek stocks jump on fresh round of buying: Greek equities ended the week sharply higher yesterday boosted by renewed buying activity following a further drop in domestic interest rates.

The general index closed 3.43 percent higher at 2,063.50 points with all sector indices scoring major gains.

Banks rose 4.11 percent, Insurance ended 3.10 percent up, Leasing increased 0.99 percent, Investment was 2.71 percent higher, Industrials jumped 3.19 percent, Miscellaneous rose 2.48 percent, Holding ended 2.03 percent up, but Construction bucked the tr end to end 1.02 percent down.

The parallel index for small cap companies rose 2.77 percent while the FTSE/ASE-20 blue chip index jumped 3.82 percent to 1,220.49.

Trading was heavy with turnover at 65 billion drachmas.

Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation ended 310 drachmas up at 8,110 in heavy volume of 731,500 issues.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 172 to 65 with another 23 issues unchanged.

Ergodata, Maillis, Rokas, Delta Inform, Lykos, Keranis and Strintzis scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Viokarpet, Etma, Macedonian Plastics, Sportsman and Boutaris suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 36,700 drachmas, Ergobank at 23,300, Alpha Credit Bank at 24,650, Delta Dairy at 3,560, Titan Cement at 22,965 and Intracom at 19,100.

In the domestic money market, the drachma was substantially higher against most foreign currencies, rebounding from a two-day decline.

The Greek currency rose by 0.46 and 0.44 percent against the Ecu and DMark respectively in the week. Greek stocks dominated by profit-taking in past week: The Athens Stock Exchange halted its two-week rally in the past week hit by a wave of profit-taking on market worries about opposition to a government restructuring plan for Olympic Airways.

The general index was slightly higher in the week, showing net gains of 0.09 percent. The index stood at 583.87 points, or 39.46 percent higher since the start of the year.

The miscellaneous sector scored the biggest percentage gains in the week at 13.43 percent, while the construction sector suffered the heaviest losses at 11.40 percent.

Trading remained heavy to total 364.6 billion drachmas, or a daily average of 72.9 billion, down from 78.8 billion the previous week.

Traders said that the market would, in the short term, closely watch convergence towards the European Union's economic and monetary union.

Prospects of a final solution to a dispute between the government and Olympic Airways workers were seen as a factor that could boost to the market. Greek gov't says prices soon to recover from devaluation: Greece's government said yesterday a jolt to prices stemming from the drachma's 14 percent devaluation last month would soon ease, leaving inflation unscathed. A coordinating ministerial committee agreed at a meeting that the devaluation, linked to the country's entry into the European Union's exchange rate mechanism, would not lead to a resurgence of declining inflation, government sources said.

Prices in April would be reasonable, despite bouts of snow and heavy rain in March, the sources said.

Helping to keep prices down were healthy competition and spot checks by the government's financial crimes squad. Greek state telecom launches real-time stock data Monday: OTEnet SA, a subsidiary of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation, on Monday launches real-time trading data from the Athens Stock Exchange via Internet.

Users will be able to track transactions, share prices and indices live throughout the bourse's trading session.

The service, available on http://www.otenet.gr/sofokleous, also allows portfolio management and analysis.

OTEnet has devised the service in conjunction with Dow Jones Markets Hellas SA and Natfeed Live Technologies SA.

In the near future, OTEnet will provide more data for the service including news, mutual funds, foreign exchange parities and international market indices. Greek employers, unions still deadlocked over 1998 pay: Greek employers and unions yesterday failed in a fourth round of talks to break a deadlock on a national collective labour agreement for 1998.

Taking part in the talks are the Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Federation of Greek Industry (SEB).

GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos said the two sides were still far from agreement.

Employers were trying to exploit new market conditions stemming from the drachma's 14 percent devaluation on March 14 at the expense of workers, Mr. Polyzogopoulos claimed.

He alleged that SEB had backtracked on an earlier offer of a one percent wage rise over anticipated inflation.

Unions are pressing for a five-six percent wage rise. This would safeguard incomes on the basis of anticipated inflation and allow a gradual rise in proportion to an increase in national productivity.

According to sources, trade unions may be willing to accept a 4.5 percent increase.

Mr. Polyzogopoulos also indirectly accused the government and the European Union of intervening in the pay negotiations.

He said GSEE would persist with its demand for a one-year labour agreement plus safeguards, and a gradual improvement in incomes.

SEB president Iason Stratos called the devaluation realistic, but its outcome would depend on the government's ability to exercise an economic policy of restraint and carry out structural changes.

"These are very serious commitments undertaken by the country (to the EU)," Mr. Stratos said.

SEB is proposing a wage increase of 3.5 percent.

According to Mr. Stratos, the figure is higher than that expected by international markets, higher than an EU recommended figure, and higher than guidelines set by National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

He said SEB would study GSEE's proposal for a one-year agreement but would under no circumstances accept a corrective increase for 1998.

According to sources, SEB backs a two-year agreement, which for 1998 would give an increase of 3.5 percent and for 1999 a percentage corresponding to anticipated year-end inflation plus a possible corrective amount.

Athens News Agency

[03] Gov't, Pol.An criticise Mitsotakis statements

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

In regard to statements by Mr. Mitsotakis concerning PASOK founder and three-time prime minister Andreas Papandreou, Mr. Reppas noted that "too often, single-sided criticism is applied without a political or ideological context."

Although Mr. Reppas said he did not watch the interview, broadcast by the private Mega television station, he said he considered Mr. Mitsotakis' statements "undignified".

The Political Spring (Pol.An) party also issued a written statement concerning the Mitsotakis interview, following the honorary ND president's remarks criticising Pol.An founder and president Antonis Samaras.

Mr. Samaras held the foreign ministry portfolio in the 1990-93 Mitsotakis government before resigning to create Pol.An, a move that precipitated in the government's collapse.

"Mr. Mitsotakis has changed parties and ideologies several times without ever disassociating himself from powerful economic interests, so he is the last person that can give ethical lessons," the Pol.An statement read.

Athens News Agency

[04] US Senate votes on possible visa-free travel

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

The announcement said the bill is now on US President Bill Clinton's desk awaiting his signature.

Several criteria remain, after the law is signed, for countries to meet in order to enter the pilot visa prorgamme.

The embassy advised travellers to continue to obtain a visa before departing for the US, as it is not yet known how long it will take to determine whether Greece meets these criteria.

Athens News Agency

[05] Athens protests latest desecration of Orthodox cemetery in Turkey

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

The adviser of the ministry's directorate for Greek-Turkish affairs, Georgios Avgoustis, summoned an official of the Turkish embassy in Athens and conveyed the government's "extreme displeasure" about the vandalism itself and the fact that the perpetrat ors remain at large "just as those responsible for desecrating churches and cemeteries of the Greek community in Turkey also remain at large".

Main opposition New Democracy party yesterday called on the government to protest to international organisations over the desecration. The government on Thursday described the vandalism as a "barbaric act" and called on Ankara to "deal decisively wi th such deplorable acts".

Vandals desecrated dozens of graves in the Greek cemetery in Istanbul early Tuesday, breaking marble slabs and scattering beheaded skeletons.

ND deputy Panayiotis Psomiadis, in a motion, urged the government to lodge protests with the European Union, NATO and Washington.

He also called on Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos to brief Parliament on what steps the government had taken on the issue.

Vandals desecrated the Greek cemetery at Neohorio on the Bosporus in September 1993, while last year another Greek cemetery in the Istanbul suburb of Kantili was the target of vandals and the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople was the ta rget of a bomb attack for the third time in recent years. In January, the sexton of the Agios Therapon Church in Istanbul was found murdered.

No arrests were ever made. Spyridon urges US condemnation: Archbishop of America Spyridon urged members of the US Congress as well as national, civic and religious leaders in the United States to respond to the latest desecration against a Greek Orthodox cemetery in Istanbul.

Earlier this week, more than 70 graves in the Greek Orthodox cemetery of Agios Eleftherios in the Kurtulus region of Istanbul were vandalised.

Spyridon urged the political and spiritual leadership in the United States to come to the defence of the faithful and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the worldwide centre of Orthodox Christianity. He also addressed a letter to US Presiden t Bill Clinton.

"Mr. President, this most recent attack upon even the dead causes great pain to all people. I need to ask: 'What is the sin of those who repose in the hope of Resurrection? What is the sin of those fathers and mothers who lay at peace and cause no offen se?' Ultimately, where is the righteousness in attacking the bones which sanctify the earth in which they were placed?" a portion of the letter reads.

In a public statement, Archbishop Spyridon said "I am shaken and very concerned regarding the recent desecration of more than 70 Greek Orthodox graves in Istanbul, Turkey. In the very recent past the compound of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has been bomb ed, resulting in casualties and property damage, a church was broken into and a sexton was murdered, and now even those who lie in the tombs have been attacked."

This was the third incident in four months in Istanbul. On December 3, 1997, a bomb attack against the Patriarchal compound in the Phanar district of Istanbul seriously injured a deacon and damaged the Patriarchal Cathedral. On Jan. 13, the Church of Ag ios Therapon was pillaged and the sexton was murdered. There was also an incident on the island of Imvros, a one-time predominately Greek Orthodox isle, where the Church of the Annunciation was robbed and vandalised.

Athens News Agency

[06] Karadayi in Athens on Monday for WEU meeting

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

Greece currently holds the rotating six-month WEU presidency.

According to an ANA despatch quoting reliable sources in Istanbul, General Karadayi's participation was initially announced during a reception at the Greek Embassy in Istanbul celebrating the March 25 Greek Independence Day, but the recent torching of a car belonging to the Turkish military attache in Athens had placed a question mark over whether he would attend.

Athens News Agency

[07] SAE's Athens briefs Kaklamanis programmes for ethnic Greeks in former Soviet states

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

SAE already provides free medical care through a clinic in Tbilisi and is also planning to set up a further 14 centres to cover needs in Georgia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, where about 800,000 to one million ethnic Greeks live.

A fundraising campaign will take place between May 23-24 through Greek radio and television stations worldwide.

Athens News Agency

[08] New police patrol cars this month

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Romeos was responding to a question by PASOK deputy Eleni Anousaki on a set of new measures taken by the authorities to combat crime.

"The ministry has taken all necessary steps to check the wave of increasing crime that has recently hit Greece," he said.

Athens News Agency

[09] Constantopoulos outlines Synaspismos' election strategy

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Constantopoulos was speaking at a conference for discussion on the stand Synaspismos will adopt regarding ratification of the Treaty of Amsterdam. The conference is continuing today, and a vote is expected tomorrow.

Athens News Agency

[10] Teachers strike throughout Greece

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

Teachers also object to the establishment of a body of assessors of teachers' work.

Most schools remained closed, affected by a 24-hour strike.

Meanwhile, the board of the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) decided to join the 24-hour nationwide strike scheduled by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) for Thursday.

The ADEDY board, in a statement, expressed objections to the privatisation, mergers, or abolitions of public utilities and organisations, and that their proposed conversion to societes anonymes raised questions regarding even the constitutionally estab lished permanent employment status of public servants.

According to reports, more primary school teachers than high school teachers in northern Greece joined yesterday's 24-hour nationwide.

Teachers in Thessaloniki rallied in the city centre at midday and then marched to the Macedonia-Thrace ministry where a delegation met with Minister Philippos Petsalnikos.

Athens News Agency

[11] OA talks continue

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

The new round of talks were held prior to a vote on a controversial bill for OA's restructuring, which will be taken in Parliament on Tuesday.

Observers said hopes are now rising for overcoming the deadlock and achieving an agreement between management and employees.

Athens News Agency

[12] Papoutsis says Greece'c EMU target feasible

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[13] NATO Planning Office director to visit Greece

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

During his stay, the NATO official will have a protocol meeting with National Defence General Staff Chief Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis.

Mr. Dietriechsen will also visit installations of the General Directorate of Armaments, the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB) and Intracom facilities, while he will also brief military officials on the NATO office's activities.

AFCEA, comprised of NATO member-states, works for bringing together the defence industries and for an improvement in the alliance's administration and communication control systems.

Athens News Agency

[14] Venizelos calls for regional cultural unity through Mediterranean network

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Venizelos was speaking yesterday on the second and last day of the conference on "The European Union's Policy in the Eastern Mediterranean" at the Athens Concert Hall.

Mr. Venizelos referred to the Centre for the Protection of Mediterranean Heritage, headquartered in Rethymno, which is among the targets of programmes on the part of Greece, and to the development of the concept of the Mediterranean Cities and Arts Netw orks.

Helene Glykatzi-Ahrweiler, president of the University of Europe, pondered whether civilisation is a drawback or a privilege, noting that civilisation is usually considered a remedy for every problem when the other political efforts have failed.

Athens News Agency

[15] Tsohatzopoulos

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

"The Cyprus issue constitutes at present the cornerstone of every positive development in the network of Greek-Turkish relations. Unfortunately, Ankara has not yet shown the necessary political will so as to proceed with the lifting of its occupation po licy and this to constitute a lever for a genuine rapprochement between Greece and Turkey and a path for the decisive incorporation of the entire region in the processes of Europe's economic and political integration," he said.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also spoke of the need for a unified area between the European Union and the eastern Mediterranean, stressing that the EU must develop the suitable institutions for the wider promotion of cooperation in regional issues concerning conf idence and security building measures.

Athens News Agency

[16] Correction

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

"The main reason for the lack of progress," Mr. Papandreou said, "lies in the political sector. The peace process is presenting serious problems and affecting the Barcelona process."

He stressed that Euro-Mediterra-nean cooperation could play a role and contribute to the peace process.

He added that when cooperation at government level was not progressing, contacts at the social level could help create an atmosphere to facilitate progress.

"Greece wants to and can be a bridge between Europe and the Mediterranean," he said.

Athens News Agency

[17] UNHCR spokeswoman to give Athens press conference

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

Ms Kumin, whose visit takes place on the occasion of Greece's National Day for Refugees (April 5), will refer to the extensive problem of refugees in regions such as the Great Lakes in Central Africa, countries in the former Soviet Union, the Middle Eas t and the Balkans.

The UN official will aslo speak at the launching of a Greek-language version of the second edition of the book 'The state of the World's refugees', addressing the issue of 'Asylum in Europe'. The main speaker will be Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

Another press release by the UNHCR office in Athens, entitled "Few reasons to celebrate", stated:

"The Panhellenic Refugee Day dawns with refugees in Greece and abroad facing hard times, in a world of shifting priorities and economic constraints.

In Greece, UNCHR, the United Nations' organisation in charge of refugees, hopes that improvements in the asylum procedure and reception facilities which are under preparation, will swiftly materialise".

City University in London's journalism departmnt will organise an international seminar on the Internet for media professionals in the city on July 2-3.

The seminar will focus on briefing journalists on developments in the sector of digital technology in the mass media and the practical training of journalists in new technologies.

The participation fee is 195 pounds sterling, while members of the Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA) enjoy a 10 per cent discount.

Athens News Agency

[18] Roussel trial postponed to October

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

The charges arise from a complaint filed by Mr. Roussel two years ago accusing the Onassis Foundation board of mismanagement. A court dismissed the complaint some months ago.

A civil suit brought against Mr. Roussel by the foundation seeking damages of five billion drachmas for alleged moral prejudice it suffered as a result of the complaint was adjourned by a different court in Athens yesterday until January 23, so that it can be jointly heard with lawsuits filed by Mr. Roussel seeking compensation from the foundation.

After yesterday's adjournment, Mr. Roussel told reporters he had come to prove his innocence but would now return in October. He said he would remain in Greece for three more days.

Athens News Agency

[19] Commission warns eight EU members on implementing environmental laws

BRUSSELS, 4/4/1998 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

The Commission's decision to act against the eight member-states concerns reports on air quality, which should have been submitted by the end of September 1996. The Commission said the eight countries did not fully meet obligations.

If responses are deemed unsatisfactory, the EU Commission may resort to the Supreme Court. - The first exchange of views on the European Union's environmental policy issues and special problems faced by Greece took place at the European Commission's representation in Greece yesterday, between a representation of the EU's Commission's General D epartment XI and non-governmental organisations.

Athens News Agency

[20] Karamanlis urges accelerated privatisations

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

"For the first time in Greece, there is an opposition which exercises strict criticism on the government and at the same time is pushing it in the right direction, unlike other oppositions which used to be diametrically opposed to government options," h e said during an address at a business conference.

Mr. Karamanlis described the situation in state-run Olympic Airways as a "national shame", and added that past ND governments had their share of serious responsibility.

He emphasised that the national carrier should be transferred into the hands of the private sector if it is to avoid bankruptcy, and referred to soliciting international tenders for selection of a strategic investor or ally for OA that would present a specific operational plan.

He also urged the government to proceed quickly with the privatisation of large state-controlled banks, stressing that for investment to increase an "environment of stability" at the political, legislative and taxation levels must exist.

Athens News Agency

[21] Koliopanos calls for 'environmental scepticism' in economic, social processes

Athens, 4/4/4998 (ANA)

He was speaking at a meeting of ministers from Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member-states, held in Paris, on achieving effective implementation of viable development targets in the era of globalisation as well as strength ening the organisation in this direction.

Mr. Koliopanos said that this effort has a longterm and complicated nature for Greece and many other countries, while a high degree of cooperation and coordination is necessary between all state bodies.

In his address, he supported the OECD's efforts and outlined the country's most important efforts for the implementation of the viable development targets.

Mr. Koliopanos made special reference to the incorporation of the environmental costs through "green taxation" and "green incentives."

Lastly, he analysed the main points of Greece's energy policy, which emanate from the obligation on incorporation of the Kyoto Protocol.

Athens News Agency

[22] Greece outlines its agricultural position at Athens meeting on CAP

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

Greek Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas outlined his ministry's positions on the European Commission's proposals, which he said if implemented will have a negative impact on Mediterranean products and will increase spending in the EU's Agricultur al Fund budget.

Mr. Tzoumakas had presented these positions at a recent farm ministers council, saying he was expecting a period of tough negotiations.

Some of the points raised by Athens include: P all products, north and south, should be dealt with jointly P EU funds should be raised to avoid trouble with the smooth finance of the Common Agricultural Policy. P there should be provision for extra funding in the future, in case forecasts in the guidelines for farming are not adequate. P provisions to cope with natural disasters. P there should be explicit provisions for the islands P an appropriate ratio of national, regional and local measures and actions, should be set with focus on the development of the provinces. P there should be explicit provisions for new farmers, etc.

Referring to the EU's expansion, the agriculture minister said Greece was in favour of enlargement, stressing however, that the part in a Commission report saying that future funding of Cyprus' accession course will depend on the progress to be made in resolving the Cyprus issue should be thrown out.

Mr. Tzoumakas underlined that the government will provide incentives and take structural measures to further develop the farming sector.

"This year, 1.64 billion drachmas will be allocated to the agricultural sector both through the state budget and EU subsidies", he said, adding that "producers should take more initiatives and undertake more responsibilities to utilise the potential of allocations".

Representatives of agricultural cooperatives and associations also strongly criticised the European Commission's proposals in the farming sector.

Athens News Agency

[23] OTE positions announced

Athens, 4/4/1998 (ANA)

The posts will be filled with priority sequence and the selection criteria will be the grade of the candidates' basic studies degree. Specifically, 10 posts will be filled for telecommunications engineers (university-level), nine for informatics graduat es (university-level) and two for librarians (technical college-level). People interested can submit applications from April 6-14 and from April 27 to May 7.

Athens News Agency

[24] Combined European transport networks discussed at int'l conference

SOCHI, 4/4/1998 (ANA- G. Tzortzakis)

Speakers from more than 25 nations, including about 100 Greek businesspeople, stressed that coordinated transports are a basic priority for the development of economic relations between east and west.

Russian Transport Undersecretary A. Kazantzeo singled out the particular importance of the 9th Pan-European Axis, which includes the line Moscow- Novorosyiisk-Sofia-Alexandroupoli for promoting trade in the Black Sea, and stressed the need for ferry ser vices linking the Black Sea with the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean.

Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis stressed Greece's strategic role through the Egnatia motorway, now under construction across the breadth of northern Greece, and the adjoining ports on the Aegean, but recognised the existence of major border pr oblems which hinder the efficient integration of transport networks.

Cypriot Transport Minister Leontios Ierodiakonou asked for the free movement of Cypriot-flagged vessels, while he also noted that airport and ports in his country were being modernised with a view to providing high- standard services. His proposal for th e holding of the next international conference in Nicosia was accepted.

The President of the Greek Association of Transport Chambers, Michalis Adamantiadis, said the aim of developing coordinated means of transport would require, among other things, a single customs code, harmonisation of transport infrastructure, and moder nisation through the use of telematics and computers.

Athens News Agency

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