Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-08-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Cyprus stress Turkey's obligation to abide by Eurocourt's 'Loizidou' decision

[02] Reaction on Cyprus

[03] Edirne pre fect in Rodopi, foreign ministry says no Athens involvement

[04] Bulgarian PM dismisses reports by Turkish dailies

[05] Gov't denies press reports regarding Pangalos-Burns meeting

[06] Cabinet approves measures to overhaul social insurance

[07] Four domestic banks bid for Bank of Central Greece in bourse tender

[08] Greek stocks rise again, buoyed by bank privatisation

[09] Finance ministry to hold T-bill auction on Tuesday

[10] Greek stocks end the week perky despite privatisation glitch

[11] First stage regular budget expenditures decrease

[12] Corinth Piping contract with Syrian firm

[13] Alpha Credit Bank interest rates

[14] Scratch-off contract again awarded to group headed by Intalot

[15] Layout of Olympic installations

[16] Rozakis elected VP of European Court of Human Rights

[17] Jospin, Klima in Greece for private visits

[18] Montreal Greek community library calls for support

[19] Papoutsis on Cyprus' accession course

[20] Commission funding for environmental projects

[21] US Navy warships anchor in Rhodes

[22] Radio interference cited in flights to and from Mideast

[23] Filipino woman charged with murdering compatriot's infant

[24] Detained woman gives birth at police precinct

[25] Train derailment

[26] Mount Taygetus finally brought under control

[27] Armenian man arrested for transporting illegals

[28] Three drownings reported

[29] Greece, Lithuania, Yugoslavia easily advance to second round of WorldBasket '98

[01] Greece, Cyprus stress Turkey's obligation to abide by Eurocourt's 'Loizidou' decision

In a statement issued Thursday, the Turkish foreign ministry claimed that Ankara does not exercise "public authority" in the illegal state, namely, the areas of Cyprus that Turkish troops have occupied since 1974.

In its ruling on Tuesday, the European Court awarded Titina Loizidou compensation for prevention of enjoyment of her property in the Turkish- occupied coastal town. She is also entitled to moral damages and legal costs. The ruling also does not mean any change in ownership rights for Ms Loizidou.

The illegal entity, unilaterally declared in the occupied areas of Cyprus in 1983, is recognised only by Turkey, while the UN has called on all states not to facilitate it in any way.

In Athens, the Greek foreign ministry said that Turkey would place itself outside the European Charter for Human Rights and as a result out of the Council of Europe and the European scene if it refused to abide by the European Court's decision.

The announcement stressed the fact that Turkey abided by the court's decisions in the past as have other CoE member-states including Greece.

Athens News Agency

[02] Reaction on Cyprus

Both government spokesman Christos Stylianides and Cypriot Attorney General Alecos Markides stressed that Ankara will have to abide by the court ruling if it does not want to face consequences from the Council of Europe.

"The Turkish foreign ministry statement is audacious and naive", Mr. Markides said.

Echoing his words, Mr. Stylianides underlined that Ankara "proves the audacity with which it handles international decisions and decisions by recognsied international courts.

"It was an individual application against Turkey and not against the illegal state which could not be the defendant, since it is a non existent entity and is recognined by no-one", the Attorney General underlined.

Mr. Markides clarified that Turkey's claims were rejected by the European Court in 1996.

"Turkey will have to face a dilemma very soon because it is forced to respect and abide by the decision. If it doesn't it will have to leave the Council of Europe", he added.

The government spokesman said "the Council of Europe has a series of sanctions it could take, including expulsion."

In a related development, the Turkish Cypriot press only referred to the Eurocourt decision yesterday, mainly focusing on its rejection by Turkey and the illegal regime.

However, in an editorial, the opposition newspaper "Avrupa" (Europe) rejected the Turkish foreign ministry's claims that the decision is binding, noting: "Who could believe such things? I Who could believe that it is not Ankara that governs us?"

Athens News Agency

[03] Edirne pre fect in Rodopi, foreign ministry says no Athens involvement

Turkish prefect Mehmet Canseven is accompanied by the mayor of Edirne, Hamdi Sedefci, and the presidents of the city's chambers.

Commenting on his visit, Mr. Canseven said that the prefect of Rodopi, Stergios Stavropoulos, had visited Edirne last October.

"There are plans for the development of cooperation on social, economic and cultural issues," he noted.

In a related development, the foreign ministry's information department announced yesterday that the "visit to Komotini by the prefect of Edirne was settled directly between the prefectures of Rodopi and Edirne. The foreign ministry of Greece had no inv olvement."

"We believe that for the exchange of visits between elected officials, the time of the visit must be chosen carefully and must be preceded by adequate preparation in cooperation with the foreign ministry,' it was added.

The announcement went on to say that "the prefect of Edirne is not an elected local administration leader but an appointed senior employee of the Turkish state. Visits by Turkish senior officials do not add anything to contacts between local administrat ion officials nor to rapprochement between local societies".

Athens News Agency

[04] Bulgarian PM dismisses reports by Turkish dailies

The Bulgarian premier officially refuted in the Bulgarian parliament reports by the Turkish daily "Hurriyet", during an answer to a relevant question by an opposition party.

He said that such notions are an "outdated mode of thinkingIthat at the end of the 20th century here in the Balkans some kind of axes or arcs, Orthodox or Muslim, are createdIthis type of thinking does not reflect our foreign policy."

Furthermore, Mr. Kostov noted that Greece, Bulgaria and Romania have agreed on a summit meeting in October in Delphi, as well as an established dialogue by three three nations' foreign ministers.

Athens News Agency

[05] Gov't denies press reports regarding Pangalos-Burns meeting

"I do not agree with this view," he said, adding that nothing has changed in Mr. Pangalos' positions because, as he said, the Greek FM had pointed out that the policy of the US and its leader does not follow and does not always implement all that has be en announced.

"This is a negative phenomenon," he said, noting that Greece pursues relations of equality and mutual benefit in bilateral relations.

He said it was logical for tensions and fluctuations to be observed, but in general Greek-American relations are moving in a positive direction.

In a related development, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas once again called for the government's resignation, discerning a "disorderly retreat by Mr. Pangalos and the government following bravado against the Americans" and a dding that it constitutes "a blatant example of irresponsible and dangerous government functioning for our national interests."

In an interview with SKAI Radio on the occasion of the "interlude" of tension in Greek-American relations, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos accused the government of unprecedented inconsistency and irresponsibility.

Referring to the issue of the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 anti- aircraft missiles in Cyprus, Mr. Constantopoulos said that it became apparent at present that these decisions by the Greek and Cypriot governments were taken without all factors bei ng adequately examined.

"Today, the order for the S-300s is not being used as a diplomatic weapon on the part of Cyprus and Greece. On the contrary, it is the excuse and the means for strong pressure, political and diplomatic pressure against Greece and the Republic of Cyprus to be escalated by the US as well as by Turkey," he said.

Athens News Agency

[06] Cabinet approves measures to overhaul social insurance

Labour and Social Insurance Minister Miltiades Papaioannou told reporters that the initial moves approved today, dubbed the small package of measures, took into account the outcome of months of consultations with employers and workers.

A new round of talks is expected to begin after the summer in order to forge the large package of measures, which is to tackle the contentious issues of social insurance contributions and eligibility for pensions.

"We will proceed at a brisk pace," Mr. Papaioannou said.

The restructuring of the social insurance system is to be drafted as a bill that will be tabled in parliament for debate and a vote.

The bill will also contain measures to allow the investment of cash by health and pension funds, a move that will benefit financial markets.

The government's economic leadership, including the central bank governor, are due to meet in coming days to debate provisions that will enable the funds to show healthy returns on investments.

Finally, the bill will also contain an innovation for the country - social insurance for prostitutes.

"Our target is to go ahead with these structural changes as soon as possible," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

The key points of the small package of measures are as follows:

• Mergers involving more than 60 health and pension funds, including the self-employed
• Modernising operations, including extending computerisation
• Creating a watchdog for spending on health
• Extending checks for evasion in the payment of contributions to all funds. The checks are currently only used for the Social Insurance Foundation, the main state health and pension fund
• Applying disincentives to employment by pensioners
• Allowing males the right to receive their spouse's pension on her death. Currently only the converse applies.

Athens News Agency

[07] Four domestic banks bid for Bank of Central Greece in bourse tender

Ranking second was Aspis Bank with a bid of 16.1 billion drachmas, followed by Bank of Attica at 15.3 billion drachmas, and General Bank at 9.0 billion drachmas, the sources said.

For sale were 51 percent of the bank's common shares and 20.01 percent of its preferred shares held by its parent company, Agricultural Bank of Greece.

A formal announcement of the winner of the tender, whose bids were opened at the Athens Stock Exchange, is expected in the first week of August.

An evaluating committee will also take into account business plans submitted by the bidders.

The sale is part of the government's wide-ranging plan to privatise state companies and banks in order to tighten up the public sector ahead of Greece's entry into European economic and monetary union, expected by January 1, 2001.

A recent bourse tender for listed Hellenic Duty Free Shops SA was called off after the government complained that the bids were unsatisfactory. A second tender is likely to be held in the autumn.

Athens News Agency

[08] Greek stocks rise again, buoyed by bank privatisation

The Athens general share index ended 1.44 percent higher to end at 2,797.41 points. Turnover rose sharply to 61.8 billion drachmas from 49.4 billion drachmas in the previous session.

Sector indices mostly finished higher. Banking gained 1.22 percent, Leasing surged 3.60 percent, Insurance rose 1.01 percent, Investment jumped 2.10 percent, Industrials increased 2.01 percent, Construction slipped 0.20 percent, Holding edged up 0.65 pe rcent, and Miscellaneous crept down 0.17 percent.

The parallel market index for small cap companies finished 0.31 percent higher.

Of 262 stocks traded, advances led declines at 140 to 95 with 27 shares remaining unchanged.

The day's biggest percentage gainers finishing at or near the daily upper eight percent volatility limit were Kreka, Ridenco, Alpha Finance, Aghios Georgios Mills, Delta, Uncle Stathis, Bitros, Katselis, Mesochoritis and Development Invest.

The day's biggest percentage losers were Balkan Export, Olympic Technical, Mouriadis, Kekrops, Dimitriadis, Levenderis and Lampsa. Varagis ended 11.8 percent down and Corinth Pipes 8.3 percent down, in line with bourse rules for new listings.

National Bank of Greece ended at 55,850 drachmas, Ergobank at 32,000, Alpha Credit Bank at 29,780, Ionian Bank at 17,190, Commercial Bank of Greece at 29,100, Delta Dairy (common) at 4,000, Intracom (common) at 12,800, Titan Cement (common) at 23,790, H ellenic Petroleum at 2,730 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8,400 drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[09] Finance ministry to hold T-bill auction on Tuesday

The ministry said in a statement yesterday that the amount of T-bills to be sold in the multiple price auction is 50 billion drachmas, and the commission is 0.25 percent.

The ministry will also accept non-competitive bids from primary and non- primary dealers to cover up to 20 percent of the total on offer. Athens News Agency

[10] Greek stocks end the week perky despite privatisation glitch

The government called the tender invalid as the two bids submitted were too low, announcing that a second tender would probably be held in the autumn.

The news had an adverse intra-session impact but the market was able to climb again.

On a weekly basis, the Athens share index rose 98.32 points, or 3.64 percent to finish the week at 2,797.41 points from 2.699.09 points at the end of last week.

Turnover in the week's five sessions was 242.33 billion drachmas to show a daily average of 48.5 billion drachmas, down from 60.2 billion drachmas the previous week.

At the centre of attention was blue-chip National Bank of Greece, which received favourable recommendations by investment houses abroad.

Analysts say the stock is reaching towards 65,000 drachmas from 55,850 drachmas at yesterday's close.

National Bank is expected to post profits of 180-200 billion drachmas in 1998 from 97.1 billion drachmas in 1997.

In July, the general index rose 431.96 points, or 18.26 percent. It has gained 89.06 percent since the beginning of the year. Athens News Agency

[11] First stage regular budget expenditures decrease

Specifically, the increase was limited to 12.8 per cent from 23.7 per cent in March 1998. The rate of increase of these expenditures is expected to continue a downward trend and amount to 6.2 per cent on an annual basis.

According to the ministry's data, the degree of coverage of expenditures for interest was absolutely analogous and amounted to 49.4 per cent of annual expenditures in the first half of 1998, despite the initial great burdening in the first quarter of 19 98.

The increased rate of coverage in the first quarter is due to the fact that the state's local loaning was taking place exclusively with treasury bills whose interest is paid in advance.

Athens News Agency

[12] Corinth Piping contract with Syrian firm

The contract concerns the manufacture of pipes over a length of 57 km on behalf of the Syria Petroleum Co. The pipes constitute part of the building of the strategically important Mahrukat fuel pipeline. Corinth Piping has already filled order for the s pecific company totalling 2.5 billion drachmas.

The company has also signed an agreement for the building of an additional 30 km of steel piping with the Hnrt Oil company. The project concerns a pipeline carrying fuel to Yemen.

Lastly, Corinth Piping also recently assumed the building of 25 km of piping for the network carrying fuel to the new Athens Airport at Spata.

Athens News Agency

[13] Alpha Credit Bank interest rates

Athens News Agency

[14] Scratch-off contract again awarded to group headed by Intalot

The contract renews the awarding of the project for the production, management, operation and promotion of Xysto to the consortium for five years.

According to an announcement by the finance ministry, the new contract ultimately resolves all the disputes created due to the contract in effect to date, since the joint venture contractor fully accepted the positions of the Hellenic state as expressed by the state's legal council plenum.

Among others, the new contract anticipates that the joint venture contractor is obliged to develop in 12 months' time, and at its own cost, a nationwide on-line network of terminals for the computer checking of all winning Xysto tickets to ensure trans parency for Xysto and to maintain the interests of both the Hellenic state and of players are protected effectively. The same condition applied to the previous Xysto contract.

In the event that this network is not established in the time prescribed through the fault of the joint venture contractor, the state has the right to denounce the contract.

The new contract also anticipates an increase in the state's revenues through the circulation of Xysto since its stake rises to 35 per cent in accordance with the lottery's revenues, up from 32.6 per cent.

Athens News Agency

[15] Layout of Olympic installations

Specifically, the Olympic Village will be created in the Thrakomakedones area at the foot of Mount Parnitha, the sailing centre will be built at the Agios Kosmas seaside region southeast of Athens, while an equestrian centre and race track is scheduled for construction at the Markopoulo site.

The controversial site selection for a rowing centre will be set in the wider Attica region, possibly at the Schinias site.

According to reports, Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis referred to the equestrian centre and race track, expressing his view that it should be constructed in Aspropyrgos, but did not ultimately disagree.

On the question of the Olympic lottery, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that international organising infrastructure and experience is necessary and that it will only rely on sports federations.

Athens News Agency

[16] Rozakis elected VP of European Court of Human Rights

"It is the first time that Greece occupies a position in the presidium of an international adjudicating organ and, therefore, Prof. Rozakis' election constitutes a particular honour for Greece," he said.

Mr. Rozakis served briefly as foreign undersecretary in the Simitis government from September 1996 until January 1997. He was elected an ECHR judge in January this year.

Athens News Agency

[17] Jospin, Klima in Greece for private visits

Mr. Jospin, who plans to travel to the small Cyclades island of Antiparos, is scheduled to have a private meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Another foreign leader scheduled to visit the country in a private capacity sometime around mid-August is Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klima.

During his stay, Mr. Klima will visit the all-male monastic community of Mount Athos in northern Greece, accompanied by Mr. Simitis.

Athens News Agency

[18] Montreal Greek community library calls for support

The 7,000-volume-library aims to become a source of information on Greece for students, researchers, journalists and expatriate Greeks.

Athens News Agency

[19] Papoutsis on Cyprus' accession course

Mr. Papoutsis was speaking during a visit to Thessaloniki. In a statement afterwards, Mr. Papoutsis also referred to recent tension in Greek-American relations, saying that "low tones and diplomacy are necessary in this period."

Referring to issues concerning Thessaloniki, Mr. Papoutsis said that the issue of the metro's construction is on a good course following a solution to bureaucratic problems which had resulted in delays and complications in the project's funding by the E U.

He also held talks on the prefecture's pilot proposal named "Ther-me", which has been approved by the European Commission and concerns the utilisation of geothermic energy in the Langadas region to heat public buildings and greenhouses. The cost amounts to 155 million drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[20] Commission funding for environmental projects

The Commission allocated just under Ecu 2.8 million in the framework of the "Life-Nature programme" for the protection of the "Gypaetus barbatus" vultures found in Crete, as well as for the Zakynthos breading grounds of the Careta-Careta turtles and for the rare fresh-water fish "Ladige- socypsis ghigii", among others.

"Life-Nature" funding will also be allocated for the protection and enlargement of the unique palm tree forest "Vai" in eastern Crete, shrunk from 300 hectares to 12 hectares today.

Finally, the Commission included funds for environmental projects on Cyprus for the first time, in light of the island republic's EU accession talks.

Athens News Agency

[21] US Navy warships anchor in Rhodes

The vessels "Austin", "Anzio" and "Simon" are carrying 5,000 US Marines and are visiting the island as a regular port of call. Two other auxiliary vessels entered the port while a third stayed behind as the summer season is witness to heavy ferry-boat a nd cruise ship traffic.

This is the first time large surface vessels of the US Navy visited Rhodes after Ankara's protest to Washington about sixth fleet vessels visiting the island, which is considered a demilitarised zone.

More US warships have been scheduled to visit the island this month, although a courtesy call by the ships' captains to the local authorities has not been scheduled as yet.

Athens News Agency

[22] Radio interference cited in flights to and from Mideast

The issue, sources said, has caused concern to the Civil Aviation Authority and the transport ministry, after authorities failed to locate the stations responsible for the intereference. They did not rule out the possibility that Turkish radio stations, which often have stronger transmitters than Greek ones, may be causing the problem.

Landings and take-offs from Rhodes airport this weekend are expected to exceed 300.

Athens News Agency

[23] Filipino woman charged with murdering compatriot's infant

Police said Marina Malkid was arrested when the 33-year-old mother of the infant returned to collect her baby and found it dead.

According to reports, Eva Gabayian left her two children in the care of Malkid for a few days P as she had done in the past P in order to leave Athens.

Malkid told police that she hit the child with her hands to stop it from crying on Wednesday afternoon, although a coroner's report noted that the infant sustained serious abrasions and contusions to her head as a result of hitting the ground.

Athens News Agency

[24] Detained woman gives birth at police precinct

The 33-year-old woman and the newborn were taken to Tzanneio hospital in an ambulance after the birth, where both were reported to be in good health.

The woman had been arrested on July 29 by police from the Keratsini police precinct on charges that she sold 12 grams of cannabis earlier in the day to two men for 5,000 drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[25] Train derailment

Four of the 20 carriages of the train, en route to Skopje, were ablaze at the time as a result of the derailment.

According to reports, the blaze could be seen 15 km away while rail services from Thessaloniki to western Europe were cut off.

Athens News Agency

[26] Mount Taygetus finally brought under control

Another destructive fire in Perahora, Corinth, was also extinguished in the morning, along with those on Mount Olympus and Mount Athos.

Meanwhile, fire-fighters were trying to control a new fire which broke out in a forest-agricultural area near Atalanti, central Greece.

Athens News Agency

[27] Armenian man arrested for transporting illegals

The suspect was identified as Melikian Gouser, 24, a resident of Thessaloniki.

According to the police, Gouser intended to arrange work for the women, aged between 20 and 25, at nightclubs around the country.

The women are from Romania, Bulgaria, Russia and other countries of eastern Europe.

Police said the truck belongs to a man identified as Stavros Tsivelis, while authorities are trying to establish whether the vehicle's owner knew that the truck was being used to transport illegal immigrants.

Athens News Agency

[28] Three drownings reported

Athens News Agency

[29] Greece, Lithuania, Yugoslavia easily advance to second round of WorldBasket '98

Lithuania also scored its third win in as many days by overcoming Brazil 66- 62, following their high-profile victory over a non-NBA United States on Thursday.

The US team reached the second round of the championships after an easy 88- 62 victory over South Korea. Russia came from behind, losing 34-41 at half- time, to beat Puerto Rico 86-73, while the other favourite to win the title, Yugoslavia, thrashed Japa n 99-54.

Italy also qualified to the second round by beating Canada 79-69 while Australia with a difficult victory over Nigeria 70-64 secured its place in the second round.

Finally, Spain edged Argentina 68-67 in overtime.

Athens News Agency

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