Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-08-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] State of emergency declared in areas ravaged by forest fires

[02] Russia assures Greece on missiles to Cyprus

[03] Yugoslav minister denies report of mass grave

[04] Meningitis alert in Crete

[05] AHEPA calls on US to at long last end Cyprus tragedy

[06] Greek stocks recover slightly after decline

[07] Social services mid-year budget presented

[08] Market bill to be tabled in parliament

[09] Alpha Credit Bank completes merger

[10] Mevaco to increase equity capital

[11] Seven-year bonds

[12] Austrian tourist arrivals increase

[01] State of emergency declared in areas ravaged by forest fires

A Penteli resident died from severe burns while trying to save his home from flames that had engulfed it as strong winds rekindled a fire started in the area on Sunday.

A fire brigade official told the ANA that 67-year-old Costas Michailidis had died in his home near the Penteli Observatory from severe burns suffered while trying to save his house from the flames.

The official said that four fronts burning on Mt. Penteli, had surrounded the towns of Palea Penteli and Nea Penteli, fanned by the strong winds, and despite the efforts of 50 firefighters with 10 fire-engines assisted by local residents and volunteer forestry service firefighters, while the smoke in the area was ''asphyxiating''.

The fronts were located at Palea Penteli's central square, near the Observatory, close to the 414 military hospital, and in the vicinity of the PIKPA children's hospital, which was evacuated early in the day.

The monks from Penteli Monastery were also evacuated when flames reached dangerously close.

Six elderly town residents, meanwhile, have been taken by ambulance to hospitals with acute respiratory problems.

The fire brigade official told the ANA that the Penteli fronts were clearly the work of arsonists, as locals and colleagues had heard explosions and flames appeared immediately after at spots where there was no risk of fire.

Residents and firefighters said they had heard several explosions. Afterwards they produced several burned gas cannisters found in the area as proof of arson.

Fire Brigade commander K. Zafiropoulos told the ANA the extent of the blaze was ''unprecedented''.

He said three Canadair firefighting planes were carrying out investigative flights over the area to determine the feasibility of spraying the area with water from the air, something prohibited in inhabited areas.

Also joining the battle was a firefighting plane that arrived yesterday morning from Italy, while two firefighting planes from France had arrived in Athens and a third was on the way.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis spoke with French and Italian counterparts Lionel Jospin and Romano Prodi by phone yesterday and requested assistance.

Power cuts: - Meanwhile, the entire Penteli region suffered a power blackout, while overheating caused a temporary breakdown earlier in the day of a 400,000 volt electricity plant in Pallini, leaving the residential districts of Nea Smyrni, Pangrati, Psychico, Lavrio a nd Markopoulo without electricity for about an hour.

The electricity network has been overloaded since the collapse of a central Public Power Corporation (DEH) pylon on Tuesday and increased consumer demand due to the high temperatures.

DEH warned consumers not to use elevators and to restrict their use of electrical appliances.

Overheated wires and increased demand were also causing brief power-cuts through most of Attica.

By afternoon, the fire had been brought under control and Public Order Minister George Romeos praised the efforts of firemen while expressing regret for the death of Michailides.

Mr. Romeos said the fire was clearly the work of arsonists, since it had started simultaneously in four different locations.

He said the fact that more people did not die was due to the immediate intervention of the fire brigade, adding that 350 firemen took part in the battle against the blaze, assisted by a large number of soldiers and virtually all the local residents.

Mr. Romeos also praised the crews of four aircraft which flew low over the fire, dropping water without causing any injuries among those fighting the fire.

He said 55 fire-engines had rushed to the fire, while after noon, an Italian fire-fighting aircraft also participated in efforts to control the blaze.

Mr. Romeos expressed fears that arsonists would in the coming days cause further fires. Nationwide, he added, six suspected arsonists had been arrested, some of which have already been convicted.

In 20 different areas ravaged by fires, Mr. Romeos said, incendiary devices had been found, mainly gas cannisters, along with seven marine flares.

Meanwhile, fire brigade and police officers were reported to be looking for ammunition cartriges in the Agia Marina area, on the Athens-Sounion road, after firemen were shot upon by unidentified persons while trying to control a fire shortly before midn ight on Thursday. Army reinforcements: - National Defence Undersecretary Dimitris Apostolakis said 1,000 soldiers had been thrown into the battle against fires around the country, while a further 3,000 were on alert and ready to be sent immediately wherever they may be needed.

He said 62 army patrols were currently scattered around Attica to warn of any rekindling and guard against new strikes by arsonists.

Another 80 patrols were at a state of readiness to be deployed in the case of "special circumstances" in Attica, he added. Spate of other fires: - The prefecture of Ileia, in the Peloponnese, was declared in a state of emergency, after fires blazing for the last six days, had burned thousands of acres of forest and agricultural land. The ancient site of Olympia was briefly reported as threatened yes terday.

Meanwhile, another major fire was reported in progress in Kalavryta in the northern Peloponnese. The blaze, which started late last night, is now threatening the villages of Krinofyta, Filia and Lefkasio.

Fanned by strong winds, the fire is spreading rapidly, destroying areas of holm-oak which burns very easily.

Four fire-engines have been sent to fight the fire but a request for water- dropping aircraft has not been satisfied because they are being kept busy in Athens.

The prefect of Achaia has sent an official request to the Civil Protection Secretariat-General asking for a state of emergency to be declared in the prefecture.

On the other side of the Gulf of Corinth, a village near Nafpaktos was evacuated due to a fire in a rural area in the morning. Another village was evacuated for the same reason in Thesprotia prefecture in Epirus.

Other fires were reported in forest areas in the Kavala region in Macedonia- breaking out simultaneously in three different places, and in Drama, after the fire brigade had received threatening calls. At the same time, the arsonists set on fire two railw ay carriages and two central post boxes in the town itself.

Another fire burned about 100 hectares of tobacco, olive and almond cultivations as well as forest area in Serres prefecture.

Fire-fighters in a mountainous area in Kastoria found shells and personnel mines dating back to the era of the civil war in the late 1940s.

The fire on Mt. Olympus was reported to have subsided.

Other fires broke out on the islands of Kephalonia, Andros and Evoia.

Meanwhile, a fire reportedly broke out late last night in forestland on Mt. Parnes in Attica, behind the Mont Parnes Hotel.

Other ministers' reactions: - Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said it was certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that most fires were the work of arsonists, as more than 2,500 of them had broken out in the last few days, which had never happened before, and pointed the accusing f inger in several directions.

"The available evidence is obvious and most clear. Fires broke out in three, or four, or five points in the same area simultaneously, and when strong winds are forecast...They are fires by organised teams and enemies of the country, by secret services, by organised interests, either of illegal land developers, or spurred by revenge, or by disgruntled public officials," he said.

He added he ordered the initiation of urgent penal proceedings against anyone responsible for the recent fires throughout the country, and that anyone arrested on suspicion of arson would be from now on led directly before an investigating judge, witho ut a preliminary investigation.

Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas, meanwhile, rejected criticism that a recent draft bill, allowing for the lifting of the official description of forest areas in special cases of national insterest, may have encouraged arsonists in their odious work, after Parliament's legal service had found certain provisions of the bill unconstitutional.

He accused the legal service as being overzealous in its task, that it agreed with the special cases clause, and said the bill introduced provisions for forest protection, such as maps, aerial photography, and a special fund. Opposition: - Main opposition New Democracy (ND) spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos yesterday called on "the prime minister to return and rid the land of the indescribable Argiculture Minister."

Furthermore, Mr. Spiliotopoulos noted that Mr. Simitis is obliged to reveal the names of the arsonists, Mr. Romeos mentioned when he talked of an organised ring of arsonists, otherwise, he added, the premier and the government are covering up for the ar sonists.

Coallition for the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos yesterday accused the government of provocative behaviour, cynism, lack of politcal honour and fear of responsibility.

He also accused the government for not withdrawing the "arsonist bill of the Agricutlural department, despite the disasters and its unconstitutional character", while he reiterated his request for the implementation of Parliamentary findings, which pro posed a unified forest protection agency.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) as well as independent leftist movements organised a protest rally against the government policies infront of Parliament.

KKE official Costas Dianos denounced what he called the "land mafia (sic: grabers)", that works under the government's tolorence . Measures announced for forest fire prevention: - Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos late last night announced a series of additional measures for forest fire prevention and fighting, after a meeting of the ministerial coordinating committee.

He said prefects in areas declared in a state of emergency would be empowered to impose day and night curfews in forests and in other sensitive areas. They will also be empowered to form security groups comprising army, police, and fire brigade staff, b ut also civilians to enforce the curfews and carry out road checks.

The minister added army patrols would be stepped up throughout the country.

He also revealed a number of fire-fighting aircraft -three from France and Italy each- had joined the forces battling the blazes.

The possibility of the dispatch of helicopters from Spain and Germany was also being examined, he said.

Athens News Agency

[02] Russia assures Greece on missiles to Cyprus

Nicosia plans to install the Russian-made missiles later this year as part of efforts to bolster the island republic's defences. Ankara has repeatedly threatened to prevent deployment of the missiles.

Shortly before departing for Nicosia, Mr. Kranidiotis discussed recent developments in the Cyprus problem with the Russian envoy, who ascertained a convergence of views between Athens and Moscow.

Ms. Matvienko reiterated that as an independent, sovereign state, it was Cyprus' inalienable right to take decisions regarding its defence programmes.

Mr. Kranidiotis also discussed with Ms. Matvienko matters related to bilateral cooperation, including events planned to mark the anniversary (September 17) of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 170 years ago.

Athens News Agency

[03] Yugoslav minister denies report of mass grave

Stressing that the Yugoslav government was making every possible effort towards a peaceful solution, Mr. Vucic attributed reports of Serb violence against the ethnic Albanian majority in the province to "malicious propaganda".

"Any other way for a solution but the political one would be foolish... but in order to have dialogue and communication, there must be two sides.. and terrorist acts and the lies which often appear in the international press do not help," Mr. Vucic said .

Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Vucic said any intervention in Kosovo by NATO would be contrary to international rules, since it would constitute intervention in the domestic affairs of a country.

Underlining that no one could accuse Belgrade of human rights violations, Mr. Vucic said Federal Yugoslavia respected the rights of ethnic minorities. To back this, Mr. Vucic said 53 Albanian-language newspapers circulated in Kosovo, most of which promo ted "seces-sionist ideas". Greek-Yugoslav sports talks: - Sports secretary general Yiannis Sgouros yesterday met with the Yugoslav Youth and Sports Undersecretary Dragoljiub Kosovic and discussed issues of sports cooperation between the Balkan countries.

Mr. Kosovic invited Mr. Sgouros to officially visit Yugoslavia.

Athens News Agency

[04] Meningitis alert in Crete

"It seems that we are going through an epidemic stage. The spread of the disease bacteria among the population is extensive and may cause incidents even during this summer. This is a bad sign and if measures are not taken, next winter I imagine - hope fully I am wrong - there will be many more incidents" said Mr. S. Sbirakis, Director of the pediatrics clinic at the University Hospital on the island.

"Unfortunately, the disease has no special symptoms when the temples are not affected. In septicemia the general symptoms can be confused with those of the common flue or a common virus, making difficult for parents and doctors to suspect meningitis. Wh en septicemia is escorted by meningitis it is always deadly regardless of medication or other available means", said Mr. Sbirakis.

According to the clinic director, the only solution for preventing the disease from spreading is mass vaccination throughout Crete by the Ministry of Health.

The parents of the dead boy hold the medics of the University Hospital responsible for their sonYs death and said they will take legal action.

Athens News Agency

[05] AHEPA calls on US to at long last end Cyprus tragedy

With the first resolution AHEPA calls upon US President Bill Clinton "to honour his pre-election pledges to devote a high priority to the Cyprus problem in accordance with justice and international law, recognising that the Cyprus problem is fundamental ly a question of invasion and occupation by Turkish armed forces with the illegal use of American-supplied arms and equipment".

"There is no legal difference between TurkeyYs invasion and occupation of Cyprus and IraqYs invasion and occupation of Kuwait", the resolution stressed.

"The Government of Cyprus has the sovereign right to take normal prudent measures for national self-defence," the resolution added, and called upon the US to "issue a clear statement that, pending demilitarisation, the Government of Cyprus has a sovere ign right to self-defence, including by acquiring the S-300 defensive system" .

AHEPA stressed that the Clinton administration should issue a clear statement that "any military action in Cyprus by Turkey will meet a decisive US response, including military retaliation and will lead to a drastic deterioration in US-Turkish relation s" and in addition should support "the application of Cyprus to accede to the EU without any linkage to Turkey".

In a second resolution, approved unanimously by the Supreme Convention of AHEPA in Orlando, it is pointed out that "Greece is the only state in southeastern Europe that is a member both of the EU and NATO" a state that "has committed itself to the rule of law and to the principles of non- aggression in seeking solutions".

The Greek-American organisation called upon the US to "recognise the integrity of Greek sovereign territory and to uphold international law, especially in relation to the Aegean and repudiate any unilateral challenges to Greek sovereign territory", supp ort adherence to internationally recognised treaties, conventions and agreements regarding the territorial integrity and sovereign rights of Greece and to "repudiate any challenge to them, specifically by Turkey".

AHEPA also calls upon the US Congress to pass a "concurrent resolution introduced in the House on November 7, 1997 by Congressman Mike Pappas and forty-one co-sponsors to date which states that it is the sense of the Congress that the islets of Imia in the Aegean sea are sovereign territory of Greece under international law".

Finally, the organisation condemns "TurkeyYs threats of war against Greece in the Aegean regarding GreeceYs internationally recognised right to extend its territorial waters from 6 to 12 miles" and notes that "Turkey itself has exercised this right by e xtending its territorial waters from 6 to 12 miles in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea despite the fact that is is not a signatory of the Law of the Sea Convention".

Athens News Agency

[06] Greek stocks recover slightly after decline

The Athens general share index finished 0.49 percent up at 2,706.06 points, although profits of up to 1.70 percent were taken during trading.

Turnover dropped sharply to 34.5 billion drachmas from 48 billion in the previous session.

Sector indices finished higher. The banking sector rose 0.91 percent, Leasing increased 0.79 percent, Insurance was up 0.28 percent, Investment rose 0.41 percent, Industrials gained 0.10 percent, Construction was 0.93 percent up, Holding rose 0.18 perce nt, and Miscellaneous increased 1.93 percent.

The parallel market index for small cap companies finished 1.27 percent higher. Of 257 stocks traded, advances led declines at 171 to 68 with 18 shares remaining unchanged.

The day's biggest percentage gainers finishing at the daily upper eight percent volatility limit were Radio Athinai (common and preferred), Remek, Imperio, Hellenic Fabrics, Duty Free Shops, Lavipharm, Metka (common and preferred) and Fourlis (common an d preferred).

The day's biggest percentage losers near the eight percent daily lower volatility limit were Constantinidis, ATEMKE, Tasoglou, Interinvest, Seafarm Ionian, Britannia, Doudos, DANE and General Warehouses. National Bank of Greece ended at 53,300 drachmas , Ergobank at 30,610, Alpha Credit Bank at 28,010, Ionian Bank at 17,185, Commercial Bank of Greece at 28,500, Delta Dairy (common) at 3,835, Intracom (common) at 12,990, Titan Cement (common) at 22,800, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,775 and Hellenic Telecommun ications Organisation at 8,250 drachmas. July inflation drops slightly: -- Consumer price inflation in July dropped to 5.1 percent year-on-year from 5.2 percent the previous month, the National Statistics Service (NSS) said yesterday.

According to NSS estimates, inflation was expected to fall below 5 percent in August.

The July inflation figure was shaped on the one hand by a decrease in the prices of foodstuffs and of goods in the summer sales, and on the other by increases in electricity rates and fuel prices.

Athens News Agency

[07] Social services mid-year budget presented

The minister stated that social welfare expenditures appear to have increassed in 1998, while at the same time there will be a surplus.

Mr. Papaioannou noted that the total social insurance income reached 7, 076.9 billion drachmas, where as the expences are estimated at 6,921.5 billion drachmas.

He said that there are 4,161,392 insured and 1,886,315 pensioners. He added that the ratio of employed to pensioners is at a healthy two to one.

Mr. Papaioannou said that the total expences, for health care of the 5,906, 155 persons insured for health care reached, 4,394.5 billion drachmas, while the income was 4,528.7 billion drachmas.

He added that the state budget supported the insurance funds by only 1.95 per cent as a result of the relevant 1992 law progressively limiting state funding.

Finally, Mr. Papaioannou noted that the total spending for social services has increased in comparison to last year, regardless of the fact the the government's priority is to restructure the Greek economy in view of the necessary convergence to the EMU criteria.

Athens News Agency

[08] Market bill to be tabled in parliament

According to the announcement the new bill will cover issues of business rentals, reduced-price sales periods, reduced price offers and tuition fees by private tutoring institutes among others.

The bill introduces changes to business rentals such as the abolition of a legal clause which prohibited the owner of a business space to conduct the same or a similar enterprise to that of his renter, in cases where the renter was evicted.

The bill also includes specific fines for private tutoring institutes should they violate the 3.5 per cent tuition fees ceiling set by the government, since it prescribes fines ranging from 50.000 to 500.000 drachmas per student.

Athens News Agency

[09] Alpha Credit Bank completes merger

The new company will carry the name Alpha Insurance, while 70 per cent belongs to Alpha Credit Bank and the remaing 30 per cent to the Palaeologos family.

The new company's worth is set at 40 billion drs. in assets and its customer base is at 200,000, while its products will be offered by the branches of the bank and existing network of the aforementioned companies.

Athens News Agency

[10] Mevaco to increase equity capital

The company will issue 474,000 new common registered shares at the nominal value of 200 drachmas each.

According to the announcement, 22,000 of the shares will be bought by private investors, while the rest will be offered to the general public through a public offering.

The funds will be used for retooling and installations construction, the announcement stated.

Athens News Agency

[11] Seven-year bonds

The interest rate will be fixed at 8.7 per cent for a total amount of 250 billion drachmas.

The bonds will be available at banks and the Postal Savings Bank beginning on Friday.

Athens News Agency

[12] Austrian tourist arrivals increase

TUI noted that the Gulet Touropa Touristik has already been using charter flights to Greek destinations due to increased demand, while Kuoni and Neckermann Austria tourist agencies will soon follow suit.

Athens News Agency

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