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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-08-25Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Pangalogs: Athens` role on S-300 deployment `advisory`Athens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday described as "advi-sory" Greece's role in Nicosia's plans to deploy Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles on the Mediterranean island.He said the issue was one which solely concerned the Republic of Cyprus, while Greece's "advisory" role was limited to intervening only if and when Athens was asked to do so. Noting that Turkey had become involved in the S-300 issue "with threats and irrational demands", Mr. Pangalos said that as far as Greece was concerned the issue was never a substantial one in the overall Cyprus problem. "The substance is for intercommunal talks to restart so that the political problem can be resolved and the negotiations for Cyprus' entry into the European Union can begin - two issues which are far more important than this technical matter," Mr. Pangal os said. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of talks with his Seychelles counterpart Jeremy Bonnelame. Mr. Pangalos reiterated past statements by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, who had underlined that the deployment of the anti-aircraft missiles was not an end in itself, but rather an effort to restore a better balance of power in the region. The FM said Greece had presented specific proposals to Washington as part of efforts for a Cyprus solution and once again called on the US administration to implement the concept of "US legality" with regard to Turkish arms in the Turkish-occupied north ern part of Cyprus. "The issue is actually quite simple. The US should persuade Turkey to withdraw its US-made arms from Cyprus. It's a matter of political will, provided, of course, that this exists," Mr. Pangalos said, adding that it was up to t he US to request from Turkey that it withdraw its military forces from Cyprus, which occupy the island's northern part since 1974. He also backed in no uncertain terms the right of any country to buy weapons systems for its protection and said cooperation between Athens and Nicosia in defence matters allows the sovereign government of the Republic of Cyprus to make its own decision s. Mr. Pangalos noted that the issue will be discussed at Thursday's meeting in Athens between Premier Costas Simitis and Cyprus President Clerides. From Nicosia, Mr. Clerides later said that Mr. Pangalos' statements did not surprise him. Kosovo: Regarding the Kosovo issue, Mr. Pangalos was "cautiously optimistic" that latest developments in the strife-torn Yugoslav province could lead to a defusion of the crisis. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Pangalos said the acceptance of the international community's two proposals on scaling down tension marked some progress. Mr. Pangalos noted that had these proposals, which he had put forward some time earlier, already been accepted, many lives would have been saved. "Let's hope that on the basis of the acceptance of these two proposals there will be a third decisive step, for the holding of some meeting between representatives of residents of Kosovo with the Yugoslav leadership, " Mr. Pangalos said. Athens News Agency[02] Surprise bids for Ionian unveiled, decision expected todayAthens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)Three bids, with the two highest placed by foreign concerns, were unsealed yesterday in the highly publicised tender for state-controlled Ionian Bank's 51 per cent.Commercial Bank, the majority shareholder of Ionian Bank, in an announcement, identified the three bidders as: Jan Morton Heger, with a bid of 340 billion drachmas (approximately US$1.125 billion); Exchange Finance Overseas (Holdings) Ltd with 303 billion drachmas (approximately $1 billion), and finally, the Latsis group's EFG Eurobank with ErgoBank, with a bid of 135.6 billion drachmas. Commercial Bank's board of directors convened in the afternoon to examine the bids but decided soon afterwards to postpone reaching a decision, saying they would reconvene as soon as possible after studying the bids in cooperation with the Bank of Greec e. On his part, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said that although the top two bids were satisfactory, an examination had to be made into the credibility of the origin of the funds and the bidders' identity. Mr. Papantoniou added that the Commercial Bank's board would continue the overall assessment of the bids all through the night and tomorrow morning, and would announce its decision by this afternoon. He expressed confidence, however, that the outcome would be positive. Asked to comment on the Latsis group's 135-billion-drachma offer, he said it was not far off the bank's stock value. In the event that the tender is declared unproductive, it will be repeated in a reasonable time period, the minister said. Government sources, meanwhile, placed the time period as "within the year." Reactions: Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos later described the Ionian sale procedures set up by the government as "Iamateur and, therefore, ineffective". He said ND had called on the government in good time to employ the services of a well-known international financial consulting firm so that there would be a better quality and higher number of bidders for Ionian. Mr. Spiliotopoulos added that yesterday's events concerning the sale were "phenomenal, inconceivable and tragicomic," noting that "the government is belatedly looking into the credibility of the origin of the funds offered". Former ND leader Miltiades Evert said that "no-one should be happy for this development, as the cost of this failure will be shouldered by the Greek economy and the small investors." The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) said in a statement the "arbitrary decision to sell-off Ionian, rather than mer-ge it with Commercial, had har-med the public interest and the parent bank group, instead of promoting the subsidiary's rehabilitation and restructuring." The procedure was an example of irresponsibility, superficiality and incompetence, with an incalculable and irreparable cost, the Synaspismos statement added. Alpha Credit backs down: Earlier yesterday, Alpha Credit Bank issued a statement saying it had decided not to submit a bid for a 51 per cent stake in the country's oldest financial institution, Ionian Bank. "Alpha Credit, in cooperation with Credit Suisse First Boston(CSFB) and Alpha Finance, has examined the parameters of the entire venture in detail. It was decided that the scheduled programme to expand the (Alpha Credit) bank, strengthened with fresh ca pital, constitutes a better development opportunity than acquiring 51 per cent in Ionian at the apparent minimum acceptable price," the statement read. Athens News Agency[03] Tsohatzopoulos reiterates to new Yugoslav envoy Athens' support for political solution in KosovoAthens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday reiterated that Athens' support for minorities' human rights must in no way lead to a change of borders.The Greek minister made the statement during a meeting with the new Yugoslav ambassador to Athens, Dragomir Vucicevic. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also noted that Greece supports a political solution for the Kosovo crisis, while he added that dialogue must begin immediately. He said a precondition for an immediate and successful dialogue is the end of operations in the area. Mr. Vucicevic underlined that recent press criticism in Belgrade aimed at the Greek defence minister under no circumstances reflects the attitude of his government, which appreciates Athens' stance and the efforts by the Greek defence minster for a peac eful solution to the Kosovo crisis. The ambassador was on a courtesy visit to the minister and also discussed a request by the Yugoslav defence minister to meet with Mr. Tsohatzopoulos during the former's upcoming visit to Athens. Athens News Agency[04] Greek forces on alert against terrorist attack against US targetsAthens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)The government yesterday confirmed a report in Monday's edition of the Athens daily "Ta Nea" that Greece's security forces have heightened security at potential US targets in the country.Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas described as "top alert" the measures taken to prevent any attacks by terrorists in reprisal for recent US missile attacks on targets in Sudan and Afghanistan. "The security forces are ready to make every effort to thwart any attempts at terrorist acts," Mr. Reppas said. Asked whether security forces had already deported two people with Moroccan passports, as reported in the newspaper report, Mr. Reppas replied that "the activities of the competent authorities should not be publicised if they are to be effective". Mr. Reppas also confirmed that Athens was in contact with the French security authorities about the arrest of a Turk believed to be a member of the extremist "Grey Wolves" group, who admitted during questioning that he was in Greece in 1997. The spokesman said it was clear from statements by Turkish officials that the arrested man was directly involved in political developments in the neighbouring country. Asked to comment on the US attacks in Sudan and Afghanistan, Mr. Reppas said Greece condemned "phenomena of terrorist violence" and was in favour of cooperation among all to combat such phenomena. "We are in favour of the integrity and inviolability of borders and we believe that in international life the rules of international law should prevail," he added. Mr. Reppas said the Greek government was awaiting information from Washington regarding the decision to attack the targets in Sudan and Afghanistan. Athens News Agency[05] Excavations under, around Parliament yield plethora of archaeological findsAthens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)The culture ministry's archaeology department yesterday announced that a two-acre dig around and under Parliament revealed a large as well as interesting piece of the Greek capital's ancient history.The 18-month-long excavations have uncovered 272 walls built between the late classical to Ottoman periods, with 2,200 different ceramic building materials recorded. Furthermore, excavations unearthed 145 gravesites belonging to the sub-Mycaenean, class ical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The five archaeologists and 65 workers also discovered 13 grain storage pits, 77 ducts, 12 wells, nine water cisterns and 11 firing ovens. The December 1996 to June 1998 excavations rewarded archaeologists with an unde rstanding of the specific area in Athens since the Mycaenean era. Athens News Agency[06] International MeetingAthens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)The 5th International Meeting of Young Artists opens in Didimoticho in northeastern Greece on Wednesday and is scheduled to last until September 6. Artists from Bulgaria (the National Academy of Fine Arts), Romania (the University of Fine Arts), Yug oslavia (the Belgrade School of Fine Arts) as well as delegations from Ukraine and Russia will be participating.Athens News Agency[07] Gov't denies any annoyance with latest Christodoulos commentsAthens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday said the government was not annoyed by recent statements made by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos.Mr. Reppas said the Archbishop "did not transgress the constitutional bounds of his authority, that the government believed the balance in the relations between state and Church should not be upset and that roles and authorities should not be confused". He added that the position of the government regarding relations between state and Church were clear and, when asked to comment on the Archbishop's referral to himself a "lightning rod", Mr. Reppas said that citizens had a right to "self-definition". Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday said he wished that "the Church conduct an international policy and have international relations, which is good for Greece and the Church both". He declined comments on the Archbishop's recent statements. Statements made by the Archbishop on Sunday drew the ire of Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos. The Coalition for the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) called the reaction of the ministers to the "interventions" of the Archbishop "rhetoric" and "deprived of any substance". Athens News Agency[08] Council of State upholds non-religious invocationAthens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)The Council of State has ruled that an invocation upon one's honour and conscience can replace the currenlty employed religious oath administered in all public services, whether civil or military.In addition, the supreme administrative court approved two draft presidential decrees for the establishment of a border patrol corp and the hiring of border guards. However, a provision in the draft decrees assigning private companies the right to implement measures against illegal immigration was determined to be illegal, while provisions prohibiting the hiring of citizens unable to perform their duties P such as the bearing of arms or use of computers P due to religious beliefs, were determined to be legal. Athens News Agency[09] Seychelles` FM in Athens for talksAthens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)Athens yesterday underlined the very friendly relations existing between the peoples of Greece and the Seychelles since the time of Cyprus' struggle for independence, following talks in the Greek capital between the Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his Seychelles counterpart Jeremy Bonnelame.Speaking to reporters after talks with Mr. Bonnelame, Mr. Pangalos recalled that Archbishop Makarios had been in exile in the Seychelles and that the people of the island chain had received him very well. "Since that time, a very close relationship has developed between the two peoples," Mr. Pangalos said. Mr. Pangalos briefed Mr. Bonnelame on the situation in the region and developments in the European Union, with which the Seychelles is associated within the framework of the Lome Convention. On Sept. 30, negotiations begin on the revision of the convention and Mr. Bonnelame briefed Mr. Pangalos on his country's positions. Mr. Bonnelame, who invited Mr. Pangalos to visit his country, said the Seychelles was in favour of a Cyprus settlement within the framework of UN resolutions and was in favour of the recommencement of intercommunal talks on the divided island. Stressing the need for closer cooperation in the private sector, Mr. Bonnelame called on Greek business people to invest in the Seychelles. On his part, Mr. Pangalos noted that the Seychelles had consistently supported all UN resolutions on the Cyprus problem and thanked Mr. Bonnelame for his country's support for Greece's bid to become a non- permanent member of the UN Security Council. On current relations between Greece and the Seychelles, Mr. Pangalos said there was bilateral cooperation in the economic, shipping and tourism sectors. He said he had agreed with Mr. Bonnelame that efforts should be made to further develop cooperation in the sectors of exports, education, tourism professions, coastal defence and health, noting that a large number of doctors from the Seychelles had been trained in Greece. Athens News Agency[10] PASOK's fourth congress before Easter 1999Athens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis yesterday said that the ruling party's fourth congress would be definitely held before Easter next spring.Mr. Skandalidis, following a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, also announced a schedule for PASOK meetings and events covering the period through the municipal elections. According to the schedule, the partyYs executive bureau will hold its first meeting on Thursday, at which time Mr. Simitis will propose holding the partyYs fourth congress, while the ruling party's political secretariat will meet on the following day. Meanwhile, a conference on "democratic socialism" has been scheduled at a downtown Athens hotel next Monday with the participation of French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. Before the October elections, PASOK's central committee will hold a two-day meeting on Sept. 18 and 19, while Mr. Simitis will speak at an open event in Piraeus on Sept. 22 on the occasion of his governmentYs two years in power. Finally, on Oct. 30 and 31 the central committee will meet to assess the outcome of the upcoming municipal elections. Athens News Agency[11] Economic NewsAthens, 25/8/1998 (ANA)Greek stocks end sharply lower hit by turbulence abroad: Greek equities ended sharply lower on the first trading session of the week on the Athens Stock Exchange hit by tremors in international markets.The general index ended 2.50 percent lower at 2,572.92 points with turnover at 46.9 billion drachmas. Commercial Bank and Ionian Bank shares bucked the general decline to end higher with the market discounting a positive outcome in a plan to sell Ionian Bank through. Sector indices lost ground. Banks fell 2.54 percent, Insurance dropped 1.45 percent, Leasing ended 3.09 percent off, Investment fell 2.02 percent, Construction ended 2.32 percent down, Industrials fell 2.65 percent, Miscellaneous ended 2.23 percent and Holding dropped 2.85 percent. The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 2.07 percent lower, while FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 2.77 percent off at 1,570.01. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 199 to 41 with anoher 9 issues unchanged. Commercial Invest, Boutaris, Kekrops, Etma, Britannia, Ippotour and Kyriakoulis scored the biggest percentage gains, while Klaoudatos, Keranis, Goody's, Dane, Ekter, Eskimo, Sarandopoulos, Development Invest suffered the heaviest losses. National Bank of Greece ended at 50,400 drachmas, Ergobank at 28,650, Alpha Credit Bank at 25,200, Ionian Bank at 17,605, Hellenic Telecoms at 7,800, Delta Dairy at 3,590, Intracom at 12,350, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,760 and Titan Cement at 20,550. SEPE participation in Tokyo exhibition: The Greek Federation of Computer Software Manufacturers (SEPE) is preparing to participate at the World PC EXPO '98 in Tokyo, set for Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. The effort is supported and partially funded by the Greek-Japanese initiative "HERMES" for the promotion of relations and the Japanese trade organisation JETRO. SEPE's goal is the promotion of Greek software products in an international setting. The Greek exhibitors include LMS Software, LMS Laserlock , Pliroforiki Technognosia, Forthnet, AVEIA, FINATEC, Pattakis Publications, Kastaniotis Publications, InfoThraki and Gennadios Academy. They will be hosted in the European software pavilion. World PC EXPO is the largest exhibition of its kind in Asia, visited by more than 300,000people. -Greek-Polish trade agreements in the sectors of food and ready-to-wear clothes have been reached within the framework of the 14th Trade Exhibition in northwestern Greec, which ended in the town of Kila in Kozani yesterday. Kozani's Chamber of Commerce president Panagiotis Apostolidis said that over 90 exhibitors participated in the show, which drew over 40,000 visitors, including many from Balkan countries. Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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