Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-11-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Domestic interest rates to sink to 7.0 pct on EMU entry,gov't says

[02] Blue-chip banks keep ratings, get overweight recommendation

[03] Greek markets welcome long-term bond rate decline

[04] Athens-Thessaloniki rail link shut due to repairs

[05] Greek stocks post gains in heavy trade

[06] Minoan Lines posts 22 pct rise in sales Jan-Oct

[07] Capital markets commission okays Tegopoulos IPO, fines brokerages

[08] Alcatel more than doubles profits in Jan-Sept

[09] ITEP says 1998 a better year for Greek tourism

[10] Naousa Spinning Mill share capital

[11] ADEDY congress begins

[12] Athens Foreign Exchange

[13] Athens reiterates that Ocalan did not stop-over in Greece

[14] Pangalos talks with Croatia's Granic

[15] Pangalos: Turkey squarely to blame for lack of Cyprus solution

[16] V. Papandreou in Moscow

[17] Foreign ministry satisfied over Albanian constitution referendum

[18] EU's draft budget the focus of member-states' ministers

[19] EU Council of Farm Ministers' meeting underway

[20] Karamanlis meets with university rectors

[21] Commission begins meetings to combat 'sex tourism'

[22] 13 violations of EU law concerning projects in Greece cited

[23] Prince Charles in Crete

[24] Three smugglers arrested, 10 illegals detained

[25] Turk given prison sentence for smuggling illegals

[26] Cartografhy conference in Thessaloniki

[27] Pensioners rally in central Athens

[01] Domestic interest rates to sink to 7.0 pct on EMU entry,gov't says

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

The decline in rates will bring the government an extra 600 billion drachmas that is destined for social spending, although the sum could also be used as a nest egg if a new global financial crisis battered the economy, the minister said.

He was addressing parliament's financial affairs committee on the first day of work on the 1999 budget, which is scheduled for a plenary vote towards the end of December.

The ruling PASOK party's platform in June's Euro-elections and in national polls in 2000 would be a healthy economy, and the time had come to reap the gains of tight policy, Mr. Papantoniou said.

At the same time, meeting EMU entry requirements should not lead to complacency and generate unreasonable financial demands.

The targets met were fiscal convergence and reduction of the public debt to 105 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 1998 from 115 percent in 1993.

In addition, the government had lowered consumer price inflation to 4.0 percent from 14 percent in 1993 and cut interest rates to 13 percent from 28 percent in 1993.

The rate of GDP growth also had risen to 3.5 percent in 1998 from negative growth of 1.6 percent in 1993.

"This (rate of growth) is higher than the European Union average," Mr. Papantoniou said.

The government had made progress in attaining social justice by attaining an increase in real income by 1.5-2.0 percent each year and taxing large real estate and capital in the stock market.

It had also doubled spending on education and health, boosted revenue from Value Added Tax, and launched programmes to combat unemployment and aid pensioners.

Another measure to rectify social injustice had been to root out large- scale tax evaders and release their names to the media.

"The announcement of acts of tax evasion and the names of wealthy, well known members of the public will continue. We will be ruthless in clamping down on tax evasion. Wage earners cannot bear the tax burden alone," Mr. Papantoniou said.

Opposition parties disagree : A spokesman for the main opposition New Democracy party yesterday blasted the 1999 budget as being out of touch with reality.

"It is an exercise on paper that fails to reflect the economy's real problems and its impasses," ND deputy George Voulgarakis told parliament's financial affairs committee.

A representative for the Communist Party of Greece called the budget a catastrophe for the economy that showed a class-oriented, one-sided austerity.

The Coalition for the Left and Progress called for an end to taxation of the poor and of pensioners with monthly pensions of 120,000 drachmas eligible for taxation.

The Democratic Social Movement pledged to vote down the budget in parliament, saying that taxes were excessive.

Athens News Agency

[02] Blue-chip banks keep ratings, get overweight recommendation

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

Fitch IBCA, a London-based rating agency, affirmed the BBB long-term ratings of both Alpha Credit Bank and Ergobank, the two largest Greek private sector banks.

At the same time, the banks' short-term, individual and support ratings of F3, Band 2, respectively, were also affirmed.

The agency said that the two banks had performed consistently well in relation to their domestic peers and performance ratios also compared well internationally.

Its report said that there were some structural changes taking place within the Greek banking sector which would present some new and difficult challenges for domestic banks.

Fitch said that the Greek market remained very competitive and was likely to become more so as banks positioned themselves to face the challenges of European economic and monetary union.

Credit Suisse First Boston recommended an overweight position in Greek banks on expectations of lower interest rates and good potential in asset management, mortgage and retail lending and privatisation.

CSFB said its top picks in the banking sector were Alpha Credit Bank for its effective growth strategy and strong management and National Bank of Greece for its restructuring potential.

It said that Greek banks had outperformed the Athens bourse by 22.6 percent this year and 51.1 percent since 1996 with declining interest rates the main factor.

Merrill Lynch recommended accumulation of shares in National Bank of Greece, which it rated a long-term buy on strong nine-month results, with current fair valuation seen at 55,000 drachmas a share.

Athens News Agency

[03] Greek markets welcome long-term bond rate decline

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

The finance ministry accepted bids totalling 260 billion drachmas, slightly up from a target of 250 billion. Yields dropped to 7.28 percent from 7.42 percent in the previous auction.

In the secondary bond market trading was subdued. The 10-year bond price was unchanged at Monday's 107.15 drachmas.

In the domestic interbank market the Athibor monthly rate fell to 12.27 percent.

The one-year rate was stable at 11 percent.

Bankers reported foreign exchange outflows totalling 90 million DMarks, a reflection of the US dollar's sharp rise in international markets.

The drachma was lower against the dollar at 287.08 at the central bank's daily fixing.

The Greek currency was almost unchanged from Monday against the Ecu and the DMark at 330.420 drachmas and 167.800 drachmas respectively.

Athens News Agency

[04] Athens-Thessaloniki rail link shut due to repairs

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

OSE said in a statement that damage had been reported to tracks at a number of locations.

The Corinth-Tripoli link in the Peloponnese will also be closed for the next two days to allow for repair work to be completed.

Athens News Agency

[05] Greek stocks post gains in heavy trade

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.72 percent up at 2,495.06 points, off the day's highs.

Trading was extremely heavy with turnover at 75.4 billion drachmas reflecting strong buying interest in blue-chip shares by foreign investors.

Volume was 16,007,000 shares.

Most sector indices scored gains.

Banks rose 1.77 percent, Leasing increased 1.96 percent, Insurance ended 0.94 percent up, Investment was 1.11 percent higher, Construction rose 0.78 percent, Industrials fell 0.27 percent, Miscellaneous eased 0.26 percent and Holding ended 1.77 percent higher.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 3.26 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 143 to 104 with another 19 issues unchanged.

Strintzis Lines, Eltrak, Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation and Teletypos were the most heavily traded stocks.

Hadzioannou, Petzetakis, Galis, Eskimo, Epiphania, Riopesca and Eltrak hit the daily 8.0 percent limit up.

Sanyo, Diekat and Boutaris also scored big percentage gains.

Techodomi, Endisi, Atemke, Elfico, Lampsa, Radio Athina, Aegek, Benroubi suffered the heaviest losses. National Bank of Greece ended at 50,400 drachmas, Ergobank at 27,600, Alpha Credit Bank at 27,140, Ionian Bank at 12,290, Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 7,170, Delta Dairy at 3, 720, Intracom at 13,750, Titan Cement at 19,850, Hellenic Petroleum at 2, 385 and Minoan Lines at 6,540 drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[06] Minoan Lines posts 22 pct rise in sales Jan-Oct

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

A company statement said that both increases were bigger than its nine- month figures.

The passenger shipper's turnover for international routes recorded a 30 percent increase to 27 billion drachmas, while domestic lines rose 8 percent to 11 billion.

Minoan Lines expects that its profits before provisions will increase by 40 percent in 1998.

Athens News Agency

[07] Capital markets commission okays Tegopoulos IPO, fines brokerages

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

Tegopoulos Publications is seeking listing on the Athens Stock Exchange through an initial public offering. Sanctions were imposed on Eurox brokerage for violating legislation covering cooperation links between brokerages and portfolio managers.

Sanctions were also imposed on mutual funds companies Alico, Eurobank, Dorian, Ermis, Hanwa Hellas and Kosmos Sogen for illegally altering the composition of their mutual fund portfolios under management.

Athens News Agency

[08] Alcatel more than doubles profits in Jan-Sept

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

The sales of the company - a member of the French group Alcatel Cable - exceeded 18.8 billion drachmas from 18.6 billion drachmas last year, marking a 1.0 percent increase.

Alcatel Hellas is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange in the metallurgical sector.

It produces energy cables, steel and aluminium cables, telecommunications cables and underwater fibre optic cables.

Its main clients include Greece's Public Power Corporation and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation.

Athens News Agency

[09] ITEP says 1998 a better year for Greek tourism

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

The report predicts that the increase in arrivals this year compared to last year will exceed 10 per cent and overnight stays will increase by 11 per cent. ITEP predicts a similar increase in tourist arrivals next year, expecting the number of tourists visiting Greece to reach 13 million, a record figure.

ITEP said that the increase in arrivals in 1998 was combined with a considerable increase in prices charged by hotels. Hoteliers are also expected to benefit from the depreciation of the drachma in March 1998 as well as from favourable international con ditions for Mediterranean tourism.

The report makes particular reference to the repercussions for Greek tourism stemming from the expected introduction of the euro. ITEP believes that thanks to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the introduction of the unified currency the rate of tou rist arrivals in Greece from European Union countries will increase on an average of 5-6 per cent annually during the 2001-2015 period.

The report said that the increase might be even greater to the degree that the EU is enlarged with more countries.

Greek tourism is continuing to show a strong seasonal nature and the phenomenon is creating concern for both the state and the market, who would like to see a smoother influx of tourists throughout the year instead of congestion during summer months. The report said that unless there is a distinct change in Greece's tourist policy, that the seasonal nature will continue to increase in the future (it increased by 13 per cent over the 1975-1996 period).

Greece shows a higher seasonal nature of arrivals from the average of competitor countries by about 75.5 per cent, with Portugal coming second and Turkey third. Greece shows the highest seasonal nature in overnight stays (101 per cent) compared to the a verage of competitor countries with Turkey coming second (82.6 per cent) and Italy third (12.7 per cent).

The difference in the seasonal nature of both arrivals and overnight stays between Greece and competitor countries appears to widen through time.

Greece has the second smallest size of local tourism compared to competitor countries which prevents a smoother allocation of tourist movement.

Among others, ITEP proposes greater density in air transport (charter flights should be added in the winter), hotel infrastructure should be upgraded, the winter tourist product should be developed and promoted and Greek destinations should be promoted continuously on a 12-month basis to extend the duration of the tourist season in the country.

Athens News Agency

[10] Naousa Spinning Mill share capital

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

Company officials said that the capital is slated for the mill's participation in the subsidised investment of Maroneia Spin Mills in Thrace.

Naousa Spinning Mill, listed on the Athens bourse, will participate with a 95 per cent investment - Klonatex with the remaining 5 per cent - in the new venture.

Athens News Agency

[11] ADEDY congress begins

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who represented the government, said the government is ready to hold talks within the new year on measures to implement the 35-hour work week, as well as a fairer tax system and policies leading to a redist ribution of income.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos fully backed the government's austere policy, saying it was the only way to lead Greece to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), an objective he said was widely accepted by the majority of citizens.

He stressed, however, that 1999 should be seen as the last year of consent on such policies, as on the one hand, 'euroscepticism' and displeasure by a large portion of wage-earners has reached a peak, while on the other, political developments in Europe - with the election of more social democratic governments - could facilitate a change in policy.

ADEDY president Yiannis Koutsoukos underlined that the 35-hour work-week, tax reforms and measures to redistribute income will be the focus of joint action in the coming period by both ADEDY and the General Confederation of Greek Labour (GSEE).

Athens News Agency

[12] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes           Buying  Selling
US Dollar           284.783 291.386
Can.Dollar          183.441 187.694
Australian Dlr      182.826 187.064
Pound Sterling      471.299 482.227
Irish Punt          413.664 423.255
Pound Cyprus        564.329 577.413
Pound Malta         714.402 744.169
Turkish pound (100)   0.088   0.092
French franc         49.658  50.809
Swiss franc         201.688 206.365
Belgian franc         8.073   8.260
German Mark         166.458 170.317
Finnish Mark         54.770  56.040
Dutch Guilder       147.709 151.133
Danish Kr.           43.803  44.818
Swedish Kr.          35.101  35.915
Norwegian Kr.        37.936  38.816
Austrian Sh.         23.669  24.218
Italian lira (100)   16.822  17.212
Yen (100)           233.973 239.398
Spanish Peseta        1.958   2.004
Port. Escudo          1.616   1.653
Banknotes           Buying  Selling
New York            284.783 291.386
Montreal            183.441 187.694
Sydney              182.826 187.064
London              471.299 482.227
Dublin              413.664 423.255
Nicosia             564.329 577.413
Paris                49.658  50.809
Zurich              201.688 206.365
Brussels              8.073   8.260
Frankfurt           166.458 170.317
Helsinki             54.770  56.040
Amsterdam           147.709 151.133
Copenhagen           43.803  44.818
Stockholm            35.101  35.915
Oslo                 37.936  38.816
Vienna               23.669  24.218
Milan                16.822  17.212
Tokyo               233.973 239.398
Madrid                1.958   2.004
Lisbon                1.616   1.653

Athens News Agency

[13] Athens reiterates that Ocalan did not stop-over in Greece

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

"The Greek government insists that Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan did not pass through Greece," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, replying to reporters' questions.

Mr. Reppas added that the leader of the PKK leader had not even passed through Athens airport "in transit" to Italy, nor had he requested to either stop over or stay in Greece.

Asked whether Greek authorities would have known if Mr. Ocalan had entered Greece albeit with forged documents, Mr. Reppas replied "most certainly".

The government last week described as "a good piece of fiction" an Athens newspaper report that claimed the well-known PKK leader had stopped-off at Athens airport on Oct. 9 to sound out the government about the possibility of being granted political as ylum. In an interview appearing in Monday's edition of the Kurdish newspaper "Ozgur Politika", which is published in Turkish in Frankfurt, Mr. Ocalan intimated that he had tried to enter Greece but was not accepted by the Greek government, "becau se of pressure from third parties".

Mr. Reppas praised the handling of the Italian government regarding the problem created by Mr. Ocalan's arrival and request for political asylum.

An Italian court on Friday rejected a Turkish international arrest warrant for Mr. Ocalan, but ordered him to remain in Rome because of a German request for his arrest. The court ruled that the PKK leader could live at a private address but had to report to police daily. The Italian government's handling, Mr. Reppas said, showed that international law was respected in Italy and that the country operated on the basis of EU rules.

"It is on this basis that Turkey must also operate," Mr. Reppas said, adding that "the framework of EU-Turkish relations will be ruptured if Ankara fails not respect European principles".

Referring to widespread Turkish protests following Mr. Ocalan's arrival in Italy, Mr. Reppas said Ankara's image bore no relation to the image of a country which wanted to join the EU.

He also criticised the stance of several Greek Moslem deputies who signed a text supporting Turkey's positions on the Ocalan issue.

"The deputies in question, although they have shown sensitivity on matters relating to the Moslem minority in Thrace, do not show the same sensitivity when there is a real problem, as in the case of the Kurds, where human rights are being systematically violated," Mr. Reppas said.

Amnesty International : Meanwhile, the non-governmental Amnesty International organisation expressed its steadfast opposition to the extradition of whosoever, regardless of charges against him, to a country (Turkey) where there is a grave risk of judicial or extra-judicial tortu re or ill- treatment being carried out.

The announcement reminded that over the past 20 years it has denounced on numerous occassions the human rights violations by PKK, primarily the murder of citizens and detainees, and that it steadfastly believes that "when there is proof that someone per petrated human rights vilations he must be referred to justice."

However, in the case in question, Amnesty International believes that Turkish authorities cannot secure a fair trial for Abdullah Ocalan since "in Turkey, there is a long-term established practice of torture and ill- treatment of political detainees as well as serious allegations of unfair trials,"

In parallel, it said, the preservation of capital punishment in Turkey constitutes one more stumbling block for the prospect of the PKK leader's extradition.

Skandalidis : Ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis has addressed a letter to counterparts of the European Union's socialist parties, proposing an international conference to resolve the Kurdish issue.

Mr. Skandalidis sent the letter on the occasion of the Abdullah Ocalan case, proposing that the EU undertake an initiative to organise an international conference.

Mr. Skandalidis said in his letter that the Ocalan case is not an isolated event but the conclusion of a long course of struggle by the Kurds, who "are being handled by the Turkish government in a way which does not befit the democratic and liberal trad itions of the European peoples."

Athens News Agency

[14] Pangalos talks with Croatia's Granic

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Granic was accompanying Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on a two-day official visit to Greece, which began on Monday. Speaking to reporters after the talks, Mr. Pangalos said he had discussed problems related to former Yugoslavia, efforts for peace in Bosnia and Kosovo and the prospects for European integration of the countries of former Yugoslavia and of Croatia in particular.

Mr. Pangalos said bilateral economic cooperation could be further developed, adding that the foreign ministry would inform Greek business circles about the privatisation programmes being implemented in Croatia "in order to secure the greatest possible participation".

He also stressed the importance to Greece, as well as for communications in the greater region, of the plan for the construction of a new highway along the Dalmatian coast.

The importance of such a highway is extremely important for Greece, he said, since the country lacked good road communications with western and northern Europe.

Mr. Pangalos said the new highway would not replace existing roads but supplement them, adding that efforts would be made to incorporate the highway plan in the trans-European networks.

The first meeting of the two countries' ministers of foreign affairs, public works and communications will be held in Athens in January 1999 to discuss the issue, Mr. Pangalos said.

Mr. Granic described his talks with Mr. Pangalos on peace and stability in the region as "constru-ctive and particularly friendly", adding that he had briefed him also on Croatia's relations with neighbouring countries.

The strategic targets of Croatia, he said, are incorporation in European and Euroatlantic structures while maintaining good neighbourly relations with all the countries of SE Europe.

Mr. Granic said bilateral relations were very good and agreed with his Greek counterpart that efforts should be made to further cooperation in the economic, cultural, tourism, scientific and technological sectors.

He said he had briefed Mr. Pangalos on Zagreb's short-term plans regarding privatisation, the banking system, telecommunications and tourism.

Mr. Granic too described the new Dalmatian highway as being of major importance for all the countries of the region.

Lastly, the Croatian official underlined that Greece had played a very positive role during the crisis and conflict in former Yugoslavia, while noting that it could play the same constructive role in the future also.

Tudjman received by Kaklamanis : Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday discus-sed problems in the wider region of the Balkans and relations between the two countries.

Mr. Kaklamanis told reporters later he had extended an invitation to the members of the Croatian parliament to visit Greece.

Mr. Tudjman, who was on the final day of a two-day official visit, called on the international community to take immediate measures on the strife in the Yugoslav province of Kosovo, saying that there would be "serious" consequences if peace was not maintained.

Athens News Agency

[15] Pangalos: Turkey squarely to blame for lack of Cyprus solution

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

He was replying to reporters' questions after talks with his Croatian counterpart Mate Granic.

"This is the position also of all the other countries of the world, except Turkey, which has put an end to the negotiations," Mr. Pangalos said.

Despite the fact that no negotiations are being held - on Turkey's responsibility - to resolve the political aspect of the Cyprus problem, Mr. Pangalos said, "the Cyprus government is making efforts aimed at achieving progress in two areas which do not prejudge the final outcome: the reduction of armaments and (the maintaining of) communication between the two communities" on the divided island.

On these two issues also Turkey is completely intransigent, Mr. Pangalos said, adding that the visits by Turkish officials to the (Turkish-) occupied northern part of Cyprus and the presence of Turkish warplanes there are all part of this framework.

"Typical of the audacity of the Turkish government," he said, "is that while Turkish aircraft regularly land in the occupied part of the island, Ankara kicks up an enormous fuss every time a Greek aircraft lands in free Cyprus at the invitation of the legitimate government".

Mr. Pangalos said Turkish leaders should take note of the advice given recently by European leaders, namely that as representatives of a country they had no right to issue ultimatums and threats.

"This is not how dialogue is conducted in the present times," Mr. Pangalos said.

Athens News Agency

[16] V. Papandreou in Moscow

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

In an unrelated development, Ms Papandreou will leave on Friday for a four- day visit to Iran.

Athens News Agency

[17] Foreign ministry satisfied over Albanian constitution referendum

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

However, he expressed disappointment at the opposition Democratic Party's abstention from the referendum.

Despite inconclusive figures, all indications show that more than 50 per cent of the electorate participated, while the new constitution was adopted with a significant majority, the spokesman said.

"The referendum constitutes a decisive step on the road to the restoration of that country's political stability," he said, adding that Greece would continue to offer support to the neighbouring country.

Athens News Agency

[18] EU's draft budget the focus of member-states' ministers

BRUSSELS 25/11/1998 (ANA - G. Daratos)

Greece was represented by Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis.

The Council disagreed with a Europarliament request for higher reserves to be created in the budget. To enable consent to be achieved, the need for flexibility in future European Union budgets was agreed. The issue will be discussed at an extraordinary budget council on Dec. 8.

Greece and Spain disagreed on the placing of credits from structural funds (1500 MECU) in the reserve, and as a result, a ballot was held in which the two countries succeeded in having the initial proposal withdrawn.

The EU presidency and certain member-states attempted to create two new "policies" at the Council on the EU funding for Turkey. Following an intervention by the Greek deputy minister it was accepted that the creation of these two "policies" lacks a legal basis. As a result, the proposal for the creation of the two "policies" followed the process anticipated by the Fiscal Regulation, meaning that the European Parliament will decide on the issue.

Greece also said it disagreed with the replacing of credits, amounting to 50 MECU, in the reserve for fiscal cooperation with Turkey.

Athens News Agency

[19] EU Council of Farm Ministers' meeting underway

BRUSSELS 25/11/1998 (ANA - G. Daratos)

Greece was represented at the session by Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis, who was accompanied by Deputy Agriculture Minister Costas Vrettos, among others.

Before the session got underway, Mr. Anomeritis had a private meeting with the president of the Council of Agriculture Ministers, Austrian Minister Wilhelm Molterer, and discussed issues with him concerning cooperation between the presidency and member- states on smoothly conducting and promoting the Council's work.

Afterwards, Mr. Anomeritis had the opportunity of acquainting himself with all his agriculture minister colleagues and determining a series of meetings with some of them. Such a meeting was held with Britain's Agriculture Minister Nik Brown on Tuesday morning. The meeting focused on general developments in common agricultural policy, as well as issues of interest to each country. A convergence was ascertained on many points, despite the fact that the British approach to the general issues of Common Agricultural policy differs from Greek positions.

Athens News Agency

[20] Karamanlis meets with university rectors

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

After the meeting, which was held at ND's headquarters, Mr. Karamanlis called on the government to suspend implementation of the reforms, saying they provoked what he termed "disturbance" and could possibly spark social tension.

He further reiterated ND's proposal for the setting up of a national council to plan a long-term policy on education.

"ND regards education as the greatest investment in the 21st century and thus allocations in the sector should rise," Mr. Karamanlis said.

Athens News Agency

[21] Commission begins meetings to combat 'sex tourism'

BRUSSELS 25/11/1998 (ANA - G. Daratos)

EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, who proposed the meetings in his capacity as tourism commissioner, opened the meeting.

In his address, Mr. Papoutsis said "the children of the world are our future...Our actions today will impact on the future of millions of children. We do not have the right to betray them. Let us offer them the future they deserve."

He added that "we should act even if the phenomenon regards only one child...but unfortunately, it involves millions of victims."

Athens News Agency

[22] 13 violations of EU law concerning projects in Greece cited

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

Ms Wulf-Mathies, responsible for regional policy, structural funds and cohesion fund, responded to a tabled question by Euro-MP Mihalis Papayiannakis.

A press release by the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) said that five of the cases were related to environmental violations, and eight to public contracts.

Athens News Agency

[23] Prince Charles in Crete

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

Prince Charles, accompanied by British ambassador to Greece Sir Michael Llewelyn Smith, was welcomed at the "Nikos Kazantzakis" airport by National Defence Deputy Minister Dimitris Apostolakis and local government officials.

Immediately after arriving, the Prince of Wales ascended the hill of Aghia Paraskevi, which affords a panoramic view of the city and the archaeological site of Knossos. After touring the site itself, Prince Charles attended a reception in his honour at the Irakleio Museum before leaving Crete.

Athens News Agency

[24] Three smugglers arrested, 10 illegals detained

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

Georgi Ivanov, 22, allegedly led the 10 illegals on foot into Greece, following the banks of the Nestos River, police said.

Authorities said the man received 3,000DM for his "services" before leading the group to the village of Alistrati, Serres prefecture. At the village, Aristidis Aslanidis, 62, and Dimitri Malev, 35, were to reportedly transport the group to Thessaloniki or Athens for a 250,000-drachma fee.

Police were alerted when the three of the illegals were taken to the Drama hospital for treatment.

Athens News Agency

[25] Turk given prison sentence for smuggling illegals

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

Emin Kavak was arrested by police at a bus terminal in Orestiada while purchasing tickets to Athens for the six illegals.

Athens News Agency

[26] Cartografhy conference in Thessaloniki

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

The Braille maps are the first of their kind for Greece but their mass publication will depend on subsidies, Prof. Evangelos Livieratos, the head of the Thessaloniki-based National Map Archive, told reporters yesterday.

Events begin today with the regional working meeting of Balkan and Black Sea cartographers from universities in Turkey, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. The meeting, he said, has been placed under the aegis of the Council of Europe and will foc us on mapping of urban centres.

In the afternoon, Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos opens proceedings of the 5th National Congress of Cartographers, which will focus on large scale maps and urban mapping. The Hellenic Army Geographic Service, the Naval Hydrographic Service and the president of International Cartographic Association, Aberdeen University professor Michael Wood, will be presented with awards for their contribution to the science during the congress.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos is also scheduled to inaugurate the exhibition of priceless 20th century maps of Greek port cities.

The International Cartographic Association will also hold its regular meeting during the events, with the participation of scientists from as far afield as Japan and Australia.

The inaugural meeting of the members of the European Union programme Cartotech for European cartographic heritage will also be held. The Thessaloniki-based National Centre for maps and Cartographic Heritage - National Map Archive is the leader of the g roup. Members include organisations from Venice, Utrecht and Helsinki.

Athens cites strange 'cartography' in latest official Turkish edition : Athens yesterday stressed that "Turkish propaganda" had been made to look foolish by a recent official publication of the Turkish foreign ministry, which showed several major eastern Aegean islands, such as Rhodes, Samos, Hios and Ikaria as belonging to Turkey.

According to the Ankara-based "Turkish Daily News", an English-language daily, the map is the work of a Turkish writer to mark the 75th anniversary of the Turkish republic, and contains other gross errors, such as Iraq appearing in the place of Iran and

Armenia in the place of Azerbaijan.

The newspaper said the book, government-funded and expected to be distributed at Turkey's foreign missions, was a "scandal".

The government said the publication showed that Turkey's 'propaganda industry' had failed to mislead public opinion regarding historical reality in the region.

Replying to reporters' questions, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the government had already taken "the appropriate steps" regarding the publication.

Athens News Agency

[27] Pensioners rally in central Athens

Athens 25/11/1998 (ANA)

The rally was called to protest the rate of increases provided by the government in the 1999 state budget.

Representatives of the protesters met with National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou to set out their objections, but their talks were "fruitless", a pensioner said.

Pensioners have called for nationwide protests and a rally on January 19 to press their demands that the country's progress towards economic and monetary union be accompanied by social sensitivity.

According to the budget submitted to Parliament earlier this month, pensioners will receive increases of 2 per cent, in line with projected inflation.

Athens News Agency

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