Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-11-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis stresses Athens' support for Italian actions on Ocalan issue

[02] OA management contract signed between gov't, state-run carrier

[03] Greece to see better days under EMU, Simitis says

[04] Hellenic Petroleum posts 100 pct consolidated profit jump Jan- Sept

[05] Greece no longer at bottom of EU fiscal league, gov't says

[06] Stocks shed gains in second day of correction

[07] Drachma stays high following outflows of foreign capital

[08] Greece-FYROM trade to exceed US $250 mln.

[09] Al-Partenariat meeting between EU, Latin America SMEs in Mexico City

[10] HEPO's Packaging Institute inaugurated

[11] GSEE: 22% of unemployed in Greece higher education graduates

[12] Fischler on designation of 'feta' cheese

[13] Karamanlis calls for radical reforms in public transports, privatisations

[14] ADEDY election

[15] Simitis: War reparations, occupation 'loan' on the agenda

[16] Pangalos-Burns meeting

[17] Simitis: Gov't will serve its entire 4-year term

[18] Simitis-Klima meeting set for Dec. 2, prior to Vienna EU summit

[19] Economic memo between EU, Albania signed

[20] Turkish ambassador finishes tour of Thrace

[21] Greek tourist sector the focus of conference

[22] Greek soldiers in NATO force to be stationed in FYROM

[23] Pangalos visits to Denmark, Norway

[24] Vienna conference on European cities attended by Avramopoulos

[25] Anarchist violence during student march in downtown Athens

[26] Manos to stand as an independent in next general, Euro-elections

[27] US Orthodox group: Ankara will soon reinstate Halki board of supervisers

[28] Doris Lessing in Athens

[29] Gov't comments on compliance with Schengen

[30] Large group of Kurdish illegals located on islet, 3 Syrians arrested

[31] Amnesty Int'l hails decision against Pinochet

[32] Athens Foreign Exchange

[33] Firebomb outside Yiannopoulos' political office

[01] Simitis stresses Athens' support for Italian actions on Ocalan issue

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

"Greece is in favour of political asylum being given to Mr. Ocalan," Mr. Simitis said, adding: "Italy has handled the matter properly." Mr. Simitis was responding to questions from the foreign press at an annual Foreign Press Association luncheon hel d yesterday.

The prime minister was harshly critical of the Turkish reaction to the Italian government's handling of the Ocalan issue, underlining that European leaders had to evaluate these reactions.

He called them "intense, exaggerated and almost violent".

"(European leaders) must make clear that in relation to Turkey-EU relations these tactics will not be allowed to pass," Mr. Simitis said.

He noted that Turkey had reacted in a similar fashion recently against the European Union when it was left off the list of candidate-countries, acting with the rationale of, "if we are not a chosen country there will be no cooperation".

For the European Union to mark progress, he said, all EU countries and third countries should comply with the EU guidelines regarding relations between countries. He noted that the Luxembourg European Council had set out a clear framework for the development of Euro-Turkish relations.

"The EU must cooperate with Turkey, which is also to the benefit of Greece, because we are talking about a neighbour whose participation in European procedures ensures stability, conditions of cooperation and peace in the region," he said.

"This cooperation must come under the framework provided by the Copenhagen criteria - respect for human rights and friendly relations with neighbouring countries, " Mr. Simitis added.

Greece does not want to exclude Turkey but argues that Turkish-EU cooperation must be ruled by these principles, he said.

"There is a Kurdish problem and Kurdish minority in Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria," Mr. Simitis said.

"This problem has been brought to the attention of international organisations in the past and the stance that has been formulated is that there should be an international meeting on resolving the problem," he said.

He added that Greece supported the recognition of the rights and identity of the Kurds, as it did for the application of all international measures and agreements which relate to minorities and which will guarantee that the Kurdish minority will be able to deal with issues related to their language and their culture.

"This does not exist today," Mr. Simitis said, noting that human rights for the Kurds were either non-existent or heavily restricted.,

He noted that there were MPs of Kurdish origin in Turkish jails, something that frequently brought condemnation from the European Parliament.

"Greece is in favour of a resolution of the problem with political dialogue and peaceful means. Force can not lead to results. This is why the international community must move towards finding a resolution with political means," he said.

Mr. Simitis said there could be no change of borders, especially through the use of force, since this did not contribute to stability and would generate only negative developments. Stressing that Greece was a democratic country in which everyone had the right to express themselves freely on all matters, the premier observed that national legislation in effect did not allow the country to be used as a "base" for the use of force against third countries.

"This is a position of principle which applies to all problems, whether it be the Kurdish problem, Chechnya or any other issue," Mr. Simitis said.

Replying to criticism that Greece had distanced itself from the Kurdish problem, he said the country had been making its position clear for quite some time.

"Certain people should be very careful because they are doing a disservice firstly to the Kurdish people and also to those who are struggling for their rights by making the Kurdish problem a Greek-Turkish issue. This is precisely what Ankara wants in or der to divert attention from the essence of the problem and present it as a problem of bilateral relations," Mr. Simitis said.

The only real difference between Greece and Turkey, he continued, concerns the delineation of the Aegean's continental shelf, while the Kurdish problem is not one which divides the two countries.

Mr. Simitis reiterated that any disputes or differences which do exist between Greece and Turkey should be resolved on the basis of international law, the implementation of treaties and the International Court at The Hague. Asked whether he would be ab le to talk with Bulent Ecevit in the event that he became prime minister of Turkey, Mr. Simitis replied that he could talk with any Turkish leader, since the issues for discussion were not personal but political.

Talks with Clerides : Replying to questions on his talks today with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Mr. Simitis said the meeting had been scheduled for quite some time and had not been arranged especially to discuss Nicosia's plans to install Russian-made S-300 anti-aircra ft missiles in Cyprus.

"Tomorrow," he said, "the Greek government will be briefed on developments in two major issues raised by President Clerides, namely the Cyprus problem in its political context and the de-escalation of tension in the island republic".

"It would be premature for me to express any opinion before meeting with Mr. Clerides," he added.

Mr. Simitis said the main objective was to resolve Cyprus' political problem, and in order to achieve this, various approaches are being adopted, including efforts within the framework of the United Nations, the strengthening of Cyprus' presence in inte rnational affairs, the reduction of tension and the restricting of armaments on the island.

Mr. Simitis stressed, however, that the Greek government supported the position that Cyprus needed a strong defence "which presupposes (the acquisition of) certain weapons".

The deployment of the S-300 missiles is not an end in itself, Mr. Simitis said, adding: "We should see what our main objectives are and how they are best served".

Replying to a question on the adoption of confidence-building measures (CBMs) in the Aegean, Mr. Simitis said relevant talks were being held at NATO headquarters in Brussels and there had been certain "positive conclusions". Athens differed from Ankara in this respect, he said, since the Greek side believed that each time a positive result is attained, it should be announced and subsequently implemented, whereas Turkey wanted a "pac-kage" arrangement.

Turning to the Balkans in general, Mr. Simitis said he planned to visit the capitals of those Balkan countries which he has not yet been to, such as Skopje and Belgrade.

"The European Union enlargement process has strengthened Greece's role and presence in the Balkan region," he added.

ND calls for EU initiative on Kurdish problem : The main opposition New Democracy (ND) party yesterday called on the government to contribute to European Union initiatives regarding the Kurdish issue.

In its release, ND said it considered the Kurdish problem a major issue and expressed satisfaction over the solidarity exhibited by the European Union towards Italy.

"The policy of threats and retaliation on the part of Turkey violates the spirit and the letter of the Customs Union Agreement (signed between the EU and Turkey)" ND stated, adding that "Turkey must provide real proof of its European vocation by adopting a new policy for the recognition of the rights of the Kurdish people...we find unacceptable the inflamatory statements of Turkish officials, who accuse Greece of being a country 'fostering terrorism' - which systematically contribute to Turkish propagan da against Greece, and by extention, to the creation of new tensions in Greek-Turkish relations".

Athens News Agency

[02] OA management contract signed between gov't, state-run carrier

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Targets include an increase in revenues from an increase in passenger volume, attraction of more affluent travellers, as well as a decrease in expenditures through the implementation of new staff regulations.

The main directives and strategies included in the plan are the restructuring of OA's route network, a "radical" improvement in the state-run national air carrier's image and services, including the inclusion of new aircraft.

National Ecomony Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis signed the agreement on behalf of the government.

Furthermore, an improvement in the performance and revenues from passenger movement by better monitoring sales, a decrease in expenditures with the establishment of a new organisational programme, full utilisation of the possibilities set out in Law 26 02/98 in programming staff and an increase in productivity by fully introducing computerised systems.

Another goal is development of OA through its presence at the under- construction international airport at Spata, among others.

Translating the plan into figures over the 1998-2002 period means an increase by 21 per cent in flights, an 11.6 per cent in available seats per kilometre and by 12.5 per cent in aircraft units, an increase in revenues from airline work in current prices over the five-year period by 25.5 per cent and a decrease in expenditures for permanent staff by 2 per cent.

The targets of the Olympic Catering subsidiary, as set out in the five-year operational plan are the company's possible listing with the Athens Stock Exchange, its transfer to Spata airport in 2001, an aggressive policy in the air catering sector - which will be deregulated in the EU - completion of overall quality system processes and its certification by ISO 9002, canteens and restaurants at the country's largest airports, as well as an increase in productivity by 40 per cent by the year 2002.

Athens News Agency

[03] Greece to see better days under EMU, Simitis says

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Addressing a Foreign Press Association luncheon, he said that the government's policies would ensure Greece's participation in the euro, the EU's future single currency.

"We will be able to achieve what we are seeking, as we are to some extent doing now," Mr. Simitis said.

EMU entry would bring a 35-hour working week, transformation of the tax system, lower taxes, a more effective employment policy, and increased national funding to tackle unemployment, he said.

The prime minister rejected the possibility of a political deal to ensure the country's entry into EMU: "There is no such leeway."

Replying to a reporter's question, the prime minister said that Greece had not joined the first wave of EMU members because it was not ready, attributing the failure to conflicting policies in 1990-1993.

He described the economy's progress as very satisfactory, forecasting a 3.5 percent rate of growth in 1998 and consumer price inflation of 4.1-4.2 percent at the end of the year, down from a budgetary target of 4.5 percent.

Falling inflation would bring down interest rates, as expected, but the pace of the rate decline would have to match that of inflation, he said.

Finally, the impact of a recent global financial crisis on the domestic economy would be minimal because of the country's limited financial ties with southeast Asia and Latin America, two sources of the crisis.

Athens News Agency

[04] Hellenic Petroleum posts 100 pct consolidated profit jump Jan- Sept

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The Group's chairman and managing director, Eleftherios Tzellas, told a news conference yesterday that the results for January-September showed that the company was achieving its business targets for the year and fully implementing its investment programme.

The programme includes construction of a propylene unit in Thessaloniki, which has already begun; investment in another unit nearing completion in Komotini; and the acquisition of Mamidakis Oil on Wednesday, which has given Hellenic Petroleum seven new storage facilities and 593 new gas stations around the country.

Pre-tax profits of the parent company, listed Hellenic Petroleum SA, more than doubled to 26.2 billion drachmas in January-September from 9.7 billion last year.

Pre-tax profits of its retail subsidiary EKO-ELDA totalled 5.4 billion drachmas and those of its research subsidiary ASPROFOS totalled 1.05 billion drachmas in the first nine months of 1998.

The group's turnover, however, fell to 523 billion drachmas from 550 billion last year, hit by a sharp fall in international oil prices in 1998.

Mr. Tzellas also announced that Hellenic Petroleum is to prospect for oil in Iran at 14 sites around the country, and the terms of the project will be set during a visit to Tehran with Development Minister Vasso Papandreou.

"We will find out what terms of cooperation the Iranian government has set, and then we will decide which international consortiums we will work with," Mr. Tzellas said.

Finally, Mr. Tzellas signed an agreement yesterday with Mailis, also listed on the Athens bourse, to cooperate in the production of self-adhesive tapes by Straptech - a Mailis subsidiary - using BOPP film manufactured by Ekofilm - a Hellenic Petroleum subsidiary - as a raw material.

In addition, Mailis' subsidiaries will promote the sale of Ekofilm's Bopp film in eastern and western Europe.

A new plant in Komotini for production of the adhesive tape is expected to launch operations in 1999.

Total investments for the project are 11.4 billion drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[05] Greece no longer at bottom of EU fiscal league, gov't says

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

It no longer has the highest fiscal deficit in the 15-nation bloc and coming generations will have a lower debt repayment burden, Mr. Christodoulakis said during the third day of budget discussion.

He said that international markets, the toughest critics, had shown confidence in Greece's prospects of participating in European economic and monetary union by January 1, 2001, seeing Greece as a safe bet as EMU's next member.

Mr. Christodoulakis underlined that a fiscal restructuring process contained in 1999's budget was aimed not just at joining the euro but also at preparing the country for a highly competitive global economy.

Athens News Agency

[06] Stocks shed gains in second day of correction

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.87 percent lower at 2,455.16 points in moderate turnover of 49.2 billion drachmas. Volume was 12,136,000 shares.

Sector indices suffered losses.

Banks fell 0.96 percent, Leasing dropped 1.75 percent, Insurance ended 0.38 percent off, Investment plunged 2.37 percent, Construction dropped 2.42 percent, Industrials eased 0.56 percent, Holding fell 0.69 percent, but Miscellaneous bucked the trend to end 0.36 percent up.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 0.02 percent down.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 133 to 105 with another 24 issues unchanged. Viosol, Mytilineos, Bank of Piraeus and Hellenic Petroleum were the most heavily traded stocks.

Metka, Eskimo, Hadzioannou, Mouriadis and Yalco hit the daily 8.0 percent limit up, followed by Atemke, Technodomi and Thessaliki which scored big percentage gains.

Sportsman, Keranis, Galis, GEK, Aspis Invest, Eltrak, Hellenic Biscuits, Sanyo and Aktor suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 49,900 drachmas, Ergobank at 26,600, Alpha Credit Bank at 26,900, Ionian Bank at 12,090, Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 7,055, Delta Dairy at 3,560, Intracom at 13,565, Titan Cement at 19,850, Hellenic Petro leum at 2,425 and Minoan Lines at 6,375 drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[07] Drachma stays high following outflows of foreign capital

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The central bank intervened in the foreign currency market, buying around 20 million US dollars. The move kept the drachma at 167.800 against the mark, also its close at the daily fix. The dollar rose slightly to 286.180 drachmas.

Bond trading was subdued with prices mostly holding the previous session's levels.

Athens News Agency

[08] Greece-FYROM trade to exceed US $250 mln.

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The figures were announced by Greek ambassador in Skopje Alexandros Mallias at a press conference on the occasion of the 2nd exhibition of Greek enterprises - scheduled for Dec. 2-5.

This year's exhibition will be attended by 82 Greek enterprises specialising in animal fodder, door and window frames, textiles, ready-made clothes, marble, electrical equipment, chandeliers, plastic pipes, foodstuffs and beverages, toys, agricultural machinery, furniture and batteries.

Athens News Agency

[09] Al-Partenariat meeting between EU, Latin America SMEs in Mexico City

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

According to an announcement by the Central Union of Chambers of Commerce (KEE), which coordinates the participation of Greek enterprises,the purpose of the meeting is to provide enterprises from participant countries with the possibility of developing strategic alliances and mixed enterprises and to contribute to the further development of their competitiveness with a mutual widening of their markets through cooperation agreements.

A total of 650 enterprises from Mexico and central Latin America will be participating in the meeting, while 250 enterprises will be selected from the European Union, 20 of which will be Greek.

Athens News Agency

[10] HEPO's Packaging Institute inaugurated

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The individual targets of EIS include resolving serious problems in issues concerning packaging such as safeguarding the quality of products, losses resulting from their transfer and conducting research at a low cost.

In a brief address, Mr.Tzen announced the initiation of a packaging award for each sector of production. At an initial stage, the award will concern the cosmetics, foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals sectors.

Athens News Agency

[11] GSEE: 22% of unemployed in Greece higher education graduates

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Speaking at a conference on "The University and Employment" yesterday, Savvas Robolis said that this percentage strengthens the view of those who maintain that there must be a change in the university's orientation towards providing vocational education and its direct linkage with the labour market's short-term needs. Referring to the total percentage of unemployment, he said that unemployment will increase gradually until the year 2000, adding that according to a report by the OECD in a country with a 10 per cent unemployment rate 6 per cent is due to the structural crisis, 2 per cent to changes in professions and 2 per cent to the relation between the educational system and the labour market.

Athens News Agency

[12] Fischler on designation of 'feta' cheese

BRUSSELS 27/11/1998 (ANA - G. Daratos)

Mr. Fischler was replying to Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos' question, asking the Commission to intervene in support of its own decision to designate the name 'feta' exclusively to that product produced in Greece.

The Commissioner said that since the issue was in the Commission's courts, it "is not in the habit of intervening during the final phase of the procedure".

Athens News Agency

[13] Karamanlis calls for radical reforms in public transports, privatisations

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Karamanlis, who visited the offices of the Attica Urban Transport Organisation, met with management and employees' representatives, stressing afterwards that "urban transportation is a very large and contemporary issue, while the situation is dismal , offering poor service to citizens and placing a heavy load on the shoulders of taxpayers".

He accused the government of "being idle on this issue, and not taking any restructuring measures", while he pointed out that ND "has a clear policy and it insists on bold reforms designed for privatisation."

Mr. Karamanlis outlined ND's policy on the issue, focused on "independent administrations with regulatory and executive responsibilities, broad share- based transport enterprises with a popular base, giving priority to employees' participation, and satis faction of demands by former transport- enterprise owners, which have been the victims of PASOK governments' lack of credibility".

Athens News Agency

[14] ADEDY election

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The outcome in the election of a new ADEDY board was not known at press time, although no surprises were expected.

Athens News Agency

[15] Simitis: War reparations, occupation 'loan' on the agenda

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis told foreign correspondents at a luncheon that the issue of German reparations was still open for Athens.

It is an issue that is brought up at all meetings between Greek and German officials, he said, adding that his meeting with Mr. Schroeder next week would be no different.

Athens News Agency

[16] Pangalos-Burns meeting

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

In a letter he had sent recently to his US counterpart Madeleine Albright, Mr. Pangalos called on Washington to become more actively involved in the Cyprus question and to contribute to a solution on the issue of the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles on the island republic.

Athens News Agency

[17] Simitis: Gov't will serve its entire 4-year term

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

When it came to power in 1996, Mr. Simitis said, the government had a four- year programme which will yield the maximum at the end of 1999 and the first half of 2000.

Speaking to foreign correspondents, Mr. Simitis said the general election was the last of four major events which would take place between now and the year 2000, the others being the ruling PASOK party's congress, European Parliament elections next June and Greece's entry into Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

Stressing that PASOK would not follow the German "model", Mr. Simitis said he believed the posts of prime minister and president of the ruling party should be held by the same person.

"This is the only clear-cut solution and is necessary for ensuring the unity and effectiveness of the party," Mr. Simitis said.

Replying to questions, the premier did not accept that opposition to the government's policies was mounting within PASOK. He said also that the people were dissatisfied when they saw that the necessary changes were not being made quickly enough and when "the same people and the same structures remain".

In this respect, the premier pointed to the results of recent local elections which were by and large unfavourable for the government.

He added that if the government succeeds in implementing the chan-ges already announced, PASOK would win the general election in 2000.

Opposition : Main opposition New Democracy (ND) spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos later replied that Mr. Simitis "received the message of the municipal and prefectural elections."

He added that the PASOK government was "judged and convicted", because it "proved to be inadequate in solving the every-day problems of citizens."

On its part, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a press release noting that the premier "reassured the plutocracy, while on the other hand he projected his contempt and fear in the face of the great struggles already in pro-gress."

The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) said Mr. Simitis insists on "beautifying reality and on self-congratulations."

Athens News Agency

[18] Simitis-Klima meeting set for Dec. 2, prior to Vienna EU summit

VIENNA 27/11/1998 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

The latter is touring the capitals of the remaining 14 EU member-states as of Wednesday for the same reason.

Mr. Klima considers the employment policy, the euro and the "Agenda 2000" as issues of primary interest at the Vienna European Council, with which the Austrian EU presidency will be concluded.

Athens News Agency

[19] Economic memo between EU, Albania signed

TIRANA 27/11/1998 (ANA - P. Haritos)

The programme concerns cross-border cooperation with Greece and Italy and anticipates the granting of 12 million Ecu by the EU.

What is anticipated in cooperation between Albania and Greece, in particular, is restoration of the water supply and drainage network in Sarande, restoration of water supply in Gjirokaster and the improvement of the archaeological site at Vouthrotou.

Athens News Agency

[20] Turkish ambassador finishes tour of Thrace

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Tuygan, who met with Evros Prefecture Georgios Dolios and Alexandroupoli Mayor Lefteris Gioftsidis, who said: "I am very happy for this visit, with which my tour in Thrace is concluded," adding that "it is the duty of the embassy to act as a channel in the relations between the two sides and within that context be concerned about cooperation issues". Asked whether Greek media conveyed a "correct picture" of contemporary Turkey, he replied: "No, I cannot say that...personally, I see no efforts made towards that direction, for the mass media and its representatives to visit Turkey, to talk with Turkish people, learn how they think, get to learn their feelings and convey those back to Greece."

Mr. Tuygan said he did not approve of flag-burning, such as the recent burnings of the Italian and the Greek flags in Turkey, "just as I do not approve when they burn our flag during demonstrations outside our embassy in Athens".

Athens News Agency

[21] Greek tourist sector the focus of conference

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Several tourist industry experts and representatives from both countries are participating at the conference.

Athens News Agency

[22] Greek soldiers in NATO force to be stationed in FYROM

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The contingent will be set up to protect more than 2,000 OSCE observers in the Yugoslav province of Kosovo.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the NATO force under French command would comprise a total of 250 troops and had nothing to do with "NATO's supposed intervention in Kosovo" as borne out by the fact that it will be based in FYROM.

Reminding the House that Greece had insisted right to the end that a peaceful solution and the avoidance of military intervention was possible in Kosovo, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said this was eventually attained by virtue of the agreement reached between Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and US special envoy Richard Holbrooke. "As a force for peace, security and stability in the region, Greece is assuming an active role within the framework of OSCE resolutions, because peace is an issue which is of primary concern to Greece and not only the countries directly involved," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.

He was replying to a question tabled by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Babis Agourakis, who claimed that the NATO force to be stationed in FYROM would be ready to intervene at any time in Kosovo "and on any pretext".

Athens News Agency

[23] Pangalos visits to Denmark, Norway

STOCKHOLM 27/11/1998 (ANA - N. Servetas)

Mr. Pangalos is scheduled to meet with his Danish counterpart Niels Helveg Petersen and with the Danish parliament's foreign affairs committee in Copenhagen.

He will lead the Greek delegation to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe ministerial summit in the Norwegian capital of Oslo on Dec. 2-3.

He will also conduct an official visit to Norway at the conclusion of the summit, meeting with Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek and the Norwegian parliament's foreign affairs committee. Mr. Pangalos will also be received by Norway's King Harald be fore returning to Athens on Dec. 4.

Athens News Agency

[24] Vienna conference on European cities attended by Avramopoulos

VIENNA 27/11/1998 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos proposed the creation of a joint urban- planning policy, similar to the joint European policy, while the responsibility for carring out the policies should be handed over to one of the Commissioners, initially.

Mr. Avramopoulos is presiding over the European Commission and City of Vienna-sponsored conference.

He also proposed the creation of a ministry of urban affairs in all European Union member-states.

The Urban Affairs Minister of the Netherlands, Roger van Boxtel, congratulated Mr. Avramopoulos for his proposal.

The Netherlands is the first EU member-state to create a ministry of urban affairs.

Mr. Avramopoulos, during his address at the "Development of Productivity, Employment and Financial Development in the Cities" section of the conference, introduced the principle of political activism. Mr. Avramopoulos said after the end of the conferen ce that his proposals and comments during the conference aimed at strengthening Greece's role.

Athens News Agency

[25] Anarchist violence during student march in downtown Athens

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Police said self-styled anarchist youths, who joined the march, threw stones and planks and set fire to a parked car in Syntagma Square, despite a strong police presence.

Another five cars on Panepistimiou street were damaged aftrer being attacked by the anarchists with clubs. A television crew's van was also damaged.

Windows at several bank branches in the city's centre were smashed.

Protesters dispersed peacefully after the march ended at the Athens University but representatives said more marches would be held.

Similar marches were held in major cities and towns around the country.

Students, teachers and parents are protesting against a number of issues, including teacher shortages, education ministry changes to grading and examinations at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, the introduction of open university type program mes and changes to procedures for appointing new teachers.

Students are also planning rallies on Dec. 9 and Dec. 15, the date for which the General Confederation of Greek Labour has called a general strike to protest the government's economic policies.

Simitis supports reforms : Prime Minister Costas Simitis, speaking to foreign correspondents at a luncheon, said later that he fully supported the education ministry in its reforms and criticised those opposing their introduction.

"If these reforms are not implemented, as requested by those in opposition, then we will be going backwards," he said.

He said the changes were necessary to build a society able to meet the challenges of the future. "We need these reforms and will insist on them," he said.

He said objections to change were inevitable but that these "objections do not faze and neither do they discourage us".

"The danger lies in stopping or in delaying the changes being introduced," he said.

He criticised protesters for failing to take into account the general hardship and disruption caused by marches or strikes.

The premier admitted that the political cost of the changes concerned him, "like any politician", but that the important thing was the emphasis placed on this factor.

Athens News Agency

[26] Manos to stand as an independent in next general, Euro-elections

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Manos was speaking to reporters on the submission of a proposal for new procedures for the election of European Parliament MPs.

The former minister said the aim of the bill was to bolster representation of the regions and decentralise the system. He said he would be meeting with Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos on stepping up the procedure to have his proposal discussed.

Mr. Manos was one of three leading deputies of the main opposition New Democracy party expelled from the party in February this year for failing to toe the party line.

The expulsions were widely seen as a purge by the-then newly-elected ND president Costas Karamanlis. Also expelled was former minister George Souflias, who had challenged Mr. Karamanlis for the party leadership months earlier.

There has been much speculation since the expulsions that Mr. Souflias and Mr. Manos may set up a party of their own.

Replying to a question on whether there was any chance of his returning to New Democracy, Mr. Manos said that he had not left the party, but that the party had expelled him.

"Consequently the issue of my return (to the party) is closed and I am not aware that it has been reopened by any person," Mr. Manos said.

Athens News Agency

[27] US Orthodox group: Ankara will soon reinstate Halki board of supervisers

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The Concerned Orthodox Christians of America action group's announcement noted that US administration officials in Turkey will monitor the implementation of the decision.

World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) president Andrew Athens said "today's action follows efforts by US ambassador to Turkey, Mark Parris, who was strongly supported by former US ambassador to Turkey and current Assistant Secretary of State for Europe an Affairs Marc Grossman and by the White House."

Pancyprian Association of America (PSEKA) president Phillip Christopher said "it's now time to move toward the re-opening of the Halki school, which was closed in 1971."

Athens News Agency

[28] Doris Lessing in Athens

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Ms Lessing, speaking at the Athens University in the context of the 'Britain and Greece' festival, said that "we always live in the shadow of the great Russian writers...but there are also many new, remarkable authors", adding that "the problem with liter ature is not the absence of writers but the absence of essential education among the readers..."

Athens News Agency

[29] Gov't comments on compliance with Schengen

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Foreign Ministry secretary-general for Community affairs Stelios Perrakis said the country's airports and most ports were, from the viewpoint of infrastructure, ready to implement provisions of the pact.

The coast guard, he said, has already taken delivery of a number of high- speed patrol boats while a further 52 were to be procured. The ultimate objective, Mr. Perrakis added, is for each of Greece's islands to have its own patrol boat.

In addition, improvements have been made to most of the country's major ports, while surveillance systems have been installed to enhance monitoring of border regions at sea and on land to stem the influx of illegal immigrants and criminals.

Mr. Perrakis said five committees set up to verify implementation of the Schengen Pact had already visited Greece.

Athens News Agency

[30] Large group of Kurdish illegals located on islet, 3 Syrians arrested

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The illegals, holding pictures of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, demanded to speak to Greek reporters and initially refused calls by the Kassos port authority to leave the islet.

Later in the day, they decided to leave the rocky islet for Kassos, following "negotiations" with port authority officials.

The group of the 158 Kurds included 66 children and 45 women.

The trawler's crew has been taken into custody by the Kassos port authorities.

Port authorities believe the group was headed for another island in the Dodecanese but the small vessel ran aground on Armathia in an effort to survive rough seas in the region.

Athens News Agency

[31] Amnesty Int'l hails decision against Pinochet

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

The decision is "a landmark against impunity", said Amnesty International in a statement, adding:

"The next crucial step for Home Secretary Jack Straw is to issue an extradition warrant and to abstain from actions that would obstruct competent courts to rule on charges facing the former general."

Gen. Pinochet's claim to immunity from prosecution for alleged charges of torture and genocide were thrown out.

Athens News Agency

[32] Athens Foreign Exchange

Bank of Greece closing rates of: November 23, 1998

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
US Dollar            283.891 290.473
Can.Dollar           186.278 190.597
Australian Dlr       180.827 185.019
Pound Sterling       470.188 481.090
Irish Punt           413.664 423.255
Pound Cyprus         563.456 576.520
Pound Malta          703.944 733.275
Turkish pound (100)    0.083   0.086
French franc          49.646  50.797
Swiss franc          201.669 206.344
Belgian franc          8.069   8.257
German Mark          166.458 170.317
Finnish Mark          54.794  56.065
Dutch Guilder        147.669 151.093
Danish Kr.            43.787  44.802
Swedish Kr.           34.760  35.566
Norwegian Kr.         37.763  38.639
Austrian Sh.          23.674  24.223
Italian lira (100)    16.811  17.201
Yen (100)            232.029 237.408
Spanish Peseta         1.958   2.004
Port. Escudo           1.625   1.663

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
New York             283.891 290.473
Montreal             186.278 190.597
Sydney               180.827 185.019
London               470.188 481.090
Dublin               413.664 423.25
Nicosia              563.456 576.520
Paris                 49.646  50.797
Zurich               201.669 206.344
Brussels               8.069   8.257
Frankfurt            166.458 170.31
Helsinki              54.794  56.065
Amsterdam            147.669 151.093
Copenhagen            43.787  44.802
Stockholm             34.760  35.566
Oslo                  37.763  38.639
Vienna                23.674  24.223
Milan                 16.811  17.201
Tokyo                232.029 237.408
Madrid                 1.958   2.004
Lisbon                 1.625   1.663

Athens News Agency

[33] Firebomb outside Yiannopoulos' political office

Athens 27/11/1998 (ANA)

Police said a home-made incendiary device comprising two small liquid gas cannisters and a cannister of gasoline, went off at around noon in the corridor outside the fourth floor office at the corner of Akadimias and Ippokratous streets.

The fire caused by the explosion was quickly extinguished.

The building's concierge was slightly injured while trying to put out the fire, which caused minor damage to the office entrance.

The attack was later claimed by an anonymous caller to the "Eleftherotypia" newspaper as the work of a group calling itself "Student Revolt".

The caller said the attack had been prompted by unspecified "court action against students" and called for the release of two people arrested by police on suspicion of planting bombs.

Mr. Yiannopoulos said the incident was "a cowardly attack by bully boys".

Athens News Agency

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