Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-01-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Group of British MPs table motion for return of Parthenon Marbles

[02] EU's de Silguy cites lower public deficits, inflation as key to Greece's EMU entry

[03] Seven countries sign hi-tech telecoms deal for Black Sea

[04] Bond prices jump, euro hits new low vs drachma

[05] Equities post gains, scrape through 3,000-pt barrier

[06] UK holds seminar in Athens on overhaul for electricity sector

[07] Vernicos Yachts to sell 10 pct of its equity

[08] Apparel firm to launch footwear operation

[09] Trade fair to include desktop publishing

[10] Trading of Makedonika Klostiria shares under observation

[11] Record number of Austrian tourists in '98

[12] Popular Bank's Lazarides to speak at Athens luncheon

[13] Thessaloniki farmers warn of blockades early next month

[14] Papademos concludes three-day contacts in Albania

[15] Athens Foreign Exchange

[16] Athens reiterates: EU expansion will proceed only with Cyprus' inclusion

[17] Simitis replies to ND question on S-300s

[18] Pangalos comments on latest Kosovo developments while in Romania

[19] Tsohatzopoulos: Greece wants peaceful settlement for Kosovo

[20] Kosovo on ESP meeting's agenda in Thessaloniki

[21] Venizelos: 2004 hopes to be antidote to current IOC crisis

[22] Students'rallies,road blocks cause havoc in Athens

[23] Map of Mount Athos' footpaths in the works

[01] Group of British MPs table motion for return of Parthenon Marbles

LONDON 21/01/1999 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

In the motion, the MPs propose the new millennium or at the latest by the year 2004 - when Athens hosts the Olympic Games - as the most opportune times for the return of the priceless 5th century BC friezes.

The motion recognises that there is "fear that the restitution of the Parthenon Sculptures would set a precedent for the dismantling of all the great museum collections, but believes that this would be averted if the sculptures were returned to Greece as a gesture of goodwill".

The motion follows the success of five Greek Eurodeputies in getting colleagues in Strasbourg to sign a petition calling for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum in London to Greece.

Last Friday, 339 out of 626 Europarliament deputies, or more than half of the assembly, signed a petition in favour of a return of the friezes.

The petition said "it would be a timely act which would contribute to our common European cultural heritage."

It was the third, and first successful, attempt by Greek Euro-MPs to gather enough signatures for a formal resolution. The other two attempts occurred in 1994 and 1996.

Greece has been trying for years to secure the return of the marbles, removed from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin before Greek independence from Ottoman rule. Elgin sold them to the British Museum in 1816.

Britain has repeatedly refused Greece's requests, saying they were safer at the British Museum than in the smog of Athens, despite recently acknowledging that some damage was caused by cleaning in 1937. According to the results of a recent MORI poll, if there were a referendum on whether or not the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece or remain at the British Museum, the British public would vote for return, by a margin of more than two to one.

Citing the poll results, the motion tabled yesterday underlines that the friezes and the Parthenon on the Acropolis constitute a single "artistic entity" and points out that UNESCO has designated the Parthenon as a world cultural heritage site and sup ports the return of the Marbles to Athens.

The motion states that Lord Elgin removed the friezes "under terms and conditions which raise questions about his legal title to their ownership and therefore of any subsequent purchaser".

It also expresses concern about the damage caused to the sculptures while in the British Museum and expresses certainty that the new museum to be built at the foot of the Acropolis will fulfill all the prerequisites for their safekeeping.

Athens News Agency

[02] EU's de Silguy cites lower public deficits, inflation as key to Greece's EMU entry

BRUSSELS 21/01/1999 (ANA - P. Pantelis/G. Daratos)

He also said such developments will have beneficial results for the Greek economy, investors' confidence and the maintenance of interest rates at low levels.

"The Greek government is sending positive messages to international markets with its declared strong commitment to continue its efforts to reduce fiscal deficits and inflation so as to achieve its goal, which is Greece's participation in Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro in 2001," he said during the presentation of the Commission's annual economic report.

He said the report was based on data of last October, and that the Greek economy has since further improved its performance with the implementation of the convergence program.

"Indeed, the reduction in the public deficit has surpassed the set target, and it is projected at 0.8 per cent for 2001, more than meeting the target of the convergence programme. The inflation target -the other basic criterion for EMU- can be met with 2 percent at the end of 1999, if the same incomes policy continues," he said.

The report on Greece also points out that there has been some delay in implementing structural changes in certain sectors, such as privatisations, while in others, such as the social insurance system -described as the most 'generous' in Europe, no action has been taken yet.

The Commissioner did not rule out a small slowdown in the rate of economic growth of EU members around spring to less than 2.4 per cent which was forecast last autumn.

The pursuit of economic convergence in the Union has been strengthened with the adoption of the euro and economic stability has been consolidated, he added.

Athens News Agency

[03] Seven countries sign hi-tech telecoms deal for Black Sea

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

The project, which is due for completion in the second quarter of 2000, was endorsed in Athens by the senior representatives of telecommunications corporations in Greece, Armenia, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Cyprus and Slovenia.

Greek Transport and Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis, who attended the signing ceremony, said the cable system would link the countries of western and southern Europe, Africa, the Far East and Australia.

Handling the project for Greece is Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), which is listed on the Athens bourse.

Using a direct connection between Greece and Bulgaria, OTE is in a position to provide telecommunications links globally through its extensive undersea network, Mr. Mantelis said.

Athens News Agency

[04] Bond prices jump, euro hits new low vs drachma

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

The latest 15-year bond finished around 103.30, the 10-year bond at 115.85- 115.70, and the seven-year bond at 109.80.

Interbank rates nosed down with overnight funds at 11.00 percent, one-month funds at 11.80 percent and 12-month funds steady at 10.70 percent.

In its regular Wednesday tender, the central bank absorbed 400 billion drachmas in two-week funds at 12 percent, unchanged from last week.

In the foreign currency market, the euro slid to a low of 322.65 drachmas after the central bank's daily fix of 322.85 drachmas.

The Bank of Greece had stepped in when the euro hit 323.00 drachmas, buying 100-120 million euros, but the drachma continued its frenzied rise.

The domestic currency is now 8.6 percent above its European exchange rate mechanism parity.

Athens News Agency

[05] Equities post gains, scrape through 3,000-pt barrier

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

The Athens general index finished 1.37 percent higher at 3,001.53 points. Turnover was 92.6 billion drachmas on volume of 21,590,000 shares.

The parallel market for small cap shares underperformed the index to close 0.58 percent down. The FTSE/ASE-20 index of blue chips and actively traded stocks gained 1.79 percent to end at 1,905.00 points.

Sector indices rose across the board.

Banks jumped 1.81 percent, Leasing gained 1.09 percent, Insurance rose 1.56 percent, Investment increased 0.80 percent, Construction surged 2.94 percent, Industrials nosed up 0.32 percent, Miscellaneous went up 0.63 percent and Holding gained 1.18 percent.

The most heavily traded stocks were Eskimo, Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation, Bank of Piraeus and Mytilineos.

Of 292 stocks traded advances led declines at 169 to 113 with another 10 issues unchanged.

Finishing at the daily 8.0 percent upper volatility limit were Lambropoulos, Hermes, Benroubi, Mohlos, Kekrops, Aluminium Attikis, Alte, Nimatemboriki, Gnomon and Inerga.

Ending near the 8.0 percent lower volatility limit were Ippotur, Pantechniki, Uncle Stathis, Sato and Piraeus Invest.

National Bank of Greece ended at 69,700 drachmas, Ergobank at 36,830, Alpha Credit Bank at 31,350, Ionian Bank at 15,950, Titan Cement at 21,780, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,295, Intracom at 13,750, Minoan Lines at 7,800, Panafon at 8,780 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8,300 drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[06] UK holds seminar in Athens on overhaul for electricity sector

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

The seminar aims to present the country's experience from a decade-long overhaul of the sector as Greece prepares for similar changes in order to harmonise with the European Union.

Speaking will be representatives of Cameron McKenna, Mott MacDonald, Deutsche Bank, National Power, National Grid Company, Eastern Group and Lloyds Register.

Attendance is by invitation only. Further information is available from the Commercial Section of the British Embassy on 7272636.

Athens News Agency

[07] Vernicos Yachts to sell 10 pct of its equity

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

The company said its 1998 profits were roughly 20 percent higher than the previous year, and turnover up by around 13 percent.

Athens News Agency

[08] Apparel firm to launch footwear operation

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

A third alliance is in the pipeline and the company plans to acquire a footwear distributor, the statement said.

Sales in 1998 exceeded forecasts to rise to nearly 5.0 billion drachmas from 3.67 billion a year earlier.

Pre-tax profits were around 350 million drachmas against 274 billion in 1997.

The firm also is to complete the creation of Accon Accessories SA.

Athens News Agency

[09] Trade fair to include desktop publishing

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

The international exhibition is to also cover school goods, paper, books, toys and Graphics electronic production systems.

The Publishers' Federation of Greece is planning to hold a book fair during the event to promote literature from lesser known countries, also holding a seminar of interest to the sector.

Athens News Agency

[10] Trading of Makedonika Klostiria shares under observation

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

The measure was taken to protect investors due to unfavourable developments in the company's financial situation recently.

The company addressed a letter to the Athens Stock Exchange recently informing it that it has suspended its staff, while the restructuring of its business planning is not expected to be completed before April 1999.

Athens News Agency

[11] Record number of Austrian tourists in '98

VIENNA 21/01/1999 (ANA - D.Dimitrakoudis)

The number of Austrian tourists that visited Greece in 1998 approached a record 600,000, while according to the director of the Vienna branch of the Greek National Tourist Organisation (EOT) an upward trend is anticipated in 1999.

EOT is participating with a large pavilion at this year's International Tourist Fair in Vienna, which opens today and will be held through Sunday.

Athens News Agency

[12] Popular Bank's Lazarides to speak at Athens luncheon

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Lazarides will focus on the issue of "The Economy of Cyprus and the Challenge of a New Model of Development."

During his address, he will focus on Cyprus' accession course towards the European Union.

The event is sponsored in part by the Financial Times group.

Athens News Agency

[13] Thessaloniki farmers warn of blockades early next month

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

Farmers are requesting delayed back payments, better operation of farm cooperatives, income demands and enacting benefits for new young farmers.

Athens News Agency

[14] Papademos concludes three-day contacts in Albania

TIRANA 21/01/1999 (ANA - P. Haritos)

Mr. Papademos was received by Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani and Prime Minister Pandeli Majko. He also met with Finance Minister Anastas Angel.

In a statement, Mr. Papademos said results of his contacts were very encouraging because the two sides succeeded in proceeding with the signing of an agreement after three years of cooperation and repeated contacts and because the overall upgrading of relations between Greek and Albanian banks is expected through the upgraded form of cooperation. The agreement signed determines the framework of cooperation in the monetary sector, statistical studies, payments and bank supervision.

Mr. Papademos termed the agreement "the first typical step in prolonged bilateral cooperation which will strengthen interbank relations. Greece is closely watching the Albanian economy's progress and its positive steps towards decreasing inflation and the budget deficit in particular."

Shortly before returning to Athens, Mr. Papademos addressed a special seminar organised by the Bank of Albania on "European Monetary Unification and the euro."

Referring to relations between Greece and Albania, Mr. Papademos said that "our economic future is becoming more and more interdependent, not only because we are neighbours, but because most countries in the region will constitute European Union members soon."

Athens News Agency

[15] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
US Dollar            276.470 282.880
Can.Dollar           181.100 185.298
Australian Dlr       176.516 180.609
Pound Sterling       456.419 467.001
Irish Punt           406.655 416.084
Pound Cyprus         550.064 562.818
Pound Malta          685.546 714.110
Turkish pound (100)    0.072   0.075
French franc          48.824  49.956
Swiss franc          199.784 204.416
Belgian franc          7.939   8.123
German Mark          163.750 167.547
Finnish Mark          53.865  55.114
Dutch Guilder        145.331 148.700
Danish Kr.            43.053  44.051
Swedish Kr.           35.756  36.585
Norwegian Kr.         37.246  38.109
Austrian Sh.          23.275  23.814
Italian lira (100)    16.540  16.924
Yen (100)            243.189 248.827
Spanish Peseta         1.925   1.969
Port. Escudo           1.597   1.635

Foreign Exchange     Buying  Selling
New York             276.470 282.880
Montreal             181.100 185.298
Sydney               176.516 180.609
London               456.419 467.001
Dublin               406.655 416.084
Nicosia              550.064 562.818
Paris                 48.824  49.956
Zurich               199.784 204.416
Brussels               7.939   8.123
Frankfurt            163.750 167.547
Helsinki              53.865  55.114
Amsterdam            145.331 148.700
Copenhagen            43.053  44.051
Stockholm             35.756  36.585
Oslo                  37.246  38.109
Vienna                23.275  23.814
Milan                 16.540  16.924
Tokyo                243.189 248.827
Madrid                 1.925   1.969
Lisbons                1.597   1.635

Athens News Agency

[16] Athens reiterates: EU expansion will proceed only with Cyprus' inclusion

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the statement when asked by reporters to comment on reports that the current German presidency intended to obstruct Cyprus' course towards accession.

Mr. Reppas stressed that Cyprus' accession prospects were completely unconnected with the island republic's ongoing political problem caused by Turkey's 1974 invasion and subsequent occupation of about one-third of Cypriot territory. The Greek spokesman added that the EU's decision for Cyprus' accession was based precisely on this precept.

Athens News Agency

[17] Simitis replies to ND question on S-300s

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

In addition, he said it serves, under present conditions, the interests of Cyprus and of Hellenism.

Mr. Simitis, who was replying to a relevant question by main opposition New Democracy party deputy Dimitris Sioufas, said the issue of the S-300 missiles had overshadowed the political problem in the eyes of international public opinion. He added that the government supports a proposal by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides for a gradual decrease in armaments on the island, adding that the decision produced positive results.

Mr. Simitis said that it brought the issue of Cyprus back to the forefront, and with the issue of disarmament on the island gave a new impetus to the handling of the Cyprus issue. He noted that the decision led to a decision by the UN Security Council o n decreasing ten-sions on the island and lifted objections existing due to the missiles concerning accession negotiations.

On his part, Mr. Sioufas accused the government and premier of submissiveness, adding: "it is a government of a small contribution and major dangers."

He also called on Mr. Simitis to respond to ND's proposal for a national understanding on such issues, while concluding: "I believe that if you responded to Makrygiannis and Kolokotronis (two Greek revolutionary war heroes) you wouldn't have mentioned what you're saying. And I want to remind you that Greece belongs Greeks."

Athens News Agency

[18] Pangalos comments on latest Kosovo developments while in Romania

BUCHAREST 21/01/1999 (ANA - M. Savva)

"If there is a change in stance, then a positive development is possible. If not, things will be very unpleasant," Mr. Pangalos warned.

He was speaking to reporters in Bucharest after talks with his Romanian counterpart, Andrei Plesu. He arrived in Romania Tuesday night after a one- day visit to Bulgaria.

Opposition leader Draskovic was appointed in Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's reshuffle of his federal government on Monday.

Mr. Pangalos reiterated his condemnation of the killing of 45 ethnic Albanians in the Kosovo village of Racack, saying "the days when people are massacred for reasons of domestic consumption belong to the past".

US diplomatic observers on Saturday found the bodies of the ethnic Albanians, victims of an alleged massacre by Yugoslav police. Belgrade claims the massacre was an elaborate hoax by the west and a pretext for intervention by NATO.

"Whoever fails to respect human freedom and human existence will be answerable to the international community," Mr. Pangalos said, adding that Greece and Romania were determined to remind the world that there were countries which were "working and striv ing, with institutions that function and with political stability...which seek full and equal participation in political developments".

Mr. Plesu said after his talks with Mr. Pangalos that bilateral relations had markedly improved on all levels and predicted a further strengthening of relations with Greece during 1999.

Commenting on bilateral economic relations, Mr. Plesu cited the recent decision of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) to purchase 35 per cent of the shares of Romania's Romtelcom for 675 million dollars.

Both ministers agreed that numerous development prospects were opening up in Greek-Romanian relations, while Mr. Pangalos assured his Romanian counterpart of Greece's intention to contribute even further to the process of liberalisation in Romania.

He assured Mr. Plesu also of Greece's continued support for Romania's bid to join Euro-Atlantic structures "not only because of our friendly relations but also due to strategic choices".

Mr. Plesu thanked Greece for its support for Romania's efforts to develop closer ties with the European Union as well as for its backing of the need for "flexibility in negotiations in order to avert pseudo-competition among the candidate countries".

Talks between the Greek and Romanian delegations focused on consular matters, visas for Greece, a review of the legislative framework governing bilateral relations and the possibility of setting up a joint economic committee.

Also discussed were issues related to regional cooperation in the area of the Black Sea and the possibilities of cooperation between the countries of that region and the EU.

Observing that 1,700 Greek firms were currently operating in Romania, Mr. Plesu stressed that the Balkans "is not only a source of conflict but also an important zone of good cooperation".

During his stay, Mr. Pangalos also had talks with President Emil Constantinescu, Parliament President Ion Diaconescu and the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Theoktistos.

Greece's President, Kostis Stephanopoulos, is scheduled to visit Romania shortly.

Athens News Agency

[19] Tsohatzopoulos: Greece wants peaceful settlement for Kosovo

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

Speaking in Kilkis, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who inaugurated a multinational training centre for military operations assisting in peacekeeping missions, stated: "it is neither clever nor responsible to attempt to give a solution to the problem of Kosovo with military force."

He condemned what he called "phenomena of military force" which have reappeared in Kosovo, "either thay are in the form of the mass massacre of civilians such as the one recently, or with the actions of the (Albanian) Liberation Army, which is aiming at resolving the problem with arms."

He further said that a political solution must be found "within the borders of Yugoslavia" through dialogue, as the international community has requested.

Appealing to Yugoslavia, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos called on it to facilitate "step-by-step and in cooperation with international organisa-tions" a consolidation of peace in the region, stressing: "Kosovo has developed into an international issue concerning in ternational security."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos inaugurated the multinational centre in the presence of ministers, deputy defence ministers and military officials from countries participating in the Partnership for Peace (PfP), as well as the Greek armed forces' leadership.

The centre will be used to train officers and soldiers from NATO member- states and PfP countries on organising and participating in peace missions in crisis areas.

Athens News Agency

[20] Kosovo on ESP meeting's agenda in Thessaloniki

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

Speakers include German Defence Minister and president of the European Socialist Party Rudolf Schar-ping, National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

Also attending as observers will be representatives of socialist and social- democratic parties from the Balkans.

The conference is organised jointly by the European Socialist Party, socialist European Parliament MPs and ruling PASOK.

The meeting begins tomorrow and ends on Sunday.

Athens News Agency

[21] Venizelos: 2004 hopes to be antidote to current IOC crisis

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

"Greece has an opportunity to reassess and promote the Olympic Idea on a world level," Mr. Venizelos, who is also the key coordinator of the 2004 Games' organisation, said.

He was speaking after chairing a meeting of high-ranking executives and officials of the Athens 2004 organising committee.

He added that the name of the subsidiary company to coordinate work on Olympic Games projects would be announced in a week and that this company would be run by an independent five-member administrative board.

By Jan. 25, he said, all submissions for the post of technical consultant to the Athens 2004 committee would be in.

Athens News Agency

[22] Students'rallies,road blocks cause havoc in Athens

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

The two were arrested during violence that marred the largely peaceful rally and march by some 3,000 high school students and teachers protesting the education ministry's reforms.

Police used tear gas to disperse groups of youths who began throwing stones and fire bombs as the march neared its end. Damage was caused to a number of stores and cars parked in the vicinity.

Yesterday, dozens of student blockades again caused serious traffic problems in the wider Athens area.

Frustrated motorists stuck in traffic jams often vented their spleen against the protesters, leading to scuffles and shouting matches on a number of occasions.

A road block on the Athens-Lamia national roadway in Athens, near the Renault dealership, caused serious disruption to inter-city traffic.

Students, who want the government to recall a law which makes sweeping changes to the structure of secondary education and changes in university entrance procedures, have scheduled another rally and march for major cities and towns around the country to day.

Also today, secondary school teachers will stage a 24-hour stri-ke, with their colleagues in primary schools holding a three-hour work stoppage, to protest parts of the education ministry's reforms which foresee grading of teachers and extended working hours.

In another development, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis urged students and the government to make concessions, saying that the present situation could not go on, and that the education minister Gerasimos Arsenis had to resign.

"Students must return to school and they will not find justice with such events, but the government must make concessions for the situation to defuse. Either the education minister must resign or, if he does not, the prime minister has to replace him," he said.

Athens News Agency

[23] Map of Mount Athos' footpaths in the works

Athens 21/01/1999 (ANA)

The advent of paved roads on the peninsula and the gradual abandonment of the community's use of previously well-trod mountain paths and routes has prompted veteran hiker Theodoros Tsiropoulos to create a map of these paths.

"Many of these paths are in danger of being completely lost, either because they have not been used for some time or because they are unreachable because of the rubble and debris left behind after roads were laid," Mr. Tsiropoulos said.

"Once these paths were the only means of moving around Mount Athos, for people to commune with nature and enjoy the sights. We have to help them survive."

Mr. Tsiropoulos has been visiting Mount Athos since 1946 and realised the problem wrought by new roads in the '80s. A subsequent major fire on the peninsula also helped to destroy the traces of the paths.

A number of monasteries have already agreed to place the maps near their premises for pilgrims to use and more are expected to follow suit. Two of these monasteries are near the "gates" to the mount, Ouranoupolis and Ierissos.

Mr. Tsiropoulos said he hoped to raise money to mount the maps in special weather-resistant glass from donations but thought corporate sponsorship was inappropriate.

"Each map is expected to cost about 165,000 drachmas...the money could be raised by those who would like to dedicate a map to the memory of one of their loved ones, as a memorial," he said.

For information on contributing to the efforts, interested persons should call at (031)43.01.96.

Athens News Agency

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