Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-01-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis: All public schools must open,problems dealt with through dialogue

[02] Domestic derivatives market set for launch in April

[03] Drachma jumps, buoyed by demand for today's bond auction

[04] Equities slump on turbulence abroad

[05] Ergobank to boost share capital ahead of Ionian sale

[06] Ionian Bank joins the pack, cuts rates

[07] Greece's Suzuki rep posts 1998 sales rise

[08] Dorian Bank seeks to find strategic partner, shareholder

[09] Agricultural Insurance begins IPO today

[10] Mevaco Metallurgical seeks Athens bourse entry

[11] Steep rise in demand seen for financial services - bank

[12] Thessaly farmers warn of protests if demands not met

[13] Dismissed Porto Carras employees occupy premises

[14] Helexpo employees' representative criticise prospect of privatisation

[15] Athens Foreign Exchange

[16] Arsenis-OLME contacts again set for today

[17] Stephanopoulos receives Samaras

[18] Pangalos: EU in favour of political solution to Kosovo,not military

[19] V. Papandreou promo tes Greece as energy investment site for US firms

[20] Montenegro officials emphasise free press,speech in Yugoslav republic

[21] Gov't downplays latest opinion polls

[22] Manos outlines aims of new party

[23] Mitsotakis on latest ND developments

[24] Kaklamanis receives Yugoslav MP Ristic

[25] Christodoulos decries xenophobia, racism as foreign to Greek society

[26] Prof: Use of synthetic drugs increases chances of catching infectious diseases

[27] Gov't: Athens focusing on 2004 at present, not Olympics' future

[28] Greek Olympics chief: 'Athens has nothing to hide'

[29] Stratigis on IOC influence-peddling issue

[30] UNESCO-sponsored guide unveiled

[31] Resolution for 'Grecanika' in Calabria schools

[32] German sources on Cyprus' EU course

[01] Simitis: All public schools must open,problems dealt with through dialogue

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Speaking during an interview with a private Athens television station, Mr. Simitis said "reactions are natural and expected when reforms are being implemented." He added that the present structure of the Greek educational system should change.

"The education reform is necessary and needs time since it starts from kindergarten and ends with the university," he said during the interview on the 'Antenna' station.

Reform-implementation issues should be examined with schools operating and through dialogue which the education ministry has already started, Mr. Simitis added.

"We are not dogmatic, since our aim is to have productive schools and the education reform cannot progress through partisan and unionist confrontations, " he said.

The prime minister reiterated that the government had proceeded with more reforms, such as in the local government, despite the initial political cost.

Commenting on recent poll results indicating that the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party is ahead of ruling PASOK, Mr. Simitis said polls may provide a picture but are not "determining, since the mandate given by the citizens is for progress."

Mr. Simitis said every reform faces reaction but if the government considers political cost or reactions, it will not yield anything and Greece will be in a quagmire, adding that there were some politicians insisting "we should do what is pleasant."

He cited an entirely different economic environment existing in Greece today, since inflation has dropped significantly, as he said.

The prime minister said inflation, which was at 9 per cent three years ago, had dropped under 4 per cent and it is expected to decline to 2.5 per cent by the end of the year, which he called unprecedented for Greece.

He also said there were already visible signs of progress for every citizen to witness, citing a drop in interest rates for housing loans - since a 10- million-drachma loan has a 92,000-drachma monthly payment, compared to 170, 000 drachmas in the recent past.

He also stated that he saw himself continuing the policy inaugurated in 1993 by Andreas Papandreou.

In addition, Mr. Simitis said he himself had given a greater emphasis to a faster pace for the economy, while he had also promoted a different way of government functioning, more collective and cooperative.

He stressed there would not be general elections at the same time as the June Euro-elections, since, as he said, he had an obligation to lead the country to EMU entry and would not be "playing games on this issue."

Athens News Agency

[02] Domestic derivatives market set for launch in April

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

The officials said the market, which is fully staffed, will open even if some securities are still unavailable in electronic form.

In that case, trade will initially be restricted to futures on the Athibor interbank average rate and benchmark Greek 10-year bonds.

When all securities are available in electronic form, equity futures based on the FTSE/ASE 20 blue chip index will begin.

Trade in equity options, also on the FTSE/ASE-20 index, is expected in July.

Officials are holding presentations of the new market to banks, brokerages and institutional investors, and a publicity campaign is planned for retail investors.

Athens News Agency

[03] Drachma jumps, buoyed by demand for today's bond auction

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

The euro hit a new low against the drachma, prompting the central bank to intervene by absorbing 280 million euros to curb the drachma's unbridled ascent.

The Bank of Greece stepped in when the euro was trading at 322.10-322.30 drachmas, but the national currency rose again due to demand for cash from abroad to buy into the bond issue.

The euro ended at 322.100 drachmas at the central bank's daily fix from 322.780 drachmas on Friday. In late trade it slid to 321.70 drachmas.

Trade was scant in the secondary market with primary dealers keeping to the sidelines ahead of the auction.

The 15-year bond was flat at 103.35 and the 10-year bond at 116.10- 115.95.

Electronic trade totalled 8.0 billion drachmas, sharply down from 44 billion drachmas on Friday, focusing on 10-year bonds.

Athens News Agency

[04] Equities slump on turbulence abroad

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 2.29 percent off at 2,917.38 points. Turnover was 109 billion drachmas and volume 19,100,000 shares. Sector indices suffered losses. Banks plunged 2.98 percent,

Insurance eased 0.85 percent, Investment dropped 0.74 percent, Industrials fell 1.72 percent, Miscellaneous ended 2.47 percent down and Holding fell 1.55 percent.

Leasing and Construction bucked the trend to end 3.44 and 1.54 percent higher, respectively.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 0.02 percent up, while the FTSE/ASE 20 index dropped 2.73 percent to 1,842.61.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 208 to 73 with another 8 issues unchanged.

Thessaliki, Bank of Athens, Eskimo and Hellenic Sugar were the most heavily traded stocks.

Eltrac, Ekter, Xylemporia, GEK, Fintexport, Britannia, Tzirakian, Mouriadis and Allatini hit the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Hellenic Sugar, Bank of Central Greece, Radio Athina, Vis, Interinvest, Keranis, Despec and Karamolegkos suffered the heaviest losses hitting the day's 8.0 percent limit down.

National Bank of Greece ended at 66,820 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 31, 300, Ergobank at 35,950, Ionian Bank at 15,070, Titan Cement at 22,000, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,250, Intracom at 13,500, Minoan Lines at 7,390, Panafon at 8,450 and Hellenic Telecoms at 8,075.

Athens News Agency

[05] Ergobank to boost share capital ahead of Ionian sale

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Ergobank chairman Xenofon Nikitas told shareholders the new capital will be used to extend the bank's domestic network, expand in the Balkans, increase its London branch operations and promote private banking services through Ergobank International Private Banking.

Part of the new capital will also be used to form a venture capital company, strengthen the equity capital of several subsidiaries, and probably set up new firms.

Mr. Nikitas said that following the share capital increase the bank's equity capital will exceed 200 billion drachmas.

New shares are to be offered to shareholders at a ratio of three new for 10 old at 12,000 drachmas a share.

A limited stake is destined for purchase at the same price for employees.

The rights issue will be completed on February 22 to March 23.

Ergobank officials said that the parent company's 1998 pre-tax profits were 11 percent higher compared with the previous year, while the group's pre- tax profits were 21 percent up.

Athens News Agency

[06] Ionian Bank joins the pack, cuts rates

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Ionian, which is slated for privatisation by mid-March, said its prime private sector operating capital loan rate would drop to 12.50 percent from 14.50 percent, and savings deposit rate to 8.00 from 8.50 percent.

Home lending rates are to drop by 1.50 percent, the bank said.

Ionian is the latest bank to reduce its rates since a cut in the central bank's intervention rate on January 13.

Athens News Agency

[07] Greece's Suzuki rep posts 1998 sales rise

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Sfakianakis attributed its healthy results to record sales in 1998, exceeding 10,000 cars for the first time.

Total 1998 sales were 10,031 cars, up 16.83 percent from 1997.

Suzuki's share in the Greek car market rose to 5.3 percent, company officials said.

Athens News Agency

[08] Dorian Bank seeks to find strategic partner, shareholder

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

It did not name the banks.

The letter was in response to a report in the domestic financial press.

Athens News Agency

[09] Agricultural Insurance begins IPO today

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

The firm is seeking to enter the Athens Stock Exchange's main market through the issue of 2,531,600 shares at 3,500 drachmas each.

The main underwriter is the parent company.

Athens News Agency

[10] Mevaco Metallurgical seeks Athens bourse entry

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

The sheet metal manufacturer will issue 474,000 new common shares at 1,600 drachmas each of which 452,000 are to be offered to the public and the remainder destined for a private placement.

Athens News Agency

[11] Steep rise in demand seen for financial services - bank

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

In a financial and statistical bulletin, the bank said that despite the rapid growth of brokerages, there was still a largely untapped market that banks could exploit.

Athens News Agency

[12] Thessaly farmers warn of protests if demands not met

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

On his part, Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis said he will reply to farmers' demands by the first week of February.

Farmers said their demands concerned mainly the increased problems they are facing in Thessaly, but they were given no answers.

Tomorrow, a meeting of farm associations' representatives will be held in Karditsa to work out an action programme, which includes rallies in many Thessaly towns and occupations of public buildings and Agricultural Bank branches, all lasting until Feb. 8.

In the meantime, a meeting has been scheduled for today between the Agricultural Bank's board and the agriculture minister to discuss a settlement of farm debts, a major demand by protesting farmers.

In a related development, farmers in the Thessaloniki area camped out in front of the Agricultural Bank's central offices yesterday in a symbolic protest against EU farm policies.

In statements, two federation of farmers in Thessaloniki prefecture stressed that their action was a "message" for Mr. Anomeritis to immediately meet their demands.

Farmers are demanding a higher production ceiling for cotton and government intervention in Brussels to prevent what they claim will be a 30 per cent reduction in cereal crop prices this year if the European Union does not alter its regulations.

They warned that the farmers' response would be "harsh" if their demands were not met but said they were open to dialogue with the ministry and were hoping for a meeting with the minister when he visits the northern city later this week to attend the 'A grotica' trade fair.

Large-scale protests by farmers in 1997 - against new tax laws, in support of demands for cheaper fuel and higher prices for their products - caused widespread traffic chaos on provincial Greek highways and rail lines, hampering transportation between n orth and south, preventing trucks from delivering supplies and on occasion forcing plants to shut down due to shortages of fuel and raw materials.

Athens News Agency

[13] Dismissed Porto Carras employees occupy premises

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Employees are demanding government intervention and their re-hiring, claiming that the new owner, Potidaia - Tourist, Hotel and Agricultural Enterprises", has violated a purchase agreement.

They said the occupation would continue until a meeting was arranged between representatives of their labour union, of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and of the company, as well as the ministries of labour, development and finance for the purpose of finding some solution.

The approximately 500 employees - 200 permanent and 300 hired on a seasonal basis - have ejected the manager and other senior staff members from the hotel, while they are blocking the main entrance.

The sprawling complex, which comprises three separate hotels, a winery, golf course and marina, was placed under liquidation by National Capital - a National Bank of Greece subsidiary - in March 1997 and purchased by Potidaia in September the same year.

The president of the employees' labour union, Dimitris Revenikitis, said that following the sale of the complex to the highest bidder, there was a verbal agreement between the employees and the National Bank, according to which the personnel was to be rehired.

After the property had been transferred, Mr. Revenikitis added, Potidaia refused to re-hire the employees.

A representative of Potidaia told ANA that the company had purchased only the assets of Porto Carras and hinted that the workforce to man the new enterprise would be raised from the former employees.

The representative declined however to specify how many former employees would be re-hired or the precise employment relationship.

The Porto Carras Casino meanwhile remains closed since last October with debts in excess of 5 billion drachmas. The casino owes 1.566 billion to the state, 2 billion to insurance organisations and 1.5 billion drachmas to third parties.

Mr. Revenikitis said there were two options with regard to the casino which has 450 employees - it would either have to be closed down permanently or sold to a French company which has expressed interest.

Athens News Agency

[14] Helexpo employees' representative criticise prospect of privatisation

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Employees' representatives said the government did not take into account any of their proposals for restructuring the organisation.

According to an announcement, they proposed a societe anonyme company to be created and given the right to manage all of Helexpo's assets, still maintaining though, that all shares remain in state hands.

Athens News Agency

[15] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
US Dollar            275.756 282.150
Can.Dollar           181.080 185.278
Australian Dlr       173.833 177.864
Pound Sterling       457.074 467.671
Irish Punt           405.711 415.117
Pound Cyprus         548.378 561.092
Pound Malta          683.774 712.265
Turkish pound (100)    0.072   0.075
French franc          48.711  49.840
Swiss franc          200.007 204.644
Belgian franc          7.921   8.104
German Mark          163.370 167.157
Finnish Mark          53.740  54.986
Dutch Guilder        144.993 148.355
Danish Kr.            42.964  43.960
Swedish Kr.           35.700  36.528
Norwegian Kr.         37.103  37.963
Austrian Sh.          23.221  23.759
Italian lira (100)    16.502  16.885
Yen (100)            240.739 246.320
Spanish Peseta         1.920   1.965
Port. Escudo           1.594   1.631

Foreign Exchange     Buying  Selling
New York             275.756 282.150
Montreal             181.080 185.278
Sydney               173.833 177.864
London               457.074 467.671
Dublin               405.711 415.117
Nicosia              548.378 561.092
Paris                 48.711  49.840
Zurich               200.007 204.644
Brussels               7.921   8.104
Frankfurt            163.370 167.157
Helsinki              53.740  54.986
Amsterdam            144.993 148.355
Copenhagen            42.964  43.960
Stockholm             35.700  36.528
Oslo                  37.103  37.963
Vienna                23.221  23.759
Milan                 16.502  16.885
Tokyo                240.739 246.320
Madrid                 1.920   1.965
Lisbon                 1.594   1.631

Athens News Agency

[16] Arsenis-OLME contacts again set for today

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

The marathon meeting, the second in a month between the education minister and OLME, began at four in the afternoon and ended in the evening, while it will be repeated today at 11 a.m.

In the six-hour meeting, teachers' representatives raised two basic issues, exams in the 11th grade and matters pertaining to Technical and Vocational Colleges (TEE).

Mr. Arsenis said after the meeting that he heard the views expressed by OLME members and that the dialogue will resume and conclude today.

According to sources, both sides described the prevailing atmosphere during the meeting as positive.

An hour after the start of the meeting, two OLME members walked out of the meeting, saying their proposal to postpone the government's reform programme was not approved.

During the meeting, Mr. Arsenis left the room and spoke by phone with the prime minister, as he had done before the start of the meeting, according to sources.

Road blocks : Meanwhile, students blocked central Kifissias avenue at midday, lit fires in skips and fended off criticism from motorists for more than an hour.

Another group closed off the major road in Kalamaki, and more road blocks were reported from Thisseio, near central Athens.

The number of roadblocks around the capital were however less than in previous days.

A few secondary and primary school teachers rallied outside the education ministry at midday, as part of yesterday's 24-hour strike against the education ministry's reforms.

Members of OLME, meanwhile, visited students at a Voula high school and assured them of the teachers' support for students' protests.

Mr. Arsenis held talks with students on Saturday, which he later described as constructive. Three out of the 55 representatives walked out of the meeting in protest.

According to the ministry, the number of schools under occupation fell further yesterday, by at least 100, half of those in the Attica region.

The picture was much the same in Thessaloniki where no more than 300 teachers came out for a march and rally.

Thessaloniki authorities said the participation in the strike yesterday morning was 8 percent in one region under its jurisdiction and 17.4 per cent in the other.

According to reports, almost all the secondary schools in Thessaloniki were operating normally.

Reppas : Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said at midday that the government was optimistic that the meeting would bear fruit and underlining that educators had to show responsibility.

"This meeting can lead us to a de-escalation of the crisis if goodwill is demonstrated on all sides," Mr. Reppas said.

Trade unionists : Afterwards, a group of trade unionists attempted to meet Mr. Simitis yesterday, in a bid to intervene for an end to the education deadlock.

The group, however, only managed to meet with undersecretary to the prime minister George Paschalidis, who told them that they could not meet the premier as a meeting was in progress between the education minister and OLME representatives.

Mr. Paschalidis promised that he would see that the group meets with Mr. Simitis in the near future.

Athens News Agency

[17] Stephanopoulos receives Samaras

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Samaras said that at the point the country has arrived at it is immaterial who has right and who not and who will supposedly win and who will be defeated.

Athens News Agency

[18] Pangalos: EU in favour of political solution to Kosovo,not military

BRUSSELS 26/01/1999 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

He told reporters at the end of an EU foreign ministers meeting, that they agreed to a tough warning being sent to both Belgrade and Kosovar leaders which, however, will not take on the form of an ultimatum.

Mr. Pangalos, participating in the EU's General Affairs Council together with Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, said the Kosovo Albanians should realise that the proposal contained in the Petric-Hill texts "is the best possible that they cou ld hope for."

Mr. Pangalos said both Greece and the remaining member-states disagreed with proposals for additional sanctions to be slapped on Yugoslavia, adding that from now on sanctions must be imposed on whoever obstructs a peaceful solution from being found and not unilaterally against Belgrade, as was the case to date.

He also said efforts will be made in coming days for a contact group ministerial session to be convened (US, Russia, France, Germany, Italy and Britain), while the EU's next target will be to organise a big conference on the Kosovo issue.

Mr. Pangalos clarified that Greece disagrees absolutely with any concept of military intervention in Kosovo by foreign forces and said that if this solution was chosen Greece could not participate, since the Greek Parliament would never approve of such action without prior ratification being achieved by the UN Security Council.

Mr. Pangalos further said he briefed his counterparts on his conclusions from his recent contacts in Sofia, Bucharest and Skopje, as well as with the Albanian side, and noted that the representatives of these Balkan countries "do not sympathise with the idea of military intervention in Yugoslavia."

No substantive progress was achieved in the discussion on the "Agenda 2000", namely, the EU's fiscal framework over the next five years, since most national delegations refused to budge a great deal from their known positions.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Papandreou said that the German presidency's target is to strengthen efforts to find compromise solutions. He said that to this end an informal summit will be convened on Feb. 26 at Petersburg, Germany, which in essence will pave the way for the next summit on March 24- 25 (to take place in Berlin and not Brussels as was anticipated by programming made to date) and which will have to reach finalised decisions on fiscal issues in accordance with current facts.

Athens News Agency

[19] V. Papandreou promo tes Greece as energy investment site for US firms

NEW YORK 26/01/1999 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Ms Papandreou, speaking at a reception hosted in her honour by the Foreign Policy Association, said the Greek economy is at the threshold of Economic Monetary Union (EMU), and has adjusted to the guidelines of the unified European market, particularly regarding competition.

Athens News Agency

[20] Montenegro officials emphasise free press,speech in Yugoslav republic

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Citing "internal pressures" on his government by Belgrade, Montenegrin press secretary Bozidar Yaredic said EU sanctions on the whole of Yugoslavia were taking a severe toll on his republic's economy and development, with only some 20 per cent of the ad ult workforce among a population of about 650,000 residents in Montenegro fully employed.

"We're waiting for better days...Montenegro doesn't blindly follow Belgrade's orders. It is a democratic state and not a puppet. We believe in freedom of the press and in a parliamentary democracy."

Mr. Yaredic spoke at the Foreign Press Association's offices in downtown Athens during a midday press conference. He was accompanied by Montenegro's merchant marine and transportation minister Yusuf Kalaberovic for a four- day official visit to Greece.

The Montenegrin press secretary also said his government is doing all it can to circumvent Belgrade's restrictions on foreign press correspondents and the distribution of western periodicals, as well as the unhindered broadcast of international news net works, such as CNN and Deutsche Welle.

"We consider that this will provide an objective view and allow us to come closer to the international community," he said, adding that Montenegro and its people do not have differences with Serbia or the Serbian people, while they also want to contribu te and remain part of Yugoslavia.

"It's with Belgrade's policy that we are at odds with, which in turn is at odds with the rest of the international community."

In response to a question on Kosovo, Mr. Yaredic, who in the past worked in Pristina as a radio journalist, reiterated that his government favours an expanded autonomy in the troubled Yugoslav province but absolutely no change of borders or independence .

"When I worked in Kosovo, the ratio between Serbs and Albanians was about 40 to 60 per cent. Now, it's 10 to 90 per cent. Serbs experienced very peculiar pressures - blackmail, threats - from the Albanians, and as a result many sold their land and fled.

When one side assumed power they would persecute the other in the post-war era. "It's a multifaceted problem. It needs a lot of patience. There needs to be more room made for moderate interlocutors, and with a guarantee of human rights for all citiz ens. I'm in favour of international efforts towards this. The (the separatist Albanian) UCK, unfortunately, recognises nothing," he said.

He also stressed that "Montenegro wasn't in the war and won't be in a war."

On his part, Mr. Kalaberovic spoke directly of Podgorica's interest in re- establishing a ferry-boat route between the largest Montenegrin port of Bar and any port in western Greece - under "the most favourable conditions", as he said. Prior to the press conference, he held talks at the Greek merchant marine ministry, stressing his government's willingness to promote shipping and maritime cooperation with Greece and Greek ship owners, such as Montenegrin crews on Greek-owned vessels, hefty port concessions, ship repairs etc.

Mr. Kalaberovic, a native of Bar and its former mayor, also said Montenegro is definitely interested in an air link between Greece and the mountainous republic north of Albania. In addition, he dismissed any potential criticism from Belgrade and the fed eral Yugoslav-owned JAT airlines over Podgorica's recent decision to utilise and manage two airports in Montenegro.

"Montenegro will support its interests," Mr. Kalaberovic said, adding that EU sanctions must also be lifted in order for a neophyte Montenegro-based airlines to be created and prosper. In response to a press question, he also dismissed reactions from Be lgrade over Podgorica's decision to re- open a border crossing with Croatia near its Adriatic littoral.

"This is not a sin...Serbia has 14 border crossings with Croatia. Besides, we lost US$80 million a year from the closed borders (with Croatia). For a country like Montenegro this is an amount we cannot afford to lose," he said.

Finally, Mr. Kalaberovic said he will convey an invitation to the Greek transport ministry for a March meeting of several Balkan transport ministers in Montenegro, focusing on the prospect of constructing a new highway to connect Athens with Trieste alo ng the Adriatic coast.

Athens News Agency Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

The International Relations Institute at Panteios University in association with the US embassy in Athens and Deree college in northern Athens is organising an American studies seminar in late March and early April at the school.

The seminar will focus on a scientific approach to studying the political and economic system, social organisation and culture of the United States.

Athens News Agency

[21] Gov't downplays latest opinion polls

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

"It is reasonable, as the government's work is under way, for Greeks to have doubts, questions and even objections," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

"In 2000, when the government's work has been completed, there will be no 'undecided' voters and the government will be judged positively," he said.

"We will let others be lulled by the transitory world of opinion polls," Mr. Reppas added.

The poll, published in the Athens daily "Ta Nea", showed 56.7 per cent of respondents not satisfied with the government, and with Mr. Simitis' popularity rating falling to 24.8 per cent (34.6 in July 1998).

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis' popularity also dropped to 34.4 per cent (44.2 last July 1998), as did most other political party leaders. Some 55.3 per cent of respondents said they were unhappy with the opposition ND's performa nce.

The Simitis government has vowed to make Greece the 12th member of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) - Athens missed the first round of EMU accession - by 2001 and has implemented a strict austerity programme to meet the Maastricht criteria for entry.

Mr. Reppas rejected comparisons from reporters to New Democracy losing elections despite getting Greece into the then European Community in 1981.

Athens News Agency

[22] Manos outlines aims of new party

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Manos, expelled last year from main opposition ND for not following the party line, said this new political force "will rally for a positive vote by the Greek people at the next national elections, aiming at changing Greece, lessening the influence of parties and their mechanisms in Greek society."

Mr. Manos stressed that the political system needs to be overturned, adding that should his party progress correctly, it can make a claim to government.

Finally, he said his goals include Greece's equal participation in the European Union, changing the Greek state by introducing fewer laws to replace several old ones, high-quality state services, sensitivity for the weaker strata of society, decentralis ation and liberalisation of the economy, among others.

Athens News Agency

[23] Mitsotakis on latest ND developments

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Mitsotakis, replying to reporters' questions on whether he believed that "re-inventing" ND would solve existing problems in the centre-right, he said: "I have nothing to say yet, I will speak when the time is right."

During the weekend, ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni - Mr. Mitsotakis' daughter - asked for the "re-invention" of the main opposition party and a "collective effort, with the combination of different views."

Athens News Agency

[24] Kaklamanis receives Yugoslav MP Ristic

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Ristic briefed Mr. Kaklamanis at length and expressed his country's concern over possible military intervention by NATO, following recent clashes between Yugoslav security forces and Albanians in the village of Racak. He said international officials had "set up" the description of the event as a "massacre of civilians."

Mr. Ristic said his country's position is that the problem must be resolved with political negotiating which will secure the autonomy of Albanians and all other minorities in Kosovo within the borders of the Yugoslav state.

On his part, Mr. Kaklamanis said the events taking place since the dissolution of Yugoslavia to date confirm the rational view of the two peoples concerning the role played by foreign interests in the Balkan region.

"We must not facilitate this tactic since, as we already know, the presentation of issues concerning our region by the international media is not objective but is guided by the big interests which control them. In any case, the right to each state's def ence must correspond to the extent of a threat," he said.

Athens News Agency

[25] Christodoulos decries xenophobia, racism as foreign to Greek society

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Christodoulos, speaking in Kavala, northern Greece, said "xenophobia and racism are not characteristics of our people...as individuals we should not be intimidated by those two words...of course, we must admit that they are both expanding in our country...the refore, healthy forces should resist this new wave that threatens our Greek tradition."

Athens News Agency

[26] Prof: Use of synthetic drugs increases chances of catching infectious diseases

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Igor Grant stressed that use of such drugs results to a rapid change in a person's behaviour, which in turn means that the person does not think properly and cannot take the necessary precautions against diseases.

He further underlined that synthetic drugs, such as amphetamines and "esctasy", have been found to have a dramatic effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Athens News Agency

[27] Gov't: Athens focusing on 2004 at present, not Olympics' future

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Replying to press questions over recent bribery charges levelled at several IOC permanent members in return for their vote and whether Athens is eyeing the prospect of requesting that the Games be permanently hosted in Greece, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the Olympic ideal and the hosting of the world's premier all-sports event should not be identified with the "blameworthy actions of a few."

Athens News Agency

[28] Greek Olympics chief: 'Athens has nothing to hide'

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

"Anyone can come in and do any kind of investigation they want...I believe and know that Greece doesn't have any problem," Mr. Nikolaou said, adding that he had no concerns about Athens being tarnished by the current scandal.

Athens News Agency

[29] Stratigis on IOC influence-peddling issue

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

"I believe that whatever may have happened at the international Olympics Committee, it must not upset the carrying out of the paramount sports event which are the Olympic Games. They must be carried out with conscientiousness by the cities hosting them, " he said.

"Athens had a clear claim and this is apparent by the big majority with which it was awarded the Olympic Games," he added.

Meanwhile, the contract with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, chosen as a financial adviser for the 2004 Olympics, will be signed at a downtown Athens hotel at 13:30 tomorrow.

Among others, the event will be attended by the members of the Inter- ministerial Committee who are Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Sports Deputy Minister Andreas Fouras, National Economy Deputy Minister Christos Pachtas and Environment, Town Plann ing and Public Works Deputy Minister Christos Verelis.

Athens News Agency

[30] UNESCO-sponsored guide unveiled

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

The book's introduction was written by International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch and President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Athens News Agency

[31] Resolution for 'Grecanika' in Calabria schools

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[32] German sources on Cyprus' EU course

Athens 26/01/1999 (ANA)

They added that setting a solution to the island's political problem as a precondition for accession "is not useful."

The same sources said that a settlement to the political problem would facilitate the accession course considerably, adding that Germany will strongly support relevant efforts being made on the part of the UN.

The sources called on both sides, and the Turkish Cypriot side in particular, to return to the negotiating table to resolve the island's political problem.

On the question of relations between the EU and Turkey, the sources said that at the European summit in Luxembourg Turkey was considered an eligible country for accession according to relevant criteria set by the EU.

Referring to the present state of affairs, they said that Germany supports the need for a further rapprochement between Turkey and Europe with the implementation of the European strategy.

The German EU presidency also attributes great importance to EU enlargement and stressed the need for this process to continue with the speediest rates possible but did not refer to specific timetables.

The sources said that one of the German Presidency's basic priorities is combatting unemployment and strengthening employment.

Athens News Agency

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