Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-01-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] US firms indicate interest in Greek energy projects during meeting with V. Papantreou

[02] Greece preparing for post-EMU era, Simitis says

[03] Consumer credit jumps 31.8 pct in November

[04] Gov't to plough Dr12 bln into port of Piraeus

[05] Alpha Insurance aims for aggressive expansion

[06] Stocks post new high after early profit taking

[07] Jetro Athens to bring imports experts to Greece

[08] Drachma stays firm, 10-year bond price noses up

[09] Despec Hellas expansion

[10] Parliament committee approves bill on economic cooperation with Albania

[11] Athens Foreign Exchange

[12] Washington Post segment on V. Papandreou's recent visit to Iran

[13] Clinton visit to Greece in Nov. rumoured

[14] Pangalos harshly criticises KKE during first debate Amsterdam Treaty

[15] Gov't on relations with Skopje

[16] Gov't: If Turkey has claims, it should take them to The Hague

[17] Athens condemns latest bombing of Iraq

[18] Kurdish spokesman: Armed struggle will continue

[19] PM answers tabled question on weapons purchases

[20] AFSOUTH commander in Athens

[21] Swedish defence minister in Athens

[22] Students'road blocks continue to hamper traffic in Athens

[23] CoE report: No worry over condition of Muslim minority in Thrace

[24] Ombudsman institution in fourth month of operation

[25] Pricewaterhouse Cooper signs contract for Athens 2004

[26] Athens 2004 dismisses Rome's insinuations

[27] Avramopoulos cites support for Jewish Holocaust monument in Athens

[28] Commission: No issue of accelerated EMU entry for Greece

[29] Tsohatzopoulos visits Larisa military installations

[30] Simitis on Schengen compliance

[31] Anomeritis: Athens firmly against any changes in EU farm products policy

[32] Large Israeli participation

[33] Papaioannou cites need for education reform in improving labour market

[34] Papantoniou lists gov't economic priorities for '99

[35] Hotel bookings in Athens

[36] Boyfriend suspected of murdering 31-year-old US national

[37] Ekpoizo: Dramatic rise in consumers' dissatisfaction last year

[01] US firms indicate interest in Greek energy projects during meeting with V. Papantreou

HOUSTON 28/01/1999 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Specific proposals and plans paving the way for integrated investments in energy programmes in Greece and their involvement in the entire range of development projects in the natural gas industry were made by representatives of Conoco, Amoco, Enron, Briton, Texaco, Unocal, Pennzoil and El Paso Energy.

Discussions on the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline within the framework of Hellenic Petroleum's study and in general the transfer of energy sources throughout Greece were also held.

Interest was focused on programmes linking Greek natural gas transportation networks with the East and West to western countries through the Italian network, securing the necessary link for supplying Greece and other neighbouring countries - Turkey, Bul garia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania - with natural gas of multiple origin and so creating a high level of security for the procurement of energy. In the East, the link is expected to take place with Turkey's network. Due to its position, Greece can secure the possibility of procuring natural gas for Turkey from the Italian network.

The possibilities of producing electric power with natural gas after the market is deregulated in 2001 were also discussed, as well as plans for the joint production of energy and other investments linked to the use of natural gas such as underground storage, the development of new technologies for application in various production sectors, new equipment, etc.

It was pointed out that in the framework of the wide development of energy and natural gas programmes Greece can become a station for wider economic and strategic reshuffles.

A reception given earlier by various business and trade organisations in the wider Houston area was attended by several academics and scientists from universities in the area, such as professor Paul Spanos of Rice University, who presented the Greek min ister with a complete plan for the signing of a cooperation protocol between university professors teaching in Texas with their Greek colleagues on the presentation of research programmes in Greece.

Bush meeting : Meanwhile, Texas Governor George Bush Jr. welcomed Ms Papandreou during her visit to Austin, the capital of Texas, on Tuesday afternoon. Ms Papandreou briefed Mr. Bush on political and economic affairs in Greece and the country's course towards Economic a nd Monetary Union.

Mr. Bush proclaimed Ms Papandreou an honourary citizen of Texas and expressed the hope of being able to find time to visit Greece, the country frequently visited by his father, former US president George Bush, and the entire Bush family every summer.

Athens News Agency

[02] Greece preparing for post-EMU era, Simitis says

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Despite major progress, the road towards EMU needed caution, Mr. Simitis said.

He was speaking after a meeting with the board of state-run National Bank of Greece, the country's largest commercial bank and a blue chip on the Athens bourse.

The prime minister visited National Bank's headquarters - the first visit by a premier to the bank in 55 years - accompanied by National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and the bank's governor, Theodoros Karatzas.

Mr. Simitis congratulated the board and staff on their performance in recent years.

"In the past, the (National Bank) group was a weary organisation that faced quite a few problems. It had a traditional customer network and a number of the firms it dealt with were ailing," he said.

"That bank does not exist any more. A new management style combined with reorganisation, modernisation and portfolio restructuring have all contributed to improving the banking system's competitiveness."

Mr. Simitis also said that a sharp decline in interest rates on long-term state bonds had brought the country even closer to the Maastricht bond criterion, another sign of progress in the economy.

Falling interest rates meant businesses could see their capital increase, and the public their incomes rise.

The prime minister also predicted a further decline in the spread between deposit and lending rates.

He said that the country's banking system was evolving through mergers, alliances and the creation of new banks.

There was no danger that a recent wave of bank mergers would hinder free competition in the market, he added.

Athens News Agency

[03] Consumer credit jumps 31.8 pct in November

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The central bank's overall credit expansion target for 1998 was 4-6 percent as part of its monetary policy.

The figure for November far exceeded the target but was slightly lower than October's 10.8 percent increase.

In November, credit expansion in the private sector grew by 13.9 percent and in the public sector 8.3 percent, slightly down on the previous month.

Athens News Agency

[04] Gov't to plough Dr12 bln into port of Piraeus

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Soumakis also said that parliament will debate next week a bill on the transformation of Piraeus Port Authority into a societe anonyme.

The minister noted that the money to upgrade passenger and cargo facilities at Piraeus was part of European Union funds the government had allocated to upgrade ports around the country.

He said the projects would help both the city of Piraeus and the country's economy by enabling the port to cope with increasing passenger traffic ahead of the 2004 Olympics, to be hosted by Athens.

Athens News Agency

[05] Alpha Insurance aims for aggressive expansion

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Alpha Credit Bank Group, owner of 70 percent of the new company, and the Paleologos family, owners of the remaining 30 percent, launched the new company on January 1.

Alpha Insurance's share capital totals 2.035 billion drachmas, while its equity capital exceeds six billion drachmas.

The firm's managing director, Doukas Paleologos, said the new company aims to raise its share in the domestic insurance market to 10 percent from three percent currently.

Consolidated insurance premiums for 1997 totalled 14.6 billion drachmas, rising to 18 billion drachmas last year.

The two insurance companies reported rising profits in the last decade covering 12 percent, or 1.4 billion drachmas, of the insurance market's total 1997 profits. The company expects 1998 profits to total around 1.65 billion drachmas and this year's insurance premiums to come to 25 billion drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[06] Stocks post new high after early profit taking

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.44 percent up at 3,045.50 points, off the day's highs of 3,100. Turnover was 124.3 billion drachmas.

Sector indices mostly scored gains.

Banks rose 0.49 percent, Leasing was 0.12 percent higher, Insurance increased 2.51 percent, Investment ended 0.09 percent up, Industrials rose 0.52 percent, Miscellaneous ended 0.25 percent up, Holding rose 0.56 percent but Construction bucked the trend to end 0.26 percent off.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 1.79 percent higher, while the FTSE/ASE 20 index was 0.46 percent up at 1,929.43.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 148 to 131 with another 15 issues unchanged.

Athens Medical, Halyvdofylla, Thessaliki and Bank of Piraeus were the most heavily traded stocks.

Corinth Spinning Mills, ANEK, Hellenic Bottling, General Trading, Elfico, Orion, Mouriadis, Tzirakian and Athinea hit the daily 8.0 percent limit up.

Britannia, Ergas, Macedonian Mills, Ippotour, Koumbas, Boutaris, Alcar- Aemet, GEK and Vis suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 71,300 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 32, 500, Ergobank at 37,900, Ionian Bank at 15,900, Titan Cement at 23,190, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,370, Intracom at 14,155, Minoan Lines at 7,355, Panafon at 8,650 and Hellenic Telecoms at 8,230.

Athens News Agency

[07] Jetro Athens to bring imports experts to Greece

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The first, an expert in lifestyle items, will visit Greece on February 8- 13; and the second, who specialises in software, on March 2-5, the statement said.

Jetro is to arrange orientation meetings at its office and visits to domestic exporters, working with the Hermes Plan's executive secretariat.

The imports specialists aim to purchase samples of Greek products with export potential that could be exhibited at Japanese trade fairs.

The Jetro Athens Office has already begun working with regional authorities and the private sector for the development of the Region-to-Region Project in Greece that spans many areas and products, including olive oil, wine, peaches and tomatoes.

Athens News Agency

[08] Drachma stays firm, 10-year bond price noses up

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The price of 10-year bonds auctioned on Tuesday edged up to 116.45-116.40, with past 10-year paper trading at 116.45-116.40.

Electronic bond trade totalled 27 billion drachmas.

Short-term rates in the interbank market crept lower with the overnight around 10.20 percent and one-month funds 11.60 percent.

Athens News Agency

[09] Despec Hellas expansion

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The firm's management estimates that turnover in 1999 will rise beyond nine billion drachmas, with gross profits up to more than 550 million drachmas.

The company also said it was planning to make new agreements in the sector, aspiring to distribute in the market some 3,000 items. Its parent company, Van Dorp Despec Groep NV, distributes more than 40,000 items.

Despec Hellas also plans, in cooperation with the Dutch group, to expand activities in southeast Europe.

Athens News Agency

[10] Parliament committee approves bill on economic cooperation with Albania

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Of the total loan amount, two billion drachmas has already been disbursed to Albania.

Of the remaining sum, five billion will be granted for social infrastructure programmes, five billion for housing programmes, three billion to help support the neighbouring country's balance of payments and five billion as assistance to the private sector.

After the committee had given its approval, National Economy Deputy Minister Alekos Baltas underlined the importance which the Greek government attaches to cooperation between the two countries in both the economic and military sectors.

Athens News Agency

[11] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
US Dollar            277.185 283.611
Can.Dollar           182.330 186.557
Australian Dlr       174.691 178.742
Pound Sterling       458.344 468.971
Irish Punt           405.774 415.182
Pound Cyprus         549.568 562.310
Pound Malta          687.318 715.956
Turkish pound (100)    0.072   0.075
French franc          48.719  49.848
Swiss franc          198.678 203.284
Belgian franc          7.922   8.106
German Mark          163.395 167.183
Finnish Mark          53.748  54.994
Dutch Guilder        145.016 148.378
Danish Kr.            42.993  43.990
Swedish Kr.           35.932  36.765
Norwegian Kr.         37.021  37.880
Austrian Sh.          23.224  23.763
Italian lira (100)    16.505  16.887
Yen (100)            242.604 248.228
Spanish Peseta         1.921   1.965
Port. Escudo           1.594   1.631

Foreign Exchange     Buying  Selling
New York             277.185 283.611
Montreal             182.330 186.557
Sydney               174.691 178.742
London               458.344 468.971
Dublin               405.774 415.182
Nicosia              549.568 562.310
Paris                 48.719  49.848
Zurich               198.678 203.284
Brussels               7.922   8.106
Frankfurt            163.395 167.183
Helsinki              53.748  54.994
Amsterdam            145.016 148.378
Copenhagen            42.993  43.990
Stockholm             35.932  36.765
Oslo                  37.021  37.880
Vienna                23.224  23.763
Milan                 16.505  16.887
Tokyo                242.604 248.228
Madrid                 1.921   1.965
Lisbon                 1.594   1.631

Athens News Agency

[12] Washington Post segment on V. Papandreou's recent visit to Iran

WASHINGTON 28/01/1999 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The article, based on information provided by the minister to reporters during a press conference at the Greek embassy in Washington, said Ms Papandreou made it clear to Iranian officials that she was not going to visit Tehran if they insisted on such a dress code.

The visit was realised "on her terms", as the newspaper in its "Diplomatic Dispatches" section, with the Greek minister appearing next to the Iranian president wearing a hat.

The US daily concluded by pointing out that during her contacts in the United States with several US secretaries and top officials, the Greek minister promoted the construction of an oil pipeline emanating from the Caspian via Bulgaria and Greece, with the argument that it was cheaper compared to the alternative Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, which is supported by the US energy department.

Athens News Agency

[13] Clinton visit to Greece in Nov. rumoured

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

According to the sources, which underlined that it was still too early to say with certainty that the visit will eventually take place, Mr. Clinton will be in Istanbul on Nov. 18-19 to attend an OSCE summit.

The same sources said Mr. Clinton wants to take advantage of this occasion to hold talks on the region's problems, including the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations.

The Greek side, according to the same sources, is however very guarded about whether such a visit would have a successful outcome, particularly in the absence of the necessary groundwork. The sources say Greece has proposed to the White House he also visit Cyprus.

An earlier meeting between Greek PM Simitis and Mr. Clinton cannot be ruled out in April, on the sidelines of events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of NATO. The events will be held in Washington from April 22-24.

Athens News Agency

[14] Pangalos harshly criticises KKE during first debate Amsterdam Treaty

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

"The Communist Party of Greece questions, both politically and theoretically, Parliamentary democracy. It questions it in practice, organising the upheaval of social life, through mob rule, which supposedly expresses the best interests of the people, as this is perceived by minorities, of course, " he told the committee meeting.

"Such procedures led to callous dictatorships, in which ruthless bureaucracies exterminated entire peoples in eastern Europe," he added.

The Communist Party of Greece has long opposed Greece's membership in the European Union and has called for a national referendum to be held on the prospect of European unification, which the Amsterdam Treaty represents.

Mr. Pangalos' introductory remarks to the debate by the special Parliamentary committee - made up of members of the foreign affairs and defence committee, the European affairs committee and others - immediately drew fire from KKE deputies, who called his remarks "unacceptable" and a "distor-tion" of the KKE's positions on European Union.

The committee suspended deliberations after the clash between Mr. Pangalos and the KKE deputies and will reconvene again on Tuesday.

The committee's discussion will be followed shortly after by a three-day debate by the parliamentary plenary and ratification of the Treaty by the 300-member Parliament.

Athens News Agency

[15] Gov't on relations with Skopje

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said Athens had always wanted rapprochement between the two countries on the basis of mutual understanding and relations one would expect of good neighbours.

"Unfortunately, however, during the recent visit to Skopje by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos (on Dec. 22), the stance adopted by the FYROM government, with the issues which it raised, was not constructive," he said. The spokesman said there had been no progress on the thorny issue of the neighbouring country's name - a problem which has been the main sticking point in relations with Greece ever since FYROM declared independence from Yugoslavia.

Skopje has laid claim to the name of 'Macedonia', which Greece objects to on historical grounds and maintains is illustrative of FYROM's designs on Greece's northern region of the same name.

Mr. Reppas clarified that no new round of talks had been arranged to discuss the name issue, nor had any date been set for a visit by Prime Minister Costas Simitis to Skopje.

Athens News Agency

[16] Gov't: If Turkey has claims, it should take them to The Hague

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said there was no reason for Greece to be drawn into Turkey's "gibberish" and reiterated the Greek government's position that if Ankara believes a problem exists, it should refer the matter to the International Court at The Hague.

"Everything else is meaningless. Turkey is heading for elections and all this is for domestic consumption," Reppas said. The general staff report, published in Tuesday's edition of the Istanbul daily "Cumhurriyet", warned that "if the problems between Turkey and Greece are not resolved, new tension in the Aegean could lead the two countries to clashes for which there is no intention". In effect, the report constitutes a summary of all unilateral Turkish claims and demands against Greece, including Ankara's warning that it would be "unacceptable" for Greece to extend its territorial waters in the Aegean from six to 12 nautical miles, as it is entitled under International Law of the Sea provisions.

Athens News Agency

[17] Athens condemns latest bombing of Iraq

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

"We condemn the use of force and believe that such types of military initiatives, which result in civilian victims, should be avoided," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

The spokesman added that the Greek government supported the policy being followed on Iraq by the European Union, while stressing that there was a need to safeguard the prestige of the United Nations. Washington yesterday admitted that an errant missile had hit a village south of Basra on Monday. According to Iraqi reports, 11 civilians were killed in the attack. US jets have also continued to attack military targets in the no-fly zone of northern Iraq.

Athens News Agency

[18] Kurdish spokesman: Armed struggle will continue

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The spokesman, Rodi Avres, told a news conference in Thessaloniki that Mr. Ocalan was safe "in some country" and criticised Europe for not being ready to assume responsibility for efforts towards peaceful resolution of the Kurdish problem which was "more than (Europe) could handle". "If there is no peaceful solution to the Kurdish problem, we are prepared to repeat suicide attacks against Turkish targets," he said, dismissing as "Turkish and CIA propaganda" claims that the Kurdish armed movement had dis integrated.

At the same news conference, ruling PASOK deputy Christos Kipouros described as a "blemish" Greece's "refusal to allow Mr. Ocalan to visit the country."

Athens News Agency

[19] PM answers tabled question on weapons purchases

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The premier, answering a relevant question by main opposition New Democracy (ND) deputy Marietta Yiannakou, said the important point with off-set benefits in arms aquisitions is to produce a component of the weapon in Greece.

Mr. Simitis added that 20 per cent of the air defence "Patriot" system will be produced in Greece, by eight companies for a cost of US$203 million, while similar deals have been secured for the production of short-range air defence missiles as well as early warning systems.

Finally, he announced that negotiations are underway with the German HDW firm for the construction of submarines at the Skaramangas shipyards.

Athens News Agency

[20] AFSOUTH commander in Athens

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Nicks will pay courtesy calls on National Defence General Staff Chief Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis as well as Lt.-Gen. Efthymios Petinis.

He will also visit the battleship "Averof" and the special forces training centre at the Megalo Pefko camp.

Athens News Agency

[21] Swedish defence minister in Athens

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The minister's talks are expected to focus on security and cooperation issues as well as regional cooperation within the framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme.

Athens News Agency

[22] Students'road blocks continue to hamper traffic in Athens

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

"These acts are to be condemned...and the government, which has up to now chosen to keep its distance, has demonstrated extraordinary sensitivity," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

"The government is not neutral observer but will ensure the normality of public life."

Snap road blocks from secondary school students opposed to education reforms has become a hallmark of the near-three month long protest, causing serious disruption to traffic and with students and motorists caught up in traffic often coming to blows.

Students again set up road blocks on yesterday, despite indications that the number of occupations of school premises had fallen since the beginning of the week.

Infuriated motorists clashed with protesters at road blocks on Kifissias, Patission, Vouliagmenis and Pireos Avenues - all central arteries leading into and out of the city - and in the suburbs of Peristeri, Kaisariani, Piraeus and Argyropoulis.

More traffic chaos is expected today when students hold a rally and march - the third in as many weeks - through the city centre. Supporting the march is the General Confederation of Greek Workers which has called a four-hour work stoppage.

Mr. Reppas said the government regretted the behaviour shown to passersby and motorists by the young protestors, saying that the government was committed to resolving the problem.

Referring to the breakdown in talks between the ministry and teachers' representatives on Tuesday night, Mr. Reppas said teachers had only damaged their own cause by their intransigence.

The collapse of the talks seemed to kill hopes for a quick end to the crisis after teachers refused to consider modifications by the ministry to its contentious reform law.

Teachers insisted on a return to the old system of examinations, Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis said after the meetings ended.

Students have been calling for the abolition of the reforms with objections focusing on provisions that include second senior high school grades being taken into consideration for university entrance.

"The government is open to dialogue and the education minister has his door open 24 hours a day so that this dialogue can proceed," he said.

"If a request for dialogue is made again, the government will meet it with the best of intentions," he added.

After meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis at his office in parliament last night to examine the latest developments in the education sector, Education Minister Yerassimos Arsenis said that "I have not backed down (on education reforms), but I have made moves to all directions."

Petsalnikos on pupils' protests: 'Parents should take their children off the streets' : Public Order Minister Philippos Petsalnikos yesterday called on parents to "take their children off the roads because they are in danger."

Answering a relevant question regarding students' rallies against education reform, he said: "underage children are on the streets and are in danger..."

He added that the presence of police is discreet and confronts with "a calm attitude and sensitivity the protesters, since in most cases they are children."

Mr. Petsalnikos also said constitutional rights of the individual are totally respected by the government.

Athens News Agency

[23] CoE report: No worry over condition of Muslim minority in Thrace

STRASBOURG 28/01/1999 (ANA - N. Roussis)

The Italian and Moldovan authors of the report, entitled "The conditions of human rights in Greece and especially in Thrace," said the condition of the minority was anything but desperate, while it does not warrant the concern of the Council of Europe.

They noted that there are certain issues which the Legal Committee of the CoE must discuss with Greece, such as education, land ownership, hunting and driving licences as well as employment in the public and municipal sectors.

The committee decided to request that the report's authors contact Greece and request further information on the above issues.

Greece was represented by main opposition New Democracy (ND) deputy Vyron Polydoras, who spoke on the conditions of minorities in Greece.

He said the findings of the report should become the starting point of a discussion, pointing out that Greece does not warrant the initiation of human rights monitoring in the region.

Mr. Polydoras said Greece does not feel that there is a policy of discrimination of the Muslim minority by the state, while the problems of the region are but a reflection of the general social and economic problems confronted in other agricultural regi ons of the country as well.

He added that Greece has undertaken a specific effort for the educational improvement for the Muslims.

There was a strong reaction to Mr. Polydoras' address by the Turkish representative, who proposed the examination of the cases of those Greek Muslims who lost their citizenship under the now-abolished Article 19 of the Greek Constitution.

Mr. Polydoras answered that in a democratic state laws are not always retroactive, while he noted that any persons who want to contest the process by which they lost their citizenship may seek recourse in the courts of Greece and the Human Rights Court at the Council of Europe.

He also said that if there is any reason to speak of retroactive laws and history, then there is reason to look into the fate of tens of thousands of ethnic Greeks of Istanbul, Imvros and Tenedos - all of which were driven from Turkey through official and semi-official intimidation and threats.

Athens News Agency

[24] Ombudsman institution in fourth month of operation

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Diamandouros said an extra 500 people had phoned the office for advice, but had not officially filed a request.

The majority of cases centred on pension and social insurance issues, town planning problems and conflicts with the tax bureau and public utilities, he said.

The role of the ombudsman is to intervene between the public and services with the aim of dealing quickly and effectively with complaints and snarls.

He stressed that the office was "no Robin Hood" but an institution designed to assist state administration in meeting the needs of citizens.

He also said the state sector had reacted positively to date to the office's efforts, attempting to resolve any problems arising primarily from ineffective communication between the public and the overstaffed and impersonal state sector.

Athens News Agency

[25] Pricewaterhouse Cooper signs contract for Athens 2004

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

New York- and London-based Pricewaterhouse Cooper was selected as the financial consultant for concession contracts for the 2004 Olympics.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos congratulated the parties that contributed to the signing of the contract and stressed that the tender for the selection of the "Athens 2004" financial consultant had set a dual example of observing a time limit and for employing transparent procedures.

"Athens 2004" managing director Costas Bakouris said that the self- financing projects presented certain particularities and that Pricewaterhouse staff had already started relative studies.

Athens News Agency

[26] Athens 2004 dismisses Rome's insinuations

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

"The difference in votes by which Athens won the Games leaves no doubt that Athens' victory was fair and based on legal procedures" said Stratis Stratigis, the president of the "Athens 2004" organising committee, adding that "Athens is in the unique position to be able to link the Olympic Games with its own history".

Athens News Agency

[27] Avramopoulos cites support for Jewish Holocaust monument in Athens

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Avramopoulos spoke during a New Year's celebration organised at the cultural centre of Athens' Jewish community by the Hellas Israel League.

"The time has come to erect a monument for the victims of the Holocaust in Athens, as in Thessaloniki...this is our will and our wish," Mr. Avramopoulos said, according to the release.

Israeli ambassador Ran Curiel stressed that "the numerous cultural exchanges which took place in both countries, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel, prove that there is a close and warm cooperation between Greece and Israel."

Athens News Agency

[28] Commission: No issue of accelerated EMU entry for Greece

BRUSSELS 28/01/1999 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

In a statement following certain reports in the Greek press, a spokesman for Commissioner Yves-Thibault de Silguy, responsible for financial affairs, said: "there is no way of changing criteria for entering the euro zone."

The spokesman added that all conditions that applied for the 11 current 'euro zone' members will also apply for the remaining four EU member-states left out - Britain, Denmark and Sweden, which decided on joining at a later date, and Greece, which failed to meet Maastricht criteria to join the first euro phase and is projected to join in 2001.

"No talks of any kind have started or taken place between Brussels and Athens on accelerating Greece's admittion to the euro zone," he added.

Athens News Agency

[29] Tsohatzopoulos visits Larisa military installations

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told local and military officials that the Koutsohero HQs in conjunction with the Tyrnavos HQs will greatly contribute to the area's development.

His first stop was the Tyrnavos Town Hall, before visiting the Schinas army barracks where the HQs will be built. He was briefed on the progress of works under way.

The defence minister further told local authorities that he approved of a demand for the construction of a civil airport to cater to the needs of both local residents and NATO officials visiting the headquarters.

Athens News Agency

[30] Simitis on Schengen compliance

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[31] Anomeritis: Athens firmly against any changes in EU farm products policy

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

He spoke while inaugurating the 15th International Agricultural Machinery, Equipment and Supplies Exhibition 'Agrotica' in Thessaloniki. The exhibition will operate on the premises of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) until January 31.

More than 100,000 visitors are expected to visit Agrotica this year, according to evaluations by Helexpo-TIF general director Nikos Pinakidis. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, he said that the characteristics of this year's event is the non-partici pation of the stockbreeding sector which is creating its own specialised exhibition known as "Zootechnia", which will be held in September for the first time.

A total of 1,218 exhibitors are participating in Agrotica, of whom 614 are from 36 foreign countries, while representatives of the American continent, the US and Argentina are participating in the exhibition for the first time.

PASEGES agricultural union president Nikos Liolios said in his address Greek agriculture "had entered a stage of complacency for years, since many remained inert and did not go ahead with the structural changes which will secure viable development."

Referring to the "Agenda 2000", Mr. Liolios said that farmers are concerned "over the inadequacy of funds, the imbalance of Common Agricultural Policy between sectors and regions, the lack of a vision and prospects, the fate of Mediterranean products and the development of producers' income."

Athens News Agency

[32] Large Israeli participation

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The delegation will present Israel's latest achievements in irrigation, water filtering, the production of pesticides, fertilizers and special seeds, and biotechnology.

"We consider Greece a gateway for Balkan markets and the basis exists for very fruitful cooperation," Oded Distel, the commercial attache of the Israeli embassy in Athens said, adding that a number of Israeli firms have already expressed interest in inf rastructure projects in Greece for the 2004 Olympic Games.

The objective of the Israeli companies is to develop bilateral cooperation with Greek businesses.

Greece and Israel already have close ties in the agricultural sector, with farm products accounting for 35 per cent of Israel's exports to Greece in 1998.

Athens News Agency

[33] Papaioannou cites need for education reform in improving labour market

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Papaioannou, speaking at a press conference on the National Labour Institute's development programme yesterday, said that in areas characterised as pockets of unemployment 3,134 new jobs will be created with the local employment accords and in accor dance with the needs of the local market. The programme will have a total cost of 28 billion drachmas and will be implemented by the year 2000.

Mr. Papaioannou went on to say that two thirds of the jobs will have been created in 1999 and additional bold incentives will be provided for this purpose: The subsidisation of employers to hire unemployed will amount to a period of 30 months. The amount of money will be 5,000 drachmas per day, while the subsidisation for self-employment will amount to 3.75 million drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[34] Papantoniou lists gov't economic priorities for '99

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The minister stressed that the "war against inflation" was still on-going and he invited the business world to decisively contribute in lowering inflation.

He said the changes in all areas during the past five years were "revolutionary" and that they resulted in Greece adjusting to Maastricht treaty criteria faster than other European countries.

Mr. Papantoniou placed special emphasis on the policies to combat unemployment, pointing out that 500 billion drachmas will be spent for the creation of 400,000 new jobs between 1998-2000.

Athens News Agency

[35] Hotel bookings in Athens

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

The average rate of bookings was higher over the two previous months, reaching 56.2 per cent in October and 63.8 per cent in September.

Meanwhile, the proclamation of an open international auction for the selection of a contractor for a project to promote tourism in Attica has been sent to the European Communities publications for print. The Attica Regional Service has secured 645 milli on drachmas for the project which will last for a year and have the possibility of being extended for up to six months. The AHU expressed its satisfaction over this development which constituted one of its steadfast claims.

The AHU will participate in the international tourism exhibition "BIT" in Milan from Feb. 24-26 with the puropose of promoting Athens internationally.

Athens News Agency

[36] Boyfriend suspected of murdering 31-year-old US national

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Julie Marie Scully, 31, from New Jersey, had been missing since Jan. 10. Her boyfriend, Georgios Skiadopoulos, a 24-year-old merchant marine officer, was the one who reported her disappearance to the police, the US embassy in Athens and the press.

A police source said the man broke down late Tuesday night and confessed to the murder. He was transferred early yesterday to Kavala where he was due to show authorities the site where he buried the pieces of the woman's body.

Police became suspicious because of conflicting statements he made.

During interrogation, the Kavala-born Skiadopoulos told police that he killed the Pennsylvania-born one-time model in a rented car on Jan. 8 on a dirt road off the Thessaloniki-Kavala national highway.

He came to Athens on Jan. 10 and filed a missing person's report at the Omonia police station and informed the US embassy in Athens of Scully's disappearance.

Skiadopoulos originally told police while filing the report, that the victim had asked him to stop at a fast-food restaurant at Omonia square, and that he told her he wanted to make a telephone call.

He finally told police he killed the woman because he was due to appear for his conscription term and she wanted to depart for the US to see her three- year-old daughter, who lives with the woman's ex-husband.

Skiadopoulos said he could not accept that and, because he could not bear a temporary separation, he strangled her.

Athens News Agency

[37] Ekpoizo: Dramatic rise in consumers' dissatisfaction last year

Athens 28/01/1999 (ANA)

Ekpoizo said 10,991 complaints were filed in 1998, compared to 7,640 in 1997.

Complaints about mobile phone services and bank services tripled in relation to the previous year.

In contrast, complaints about public utilities increased only slightly, due, Ekpoizo said, to information campaigns undertaken by them to inform consumers of their rights.

Athens News Agency

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