Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-03-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Joblessness,growth the primary issues for EU Socialists,Simitis says

[02] Hellenic Aerospace forges alliance with DaimlerChrysler

[03] ECB to debate easing euro inflation criterion

[04] Societe Generale keeps positive outlook for Greece

[05] Intracom reports doubling of profits in 1998

[06] Stocks end slightly higher in brisk trade

[07] Strintzis Line sells Swansea Cork Ferries

[08] Bank of Piraeus sees bourse hitting 4,500 pts before euro entry

[09] Avramopoulos, Lord Mayor of London speak at Athens event

[10] HELEXPO exhibition of foodstuffs, beverages

[11] Funds for police academy facilities in Xanthi

[12] Athens Foreign Exchange

[13] ESP resolution calls for fair trial for Ocalan

[14] Gov't again dismisses Ocalan aide's accusations

[15] Concert for Kurds held in downtown Athens

[16] Pangalos denies he made Milan statements on Ocalan affair

[17] Papademos on 'euro' zone accession

[18] Skandalidis satisfied over PASOK delegates election

[19] Evert announces he underwent heart surgery

[20] US rejects idea of placing Greece on list of states 'supporting terrorism'

[21] Brief Stephanopoulos stopover in Georgia, meeting with Shevardnadze

[22] ND denounces what it calls fabricated Ocalan 'confessions' by Turkey

[23] SEBBE responds to Koc: Greece an entirely democratic, free society

[24] Israeli public security delegation meets with Greek counterparts

[25] Joint Greek-US military exercise in central Aegean

[26] More NATO troops arrive in Thessaloniki on way to FYROM

[01] Joblessness,growth the primary issues for EU Socialists,Simitis says

MILAN, 02/03/1999 (ANA - S. Liarellis)

The manifesto was signed by the EU's socialist leaders during the first of a two-day ESP summit here. Mr. Simitis said the main slogan is "we want a new Europe."

Consequently, the manifesto determines the framework of the policy the European Union must follow, according to the socialists.

He also said socialists have the possibility and obligation to give priority to policies for creating jobs since, as he said, they do not accept the economic and primarily the human "wear and tear" which unemployment brings upon citizens.

However, he pointed out at the same time that without a continuous development process there can be no prosperity and, consequently, the manifesto includes the commitment for closer coordination between member- states.

The Greek premier conceded that the common framework exists at present, although an agreement has not been reached for all parameters and for this reason, in the framework of negotiations on the Agenda 2000, there are feuds as well as a struggle, as he said.

A second point contained in the manifesto concerns the need for modernising and reshaping the European social model since the existing one, although successful, shows symptoms of a crisis.

Mr. Simitis said Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is a great achievement but a continuation of the effort is necessary to ensure stability, development and employment through the euro, while the single market must be completed to enable free and equal access and to have obstacles abolished.

Priority is also placed on the role played by citizens since, as Mr. Simitis said, economic priorities have pushed it aside. The strengthening of the rights of the citizen with the enactment of a special charter, support for youth for more opportunities , combatting inequality between men and women, racism, xenophobia, marginalisation and social exclusion are points contained in the manifesto.

Environmental protection is also determined as a main target on the basis of the principle "that whoever pollutes, pays", while the safeguarding of cultural multiformity is characterised as being an important chapter. Special reference is also made to strengthening insurance and combatting crime.

Presenting the principles contained in the manifesto, Mr. Simitis said that a "common foreign policy" and "security policy" must be turned into practice and the EU must show its solidarity to Third World countries. He also emphasised that enlargement processes must be completed, an issue of particular interest to Greece, due to Cyprus.

Mr. Simitis added that the EU must restructure its institutions, because a new content will be given to it in this way.

"EMU is a big step, but we will be taking more steps," he concluded.

EuroParliament elections : In earlier statements, Mr. Simitis said the EuroParliament elections in June will be decisive for developments in Europe and Greece.

"The Greek people must understand that the Euro-elections are of extreme importance," he said at a press conference.

"The issues being put are what sort of Europe we want, what happens after economic and monetary union and what is the role of the EU and Greece in the future."

He added that the elections would provide a judgement on the PASOK government's work and achievements, while he said "the government's term will be judged definitively in 2000, when it completes its four-year term and its work."

Participants at the summit on Monday discussed approaches for European socialist parties ahead of the elections.

"The European elections have a close relationship with (the future of) national policies, with the agencies of the European Union, and will constitute the beginning of a definitive course towards 2000," Mr. Simitis said.

The main issue which the EU is being asked to deal with, he added, is unemployment.

Greece had recently invested 500 billion drachmas in 1999 on the creation of 110,000 jobs.

"The omens are good," he said in regard to unemployment in Greece, mentioned other measures such as a national action plan on unemployment, talks on a shorter working week and changes to the tax system," he said.

The Greek premier later met with his Italian and French counterparts, Massimo D' Alema and Lionel Jospin, respectively, for talks on a joint socialist parties' campaign for the June Euroelections and "Agenda 2000".

Finally, he also held talks with Albanian Premier Pandeli Majko.

Athens News Agency

[02] Hellenic Aerospace forges alliance with DaimlerChrysler

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

A statement by DASA carried by Reuters said that EAB will participate in a series of programmes, including the modernisation of fighter aircraft, servicing for aircraft and equipment, and the production of parts and electronic equipment for civilian and military aircraft.

EAB will also participate in the production of electronic defence systems.

The German aerospace company said it was in talks with EAB for extensive cooperation in the production of the Eurofighter jet.

Greece has already announced orders for the new aircraft.

Manfred Bishoff of DASA said the agreement with EAB was a major step towards the Greek firm's integrated participation in European programmes and in European aerospace industry structures.

Athens News Agency

[03] ECB to debate easing euro inflation criterion

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Bank of Greece governor Lucas Papademos, who will attend the meeting, said yesterday that nudging down the criterion was on the agenda.

If the criterion were lowered, Greece could participate in EMU with an average inflation rate slightly higher than 2.5 percent, the current criterion.

The drop in the EU's average inflation rate will make it hard for countries outside the euro zone to enter if the criterion remains unchanged.

Athens News Agency

[04] Societe Generale keeps positive outlook for Greece

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

In a weekly report on emerging markets yesterday carried by Reuters, the bank said that entry into the euro zone remained the central objective of both the government and the main opposition.

Societe Generale was bullish on inflation, forecasting that in February it would fall to 3.5 percent from 3.7 percent in January with the decline accelerating to 1.5 percent in April - well below the government's forecasts.

The bank also reaffirmed its buy recommendation for Titan Cement Company due to the firm's growth profile and its recent acquisition with Lafarge of France of 76 percent of Egypt's Beni Suif cement maker.

Athens News Agency

[05] Intracom reports doubling of profits in 1998

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Sales were 90.7 billion drachmas, up 70 percent on 53.2 billion in 1997.

Consolidated sales were 99.3 billion drachmas in 1998 and consolidated profits 13.1 billion drachmas.

Group results cover Intracom, Intramet, Intracom Construction, Scratch Lottery, Bulfon, Intrarom, Intracom Bulgaria and Intrainvest. Intralot is not included.

Intrasoft, a maker of software and multi-purpose electronic systems, reported 1998 pre-tax profits of 3.5 billion drachmas in 1998 from 2.5 billion a year earlier. Last year's turnover was 18.5 billion drachmas from 12 billion in 1997.

Athens News Agency

[06] Stocks end slightly higher in brisk trade

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.50 percent up at 3,394.47 points, off the day's highs of 3,410 points.

Traders said buying activity focused on small and medium sized capitalisation stocks while blue-chips - which led the market's recovery last week - were subdued.

Sector indices were mixed. Banks fell 0.19 percent, Leasing soared 6.91 percent, Insurance increased 1.82 percent, Investment dropped 2.55 percent, Construction jumped 6.77 percent, Industrials were 0.76 percent up, Miscellaneous rose 5.52 percent and Holding ended 2.48 percent higher.

The parallel market index for small cap companies soared 6.04 percent.

A total of 104 shares hit the daily 8.0 percent limit up.

Nevaco, a metallurgical company, saw its share price soar 99 percent from 1, 600 to 3,184 drachmas in its first day of trading on the parallel market.

Turnover was 114.479 billion drachmas and volume 27,034,525 shares.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 0.16 percent off at 2,106.06 points. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 245 to 46 with another 6 issues unchanged.

Macedonian Spinning Mills, Strintzis, Spyrou and Teletypos were the most heavily traded stocks.

ETEBA, Delta Dairy, Naoussa, Klonatex, Nematemboriki, Teletypos, Altec and Strintzis were among the 104 issues which hit the daily 8.0 percent limit up.

Macedonian Spinning Mills, Karelias, Sato, Alpha Invest, Aspis Invest, Aluminium de Grece, Papoutsanis and Constantinidis suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 21,160 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 34, 000, Ergobank at 23,310, Ionian Bank at 17,850, Titan Cement at 23,350, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,625, Intracom at 20,630, Minoan Lines at 7,820, Panafon at 9,400 and Hellenic Telecoms at 7,610.

Drachma rises on demand : The drachma rose in the foreign currency market yesterday on robust demand, prompting the central bank to intervene to curb its ascent.

At the daily fix, the drachma was 321.730 to the euro from 321.950 a day earlier.

The dollar was stronger to close at 292.800 drachmas at the fix, up 3.65 percent from the beginning of the year.

Prices in the secondary bond market edged down and trade was light at 27 billion drachmas.

Traders said they believed a re-opening of a 15-year issue today would go well.

Athens News Agency

[07] Strintzis Line sells Swansea Cork Ferries

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Strintzis, a passenger shipper listed on the Athens bourse, bought Swansea in February 1993 for 991.4 thousand pounds. The proceeds of the sale will appear in its 1999 results.

Strintzis will charter its Superferry vessel to Briar to operate the Swansea-Cork line, as before the change in the subsidiary's ownership.

Strintzis said it agreed to the sale because of Briar's high offer, and because it wanted to focus more on its domestic operations in the Aegean and Ionian Seas; and on international Adriatic and Mediterranean routes.

At the same time, the Ireland route was becoming increasingly competitive and less profitable, and the planned abolition of duty free sales this year would have hit profits.

Strintzis Line is implementing a 300 million dollar investment programme aimed at increasing its competitiveness.

The company has already announced an order for two fast Ro Pax ferries from Van der Giessen de Noord shipyard in the Netherlands, a day ferry from Daewoo Heavy Industries in South Korea, and a car ferry from Hellenic Shipyards with an option for two more ships.

Athens News Agency

[08] Bank of Piraeus sees bourse hitting 4,500 pts before euro entry

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Sallas also predicted a sharp fall in the yield of 10-year state bonds to 5.0-5.25 percent, and 12-month treasury bill yields to below 7.0 percent in the same period.

He added that Bank of Piraeus would submit a binding offer for the purchase of a 51 percent stake in the privatisation of Ionian Bank, also expressing his confidence that the current - second - tender would be successful.

Mr. Sallas also presented the Bank of Piraeus Group's results following the parent bank's unification with Xiosbank and Macedonia-Thrace Bank.

Deposits totalled 1.4 trillion drachmas, or a 5.1 percent market share; loans were 717 billion drachmas, or 5.8 percent of the market; assets 1.8 trillion drachmas, or 5.6 percent of the market; and consolidated pre-tax profits 31 billion drachmas.

The Bank of Piraeus Group's network totalled 145 branches at the end of 1998.

The bank expects this year's pre-tax profits to climb to 60 billion drachmas. It also expects deposits to rise to 2.1 trillion drachmas, lending to 1.3 trillion and assets to 2.8 trillion drachmas.

Mr. Sallas said the group's growth would be assisted by share capital increases in Bank of Piraeus and Xiosbank totalling 157 billion drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[09] Avramopoulos, Lord Mayor of London speak at Athens event

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Both mayors spoke on the promotion of future cooperation during an official luncheon, organised in honour of the visiting London mayor.

Mr. Avramopoulos spoke of a challenge in cooperating for creation of economic links between Athens and London in light of the 2004 Olympic Games.

"We are fully aware that by hosting the Olympic Games the eyes of the world will be turned to us, to Athens and to Greece. Our country will be turned into a vast exhibition site," Mr. Avramopoulos said.

He added that what is at stake during the 2004 Olympics will be "to make the Games a major event for the peoples of the world and also to make Athens an attractive place for investment.

"The Olympic Games offer to us in Athens the opportunity to invest not only in the various athletic facilities that are required for the Games, but also in an infrastructure that will equip the city for a more human, cohesive and healthy society," Mr. Avramopoulos said.

On his part, Lord Levene spoke of London and its preparations to meet the challenges of the euro, despite the fact that Britain - along with Sweden and Denmark - decided not to enter the first phase of the "euro" zone.

"London, like other financial centres in Europe, has wholeheartedly embraced the euro. Our future is the future of the euro, at the heart of Europe's financial system. The United Kingdom may be out, but London is in."

Athens News Agency

[10] HELEXPO exhibition of foodstuffs, beverages

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

The exhibition will be held at the TIF facilities. A total of 939 exhibitors will participate of whom 595 are Greeks, while 344 are from 44 other countries.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, HELEXPO-TIF officials said there are four official state participations from the US, Italy, Poland and Cyprus.

Referring to products to be exhibited, officials said that Greece sports a dynamic reappearance of beer companies, a considerable representation of wines, an extensive participation of traditional products and pioneering participations in ecological and biological foodstuffs.

Athens News Agency

[11] Funds for police academy facilities in Xanthi

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

The technical services in eastern Macedonia-Thrace and Xanthi prefecture will proceed with a preparation of studies, tenders and landscape work for dormitories set to house 1,300 cadets.

Athens News Agency

[12] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
US Dollar            290.537 297.273
Can.Dollar           192.488 196.951
Australian Dlr       180.018 184.192
Pound Sterling       466.399 477.212
Irish Punt           405.245 414.641
Pound Cyprus         549.568 562.310
Pound Malta          714.819 744.603
Turkish pound (100)    0.070   0.073
French franc          48.655  49.783
Swiss franc          200.250 204.893
Belgian franc          7.912   8.095
German Mark          163.182 166.965
Finnish Mark          53.678  54.923
Dutch Guilder        144.827 148.185
Danish Kr.            42.928  43.923
Swedish Kr.           35.420  36.242
Norwegian Kr.         36.682  37.533
Austrian Sh.          23.194  23.732
Italian lira (100)    16.483  16.865
Yen (100)            243.675 249.325
Spanish Peseta         1.919   1.963
Port. Escudo           1.592   1.629

Foreign Exchange     Buying  Selling
New York             290.537 297.273
Montreal             192.488 196.951
Sydney               180.018 184.192
London               466.399 477.212
Dublin               405.245 414.641
Nicosia              549.568 562.310
Paris                 48.655  49.783
Zurich               200.250 204.893
Brussels               7.912   8.095
Frankfurt            163.182 166.965
Helsinki              53.678  54.923
Amsterdam            144.827 148.185
Copenhagen            42.928  43.923
Stockholm             35.420  36.242
Oslo                  36.682  37.533
Vienna                23.194  23.732
Milan                 16.483  16.865
Tokyo                243.675 249.325
Madrid                 1.919   1.963
Lisbon                 1.592   1.629

Athens News Agency

[13] ESP resolution calls for fair trial for Ocalan

MILAN, 02/03/1999 (ANA - S. Liarellis)

The resolution came after a joint proposal from ruling PASOK and the Italian Democratic Party of the Left at the ESP summit here.

The resolution, which will be ratified at today's meeting of the plenum, refers to Turkey's right to defend the security of its citizens as well as its obligation to respect the rights of the Kurdish people to develop their own culture, religion and tra ditions.

It also says that the European Socialist Party is willing to undertake an initiatve for political dialogue.

The ESP also expresses the hope that "repressive military operations in the Kurdish region and terrorist actions on Turkish territory will end," with the ESP reiterating its complete rejection of terrorism.

Abdullah Ocalan's human rights must be respected immediately, a fair and open trial be accorded to him, and he must have access to lawyers and international observers allowed in to the trial, the ESP continues.

The resolution calls on Turkey to respect its obligations to the Council of Europe and to abolish the death penalty.

These would be fundamental prerequisites for peace and "Turkey's relations with the European Union", the resolution said.

Announcing the resolution to Greek reporters, PM Costas Simitis said continual efforts would be required to make international public opinion aware of the Kurdish problem and of the fate of Ocalan.

Athens News Agency

[14] Gov't again dismisses Ocalan aide's accusations

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas posed the questions of why Ocalan left Syria in the first place; why he left Russia and Italy; and why Greece was being accused when it continued to undertake initiatives on the Kurdish issue?

"Why must the tension and emotion lead some persons to slander Greece, why are some persons trying to present themselves as regulators of the political situation in the country (taking the side of circles oriented against the government), and why are Turkey's slanderous and propagandistic claims against Greece being disregarded at this time?" Mr. Reppas asked

Ocalan aide Semse Dillan Kilic, in an Athens press conference on Saturday, charged the Greek government with "involvement in an international conspiracy against Ocalan". However, she didn't present evidence.

Mr. Reppas said that former foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos' (who resigned over the Ocalan affair) visit to Kenya in November 1998 had taken place at a time when there were no intimations of Ocalan prospectively coming to Greece, "and not even the most ill-intentioned person could accuse Greece of planning the Kurdish leader's handover in collaboration with the Kenyan authorities".

Mr. Reppas, who is also press minister, criticised the opposition parties and especially main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis of failing to rise to the circumstances "as they thou-ghtlessly adopted the groundless accusations of the PKK representatives".

He said the political parties could have sought more information from the foreign ministry, "which has issued a relevant invitation to them to do so".

Mr. Reppas said the government had "nothing to fear or hide", and intended that "light shall be shed on this affair".

The spokesman said the government would guarantee Greece's safe course towards the major social and economic targets it had set, adding that the premier was willing to ensure the country's political and economic stability.

Asked if measures would be taken to limit the activities of Kurdish organisations in Greece, Mr. Reppas replied that the country "will continue its support to the Kurdish people".

Regarding the PKK representatives, in light of Ms. Kilic's press conference, Mr. Reppas replied:

"Because we are a democracy, we shall always grant the right to such persons to express themselves freely."

He also said the government did not intend to take any "legal or administrative" action against Ms. Kilic.

"Those who represent the PKK do not necessarily represent the whole of the Kurdish people. Narrowing down the circle of its representatives is not in the Kurdish people's interests," he warned.

Asked to comment on the US stance regarding Greece's sheltering of the three Ocalan aides, Mr. Reppas noted that "the US have expressed their dissatisfaction with the transport to Greece and granting of political asylum to them", adding:

"But we follow a policy of principles. Greece has shouldered the responsibility of putting forward the issues of the Kurdish people, but some cast blame only" on Athens.

Asked if diplomatic documents had been lost during the occupation of Greek embassies throughout Europe by Kurdish protestors, Mr. Reppas responded only that there had been "large-scale and extensive destruction" at the embassies.

Aide: Ocalan needs protection : Ms Kilic, who was evacuated from the Greek embassy in Nairobi last week, yesterday said it was of utmost importance to secure the rebel Kurdish leader's life.

Shortly before she departed for Brussels, and in a bid to smooth over any negative impressions of her initial statements, she also said that "if I could personally communicate with the (Greek) prime minister I would only say one thing to him...willingly or unwillingly, under any circumstances, a situation has been created which is not good for the Kurdish or the Greek people...It is of utmost importance to secure our president's life and from then on all mechanisms and forces should be set in motion to achieve the desired developments on the Kurdish affair...Only then will we be able to hold our heads up high".

Athens News Agency

[15] Concert for Kurds held in downtown Athens

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Participating performers read out a statement stressing that in this, the "first day of the last spring of the 20th century, we the people of the arts and letters held an impromptu rally...coming out in the streets again spontaneously for all those thin gs that unite us, for all those things which pain us."

A message by Italian Nobel prize laureate in literature, Dario Fo, was also read out at the concert, stating: "For us it is a political choice to stand by the Kurdish people and Ocalan."

The concert, which began at 6 p.m., ended late last night.

Athens News Agency

[16] Pangalos denies he made Milan statements on Ocalan affair

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Pangalos denied making any statements to that news agency or any other.

He added from Milan that "it is well known that I do not make statements over that issue in light of Parliament's investigating committee."

Mr. Pangalos said the only statements he made to reporters were about the European Socialist Party (ESP).

According to the Swedish news agency and as reported by an ANA dispatch from Stockholm, Mr. Pangalos reportedly said "we had to choose between very bad solutions. We chose the one which would cost us the least."

Athens News Agency

[17] Papademos on 'euro' zone accession

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Papademos said the European Commission jast forwarded a "non paper" to Athens and the Bank of Greece, stating that "euro" zone accession criteria could be interpretated, allowing to all interested countries, especially Greece, to negotiate accession terms

Nevertheless, a 2.5 per cent annual inflation target for 1999 is believed to be realistic, as is a deficit of under 2 per cent of GNP.

Athens News Agency

[18] Skandalidis satisfied over PASOK delegates election

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

According to Mr. Skandalidis, about 180,000 PASOK cadres voted during the election.

Athens News Agency

[19] Evert announces he underwent heart surgery

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Evert said he underwent a triple bypass in the US after developing heart problems.

His personal physician said the former ND president was in good health, but some caution was necessary.

Commening on the Ocalan issue, Mr. Evert appealed to Prime Minister Costas Simitis to summon the political party leaders in order to jointly tackle problems that have arisen and for a national consensus on the Ocalan matter.

Athens News Agency

[20] US rejects idea of placing Greece on list of states 'supporting terrorism'

WASHINGTON, 02/03/1999 (ANA - T. Ellis)

"The terrorist list covers a systematic and a high government level support for terrorism and I would not put a close NATO ally and such perspective in the same phrase," James Foley told reporters.

Referring to an issue over allegations that Greece transferred NATO technology to Russia, he said that a preliminary answer is that results are moving in the right direction towards a "satisfactory solution to the problem. They are promising..."

He also said that the key word is "claims", while citing the complete cooperation between Greek and US federal agency on the issue, with a final report pending.

Athens News Agency

[21] Brief Stephanopoulos stopover in Georgia, meeting with Shevardnadze

TASHKENT, 02/03/1999 (ANA - N.Megadoukas)

Mr. Shevardnadze, who has just returned from a visit to Turkey, told the Greek president that Greek-Turkish relations were not discussed in his meetings with Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, according to diplomatic sources. Mr. Stephanopoulos is acco mpanied on his visit to Tashkent by Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis and several Greek entrepreneurs.

His visit to Uzbekistan is being watched with much interest in the wake of the latest developments in Greek-Turkish relations as Uzbekistan has particularly close ties with Ankara.

Mr. Stephanopoulos, who arrived late yesterday afternoon in Tashkent will have talks with his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov today. Both countries are expected to sign agreements on consular issues and road transport.

Athens News Agency

[22] ND denounces what it calls fabricated Ocalan 'confessions' by Turkey

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

"It is undoubtedly an effort aiming at the export of its (Turkey's) domestic problems and a nationalistic uplifting of the Turkish people, particularly in light of the upcoming Turkish elections, on the one hand, and the undermining of efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue and promotion of its expansionist designs against Hellenism, on the other," he said in a statement. The ND spokesman also added that the unity and determination of the Greek people is "unquestionable". On the question of the Greek gover nment's stance, Mr. Spiliotopoulos abided by a proposal for early elections, since "it (government) has nullified the country's prestige" with its handling of the Ocalan case.

Athens News Agency

[23] SEBBE responds to Koc: Greece an entirely democratic, free society

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

In an official response addressed to Mr. Koc, who sided with Ankara's handling of the Kurdish issue recently and called on Turkish business people to suspend cooperation with their Greek counterparts, , SEBBE president Vassilis Takas said "we disregard your one-sided criticism on the policy of the Greek governments on Greek-Turkish issues...We are not going to follow you, since we also conduct our own harsh but documented criticism regarding the Turkish governments' provocations towards Greece." "We rea lise the pressure recently exerted on you to put an end to the spirit of Greek-Turkish friendship and cooperation inaugurated with the Papandreou- Ozal meeting in Davos...However, we cannot receive without returning the insulting accusations (hurled) at the business world of Greece and the entire Greek society, which lives freely in an entirely democratic and European environment," Mr. Takas said.

Athens News Agency

[24] Israeli public security delegation meets with Greek counterparts

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[25] Joint Greek-US military exercise in central Aegean

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

The maneuvers will be carried out in the sea region between Volos, Skyros and Agios Efstratios, and is part of a framework of bilateral cooperation and joint training between Greek forces and corresponding ones from the United States.

Greece will field its 32nd marine brigade, a frigate, a destroyer, three landing craft and a number of support vessels, as well as 10-15 air force fighters.

US forces will participate with two landing craft and 1,500 troops. The exercise will be coordinated by the Greek national defence general staff.

Athens News Agency

[26] More NATO troops arrive in Thessaloniki on way to FYROM

Athens, 02/03/1999 (ANA)

An Italian-chartered Russian cargo vessel docked in the port loaded with 61 armoured personnel carriers, 13 tank transporters, 94 general purpose vehicles and 42 containers. The "German Fast Alexandria" unloaded 66 vehicles and trailers as well as 26 containers.

At the city's Macedonia Airport, two British planes landed with about 368 troops.

Since Feb. 18, eight vessels have docked at the port, and 2,508 troops arrived via the city's airport.

A military source said two US warships sailing in the northern Aegean, with approximately 1,500 US marines, would participate in joint naval exercise 'Megas Alexandros', set for March 2-9, before heading on to FYROM.

Athens News Agency

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