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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-03-12

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

  • [01] G. Papandreou contacts with Holbrooke in Belgrade,today with Milosevic
  • [02] Karamanlis-Gore meeting focuses on Greek-Turkish relations,Cyprus
  • [03] Tipper Gore inThessaloniki
  • [04] US envoy Miller hears Athens' complaints over recent Turkish behaviour
  • [05] Athens again denies claims of possible leaks of NATO information
  • [06] Skandalidis on PASOK's future
  • [07] Tsohatzopoulos dismisses rumours of Aegean tension
  • [08] Prosecutors' report on Ocalan affair released,18 private individuals implicated
  • [09] Branson project for Hydra again rejected by KAS
  • [10] Cremation issue spurs Church debate
  • [11] Tsohatzopoulos,Constantopoulos centre-left proposals
  • [12] Stocks hit fresh all-time high in brisk trade
  • [13] Greek-Turkish tension blocking closer business ties
  • [14] Share price for EFG Eurobank set at Dr 8,500
  • [15] Greek economy split in two, minister says
  • [16] Goody's to boost share capital
  • [17] Passenger shippers forge strategic alliance
  • [18] Bank of Piraeus to raise share capital by Dr 120 bln
  • [19] Alpha Credit Bank denies talk of joint bid in Ionian tender
  • [20] Athens satisfied with agreement on CAP
  • [21] Japanese trade specialist focuses on Greek software sector
  • [22] Synaspismos tables bill for 35-hour work week
  • [23] Athens Foreign Exchange

  • [01] G. Papandreou contacts with Holbrooke in Belgrade,today with Milosevic

    BELGRADE, 12/03/1999 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou, on a lightning tour of Balkan capitals to promote a Greek initiative to end the crisis in the strife-torn Yugoslav province of Kosovo, met here yesterday with US envoy Richard Holbrooke.

    Mr. Papandreou said talks had been useful and had gone into depth over the positions prevailing.

    He declined to comment on the substance of Mr. Holbrooke's talks with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic on Wednesday, saying the aim of his visit to Belgrade was talks with the Yugoslav leadership.

    The US ambassador to Skopje, Christopher Hill, was also present at the discussions, held at the US embassy in Belgrade.

    During the previous days, Mr. Holbrooke failed to persuade Mr. Milosevic to back a Western peace deal.

    "We all have concerns about the developments in Kosovo in common and Greece, to the extent it can will attempt to provide a contribution for a peaceful resolution of the problem," Mr. Papandreou said.

    "Greece and Yugoslavia have close relations and for this reason I am hopeful that the Greek contribution will be found useful in the process under way for a peaceful resolution."

    He is scheduled to have meetings today with President Milosevic, Serbian President Milan Milutinovic, Yugoslav FM Zivadin Jovanovic and Yugoslav Deputy PM Vuk Draskovic.

    Mr. Papandreou may also meet with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, who was due to arrive in Belgrade yesterday.

    The Greek FM was also due to meet with Patriarch of Serbia Pavle yesterday.

    Mr. Papandreou in his two-day tour of Balkan capitals also visited Skopje, Tirana, Sofia and Bucharest.

    Athens News Agency

    [02] Karamanlis-Gore meeting focuses on Greek-Turkish relations,Cyprus

    WASHINGTON, 12/03/1999 (ANA - T. Ellis/E. Nikolaou)

    Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis was received here yesterday by US Vice President Al Gore, with issues touching on terrorism, Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.

    At the end of the 30-minute talks, Mr. Karamanlis said he had an extremely interesting meeting and discussion, in which he set out Greek positions on Greek-Turkish relations and the question of Cyprus.

    "Our common pursuit is stability in the region and I explained our steadfast position that Greece desires peace in the region, as well as that the future of Greek-Turkish relations can only move on international law and existing conditions of good neigh bourliness and cooperation," he said.

    Mr. Karamanlis denounced Turkey's tactic of threats of the use of force, saying it is a tactic which neither suits modern states nor its European orientation.

    He said he was pleased that Mr. Gore listened closely to an initiative over the Cyprus issue for a viable and workable solution to be found.

    Mr. Karamanlis said they discussed the issue of terrorism at length, adding that he reiterated to Mr. Gore that Greece condemns terrorism and that Greece in particular has been hit by it. He went on to say that for ND, as well as a future government, combatting terrorism is a priority.

    The two men also exchanged views on the issue of education, while Mr. Karamanlis said it is the first investment which must be done to safeguard the future of youth.

    Mr. Karamanlis gave a press conference and was due to leave for New York last night where he will meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan today. Press conference Speaking to the press afterwards, Mr. Karamanlis said Greece desired the normalisation of relations between Greece and Turkey, adding that he believes in Turkey's European role and prospects - a country, he said, which must be democratic and must respect human rights.

    Mr. Karamanlis said Turkey should abandon what he called its "favourite tactic of threats, accept respect for international law as a basis for understanding and normalisation and abandon territorial claims."

    "I made it clear to my interlocutors that Greece is a country which respects and supports the international status quo, while Turkey is following a position with which it is pursuing its overthrow," he said.

    Referring to Cyprus, Mr. Karamanlis said all US officials conceded that this protracted problem and its stagnation could not continue because of Turkish intransigence. He added that it was time for a new initiative and that he had the impression a similar climate also prevails in the US administration.

    "I ascertained in my meetings that there is convergence (of views) on quite a few issues but, of course, there is no identity in relation to our region. I also stressed the need for the US to intervene to have the Turks abandon their aggressive attitude ," he said.

    Commenting on the case of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, Mr. Karamanlis said Athens never harboured, nor supported nor helped acts related to force and terrorism.

    "We believe that there can only be a solution to the Kurdish issue with political means," he said.

    Replying to a question on whether pressure was exerted for the denunciation of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Mr. Karamanlis said he never felt at any moment that someone was pressuring him.

    Athens News Agency

    [03] Tipper Gore inThessaloniki

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    Tipper Gore, the wife of US Vice-President Al Gore, will be the keynote speaker on Tuesday at a event at Thessaloniki's Anatolia College alumni association.

    Mrs. Gore will speak on the issue of better developing the institution of volunteerism.

    Athens News Agency

    [04] US envoy Miller hears Athens' complaints over recent Turkish behaviour

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    Turkey must cease "its futile effort to link its pre-election campaign with statements against Greece", Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis told visiting special US State Department envoy for Cyprus Thomas Miller yesterday.

    "Greece condemns terrorism, but Turkey must not disorient public opinion with statements on this issue," he said after two hours of talks with Mr. Miller on Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus and the Kosovo problem.

    He also said Washington had a role to play in improving Greek-Turkish relations.

    "We are in favour of good relations with Turkey and are trying to improve them in a constructive manner, but the US must also play a role in this," he stressed.

    Responding to questions, Mr. Miller, who also visited Cyprus and Turkey, said "we shall do everything we can" to bring about the necessary de- escalation of tension in Greek-Turkish relations.

    He added that Greek-US relations were strong, that the Cyprus issue had become stagnant for too long, but noted that the situation in the broader region was worse a few years ago.

    Regarding the situation in the Balkans, Mr. Kranidiotis said stability should be pursued on the basis of the principles of international law and good neighbourliness, and that Greece and the US would maintain constant contact on the issues.

    Athens News Agency

    [05] Athens again denies claims of possible leaks of NATO information

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday flatly denied a report in an American newspaper that Washington was allegedly concerned of possible leak of classified NATO information to Russia via Greece, calling the allegations "brazen lies."

    His denial came in the wake of a statement by US ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns in New York on Tuesday, stressing that the allegations "have proved groundless, baseless and untrue" after an in-depth investigation. Replying to a question in Parliament tabled by a main opposition New Democracy party MP, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos expressed regret that the ND deputy had adopted such "brazenlies and imaginary scenarios", adding that he had met once with Mr. Burns on the "supposed leaks".

    He also denied that he had discussed the issue with a US Pentagon official. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reiterated his denial of allegations concerning a lack of Greek credibility towards NATO.

    He said the effort to dispute Greece's capability of military and scientific cooperation with other countries had failed, and called for "greater responsibility, credibility and respect for the institutions" on the part of the ND parliamentarian.

    Athens News Agency

    [06] Skandalidis on PASOK's future

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis yesterday said the ruling party should change, since it cannot move forward as it did in the past.

    "With this PASOK...we cannot move forward and it should undergo a radical change," he said during a televised interview. Mr. Skandalidis said it was a mistake for Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos to present a question of a new leadership for the par ty in case PASOK receives less than 30 per cent of the vote in the June 13 Euroelections. He added that he hopes for a "volcano of a congress which will not burn it."

    Athens News Agency

    [07] Tsohatzopoulos dismisses rumours of Aegean tension

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday brushed off rumors of tension with Turkey in the Aegean.

    "I was surprised to see that certain (sides) wish to insist that there is tension. Conditions are perfectly normal in the Aegean and throughout the country," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told reporters after opening a conference of the Federation of Employees of the General Defence General Staff (POE- GEETHA).

    He said that a shadow had been cast recently over Greek-Turkish relations due to the Ocalan affair, but stressed that Turkey and everyone else interested in the situation in the Aegean must realise that "the margins of acceptable and normal rivalry have been exhausted."

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Ankara's expediency of creating a crisis had reached "a marginal point", while he called on all interested parties to back a peaceful future relationship with Turkey, given that there were "many crisis spots in our region". He al so expressed concern over the developments in the strife-torn Yugoslav province of Kosovo.

    Replying to questions, the defence minister said no one had the right to dispute Greece's significant successes in the effort to combat terrorism, adding that "we shall not allow anyone to identify the Greek peoples' solidarity, founded on the European values, with terrorism."

    He further announced that the decision on the purchase of new fighter planes for the airforce would be taken in the next few weeks, adding that a decision for the new tanks to be purchased by the army would be announced after the Easter holiday next month.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also expressed certainty on Greece's EMU entry.

    Athens News Agency

    [08] Prosecutors' report on Ocalan affair released,18 private individuals implicated

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    A much-anticipated report by three prosecutors investigating the circumstances surrounding Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan's entry and brief stay in Greece attributes responsibility to 18 individuals.

    The report, sans indictments against specific individuals, was released yesterday.

    The head of the Athens public prosecutor's office released a statement yesterday noting that the individuals in question face charges involving 10 offences, including the felony of complicity in "harming the country's international peaceful relations."

    Among those facing charges, according to press reports, is retired naval officer Antonis Naxakis, Stephanos Evangelatos, the former head of the Athens airport's public relations department, as well as elderly writer Stavroula Damianakou and her daughter , who offered hospitality to Ocalan.

    Deputy Costas Badouvas, who was expelled from ruling PASOK following the Ocalan affair, will also face charges if Parliament approves the lifting of his Parliamentary immunity.

    The findings of the three-member investigative committee will be sent to Parliament to establish whether responsibility can be attributed to any ministers.

    Ocalan entered Greece in late January and stayed for a few days and was subsequently flown to Kenya, where he remained at the Greek ambassador's residence in Nairobi before being captured and taken to Turkey, where he now faces trial.

    Although none of the 18 persons were actually named in the prosecutors' statement, Mr. Naxakis and Mr. Badouvas have featured prominently in press reports detailing the circumstances surrounding Ocalan's entry, stay and departure from Greece.

    Other charges referred to in the statement include perjury, making false declarations, possession of forged travel documents, illegal transportation of a foreigner to Greece, failure to submit a passenger arrival card at Athens airport's passport control, and illegal stay of a foreigner in the country.

    Reppas : Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said in comment to the prosecutors' statement that it was obvious there was "no issue of criminal responsibility on the part of political persons, or officials who acted on their instructions in the Ocalan affair."

    "After Ocalan's entry to Greece, the issue was handled in a political manner, for reasons that have been adequately explained and concern the country's foreign policy and international relations, but also the functioning of the state," he said.

    "There is, however, a most serious issue of responsibility on the part of those who, acting on their own initiative and for their own reasons, organised Ocalan's entry to Greece and brought the country before faits accomplis and dilemmas, despite knowing the government's clear and steady position on the issue," he added.

    In response, the main opposition New Democracy party said, in an initial statement, that the judicial investigation raised "a major issue for the prime minister," as it also called for the activation of the law on ministerial responsibility.

    ND said Prime Minister Costas Simitis "certainly knew all the recommendations, decisions and actions of his ministers" with regard to the handling of the Ocalan affair.

    "Since the judicial investigation of the issue points at indications of ministerial responsibility, it is certain that the ultimate political responsibility lies with the prime minister himself," ND said in a statement.

    In a later report, sources claimed that prominent ND cadres, including former ND leader Miltiades Evert, met at party headquarters and reportedly expressed a view that the statement did not directly attribute responsibilities to political persons.

    Proposal for fact-finding committee over Ocalan affair discussed today : Parliament will today discuss a proposal for establishing a fact-finding committee regarding the Ocalan affair.

    The proposal was signed by 116 deputies of ruling PASOK on Feb. 26

    According to the proposal, the entry of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan to Greece, his stay at the Greek embassy in Kenya and his subsequent arrest in Nairobi had caused "serious concern among Greek public opinion".

    Among the signatories are PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalides and former FM Theodoros Pangalos, who was forced to resign over the affair.

    Athens News Agency

    [09] Branson project for Hydra again rejected by KAS

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    The Central Archaeological Council (KAS) rejected for a second time plans by British multi-millionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson to build a hotel complex on the small holiday island of Hydra.

    It was the third 'no' in a row from archaeologists to Mr. Branson's plans. In January, the 2nd Department of Byzantine Antiquities rejected plans on the grounds that "a large area of rock would have to be cleared, the limits of the settlement under a preservation order would be altered and the proposed new holiday homes would be visible from the sea, which would spoil the natural landscape."

    Mr. Branson's firm, "Virgin Hellas Hotels SA", had submitted an application for the construction of 40 holiday homes on land which it owns within the town planning area of the Kamini settlement.

    KAS had similarly rejected plans in April 1997. The latest vote was unanimous in rejecting the proposal.

    In 1973, a similar application for building - within town planning limits - was rejected, as was an application for the construction of a hotel complex in 1981 and a camping ground in 1983.

    Athens News Agency

    [10] Cremation issue spurs Church debate

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    A bill allowing cremation that is set to be tabled in Parliament by the government has apparently brought debate on the issue within the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece to the forefront.

    Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos reportedly counseled Metropolitan Theoclitos of Ioannina for saying, without Holy Synod approval, that "the state has the right to legislate". On his part, the Ioannina Metropolitan, who recently resigned from the Church's financial management council, said he will continue to express his opinion.

    The Holy Synod also touched on criticism by the Coalition of Left and Progress (Synaspismos) over the Church's decision to financially support families with three children, a proposal set aside though for Christian families.

    The government spokesman yesterday said the Church's initiative to support families with three children was very positive and "within the framework of the Church's social role", adding that "the government, within the framework of the social policy it follows has taken a series of measures for women and mothers, while a change in that policy is not anticipated, at least at this time."

    Athens News Agency

    [11] Tsohatzopoulos,Constantopoulos centre-left proposals

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos as well as Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos both referred yesterday to prospects for a new "centre-left convergence" in Greek politics.

    The two men spoke at a presentation of PASOK deputy Nikos Sifounakis' book, entitled "Submitted Proposals", a compilation of essays and writings on public and local administration issue.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who introduced the book at the event, said European Monetary Union (EMU) entry is Greece's greatest prospect, and while it is very close to becoming reality, citizens are not contemplating whether it will be achieved but what will occur afterwards.

    "Will there be another answer to the social problems except that of the neo- liberal politicians, with the well known repercussions?" he asked.

    The Greek minister added that "policies should be created to secure participation of a 'social majority', who do not participate in today's developments."

    "...Should there be such developments, the answer should be given by policies, which will formulate the terms of convergence as a center-left answer to center-right senarios," he added.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said these proposals should be tabled at the March 18-21 PASOK party congress.

    On his part, Mr. Constantopoulos agreed with Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, adding that there was a need to change the election law to a simple proportional representation system, something that will lead to the acceptance of coalition governments in Greece.

    He stressed that economic development independent of politics and identification of Greek national interests with those of other countries "are dangerous rationalisations."

    "There must be a spectacular turnabout and whoever attempts to stop this change will be marginalised by society and the people," Mr. Constantopoulos said.

    Athens News Agency

    [12] Stocks hit fresh all-time high in brisk trade

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    Equity prices yesterday moved to a new record close for the second consecutive session on the Athens Stock Exchange with the market's rise curbed by profit taking.

    The general index, which gained 7.3 percent over the last four sessions, ended 0.11 percent up at 3,471.98 points, off the day's highs above 3,500 points.

    Turnover was 147.058 billion drachmas and volume 33,133,663 shares.

    Buying activity focused on smaller capitalisation stocks.

    Sector indices were mixed. Banks fell 0.19 percent, Leasing dropped 0.25 percent, Insurance ended 0.43 percent higher, Investment ended 0.10 percent up, Construction dropped 2.97 percent, Industrials rose 0.14 percent, Miscellaneous ended 0.06 percent off and Holding fell 1.52 percent.

    The parallel market index for small cap companies was unchanged while the FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 0.03 percent up at 2,133.46.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 162 to 112 with another 18 issues unchanged.

    Vis, Hellenic Petroleum, Thessaliki and Epilektos were the most heavily traded stocks.

    A total of 30 shares hit the day's 8.0 percent limit up. Among them were Commercial Invest, Atemke, European Techniki, Technodomi, Euromedica, Keranis, Ionian Hotels and Yalco.

    Ridenco, Sato, Benroubi, Hellenic Textiles, Lanacam, Athinea, Rocas and Aktor suffered the heaviest losses.

    National Bank of Greece ended at 20,400 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 37, 400, Ergobank at 24,000, Ionian Bank at 20,700, Titan Cement at 23,580, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,850, Intracom at 20,140, Minoan Lines at 7,890, Panafon at 8,970 and Hellenic Telecoms at 7,690.

    Athens News Agency

    [13] Greek-Turkish tension blocking closer business ties

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    Renewed tension between Greece and Turkey is undermining efforts to bring closer the two countries' business communities, Ersoy Volkan, the Turkish chairman of the Black Sea Bank, told reporters yesterday.

    Speaking after a World Bank seminar in Thessaloniki, Mr. Volkan said that both he and the bank's general secretary, Nikos Zahariadis of Greece, would continue the drive for rapprochement in the business sector, but he declined to predict the outcome.

    The Black Sea Bank is to participate in a $70-million project to upgrade border posts in the Balkans and Black Sea region.

    The World Bank will cover 80 percent of the project's funding and also guarantee Black Sea Bank's 20 percent stake.

    Mr. Zahariadis welcomed the fact that all the bank's member-states, even the economically weakest, had made their contributions to the institution's share capital.

    As a result, the bank would enjoy a trouble-free launch at the end of May, he said.

    Athens News Agency

    [14] Share price for EFG Eurobank set at Dr 8,500

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    The price of shares in a public offer by EFG Eurobank was set at 8,500 drachmas yesterday.

    The offer, which is to be held on March 16-19, is part of a process that began with the merger of the bank with listed Bank of Athens.

    The process will end with a share capital rise by the new EFG Eurobank to emerge.

    Trading of Bank of Athens shares was halted on the bourse yesterday until the end of the process.

    Athens News Agency

    [15] Greek economy split in two, minister says

    BONN, 12/03/1999 (ANA/P. Stangos)

    National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday that the economy was divided into modern, forward-looking companies and a host of small firms that needed to update.

    "Next year we will see many bankruptcies, but also many new firms being set up," said Mr. Papantoniou in an interview to a German weekly review.

    He was asked to comment on the competitiveness of domestic companies in the euro zone.

    The minister also said that opposition to the government's policy of modernising the economy stemmed from small groups that feared the loss of privileges they enjoyed.

    He rejected criticism that the government was behind in its wide-ranging privatisation plan, saying that timetables were being adhered to.

    As a result, revenue from privatisation totalled 3.0 percent of gross domestic product in 1998.

    Mr. Papantoniou repeated that inflation would fall to 2.0 percent by summer, leading to an average annual rate of around 2.5 percent, aiding a decline in interest rates.

    Athens News Agency

    [16] Goody's to boost share capital

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    Shareholders of Goody's, a listed fast-food restaurant chain, yesterday approved a 258-million-drachma share capital increase, taking the total to 1.258 billion drachmas.

    For issue are 144,063 new shares to be allocated to shareholders of Tourist Investment, a Goody's subsidiary, at one for 5.67 shares.

    The company's nominal share price will increase from 100 drachmas to 124 drachmas.

    The share capital rise is a result of a merger with Tourist Investment, founded in 1986 and a shareholder in 38 Goody's and Flocafe restaurants.

    Goody's consolidated turnover in 1998 increased to 30.567 billion drachmas from 24.677 billion the previous year, marking a 23.87 percent increase.

    Sales in Goody's and Flocafe restaurants exceeded 50 billion drachmas in 1998, up from 40.4 billion in the previous year.

    Athens News Agency

    [17] Passenger shippers forge strategic alliance

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    ANEK Lines and NEL Lines, which are listed on the Athens bourse, yesterday announced a strategic alliance in order to strengthen their expansion policy ahead of the abolition of cabotage in the domestic passenger shipping market.

    Under the plan, ANEK will take part as a strategic investor in a share capital increase by Nel of 4.0 billion drachmas, taking a 20 percent stake. Operational costs will fall, income will rise and the firms are to enter the air transport and hotels sectors.

    The alliance also includes joint advertising and participation in tourism trade fairs, and joint reservations.

    ANEK is also due to take a single seat on NEL's board of directors.

    NEL Lines was founded in 1972. It was listed on the Athens Stock Exchange in 1995 and owns five ferries.

    The firm recently ordered a high-speed vessel due for delivery in February 2000.

    ANEK Lines was listed at the end of 1998. It owns a 50 percent stake in LANE Lines and has announced a merger with another Cretan ferry line, Rethymniaki.

    ANEK is also considering a strategic alliance with listed DANE Lines, which is facing financial troubles.

    Athens News Agency

    [18] Bank of Piraeus to raise share capital by Dr 120 bln

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    Shareholders of Bank of Piraeus yesterday endorsed a share capital rise of around 120 billion drachmas.

    It also endorsed management's proposal of a dividend of 130 drachmas.

    Athens News Agency

    [19] Alpha Credit Bank denies talk of joint bid in Ionian tender

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    Alpha Credit Bank denied yesterday that it would bid jointly with EFG Eurobank in a tender for the privatisation of Ionian Bank.

    The denial was made in a letter to the Naftemboriki financial daily, where the report was published.

    The bank also sent a copy to the Athens Stock Exchange.

    The deadline for bids in the tender is March 26.

    Athens News Agency

    [20] Athens satisfied with agreement on CAP

    BRUSSELS, 12/03/1999 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

    The Greek government expressed satisfaction over a compromise agreement reached on revising the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), achieved by the Council of Agriculture Ministers following marathon negotiations.

    "Greece not only did not lose what it has feared, but also won something extra. The joint financing of CAP, which would have cost Greece 150-200 billion drachmas a year, was ruled out. Annual agricultural expenditures were ultimately increased from 40.5 to 41.6 billion euro, which secure for Greece a fiscal improvement with 150 million euro a year (about 35 billion drachmas). Greece won an increase in the milk quota," Greek Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis said.

    He added that revising settlements in their entirety refer to arable products, milk and beef and have no negative affect on Mediterranean (products). However, he added that considerable improvements have been included for Greek producers in all the revi sing sectors of interest to Greece.

    Mr. Anomeritis clarified that the Council of Ministers reached a political agreement on revising CAP which only Portugal did not vote for. This political agreement cannot be valid unless an overall agreement is achieved on the issue of the "Agenda 2000. "

    He believes that there will be no changes in the next stages of the revising process concerning the political agreement for CAP.

    European Union leaders will have to agree on the finalised agreement at the Berlin summit on March 24-26.

    Athens News Agency

    [21] Japanese trade specialist focuses on Greek software sector

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    The Japanese External Trade Organisation's (JETRO) Athens office announced yesterday that it hosted a software Japanese specialist in Greece earlier this month.

    JETRO, in an effort to promote and expand Greek exports to Japan, said the Japanese import specialist during his four-day stay in Greece visited five Greek firms - Unibrain, DCW, Finatec, Gennadios Editions and Teletel - active in the software sector.

    In the past, Japanese specialists spoke highly of the growth and import potential of the Greek software sector, which in cooperation with JETRO and the national economy ministry's "Hermes Action Plan", hopes to expand exports to Japan.

    Athens News Agency

    [22] Synaspismos tables bill for 35-hour work week

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) yesterday tabled a bill in Parliament instituting the 35-hour work week without pay reductions.

    Synaspismos supports that the general application of a 35-hour work week will create millions of new jobs in Europe, and 130,000 new positions in Greece.

    The fourth party out of five in terms of Parliament strength also said the shortened work week, particularly in Greece, will not reduce competitiveness, saying labour costs are low compared to other European countries, while the "small increase in the production cost" could be offset with increased productivity through restructuring.

    Athens News Agency

    [23] Athens Foreign Exchange

    Athens, 12/03/1999 (ANA)

    Bank of Greece closing rates of: March 11, 1999

    Parities in Drachmas

    Banknotes            Buying  Selling
    US Dollar            292.709 299.496
    Can.Dollar           192.051 196.504
    Australian Dlr       185.792 190.099
    Pound Sterling       475.466 486.489
    Irish Punt           405.157 414.550
    Pound Cyprus         549.370 562.107
    Pound Malta          705.479 734.874
    Turkish pound (100)    0.073   0.076
    French franc          48.645  49.773
    Swiss franc          199.714 204.345
    Belgian franc          7.910   8.093
    German Mark          163.146 166.929
    Finnish Mark          53.666  54.910
    Dutch Guilder        144.795 148.152
    Danish Kr.            42.926  43.921
    Swedish Kr.           36.027  36.863
    Norwegian Kr.         37.470  38.339
    Austrian Sh.          23.189  23.727
    Italian lira (100)    16.479  16.861
    Yen (100)            242.931 248.563
    Spanish Peseta         1.918   1.962
    Port. Escudo           1.591   1.628
    
    Foreign Exchange     Buying  Selling
    New York             292.709 299.496
    Montreal             192.051 196.504
    Sydney               185.792 190.099
    London               475.466 486.489
    Dublin               405.157 414.550
    Nicosia              549.370 562.107
    Paris                 48.645  49.773
    Zurich               199.714 204.345
    Brussels               7.910   8.093
    Frankfurt            163.146 166.929
    Helsinki              53.666  54.910
    Amsterdam            144.795 148.152
    Copenhagen            42.926  43.921
    Stockholm             36.027  36.863
    Oslo                  37.470  38.339
    Vienna                23.189  23.727
    Milan                 16.479  16.861
    Tokyo                242.931 248.563
    Madrid                 1.918   1.962
    Lisbon                 1.591   1.628
    
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