Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-05-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou calls on Belgrade to accept Helsinki meeting proposals

[02] Gov't preparing employment action plan

[03] Stocks edge up, hit new high

[04] Greece, Russia sign commitment to oil pipeline

[05] OTE to buy back shares, urge workers to take stock

[06] Engineering contractor gets deal with Canadian firm

[07] Tourists in Rhodes up from last year

[08] Social tourism programme targets northern Greece area

[09] Athens Foreign Exchange

[10] Greece formally applies for 'Patriot' system

[11] Communist parties to gather in Athens

[12] Simitis emphasises that Greece will enter `euro zone` on strictly economic criteria

[13] Vartholomeos begins official visit to Church of Greece today

[14] Greenpeace on dioxin levels in Greece from NATO bombings

[15] New traffic code hopes to reduce appalling road casualties

[16] Cycladic art exhibition in Madrid

[17] Five new ambassa dors arrive in Athens

[01] Papandreou calls on Belgrade to accept Helsinki meeting proposals

HELSINKI, 20/05/1999 (ANA - I. Afentouli)

Moscow's envoy for the Balkans, Viktor Chernomyrdin, "given that it is a very important and perhaps final opportunity".

Mr. Papandreou added that the talks between the United States, Russia and the European Union were "the most serious and systematic diplomatic effort to date...a turning point in the Kosovo crisis".

He added that it would depend on "all sides" whether a settlement will result.

The US delegation at the talks was headed by US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, while Russia was represented by Mr. Chernomyrdin. The EU was represented by Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, who has assumed a special mediation role in efforts to resolve the Kosovo crisis.

Mr. Papandreou had separate meetings in Helsinki yesterday with Mr. Ahtisaari and Mr. Talbott.

The Greek FM flies to Moscow tomorrow for further consultations with Mr. Chernomyrdin.

Mr. Talbott told reporters that he was "fully briefed" on Greece's efforts to contribute to a settlement of the Kosovo crisis. He said Athens had "in this period" been a very good ally "and we are grateful for the support being given to us by Greece, be ing aware of the opposition inside the country to the NATO operations".

Mr. Talbott added that Greece, "an international symbol of democracy", was participating very actively in diplomatic efforts for a solution.

"I believe that Greece will also have a role to play the day after," Mr. Talbott said.

Mr. Papandreou on Tuesday had talks in Helsinki with Finnish PM Paavo Lipponen and counterpart Tarja Halonen.

Gov't spokesman : In Athens, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that a political solution to the Yugoslav problem was nearer than ever but warned against excessive optimism, saying it would be wrong to think that a settlement was just days away.

He said the Greek government was doing all it could in the direction of a political solution to the Kosovo crisis and welcomed the fact that a "front of countries", which are in favour of such a solution, was broadening.

Kranidiotis : Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis said later that Greece was fully supportive of the initiative under way in the framework of the G8 proposal and expressed the hope that efforts would bear fruit.

He said he hoped that Mr. Milosevic would accept the terms to be presented to him by Mr. Chernomyrdin.

The Greek minister was speaking after chairing a meeting of Greek, Russian and Swiss officials on coordinating humanitarian aid shipments to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Attending the meeting were Russian Emergency Services Minister Sergei Soygu, the director of development cooperation at the Swiss foreign ministry Walther Fist, and Alexander Rondos, the Greek foreign minister's Balkans special envoy.

The three-way cooperation has already been formalised in the programme "Focus", which has already seen the first dispatch of aid sent to Pristina on May 13.

A second shipment of aid, accompanied by representatives of the three countries, was sent via Skopje to Yugoslavia on May 18 and a third is under way, destined for the Yugoslav city of Nis.

The programme has representative offices operating in Belgrade, Podgorica and Pristina. Each are headed by nationals of each of the countries involved.

Kaklamanis : Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday received 75 eastern European scientists, requesting of them to convey a message that political and diplomatic solutions to minority problems in the Balkans is necessary.

The scientists are in Greece to participate in the 7th Greek Language Teaching Programme, organised by the University of Athens.

Mr. Kaklamanis said political solutions to minority problems without changes to borders in the Balkans would avert conditions that lead to human suffering.

Athens News Agency

[02] Gov't preparing employment action plan

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

The plan was presented at a meeting chaired by National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou. Also attending were Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Deputy Finance Minister George Drys.

Mr. Papaioannou stressed that social policies were at the focus of attention.

"We are promoting tax cuts for job creation, we have shifted towards social work, and we are supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises and vulnerable groups among the population," he said.

Deputy Labour Minister Christos Protopapas said the plan included a measure allowing private companies to deduct from taxable profits a sum equal to 50 percent of employers' contributions for staff hired in 1999-2000.

The measure applies to viable companies, and a floor for the size of the company eligible for the tax break is being discussed.

Measures to aid more vulnerable sections of the population would include creating around 2,600 jobs, including school caretakers.

Mr. Papantoniou said it was the first time that an active employment policy was being implemented in Greece, and it was successful.

This is the second employment action plan devised by the government.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) later criticised the proposals as what it called a new set of privileges for employers masquerading as measures for the unemployed.

The party claimed in a statement that the proposals were a response to demands by the Federation of Greek Industry for lower tax and social insurance contributions.

It called on the public to show their disapproval by voting in favour of the KKE in June's euro-elections.

Athens News Agency

[03] Stocks edge up, hit new high

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

Fuelling sentiment were hopes of an end to the war in Yugoslavia; steady US interest rates; and positive forecasts on the Greek economy by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and by Moody's, the US credit rating agency.

The general index briefly hit resistance at 4,250 points before succumbing to profit-taking. The index ended at 4,109.10 points, up 0.06 percent, posting its 28th record this year.

Turnover was heavy at 219.729 billion drachmas with 39,272,034 shares changing hands.

Sector indices were mixed.

Banks fell 0.54 percent, Leasing rose 1.22 percent, Insurance gained 0.58 percent, Investment eased 2.45 percent, Construction fell 1.89 percent, Industrials increased 0.66 percent, Miscellaneous ended 2.52 percent up and Holding rose 3.81 percent.

The parallel market index for small capitalisation companies fell 1.36 percent while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.24 percent to finish at 2,458.71 points.

A total of 83 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up. Among them were Mouriadis, Lanacam, Vis, Allatini Ceramics, Mevaco, Bank of Central Greece, Endysi, Babyland, General Warehouses and Keranis.

Constantinidis, Karelias, Attikat, Daring, Technodomiki, Development Invest, Alpha Invest and Fanco suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

Fourlis, Development Invest, Proodeftiki and Alco were the most heavily traded stocks.

Bond prices rise in light trade : Bond prices gained around 20-25 basis points yesterday in thin turnover. Electronic trade totalled 60 billion drachmas from 52 billion drachmas in the previous session.

The ten-year-bond was trading around 104.20, showing a yield of 5.72 percent. The yield spread with German bunds was 162 basis points.

In the foreign currency market, trade was light. At the central bank's daily fix, the euro was set at 324.860 drachmas from 325.40 drachmas in the previous session.

Athens News Agency

[04] Greece, Russia sign commitment to oil pipeline

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

The pipeline from the Bulgarian port of Burgas to Alexandroupolis in Greece will carry Russian oil.

At a meeting in Athens, the two sides agreed to proceed as soon as possible to a detailed examination of a feasibility study by ILF, a German consultancy firm.

They also agreed to set up an international company, Transbalkan Oil Pipeline Co. S.A., to build and operate the pipeline. In two months, Russia will decide on its participant in the company. A previous agreement on share participation was reaffirmed.

The memorandum was signed in Athens following a meeting between Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Russian Deputy Minister of Fuel and Energy, E. Telegina.

Finally, the Russian side proposed hosting a trilateral meeting in Moscow in July in order to finalise and initial Transbalkan's statutes. Also discussed were natural gas supplies and an aluminina project.

Athens News Agency

[05] OTE to buy back shares, urge workers to take stock

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

OTE would buy up to 10 percent of stock at a price no higher than 9,000 drachmas per share.

Details of the two schemes will be finalised at the firm's next board meeting, and endorsement sought at a special shareholders' meeting at the end of June. The annual general meeting is scheduled for June 15.

Athens News Agency

[06] Engineering contractor gets deal with Canadian firm

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

The new company, called Edrasis Dumas Mining (EDM), with each side holding 50 percent of stock.

Edrasi Psalidas recently signed a long-term contract with the Attiki Odos consortium building a ring road around Athens.

Athens News Agency

[07] Tourists in Rhodes up from last year

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

At the same time last year, the total was 43,560 residencies, of whom 42, 565 were from abroad.

The number of tourists is believed to be considerably higher as the figures do not take into account residency in rented rooms and other accomodation.

Athens News Agency

[08] Social tourism programme targets northern Greece area

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

Eligible participants - low-income employees and pensioners - will receive subsidies from the National Tourism Organisation for use at selected hotels, rented rooms or camp sites in Corfu, Thesprotia, Preveza, Pieria, Larissa, Thessaloniki, Halkidiki and Kavala, the prefectures included in the programme.

The European Popular Bank will provide free subscription to customers for its "Popular Card Visa Classic" and "Gold" credit cards.

The interest rates is 17.8 per cent for the Classic and 16.55 per cent for the Gold. Bearers will have the possibility of transferring the balance of their account from other credit cards to the European Popular Bank's card account.

Athens News Agency

[09] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             302.917 309.940
Can.Dollar            206.058 210.836
Australian Dlr        200.399 205.045
Pound Sterling        490.068 501.430
Irish Punt            409.187 418.674
Pound Cyprus          557.504 570.430
Pound Malta           724.820 755.021
Turkish pound (100)     0.069   0.072
French franc           49.129  50.268
Swiss franc           201.143 205.806
Belgian franc           7.989   8.174
German Mark           164.769 168.589
Finnish Mark           54.201  55.458
Dutch Guilder         146.236 149.626
Danish Kr.             43.352  44.358
Swedish Kr.            35.736  36.564
Norwegian Kr.          39.035  39.940
Austrian Sh.           23.419  23.962
Italian lira (100)     16.644  17.030
Yen (100)             243.794 249.446
Spanish Peseta          1.936   1.981
Port. Escudo            1.607   1.644

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
New York              302.917 309.940
Montreal              206.058 210.836
Sydney                200.399 205.045
London                490.068 501.430
Dublin                409.187 418.674
Nicosia               557.504 570.430
Paris                  49.129  50.268
Zurich                201.143 205.806
Brussels                7.989   8.174
Frankfurt             164.769 168.589
Helsinki               54.201  55.458
Amsterdam             146.236 149.626
Copenhagen             43.352  44.358
Stockholm              35.736  36.564
Oslo                   39.035  39.940
Vienna                 23.419  23.962
Milan                  16.644  17.030
Tokyo                 243.794 249.446
Madrid                  1.936   1.981
Lisbon                  1.607   1.644

Athens News Agency

[10] Greece formally applies for 'Patriot' system

WASHINGTON, 20/05/1999 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The 200-million-dollar purchase would also include support systems, parts, technical support and personnel training programmes for the system, a Pentagon announcement said.

The missile system is manufactured by the Massachusetts-based Raytheon Corp.

The Pentagon said the agreement would not adversely affect the military balance in the region nor Washington's efforts for a negotiated solution to the Cyprus issue.

It also said that through the modernisation and improvement of Greece's defence capabilities, the proposed sale would also contribute to advancing US foreign policy and national security.

The Pentagon further said Greece needed this anti-aircraft system to upgrade its air defence, adding that the Hellenic Armed Forces would have not difficulty in absorbing the relevant technology.

It added that the overall agreement could also include one or more supplementary accords on offset benefits.

Two specialists from the US department of defense would be sent to Greece for the materialisation of the agreement, the Pentagon added.

Athens News Agency

[11] Communist parties to gather in Athens

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

The meeting will be attended by 55 communist and labour parties and will focus on the issue of "The Crisis of Capitalism, Globalisation and the Labour Movement's Reply."

The meeting will also cover developments in the Balkans and the role played by major international organisations such as the European Union, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation.

Athens News Agency

[12] Simitis emphasises that Greece will enter `euro zone` on strictly economic criteria

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

"Euroelections are very important for Greece, but for Europe itself too. There is no time for adventurist policies or clever verbiage. This is not era for apprentice conjurors," he said. The prime minister referred to Greece's upgraded position within the European Union, which can play a central role in regional and international developments.

He also made a special reference to the war in Yugoslavia.

"We succeeded in being reliable allies and reliable interlocutors with all Balkan countries. We were asked to be involved militarily and we said a clear no. We shall work for the European Union to change stand," he stressed.

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis accused the PM of gross inaccuracies, adding that in the '80s the PASOK governments drove the country into heavy debt, and dissolved the state mechanisms.

Mr. Karamanlis accused Mr. Simitis of distorting figures, saying that eight trillion and not nine trillion were given from the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF).

"You are trying to deceive the Greek people, that it is a great success. We are even getting less than Portugal," he said.

Mr. Karamanlis said the government's performances regarding the 2nd CSF were unacceptable and tragic and added that figures are prospering but not people.

"Have you asked any farmer, any small or medium size entrepreneur, any young person, any unemployed person how happy he feels? Because for the Greek people in their entirety things are worse than last year and the year before last," he said.

Mr. Karamanlis said the Euroelections are a referendum for the government's policy and are decisive for the country's course towards 2000 and the dynamism of political developments.

"Only the prime minister does not realise the importance of the Euroelections. You are downplaying its importance because you are expecting your party's defeat," he said. The role played by the European Union in the war against Yugoslavia and the "mythi fication" of economic indicators by the PM were at the focal point of criticism by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga.

Ms Papariga said the EU's policy is a cause for the war and this is apparent by the signatures placed by the governments of EU member-states and by the fact it has chosen NATO as its military mechanism.

She said the EU and NATO are interested in paving ways for capital and when the economic, political and ideological means are inadequate then "the use of force is unavoidable."

Coalition for the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos tabled a proposal drafting a unanimous Parliamentary resolution expressing opposition to the war and requesting an end to the NATO bombings.

On his part, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas criticised both the government and the EU for their choice and course on the issue, while he posed the question of whether EMU entry is an economic aim or a political one, since as he noted the premier insisted it is "a goal of national importance."

Athens News Agency

[13] Vartholomeos begins official visit to Church of Greece today

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

It is the first official visit by the Patriarch to the Greek Church.

Vartholomeos, who will be afforded the honours normally reserved for a head of state, will be met at the airport by President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos.

Also attending the welcome ceremony will by Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, the head of the main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, cabinet members, the armed forces leadership, members of the Holy Synod and of the diplomatic corps.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou will host a luncheon today in honour of Vartholomeos.

During his stay, the Ecumenical Patriarch will visit Megara, Evia, Preveza, Ioannina, Metsovo, Grevena, Kastoria, Katerini, Verria and Naoussa.

On May 31, he will visit Thessaloniki, followed by a tour which will take him in Neapoli, Lagada, Arnaia, Drama, Nevrokopi, Serres and Kilkis.

The official visit will end on June 5.

The Church of Greece is the only Orthodox Church which Vartholomeos has not visited. He has already visited the all-male monastic community of Mount Athos and areas of Greece under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including the semi-auto nmous Church of Crete and the Metropolitan dioceses of the Dodecanese.

Vartholomeos has also visited Thessaloniki and parts of Thrace at the invitation of local civic authorities.

Athens News Agency

[14] Greenpeace on dioxin levels in Greece from NATO bombings

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

"The levels of toxic substances which have been measured do not entail an immediate risk for public health in Greece," representatives of the organisation's Greek branch told a news conference.

Greenpeace branch head Stelios Psomas said available data from readings to date undoubtedly lent weight to the view that depending on the meteorological conditions prevailing, toxic substances do reach Greece from Yugoslavia.

"What is needed though is an extensive measurement network if we are to have a clearer picture about the levels of toxic pollutants and dioxins and their possible repercussions for the Greek people," he said.

Mr. Psomas said the results of readings by groups from the universities of Thrace and Thessaloniki were "compatible" and showed that dioxins had multiplied fifteen-fold.

Dioxin, trace amounts of which were found in 'Agent Orange', the defoliant used by US forces in the Vietnam War, is a toxic compound that is carcinogenic and linked to birth defects in certain animals.

In addition, Mr. Psomas said, the levels of certain carcinogenic hydrocarbons and other toxic compounds had also increased, particularly when air masses arrived from Yugoslavia.

He said that the various toxic pollutants, large quantities of which are released into the atmosphere when petrochemical and other installations are bombed in Yugoslavia, can be inhaled and also settle on agricultural products, rendering their consumpti on dangerous.

Athens News Agency

[15] New traffic code hopes to reduce appalling road casualties

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

The new code aims at fostering safer driving practices on Greek roadways and protecting pedestrians, passengers, children, the disabled and drivers themselves, of both motorbikes and cars.

More than 2,000 people die on Greek roads annually in road accidents, leaving 30,000 slightly injured and more than 4,000 seriously injured. The toll is one of the highest in Europe, more than double the average in Britain and the Netherlands, which rep ortedly have the lowest casualty rates.

Accidents on Greek roads have increased 105 per cent over the past 30 years, while in other countries the incidence of road accidents dropped by between 5 and 40 per cent. Experts say the frequency of traffic accidents in Greece over the '80s increased 12 per cent alone, due in part to the number of vehicles in circulation doubling and the failure of the existing road network to keep pace.

Under the new code, illegally overtaking other cars, driving down lanes in the wrong direction, reckless driving manoeuvres and overloading will carry fines of 100,000 drachmas.

Running red lights and stop signs will also carry a fine of 100,000 drachmas.

Those found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, driving the wrong way down one-way streets, not using seat belts, driving without a licence, failing to monitor car emissions, and not using a helmet on motorbikes will face fines of 50,000 drach mas.

Driving on footpaths has also been introduced as a violation in the new traffic code, in line with attempts to protect pedestrians and people with special needs.

The new code will also provide penalties for drivers who fail to provide seat belts or restraints for children under 12 and introduces fines for those overtaking school buses. Also new is the introduction of lessons in road safety to all schools.

Paradoxically, fines for illegal parking will be lower. As an incentive to get drivers to pay their fines, a 50 percent discount will be available to those who pay by the deadline.

Drivers will lose the right to drive for between two to five years if found to have caused a road accident leading to fatalities.

Those causing serious injury will lose their licences for between three months and two years. The penalties double if the driver is involved in another similar accident.

Those driving without a valid licence will be unable to resit exams for a licence for three years; these three become 10 if the driver involved is the cause of a traffic accident.

Wearing seat belts and motorcycle helmets will be mandatory both within and outside city limits. This measure is expected to bring the number of non- alcohol related accidents down by at least 800 fatalities. 300 lives are estimated to be saved by the co mpulsory use of seatbelts and 300 from wearing helmets.

Athens News Agency

[16] Cycladic art exhibition in Madrid

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

The president of the Museum of Cycladic Art, Dolly Goulandri, told a press conference that the collection is on loan, part of an exchange programme. The second phase includes the exhibition of Pablo Picasso's Guernica draft drawings.

Athens News Agency

[17] Five new ambassa dors arrive in Athens

Athens, 20/05/1999 (ANA)

The new envoys are Britain's, David Christopher Andrew McCulloh Madden; Germany's, Karl-Heinz Albert Kuhna; Italy's Agostino Mathis; Korea's Park Chang-I and Switzerland's, Maria-Luisa Caroni.

MONTREAL (ANA - I. Frangouli) - The 3rd international conference of Hellenic Institutions will take place here between May 28 and 31.

The conference will focus on the topic of "Hellenism in the 21st Century", and will deal with the international relations of Greece and Cyprus, Greece's modernisation, emigration, multiculturalism, education, and intercultural relations between Greece, Cyprus and the Greek expatriate communities.

Athens News Agency

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