Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-07-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis calls on ministers to "work harder" in ligh of next year's elections

[02] Gov't spokesman

[03] ---- President Kostis Stephanopoulos returned to Athens yesterday

[01] Simitis calls on ministers to "work harder" in ligh of next year's elections

"Until the end of the government's term of office, we will all have to work with greater persistency, determination and effectiveness. We must work until we drop," Mr. Simitis was quoted as saying at the cabinet meeting.

The prime minister added that he was optimistic that the people would renew the government's mandate in next year's general elections.

Commenting on the election of a new president of the republic next year by Parliament, and prior to general elections, Mr. Simitis said it should in no way be allowed to become an issue which divides political parties.

On the contrary, he said, it should be an opportunity for manifesting the unity of the country's political forces in the spirit of the constitution.

Mr. Simitis added that the current president, Kostis Stephanopoulos "undoubtedly embodies and expresses" this spirit.

The premier said the government would not change its policy and that despite obstacles, the country was well on its way to achieving the targets set.

Mr. Simitis reportedly rejected recommendations from some ministers that the government should begin implementing a policy of "handouts", saying any return to such practices of the past, or even accepting demands put forth in an "extortionate" manner, w as no guarantee for the country's future or a PASOK election victory. Athens News Agency

[02] Gov't spokesman

In response to a press question, he added that parties' proposals could coincide in the person of the president and that all political parties had to take a stand on the issue.

Commenting on a growing number of high-level references to the issue, the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) described them as "premature and untimely".

[03] ---- President Kostis Stephanopoulos returned to Athens yesterday

Mr. Kranidiotis was speaking after holding two-hour talks with his Russian counterpart Aleksander Avdeyev yesterday, in which the high level of relations between Greece and Russia was ascertained.

Both ministers said they ascertained an identity of views on several issues, including Kosovo, Cyprus and bilateral relations.

Mr. Kranidiotis said Russia's role "has been very important lately", adding that the Greek government looks forward to the continuation of this cooperation. He said the international community should exert pressure on Turkey to respond to an invitation by the UN Secretary General to the two sides on Cyprus for a start to talks in the autumn.

Regarding bilateral relations, the two ministers agreed to step up their cooperation in regional organisations on issues related to the European Union, while it was also agreed that a meeting will be held in Moscow in July to promote the Burgas-Alexandr oupoli oil pipeline.

In statements regarding Kosovo, Mr. Kranidiotis and Mr. Avdeyev said the two countries have common positions. as the former stressed the need for the populations of Kosovo to be protected and for Serbians' emigration from the province to stop, adding th at Yugoslavia's sovereignty in Kosovo must be respected.

The two sides agreed that the so-called "Kosovo Liberation Army" must be completely disarmed and stressed the need for Yugoslavia to return to international organisations. Athens News Agency Russian foreign ministry

NICOSIA (CNA/ANA) - The Russian foreign ministry has said that the opportunity given by the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus and the G8 initiative should not be missed.

In a statement issued Thursday, the ministry said that the UN resolutions "reaffirm the basic principles of a Cyprus settlement."

It said that the recently approved resolutions "provide for the respect of the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, the establishment on the island of a bicommunal and bizonal federation, with a single sovereignty and intern ational identity."

It furthermore stated that the resolutions, coupled with the G8 initiative for the resumption of stalled peace talks, provide an opportunity to break the deadlock.

"Seizing this opportunity, of course, will be difficult, but we hope that the chance will not be allowed to be missed," the statement concluded. Athens News Agency Gov't emphasises the efforts at 'good communication' with Turkey underway The government stated yesterday that efforts were being made to have "good communication" with Turkey in several sectors of common interest, although there would be no dialogue on Greece's sovereign rights.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the comment when telling reporters that Foreign Minister George Papandreou had briefed the cabinet yesterday on his contacts in New York earlier in the week with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

Mr. Reppas stressed, however, that the government would under no circumstances enter into political dialogue with Turkey regarding Greece's sovereign rights, "which we will not negotiate".

On each occasion, the spokesman added, Turkey will be called on to respect international rules and international law.

Asked by reporters whether the results of the Papandreou-Cem talks fulfilled some of the requirements set by the European Union in order for Turkey to be designated a candidate for accession, Mr. Reppas replied that "nothing has changed in this regard" and no exception would be made in the case of Turkey.

The government said on Thursday that the talks in New York were a "first step" to finding ways to cooperate on a number of issues.

At the two-hour meeting in New York, the Greek and Turkish FMs agreed to hold talks at the level of foreign ministry senior officials on issues related to the economy, trade, environment, tourism, as well as combatting organised crime, illegal immigrati on, drugs and other law and order issues.

Mr. Papandreou had talks with Cem on the sidelines of a UN-sponsored meeting on Kosovo. Athens News Agency Balkan reconstruction the focus of French Senator de Villepin's visit The president of the French Senate's committee for foreign affairs and defence arrived in Athens yesterday for talks with Greek officials, including Thessaloniki's role in the Balkans' reconstruction.

According to a French embassy release, Sen. Xavier de Villepin will remain in Greece until Monday and hold talks with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias and members of Parliament's Greek-French friendship group.

He will also visit Thessaloniki to discuss the Greek port city's role in the reconstruction of the Balkans with Macedonia-Thrace Minister Yiannis Magriotis. Athens News Agency

European Democratic Union parties gather in Thessaloniki for talks on Kosovo Member parties of the European Democratic Union, including Gre- ece's main opposition New Democracy, began meeting in Thessaloniki yesterday to discuss the situation in the Balkans.

"We have gathered here to discuss and decide on joint action which will promote democracy, a civil society and the social and economic upgradingIof the Balkans," ND leader Costas Karamanlis told reporters during a break in the sessions, which are closed to the press. Kosovo Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova, who had been invited to participate, was unable to attend.

The meeting had been scheduled while the Kosovo crisis was still raging.

Mr. Karamanlis said that after the recent Euroelection results most of the political parties at the conference are a "majority in their country," therefore, their prospects and positions acquire "added political weight."

"The fact that all accepted that this initiative begin in Athens and Thessaloniki proves we are right when we maintained we could play a very significant and active role in the Balkans and over the issue of consolidating peace, stability and the economi c development of the Balkans, and for Greece and Thessaloniki," he stressed. Athens News Agency More hirings for border patrol corps approved The Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) decided yesterday to bolster the newly created border patrol corps.

Proposals by Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis were endorsed for the hiring of 1,000 to 1,500 new border guards and the hiring of 1,000 special duty officers to replace police carrying out various auxiliary tasks.

It was decided that the minister will visit also Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to hold talks with his counterparts regarding measures being taken on their side of the border.

Meanwhile, the issue of re-examining the granting of residence cards to foreign workers in the country was also discussed. Athens News Agency

Kotsonis addressed UN conference on population, development issues Deputy Health and Welfare Minister Theodoros Kotsonis yesterday addressed the 21st special session of the United Nations General Assembly, focusing on population and development issues.

The session focused on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the "Programme of Action of the International Conference of Population and Development", discussed and decided on in Cairo in 1994.

Mr. Kotsonis noted that Greece "shares the concerns along with other European countries on the issues of an aging population, low fertility rate, increased urbanisation and international immigration.

Greece, he added, faces specific problems since the "situation is further complicated by a recent influx of immigrants from countries at our fringe."

Mr. Kostonis said solutions to the above problems include policies designed to foster social cohesion and "prevent any social problems, such as social exclusion, poverty and all types of inequality.

"Additionally, our policies focus on education and employment, which are the longest enduring institutions in terms of integration and cohesionIAlong with other countries we seem to converge on those two aims and, in fact, we have incorporated the educa tional and employment dimensions in our social policies," the deputy minister said.

Speaking on the issue of immigration, Mr. Kotsonis said the "best approach to confront its implications is the consistent promotion of peace, stability and development in all countries concerned." Athens News Agency Ipekci awards announced

Six deputies from various assemblies, the Greek and Turkish Technical Chambers and writer Kemal Yalcin are among the recipients of the 1998-99 Abdi Ipekci Awards, honouring personalities and non-governmental organisations contributing to the promotion of peace and friendship between the two nations.

The awards, established 20 years ago in memory of the slain Turkish journalist, were announced late on Thursday after a five-month delay, due to the crisis in the Balkans.

In announcing the awards, the president of the Greek committee, Tassos Athanasiadis, said a recent exchange of letters between the two countries' foreign ministers, George Papandreou and Ismail Cem on the subject of dialogue between the two countries, h ad a catalytic influence on the decision to announce them at this stage.

"An increasing number of Greek and Turkish citizens are coming to realise that their governments have reached an impasse, due to the perpetuation of problemsIThey are coming to realise that it is time they themselves play a crucial and constructive role for peace, with initiatives which have been rightly described as 'the diplomacy of citizens'IThey are the necessary complement to the government's work," he said.

The two members of the Greek Parliament who are among the recipients of the Special Ipekci Award are Stephanos Manos, the former ND minister and founder of the newly created Liberals party, for an article entitled "Should we perhaps begin to see them di fferently?," as well as Mustapha Mustapha, a Coalition of the Left and Progress deputy and member of the Muslim minority in Thrace, who is well-known for his moderate views.

The two Greek members of the EuroParliament who received the Ipekci Communication Award are Anna Karamanou and Costas Hatzidakis, for their activities in favour of Greek-Turkish rapprochement. Two further recipients of the same award are Cem Ozdemir, a German parliament deputy, and Yiannis Sakellariou, a German Eurodeputy P of Turkish and Greek descent, respectively P for their joint activity in favour of rapprochement between Greek and Turkish communities in Germany.

Other bodies receiving the awards are the Greek and Turkish State Theatres, for exchanging visits last year, the two countries' sections of the International Council of Museums and Sites, as well as the Winpeace "Organisation of Greek and Turkish women for Peace".

Mr. Yalcin is also honoured with the Ipekci Communications Award for his tireless efforts to locate the descendants of a Greek family who left Asia Minor in the exchange of populations in 1923 so he could turn over the dowries of its young female member s, which had been entrusted to his grandfather.

Other recipients include Yasar Togo, consul general of Turkey in Athens, Leyla Tavsanoglu and Suleyman Yencel, journalists, Mete Tunkai, professor of international relations at Istanbul's Bilge University, and Panayiotis Karafotias, a poet and former di rector of the UN bureau in Greece. Athens News Agency Coverage of Yugoslav crisis dominates start on nationwide journalists' conference

The 8th Panhellenic Journalists Conference commenced in Samothrace yesterday morning with the first part of the sessions focusing over the stance observed by Greece's mass media during the Yugoslav crisis.

Three weeks after the end of the NATO bombings and elaborating on the issue of "Balkan Crisis and the Mass Media", Athens News Agency (ANA) Managing Director Nicholas Voulelis said that despite the fact it is still early for an evaluation of the situati on, the same phenomena of one-sidedness and violation of the principles of established practice were ascertained in certain mass media.

Mr. Voulelis said that "for one-sided news, particularly by the electronic mass media and especially in the news bulletins, responsibility lies first of all with the people taking the decisions, be they owners, publishers or executive staff, meaning tho se who choose, classify, manipulate, present, exaggerate or, on the contrary, downgrade or completely wipe out elements of reality they have before them from so many and different sources."

Conversely, "Eleftheros Typos" reporter Sofia Voultepsi said that "if Yugoslavia downed the first myth of an omnipotent NATO, the Greek press shot down the second at its outset. Greek journalists, in their overwhelming majority, reacted to destruction a nd did not succumb to pressures to align themselves with the views of NATO, despite the unbelievable campaign to defame them. The Greek press gave us the most well-informed public in the world and refused to be flattened and be turned into a board on whic h NATO would hang its announcements."

"Ethnos" reporter Christos Telidis underlined that "unfortunately, we have been experiencing a nationalistic fever in Serbia over the past 10 years, while the Greek mass media, with some exceptions, did not face it critically."

Costas Betinakis, a reporter for the daily "Ta Nea" and the state-run NET network, said Greek correspondents on the war fronts in Yugoslavia more than performed their duty, covering every aspect of the tragedy with plurality and comprehensiveness.

Columnist and television journalist Pavlos Tsimas underlined that the value of the meeting was that "it permits us to track the moral horizon of our profession."

"...The two issues which existed in both wars and must be discussed are: the consequences of televising the war, and the consequences of confining journalism." Athens News Agency

Prosecutor continues probe in 1993 Litton contract An Athens prosecutor yesterday announced that he was investigating new evidence over a 12- million-dollar commission emanating from an 1993 Hellenic Air Force contract.

Prosecutor Georgios Gerakis was informed that one of the local representatives involved in the contract is named Konstantinos Konstantinidis. The contract called for assistance toward US-based Litton in its attempt to sell a counter-measures package for the air force's F-16 fighter.

According to press reports, Litton struck a deal with a Los Angeles prosecutor and will pay an 18.5-million dollar-fine, after admitting that it broke US law forbidding such kick-backs.

Litton also admitted that it paid US$12 million to an individual identified as Mr. Konstantinidis, Space Hellas, Isabella International and Mati Ltd., all in order to land a 150-million-dollar contract for the upgrading of the US-made warplanes.

Mr. Gerakis said judicial investigators will focus on locating the individual identified as Konstantinos Konstantinidis, while he added that according to inquiries to date only Space Hellas is a Greece-based company, the representative of whom has alrea dy been questioned.

Athens News Agency

Gov't announces creation of foodstuff control agency The government yesterday announced the creation of a unified foodstuff control agency (EFET), following a cabinet meeting chaired by PM Costas Simitis.

The meeting focused on the protection of the consumer in light of the recent dioxin scare in the EU.

Afterwards, Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos noted that the new agency will be state run.

The agency's seven-member board will be drawn from relevant ministries, the scientific community, as well as representatives of producers and consumers.

Mr. Venizelos also said the Cabinet decided to establish a dioxin control laboratory in cooperation with Dimocritos Research Centre. He added that Athens is promoting the concept of a "European Reporting Centre" to assume responsibility for inspecting c onditions of production and distribution of foodstuffs throughout the Union.

Finally, the minister said a European Commission delegation is expected to arrive in Greece to investigate the reasons behind the government's stringent measures against Belgian products suspected of dioxin contamination.

Athens News Agency

Interamerican's IPO heavily oversubscribed

An initial public offer (IPO) last week by Interamerican, a domestic insurer, was oversubscribed by 81 times.

The IPO's underwriters received 192,394 applications for stock totalling 2.6 trillion drachmas, a record high.

A total of 977 institutional investors from Greece and abroad took part in the IPO.

Interamerican was seeking to raise 32 billion drachmas in order to finance an investment plan for its health division, Medisystem, and its Euroclinic unit.

Another part of the cash is destined for the company's strategy of alliances in the bancassurance sector, expansion in the Balkans and a restructuring for other companies in the Interamerican Group. Athens News Agency Stocks end higher, led by banking blue chips

Equity prices ended the week with gains helped by strong buying interest in blue chips in the banks sector. The general index ended 0.67 percent higher at 4,152.55 points, off the day's highs, as profit-taking took some steam out of the market.

Turnover was 152.967 billion drachmas with 26,432,940 shares changing hands.

A decision by the Athens Stock Exchange's board on Thursday to suspend trading of Thessaliki's shares left a large number of smaller capitalisation stocks under strong pressure.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (+1.24 pct), Leasing (+1.28 pct), Insurance (+1.61 pct), Investment (+0.28 pct), Construction (-0.15 pct), Industrials (-0.06 pct), Miscellaneous (+0.55 pct) and Holding (+0.09 pt). The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks fell 1.72 percent while the FTSE/ASE 20 index gained 1.15 percent to end at 2,461.20 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 185 to 105 with another six issues unchanged.

Eight stocks ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up, while another 10 ended at the day's limit down.

Ergo Invest, Bank of Piraeus, Hellenic Telecoms and Intersat were the most heavily traded stocks, while Bank of Piraeus, Hellenic Telecoms, Ergobank and Ergo Invest led the day's turnover.

National Bank of Greece ended at 21,020 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 21, 340, Ergobank at 34,690, Ionian Bank at 16,485, Titan Cement at 29,440, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,885, Intracom at 19,090, Minoan Lines at 6,010, Panafon at 7,925 and Hellenic Telec oms at 6,875. Athens news Agency Bond prices fall in light trade

Bond prices in the secondary market fell yesterday, affected by fears in European markets that US interest rates will again have to rise.

Electronic trade totalled 28 billion drachmas from 100 billion drachmas in the previous session and 19 billion drachmas on Wednesday.

The ten-year bond showed a yield of 6.19 percent from 6.13 percent in the previous session and 6.10 percent on Wednesday.

The yield spread over German bunds was 160 basis points from 158 basis points a day earlier and 160 points in the session before that.

At the central bank's daily fix, the euro slipped against the drachma.

It was set at 324.910 drachmas from 324.950 drachmas in the previous session. Athens News Agency Liquidity edges up but still within target

The country's money supply remains within the central bank's target for 1999 despite a slight acceleration in May, the Bank of Greece said yesterday.

The M4N money supply index increased 8.9 percent in May year-on-year, up from 8.3 percent in April, but remained within the 7-9 percent target for the year.

The central bank said the increase in the money supply reflected higher growth in credit towards the private sector in May compared with slower rates of growth in the period March-April.

Private deposits rose 10.9 percent in May, up from 9.3 percent in April, bank-to-customer repo investments totalled 91 billion drachmas, and investments in state securities of up to 12 months totalled 88 billion drachmas. Mutual fund investments remaine d stable in May.

Athens News Agency

Building activity rises in January-April

Private building activity increased 2.1 percent in the first four months of 1999 compared with the same period of last year.

The increase mainly reflected a 12.4 percent rise in building volume, based on building permits, in the Attica prefecture, although building activity fell 2.3 percent in the rest of the country.

In April, the number of building permits issued dropped 3.6 percent nationwide, but rose 3.8 percent in Attica in the same month. Athens News Agency Gov't to auction 15-yr bonds on Tuesday

The finance ministry will auction 150 billion drachmas of 15-year bonds in paperless form on Tuesday in a re-opening of its January 11, 1999 bond.

The issue, paying a 6.50 percent annual coupon, will be sold through the market's primary dealers. No commission is payable. Athens News Agency Hotel occupancy rises 4.38 pct in May

Hotel overnight stays increased by 81,000, or 4.38 percent, in May compared with the same month of last year, according to a survey of 288 hotels in tourism destinations including Corfu, Rhodes, Halkidiki, Crete, Athens and Thessaloniki.

The survey released yesterday said overnight stays totalled 1,944,665 in May, up from 1,863,069 in the same month a year ago.

Charter flight arrivals in Greece's main airports, excluding Hellenikon Airport in Athens, rose by 18.23 percent in May compared with the same month last year. The arrivals totalled 664,577, up from 562,102 in May 1998. Athens News Agency Sanyo Hellas Trading shows H1 turnover rise

Sanyo Hellas Trading yesterday reported a 43 percent increase in its first half turnover to 5.3 billion drachmas compared with the same period last year.

The company, 100 percent owned by Sanyo Hellas Holding, forecast a rise in turnover to more than 10 billion drachmas by the end of the year.

Sanyo attributed its improved results to the success of a marketing strategy implemented since 1996, the consolidation of distribution and networks under the same management, and the creation of a Club Electric retail chain totalling 18 stores around th e country. Athens News Agency Pouliadis allies with Broker Systems

Pouliadis & Associates yesterday announced that it had forged a strategic alliance with Broker Systems SA, buying 10 percent of its share capital.

Broker Systems supplies software for stock market transactions in Greece. The two firms aim to provide integrated software solutions, focusing on brokerages. Athens News Agency Agriculture ministry unveils new farm development programme

The agriculture ministry yesterday announced a five-year farm development programme, with particular emphasis on environmental protection, aimed at securing some 1.5 trillion drachmas for specific activities.

The amount is part of funds secured recently by Greece in negotiations over "Agenda 2000."

A meeting held at the agriculture ministry focused on measures concerning the Agricultural Development plan.

The 1.5 trillion drachmas would be provided for farmers and residents of rural areas in the form of subsidies. The purpose is to achieve integrated development of rural areas, in accordance with instructions by the agriculture ministry's leadership. Athens News Agency Hailstorm damage tallies in northern Greece

Wednesday's hailstorms have destroyed about 2,000 hectares of tobacco and maize crops in the Paggaio region of Kavala, northern Greece, the director of the state agency for compensation to farmers (ELGA) said yesterday.

The same official said tomato crops had also been seriously affected.

ELGA is expected to begin assessing the extent of the damage over the next few days. The worst-hit regions are Nikisiani, Georgiani, Paleohori, Antiphillipi, Hortokopi and the municipality of Eleftheroupoli. Athens News Agency Athens Foreign Exchange Bank of Greece closing rates of July 2,1999

Banknotes       Buying Selling
US Dollar        314.900 322.202
Can.Dollar       214.074 219.037
Australian Dlr   209.887 214.754
Pound Sterling   496.119 507.622
Irish Punt       409.251 418.739
Pound Cyprus     558.694 571.648
Pound Malta      740.734 771.598
Turkish pound (100) 0.069 0.072
French franc      49.136 50.275
Swiss franc      200.845 205.502
Belgian franc      7.990 8.175
German Mark      164.795 168.616
Finnish Mark      54.209 55.466
Dutch Guilder    146.258 149.650
Danish Kr.        43.358 44.364
Swedish Kr.       37.043 37.902
Norwegian Kr.     39.880 40.805
Austrian Sh.      23.423 23.966
Italian lira (100)16.646 17.032
Yen (100)        259.934 265.960
Spanish Peseta     1.937 1.982
Port. Escudo       1.608 1.645

Foreign Exchange                  Buying Selling
New York         314.900 322.202
Montreal         214.074 219.037
Sydney           209.887 214.754
London           496.119 507.622
Dublin           409.251 418.739
Nicosia          558.694 571.648
Paris             49.136 50.275
Zurich           200.845 205.502
Brussels           7.990 8.175
Frankfurt        164.795 168.616
Helsinki          54.209 55.466
Amsterdam        146.258 149.650
Copenhagen        43.358 44.364
Stockholm         37.043 37.902
Oslo              39.880 40.805
Vienna            23.423 23.966
Milan             16.646 17.032
Tokyo            259.934 265.960
Madrid             1.937 1.982
Lisbon             1.608 1.645

Athens News Agency

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