Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-08-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Central bank approves Latsis bid for Ergobank

[02] Stocks fall on domestic banks, declines abroad

[03] Overnight hotel stays rise in June

[04] Greek, Israeli businesses seek to boost ties

[05] Autohellas IPO heavily oversold

[06] Strintzis Lines posts H1 rise in sales

[07] New building permits rise in Attica

[08] Athens Foreign Exchange

[09] Kranidiotis departs for Israel tomorrow

[10] Kyprianou: Nicosia awaiting UN chief's invitation for Cyprus talks

[11] New port works in Mykonos

[12] Avramopoulos touts new organisation as complementary to 2004 committee

[13] Stephanopoulos address to NATO reserve officers' conference in Athens

[14] Tsohatzopoulos: More professional soldiers necessary

[15] Bomb rocks Greece-Israel Friendship Society offices

[16] To the "Daily Bulletin" subscribers

[01] Central bank approves Latsis bid for Ergobank

The banking and credit committee said that the acquisition would not jeopardise the bidder's solvency and capital adequacy, and was therefore acceptable.

At the same time, it ruled that another bid for a controlling stake in Ergobank submitted by Bank of Piraeus was not eligible for study.

Bank of Piraeus told the central bank on July 30 that it had lost interest in the takeover after Ergobank's manangement recommended to shareholders that they should accept an improved offer by the Latsis Group.

Piraeus added that it had left its bid in place until the sale tender ends on August 4 for purely legal reasons.

The bid by the Latsis Group was made through Consolidated Eurofinance Holdings, the parent company of EFG Eurobank, with which Ergobank is eventually destined to merge.

EFG Eurobank is already a minority shareholder in Ergobank, along with Deutsche Bank of Germany.

All the banks involved in the acquisition belong to the private sector and are listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Athens News Agency

[02] Stocks fall on domestic banks, declines abroad

Dragging down the market were declines at the opening in European stock exchanges, and profit-taking in the domestic banking sector.

The general index ended 0.76 percent lower at 4,312.25 points from 4,345.13 points in the previous session. During trade, the index briefly dropped below 4,300 points.

Turnover was 159.974 billion drachmas from 194.484 billion drachmas a day earlier. Changing hands were 26,258,069 stocks.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (-1.43 pct), Leasing (-2.64 pct), Insurance (+2.37 pct), Investment (+1.52 pct), Construction (-0.51 pct), Industrials (+0.19 pct), Miscellaneous (-0.16 pct) and Holding (-1.15 pct). The parallel market index fo r smaller capitalisation stocks ended 4.04 percent higher. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips dropped 1.23 percent to finish at 2,473.12 points.

Of 295 shares traded, advances outpaced declines at 154 to 130 with 11 issues unchanged.

National Bank of Greece ended at 21,005 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 21, 600, Bank of Piraeus at 8,610, Ergobank at 29,300, Titan Cement (commom) at 30,500, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,795 and Intracom (common) at 20,250 drachmas. Bonds plunge in higher turnover-- Bond prices shed up to 120 basis points in the secondary market yesterday in line with declines in securities abroad.

Electronic trade was 58 billion drachmas from around 14 billion drachmas in the previous two sessions and 2.0 billion drachmas on Wednesday.

The benchmark 10 year bond was trading below par at 97 and showed a yield of 6.67 percent from 6.54 percent a day earlier and 6.44 percent on Thursday.

The yield spread above German bunds fluctuated between 170 and 172 basis points from 173 to 175 basis points a day earlier and 172 basis points on Thursday. At the central bank's daily fix, the euro crept up against the drachma. It was set at 325.500 drachmas from 325.100 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar gained two drachmas versus the drachma, in line with the US currency's ascent in markets abroad.

The greenback was set at 305.060 drachmas from 303.880 drachmas a day earlier. Athens News Agency

[03] Overnight hotel stays rise in June

Average occupancy was 85.12 percent against 78.71 percent in June last year, NSS said in a statement.

Also in June 1999, the number of passengers arriving on charter flights at the country's main airports totalled around 800,000 against 694,000 in the same month of last year, showing a 15.26 rise, the statement said.

However, the Union of Athens Hoteliers reported a more than 20 percent decline in occupancy after April, when the Kosovo crisis erupted.

Athens News Agency

[04] Greek, Israeli businesses seek to boost ties

The two sides agreed to arrange business missions by sector of activity, the Association of Northern Greek Exporters (SEBE) said in a statement.

SEBE, which hosted the meeting, said the Israeli delegates sought cooperation in advanced technology, the environment, farm technology and water resource management.

The meeting also called for the creation of information channels on tender announcements and equipment and raw materials supplies.

Representatives of SEBE and the Israeli Exports Institute are to arrange a new meeting in order to exchange trade data on the Balkans.

Taking part in yesterday's session were officials of the Israeli trade and foreign ministries, the country's embassy in Athens, and the Israeli Exports Institute.

On the Greek side were the leaders of northern trade groups and Thessaloniki's water board. Athens News Agency

[05] Autohellas IPO heavily oversold

It was seeking 11.7 billion drachmas in capital through the issue of 4.5 million shares at 2,600 drachmas each.

The IPO's lead underwriter was Alpha Credit Bank and its adviser Telesis Securities.

Autohellas Hertz plans to renew and expand its fleet of more than 11,000 motor vehicles. Athens News Agency

[06] Strintzis Lines posts H1 rise in sales

The increase was achieved despite the introduction of three new ships by rival companies on the Adriatic route it plies, Strintzis said in a statement.

The company is currently carrying out a 95-billion-drachma investment plan for the construction of five new ships at three shipyards - Van de Giessen, Daewoo and Hellenic Shipyards.

Strintzis will use the ships on its Adriatic and domestic routes. Athens News Agency

[07] New building permits rise in Attica

Building activity rose by 10 percent in Attica in the five-month period but dropped by 4.8 percent in the rest of the country, NSS said in a statement.

In May, the number of permits rose by 1.0 percent in Attica and declined by 12 percent in the rest of the country, the statement said.

Athens News Agency

[08] Athens Foreign Exchange

US Dollar 302.620 309.636 Can.Dollar 200.384 205.030 Australian Dlr 196.347 200.899 Pound Sterling 489.592 500.943 Irish Punt 409.994 419.499 Pound Cyprus 557.504 570.430 Pound Malta 705.130 734.510 Turkish pound (100) 0.062 0.065 French franc 49.225 50.366 Swiss franc 202.170 206.857 Belgian franc 8.004 8.190 German Mark 165.095 168.922 Finnish Mark 54.307 55.566 Dutch Guilder 146.523 149.921 Danish Kr. 43.388 44.394 Swedish Kr. 36.855 37.709 Norwegian Kr. 38.940 39.843 Austrian Sh. 23.466 24.010 Italian lira (100) 16. 677 17.063 Yen (100) 265.499 271.655 Spanish Peseta 1.940 1.985 Port. Escudo 1.611 1.648

Foreign Exchange Buying Selling New York 302.620 309.636 Montreal 200.384 205.030 Sydney 196.347 200.899 London 489.592 500.943 Dublin 409.994 419.499 Nicosia 557.504 570.430 Paris 49.225 50.366 Zurich 202.170 206.857 Brussels 8.004 8.190 Frankfurt 165.095 168.922 Helsinki 54.307 55.566 Amsterdam 146.523 149.921 Copenhagen 43.388 44.394 Stockholm 36.855 37.709 Oslo 38.940 39.843 Vienna 23.466 24.010 Milan 16. 677 17.063 Tokyo 265.499 271.655 Madrid 1.940 1.985 Lisbon 1.611 1.648 Athens News Agency

[09] Kranidiotis departs for Israel tomorrow

The Greek minister is also expected to meet with Jerusalem Patriarch Diodoros for discussions on issues related to the Patriarchate.

Finally, Mr. Kranidiotis is expected to also meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Athens News Agency

[10] Kyprianou: Nicosia awaiting UN chief's invitation for Cyprus talks

Referring to the process of talks between Greece and Turkey, initiated last week, Mr. Kyprianou said he had nothing against such a rapprochement, but could offer a word of caution:

"The Turks know how to work systematically in order to get rather than give, " he said.

"For Turkey to change its stand, it must feel the pressure of the international community, mainly of Europe, but even more by the United States," he added. Athens News Agency

[11] New port works in Mykonos

Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis and local government officials and business leaders attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Some 14 billion drachmas in upgrades are expected to solve long-standing problems at one of the busiest tourist destinations in Greece. The upgraded port's interior will now span some 700 metres and be able to accomodate up to 150-200 small vessels, fishing boats as well as hydrofoils.

Athens News Agency

[12] Avramopoulos touts new organisation as complementary to 2004 committee

The Athens mayor said the organisation will complement the Athens 2004 Games' organising committee, "with which the municipality of Athens will continue its constructive cooperation," as he noted.

However, the Athens mayor expressed concern over the course of the 2004 projects, stressing that "the municipality of Athens, within the framework of the Olympics contract it has signed with the International Olympics Committee as the host city, will en sure the realisation of the Games' aims and prospectsI"

He also stressed that the municipality has the obligation to "ensure the international credibility" of the country.

Mr. Avramopoulos underlined that the new body will be charged with aiding the Athens 2004's organising committee in all sectors.

Finally, he said the presidium of the new organisation will include all political forces represented on the municipal council. Athens News Agency

[13] Stephanopoulos address to NATO reserve officers' conference in Athens

In his address, Mr. Stephanopoulos expressed high esteem for the role of the armed forces, while in referring to the Kosovo crisis he said peace was always the objective, as "the more we get to know war, the more we desire peace." Athens News Agency

[14] Tsohatzopoulos: More professional soldiers necessary

The measure was decided upon to counteract the declining number of conscripts available for military service every year.

Military leaders expect about 83,000 conscripts to enlist this year, while in 10 years the number is expected to decline to about 57,000.

In an interview with an Athens daily, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the new programme is also necessary as new weapons are technologically more advanced and need permanent personnel for realiable use.

About 5,000 professional soldiers are already serving in the Greek armed forces on five-year enlistment contracts. Athens News Agency

[15] Bomb rocks Greece-Israel Friendship Society offices

An unidentified caller to an Athens daily later claimed responsibility for the attack, saying he represented a group called "black star".

Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis condemned the attack, reaffirming the Greek government's determination to reinforce friendly relations with Israel. Athens News Agency

[16] To the "Daily Bulletin" subscribers

As you are aware, technological developments in the mass media sector are rapid. Today, all the news services are offered online. The "electronic newspaper" supplements, and in many cases replaces, the printed newspaper. Contact via e-mail also affords the ability for direct communication.

These developments, as many others, have also influenced our own work here at Athens News Agency (ANA), which is adapting all its services to the new technology. In the framework of these changes, the "Daily Bulletin" will P as of Jan. 2, 2000 P be conv erted from a printed to an electronic medium for our subscribers.

With this change, our subscribers will: a) receive our news items online, at the moment the news is breaking. b) receive the next day's "Daily Bulletin" on their screens at midnight, with the ability to print it out if they wish or simply view on screen. c) receive the "Bulletin" either via the paid ANA services on the Internet, or via e-mail sent to a subscriber's e-mail address. d) also have the ability, for a small surcharge, to utilise the ANA's English-language data bank, which contains all the news items appearing in the "Daily Bulletin" since 1992.

We believe that these changes, which correspond with the new function of the international and national news agencies, will satisfy subscribers' needs for immediate and credible information. In order to subscribe to this service, you must have a PC and a modem, or an e-mail address.

All who wish to continue receiving our services must prepare for these changes which, as stated, will commence on Jan. 2, 2000.

Takis Mantis, the director of ANA's informatics and telecommunications department, is at your disposal for any technical information on tel: 64.00.560 and 64.00.038.

I sincerely hope all our subscribers will adapt to these necessary technological changes. May we wish you a pleasant summer holiday.

Andreas Christodoulides

ANA General Director Athens News Agency/END

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