Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-09-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Alternate FM Kranidiotis, 5 others die in airplane accident

[02] Cache of stolen antiquities from ancient Corinth museum discovered in Miami

[03] Simitiw, Clerides confer on Cyprus

[04] Death toll reaches 135 from Sept. 7 quake

[05] Gov't measures to aid unemployed quake victims, incentives for businesses

[06] Experts: Athens' tallest buildings the safest during quakes

[07] Church denies reports on quake relief

[08] Major Bank of Greece, Onassis Fountation donations to quake-stricken

[09] Stephanopoulos on Skiathos

[10] Patriarch receives Greek diplomatic delegation

[11] Liability in defective products' suits envisioned by EU

[12] July overnight stays increase

[13] Stocks hit new high despite profit-taking

[14] Papantoniou welcomes bourse's restrained rise

[15] Bonds hold low levels in moderate trade

[16] Ten-year bond yield rises in auction

[17] Budget shows Dr 319.4 bln surplus

[18] Latsis family donates prefabs for quake victims

[19] Hellenic Petroleum to float more shares

[20] Marfin shows profit of Dr 704 per share

[21] Athens Foreign Exchange

[22] Three vehicles with diplomatic plates torched in Thessaloniki

[23] Thessaloniki-based school honours Dukakis

[01] Alternate FM Kranidiotis, 5 others die in airplane accident

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

A total of six people died in the accident, including the minister's 25- year-old son. The plane dropped from an altitude of 23,000 feet to 6,000 feet, before pilots landed the aircraft safely at the Bucharest airport.

According to reports, the plane lost altitude as it entered an air pocket, fatally injuring six of the passengers on board the Falcon commuter jet used by the Greek premier for his official travels abroad.

A total of 13 passengers were on board the plane. Besides the 52-year-old Kranidiotis and his son, the victims included Nikos Assimakopoulos, a police lieutenant; Dimitris Pantazopoulos, a reporter for the state-run ERT network; Nina Assimakopoulou, a reporter for the state-run radio broadcaster (ERA), and flight engineer Mihalis Papadopoulos.

Two individuals sustained serious injuries, Grigoris Papadopoulos, the head of the minister's office; Panayiotis Poulos, a cameraman, while flight attendent Anna Velissariou was reported as slightly injured.

The remaining four individuals on board the jet, including the two pilots, were unhurt.

The Greek alternate FM was on his way to a six-nation Balkan foreign ministers' meeting in the Romanian capital, focusing on regional cooperation.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis expressed what he called his deep shock over the alternate FM's death and of five other passengers on board the jet.

"The tragic news of Yiannos Kranidiotis' death has shaken all of us deeply. Yiannos Kranidiotis, tireless in his duty, sternly defended with success and without sparing efforts and personal costs, the interests of Hellenism in every corner of the world.

"He represented Greece with knowledge, skill and determination...His sudden and unjust loss today creates a large and irreplaceable vacuum. We will remember him as a friend and close associate, among the most capable, for whom we will always be very pro ud. To his family I would like to express my sincerest condolences.

"Our grief is also great for the death of the members of the mission, who lost their lives while on duty. We will remember them and honour their memory. I would like to express my sincerest condolences to their loved ones for their great loss."

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos issued a statement shortly after confirmation of Kranidiotis' death, stressing that the "...accident that caused so many deaths shocked all of us".

"The loss of Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis takes away from the nation a valuable man who has rendered great services...Let me express my condolences to the families of the victims," the statement read.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou stressed: "We are shaken, the whole government, the whole ministry. I cannot believe it. We lost people who gave the battle for peace in the Balkans. Peace lost a friend, I lost a friend, the most capable colleague in the ministry. Greece and Cyprus lost a tireless worker for the national interests...We offer our condolences to the families of the victims, who were so unjustly lost."

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas called Kranidiotis' death a "national loss", stressing that he defended Hellenism's interests the world over. He also expressed his condolences over the deaths of the other five passengers on the plane.

On his part, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis called Prime Minister Costas Simitis and offered his condolences.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas stated: "We would like to express our condolences for the unexpected death of an outstanding government cadre, Alternate FM Yiannos Kranidiotis, his son, the journalists and the other members of the Greek diplomatic mission".

Yiannos Kranidiotis was born in Nicosia, Cyprus in 1947. He graduated from the Athens Law School while his post-graduate studies included international relations and international law at Harvard, Sussex University and the Dimorcritos University of Thrace, in northern Greece. Kranidiotis was married to Katerina Boura and had one son, Nicholas, who was also killed in the plane mishap. His father, Nikos Kranidiotis, had served as Cyprus' ambassador to Athens for a number of years. Kranidiotis was a founding member of Cyprus' EDEK Socialist party and a member of Greece's ruling PASOK since 1976.

From 1981 to 1984 he was an adviser on the Cyprus problem to late Greek prime minister Andreas Papandreou, while from 1984 to 1989 he served as foreign mi nistry special secretary for European issues.

From 1988 to 1990 he was the director of the Greek Centre of European Studies, while from 1991 to 1992 he taught as a professor of international relations at the University of Thrace.

He became deputy foreign minister on July 8, 1994 and in January 1995 he took Christos Papoutsis' seat at the Europarliament when the latter was appointed as Greece's European Commissioner. On Feb. 3, 1997 he was once again appointed deputy foreign minister and in February 1999 he assumed his latest government post, as alternate foreign minister. Kranidiotis was also the author of several books and articles focusing on European, Cypriot and Greek affairs.

Athens News Agency

[02] Cache of stolen antiquities from ancient Corinth museum discovered in Miami

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The government announced yesterday that 12 sealed plastic containers filled with the stolen artifacts were discovered in Miami on Sept. 7, with all later identified as hailing from the Museum of Ancient Corinth - robbed in the early morning of April 12, 1990.

According to reports, four robbers had gained entry to the building before assaulting and tying up the lone guard. They then casually emptied several display cases.

The robbery brought to light the problems of security at Greek museums - the Corinth museum had one unarmed guard on night duty to cover hundreds of square metres, while the museum itself had no alarm system.

Built in 1931 by the American School of Classical Studies and officially handed over to the Greek state in 1934, the museum was considered one of the richest and most interesting archaeological museums outside of Athens and Thessaloniki. Its collection included artifacts from the surrounding region dating from the Neolithic era to the Middle Ages.

According to reports, some of the items recovered include the marble head of a 5th century BC Kouros, 13 marble busts from the Hellenistic and Roman eras, a small statue, five ceramic busts, 49 ceramic idols, 11 glass containers and two small bronze ido ls, amongst other things. The FBI is continuing investigations on how the artifacts found their way to the United States.

The 274 artifacts retrieved are expected to be back in Greece in about six weeks' time and will go back on display in their original cases.

Police speculate that the items were stored in the Miami warehouse because the perpetrators had been unable to sell them to private collectors or a museum.

News of the artifacts' recovery was announced by Culture Minister Elizabeth Papazoi during a press conference.

"The robbery was a great archaeological crime," Ms Papazoi told reporters. "(But) serious art collectors don't get involved in these situations and selling these objects is very hard, which helps. The international market is not what it was 40 years ago in accepting stolen artifacts."

Still missing are a posthumous marble relief of Julius Caesar measuring 3.25 metres in height, and marble busts of Eros and the Ptolemaic god Serapis, all dating from the Roman era.

The objects were found to be in good condition, according to culture ministry secretary general Lina Mendoni.

Greece has reported more than 30 serious cases of antiquities theft over the past nine years since the Corinth museum robbery and, according to statistics from the archaeological service and police, there is hardly an area in Greece that has not been pi llaged by antiquities thieves.

Athens News Agency

[03] Simitiw, Clerides confer on Cyprus

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The talks, with the participation of foreign and defence ministers and the spokesmen of both countries, were held ahead of expectations of a new round of intercommunal talks on the issue in November. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr. Simitis under lined the "inten-se interest" of the international community in a resolution of the problem and pointed to the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side "to come to these talks without preconditions, in the framework of UN decisions."

Greece and the international community, he added, place great weight on the stance to be taken by the Turkish side, expecting it to show that it respects the international community and observes its decisions.

"This element will play a definitive role in ensuring Turkey's European vocation," he said.

The meeting also examined military cooperation between the two countries, in the framework of the joint defence pact. "The meeting resulted in unanimous conclusions as to how to handle the issue of beginning and the duration of the talks on the Cyprus issue," Mr. Clerides said. He said he did not know what form the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's invitation would take - the invitation is expected to be issued towards the end of October - but said reports that the invitations would be issued on a pe rsonal basis without formal titles was "probably baseless".

Mr. Clerides arrived in Athens on Monday evening and met with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Foreign and Defence Ministers George Papandreou and Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis and government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, from the Greek side, and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Defence Minister Socrates Has ikos and spokesman Michalis Papapetrou from the Cypriot side, participated in yesterday's talks.

The Greek Cypriot side is ready for talks with the aim of pursuing a resolution of the Cyprus issue, Mr. Reppas said later.

Meetings with Karamanlis, Mitsotakis : Mr. Clerides also met yesterday with main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis and former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis.

Mr. Karamanlis, who was briefed by Mr. Clerides on latest developments on the island republic's issue, made no statements to the press.

On his part, Mr. Mitsotakis said the recent improvement in Greek-Turkish relations could help in resolving the 25-year-old Cyprus problem.

"The spectacular improvement in Greek-Turkish relations constitutes the best help for Cyprus and naturally assists in resolving the Cyprus issue," Mr. Mitsotakis said after his 45-minute meeting with Mr. Clerides.

Athens News Agency

[04] Death toll reaches 135 from Sept. 7 quake

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

Rescue teams were continuing efforts at the site where nine people were pulled out alive.

Among the bodies extricated from the rubble is that of an 11-year-old girl, identified as Sofia Melissourgou, who had been visiting the site with her mother when the quake hit. Her mother was also killed.

Out of 70,000 buildings inspected, 6,700 are to be demolished; 24,000 were judged as needing repairs, and 37,000 were judged as unaffected.

The government, meanwhile, announced that it will attempt to "better organise" the 60 "tent camps" set up in the stricken areas, so as to avoid tensions and differences between prefectural and local government bodies. The issue was one of several affect ing the quake-stricken areas discussed at a relevant meeting chaired by Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou. She earlier toured several affected areas in west Athens.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, meanwhile, said that 20,000 tents with a capacity to shelter of 120,000 people have been set up.

Responding to a question, he said the extent of damage would total more than 200 billion drachmas and that the amount of financial support Greece would receive from the European Union had not yet been determined.

Mr. Reppas said the quake's after-effects would have no impact on the country's course towards economic and monetary union - the EU support, he added, would be significant and help deal with the problem.

Athens News Agency

[05] Gov't measures to aid unemployed quake victims, incentives for businesses

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The new measures will cost more than 10 billion drachmas alone for the Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED), while additional funding will be sought from European Union funds. Labour Minister Miltiades Papaioannou stressed that "these new measures will in no way affect other social programmes being carried out by these organisations."

OAED has initiated the following incentives for employment to be found for people working for businesses in the earthquake-stricken region of western Athens which have suspended work.

Businesses will be subsidised with 6,000 drachmas per day and for three years to hire earthquake victims who were former employees of businesses which closed down.

In cases of part time employment (four hours of work a day or more) subsidisation was set at 4,000 drachmas.

Those wishing to start their own business (self-employed) will receive subsidisation from 4.3 million drachmas to 4.8 million drachmas (people with large families or children belonging to large families), receiving a lumpsum of 1,650,000 million drachmas and the remaining amount in six monthly instalments.

Corresponding incentives for seasonal and municipal businesses will be announced next week to enable them to hire unemployed belonging to this specific category.

The registered unemployed, regardless of preconditions (work stamps, etc) will receive 150,000 drachmas (for a home characterised as red or orange), those who lost their jobs 200,000 drachmas, while those whose homes are uninhabitable and are also unemp loyed will receive 500,000 drachmas.

The families of victims in factories destroyed will receive three million drachmas, plus two million drachmas provided by the state.

Debts owed to the Social Insurances Fund (IKA) by businesses until August 31, 1999 will be capitalised and new obligations will be suspended for six months (until 28 February, 2000). As of March 2000, contributions will be paid off in 12 to 24 instalments.

Athens News Agency

[06] Experts: Athens' tallest buildings the safest during quakes

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

A Thessaloniki-based Institute for Engineering Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (ITSAK) stated that an analysis of accelerograph recordings bore out this conclusion, while officials from the organisation would present their findings in a report to the environment, town planning and public works ministry.

"The Mount Parnitha fault gives rise to earthquakes which cause great ground acceleration over a long period of time," ITSAK director Vassilis Lekidis said.

"These accelerations cause damage at low levels, up to four or five storey high buildings, leaving higher storeys intact."

Protecting Athens from the fault will entail increasing the plasticity and resilience of lower buildings so that they can absorb this acceleration without damage, experts said.

ITSAK, which was established after an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck Thessaloniki in 1978, has made similar recommendations in its studies of faults which gave rise to earthquakes in Kalamata, Aigio and Kozani. Their proposals have now been incorporated into many anti- seismic buildings regulations in these areas.

Athens News Agency

[07] Church denies reports on quake relief

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The Church added that so far it has handed out 3,000 blankets, hundreds of meals through the dioceses of the affected areas and 15 million drachmas.

"It is not possible that help towards the Serbian ChurchIto exceed two billion drachmas and the Greek Church not to feel the drama of its children, " a press release stated.

In an unrelated development, the same press release mentioned that the Church has not received an official request for a papal visit to Greece, while in the event Pope John Paul II wants to visit Greece "for any reason, the Church has no say, aim or abi lity to bar his entry."

Athens News Agency

[08] Major Bank of Greece, Onassis Fountation donations to quake-stricken

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

Moreover, the Monetary Policy Council decided to lift the ceiling set by the Bank of Greece on the granting of loans which will be provided for earthquake-stricken businesses and private citizens.

In order to facilitate bank funding of sufferers, the Bank of Greece decided to exclude from restrictions imposed on banks to contain credit expansion, loans being granted as of Sept. 8, 1999 to private persons or businesses included in relief programmes for earthquake sufferers.

Consequently, during the assessment of possible excesses against credit expansion limits set by the Bank of Greece for banks, both the new loans which will be provided for the repair of damage or other funding for earthquake sufferers and increases in the balances of existing loans which are linked to debt settlements aimed at supporting the sufferers will be excluded.

Onassis Foundation : On its part, the Onassis Foundation yesterday said it had donated 300 million drachmas (approximately one million US dollars) to the fire brigade and to a fund set up to alleviate the suffering of quake victims.

A statement from the foundation said 200 million drachmas would be deposited in a Bank of Greece account for quake relief, opened on Monday.

Another 100 million drachmas will be credited to the fire brigade for the foundation to purchase on its behalf any form of equipment needed for the force.

The donation to the fire department is a sign of the foundation's full admiration for the men and women of the force who had shown "exceptional heroism and selflessness in helping their fellow humans".

Athens News Agency

[09] Stephanopoulos on Skiathos

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The president focused attention to the needs of the earthquake victims in west Athens, adding that everyone together can help aid the victims.

Responding to a question on whether he will visit the island in the future as the president of the republic, he said "the time remaining is very short".

Athens News Agency

[10] Patriarch receives Greek diplomatic delegation

ISTANBUL, 15/09/1999 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"I welcome you as angels of peace...I hope that this climate of friendship, which was created (by the earthquakes) is not to be short-lived nor superficial. We are supporters of peace, we and the Greek community (of Istanbul) are the victims of the conflict between the two neighbouring countries," Vartholomeos said.

He also congratulated Greek PM Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou for their efforts toward peaceful co-existence.

In a related development, during a press conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem stressed Athens' contribution in the easing of tension in EU-Turkey relations.

He added that following the meetings he had in Brussels he was optimistic that Turkey's path toward becoming a candidate for Union membership is opening.

Athens News Agency

[11] Liability in defective products' suits envisioned by EU

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The code, entitled the "Green Book", aims to hamonise regulations in all member-states, allowing citizens to claim damages through the judicial system.

In terms of manufacturers' rights, a consumer would first have to prove that an item was defective and then connect the injury to the item.

The right to compensation for defective products was established in 1985 and was re-drafted in 1995 through efforts to safeguard the health of EU citizens, following the "mad cow" disease crisis in the west European beef industry.

Athens News Agency

[12] July overnight stays increase

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

Data collected in Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Halkidiki from 295 hotels (luxury to C class) with a combined capacity to host 88,800 guests daily showed that in July some 2,636,000 guests were hosted - compared to 2,480,000 during the same period last year. Similar increases were evident throughtout the April-July period, compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, tourist arrivals by charter flights in July rose by 11.85 per cent compared to July 1998 - for a total of 990,800 arrivals.

The increase for the April-July period was 14.4 per cent compared to the same period in 1998.

Athens News Agency

[13] Stocks hit new high despite profit-taking

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.35 percent higher at 6,053.69 points, off the day's high of 6,145.11 points. It was its 50th record closing this year.

Shares in the Investment and Construction sectors led the rally, with 18 out of a total of 19 shares in the Investment sector closing at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Turnover was around 517 billion drachmas.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (-0.94 pct), Insurance (-3.41 pct), Construction (+2.42 pct), Miscellaneous (-0.82 pct), Leasing (+4.30 pct), Investment (+4.79 pct), Industrials (+0.33 pct) and Holding (+0.53 pct). The parallel market index fo r smaller capitalisation stocks fell 1.55 percent while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks eased 0.23 percent to 3,172.78 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 195 to 110 with another four issues unchanged.

A total of 92 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up. Hellenic Telecoms and Hellenic Petroleum were the most heavily traded stocks, while Hellenic Telecoms, Hellenic Petroleum and National Bank led the day's turnover.

National Bank of Greece ended at 26,500 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 26, 650, Commercial Bank at 31,000, Titan Cement at 40,100, Hellenic Petroleum at 4,800, Intracom at 29,600, Minoan Lines at 8,735, Panafon at 9,700 and Hellenic Telecoms at 8,250.

Futures trade creeps down : Turnover on the Athens Derivatives Exchange totalled 3.3 billion drachmas yesterday, slightly down from 3.9 billion drachmas in the previous session.

October contracts led the day's turnover at 1.6 billion drachmas, followed by September contracts at 891 million drachmas and November contracts at 850 million drachmas.

A total of 530 contracts changed hands, down from 634 a day earlier.

September contracts ended at 3,162.68 up from the previous session's 3, 158.45.

October deals ended at 3,107.63 from 3,144.54 and November contracts at 3, 120 from 3,147.32 respectively.

Athens News Agency

[14] Papantoniou welcomes bourse's restrained rise

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

"What is needed is self-restraint. Excessive enthusiasm is not healthy," Mr. Papantoniou told the private Flash radio station.

"It is abnormal for the index to gain 50 percent a day. Clearly, this will stop at some point," he added.

The minister said he wanted a fast growing bourse to expand further by having thousands of listings in one and a half years, many of them small and medium sized enterprises.

He repeated that the government would not impose any new taxes or lump-sum payments to help fund the cost of reconstruction after the killer earthquake that struck Athens on September 7.

The government estimates the cost of the damage at 200 billion drachmas. Mr. Papantoniou said the government would be tough in its negotiations with the European Union so that relief funding was as high as possible.

He repeated that the country should focus on its goal of entering the euro zone on January 1, 2001 and avoid early national elections, which are normally due in September 2000.

"I'm afraid that (early) elections are likely, although I hope this doesn't happen. It would be a complication in our effort to enter the euro zone, since in March we will submit (to the EU) our application file," Mr. Papantoniou said in reply to a ques tion.

The EU would judge Greece's bid for entry between March and June 2000, he added.

Rebuffing criticism by former finance minister Alekos Papadopoulos that a base assessed income tax system recently abolished should have been retained, Mr. Papantoniou said: "Greece was the only country that still had this anachronistic system. It was n ecessary due to the finance ministry's past inability to control tax evasion. But now things have changed, and Greece needs to deal with its companies like all other European countries."

Mr. Papadopoulos is now a member of the ruling PASOK's party executive bureau.

Good prospects for alliances with US firms : In separate statements, Mr. Papantoniou said yesterday that the outlook was good for domestic and US firms to forge alliances, especially in areas damaged in the Kosovo crisis.

The minister was speaking after a meeting with leaders of the Hellenic- American Business Council.

Other incentives to alliances were Greece's planned entry into the euro zone, the Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens, and reconstruction of the Balkans.

Members of the Council noted that US firms were ready to undertake joint ventures in Greece.

Athens News Agency

[15] Bonds hold low levels in moderate trade

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

Electronic trade was 29 billion drachmas from 27 billion drachmas in the previous session and 6.0 billion drachmas on Friday. Sell orders accounted for the bulk of yesterday's turnover.

The benchmark 10-year bond was still trading below par around 97.10, showing a yield of about 6.72 percent, the same as a day earlier, from 6.71 percent and 6.68 percent in the two previous sessions.

The 10-year paper's yield spread over German bunds was 167 basis points from around 165 basis points in the previous session and about 160 basis points on Friday.

At the central bank's daily fix, the euro nosed down against the drachma. The euro was set at 326.460 drachmas from 326.510 drachmas a day earlier and 326.700 drachmas on Friday.

The dollar crept down against the drachma. At the fix, it was set at 315.120 drachmas from 315.900 drachmas in the previous session and 310.400 drachmas on Friday.

Athens News Agency

[16] Ten-year bond yield rises in auction

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The rise did not worry bankers and market participants as it reflected conditions in the the eurozone market.

The average weighed rate for the 140 billion drachmas of 10-year bonds auctioned, which paid an annual coupon of 6.30 percent, rose to 6.76 percent from 6.35 percent in the previous auction on July 13.

Bids submitted totalled 598.8 billion drachmas, four times more than the amount sought.

The finance ministry finally accepted bids worth 167 billion drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[17] Budget shows Dr 319.4 bln surplus

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

Budgetary revenue increased by 11 percent in the period January-August this year from the same period in 1998, exceeding the government's target of an annual 5.83 percent increase.

Tax office revenue rose 10.4 percent in August and 11.9 percent in the eight month period.

Customs revenue increased by 9.5 percent in August and by 3.5 percent in January-August.

Value Added Tax revenue rose by 20.1 percent in August for a 10.8 percent increase in the period from January to August.

Athens News Agency

[18] Latsis family donates prefabs for quake victims

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The housing project will be completed in 25 days and then handed over to the ministry of environment, town planning and public works, the family said in a news release.

The Latsis family expressed deep sorrow for the human loss in the Sept. 7 earthquake and solidarity toward the victims.

Athens News Agency

[19] Hellenic Petroleum to float more shares

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

Meeting yesterday to discuss the procedures for a second flotation were National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos, and senior executives of the company.

Athens News Agency

[20] Marfin shows profit of Dr 704 per share

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

The company plans to hold a share capital increase of 11.456 billion drachmas next month with preferential terms for existing shareholders through an offering of eight new for 10 old shares at 1,000 drachmas each.

Marfin has also decided to invest up to five billion drachmas in the stocks of foreign companies listed mainly in European markets.

Athens News Agency

[21] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             312.599 319.847
Can.Dollar            212.546 217.474
Australian Dlr        204.283 209.019
Pound Sterling        500.940 512.555
Irish Punt            411.203 420.737
Pound Cyprus          559.131 572.095
Pound Malta           729.891 760.303
Turkish pound (100)     0.065   0.068
French franc           49.371  50.516
Swiss franc           201.788 206.466
Belgian franc           8.028   8.214
German Mark           165.581 169.420
Finnish Mark           54.468  55.731
Dutch Guilder         146.956 150.363
Danish Kr.             43.561  44.571
Swedish Kr.            37.646  38.519
Norwegian Kr.          39.571  40.488
Austrian Sh.           23.535  24.081
Italian lira (100)     16.725  17.113
Yen (100)             293.701 300.511
Spanish Peseta          1.946   1.991
Port. Escudo            1.615   1.652

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
New York              312.599 319.847
Montreal              212.546 217.474
Sydney                204.283 209.019
London                500.940 512.555
Dublin                411.203 420.737
Nicosia               559.131 572.095
Paris                  49.371  50.516
Zurich                201.788 206.466
Brussels                8.028   8.214
Frankfurt             165.581 169.420
Helsinki               54.468  55.731
Amsterdam             146.956 150.363
Copenhagen             43.561  44.571
Stockholm              37.646  38.519
Oslo                   39.571  40.488
Vienna                 23.535  24.081
Milan                  16.725  17.113
Tokyo                 293.701 300.511
Madrid                  1.946   1.991
Lisbon                  1.615   1.652

Athens News Agency

[22] Three vehicles with diplomatic plates torched in Thessaloniki

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

Leaflets found at the scene of the firebombings claimed they were made in protest to visits made to Thessaloniki by US officials, as well as for the participation of the United States at the recently ended 64th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

The shadowy group "Popular Revolutionary Front" had first appeared in 1995 with a gas cannister attack against the offices of the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE).

Police, who believe that more than one person was involved in the attacks, said the first torching occurred at around 1:15 a.m. The subsequent explosion caused damage to both the car and the walls of a surrounding building in the eastern part o f the city. The same method was used to attack a mini-bus with diplomatic plates parked nearby.

The last attack - on the Albanian consul's vehicle - came half an hour later in the west side of the city.

Athens News Agency

[23] Thessaloniki-based school honours Dukakis

Athens, 15/09/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Dukakis along with his wife, Kitty, attended the relevant ceremony.

"The American College of Thessaloniki is expanding its studies in international relations with special focus on public policy and service," Anatolia board of trustees executive director George Bissell said at the ceremony.

He added that the school proceeded with the honour in recognition of Mr. Dukakis' "integrity, character and lifelong commitment to public service".

On his part, Mr. Dukakis referred to changes which had taken place during the last few years on the international scene and emphasised that this was a good time for young people to devote themselves actively to political life.

The Massachusetts native was on Monday bestowed the Gold Medal of the city by the municipality of Thessaloniki.

Athens News Agency

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