Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-10-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis: Early elections could jeopardise EMU entry

[02] Karamanlis touches on education issues in nor thern Greece contacts

[03] Samos aid towards Turkey's quake victims

[04] Stephanopoulos comments on upcoming trip to Iran

[05] Seismic activity recorded

[06] Historic Etz Hayyim synagogue in Hania reopened

[07] Manos' Liberals Party holds its first congress

[08] Rokofyllos: Specific moves by Ankara now needed

[09] EU mayors promise support for quake-stricken Athens, Istanbul

[10] UK-based Blue Circle's bid for Aget accepted over Greek offer

[01] Simitis: Early elections could jeopardise EMU entry

Athens, 11/10/1999 (ANA)

"While the country's application to join Economic and Monetary Union is being judged, political stability is needed, and the avoidance of any factor to upset the outcome, even slightly," Mr. Simitis told a ruling PASOK party meeting.

Addressing 2,500 members of PASOK's rallying committees, responsible for grass roots campaigning, PASOK's leader repeated that national elections should be held in September 2000 at the end of the government's four-year term. A failure by Parliament to muster enough votes for a winner to emerge in the presidential election early next year would lead to dissolution of the legislature and early national polls.

Greece is to submit its euro bid to the European Union in mid-March, while a decision is expected in June. Turning to the party's internal practice, Mr. Simitis cautioned party cadres against allowing personal ambition to override party cohesion, which had led to defeat for PASOK in the European parliamentary election.

"We saw some centrifugal effects, clear-cut personal orientations, for which we paid dearly in the last election," the prime minister said.

He also urged a more outgoing approach, both to the public and to progressive forces in society, including PASOK's traditional voter base that was eroded in the Euro-elections.

"We should seek renewal and enrichment through politicians who coincide stragetically with our positions and choices, and who desire joint action," he added.

In a rallying call for unity, Simitis reviewed what he said were PASOK's achievements, laying emphasis on Andreas Papandreou, the party's founder

The party had promoted equality, defended national sovereignty and spurred growth, he said.

He also reiterated the party's socialist roots, citing as policy the "redistribution of wealth", a strong social state, higher employment and a better standard of living.

Finally, Mr. Simitis blasted the opposition, both to the left and the right.

He accused the main opposition New Democracy party of refusing to state its views clearly and concealing its ideological base, which he called support for an unbridled free market that would lead to an arbitrary and unfair distribution of the surplus of growth.

He also rapped left-wing opposition parties for hanging on to outmoded concepts of a state-centred economy, and what they saw as the immutable rights of narrow sector groups that hinder progress, as he noted.

Athens News Agency

[02] Karamanlis touches on education issues in nor thern Greece contacts

Athens, 11/10/1999 (ANA)

Speaking during his visit at the 13th international software exhibition "Infosystem '99" in Thessaloniki, Mr. Karamanlis expressed his satisfaction over the exhibits, stating that the private sector and several universities are on the cutting edge of new technologies.

"The state is lacking considerably and as a country we are last in the European Union in all sectors in new technologies," Mr. Karamanlis said.

He added that Greece should rush ahead because knowledge and new technologies will become the most important criterion of wealth.

He also met with the leadership of several computer firms of northern Greece.

On Saturday, Mr. Karamanlis addressed graduates of pulbic and private institutes in an event organised by a local non-governmental organisation.

Mr. Karamanlis discussed issues concerning the operation of the Supreme Council for Personnel Recruitment (ASEP), unemployment, education and the changes ND is willing to make once in government.

Athens News Agency

[03] Samos aid towards Turkey's quake victims

Athens, 11/10/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency CHICAGO 11/10/1999 (ANA)

The president of the United Hellenic American Congress, Andrew Athens, urged Greek-Americans yesterday to write and request of US President Bill Clinton and the National Security Council to aid efforts of the new US presidential envoy ch arged with the Cyprus problem.

Athens News Agency

[04] Stephanopoulos comments on upcoming trip to Iran

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos stressed from Athens that his upcoming visit to Iran underlines the excellent level of Greek-Iranian relations.

In an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the Greek president said the Greek government has taken the decision to allow the opening of an Islamic centre and a mosque in Athens.

He also said his visit will turn a new page in economic ties between Greece and Iran.

"Iran and Greece have reached a very promising level of bilateral relations and have established an excellent climate of mutual confidence and cooperation for the benefit of our peoples," Mr. Stephanopoulos.

The Greek president pointed out that his visit to Tehran has been preceded by a number of contacts by members of the two governments, during which both sides had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of forms of cooperation and mutual interests.

"My visit underlines the excellent level of our bilateral relations, it constitutes a clear sign of our will to enhance our cooperation and opens up the opportunity for the Greek business world to become thoroughly informed on the potentials of the Iran ian economy," Mr. Stephanopoulos told IRNA.

The Greek head of state begins a four-day official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran tomorrow, the first by a Greek president to the Mideast country. He will be accompanied by the minister of foreign affairs and agriculture, as well as a large deleg ation of entrepreneurs and reporters.

Greek ambassador : In a related development, the Gre-ek ambassador to Tehran called the visit by Mr. Stephanopoulos a turning point for Greek- Iranian relations.

Dimitris Tsikourtis told IRNA that the occasion will be the most important visit by a Greek president to a Persian Gulf nation.

Referring to relations between Tehran and Athens as 'excellent', the Greek envoy expressed a hope that President Stephanopoulos' talks with senior Iranian officials will lead to further promotion of bilateral ties.

Finally, the first Iran-Greece joint cultural exhibition on "dialogue among civilisations" will begin this week at Iran's National Museum in Tehran.

The month-long exhibition aims to implement the idea of dialogue and communication among governments and nations on the eve of the third millennium.

Athens News Agency

[05] Seismic activity recorded

Athens, 11/10/1999 (ANA)

The Athens Observatory's Geodynamic Institute said the epicentre was in the Mount Parnitha area, the same epicentre of a major earthquake that hit the capital on Sept. 7.

In addition, a tremor measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale was recorded Saturday afternoon in the Gulf of Corinth.

Its epicentre was situated 150 kilometres west of Athens off the coastal town of Egio, which was hit by a major earthquake in 1995.

Athens News Agency

[06] Historic Etz Hayyim synagogue in Hania reopened

Athens, 11/10/1999 (ANA)

Leading the campaign to reopen the 14th century Etz Hayyim, or "Tree of Life", synagogue was the Central Jewish Council of Greece (KAS), which spearheaded a fund-raising drive for the project in 1996.

"May monuments of the future stand in peace to honour works of diligence and progress by mankind," Moses Konstantinis, KAS' president told an inauguration ceremony.

The crumbling shell of the edifice was restored by the World Monuments Fund, the Rothchild Foundation, the culture ministry and private donors from around the world, who funded its reconstruction.

When reconstruction began in 1997, the synagogue was on the verge of collapse after severe damage it sustained from bombing in World War II and then years of neglect.

Heading the restoration team was Nikos Stavroulakis, the former director of the Jewish museum in Athens and a researcher into Jewish Cretan history.

The synagogue is the only surviving monument on Crete to mark a 2,300-year- old Jewish presence on the island. It is located in the town's former Jewish quarter near the harbour.

Beyond services, the synagogue will also house cultural events and conferences.

Attending the inauguration was former premier Constantine Mitsotakis.

"I am happy that Hania's old Jewish synagogue has been restored and I would like to congratulate and thank those who contributed to the project.

The synagogue is a part of Hania's historical heritage, a valuable monument for the town," Mr. Mitsotakis said.

Other guests at the ceremony were the German ambassador in Athens, Karl- Heinz Albert Kuhna, Metropolitan Irineos, representatives of various international groups and a bevy of local officials.

Athens News Agency

[07] Manos' Liberals Party holds its first congress

Athens, 11/10/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Manos, a former high-ranking ND cadre and one-time minister, was also officially elected as the party's president.

Speaking at the congress, he said elections should not be held before Greece's entry into the 'euro-zone', while he proposed tax reductions, education reform and investments in hi-tech technologies for the reduction of unemployment.

Mr. Manos, a proponent of a more free-market economy and widespread public sector reform, noted his satisfaction over number of new Liberals Party members.

In addition, he criticised the PASOK government for what he called "a partisan market economy", which he said is promoted by "government favouritism" toward some entrepreneurs against the interests of the public.

He accused ND, on the other hand, of "abandoning progressive ideas as well as its tradition of respectability and responsibilityI"

Members also voted on the policies to be pursued by the party's leadership in all sectors.

Concering foreign policy, the Liberals Party congress voted to support Turkey's European vocation.

A Liberals platform also calls for civil servants' tenure; separation of Church and state; a greater role for local governments; decriminalisation of the use of controlled substances but not decriminalisation of the sale of drugs; as well as abolition of the constitutional clause against private universities in Greece.

Finally, he cautioned against a slide towards nationalism, in reference to church leaders, while he expressed his respect for President of the Repulbic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Athens News Agency

[08] Rokofyllos: Specific moves by Ankara now needed

Athens, 11/10/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Rokofyllos was speaking to a visiting delegation of youth groups from Cyprus, whom he briefed at the ministry on government policy towards the island republic, Turkey and the European Union.

"Inaction does not solve problems. Only initiatives, movement and the use of international interest can create opportunities and offer ways out," a foreign ministry statement quoted Mr. Rokofyllos as saying. Greece backed a European orientation for Turkey if the neighbouring country conformed to European values of democracy, justice, human rights, minorities and respect for international law. Part of Ankara's commitment in order to approach the EU would also be a substantive contribution to resolution of the Cyprus issue, he said.

In addition, the prospect of Cyprus' entry into the EU could itself act as a catalyst for resolution of the political problem. Cooperation between the Greek and Cypriot governments continued to excellent in working towards their joint objective, Mr. Rok ofyllos added.

Athens News Agency Athens 11/10/1999 (ANA)

Greece's higher educational institutes and technical schools are expected to be directly linked with European and North American counterparts via a National Network of Research and Technology (EDET) system. During a press conference at the 13th Internat ional software exhibition "Infosystem '99" in Thessaloniki, Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos said the new system will soon allow for two 45Mbps lines to connect Greece-based institutes with those of Europe and North America. He noted that about half of the 350,000 Internet users in Greece at present are connected with academic institutions, adding that these PC users will now be able to connect with Greece's 50 institutions free of charge. It was also announced that a Macedonian centre of resear ch and technological development aims to boost research and development activities in northern Greece.

Athens News Agency

[09] EU mayors promise support for quake-stricken Athens, Istanbul

BRUSSELS, 11/10/1999 (ANA - G. Daratos)

The mayors' conference adopted a resolution to undertake initiatives for the combatting of social marginalisation through the creation of more jobs and localised economic development.

Additional financial support for earthquake-stricken Athens and Istanbul was also promised.

Greece was represented by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and Cyprus by Nicosia Mayor Lelos Demitriades.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Avramopoulos said he approved of the Greek government's most recent policy of rapprochement between Greece and Turkey, stressing that following the 'fall' of the Berlin Wall the only dividing line left in Europe is the one sep arating Nicosia.

The group was created in 1961 and aims at maintaining and promoting relations between the Europe's capitals.

Athens News Agency

[10] UK-based Blue Circle's bid for Aget accepted over Greek offer

Athens, 11/10/1999 (ANA)

Calcemento announced on Saturday that it had signed a contract in London with the British building materials group late on Friday, following a preliminary buyout agreement between the two firms in May.

The statement, which reported an acquisition price of 388 million pounds sterling, made no mention of the Greek offers.

Through its Concretum subsidiary, Calcemento owns 54.48 per cent of Aget Heracles, Greece's largest cement producer, and 72.65 per cent of Halkis Cement, which is also a member of the group. Calcemento, in turn, belongs to Compart of Italy.

The purchase agreement will come into force if clearance is obtained from Greek anti-trust authorities.

Greek bidders for Calcemento were a consortium comprising Greece-based construction contractors Technodomiki, Aktor, TEB, AEGEK and GEK along with Intracom Construction, Greek Energy and Bank of Piraeus, whose offer was delivered in Milan last week.

In addition, bourse-listed Mechaniki, one of Greece's largest construction and engineering contractor, submitted a separate bid for Calcemento.

Mechaniki managing director Marina Emfietzoglou said on Friday that the company had secured a letter of guarantee for its offer from Alpha Credit Bank, the country's largest private sector credit institution.

News of the Greek bids had propelled Calcemento's share on the Milan bourse 4.5 per cent up from 1 per cent down on Friday.

The losing consortium said in a statement on Saturday that it was stunned by Calcemento's choice of Blue Circle as buyer.

The group would complain to national and European Union authorities over the fact that its bid had been ignored, the statement read.

The consortium claimed that its offer was at least 30 billion drachmas higher than Blue Circle's, and that EU competition laws had been breached.

The consortium added that its offer had been sought by Aget's Italian owners, and was formulated in line with international practice and suggestions from the selling firm.

"In the end, Calcemento hastily moved on to another option and the signature of a contract," the statement added.

Some of Greece's most influential business leaders - Sallas, Bobolas, Kokkalis and Kallitsantsis - are among the shareowners of companies in the consortium.

According to market sources last week, the group offered 230 billion drachmas for the controlling stake in Calcemento, and therefore in AGET Heracles.

A successful Greek bid would have returned Heracles to domestic control ahead of construction projects eligible for funding under the EU's Third Community Support Framework for 2000-2006.

A spate of building works is also underway linked to the 2004 Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens.

Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi and Piraeus Prime Bank acted as consultants in the consortium's offer.

In a related development, the Italian daily "Republica" also referred to the sale, questioning the choice of Blue Circle, noting that the Greek consortium offered more than the British multinational.

'Republica' also claimed that Calcemento faced internal dissention over the sale.

Athens News Agency

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