Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-10-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens: Cyprus the touchstone in further Greek-Turkish progress

[02] Simitis, Karamanlis confer with top party bodies

[03] Cem briefs Turkish parliament on relations with Athens

[04] Gov't on Clinton visit

[05] Stephanopoulos received by supreme Iranian religious leader Ali Khamenei

[06] Tsohatzopoulos begins high-level talks with Israeli leadership

[07] Six UN observers, including Greek officer, abducted in Abkhazia

[08] 2004 Olympics organising committee pleased with progress so far

[09] SAE president in Albania

[10] Intellectual property rights trampled in Greece, seminar concludes

[11] Archaeological Council calls for new Acropolis museum tender

[12] Karamanlis aide resigns over press statements

[13] Alleged 'cult vessel' docks in Rhodes, members say they are pilgrims

[14] SE Europe gets first electronic trade conference

[15] Stocks finish up on rate cut hopes

[16] Secondary market bond prices stay down

[17] Public investments at Dr 1.452 trillion Jan-Sept

[18] SMEs dogged by lack of development and financing

[19] Equity mutual funds outstrip money market funds

[20] Lambrakis allies with advertisers, sets up digital firm

[21] Greece to take part in Bulgarian telecoms forum

[22] Aspis Bank shows 226 pct profit jump

[23] Athens Foreign Exchange

[01] Athens: Cyprus the touchstone in further Greek-Turkish progress

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

Speaking after holding talks with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides in Athens yesterday, Greek FM George Papandreou referred to "the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations which created a different atmosphere between the peoples of the two coun tries and decreased tension in bilateral relations."

"Certain positive statements also exist such as that by (Turkish PM Bulent) Mr. Ecevit that Turkey has no territorial claims against Greece," he said, adding that "the improved climate does not mean that problems will be resolved from one day to another .

"However, we are given the opportunity to utilise this climate, an element which constitutes a challenge to the political leaderships of both countries. We are expecting certain moves on the part of Turkey as well, such that will show that a new page is opening in relations between the two countries."

Mr. Papandreou further said the Cyprus issue is an issue of foremost importance and reiterated that Greek-Turkish relations cannot be normalised unless there is progress over the long-standing problem.

He said that, at present, there is "a window to opportunity for all" with the OSCE summit, US President Bill Clinton's visit to Greece and Turkey and the tour of US envoys Moses and Weston to Ankara, Athens and Nicosia for substantive progress to be achieved on this issue as well.

"Our intention is to support Turkey's European vocation. However, our vote is not a foregone conclusion but will be judged over the days to come until the summit," Mr. Papandreou said, and added that "we have made this position clear both to Turkey and to our partners."

Mr. Papandreou further said that Athens and Nicosia are cooperating steadfastly for the promotion of Cyprus' accession negotiations and pointed out that island republic's accession course is a process parallel to efforts to resolve the island's political problem. Mr. Papandreou also reassured Mr. Kasoulides of Greece's undivided support for Cyprus' accession course to the European Union.

Referring to Cyprus' accession negotiations with the EU, Mr. Papandreou reiterated that Greece is supporting Cyprus in these negotiations in every way and added that its accession course is proceeding as normal and that Cyprus is ahead compared to the o ther first wave candidate countries.

On the question of the political problem, he said that we are in anticipation of invitations being sent to the two sides by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"We are also expecting from the European partners and the US to intensify efforts in the direction of Turkey and (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Mr. Denktash to enable them not onlyto start but also to promote talks for a solution to the problem," Mr. Pap andreou said.

Mr. Kasoulides pointed out on his part that the talks held in Athens provided the opportunity for the situation concerning the Cyprus issue to be reassessed, both in connection with Cyprus' accession course and the political problem. He reiterated that the upcoming OSCE summit and President Clinton's visit to Greece is a real window to opportunity, despite the fact that the window has become smaller from the point of view of time.

Replying to a question, he said his remark was the result of the delay in invitations being sent by Mr. Annan for the resumption of talks.

Mr. Kasoulides said that in his view three independent and parallel processes exist: Efforts to resolve the political problem of Cyprus, Greek- Turkish relations and Turkey's relations with the EU. He added that these three processes affect each other and when progress is achieved on one the others are affected positively.

Mr. Kasoulides said a full identity of views exists between Athens and Nicosia with regard to targets and the tactic which should be followed for the successful promotion of all three paths has been discussed.

Athens News Agency

[02] Simitis, Karamanlis confer with top party bodies

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

Speaking to the presidium of PASOK's Parliamentary group, Mr. Simitis also said he was against early elections but that PASOK will be ready to confront them whenever they occur.

He added that tours by party cadres around Greece will focus on agriculture, employment, education, health and economic issues.

Later in the day, Mr. Simitis, in response to a relevant question in Parliament, forecast that by 2004 Greece will be "among the most developed countries" in the world, as the rate of development exceeds 4 per cent on an annual basis.

He added that by the same year Greece will have reached 85 per cent of the EU's average development, saying the country's entry into the European Monetary Union (EMU) will increase competitiveness, create new jobs and improve the quality of life.

On his part, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis addressed the executive committee of his party.

He stressed that ND was "un-compromising" toward corruption and the wasting of public funds, adding that the public sector is characterised by inefficiency, partisan attitudes and a lack of meritocracy, as well as the paramount problem of a lack of tran sparency.

Mr. Karamanlis said ND will handle the problem responsibly and does not aim for short-lived impressions.

Athens News Agency

[03] Cem briefs Turkish parliament on relations with Athens

ISTANBUL, 14/10/1999 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Briefing the Turkish assembly on the latest developments, Mr. Cem said "Greece and Turkey have their own truths and do not quit from them."

He said it is not correct to say that "because some mildness exists everything will improve", adding that Turkey and Greece "are struggling for their interests. Dexterity is to find common points, if common points exist, in these interests."

Mr. Cem also said there are no major changes in Greece's positions.

"A year ago, Greek foreign policy believed that conflict with Turkey was in Greece's interest. However, its present foreign policy believes that it is in Greece's interest not to be in conflict with Turkey and to decrease tension in the Aegean. The diff erence between them is considerable. However, basically there are assessments which have to do with the same interests," he said.

Mr. Cem said many people in Greece believe that Turkey is threatening to conquer Greece.

"We explained explicitly to our interlocutors that Turkey has no designs on anyone's territory."

Referring to the Helsinki summit, Mr. Cem said that "Turkey will not accept (accession) candidacy with preliminary or any other terms."

"This time there is a possibility, although not great, that the EU will lift the discriminations it has made against Turkey and proclaim it a candidate, which is something which is in Turkey's interest as well," he said.

Athens News Agency

[04] Gov't on Clinton visit

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

"All the indications are that this visit will constitute an important factor in the further improvement of Greek-US relations," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters at a regular briefing.

The government yesterday confirmed that Mr. Clinton's visit to Greece would take place one week earlier than scheduled.

Mr. Clinton was originally to visit Greece on Nov. 22-24, after attending an Organisation for Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit in Istanbul on November 19.

Following the change in his schedule, Mr. Clinton will be in Greece at the time of events marking the 26th anniversary of a students' uprising at Athens Polytechnic.

The annual events culminate in a march to the US embassy in Athens on Nov.17 which has sometimes been marred by violence.

Mr. Reppas on Tuesday attributed the change of dates to a desire by the White House to facilitate the participation of First Lady Hillary Clinton in the visit to Greece.

Athens News Agency

[05] Stephanopoulos received by supreme Iranian religious leader Ali Khamenei

TEHRAN, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

The meeting was of considerable importance considering that Ali Khamenei was inaccessible, until recently at least.

The importance given by the Iranians to the role Greece, as a European Union member-state, can play was visible yesterday morning during the inauguration of the Greek-Iranian economic forum, when a representative of Iranian businessmen called on Mr. Stephanopoulos, as representing Greece, to mediate with the EU to help show Tehran's credibility concerning its international accords. This, he said, would contribute decisively towards attracting investors.

On his part, Mr. Stephanopoulos spoke of the importance of developing Greek- Iranian relations and insisted on the need of promoting private initiative.

He offered assurances that Greece can play the role requested of it, namely, that of a corridor between Iran and the EU. He further said that despite excellent relations at political and cultural level, a lag in economic relations exists.

Mr. Stephanopoulos had the opportunity of making a detailed presentation of Greek positions on such issues as Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue and the situation prevailing in the Balkans, when this was requested of him by former Iranian leader Ali Akbar Hasemi Rafsanjani.

Referring to the war in Kosovo, President Stephanopoulos spoke of the need for equal rights between Serbs and Albanians and opposed the promotion of independence claims by minorities in whatever country they live in, a position also endorsed by Mr. Rafs anjani.

Special reference was made to the role played by NATO, and to how decisions are taken, while President Stephanopoulos underlined that "Greece does not belong neither to the West nor to the East."

Mr. Stephanopoulos gave his Iranian counterpart as gifts the books "Politika" by Aristotle and "Poli-teia" by Plato. The two presidents will meet again this morning and bilateral agreements will be signed.

The Greek delegation will visit Isfahan immediately afterwards.

Athens News Agency

[06] Tsohatzopoulos begins high-level talks with Israeli leadership

TEL AVIV, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

"The two countries are approaching each other. The two peoples have a great deal to offer through their common experience in handling crises and threats. I believe, without exaggerating, that indeed we are laying the foundations for a new relationship between Greece and Israel with this visit," he told reporters.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos was received by Israeli President Ezer Weizman at noon and exchanged views on all issues concerning the wider geostrategic situation in the region, as well as the Middle East issue.

Later, he met with the president of the Israeli Knesset's foreign affairs and defence committee, Dan Meridor, for talks on all issues concerning the Balkans, the Caucasus region and the Middle East.

"In an era of globalisation we are obliged to find common replies by promoting policies of security, stability and cooperation, with the cooperation of all the peoples in the region to enable us to decrease tensions, provide answers to crises and to pave the way for peace, stability, security and prosperity," the Greek minister said. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will meet Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ehud Barak today. Later, he will visit military industries in the country as well as Hazerim air base.

Athens News Agency

[07] Six UN observers, including Greek officer, abducted in Abkhazia

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

"I wish to condemn in the most categorical manner the abduction of the team of UN observers by unknown gunmen in Abkhazia...We are following the matter closely for their immediate and safe release," he said.

Reports said the team members, including observers from Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Uruguay, were abducted by nine gunmen 75 km northeast of Sukhumi, together with their Russian interpreter and after their helicopter came under fire. A Georgian foreign ministry spokesman said the abductors were asking for a ransom of $200,000 to release the observers.

Athens News Agency

[08] 2004 Olympics organising committee pleased with progress so far

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

During a press conference, committee members noted that procedures centring on the Games' organisation "are on a good course" and on schedule.

The much-debated Olympic Village, the largest project set for construction, has been given a February 2004 completion date, according to Committee construction director G. Leventis.

He reiterated that the project will be undertaken by the Labour Guild/Workers' Housing Organisation (OEK).

On his part, 2004 Managing Director Costas Bakouris announced that there is a 37-million-dollar surplus in the Games' budget, as the total expected income will amount to $1.607 billion, and while budgeted expenses are expected to total $1.57 billion.

Mr. Bakouris also said the Committee will need 40,000 to 50,000 volunteers to organise the Games successfully, while 3,000 employees are already hired in projects related to the Games.

Athens News Agency

[09] SAE president in Albania

TIRANA, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Athens was due to meet Albanian Health Minister Leonard Solis, Deputy Education Minister Andrea Marto, Finance Minister Anastas Ageli and the president of the Human Rights Party, Vassili Melo, yesterday afternoon.

Today, he will meet with Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani, the Archbishop of Albania Anastasios, the president of the "Omonoia" group Vangelis Doules, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and the US ambassador to Tirana Joseph Librecht.

Athens News Agency

[10] Intellectual property rights trampled in Greece, seminar concludes

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

The seminar, organised by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property S.A, (AEPI) brought to the Greek capital the leadership of CISAC - Confederation International des Societes d' Auteurs et Compositeurs - including Herman von Bulo w, the organisation's chairman and Eric Baptiste, its secretary-general.

According to AEPI general manager Peter Xanthopoulos, none of the major television stations in Greece or radio stations, including the state-run ERT network after 1995, pay dues for music and other related compositions. Mr. Xanthopoulos told a press conference at a downtown Athens hotel devoid of television cameras that lawsuits against Greece's major broadcasters are expected to reach Greek courts next month.

At present, AEPI has designated a 2.2 per cent fee on TV or radio stations' "total ad revenues", adding that broadcast industry officials at first offered 0.2 per cent the first year, 0.4 the second and 0.6 third, "something we refused out-of-handIwe ca nnot set a precedent at such a low rateIwe also didn't accept a lump sum offer they told us to divide up any way we wanted."

CISAC officials added that fees in some west European countries often reach as high as 6 per cent.

Both CISAC and AEPI executives said they were more than confident that litigation in Greek courts will be successful, although they questioned whether the "application" of the expected rulings in their favour will have the desired effect. Mr. Xanthopoul os also did not rule out the prospect of taking the issue before EU and Commission judicial bodies following the Greek court system.

"It's a disgrace for our country...we've tried everything, we're tried to negotiate. What would happen if we brought a major US or British artist to Greece and he sued a major television station? Can you imagine the publicity?" the AEPI official warned.

He also said it was difficult to imagine the exact lost revenues, as private broadcasters have not been forthcoming with figures.

Finally, he noted that AEPI has proposed to the state the issuance of a special tax stamp, akin to the one on cigarettes and liquor, that would be attached to all records and CDs in order to guarantee authenticity and to eradicate the multi-billion-drac hma bootleg music sector in Greece.

"All the money would go to the government. We proposed this as far back as 1981, and we're still waiting. The money could be used to create a pension fund for performing artists..." he added.

A top priority for CISAC at present is to safeguard the rights of musicians, composers, photographers etc. in light of the 'digital revolution' taking place over the Internet and with new technologies, such as the DVD format, which allows audiophiles to record sound on pocket-sized discs.

Athens News Agency

[11] Archaeological Council calls for new Acropolis museum tender

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

The decision for a new competition was taken after archaeologists on the Council agreed that antiquities in the immediate grounds of the site of the projected new museum were too valuable to be ignored.

The new design, the council stressed, must take into consideration how to protect and showcase the artefacts found in excavations conducted since 1997. The decision was approved unanimously.

Expressing a hope that the museum will be ready by 2004, when the Greek capital hosts the Olympic Games, Culture Minister Elizabeth Papazoi said that by the end of 2000 the selection process must be completed.

The budget for the project comes to 52 billion drachmas and will be financed by the Third Community Support Framework.

To date, some 500 million drachmas has been spent on the abortive process to get the new Acropolis Museum off the ground. The amount is considered effectively unrecoverable.

The budget for the winning design by Italian architects Manfredi Nikoletti and Lucio Pasarelli cost 46 billion drachmas.

They won an international architectural competition begun in 1989 and submitted a design on the basis that the site then was considered to have little archaeological value.

But excavations revealed a settlement dating to the later Roman and early Christian periods, another settlement from the 7th century, with wells, pipes, and a Roman-era bath house.

A new Acropolis Museum is a touchstone in the ongoing campaign to retrieve the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum. The museum has long said that the Marbles receive the best protection in London.

The challenge facing those wanting to be part of the new selection process will be to design a museum that sets off and provides protection for the antiquities discoverd as well as providing protection for the Acropolis sculptures. It is expected to be of 12-15000m2 surface area, with less auxiliary space.

An existing building on the site will be coverted for the use of visitors. Also decided on Tuesday was the expropriation of four buildings on Hatzichristou st and another on Mitseon street, all of which border the site.

Athens News Agency

[12] Karamanlis aide resigns over press statements

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

In his letter of resignation to Institute president Ioannis Varvitsiotis, Mr. Loulis - a close adviser to main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis - said his move was prompted by a "misinterpretation of my personal views" put forward in a recent newspaper interview. By resigning, Mr. Loulis attempted to defuse criticism within the ND Parliamentary group after his statements that New Democracy was a "worn-down product", party sources said.

Athens News Agency

[13] Alleged 'cult vessel' docks in Rhodes, members say they are pilgrims

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

"We are Catholics and do not belong to any cult," a written statement distributed by a member of the group stated when their vessel docked in Rhodes yesterday.

Passengers aboard the Cypriot-flagged cruiseship 'Nissos Kypros' were forbidden from coming ashore when the vessel docked in Haifa this week, after Israeli authorities claimed they feared they were cult members determined to kill themselves to mark the new millennium and hasten the coming of Christ. Cypriot authorities allowed the vessel to refuel at the port of Limassol on Tuesday before sending it on its way back to Greece.

Speaking on behalf of the 18 Irish nationals, six Romanians and one Colombian, a visibly angered spo-kesman, identified as Joseph Smith, distributed the statement. Members said they had planned to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the coming of the new millennium on the invitation of a Greek Catholic bishop. The statement also said the group had been treated badly by the Israeli authorities but did not go into specifics.

The spokesman, an Irish national, refused to answer reporters' questions but said the group also included six young children, all adopted from Romania and all with special needs. Their teacher was the Colombian national.

The vessel's Greek captain told reporters that the group's behaviour had been impeccable and that they had caused no problems on the trip, which began last Thursday from Piraeus. The Greek government later said that if members of the group carried the a ppropriate travel documents nobody could refuse them the right to disembark in Piraeus.

Athens News Agency

[14] SE Europe gets first electronic trade conference

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

The conference on business and the digital economy is organised by the Commercial Association of Thessaloniki with the European Commission's information society's general directorate.

Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos is to open the conference, which is being held under his ministry's aegis.

Expected to attend the conference are delegates from the private and public sectors throughout southeastern Europe.

Also due to take part are experts in the field from European and US universities.

Athens News Agency

[15] Stocks finish up on rate cut hopes

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.45 percent up at 6,155.21 points, off the day's high of 6,227 points. It recovered from an early drop to 6,057 points.

Turnover was around 488 billion drachmas.

Dealers said investors took profits from a recent rally in small cap stocks and opened new positions in blue chips.

Shares in the construction sector came under heavy pressure with their index ending 5.58 percent down.

Other sector indices ended as follows: Banks (+3.16 pct), Leasing (+1.94 pct), Insurance (+0.12 pct), Investment (+1.14 pct), Industrials (-1.12 pct), Miscellaneous (-0.63 pct) and Holding (-0.64 pct).

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks fell 0.04 percent while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks jumped 1.59 percent to 3,066.50 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 189 to 121 with another three issues unchanged.

A total of 33 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up while another 21 ended at the day's limit down.

Newly listed Dionik and Attica Publications surged 99 percent for the third consecutive session.

Hellenic Telecoms and Lampsa were the most active stocks of the day. National Bank of Greece ended at 23,900 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 24, 700, Commercial Bank at 27,790, Titan Cement at 38,500, Hellenic Petroleum at 5,775, Intracom (common) at 17,7 00, Panafon at 7,810 and Hellenic Telecoms at 7,300.

Athens News Agency

[16] Secondary market bond prices stay down

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

The ongoing slump is in line with markets abroad. Institutional investors abroad have kept out of the market for some time and turnover has been slim, dropping to zero on Monday.

Electronic trade yesterday totalled 7.0 billion drachmas from 28 billion drachmas in the previous session and zero at the start of the week. Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

The benchmark 10-year bond, which is trading below par, was quoted below Monday's 96.10-96.35 from 96.30-96.95 on Friday.

The paper showed a yield of 6.95 percent from 6.89 percent a day earlier and 6.90 percent on Monday.

The 10-year paper's yield spread over German bunds was between 165 basis points from 159-166 basis points in the previous session and 167 basis points on Friday.

No figure was given for Monday, when electronic trade hit zero.

Central bank steps in to keep drachma steady : The Bank of Greece yesterday intervened in the foreign exchange market, anticipating volatility by the drachma against the euro, which showed a rising trend in markets abroad.

The central bank sold between 80 million and 90 million euros in order to soak up drachmas and keep its rate up.

At the central bank's daily fix, the euro ended higher versus the drachma.

The European currency was set at 328.800 drachmas from 328.600 drachmas in the previous session and 328.320 drachmas on Monday.

The dollar finished lower against the drachma.

At the fix, the US currency was set at 305.660 drachmas from 308.210 drachmas a day earlier and 308.690 drachmas on Monday.

Athens News Agency

[17] Public investments at Dr 1.452 trillion Jan-Sept

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Pahtas said that 57.2 percent of co-financed projects under the public investments programme had been completed.

Co-financed projects represent 77.4 percent of works in the programme.

Athens News Agency

[18] SMEs dogged by lack of development and financing

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

On the second and final day of a meeting arranged by BSEC's Greek Business Council, the speakers said the SMEs, which form the backbone of the area's business, also needed consulting services and alliances with other firms.

The conference was held under the aegis of the Greek foreign ministry. In addition, industries in the region needed to upgrade their technological infrastructure and provide more training for staff, the speakers said. But despite the problems, the region covered by BSEC's members offered major financial potential in the sectors of advanced technology and agricutural products, said Iason Stratos, president of the Confederation of Greek Industry.

Athens News Agency

[19] Equity mutual funds outstrip money market funds

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

Ionian Bank's research department said yesterday that inflows into domestic equity mutual funds exceeded 250 billion drachmas on October 12 to total 5.1 trillion drachmas, up 4.2 percent from the previous day, and up a spectacular 971.2 percent from January.

The report said that mutual fund yields at 300 percent from the start of 1999 were attracting new investors into the market.

Fuelling the outlook for the domestic mutual fund market are the country's participation in the euro zone within the agreed timetable, an anticipated decline in interest rates, high profitability by listed companies and increased business activity, analysts said.

Net mutual fund assets totalled 12.5 trillion drachmas on September 12, up 39.6 percent this year.

Athens News Agency

[20] Lambrakis allies with advertisers, sets up digital firm

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

The new company, Adnet SA, will manage advertising funds for the eight firms and other contributing advertising agencies through Lambrakis' Internet portal (in.gr).

The eight advertising firms in the alliance are BBDO, Adel Saatchi & Saatchi, Bold/Ogilvy & Mather, Olympic DDB Needham, McCann Erickson, Spot Thomson, Geo Young & Rubicam and Leo Burnett.

In another venture, listed Lambrakis is setting up a technology holding company called Dol Digital that will contain 15 firms to include Adnet SA.

Dol Digital's share capital is six billion drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[21] Greece to take part in Bulgarian telecoms forum

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

The forum is organised by the American Commerce, Industry and Science Council for Greece and the Balkans, based in Thessaloniki.

The forum's main attraction is an evolving alliance between Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation with Bulgaria's state telecoms company.

Telecommunications companies from the two countries will have the opportunity to discuss further cooperation.

Alexandros Athanasiou, director-general of the council, said: "The forum aims to promote regional cooperation and joint ventures by Greek and Bulgarian companies".

Athens News Agency

[22] Aspis Bank shows 226 pct profit jump

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

Earnings totalled 732 million drachmas, or 2.322 billion drachmas on a consolidated basis in the first nine months of the year, Aspis Bank said in a statement.

Assets in September were 53 percent higher than in the same month of 1998, the statement said.

Athens News Agency

[23] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 14/10/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             303.215 310.245
Can.Dollar            205.106 209.861
Australian Dlr        198.792 203.401
Pound Sterling        501.258 512.879
Irish Punt            414.150 423.752
Pound Cyprus          564.369 577.454
Pound Malta           716.755 746.620
Turkish pound (100)     0.060   0.062
French franc           49.724  50.877
Swiss franc           204.947 209.699
Belgian franc           8.085   8.273
German Mark           166.768 170.635
Finnish Mark           54.858  56.129
Dutch Guilder         148.009 151.441
Danish Kr.             43.892  44.910
Swedish Kr.            37.408  38.276
Norwegian Kr.          39.261  40.172
Austrian Sh.           23.704  24.253
Italian lira (100)     16.845  17.236
Yen (100)             281.351 287.874
Spanish Peseta          1.960   2.006
Port. Escudo            1.627   1.665

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
New York              303.215 310.245
Montreal              205.106 209.861
Sydney                198.792 203.401
London                501.258 512.879
Dublin                414.150 423.752
Nicosia               564.369 577.454
Paris                  49.724  50.877
Zurich                204.947 209.699
Brussels                8.085   8.273
Frankfurt             166.768 170.635
Helsinki               54.858  56.129
Amsterdam             148.009 151.441
Copenhagen             43.892  44.910
Stockholm              37.408  38.276
Oslo                   39.261  40.172
Vienna                 23.704  24.253
Milan                  16.845  17.236
Tokyo                 281.351 287.874
Madrid                  1.960   2.006
Lisbon                  1.627   1.665

Athens News Agency

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