Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-12-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek public sector prepares for possible YK2 virus

[02] Kosovo, Balkans dominate talks between Papandreou and Russia's Ivanov

[03] US embassy conference to focus on Greek tourism sector

[04] Latest opinion poll shows PASOK lead

[05] SE European defence minister approve new 'crises management centre'

[06] First day of conference focusing on damage to Parthenon Marbles opens

[07] Greece points to Ecevit comments prior to Helsinki summit

[08] Premier outlines investments in `information society` framework

[09] Figures released for foreigners applying for residency status

[10] Privatisation revenue to total Dr 3.0 trillion

[11] Tourist arrivals seen up 7.0 pct

[12] Profit taking halts rally on Athens bourse

[13] Bonds perky in light trade

[14] 12-month treasury bill yield falls

[15] AGET, Petzetakis form alliance

[16] Cardico sees Dr 30 bln turnover in 2000

[17] Ideal posts profit jump

[18] Selonda has 184 pct rise in turnover

[19] Athens Foreign Exchange

[01] Greek public sector prepares for possible YK2 virus

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

"We do not expect any particular problems in the basic sectors of the economy and social sector," Ms Papandreou told a news conference.

She added that all the procedures required to make systems year 2000 compliant have been taken by the Public Power Corp., Public Gas Corp. and the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation.

Data current to end-October showed that Olympic Airways was 99 per cent year '2000' compliant, as were Greek Railways, the Athens and Piraeus Water and Sewage Co., the stock market and public administration.

Also present at the news conference was Alekos Sideridis, the chairman of the working group set up to deal with any problems caused by the changeover in dates to the new century.

Ms Papandreou said there had been some delay noted in preparing and dealing with the Y2K problem in the private sector, and in some smaller sized state organisations, such as small pension funds.

This is why Greece has been placed by international organisations in the second category of countries in regard to action taken to combat the problem, she said.

Nevertheless, even second place is a good result, given that only Britain and the United States are in the first category, she noted.

Ms Papandreou stressed that Greece had contingency plans ready in the event of any problem. A special operations room has been set up at the secretariat general for civil protection specifically to deal with problems related to Y2K. The service will be responsible for coordinating the changeover on New Year's Eve and will deal with any emergency.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat General for Consumers yesterday said it would launch an information campaign next month to reliably inform consumers about the dangers and myths of the millennium bug, or Y2K.

An announcement from the organisation said the aim of the campaign was to avoid unnecessary rumour-mongering about the effect of Y2K on the consumer, and how consumers could best deal with practical problems they faced in dealing with the Y2K problem in relation to personal computers, household appliances and other small electronic equipment.

The campaign will include television and radio spots, the publication of leaflets, brochures and posters, and the holding of a special talk on the issue on Dec. 13.

Athens News Agency

[02] Kosovo, Balkans dominate talks between Papandreou and Russia's Ivanov

MOSCOW, 01/12/1999 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos)

Kosovo and the Balkans were among the primary issues discussed between Foreign Minister George Papandreou, currently on an official visit here, and his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov.

The two ministers also discussed bilateral Greek-Russian relations, the Cyprus issue and the situation in the Caucasus, while Mr. Papandreou took the opportunity to underline the intense humanitarian problem faced not only by Kosovo but by the rest of Yugoslavia as well.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Mr. Ivanov stressed the great importance of continuous political dialogue between Athens and Moscow and the very high level of bilateral relations which are being developed successfully in all sectors. He said the atmosp here prevailing in the talks was sincere and constructive and expressed satisfaction over its outcome.

On his part, Mr. Papandreou stressed the importance of dialogue between the two capitals and the special friendly relationship he has developed with his Russian counterpart, particularly from the time of the crisis in Kosovo. He also expressed Greece's gratitude for Russian support for UN resolutions on Cyprus.

Mr. Ivanov strongly criticised efforts being made to reduce Russian influence in the Caucasus and Caspian region, indirectly linking such pursuits with the ongoing crisis in the northern Caucasus (Chechnya, Dagestan).

Mr. Papandreou, on his part, expressed the European Union's position on the problem of Chechnya, and said Mr. Ivanov "gave him to understand the sensitivities of Russia and the Russian people on this issue."

In addition, Mr. Ivanov strongly condemned the "genocide" which, as he said, is taking place against ethnic minorities in Kosovo. The ousting of Serbs and gypsies, the continuous destruction and the open manifestation of secessionist intentions.

Mr. Ivanov further criticised the major western powers of tacitly consenting to these policies and of avoiding to condemn "the despicable actions of secessionists in Kosovo."

He added that in the immediate future, Russia intends to raise this issue at the Security Council and to use other possibilities if necessary.

The two ministers inaugurated an exhibition of poems, novels, articles, diaries and correspondence by the great Russian poet Pushkin. The exhibition is part of manifestations marking the 200th anniversary of his birth and the texts on display have been inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 and the Greek concept.

Athens News Agency

[03] US embassy conference to focus on Greek tourism sector

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

The first-ever International Tourism Infrastructure Conference (ITIC '99) is being organised by the US embassy in Athens, according to a press release yesterday.

"Thirty US companies are coming to Greece for this conference, which is the first one we've sponsored where American specialists from the tourism sector - architects, designers,builders, researchers and government officials - are meeting with hotel and resort owners from Greece and the region. This conference will draw on Greece's long and illustrious history as a tourist destination and I hope it will lead to increased tourism and to expanded investment," US ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns said.

Indeed, more than 500 delegates from Spain to Uzbekistan, and from Finland to Cyprus, have signed up to participate. The conference will serve as a forum to introduce decision-makers from Greece and the other nations to US companies developing tourism infrastructure projects such as resorts, hotels, golf clubs, and eco-tourism, among others.

"Let's say you're interested in starting an eco-tourism venture on southern EviaIAt this forum, you'll be able to meet the owner of a company which developed environmentally sensitive itineraries and facilities in Washin- gton State. You'll be able to he ar what she did, what she wished she had done, and how she attracts clients to her trips. These sessions will be a great chance for tourism professionals from Greece and the other countries to find out what the American market can offer them."

For more information, please contact the US embassy's commercial service at 72.02.302.

Athens News Agency

[04] Latest opinion poll shows PASOK lead

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

The poll, conducted on behalf of a private radio station by the Metron firm and focusing on respondents from around the country, also affirmed Prime Minister Costas Simitis' lead in popularity over ND leader Costas Karamanlis.

Mr. Simitis polled a 45.5 percent popularity rating, compared to 31 percent for Mr. Karamanlis. Some 32.5 percent of respondents said they would vote for PASOK, compared to 31.3 percent for ND. Democratic Social Movement garnered 5.6 percent of the vote , the Communist Party of Greece 5.2 and Coalition of the Left and Progress 4.8 percent.

Former parliamentary party Political Spring polled 1.1 percent and the fledgling Liberals party, led by former ND minister Stephanos Manos, failed to poll more than half a percentage point.

The percentage of those undecided or refusing to answer was 10 percent.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said later that the government was satisfied with the results of the polls over the past two days, including the one revealed yesterday.

"The government will continue its work to see the country go forward and improve the living standards of Greeks; not to improve PASOK's ratings," Mr. Reppas said.

This attitude was in stark contrast to that of main opposition New Democracy which, Mr. Reppas said, did little more than talk about problems without proposing any solution.

On his part, PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said that the results of the polls show an increase of citizen's trust in the partym following a meeting with Prime Minister and party president Costas Simitis.

He also said the premier will address the committee on issues regarding political developments, PASOK strategy and aims for the upcoming election- year.

The committee will discuss the braft of the party's positions and stance for the next four-year term, drafted by ex-foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos, Mr. Skandalidis said.

He added that the decisions of the committee will be the base for discussions during the party general conference scheduled for the end of January.

DHKKI : "The government does not want to avoid elections. It wants them before their regular time, because it knows, that as time passes toward September there will be a revelation that its promises to the Greek people where 'inflated balloons'" DHKKI leader Dimitris Tsovolas said. Commenting specifically on the recently released polls, he said "we have been the subject of such polls by the people daily, since we are touring Greece, and I believe, that every effort by some to mislead public opinion will not succeed."

Synaspismos : On his part, a Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) official said the party can avoid the presure exerted on it by other parties and do much better, "if it improves its image and move on united".

Athens News Agency

[05] SE European defence minister approve new 'crises management centre'

BUCHAREST, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

Additionally, a special corps of engineers unit will be set up to tackle emergencies. It will undertake a specific task in Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) at an initial stage. The defence minsisters from the seven Balkan co untries and the two observer states made an overall evaluation of the situation in the Balkans, while National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said that "we ascertained that we are not satisfied with the situation shaped in Kosovo." Mr. Tsohatzopoulo s warned that ethnic cleansing against the Serbs and other minorities living in Kosovo, the lack of an adequate police force which would safeguard internal security, the inability to create a new administration for Kosovo and the non-implementation of "great promises", both on the part of the European Union and the leaders of the world community, entail dangers of an immediate worsening of security in the region.

He reiterated that it must be made clear that the security of Europe is indivisible and that there will be no integrated and successful security policy for Europe unless security is secured in the Balkans.

Athens News Agency

[06] First day of conference focusing on damage to Parthenon Marbles opens

LONDON, 01/12/1999 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

Archaeologists and experts are participating in the conference, organised by the British Museum, and focusing on the cleaning methods used during 1937-38 to restore the surfaces of the Marbles.

British Museum Director Robert Anderson opened the conference, stressing that its purpose was to focus on scientific issues.

On his part, British historian William St. Clair was the first participant to address the conference, reiterating his findings on the damage caused to the Marbles by the "illogical and harsh" cleansing practice by employees of the British Museum, as he said.

According to Mr. St. Clair, in many cases the patina was removed from the Marbles up to 80 per cent of the surface.

Responding to Mr. St. Clair, British Museum Curator of Greek Antiquities Ian Jengins claimed that the damage was caused by weather conditions and other conditions before the Marbles reached England.

Furthermore, Mr. Jengins said patina loss was limited to about 10 per cent of the surface of the friezes.

Responding to a relevant question, Mr. Anderson said the results of the conference are not the same of those in soccer scores, rather, the conference is an effort to achieve "social consensus, which will aid in discovering what exactly happened with the cleansing of the Marbles 60 years ago".

Before the close of the first day, the Greek team of experts, which recently examined the Marbles, presented its findings.

They noted that along with the loss of the patina, Marble crystals were also removed, resulting in changes to the texture of the statues.

The result can be compared, they said, to 1910 photographs of the friezes.

Athens News Agency

[07] Greece points to Ecevit comments prior to Helsinki summit

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

"Turkey is not being asked to make any concessions; but it is being asked to respect international law and international treaties," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

Greece, Mr. Reppas added, will set out its position on the issue of Turkey's EU candidacy bid at the Helsinki summit on the basis of developments expected during the discussion on this issue.

He reiterated a previous statement that the chances of Greece either approving or disagreeing with the bid were "50-50".

Athens News Agency

[08] Premier outlines investments in `information society` framework

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

He said after chairing a meeting of a governmental ad hoc committee on the Information Society Operational Programme that five basic priorities were finalised during the meeting, and pertained to the modernisation of public administration with emphasis on serving the citizen, quality of life and improvement of the every-day life of the citizen in the sectors of health, environment and transport, telecommunications and postal services, development and employment, and education and culture.

Mr. Simitis said the road that needed to be opened for materialisation of those priorities was a long one.

Persistence and systematic effort were required so that the public sector as well as the private sector would be in a position to employ and fully utilise the new technologies, aimed at approaching the European norm, Mr. Simitis said.

In that direction, he called for efficiency in public administration aiming at further improvement of communication and dealings with the public sector and at strengthening and upgrading the human potential in public administration.

The premier said all the public sector agencies were obliged to provide electronic access to documents, and gradually to all legislative texts, adding that the first step was taken with the ability to electronically submit VAT statements.

He also stressed the importance of expanding the training programmes for civil servants to cover new technologies, and of establishing new basic computer knowlege requirements in the hiring process.

Turning to schools, he said a programme was being drafted, adapted to the needs of the 21st century, while an educational network was being set up, initially linking 1,400 lycems and 430 technical colleges on the Internet by the end of the year 2000.

By the end of 2001, he said, full-fleged computer labs would be operating in the schools and their networking will have been completed.

Mr. Simitis said there was also a strong need for the development of informatics and networking among hospitals and health centres. In SMEs, training of employees was necessary in the new electronic means, while the companies themselves should be a ble to take advantage of the immense prospects and abilities opening up in the field of electronic trade.

The ad hoc committee further ascertained that the mobilisation of public and private sector experts and technicians had timely prepared Greece against the Y2K bug, and the country was not expected to face any problems in the basic areas of its economic and social life in the switchover to the year 2000.

Athens News Agency

[09] Figures released for foreigners applying for residency status

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

According to the report, 91 per cent of the illegals who applied for residency status (or the so-called 'white card') come from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Pakistan, Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, India, Egypt and the Philippines.

However, the report stated, Albanian nationals were by far the biggest group applying for residency - as 65 per cent of applicants said their country of origin was Albania.

Way behind in second place with 6.7 per cent, were those applicants who said their country of origin was Bulgaria. Romanians accounted for 4.5 per cent, Pakistanis for 2.9 per cent and Ukrainians for 2.7 per cent.

Seventy-four percent of the applicants were male, but the report indicated that this factor also depended on the country of origin.

Eighty-three percent of Filipinos applying for residency were women as were 80 per cent of Ukrainians and 74 per cent of Moldovans.

Conversey, 99 percent of Pakistani applicants were men, as were 98 percent of applicants from India, Egypt and Syria.

Forty-four per cent of applications were filed in the Attica region. High percentages also came from central Greece, the Peloponnese and Crete.

In total, 369,629 foreigners filed applications for residency between Jan. 1, 1998 and May 31, 1998.

According to estimates at the time, there are another 150,000 illegals who have not filed for legal status. This estimate is considered to have risen since then.

Athens News Agency

[10] Privatisation revenue to total Dr 3.0 trillion

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Papantoniou said that this year's privatisation programme included the partial sale or flotation of Thessaloniki International Fair, Hellenic Petroleum, Hellenic Industrial Development Bank, Athens Water and Sewage Company, Olympic Catering and the Public Gas Corporation.

He said that Hellenic Vehicles Industry and Hellenic Aerospace Industry would be partially privatised in the first few months of 2000.

Mr. Papantoniou said that Greece had already fulfilled the two basic criteria for participation in economic and monetary union and that the country had completed the first stage towards entering the eurozone. He predicted that the harmonised inflation rate would be 2.2 percent in February.

Stock market holding rise : The stock market will continue moving higher, reflecting the strength of the economy, Mr. Papantoniou said. He added that the market appeared to be holding on an upward trend.

"Fluctuations in the short- and medium-term will continue to exist, a normal development in a stock market operating in a free market," the minister said.

Athens News Agency

[11] Tourist arrivals seen up 7.0 pct

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

The Institute of Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP) said that the highest rates of growth were observed in the islands, mainly the Dodecanese and Ionian islands, and Crete.

The outlook was also healthy for 2000, ITEP said.

On the basis of bookings so far, arrivals were expected to be at least 6.0. higher next year compared to 1999 to hit a record high of around 13 million arrivals.

Athens is likely to receive about 10 percent more tourists against last year, taking the total back to 1998 levels after dropping in 1999, ITEP said.

GNTO to open office in China : The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) is to open an office in China in order to tap the country's growing market, GNTO Secretary General Evgenios Yiannakopoulos said yesterday.

Mr. Yiannakopoulos said that Greece could become China's gateway to Europe, and the two countries could work closely together in the tourism sector, especially in terms of cultural heritage.

China was also becoming a new tourist destination for Greeks, he added.

Athens News Agency

[12] Profit taking halts rally on Athens bourse

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 1.62 percent off at 5,712.26 points after falling as much as 2.5 percent early in the session.

Traders said the market found strong resistance at the 5,800 level and that EU's positive comments on the Greek economy had already been discounted.

Turnover was 334 billion drachmas.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (-1.59 pct), Leasing (-3.67 pct), Insurance (-1.61 pct), Investment (-1.91 pct), Construction (-0.73 pct), Industrials (-1.21 pct), Miscellaneous (-1.14 pct) and Holding (-3.19 pct). The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks fell 1.41 percent while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks eased 1.84 percent to 2,853.94 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 234 to 86 with another nine issues unchanged.

Hellenic Bottling, Alysida, Esha, Electra and Intertek ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Klonatex and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks.

National Bank of Greece ended at 23,290 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 26, 200, Commercial Bank at 24,000, Titan Cement (common) at 38,400, Hellenic Petroleum at 4,860, Intracom at 14,435, Minoan Lines at 9,500, Panafon at 3, 880 and Hellenic Telecoms at 6,990.

Athens News Agency

[13] Bonds perky in light trade

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

The benchmark 10-year bond was trading above 99.05, showing a yield of 6.56 percent from 6.59 percent in the two previous sessions from 6.57 percent on Wednesday and Thursday. The yield spread over German bunds was 135 basis points from 136 basis points a day earlier and 138 basis points on Friday.

Electronic turnover was 28 billion drachmas from 11.5 billion drachmas in the previous session and 37 billion drachmas on Friday.

Buy orders accounted for 17 billion drachmas of the turnover.

Out-of-hours trade totalling around 25 billion drachmas was also reported.

Dollar again rises vs drachma : Domestic foreign exchange trade yesterday was dominated by the dollar's ascent on international markets, and consequently against the drachma.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the European single currency rose against the drachma.

It was set at 328.850 drachmas from 328.550 drachmas in the previous session and 329.000 drachmas on Friday. The dollar was set at 324.990 drachmas from 324.680 drachmas a day earlier and 324.140 drachmas on Friday. The US currency has risen 15.01 perce nt against the drachma since the start of the year.

Athens News Agency

[14] 12-month treasury bill yield falls

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

The average weighed interest rate on the 12-month T-bills worth 50 billion drachmas fell to 8.88 percent from 9.07 percent in the previous auction on October 26 of securities carrying the same term.

Bids submitted by the market's primary dealers totalled 143 billion drachmas, almost three times more than the amount sought.

The average weighted price of the T-bill was 91.847 points.

The finance ministry will launch through a public offering from December 1- 3 a new issue of tax-free savings bonds paying an annual coupon of 8.6 percent.

Athens News Agency

[15] AGET, Petzetakis form alliance

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

Under the terms of the deal signed yesterday, AGET will distribute the Petzetakis group's integrated pipe systems and Petzetakis Casa construction package through its distribution centres.

Both companies are listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Athens News Agency

[16] Cardico sees Dr 30 bln turnover in 2000

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

In January to September, the company posted profits of 830 million drachmas from 440 million drachmas in the same period of 1998.

By the end of 1999, profits are expected to total between 1.2 billion drachmas and 1.3 billion drachmas, Mr. Kardasilaris said.

Athens News Agency

[17] Ideal posts profit jump

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[18] Selonda has 184 pct rise in turnover

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

Profits jumped 269 percent to 1.498 billion from 406 million last year.

Selonda's shareholders recently approved a share capital increase of 4.1 billion drachmas.

The group's consolidated turnover rose 18 percent in the period January- September 1999 to 8.012 billion drachmas from 6.793 billion last year, while net pre-tax profits rose 79 percent to 1.853 billion from 1.035 billion in 1998.

Triton AEI, a Selonda subsidiary seeking listing on the Athens bourse in 2000, reported profits of 650 million and turnover of 1.285 billion drachmas in the first nine months of the year.

The company expects its turnover to reach 1.5 billion and profits 700 million drachmas for the full year.

Athens News Agency

[19] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 01/12/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             322.390 329.865
Can.Dollar            219.232 224.315
Australian Dlr        204.937 209.689
Pound Sterling        515.404 527.353
Irish Punt            414.213 423.816
Pound Cyprus          566.591 579.727
Pound Malta           751.196 782.496
Turkish pound (100)     0.057   0.059
French franc           49.732  50.885
Swiss franc           203.603 208.324
Belgian franc           8.087   8.274
German Mark           166.793 170.660
Finnish Mark           54.867  56.139
Dutch Guilder         148.032 151.464
Danish Kr.             43.868  44.885
Swedish Kr.            38.013  38.895
Norwegian Kr.          40.097  41.026
Austrian Sh.           23.707  24.256
Italian lira (100)     16.848  17.239
Yen (100)             316.220 323.552
Spanish Peseta          1.960   2.006
Port. Escudo            1.627   1.665

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
New York              322.390 329.865
Montreal              219.232 224.315
Sydney                204.937 209.689
London                515.404 527.353
Dublin                414.213 423.816
Nicosia               566.591 579.727
Paris                  49.732  50.885
Zurich                203.603 208.324
Brussels                8.087   8.274
Frankfurt             166.793 170.660
Helsinki               54.867  56.139
Amsterdam             148.032 151.464
Copenhagen             43.868  44.885
Stockholm              38.013  38.895
Oslo                   40.097  41.026
Vienna                 23.707  24.256
Milan                  16.848  17.239
Tokyo                 316.220 323.552
Madrid                  1.960   2.006
Lisbon                  1.627   1.665

Athens News Agency

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