Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-01-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government dismisses opposition call for early election

[02] White House says Greek-Turkish relations and Cyprus among US priorities

[03] Tsohatzopoulos briefs PM on defense ministry issues

[04] Greece's new five-year armaments program to be finalized on Jan 14

[05] Greek president meets his Israeli counterpart

[06] Stephanopoulos refers to creation of Israeli state equality in increasingly multinational states Athens

[07] Israel requests strengthening of military cooperation with Greece

[08] Greek stocks plunge on aggressive selling

[09] Bank of Greece keeps rates steady

[10] Hefty rise in advertising spending in 1999

[11] Petrol down; prices up for diesel, heating oil

[12] Marginal increase in the population of Greece in 1999

[13] Greek health services say flu epidemic not a problem

[14] Employees of the country's municipalities suspend 48-hour strike

[15] Ultraprefect of Attica convicted for slander against Justice Minister

[16] Large quantity of hashish intercepted, Albanian arrested

[17] Ministry to assign more police to foot patrol duty

[18] Coach drivers complain about Acropolis traffic restrictions

[19] Late Feb. 2001 foreseen as completion date for most OA facilities at new airport

[01] Government dismisses opposition call for early election

The ruling PASOK party on Thursday again threw cold water on an opposition call for an early general election.

"The government is not concerned about elections now," Prime Minister Costas Simitis told reporters.

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis also stated it would be wise for the government to have an unimpeded run of its full four-year term --which expires in the autumn.

The two men made the statements after attending the annual religious events of the Epiphany in the port of Piraeus.

On Wednesday, Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said after meeting Simitis that elections were not part of the prime minister's immediate plans and could wait.

Also on Wednesday, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis called for an early election and said the government's refusal to set a date was irresponsible.

"The government's stand is causing uncertainty, confusion and a prolonged pre-election period... It has the responsibility to clear up the political landscape... in view of the pressing problems which will continue even after the country joins European Economic and Monetary Union," he said. Karamanlis attended the Epiphany events on the island of Zakynthos

[02] White House says Greek-Turkish relations and Cyprus among US priorities

The normalization of Greek-Turkish relations and the achievement of progress on the Cyprus issue are among the priorities of US foreign policy, according to the annual report of the White House on the "strategy" to be followed by the US in the sectors of foreign policy and national security for the year 2000. US President Bill Clinton underlines in the report, already sent to Congress, that in the coming year he will aim at "building on the encouraging developments which have occurred between Greece and Turkey to enable progress in the Aegean and in Cyprus in particular."

[03] Tsohatzopoulos briefs PM on defense ministry issues

Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Wednesday briefed Premier Costas Simitis on ministry issues, focusing mainly on a bill being drafted that will introduce the institution of professional armed forces in Greece.

Tsohatzopoulos said in reply to press questions afterwards that a prospective reduction of the mandatory conscription term would be dealt with in the bill, to be tabled in Parliament in the next few months. He said he would hold consultations with the other political parties aimed at reaching agreement on the issue.

In an unrelated matter, the minister said he saw no reason for calling snap general elections. He added that the period remaining before the end of the government's present term could be used to advance specific policies which were yet to be completed, as well as to prepare Greece for its expected inclusion in the 'euro-zone'.

[04] Greece's new five-year armaments program to be finalized on Jan 14

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Wednesday night that the country's new five-year armaments program covering the 2001-2005 period will be finalized on January 14 during a meeting of the Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA).

He was speaking during a dinner hosted by the General Bank's board on the occasion of the inauguration of its new branch in Thessaloniki.

Tsohatzopoulos said that during the period between 1997-1999 orders placed by the Armed Forces amounted to 2.55 trillion drachmas, of which the Greek defense industry received orders amounting to about 900 billion drachmas. About another 170 billion concerned offset benefits which Greek industrial units undertook to implement.

"It is obvious that gone is the time when the participation of the Greek defense industry in the country's armaments program was limited to levels in the region of four percent or five percent.

"Our target is to proceed with cooperation with the corresponding defense industries of other Balkan countries to both support their production and widen the possibilities of our industry and of our economy in general," Tsohatzopoulos said.

[05] Greek president meets his Israeli counterpart

Greek President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos expressed a hope here on Wednesday that his current visit to the Holy Lands will contribute to an even further improvement in Greek-Israeli ties, during his meeting with Israeli President Ezer Weizman.

Stephanopoulos is in the Mideast country as part of his participation in events marking the 2,000-year anniversary of the birth of Christ.

The Greek president also noted that his visit is unofficial in nature, while a state visit to Israel is planned for June.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Deputy FM Grigoris Niotis were also present at the roughly one-hour meeting between the two heads of state.

[06] Stephanopoulos refers to creation of Israeli state equality in increasingly multinational states Athens

Greek President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Wednesday referred to what he called the rapidly increasing multinational and multicultural societies of modern states, stressing the need for equality of all citizens within these countries.

The Greek president made the statements during an address at a dinner given in honor of several leaders from predominately Christian Orthodox countries invited to the Holy Land for events marking the 2,000 anniversary of the birth of Christ.

Todays countries are tending to acquirea multinational and multicultural character that demands the equal treatment of all its citizens -- regardless of gender, race, religion and language -- through the safeguarding of everyones equal rights and obligations, he said.

Referring to the Jewish state, Stephanopoulos noted that it was with the will of God that the people of Israel succeeded in acquiring after so many centuries their own state entity in the land of their fathers; where they now have the ability to live in peace and brotherhood with other peoples and religious communities.

No nation today is entirely populated by one and only people with only one religion, he added.

In reply to an opening address by the host, President Weizman, Stephanopoulos said it was a true as well as sad fact that the Greek Orthodox Church and Judaism did not avoid conflicts in the past, as each of these religions attempted to ensure and guard its uniqueness.

Their common lineage, however, and especially their common belief in the creation of man in Gods own image, not only comprise elements which reinforce the significance one religion has for the other, but are elements which inspired and dictated the humanitarian compassion and love of the Orthodox Christian faithful towards their fellow Jewish brothers during World War II, when your brethren in Europe were falling victim to Nazi brutality.

[07] Israel requests strengthening of military cooperation with Greece

Israeli Transport Minister and Acting Prime Minister Mordechai proposed the strengthening of military cooperation between-en Greece and Israel in talks with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou in Jerusalem Thursday.

Mordechai, who termed relations between Greece and Israel "very good", also told Papandreou that Greece could contribute with its experience in the development of relations between Israel, Syria and Iran.

During talks Deputy National Economy Minister Rodoula Zisi also had in Jerusalem, the Israelis expressed the desire to participate in tendering concerning projects scheduled for the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

[08] Greek stocks plunge on aggressive selling

Greek equities remained under strong pressure for the second consecutive session on Wednesday as investors continued aggressively taking profits after a year-end rally in 1999.

Traders said the market was nervous in the wake of sharp falls in international markets because of worries over interest rate hikes in the US and Europe.

The general index ended 3.92 percent lower at 5,369.38 points, off the day's lows of 5,206 points, in moderate turnover of 272.78 billion drachmas.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks fell 4.33 percent to 1,605.84 points, while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 3.97 percent to 2,795.85 and the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 4.05 percent to 992.13. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 276 to 37 with only one issue unchanged. A total of 20 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit down, while another 10 ended at the day's limit up. Techniki Olympiaki and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks.

[09] Bank of Greece keeps rates steady

The Bank of Greece kept its intervention rate steady at 10.75 percent during its regular weekly money market activity on Wednesday.

The central bank drained 150 billion drachmas in 14-day depos and satisfied commercial banks' offers worth 4.8 trillion drachmas at a rate of 3.11 percent.

In the domestic derivatives bond market, Greek state securities followed the German Bunds lower with the 10-year Greek/German bond spread remaining at 112 basis points. Most interbank rates remained below 10.0 percent with the overnight rate at 9.50 pct.

In the domestic foreign exchange market, the drachma fell to 330.85 against the euro from Tuesday's 330.35 drs following an intervention by the Bank of Greece. The Greek currency strengthened against the US dollar to 319.59 drs from the previous day's 320.41.

[10] Hefty rise in advertising spending in 1999

Spending on advertising rose by 20.8 percent in 1999 to 449.4 billion drachmas, according to data by Media Services.

Newspapers recorded the largest increase among all media categories, rising by 29.96 percent to 87.2 billion drachmas. Radio came second, with 23.65 percent to 23.5 billion drachmas, television third, with 19.79 percent to 208.9 billion drachmas, and magazines in last place with 16.56 percent to 129.7 per-cent.

Mega TV attracted more advertising outlay than any other television channel, gathering 65.4 billion drachmas, and was followed by ANT-1 with 60.6 billion drachmas, Star with 37.8 billion drachmas, Skai with 31.1 billion drachmas and ET1 with 5.8 billion drachmas.

Bodyline slimming centers spent 4.7 billion drachmas on advertising, more than any other company, followed by PASOK with 3.4 billion drachmas, and Silhouette slimming centers with 2.1 billion drachmas.

[11] Petrol down; prices up for diesel, heating oil

The price of gasoline fell slightly on Wednesday, while diesel and heating oil prices increased, following the weekly mid-week announcement by the development ministry and state-run Hellenic Petroleum S.A.

Specifically, the price for super gasoline fell by 4.1 drachmas per litre, and 4.2 drachmas per litre for unleaded. In addition, heating oil prices were also cut by 1.2 drachmas per litre, but only for quantities exceeding 1,000 litres.

Set prices are in effect for one week.

[12] Marginal increase in the population of Greece in 1999

An increase in the population of Greece in 1999, compared to 1998, is only marginal (with about 18,000 more inhabitants of whom 14,000 are immigrants), according to data provided by the European Union's statistical service EURO-STAT released in Brussels Thursday.

In a bulletin titled "First demographic evaluations for 1999", EUROSTAT mentions that in Greece, per 1,000 inhabitants, births amounted to 9.9, deaths to 9.5 and immigrants to 1.4. Consequently, the population per 1,000 inhabitants increased by 1.8 people.

In the EU's 15 member states, and always per 1,000 inhabitants, births amounted to 10.6, deaths to 9.9 and immigrants to 1.9. As a result, the EU's total population increased by 2.6 people per 1,000 inhabitants and amounts to 376.4 million.

The difference between births and deaths among the EU's member-states in 1999 was the smallest observed over the postwar period and was about 266,000 people. Immigration increased as against 1998 and amounted to 717,000 people, contributing to the increase in the EU's population by about three quarters.

The EU's population increased by 0.26 percent or by 980,000 inhabitants compared to 1998.

EUROSTAT said births decreased by 0.5 percent in the EU in 1999, compared to 1998, and amounted to four million. It is the lowest level recorded over the postwar period.

EUROSTAT underlines that 70 percent of the EU's 717,000 immigrants concerns Germany, Italy and Britain.

[13] Greek health services say flu epidemic not a problem

Greek health services are on full alert but do not expect to deal with any cases of the strain of influenza that has claimed nine lives in Albania and laid low many in Serbia.

A senior health ministry official said on Wednesday that two "suspicious" cases had been detected which could be related to influenza Type B: one in Thessaloniki and another, by the Pasteur Institute, in Athens.

More tests are being conducted to determine whether the cases are actually Type B.

Flu shots exist for both Type A and Type B influenza and are dispensed at the beginning of autumn, usually to the elderly and infants. Its effectiveness would be close to useless if one were to receive it now.

Experts say however that only in rare cases would Type A or B cause complications, and then only in people who have compromised immune systems.

According to Greek health officials, the majority of those Greeks in bed with the flu at the moment were suffering from the common cold. This would cause them grief for four to five days.

A World Health Organization representative said that Greece had adequate standards of hygiene and that cases of death arising from influenza were rare, unlike the situation in neighboring countries, such as Albania.

Paediatricians and general practitioners advised sufferers to avoid resorting to antibiotics as these would have no effect on viruses such as influenza. They advised taking only over-the-counter medicines to bring down fever and relieve symptoms and counseled bed rest, liquids and a healthy diet.

Symptoms of the flu include headache, aching joints, high fever and coughing. Most sufferers take about five days to overcome the effects of the infection.

The World Health Organization has documented cases of the particular strain of the flu in at least 14 European countries.

[14] Employees of the country's municipalities suspend 48-hour strike

Strike action called by contract local government workers for Monday and Tuesday has been suspended after a decision Thursday by POP-OTA, the pan-hellenic federation of local government employees.

A day after the federation decided to call a 48-hour strike, one of the main claims made by contractual employees for the signing of a collective labor agreement was met and so the strike was suspended.

Greek cities and towns were threatened with a new garbage pile-up after the federation said Wednesday they planned a 48-hour strike next week followed by possible rolling strikes to press for financial and other demands.

POP-OTA said contract workers in municipalities would hold a 48-hour strike on Monday and Tuesday to protest the government's failure to satisfy their demands.

They also threatened to escalate their industrial action with rolling 48-hour strikes.

The federation was calling for the signing of a collective labor agreement, tenure for contract workers, and overtime and holiday remuneration for contract workers equal to that received by tenured workers.

[15] Ultraprefect of Attica convicted for slander against Justice Minister

In Athens court on Wednesday convicted the Ultraprefect of Attica Theodoros Katrivanos to 15 months in jail after Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos sued him for slander for doubting his participation in the resistance against the German occupation of Greece during World War II. Katrivanos said he will appeal his conviction to achieve vindication and accused the presiding judge of being biased against him.

[16] Large quantity of hashish intercepted, Albanian arrested

An Albanian man was charged with smuggling 403 kilos of hashish into Greece through the northwestern town of Preveza while his Greek accomplice was being sought, police said Wednesday.

According to reports, Elvis Zoli, 20, smuggled the cannabis in 25 sacks with a speedboat from the Albanian town of Gjirokaster late Tuesday night, before hiding the sacks on Vrachou beach, near Preveza, for pick-up by his accomplices.

Zoli was arrested whereas the drugs were placed under surveillance. Police said a 20-year-old Athens man, identified as Nikolaos Prionidis, subsequently arrived at the spot in a rented car, but fled on foot under the cover of darkness when authorities called for him to stop.

Police are searching for the suspect, while the Albanian was brought before a local prosecutor.

[17] Ministry to assign more police to foot patrol duty

Greece's public order ministry plans to release some 820 police from security and bodyguard detail to combat rising crime, according to ministry officials.

The 820 police will be assigned to foot patrols to combat criminal activity, a policy which so far has seen crime levels drop significantly.

"We want to consolidate a feeling of security among the public," a senior official at the ministry said on Wednesday.

The new police resources will be assigned to eastern Athens suburbs and to eastern Attica, both areas subject to greater criminal activity, due in part to the presence of illegal immigrants.

The ministry plans to release another 430 police from other duties to bolster the numbers of officers on foot patrols.

Meanwhile, another 1000 specially equipped and trained border guards will be posted to active duty on Greece's northern borders to prevent any increase in illegal immigration through the frontiers.

[18] Coach drivers complain about Acropolis traffic restrictions

Drivers of tourist coaches complained on Wednesday about difficulties in approaching and letting tourists off at the Acropolis following the closure of a major thoroughfare at the foot of the popular tourist site.

"Persistent double parking in surrounding streets has caused untold problems," the Federation of Greek Travel and Tourist Agents (HATTA) said in a protest letter to the culture, development and environment ministries, Greek National Tourist Organization, and Athens Traffic.

Dionysiou Aeropagitou street was closed to traffic on Tuesday as the first stage of an ambitious project to unite important archaeological sites in central Athens with pedestrian walk-ways got under way. Through traffic was diverted into smaller side streets in a largely residential neighborhood.

"Greek tourism and its representatives have no objection to upgrading the Acropolis neighborhood," HATTA said.

"But this unscheduled development simply adds another complication to the disembarking of foreign tourists visiting the Acropolis... Why did no-one think to indicate a specific site for tourist coaches to stop?"

The paving of Dionysiou Aeropagitou will be the first substantial step towards realizing the project to create a so-cal-led 'archaeological park', first articulated by late Culture Minister Melina Mercouri.

On its completion, the park will be comprised of the ancient sites of the Parthenon, the Thisseion, the yet-to-be-built Acropolis Museum at Makriyanni and Hadrian's Arch.

The entire project is budgeted at 600 million drachmas and is expected to be completed in August, 2001

[19] Late Feb. 2001 foreseen as completion date for most OA facilities at new airport

The "vast majority" of state-run Olympic Airways' facilities at the new Athens international airport at Spata will be ready on the evening of Feb. 28, 2001, an official for the air-port announced recently.

According to an executive for the Eleftherios Venizelos Air-port, as it will be named, OA planes will take-off from the eastern Attica airport as scheluded on March 1, 2001.

Managing Director Mihalis Karalis made the statements in an interview with the soon-to-be released journal published by OA's employees.

He added that there may be a small delay in the completion of OA's maintenance and ground support facilities, which however, shouldn't affect the Greek national carrier's operational readiness.

The new Athens international airport will be managed by the Hochtief group for a period of 30 years. The German company is the lead firm in the consortium building the airport -- located east of central Athens.

In a related development, OA announced that as of this month it will be able to issue monthly results (released at the end of the following month). A new computer accounting system recently installed will allow the state-run airline to issue precise monthly results with a related decrease bureaucracy and costs, company officials said.

OA's administration in the past often issued results following major delays, between three and 12 months.

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