Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-01-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't leaves drachma's revaluation open

[02] Cook and Papandreou discuss Cyprus and Yugoslavia

[03] Greece and Czech Republic sign memorandum of cooperation in SE Europe reconstruction

[04] Greek and Turkish foreign ministers to sign ten bilateral agreements next week

[05] Details of Greek-Turkish cooperation exhibition in April unveiled

[06] Greece welcomes Ankara's suspension of Ocalan execution

[07] Gov't: supply of power to Kosovo foreseen

[08] Prime Minister Simitis invokes clear improvement in pensioners' incomes

[09] Karamanlis criticises PM over what he calls 'election ambiguity

[10] Greek Parliament President Kaklamanis to visit Cyprus

[11] Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash invited to Berlin

[12] EU Commission says no contact with Greece on drachma revaluation

[13] Photographic exhibition on Aegean to open in Washington D.C.

[14] Athens seminar focuses on China's prospects for the 21st century

[15] Bonds lively in stronger buying

[16] Greek market remain nervous, stocks end mixed

[17] ADEX launches new 10-year bond futures contract

[18] Drachma slips in lacklustre trade

[19] Second voice wired telephony licence to be tendered by June

[20] Prosecutor orders enquiry into Radio Korasidis share jump

[21] Bulgarian gov't to set terms for BTC sale to OTE-KPN

[22] Pouliadis, SAP forge strategic alliance

[23] Taxi owners' strike aimed at 'bogus cabs'

[24] Jobless seamen rise in December vs November

[25] Kaklamanis announces start of procedure for Youth Parliament's 5th session

[26] Patra prepares for spectacular carnival

[27] Bill tabled introducing Greek Police Headquarters

[28] Hold-up at Athens Bar Association

[01] Gov't leaves drachma's revaluation open

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

"The revaluation of the drachma's central parity against the euro remains open. It is a matter to be jointly decided with European authorities," National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou told reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis to discuss the country's course towards participating in EMU. Papantoniou said Greece would submit its entry application in the second week of March (12-13 March) following fulfillment of the inflation criterion by the end of February.

A final decision on the Greek entry application is expected at the EU summit in Porto, Portugal, June 19-20. Referring on the Greek economy, Papantoniou said it was entering a phase of rapid growth and further strengthening of economic activity, a combination resulting in more jobs and higher income. He predicted that the stockmarket would move higher and said that prospects were positive for 2000, but stressed that this trend did not exclude fluctuations.

Papantoniou also predicted that the year 2000 would be a very positive period for the Greek economy with "strong growth, lower interest rates and low inflation".

[02] Cook and Papandreou discuss Cyprus and Yugoslavia

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Thursday held talks focusing on the Cyprus problem and the internal situation in Yugoslavia. Papandreou said he briefed his British counterpart on his contacts in Cyprus earlier this week, while Cook emphasised that the current United Nations initiative had to lead to a solution putting an end to the present regime of division on the island.

"I briefed Mr. Cook on the current climate in Cyprus, a climate of expectancy for developments, one might say, but also of concern... caused by discussions and scenarios of a confederation which appear at times," Papandreou said.

Cook said they also had the opportunity to exchange views on issues concerning the Balkans and the future of Europe.

"We discussed issues of common interest, focusing on how to tap and build on the big achievements of the Helsinki summit... (where) we helped start a new relationship between Turkey and the EU, and established ... that even though the European Union desires a solution in the present division of Cyprus, this will not be a condition for its membership of the Union ... These achievements would not have been made possible without the resoluteness, the courage and the capability of the Greek government. Mr. Papandreou made a decisive contribution to these positive developments," he said.

In reference to Yugoslavia Papandreou said they discussed developments in Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia, and the prospects of democratisation in the country and of its relations with Europe. He said there was a substantive exchange of views on these issues and expressed the opinion that Britain appreciated the Greek role in the region.

"We would like to see a deepening of democracy in Yugoslavia, a flourishing of democratic forces which would open new prospects for the country in Europe," he said.

[03] Greece and Czech Republic sign memorandum of cooperation in SE Europe reconstruction

LONDON 14/01/2000 (ANA)

According to the memorandum, the two foreign ministers will work closely in providing assistance to economic entities in both Greece and the Czech Republic, which wish to participate in the economic reconstruction and development of conflict and war-stricken areas of the region.

The two ministries will consult each other "on issues related to the participation of Greek and Czech enterprises in the economic reconstruction of the region," the memorandum stated. The two ministries also undertook the responsibility to coordinate efforts of their respective governments for the reconstruction and development of the region, the memorandum noted. The memorandum also mandates the creation of a joint "Greek-Czech Board to be based in Thessaloniki under the auspices of the respective ministers of foreign affairs, who will chair the common sessions".

[04] Greek and Turkish foreign ministers to sign ten bilateral agreements next week

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou is going to Ankara on January 19, where he will co-sign agreements on tourism, citizens' security, the protection of investments, environmental protection and possibly the prevention of double taxation with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

Cem will follow with a visit to Athens, where the two counter-parts will sign agreements on cooperation in the fields of science and technology, merchant shipping, economy and culture, as well as on mutual assistance between customs authorities.

Papandreou, who will be accompanied to Ankara by a large group of Greek businessmen, will meet with Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the President of the Turkish National Assembly Yildirim Akbulut on January 20. The two foreign ministers will also attend a meeting of businees leaders of the two countries.

Greek foreign ministry sources said the agreements stress respect to the rules of international law, the sovereignty of each country and its internal legislation

[05] Details of Greek-Turkish cooperation exhibition in April unveiled

ISTANBUL, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The exhibition is slated for April 20 and 21 at Athens' seaside Peace and Friendship indoor Stadium. A bevy Turkish exports, traditional dress, dances and children's choirs from the neighbo-uring country will be among the highlights. In addition, a joint fashion show by Greek designer Mihalis Aslanis and his Turkish counterpart Cemil Ipekci is also planned.

Meanwhile, a conference bringing together Greek and Turkish entrepreneurs with a stated goal of expanding bilateral business and trade ties is scheduled to commence at the same time as the exhibition.

"Efforts and hopes over several years will materialise with this exhibition," Panayiotis Koutsikos, the president of the Greek-Turkish Business Council, said at a downtown Istanbul hotel.

On his part, the president of the Turkish-Greek Business Council, Sarik Tara, noted that "Greece's 15 years of experience in the European Union will be valuable for Turkey."

For the Turkish side, the exhibition falls under the aegis of the Overseas Trade Council, while participants include the Turkish foreign ministry, tourism ministry, culture ministry as well as the Union of Turkish Chambers of Commerce (TOBB) and the Association of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSIAD).

[06] Greece welcomes Ankara's suspension of Ocalan execution

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said it was a "correct decision", noting that Athens had opposed Ocalan's execution from the time of his trial.

Replying to press questions during his regular briefing on whether the suspension will cause a domestic problem in Turkey, Reppas said that it was not possible for a positive decision such as that to create a domestic problem

[07] Gov't: supply of power to Kosovo foreseen

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

[08] Prime Minister Simitis invokes clear improvement in pensioners' incomes

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

Simitis, who held two-hour talks with the pensioners' coordinating committee, invoked a clear improvement in pensioners' incomes, adding that the government has proceeded with a redistribution policy and has considerably increased social protection expenditures.

In statements after the meeting, however, the pensioners' representatives claimed that they are being led to "starvation, impoverishment and marginalisation."

The meeting was attended by Labour Minister Miltiades Papaioannou, Deputy Social Insurances Minister Foivos Ioannidis and Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister George Paschalidis

[09] Karamanlis criticises PM over what he calls 'election ambiguity

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

Speaking at a meeting of ND's new sector heads, Karamanlis called for the party's readiness in light of any upcoming election battle.

Referring to ND's upcoming congress, he said it hopes to accomplish three goals: namely, that the party's positions become more widely known amongst voters; for a decentralised regional dialogue, and third, for a presentation of new, more pioneering policies. He also noted that procedures before the congress will develop policy planks in tandem with the party's rank and file.

In other matters, ND's sector heads discussed a recently tabled bill in Parliament dealing with naturalisations, with criticism centering on the fact that the legislation does not foresee a re-examination of illegal naturalisations or nullify ones obtained by deception. ND cadres also said the bill lacks incentives for eligible foreign nationals wishing to obtain Greek citizenship as well as incentives for expatriate Greeks to remain in the countries where they currently reside, especially states of the former Soviet Union.

Additionally, recent developments on the Athens Stock Exchange were discussed in light the situation created over the Korasidis Telecom share price on Wednesday, which ND spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos called a "farce". He also said the government should not intervene with the bourse's functions.

Finally, Spiliotopoulos categorically denied press reports that the party's leadership will impose a maximum age limit for its Parliament deputy candidates in the next elections, a measure that would have included one-time premier and ND honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis

[10] Greek Parliament President Kaklamanis to visit Cyprus

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The Greek official will be received by President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and hold talks with his Cypriot counterpart Spyros Kyprianou, Defence Minister Socrates Hasikos and political party leaders.

The Turkish-occupied municipality of Morphou will declare Kaklamanis honorary citizen during a special ceremony hosted by the municipality.

Kaklamanis will also attend the presentation of a luxury publication "Morphou: 3,600 years of history" and on Saturday he will visit the Military General Command to be briefed by the National Guard commander Demetris Demou.

Kaklamanis returns to Athens on Saturday afternoon.

[11] Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash invited to Berlin

BERLIN, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The visit will take place after the second round of UN-sponsored proximity talks, between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash, is held in Geneva at the end of the month, but no specific date has been set yet, he added.

The spokesman confirmed Fischer's invitation to Denktash, adding it was delivered officially to the Turkish Cypriot leader by the German Ambassador to Nicosia.

Germany is aware that "certain protocol problems" exist, such as the title by which Denktash is being invited, but believes they are rectifiable in accordance with the invitation extended by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for the start to the talks in New York, he said.

He noted, however, that the German government does not recognise the Turkish Cypriot self-declared state.

[12] EU Commission says no contact with Greece on drachma revaluation

BRUSSELS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

"We know, however, of the Greek government's intention to contact with community agencies soon with the aim to conclude negotiations on the currency's parity change," he said speaking to the ANA

[13] Photographic exhibition on Aegean to open in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON DC 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The exhibition, which will remain open until Feb. 3, features works by 11 of Greece's best photographers, showcasing 160 color and black/white images of places and faces in islands of the Aegean, the press release noted.

The exhibition was organised by the Athens based Benaki Museum, Indiktos Publications and the Greek Press and Media Ministry.

[14] Athens seminar focuses on China's prospects for the 21st century

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

Dokianos emphasised, however, that Beijing's current leadership is above all prudent, following the "Five Principles Policy" of peaceful co-existence, equality among nations, non-aggression, non-intervention in neighbouring states' affairs and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other countries.

The Asia 2000 programme is focused on meeting the ever-widening"information gap" related to the dynamic markets of Asia, as well as to support the development of Asian studies in Greece. Upcoming seminars will focus on the Japan, South Korea, India and the SE Asia states.

The Institute was founded by the Greek Association of Societe Anonyme and Ltd. firms in 1993.

[15] Bonds lively in stronger buying

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The benchmark 10-year bond rose in the wake of gains of 35-40 basis points a day earlier to show a yield of 6.63% from 6.67% in the previous session and 6.69% on Tuesday.

The yield spread over German bunds narrowed to 111 basis points from 112 basis points in the previous session and 117 basis points on Tuesday.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic trading system was 98 billion drachmas from 114 billion drachmas on Wednesday and 102 billion drachmas on Tuesday.

Of Thursday's turnover, buy orders accounted for 88 billion drachmas of the total and sell orders ten billion drachmas.

Players retained their interest in long-term paper that recently had been dumped in favour of mid-term securities.

In previous sessions, prices had fallen in line with declines in other European markets on fears of a new round of rate hikes.

Analysts have forecast an overall decline in domestic paper due to uncertainty over price levels in markets abroad and the fact that players have already discounted Greece's entry into the euro zone, which means the expectation is unlikely to drive prices up any further.

[16] Greek market remain nervous, stocks end mixed

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

I wish no bloodshed will follow with Taiwan, which I see as a most serious problem in the future along with the Sprately Islands dispute."

Dokianos emphasised, however, that Beijing's current leadership is above all prudent, following the "Five Principles Policy" of peaceful co-existence, equality among nations, non-aggression, non-intervention in neighbouring states' affairs and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other countries.

The Asia 2000 programme is focused on meeting the ever-widening"information gap" related to the dynamic markets of Asia, as well as to support the development of Asian studies in Greece. Upcoming seminars will focus on the Japan, South Korea, India and the SE Asia states.

The Institute was founded by the Greek Association of Societe Anonyme and Ltd. firms in 1993.

[15] Bonds lively in stronger buying

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The benchmark 10-year bond rose in the wake of gains of 35-40 basis points a day earlier to show a yield of 6.63% from 6.67% in the previous session and 6.69% on Tuesday.

The yield spread over German bunds narrowed to 111 basis points from 112 basis points in the previous session and 117 basis points on Tuesday.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic trading system was 98 billion drachmas from 114 billion drachmas on Wednesday and 102 billion drachmas on Tuesday.

Of Thursday's turnover, buy orders accounted for 88 billion drachmas of the total and sell orders ten billion drachmas.

Players retained their interest in long-term paper that recently had been dumped in favour of mid-term securities.

In previous sessions, prices had fallen in line with declines in other European markets on fears of a new round of rate hikes.

Analysts have forecast an overall decline in domestic paper due to uncertainty over price levels in markets abroad and the fact that players have already discounted Greece's entry into the euro zone, which means the expectation is unlikely to drive prices up any further.

[16] Greek market remain nervous, stocks end mixed

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 0.16 percent lower at 1,599.70 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 191 to 134 with another three issues unchanged.

A total of 10 shares, including Galis, Xylemporia, Alysida, Petropoulos, Lavipharm and Fintexport ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

ETBA and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks. ETBA shares ended 14.49 percent higher on the second day of trading in the market.

[17] ADEX launches new 10-year bond futures contract

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

Trading on the 10-year bond futures contract will begin with an official ceremony to be attended by Finance Undersecretary Nikos Christodoulakis, National Economy Ministry secretary-general, George Papaioannou, representatives from the Hellenic Bank Association and stock market officials.

The 10-year bond futures contract is expected to improve and complete the Greek bond market, while it can also be used as an investment tool for the protection of investors from any sudden changes in long-term interest rates. It can also be used as an investment based on long-term rate predictions.

Trading hours for the new contract were set from 10.30-17.00.

[18] Drachma slips in lacklustre trade

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 330.840 drachmas from 330.800 drachmas in the previous session and 330.950 drachmas on Tuesday.

Also at the fix, the US dollar was set at 321.300 drachmas from 321.080 drachmas a day earlier and 321.250 drachmas on Tuesday

On Wednesday, the Bank of Greece had bought around 100 million euros to stabilise the rising drachma at lower levels after selling the same amount on Tuesday in order to nudge up the flagging national currency. There was no intervention on Thursday.

[19] Second voice wired telephony licence to be tendered by June

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

At this time only the state operated, Athens Stock Exchange listed Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) is licensed to operate wired telephone voice services in Greece.

[20] Prosecutor orders enquiry into Radio Korasidis share jump

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

On Wednesday, the stock had jumped to 129,000 drachmas after starting at 6,500 drachmas and finally settling at 28,000 drachmas. There is no volatility limit for new listings in the first three days of trade.

The financial crimes squad, which belongs to the finance ministry, is to conduct the enquiry due to the specialised nature of the subject matter. It will determine whether or not there is enough evidence for charges to be brought.

Also on Thursday, the Athens Stock Exchange said in a statement that its electronic trading system had made no error concerning Radio Korasidis' share price following talk that a computer glitch had led to a false figure.

The Athens bourse said in a statement that the high share price had emerged normally from brokers' orders.

[21] Bulgarian gov't to set terms for BTC sale to OTE-KPN

SOFIA ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

Bulgarian Transport and Communications Minister Antoni Slavinski said that the new terms were necessary to provide further clarifications during the negotiations, adding that BTC will be sold only if and when Bulgaria secures its legal rights.

Greece's Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) and Holland's KPN were locked in ten-month-old negotiations for the purchase of 51 per cent of BTC, along with a license for the development and operation of a second mobile telephony network in the Balkan country.

An earlier deal, which did not come to fruition, provided for the sale of 51 per cent of BTC shares and the mobile telephony license for US$ 510 million.

[22] Pouliadis, SAP forge strategic alliance

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The arrangement is expected to bring both groups major financial gains this year, Pouliadis said in a statement on Friday.

In 1999, 37 major new customers opted for SAP software, taking SAP Hellas' turnover to over 4.0 billion drachmas. Sales are expected to more than double this year.

With more than 110 installations, SAP Hellas is one of the largest software applications firms in Greece in the ERP software and e-commerce market.

Telsys, a member of the Pouliadis Group, is the official Greek agent for Dell Computer Corporation, an associate of SAP. In that capacity, it provides integrated solutions and services to both the private and public sectors.

[23] Taxi owners' strike aimed at 'bogus cabs'

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

During a press conference on Thursday, the leadership of Attica's taxi owners' union (SATA) also publicised the names of several transport ministry employees working out of the Agia Paraskevi and Holargos bureaus it claims are chiefly responsible for the issuance of at least seven illegal taxi licenses.

According to SATA president Thymios Lymberopoulos, two of the employees accused of wrongdoing by the union have been already been indicted.

Union officials said the number of bogus taxis on the greater Athens area's streets is "significant", while coordinated measures by the transport ministry are necessary to both take the vehicles off the roads and to uncover which individuals are behind the issuance of bogus licenses.

In addition to the taxi register, owners are demanding heightened protection against crime, the creation of special taxi lanes and a change in legislation shifting legal responsibility to ticketed taxi drivers instead of the actual vehicle (i.e. removal of plates and permits by authorities).

[24] Jobless seamen rise in December vs November

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

Of December's jobless seamen, 960 were receiving benefit, the statement said.

The data was released by the ministry's Seamen's Jobseekers Bureau

[25] Kaklamanis announces start of procedure for Youth Parliament's 5th session

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

Kaklamanis referred to the wide acceptance of the Youth Parliament's programme among young people, according to relevant research conducted recently by the New Generation General Secretariat, and indicated that two-thirds of the statistical specimen have confidence in the new institution.

Arsenis termed the Youth Parliament institution "a lesson in democracy and the free expression of views with respect for the other's views."

[26] Patra prepares for spectacular carnival

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The opening ceremony of Carnival 2000 will take place midnight on Sunday through Monday.

Thousands of people will gather in the heart of the city, at Georgiou Square, to give the carnival oath and light the carnival flame which will remain lit until the last Sunday of the carnival.

The opening ceremony will be full of colour, with a multitude of people taking to the streets in fancy dress, dancing and singing to the sound of bands playing a variety of music.

[27] Bill tabled introducing Greek Police Headquarters

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

The bill's introductory text stated that there was no longer reason for the police services to be directly subject to the ministry, following the merger of the Gendarmerie with the Urban Police, so as to enable more direct State control on the Greek Police's task.

It said in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the police, greater autonomy was required in its operation.

This autonomy would be provided with the establishment of a flexible Greek Police Headquarters, headed by the Chief of Police, the text said.

The bill also introduces the establishment of Regional Police Precincts aimed at more direct cooperation with the local civil authorities and agencies, and at combatting concentrationism and bureaucracy.

[28] Hold-up at Athens Bar Association

ATHENS, 14/01/2000 (ANA)

They said that according to eye witnesses, two unidentified men went to the cashier's office on the first floor of the Association's building in central Athens, took out guns and ordered the cashier to turn over the money to them.

The cashier, in fear for his life, did as he was told, and the culprits fled with the money on a motorcycle, police said.

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