Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-03-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis campaign rally in Larissa focuses on farm policy

[02] Karamanlis confident of victory while addressing rally in western Greece

[03] Last opinion polls before elections give PASOK marginal lead

[04] Athens reacts to alleged Turkish entry ban against nine Greek public figures

[05] Stephanopoulos delivers Independence Day message

[06] US First Lady celebrates Greek Independence Day for first time

[07] Greek embassy donates March 25 money to reconstruction, refugees

[08] Pope meets with Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem

[09] Europe's open-border treaty comes into force in Greece

[10] Greek stocks show signs of recovery

[11] Balkan, Black Sea petroleum group to meet in Athens

[12] British-Hellenic Chamber holds e-commerce workshop March 29

[13] Eight illegal immigrants killed in passage to Greece

[14] Inauguration for Santorini prehistoric museum

[15] Greek-owned vessel sinks off Canada

[16] EU commissioner concludes visit

[01] Simitis campaign rally in Larissa focuses on farm policy

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

In addition, the incumbent Greek premier fresh from a European Union summit in Lisbon focusing on the employment in the 15-member bloc -- referred extensively to the countrys upgraded and equal role within the European Union, as he said, as well as to the projected entry into Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

Criticizing the main opposition New Democracy party, ruling PASOKs arch-rival for the April 9 general elections, Simitis told supporters that ND was absent from the countrys efforts in joining the euro zone, while claiming NDs leadership was offering worthless pre-election promises.

Referring to a PASOK governments priorities for a new four-year term, Simitis cited what he called a better livelihood for Greek farmers, while referring to government projects in the greater Thessaly region, the area where Larissa is located.

on April 9 a compelling future opens before us. Now, with more resources between 2000-2004 we will finalize our social state Today throughout Europe parties are obliged to have responsible positions and responsible proposals for all matters. That means respect for the citizen, that means commitment, responsibility, he added.

Simitis wants a "clear victory" for his ruling PASOK party in national elections on April 9 in order to ease Greece's expected entry into the euro zone.

"A strong government is needed to tap the greatest benefits from the process of talks on Greece's move towards the euro zone. A government with a fresh mandate so that it may effectively promote the country's interests," Simitis told the Sunday Ethnos newspaper in an interview.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed here on Friday following a summit of EU leaders that abolition of unemployment in the Union is the goal by the year 2010.

He noted that related menaces of social exclusion and poverty are also envisioned, adding that within this framework, Greece has set a target of 4 percent growth annually. Simitis said the country already achieved a 3-percent growth rate over the past few years when the EU average was below 3 percent a figure that jettisoned the country to the top of the EU in terms of GDP growth.

He also noted at a press conference after the EU summit that a 4-percent growth target will drastically cut joblessness and the gap between more developed and lesser-developed Union member-states.

EU leaders agreed here to peg an EU-wide annual growth of 3 percent as the major target over the next few years.

Simitis proposes int'l summit on Balkans: Issues that dominated a Thursday evening dinner for European Union leaders reportedly included the situation in the Balkans as well as the formulation of a common defense policy by the bloc, among others.

In terms of the western Balkans situation, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed to his EU counterparts the need for a common strategy by the 15 for the troubled region, as well as the need for coordination of the Unions initiatives throughout the Balkans.

Greek diplomatic sources later noted that the Greek PM proposed to his counterparts that the Union promote the convening of an international conference focusing on the Balkans in the near future a conference that will ostensibly emphasize the inviolability of borders in the region and the approval of specific political initiatives for areas stabilization.

The same sources said the proposal would reportedly be discussed at the next council of EU foreign ministers, as well as at the upcoming regular unofficial council of FMs in May.

A European Union summit in Lisbon on June 19-20 is to take the final decision on whether Greece qualifies to join the 11-member euro zone on January 1, 2001, the country's self-appointed target date.

[02] Karamanlis confident of victory while addressing rally in western Greece

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

Karamanlis lashed out at ruling PASOK on several occasions, calling claims that Greece's European orientation was in jeopardy if ND wins the poll as "absurd". He also said the current PASOK government suffered from bouts of "arrogance" and "autocratic rule".

He pegged ND's basic policy axes as public administration reform, measures against unemployment as well as rapid and equal growth throughout the country.

Touching on farm issues, a major concern in a region where cotton and tobacco cultivation fuels the local economy, he unveiled a series of proposals for reducing production costs, while promising to attend the next EU agriculture ministers' council in order to better promote Greek interests.

Karamanlis stressed in published statements over the weekend that recent polls, giving ruling PASOK a slight lead, as not fully gauging the country's political landscape.

Karamanlis also added that his party currently comprises Greece's largest political force.

The ND leader was quoted in a published interview by the Sunday edition of the Athens daily "Eleftheros Typos", as general elections in Greece now loom a little more than a month away.

In the statements, Karamanlis also warned supporters of smaller parties not "to fall into PASOK's trap", as he called it, and "support the maintenance of the establishment".

[03] Last opinion polls before elections give PASOK marginal lead

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

A V.PRC. poll published in TA NEA newspaper on Friday showed PASOK ahead with 38.5 percent (up from 37 percent in a poll conducted by the same company in February), followed closely by ND with 37.3 percent (up from 34.9 percent in February).

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) polled third with 5.1 percent, followed by the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) with 4.5 percent, and the Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN) with 4.4 percent, while 6.4 percent of respondents said they were undecided.

The same poll showed that voter devotion to party was at a sweeping 93.8 percent among ND supporters, against 82.9 percent among PASOK supporters, which analysts attributed to displeasure with the recent turmoil on the Athens Stock Exchange.

A majority 51.2 percent of respondents predicted that PASOK would win the elections, against 27 percent who believed ND would emerge the victor.

To the question on which government would be most capable of improving state services, 35 percent favored PASOK against 26.3 percent for ND.

Also, 42.9 percent of those polled believed PASOK was more capable of tackling the problems in Greek-Turkish relations, against 24.1 percent for ND, while 47.1 percent of the respondents felt PASOK was more capable of handling Greece's EMU entry against 21.2 percent for ND, and 38.1 percent believed PASOK was more capable of confronting the problems in the economy, against 25.7 percent for ND.

PASOK was also favored by 34.1 percent of the respondents, against 26.6 percent for ND, for tackling problems in the health and social security sector, by 28.7 percent against 22.9 percent for ND for tackling the problem of poverty, by 25.5 percent against 24.3 percent for tackling unemployment, and by 29.6 percent against 29.0 percent for ND for confronting the problems in the education sector.

New Democracy was favored by 28.0 percent against 25.5 percent for PASOK as being more capable of confronting crime.

PASOK leader and premier Costas Simitis was also favored by 47.2 percent as being more appropriate for Prime Minister, against 32.3 percent for ND leader Costas Karamanlis

In another opinion poll, the ruling Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) and New Democracy party may run neck-and-neck in national elections.

The poll, commissioned by privately-owned Antenna radio and TV, shows 35.5 percent of the electorate voting for PASOK; 35.1 percent for New Democracy; 4.7 percent for the Communist Party of Greece; 4.1 percent for the Democratic Social Movement; 3.7 percent for the Coalition of the Left and Progress; and 2.9 percent for other parties.

Floating voters and those who declined to reply accounted for 10.4 percent of the total.

Metron Analysis conducted the poll, released on Friday evening, on March 15-23.

[04] Athens reacts to alleged Turkish entry ban against nine Greek public figures

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

"If the Turkish newspaper report corresponds to reality, then we most strongly condemn any decision to ban the entry of Greeks into Turkey, especially the leader of the (Autocephalus Orthodox) Church of Greece. The decision must immediately be rescinded," foreign ministry spokesman Panayiotis Beglitis said. The report on the alleged ban against Archbishop Christodoulos, seven Parliament deputies and a retired naval officer appeared in the Turkish mass daily "Sabah".

The newspaper claimed the nine Greek nationals were among 56 Europeans also barred from entering Turkey by that country's interior ministry for "anti-Turkish sentiment", including support for Kurdish autonomy.

"These acts originate from circles in Turkey that are nostalgic for the Cold War epoch in Greek-Turkish relations, bucking efforts by both peoples to turn a new page and begin a new era in ties between the two countries," Beglitis said in a written statement.

"The decision is in direct opposition to European practice and substantially undermines Turkey's course towards the European Union," he added.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou would reportedly seek an explanation from his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem.

Greece's ambassador in Ankara, Ioannis Korantis, communicated on Saturday with the Turkish foreign ministry, seeking confirmation or denial of the newspaper report. He was told that the ministry knew nothing of the issue, diplomatic sources said.

If the existence of the blacklist was confirmed, then Greece would protest to Turkey and to the European Union, the same sources said.

The deputies in the alleged blacklist were identified as Panayiotis Sgouridis, Dimitrios Vounatsos, Leonardos Hatziandreou, Ioannis Stathopoulos, Maria Mahera, Costas Badouvas, and Panos Kammenos. The retired naval officer was identified as Antonios Naxakis, who achieved notoriety last year during the Ocalan affair.

On Sunday, Christodoulos said in reply to a reporter's question that the "matter is being investigated. If, however, it is shown to be true, then the Turks must close the door to all Greeks."

Sabah's report on the alleged ban coincided with Greece's March 25 holiday commemorating the start of the country's 1821 War of Independence against Ottoman rule.

On his part, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis has addressed a letter to his Turkish counterpart Yildirim Akbulut requesting his influence to rescind the ban, if in fact, it exists.

"You realize that such a decision, if it represents the Turkish government's views, coincides with an extremely fluid period for the future of Europe and the course of Greek-Turkish relations.

And it also offers very good services to those nostalgic for a return to Cold War relations..." Kaklamanis adds.

Both Coalition of the Left president Nikos Constantopoulos (Synaspismos) and Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas also condemned any such ban, if it exists, calling for Athens' immediate reaction and a suspension of the decision.

[05] Stephanopoulos delivers Independence Day message

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

The historic day was inextricably linked to concepts of freedom, independence and national defense, and enriched in recent times of peace by growth and progress, Stephanopoulos said.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis noted that Greece was a strong nation with a powerful defense program to protect its rights.

In central Athens, the annual March 25 military parade was held before Stephanopoulos and political leaders, marking the country's national holiday.

Commemorative events were organized around the country, and by Greek communities abroad.

[06] US First Lady celebrates Greek Independence Day for first time

NEW YORK, 27/03/2000 (ANA-M. Georgiadou)

Hillary Clinton was the guest of the Federation of Greek Unions in Astoria.

She spoke of Greece's contribution to world civilization and democracy, and of President Bill Clinton's continuing effort to secure re-opening of the Halki Theological School in Turkey.

She also thanked ethnic Greeks in the US for backing President Clinton's drive to attain a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem. "We have made progress as talks have resumed after two and a half years," Hillary Clinton said.

[07] Greek embassy donates March 25 money to reconstruction, refugees

BELGRADE, 27/03/2000 (ANA-M. Mouratidis)

The money will be contributed to reconstruction and the needs of refugees from Kosovo, embassy officials said.

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic sent his Greek counterpart, Costis Stephanopoulos, a message to mark the March 25 anniversary, a Greek national holiday marking the start of the country's war of independence from Ottoman rule, Serbian state television said.

[08] Pope meets with Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem

Pope John Paul II called on the Christian communities in Jerusalem to overcome their differences during a meeting with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem on Saturday.

During his 45-minute meeting with Diodoros I, the pontiff said that only by reconciling differences between the various churches base could Christians help make Jerusalem truly the ``City of Peace.''

The Christian sects in the city are known for their often intense rivalries, spurred in part by their shared responsibility for key holy sites such as the Church of the Sepulcher, where tradition says Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.

In the Holy Land, where Christians live next to ``the followers of Judaism and Islam, where there are almost daily tensions and conflicts, it is essential to overcome the scandalous impression given by our disagreements and arguments,'' John Paul said at the meeting at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate within the walls of Jerusalem's Old City.

Diodoros replied that he was ``emotionally touched by your words and hope that your visit will continue further and contribute to the establishment of peace in this land.''

The pope also said he was hopeful that the Vatican and the Greek Orthodox Church could overcome theological differences such as the nature of Christ and the extent of the authority of the papacy.

[09] Europe's open-border treaty comes into force in Greece

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

The measure also applies to visitors from the eight countries who wish to enter Greece.

[10] Greek stocks show signs of recovery

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

Trade, however, remained subdued with turnover at 140.33 billion drachmas, its lowest so far this year.

Dealers said the recovery trend reflected gains in the Banks sector, while the Construction and smaller capitalization sectors stabilized after three sessions of heavy losses.

The general index ended 0.74 percent higher at 4,685.17 points, off the day's highs of 4,707.39 and the day's lows of 4,629.53 points.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,642.68 points, up 0.86 percent, while the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 0.46 percent to 683.44 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 9,087.88 +1.54% Leasing: 1,068.17 -0.01% Insurance: 3,099.43 +1.11% Investment: 2,186.13 -0.04% Construction: 2,310.39 +0.27% Industrials: 2,739.54 -0.17% Miscellaneous: 5,106.90 +0.07% Holding: 4,994.18 +1.96%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 844.95 points, up 0.05 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 192 to 137 with another six issues unchanged.

Folli-Follie, Athens Water, National Bank, Duty Free Shops and Alpha Credit were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 23,490 Alpha Credit: 24,150 Commercial Bank: 20,300 Ergobank: 8,200 Eurobank: 11,110 Heracles Cement: 8,950 Titan Cement (c): 13,460 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,150 Intracom: 15,400 Minoan Lines: 7,100 Hellenic Telecoms: 9,700 Panafon: 5,040

Derivatives prices end mixed on Friday: Derivatives prices ended the last trading session of a subdued week with a mixed appearance following the close of the two benchmark indices, FTSE/ASE 20 and FTSE/ASE 40, which ended 0.86 pct up and 0.46 pct down, respectively.

A total of 925 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 index with a turnover of 4.8 billion drachmas. The April expiring contract ended at 2,669 points, the May contract at 2,681.50 and the June contract at 2,697 points.

A total of 1,294 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 40 index, with a turnover of 3.6 billion drachmas. The April expiring contract ended at 698.75 points, the May contract at 707 and the June contract at 729 points.

Yield spread over German bunds narrows: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market held their new, higher levels on Friday and the yield spread over German bunds fell further, traders said.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of around 6.13 percent, the same as the previous day, from 6.17 percent on Wednesday and 6.13 percent on Tuesday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was 93 basis points from 96 basis points in the previous session and around 93 basis points on Wednesday.

No figure was available for value of trade.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system had totalled 100 billion drachmas on Thursday from 28 billion drachmas a day earlier and 40 billion drachmas on Tuesday

Drachma drops vs. euro, jumps vs. dollar: The drachma on Friday fell against the euro in the domestic foreign exchange market and rose sharply against the US dollar, dealers said.

The Bank of Greece sold around 130-150 million euros at its fixing against 250 million euros in the previous session and 150 million euros on Wednesday. Foreign currency outflows this week totalled about 750 million euros.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 334.250 drachmas from 334.150 drachmas a day earlier and 333.980 drachmas on Wednesday.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 344.730 drachmas from 347.280 drachmas in the previous session and 347.940 drachmas on Wednesday.

Greek stocks lose 3.3 percent on the week: Investors remained sidelined for one more week on the Athens Stock Exchange leaving share prices vulnerable to more selling pressure the week under review.

The general index ended the week 3.30 percent lower at 4,685.17 points from 4,845.08 the previous Friday's close. The index is losing 15.36 percent since the start of the year.

The week's turnover totalled 852.726 billion drachmas for a daily average turnover of 170.545 billion, down from 201.536 billion the previous week.

Shares in the construction and smaller capitalization sectors were particularly hit to end sharply lower.

Blue chip stocks showed resistance with the sector index losing 2.35 percent, relatively small compared with a 8.45 percent drop in medium-sized capitalization stocks.

Market sources said that investors remained sidelined ahead of the elections and despite the fact that several shares looked attractive at current levels.

Dealers said that forecasts of a pre-election rally in the market seemed to be proving wrong but expect the market to climb above the 5,000 level mark in the next 10 sessions ahead of the April 9 elections.

[11] Balkan, Black Sea petroleum group to meet in Athens

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

On the agenda are oil and gas trans-Balkan projects and restructuring and privatization in the oil and gas sectors, the statement said.

Taking part in the session are Hellenic Petroleum, DEPA, Bulgargaz, CONPET, Makpetrol, Gaz de France, Elf Aquitaine, SNAM, Eni and Ruhrgaz (PLE).

The European Unions executive Commission will make a special address on energy projects, the statement added.

[12] British-Hellenic Chamber holds e-commerce workshop March 29

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

Catered for in the workshop are individuals, managers, administrators and information professionals who are already using or developing Internet and web-based strategies in their roles as developers, researchers etc., the statement said.

A hands-on session will be offered during the workshop, which is sponsored by OTEnet, an Internet provider that belongs to state Hellenic Telecommunications Organization.

Further information is available from the British-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce on 7210361.

[13] Eight illegal immigrants killed in passage to Greece

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

The dead, who included men, women and children, were migrants trying to sail illegally into Greece from Turkey. Their nationality and identity had yet to be ascertained, island coastguard officials said.

Authorities also found the remains of a wooden boat just outside Kos harbor, and five travelling bags that contained photographs.

The shipwrecked craft, identified as Turkish, was carrying an unknown number of illegal immigrants from Bodrum to Kos, the coastguard officials said.

A search operation is underway to find possible survivors or bodies.

[14] Inauguration for Santorini prehistoric museum

Athens, 27/03/2000 (ANA)

Exhibits at the new museum include finds from the earlier Neolithic era (4,500 BC) until the start of the late Cycladic era (beginning of the 17th century), and the Fira's peak period in the 17th century.

Also attending the ceremony was Culture Minister Elisavet Papazoi.

Five bodies recovered, 13 crewmembers rescued as

[15] Greek-owned vessel sinks off Canada

MONTREAL, 27/03/2000 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

The Panamanian-flagged vessel was identified as the "Leader L", and was listed as going down in severe weather some 700 miles north of Bermuda.

According to reports, another 13 crewmembers are listed as missing. Officials heading the rescue operation noted that the ocean's temperature in the vicinity of the sinking allow for an individual to remain in the water for more than 24 hours.

The vessel was loaded with of salt when it left Spain for New York.

[167] EU commissioner concludes visit

NICOSIA, 27/03/2000(CNA/ANA)

According to reports in the Turkish Cypriot press on Saturday, Rauf Denktash ruled out the possibility of his community participating in the official Cyprus team negotiating accession since the end of 1998, but said contacts between the Turkish Cypriot side and the EU will continue. Verheugen left on Saturday after completing his first three-day visit to Cyprus, within the framework of his visits to countries that have opened accession talks with the EU.

During his stay he called on President Glafcos Clerides and had talks with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides. He also met political party leaders from both communities and spoke at open events on the benefits from EU accession.

The European official, who made it clear in his statements that accession talks can only be held with the government of Cyprus, said his talks with Denktash were carried out in an "honest climate".

Earlier he said contacts with the Turkish Cypriots would continue.

In an article Saturday Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Kibris" says that during his meetings in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 Verheugen tried to convince the Turkish side to participate in the accession talks and explained the economic and social benefits they will have.

Denktash has turned down an invitation from President Glafcos Clerides to nominate representatives in the official team negotiating Cyprus' endmail -t ccession.

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