Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-04-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Solbes sees positive prospects for Greek economy

[02] Greek PM confers with top PASOK cadres ahead of new gov't announcement

[03] Final results for 2000 election released

[04] Major parties up election percentages over 1996

[05] German Chancellor, Defense Minister congratulate PASOK on re-election

[06] Turkish PM congratulates Greek counterpart on re-election

[07] AHEPA congratulates Premier Simitis for his re-election

[08] Resolution of Cyprus problem a de facto part of EU-Turkish relations, Papandreou says

[09] WEU Chiefs of General Staff to convene in Lisbon

[10] Final phase of NATO's 'Dynamic Mix 2000' exercise to be held in Greece

[11] US contingent returning from Kosovo exercise departs port amid KKE protest

[12] Alpha Credit's shareholders approve merger plan with Ionian

[13] Greek stocks end lower in subdued trade

[14] Greek "Medecins Sans Frontieres" mission in Africa

[15] Plan afoot to set up Balkan info-tech training platform

[16] President Clerides returns to Cyprus with assurances from the US and Britain

[17] Weston says current situation presents best opportunity for Cyprus settlement

[01] Solbes sees positive prospects for Greek economy

STRASBOURG, 12/04/2000 (ANA- M. Spinthourakis)

"Prospects are clearly positive," commented Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pedro Solbes in relation to favorable references in the Commission's Recommendation for economic policy in member-states in 2000.

He made the statement at a press briefing after the release of the annual Recommendation, which contains general policy guidelines.

"The decisions (regarding Greece's accession to the euro zone) will be adopted on the basis of procedures provided by the Treaty of Maastricht and will be ratified by the Porto Summit in June," Solbes said in response to a question whether the Commission would propose Greece's entry on May 3.

The Commission on Tuesday also issued a document with forecasts regarding the economies of member-states in 2000 and 2001.

The Recommendation draws attention to the fact that Greece's GDP growth rates are above the EU average for the fourth consecutive year and says that this will have a positive impact on the fight against unemployment.

Regarding fiscal issues, the Commission recognizes Greece's marked progress in rehabilitating public finances and projected that the deficit would fall below last year's forecasts, to 1.6 percent of GDP. According to the Commission, this development was due an increase in public revenue and a lower cost of debt servicing thanks to falling interest rates. The Commission urges the Greek government to focus its attention on the following:

First, to consider a reduction in public deficit to 1.2 percent of GDP as a "ceiling and not as a target".

Second, to further reduce public spending.

Third, to continue the reforms of the social security system in order to ensure its viability. This should be coupled with improved management of the assets of social security funds.

Fourth, an acceleration of privatizations.

Further, the Commission recommends that Greece speeds up deregulation in the telecommunications, electric power and natural gas sectors and encourages venture capital investments. It also urges a reform of the practice of collective bargaining agreements and their linking with productivity.

In its projections the Commission forecasts that Greek growth rates will keep rising in the years ahead, from 3.5 percent in 1999, to 3.9 percent in 2000 and 4 percent in 2001; inflation will rise from 2.1 percent in 1999 to 2.3 percent in 2000 and 2001; unemployment is seen falling from 10.4 percent in 1999 to 10 percent in 2000 and 9.6 percent in 2001.

[02] Greek PM confers with top PASOK cadres ahead of new gov't announcement

Athens, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

General elections on Sunday resulted in the narrow, just more than 1 percent, re-election of Costas Simitis and his PASOK party over New Democracy and Costas Karamanlis. Ruling PASOK pulled in 43.79 percent of the total vote to ND's 42.73 with 100 percent of the votes tallied by Monday.

On Tuesday, Simitis met with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and ex-interior minister Vasso Papandreou, while other meetings with top PASOK cadres, including Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Costas Laliotis and Paraskevas Avgerinos, are planned.

After a one-hour meeting with Simitis, Papantoniou told reporters that the course of negotiations for Greece's inclusion into Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) was discussed. He also declined to answer questions on whether Simitis will re-appoint him to the all-important national economy portfolio.

[03] Final results for 2000 election released

Athens, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

Specifically, first-place PASOK gained 43.79 percent of the general vote, namely, 3,007,947 votes generating 158 seats in Greece's 300-member Parliament.

New Democracy, the main opposition in the next Parliament term, earned 42.73 percent - 2,935,242 votes and 125 deputies.

The Communist Party of Greece came in a distant third with 5.53 percent of the vote - 379,517 ballots cast in its favor and 11 deputies in Parliament.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos), meanwhile, edged over the 3-percent mark needed for representation in Parliament by gaining 3.2 percent nationwide - 219,918 votes and six deputies.

Finally, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) failed to re-enter Parliament, as it posted a disappointing 2.69 percent, or 184,586 votes.

Total voter turnout was 7,027,007, of which 6,868,484 ballots cast were valid. Votes left blank totaled 47,134.

Figures for the other parties are as follows:

Democratic Regional Union 0.47% 32,070 votes

Centrists' Union 0.34% 23,228 Demosthenes Vergis-

Greek Ecologists 0.3% 20,441 National Alliance

0.21% 14,702 Front Line 0.18% 12,108 Radical Left Front (ME.R.A) 0.12% 8,132 Communist Party of Greece (M-L) 0.11% 7,301 Hellenism Party 0.09%

6,269 Marxist-Leninist - Communist Party of Greece Left 0.09% 5,869 Alternative Ecologists 0.05% 3,317

Liberals Party (not affiliated with Stephanos Manos' Liberals party) 0.03% 2,093 Militant Socialist Party of Greece (ASKE) 0.03% 2,027 The Autonomous Movement of National Policy (AKEP) 0.02% 1,144

Organization for the Restructuring of the KKE (OAKKE) 0.02% 1,126 Other parties 0.01% 933

[04] Major parties up election percentages over 1996

Athens, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

With 99.91 percent of the vote counted, PASOK polled in at 43.79 percent, taking 158 seats in the 300-member parliament, and ND at 42.74 percent and 125 seats in Sunday's election, up from 41.49 and 46.88 percent in the 1996 elections. PASOK had received 162 seats and ND 108 seats in the 1996 elections.

The third-ranking Communist Party of Greece virtually kept its strength, polling in at 5.52 percent from 5.6 percent in 1996 and retaining its 11 seats in parliament, while the Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN) slumped to 3.20 percent from 5.12 in 1996 and lost four of the 10 seats it held in the previous parliament, and now controlled six seats.

PASOK splinter party DHKKI (Democratic Social Movement) party fell short of the 3 percent minimum nationwide for parliament entry with 2.69 percent from 4.44 in 1996 and lost its nine seats.

ND splinter party Political Spring, which polled in at 2.94 percent in 1996 and was left out of parliament, did not contest Sunday's elections.

Abstention in Sunday's elections was at about 23 percent, while 1.58 percent of the votes cast were invalid and 0.67 percent were blank.

Abstention in the 1996 elections was 24 percent, with another three percent of the votes cast invalid or blank.

[05] German Chancellor, Defense Minister congratulate PASOK on re-election

Schroeder termed Simitis' electoral success a "success for Europe's political development", praising the Simitis government for "a successful policy in Europe and for Europe".

Schroeder said the government's re-election marked the "prevalence of those political forces in Greece which, with their creative ability, know how to link economic stability and power with social justice and welfare".

He said that Greece, due to the major efforts made and to economic and social reforms, was on a good road to lasting fulfillment of the convergence criteria in order to participate in Europe's economic and monetary union (EMU).

"The good development of the Greek economy is an achievement of the Simitis and PASOK government," Schroeder said. Scharping called PASOK's electoral victory a "guarantee for the continuation of a policy of economic efficiency and social justice".

"Your victory is a message for the success of Social Democracy in Europe, contributing, beyond Greece's borders, to its strengthening on a European scale," Scharping said.

[06] Turkish PM congratulates Greek counterpart on re-election

ANKARA, 12/04/2000 (ANA/Reuters)

"I want to present my sincere congratulations to Your Excellency for your re-appointment as the Greek Prime Minister and for the success your party has shown in the general elections," Ecevit said in his message.

"I want to confirm that the Turkish government is ready to take further steps through joint efforts in order to put relations between our countries on a better level," he said.

"I present my personal best wishes for health and happiness to Your Honor and for the success of the new Greek Government," said Ecevit.

Turkey's outgoing President Suleyman Demirel sent a similar message to Simitis.

Cem satisfied with PASOK re-election: Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with PASOK's election win on Sunday, saying this would contribute to an improvement in Greek-Turkish relations.

"The fact that (Foreign Minister) Giorgos Papandreou will retain his post is a very satisfactory point. Our relations can improve further," he said in a television interview in Luxembourg.

"Mr. Papandreou has created a very good impression in our country, as a personality we can trust," he added.

[07] AHEPA congratulates Premier Simitis for his re-election

WASHINGTON, 12/04/2000 (ANA - T. Ellis)

"In your four years of service to the people of Greece you have achieved many noteworthy accomplishments, including bringing Greece to the threshold of full membership in the European Union and initiating a new relationship with Turkey.

"Your second term will bring many challenges, including a resolution of the Cyprus problem and issues regarding the Aegean, economic prosperity for all regions of the nation, and forging a leadership role in the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean. I offer best wishes as you address these challenges in your new term.

"We look forward to having the opportunity to congratulate you personally on your re-election when the annual AHEPA Excursion to Greece takes place in May," it concluded.

[08] Resolution of Cyprus problem a de facto part of EU-Turkish relations, Papandreou says

LUXEMBOURG, 12/04/2000 (ANA - B. Demiris)

Papandreou, who was in Luxembourg to attend a meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council, said "the relations of the European Union and Turkey have de facto placed the resolution of the Cyprus problem in Turkey's accession course".

The Union's 15 foreign ministers presented a common stance toward Turkey, which, as Papandreou said, safeguards Greek and Cypriot aims.

He added that the important fact was that Turkey was notified of the decision of the European Council of Helsinki, which became part of the Union's institutional approach with Turkey. During the December Helsinki summit the leaders of the Union approved Turkey's candidacy to accession.

Papandreou stressed that the Helsinki decisions on the Cyprus problem and the island republic's accession course are copied verbatim, which in effect means that the resolution of the "political problem" on the island would facilitate, but is not a necessary precondition for the conclusion of negotiations or the decision for Cyprus' accession.

The common position of the "15" includes a note on the Copenhagen Criteria on democracy, a state governed by the rule of law and the protection of human rights, stressing that those criteria constitute a necessary precondition for the initiation of negotiations for Turkey's accession to the Union.

It was also noted that Turkey would have an upgraded political dialogue with the Union for the completion of the political criteria needed for accession, with a special emphasis on human rights, the peaceful resolution of differences and the resolution of the Cyprus issue based on relevant United Nations decisions.

Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, current holder of the rotating EU presidency, expressed his satisfaction over the results of the meeting between the council and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, stressing that it was "a very positive day both for the European Union and Turkey".

The Association Council decided to create eight sub-committees, which will follow developments in Turkey and will oversee the progress of the Turkish legal system's harmonization with that of the Union.

On his part, Cem expressed his satisfaction over the processes, adding that the process itself was proof that following the Helsinki summit there was indeed a real change in the relations between the Union and Turkey.

Speaking on the occupation of Cyprus' northern part by Turkish military forces, Union Commissioner on enlargement Guenter Verhuegen said that "the existence of a military force in a country does not come in contrast with the principles of the European Union".

He expressed his satisfaction over the results of the meeting and expressed the hope that the Union-Turkish rapprochement will accelerate.

Responding to a question over the existence of a "black list" in Turkey regarding personae non gratae, Cem said that it is the sovereign right of every country to take measures for reasons of public order, denying, however the existence of any such list.

[09] WEU Chiefs of General Staff to convene in Lisbon

Athens, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

Chief of General Staff General Manousos Paragioudakis will represent Greece.

The meeting will examine issues related to the improvement of WEU's capability to control and undertake "Petersburg" type missions.

The military chiefs of the member-states will approve an action plan which refers to the obligations of the country which will undertake to host the WEU forces in the event of operations and WEU's obligations to that country.

The meeting will also examine the basic principles of cooperation between the political Center of Coordination and the military administrative structure, which develops in cases of "Petersburg" type missions.

The Chiefs of General Staff will further be given a briefing on the results of the joint WEU exercise "Crisex 2000" which was held in February.

[10] Final phase of NATO's 'Dynamic Mix 2000' exercise to be held in Greece

Athens, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

The region of Thessaloniki, northern Greece, will be the epicenter of the exercises.

The main bulk of the military units, which will take part, will be from the Greek armed forces and the exercise will be directed for the first time from NATO's headquarters in Larissa.

A part of "Dynamic Mix 2000" will be held at Kyparissia, Peloponnese, and the exercise will be completed in the valley of Langadas, Thessaloniki.

[11] US contingent returning from Kosovo exercise departs port amid KKE protest

Athens, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

According to authorities, several Communist Party of Greece (KKE) protesters were confronted by police when the former attempted to block a military convoy of 80 vehicles carrying 586 US troops.

The convoy was heading south to the small port of Gritsa, south of Thessaloniki, following the US contingent's recent participation in the military exercise "Dynamic Response".

Reports state a 50-year-old man was arrested on charges of attempting to run down a Pieria prefecture (north-central Greece) police commander at the scene with his truck, and after breaking through a police barricade in order to harass the military convoy. Both the suspect and the police officer were transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. Another protester was also slightly injured in the fracas.

On its part, KKE officials offered a different account of the incident, saying police attacked both protesters without provocation.

Despite the protests, US forces disembarked from the small port without incident aboard US Navy hovercrafts before boarding three tank carrier vessels anchored off shore.

[12] Alpha Credit's shareholders approve merger plan with Ionian

Athens, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

Ionian Bank shareholders are expected to approved the plan in their scheduled general meeting April 18.

An Alpha Credit Bank's general shareholders' meeting also approved a plan for a bond issue, worth up to three billion euros, the implementation of a stock options program for its executives and extending the bank's charter up to the year 2100.

A decision to grant one new share for every two existing shares, envisaged in a share capital increase scheme following the two banks' merger, will be taken in an extraordinary shareholders' meeting, May 22.

Addressing the meeting, Alpha Credit's chairman Yiannis Costopoulos noted that an effort to integrate the two banks' staff has already begun and the it was expected to move at a quicker pace in the next few months.

He stressed that merger procedures were moving rapidly particularly in the sectors of securities and mutual funds' management.

Commenting on press reports of an equity partnership with National Bank of Greece, Costopoulos said that the two banks were cooperating with Hellenic Telecoms in a project to create a smart card business. "This partnership did not mean anything more than that," he said.

Costopoulos said he expected the bank's first quarter results to be positive.

[13] Greek stocks end lower in subdued trade

Athens, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

Trading conditions were subdued with turnover at 104 billion drachmas.

Dealers said smaller capitalization stocks remained in demand while medium capitalization stocks came under pressure.

The general index ended 0.51 percent lower at 4,916.25 points, off the day's lows. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,777.03 points, off 0.42 percent and the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 1.40 percent to 684.79 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 9,575.15

-0.55% Leasing: 1,054.83 -1.65% Insurance: 3,306.76 -0.90% Investment: 2,047.49 -2.01% Construction: 2,516.32 +1.39% Industrials: 2,903.37 -0.53% Miscellaneous: 5,003.08 -1.88% Holding: 5,614.69 +0.18%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 911.61 points, up 2.93 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 224 to 108 with another four issues unchanged.

Techniki Olympiaki and Atticat were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 24,740 Alpha Credit: 24,420 Commercial Bank: 22,850 Ergobank: 8,400 Eurobank: 11,525 Heracles Cement: 10,195 Titan Cement (c): 14,990

Hellenic Petroleum: 4,615 Intracom: 15,210 Minoan Lines: 6,950 Hellenic Bottling: 6,450 Hellenic Petroleum: 9,865 Panafon: 5,005

Derivatives prices end lower: Derivatives prices ended lower on Tuesday following losses in the two benchmark indices, FTSE/ASE 20 and FTSE/ASE 40.

A total of 682 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 index, with a turnover of 3.5 billion drachmas. The April expiring contract ended at 2,734 points, the May at 2,749, the June at 2,755 and the September contract at 2,800 points.

A total of 1,147 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 40 index, worth three billion drachmas. The April expiring contract ended at 680 points, the May at 681.50 and the June contract at 685 points.

Bonds edge up in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market nosed up in light trade on Tuesday with buying interest seen from players at home and abroad.

Demand was focused on 15- and 20-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.08 percent from 6.06 percent a day earlier and 6.16 percent on Friday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was 89 basis points from 91 basis points in the previous session and 94 basis points on Friday.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 48 billion drachmas from 16 billion drachmas a day earlier and 22 billion drachmas on Friday.

Of Tuesday's total, buy orders accounted for 46 billion drachmas of turnover and sell orders the remaining 2.0 billion drachmas.

Drachma rises vs. slumping dollar: The drachma on Tuesday dropped against the euro and rose sharply versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market, in line with the greenback's decline on world markets.

The Bank of Greece stepped into the market, selling around 70 million euros.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 334.870 drachmas from 334.650 drachmas a day earlier and 334.870 drachmas for two straight sessions before that.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 348.550 drachmas from 349.810 drachmas in the previous session and 349.040 drachmas on Friday.

Bond yields drop further in heavy demand: Bond yields dropped moderately during Tuesday's regular state securities' auction by the Public Debt Management Organization.

The average weighed yield in a 12-month state bill issue, worth 40 billion drachmas, fell to 6.35 percent from 6.65 percent in the previous auction of same bills on February 29, reflecting the country's short-term interest rates convergence ahead of its EMU entry.

Bids submitted totalled 168 billion drachmas, more than four times the asked sum. The organization finally accepted bids totalling 48 billion drachmas.

The average weighed price of the issue was 94.033 points.

[14] Greek "Medecins Sans Frontieres" mission in Africa

Athens, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

According to a press release the first initiative will focus on hunger relief for southern Ethiopia, with the collection of money and foodstuffs from Greek people.

Meanwhile, the organization appealed to the foreign affairs and defense ministries and to the mass media for assistance.

"Medecins Sans Frontieres" will operate feeding and surgery centers in the "Jing" area of South Ethiopia.

[15] Plan afoot to set up Balkan info-tech training platform

THESSALONIKI, 12/04/2000 (ANA)

Other topics on the agenda are e-commerce, telecom compatibility in the region and incentives for joint ventures in the field.

The committee belongs to the Balkan Information Technology Forum, set up by the Association of Information Technology Enterprises of Northern Greece.

The forum, the second of its kind, is to be held in Thessaloniki in June to debate the proposals.

[16] President Clerides returns to Cyprus with assurances from the US and Britain

LARNACA, 12/04/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on his arrival on Tuesday, the president said the two sides have already put forward their positions on the Cyprus question and given clarifications during the first two rounds of proximity talks that have taken place and a discussion on the core issues must now follow.

He also said that the foreign envoys involved in the Cyprus peace process have made it clear to both Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Ankara that the illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 will not be recognized or acknowledged.

In the US the president met Presidential Emissary for Cyprus Alfred Moses, State Department coordinator Thomas Weston and the UN chief's special envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto.

On his return to the island, he stopped in London where he met on Monday with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hannay.

Foreign envoys recently had a joint meeting on the Cyprus question in New York.

President Clerides said that at that meeting, "they all agreed that the talks beginning May 23 must be upgraded and the core issues discussed."

"We have already put forward our positions and given clarifications, what they expect now is a discussion on the core issues," he added.

The president recalled however that in the two rounds of proximity talks held, Denktash elaborated on his positions but is refusing to negotiate unless his illegal regime in Turkish-occupied Cyprus is recognized.

The UN has identified constitution, territory, property and distribution of powers as the four core issues that need to be tackled during the talks. The president said the foreign officials have "underlined to both Denktash and Ankara that they will neither recognize his regime nor acknowledge it."

"What they want to see in the next round of talks is a real discussion on the core issues of the Cyprus problem, what they have described as engagement by the two sides, " he said.

President Clerides said he has been reassured that to this end "they will undertake an intense effort that will continue until May," when the talks are scheduled to resume. The president refrained from revealing any details on what he expects, in view of a meeting of the National Council (his top advisory body on the Cyprus question), scheduled to take place later this week. Replying to questions, he did nor rule out the possibility of direct negotiations taking place and said the foreign envoys are focusing on the Turkish side because the Greek Cypriot side had already said it is prepared to engage in substantive discussions. He also said that if the third round of talks does not bear fruit "we will reassess the situation".

Asked if he is expected to meet Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, after his re-election on Sunday, President Clerides said they had a telephone conversation the day after the elections during which Simitis "reiterated that we must continue cooperating as we have done until today and that we must meet soon". However, he said a date for their meeting was not discussed.

[17] Weston says current situation presents best opportunity for Cyprus settlement

WASHINGTON, 12/04/2000 (CNA/ANA)

In a statement on Monday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as nominee for the rank of ambassador, Weston also said the division of Cyprus has continued too long at a "great cost to the people and with substantial risk to the stability of the eastern Mediterranean".

"I believe that the current situation presents the best opportunity for a settlement in Cyprus in years," he said, and outlined three factors to back this assertion.

Weston said the first is the fact that "Cyprus continues to move towards accession to the EU", noting that "as it does, it has the opportunity to resolve many of the historical, political and security concerns on the island".

He said that at the same time a decision taken by the EU during December's Helsinki summit to extend Turkey candidacy "added a new dimension to, and incentives for, a comprehensive settlement".

"As Turkey moves closer to the EU, European stability in all areas, including Cyprus, should be reinforced," he added. The American diplomat said the second factor is "the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey", as over the last year "the leaders of both countries have taken historic steps together, strengthening their bilateral relationship".

"This factor helps improve the atmosphere between two states that have a real stake in a resolution of the Cyprus problem," he added. Greece and Turkey, along with Britain, guaranteed the Cyprus Republic's sovereignty and independence, when the island gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1960.

The third factor, which helps towards a settlement, Weston told the Senate, "is the unified and strong US and international backing for the UN's efforts to facilitate a comprehensive settlement".

He referred to two rounds of proximity talks, separate UN-led meetings with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides held so far, which he described as "successful".

"We continue to work hard to ensure that the re-commencement of talks on May 23 in New York moves the parties towards a just and durable settlement that addresses the legitimate concerns of both sides," Weston added.

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