Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-08-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek bourse to enter top league from May 31, 2001

[02] Greece concludes military presence outside Tirana

[03] Papandreou-Cem meeting cancelled

[04] Cem says the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey is not superficial

[05] Papoutsis denies Turkish ship carrying illegal immigrants refueled in Greece

[06] Threat of port blockade recedes

[07] Karamanlis meets executive committee of Union of Prefects

[08] Greek-Canadian Congress satisfied with cancellation of nuclear plant in Turkey

[09] Gov't examines measures after recent forest fires

[10] Stephanopoulos briefed on 2004 Olympics preparations

[11] Papantoniou unveils 17.5-trillion-drachma structural program

[12] Government to earmark 750 billion drachmas for tourism

[13] News of upgrade fails to excite investors on ASE

[14] Gov't, PPC dismiss reports of PPC's units sale

[15] Gov't rejects bids in satellite tender

[16] Wildfires reported in Ioannina prefecture, major blaze near Larissa

[17] Cypriot, Greek defense ministers to meet in Athens on Tuesday

[18] Cyprus foreign minister holds talks with British envoy Sir David

[01] Greek bourse to enter top league from May 31, 2001

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

"This development means, among others, that an institutional restructuring effort of the Athens Stock Exchange is progressing satisfactorily and that its institutional operation is totally in line with the operation of foreign markets," he said.

Papantoniou was commenting on a decision by the US investment bank Morgan Stanley to upgrade the Greek stock market's status "into a developed European position".

He said that this decision was taken earlier than the Greek government had predicted and noted that the Greek bourse would enter the league of mature markets from May 1, 2001, but that an adjustment period was always needed.

Papantoniou said that the resignation of Spyros Kouniakis, the Athens Stock Exchange's former president, had no relation with accusations made by New Democracy party recently and added that the Public Securities Organization (DEKA) was not connected with the operation of the stock market.

"This company was created to manage the Greek state's portfolio and all transactions made benefited the state," Papantoniou said.

He urged the main opposition party ND to stop playing a political game with the stock market and said that both state-owned commercial banks and DEKA were free in managing their portfolios.

He also said that there was no reason for the resignation of Agricultural Bank of Greece's governor.

[02] Greece concludes military presence outside Tirana

TIRANA, 01/08/2000 (ANA - I. Patso)

The redeployment comes after a three-year stay during which Greek army units assisted in the reorganization of Albania's military and the rebuilding of several camps, following a violent political uprising in the country during the spring of 1997.

Out of the Greek contingent, however, some 87 men are expected to return to Albania to join NATO and KFOR forces based in Durres, a port town in the country's north, whereas 12 officers will transfer to a Greek army unit stationed in the Yugoslav province of Kosovo.

Addressing troops and officers on Monday at the Giouzberiz base, Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos thanked the Greek soldiers for their contribution and assistance towards the Albanian people over the past three years. He also termed relations between the two countries as "strategic".

On his part, Albanian Defense Minister Ili Tzoni thanked Athens on behalf of the Tirana government.

Before reaching the base, the Greek minister held successive meetings with Albania's leadership, including PM Ilir Meta, President Rexhep Mejdani as well as his counterpart Tzoni.

"Certain circles in both countries are attempting to use the banner of nationalism in order to place barriers in our relations. It appears they haven't realized that we're in a new era of friendship and cooperation, the era of the Stability Pact," Meta was quoted as saying after the meeting.

Tsohatzopoulos was due to depart Tirana in the late afternoon.

In a related development, Greece's ambassador to Tirana presented Tsohatzopoulos with the "Mother Teresa" Medal bestowed on the Greek government by Mejdani last August for its aid toward Kosovo refugees then streaming into Albania.

[03] Papandreou-Cem meeting cancelled

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

The cancellation is attributed to the need for better preparation for the meeting, which is now expected to take place on the sidelines of the annual General Assembly of the United Nations in New York in September.

[04] Cem says the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey is not superficial

ISTANBUL, 01/08/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"I do not agree with those who support that until today no important issue has been discussed between Athens and Ankara," Cem said. "The two countries have signed nine important agreements which include cooperation on issues of terrorism." he noted.

"Turkey is ready to discuss matters concerning the Aegean, within the framework of the United Nations," the Turkish minister said and added that "no-one can expect anything else from Ankara", he said.

"Regarding the conclusions of the (European Union) Summit in Helsinki, Turkey stressed to the EU that all matters should be referred to the International Court and that there should not be a choice," Cem said.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Cem said that he himself never viewed Cyprus as being a common problem for Greece and Turkey and that he never raised it in his talks with his Greek counterpart.

[05] Papoutsis denies Turkish ship carrying illegal immigrants refueled in Greece

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

Papoutsis termed the reports as "totally inaccurate". "Our country fully implements the Schengen Treaty and protects the sea borders of the European Union. The problem of illegal immigration is a modern and sad phenomenon, which does not only concern the authorities, but is a political matter which concerns the European Union and its bilateral relations with other countries of the Mediterranean," Papoutsis said.

"For this reason, what is required is a framework of cooperation with all the countries in order for them to also undertake their own responsibilities and actions, so as to effectively confront the phenomenon," he said.

"Greece undertakes initiatives, both on a bilateral inter-state level, and on the level of the European Union, within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation and insists on the need for better coordination with the other Mediterranean countries in the sector of illegal immigration, so that the phenomenon be restricted," Papoutsis concluded.

[06] Threat of port blockade recedes

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis said after a two-hour meeting with Rafina Mayor A. Kehagioglou, that the government hoped to divert a large number of the scheduled sailings from Rafina to the port of Lavrio, 60 km to the south of the capital, by next year.

"I visited Lavrio yesterday and found considerable progress in the harbor projects there ... We shall see what improvements are still needed to make this a modern port which will be able to take off a large part of the burden from Rafina by next year," he said.

He recognized that the town faced problems due to the high load of holiday traffic to Aegean islands, but said the government had was earnestly studying relevant measures, including improved traffic and parking arrangements. He added he hoped the mayor would contribute to working out prudent solutions.

Kehagioglou described the meeting as constructive and promised better conditions for Rafina following a written commitment by the minister. A public prosecutor on Friday filed charges against four Rafina citizens for obstructing communications, and against one more for resisting authority. They had reportedly participated in the blocking of a street in the area to prevent traffic to and from the town's port.

The municipal council had urged the mobilization, and Kehagioglou had threatened more blockades without notice if the government did not adopt effective measures.

[07] Karamanlis meets executive committee of Union of Prefects

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

The members of the committee conveyed to Karamanlis the unanimous proposals of the plenary of the prefects and of the administrative council of ENAE for the further constitutional safeguarding of local government, within the framework of the procedure for the review of the constitution.

Karamanlis expressed his party's positions on the institution of local government, and particularly that of the prefectural, during the procedure for the review of the constitution. These positions, Karamanlis said, are the strengthening and safeguarding of local government on all levels.

[08] Greek-Canadian Congress satisfied with cancellation of nuclear plant in Turkey

MONTREAL, 01/08/2000 (ANA - A. Frangouli)

The Congress, in a press release, said Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit cancelled the tender for the purchase of nuclear reactors because his country was orientating itself to natural forms of energy production, such as natural gas, hydro-electric power and other forms of renewable sources of energy.

The press release further said that the initial plan to construct such a nuclear plant had met with strong reaction by ecological organizations both internationally and in Turkey, as the location chosen was in a seismic region and there was danger of an enormous ecological disaster being caused in the future.

[09] Gov't examines measures after recent forest fires

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

Papandreou said a group of ministers would be visiting the island of Samos on Tuesday to examine problems on the spot and approve appropriate measures. Another group will visit the areas of Corinth and Achaia on Friday.

She said the ministry would also take aerial photographs of all stricken areas and would compare them with others taken in 1993, for the purpose of identifying those guilty of encroaching on public lands since then.

[10] Stephanopoulos briefed on 2004 Olympics preparations

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

[11] Papantoniou unveils 17.5-trillion-drachma structural program

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

Papantoniou said that 80 percent of total funds would be earmarked for regional projects in the country.

Presenting the government's plan to reporters, Papantoniou said that the structural program, and the Third Community Support Framework in particular, would create 150,000 net new jobs in the country.

"With our EMU entry we achieved nominal convergence. We created a strong base for stability and growth. The Third Community Support Framework is a growth tool to achieve real convergence with the EU," he said.

Papantoniou said the government's plan was aiming to achieving a balanced convergence in the country, with the participation of all regions.

"We are completing productive infrastructures, the basic productive factor of the economy. These include road and rail networks, both improving the country's access to big European markets. Our products will have speedier access with lower cost, they will become more competitive. Tourism will also benefit and we expect the private sector to participate in full force not only in the construction but in the funding of such projects as well," he said.

Papantoniou said the structural program also envisaged measures to improve the country's competitiveness, restructuring of the farm sector, supporting the country's transition into the new economy and ensuring the improvement of living standards.

The program also includes measures to upgrade the country's workforce and supporting regional Greece through the implementation of integrated regional programs.

Papantoniou said that the government planned to raise funds from other community sources, such as the Cohesion Fund and the Community Initiatives (Urban, Interreg, Leader, Equal).

"We will achieve growth rates of 5.0 percent annually. We will reach 80 percent of the EU's average income by the end of 2006 and we will be equal by the end of the decade. Employment will significantly increase with more than 300,000 new jobs expected to be created," Papantoniou told reporters.

He said the government planned to implemented stricter monitoring mechanisms for a more efficient management of the program.

[12] Government to earmark 750 billion drachmas for tourism

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters during a press conference, Christodoulakis said that funding would be secured from a Third Community Support Framework.

He said the tourism sector would also benefit from investments in other sectors (energy, transport, environment, culture) that would affect the quality and the composition of the country's tourist product. Christodoulakis said the biggest part of public spending for tourism, around 80 percent, will be earmarked for private investments, a sign of the government's determination to improve the sector's competitiveness and boost employment.

[13] News of upgrade fails to excite investors on ASE

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

Dealers said investors initially reacted positively to the news but looked disappointed by the end of the session, as they had expected the upgrading of the market to take place within the year. Analysts, however, said that the move by Morgan Stanley lifted a cloud of uncertainty that hung over the market in recent months in anticipation of its upgrading to a mature market.

The general index ended at 3,988.28 points, down 0.24 percent, but off the day's highs of 4,065.04 points. Turnover was a low 68 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,225.07 points, off 0.30 percent and the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 0.62 percent to 559.43 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,535.79 -0.55% Leasing: 769.20 -1.07% Insurance: 2,488.93 -0.26% Investment: 1,625.70 -0.40% Construction: 2,155.43 -0.67% Industrials: 2,502.68 -0.01% Miscellaneous: 3,982.60 -0.40% Holding: 4,246.73 +0.45%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 0.48 percent lower at 746.23 points. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 200 to 123 with another 21 issues unchanged.

Astir Palace Hotel, Hellenic Telecoms, Daios Plastics, Dionik and Intracom were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 14,300 Titan Cement (c): 13,400 Alpha Bank: 13,600 Hellenic Telecoms: 8,180 Commercial Bank: 16,210 Panafon: 4,235 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,725 Eurobank: 9,450 Attica Enterprises: 3,700 Intracom: 12,790 Lambrakis Press: 10,000 Minoan Lines: 3,595 Heracles Cement: 7,700 Hellenic Bottling: 5,410

Equity futures fall, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Monday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.30 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.62 percent lower.

Turnover was 13.07 billion drachmas from 7.83 billion drachmas a day earlier.

A total of 1,542 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 6.96 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,670 contracts changed hands on turnover of 6.11 billion drachmas.

Bonds flat in negligible trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished flat in almost non-existent trade, with only three orders reported.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.051 percent.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 83 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 6.0 billion drachmas.

Buy orders accounted for the whole of turnover.

Drachma up vs. euro, down vs. dollar: The drachma on Monday rose against the euro and fell versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 337.250 drachmas from 337.300 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 365.020 drachmas from 363.620 drachmas a day earlier.

[14] Gov't, PPC dismiss reports of PPC's units sale

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

"The reports do not reflect the reality. PPC's restructuring and the deregulation of the energy market is not made in secret. When someone moves towards a deregulated market he has to ensure transparency and information. All these alleged secret plans to sell PPC's power units are baseless," Christodoulakis said.

A Public Power Corporation announcement also rejected these reports.

[15] Gov't rejects bids in satellite tender

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

The offers in the tender called by the transport and communications ministry were from Eutelsat, EMI and New Skies Satellites NV.

The ministry said a fresh tender would be called in the near future.

[16] Wildfires reported in Ioannina prefecture, major blaze near Larissa

Athens, 01/08/2000 (ANA)

A large contingent of firefighters and two helicopters were dispatched to the scene.

Meanwhile, a major wildfire blazing since last Thursday in the Laista region near the NW town of Konitsa was reported as partially extinguished on Monday.

Efforts to battle the fire had been hampered over the past few days by exploding WWII- and Greek Civil War-era (1946-49) ammunition and mines left unearthed in the mountainous region close to the border with Albania.

Another two wildfires were reported nearby, one at the Kopani site and the other at Ano Ravenia, both in Ioannina prefecture.

All three blazes were in remote, unpopulated areas, authorities said.

Wildfires under control: A spate of wildfires that broke out around Greece over the past few days were reported under control Monday, while the Fire Brigade was on alert for new fires due to strong winds.

A fire department official told ANA that fires in Grevena, Agrinio, the towns of Karytaina in Arcadia, Astakos in Messolonghi and Krestaina in Ilia, near Lake Plastira in Karditsa, on the island of Spetses, and in Kapandriti on the island of Cephalonia had been contained by Monday, while there was a small rekindling of a fire near Larissa due to strong winds.

[17] Cypriot, Greek defense ministers to meet in Athens on Tuesday

LARNACA, 01/08/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Hasikos, who did not make a statement on his departure, will return to Cyprus on August 2.

[18] Cyprus foreign minister holds talks with British envoy Sir David

GENEVA, 01/08/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Kasoulides said his meeting with Sir David was "very useful" and that he would brief President Clerides on their discussion, and noted that all parties involved should find out whether the Turkish Cypriot side was willing to reach a settlement, which is the aim of the Greek Cypriot side.

He also said that maybe it was suggested that private meetings between foreign envoys and each of the two leaders in the sidelines of the UN-led proximity talks, would fetch better results.

Asked if there were any problems in the procedure, Kasoulides said there were not, but noted that "we are still moving at a very slow pace".

Proximity talks on the Cyprus problem, separate meetings of the UN with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, began last December, continued in February and resumed in July, with a short break between each phase this month. They are scheduled to continue until the end of this week and resume again in September, in New York.

The talks aim at preparing the ground for substantive negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island.

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