Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece’s primary concern is a solution to the Cyprus problem based on UN resolutions, FM Papandreou says

[02] French newspaper "Le Monde" outlines "slow thaw" in Greek-Turkish relations

[03] Conference on teaching of history in Greece, Turkey opens in Istanbul

[04] Reppas reiterates Greek position on Cyprus, slams ND criticism

[05] PM Simitis says Church referendum on IDs is undemocratic, partial and one-sided

[06] Reppas rejects criticism of broadcasting council bill

[07] Pangalos presents cultural heritage bill due to be tabled in November

[08] Papadopoulos says 5,000 new jobs for hospital staff by mid-October

[09] Government may cut fuel price for farmers

[10] Greek government approves TVX Hellas' environmental study

[11] Pantechniki acquires 50 pct of US firm

[12] Macedonian Airlines gets world-ranking

[13] Greek stocks end lower on ASE

[14] UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls for worldwide protest marches

[15] Clerides says UN led talks will continue into next week

[01] Greeces primary concern is a solution to the Cyprus problem based on UN resolutions, FM Papandreou says

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

Papandreou and premier Costas Simitis also extensively reviewed all Greek foreign policy issues during their more than two-hour meeting.

The foreign minister told reporters after the meeting that Greece's primary concern remained a resolution of the Cyprus problem, adding that Athens "firmly backs a federal solution on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions and decisions".

He said that the Greek government would continue to coordinate its action with the Cypriot leadership and all the Cypriot political parties.

"Our efforts have recently intensified. We hop that the other side will realize that it must come to the negotiations table for substantive negotiations," Papandreou said.

He said democratic governance continued to be the basic condition for stability in the Balkans, adding that the people of the Balkans were capable of resolving their problems without outside interventions.

The Greek government, he said, endorsed the democratic electoral procedures in Yugoslavia and would recognize "every result" emanating from such democratic procedures.

He further said that the European Union was close to Greece's positions on that matter, noting that margins existed for new relations between Europe and Yugoslavia.

In fact, he added, the European Union was opening a door to Yugoslavia since it had altered the positions it held six months or a year ago.

Replying to questions on the prospect of Serb president Slobodan Milosevic remaining in power (after the September 24 general elections in Yugoslavia), Papandreou said that the Greek positions were crystal-clear. "They are positions of principle and efficient positions," Papandreou said, warning however that the closure of television and radio stations in Serbia obviously made the situation more critical.

According to diplomatic sources, shortly after his arrival here from New York, Papandreou spoke by phone with national defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and discussed matters related to the confidence-building measures (CBMs) between Greece and Turkey.

The sources said there was an initial convergence of views on the issue between the two ministries.

NATO council appoints Greek FM to post of honorary president: The NATO Council on Wednesday announced that Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou was appointed to the post of Honorary President of the council, for a one-year term.

The Greek foreign minister succeeded his German counterpart Joscka Fisher, to the post. The president's role is to coordinate the council.

[02] French newspaper "Le Monde" outlines "slow thaw" in Greek-Turkish relations

PARIS, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

The report, titled "The slow thaw in Greek-Turkish relations", focuses on the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations and is based primarily on discussions with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Wavering in the policies of Turkish politicians is also noted, attributed to "exercising domestic Turkish policy", and it is reminded that Turkey's European vocation necessitates respect for democratic criteria on the home front and rules of conduct with its neighbors.

Acceptance of Turkey's candidacy for accession to the European Union is a success for Ankara, the report says, while the conversion of its Turkish problem into a European one is a diplomatic success for Greece. It assesses that the deadlock in the Cyprus issue will still continue and that the solution lies in Ankara, adding that Simitis made a logical wager in supporting Turkey's candidacy for EU accession.

The main statement by Simitis included in the report says that "Turkey has not yet accepted the idea that, in becoming a European Union candidate, it should change its attitude. Some expect us to reach the change in this situation from one day to the next. We cannot change from one day to the next. We started talks with Turkey for this reason. Many say to us: What have you gained? Nothing. Apart from the agreements we have signed, we have achieved a change in the attitude of Greek public opinion. We need the same change in Turkish public opinion, the politicians and the military as well."

[03] Conference on teaching of history in Greece, Turkey opens in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, 21/09/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Academics from Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Bosnia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) will participate in a panel, to discuss issues concerning the teaching of history in Greece and Turkey, as well as the heritage of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

The Thessaloniki based the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeastern Europe has organized a Joint History Program, aiming to promote democratic principles and reconciliation in the region.

[04] Reppas reiterates Greek position on Cyprus, slams ND criticism

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

"A solution to the Cyprus problem must be given exclusively and only on the basis of United Nations resolutions," the spokesman said.

The Greek government, he added, was taking this road alongside the Cyprus Republic and would not allow the Turkish-Cypriot pseudo-state to be recognized, nor the island republic to be divided.

Reppas admitted that progress in the talks was fraught with difficulties but said that "this demands that everyone show extreme responsibility."

In response to criticism by New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, who said on Tuesday that the government was behaving "like a cosmopolitan with no knowledge of history" and was making life hard for the Cyprus government, Reppas said that there was no excuse for blaming the government in this way, when the country's standing had gone up internationally.

He countered by accusing ND of "provincialism" and of endangering national unity over "pointless party-politics".

[05] PM Simitis says Church referendum on IDs is undemocratic, partial and one-sided

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

Simitis was speaking at a meeting of his PASOK party's Executive Bureau at which, according to a statement by Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis, all current political issues were discussed.

Skandalidis later said the prime minister told the Executive Bureau meeting "for us, the issue of identity cards is over. Therefore, the referendum has no impact on this decision."

The prime minister reiterated that the state is open to dialogue with the Church on issues concerning relations between the state and the Church.

On the question of so-called vested interests, Simitis reportedly told the Executive Bureau that "the government is neither and nor will it become the administrator of interests which are struggling against each other. The government only serves the public interest and guarantees the rules of transparency, legality and the proper observance of procedures."

[06] Reppas rejects criticism of broadcasting council bill

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

He added that a bill regulating the ESR would be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. The broadcasting council will be made more independent, he clarified, and it will be in charge of monitoring the mass media; its decisions will not be controlled by the press and media minister.

He attributed the opposition's criticism to "ignorance regarding the bill," which he said would "cover all expectations".

Constantopoulos outlines Coalition's position on vested interests in media: During a meeting with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Wednesday, the leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress Nikos Constantopoulos outlined his party's views on graft and vested interests.

Speaking after the meeting, Constantopoulos said that a bill for regulating the issue of radio and television licenses announced on Tuesday by Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas was actually a step backward, since it essentially abolished the National Broadcasting Council and converted it into a government-controlled body.

The Coalition leader charged that "fait accomplis" were being established in the media sector, while he wondered what would happen until the new bill was passed, since the existing broadcasting council did not have the briefs to regulate transparency, over- concentration of power and the "conflicting" activities of media ownership and having economic dealings with the public sector.

He repeated his party's proposals for implementing the existing legislation, augmenting it and strengthening Parliament's transparency committee.

Constantopoulos also criticized the government in other areas, such as its handling of social issues and foreign affairs, and accused it of "corroding" the political system.

Finally, with regard to education, the Coalition leader called for structural changes, establishing 12-year mandatory education and an end to "exam experimentation".

[07] Pangalos presents cultural heritage bill due to be tabled in November

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

According to Pangalos, the bill would conform to modern needs and introduce a more general outlook on the value that society places on its cultural heritage.

He also revealed that the specific bill had actually been drafted while the late Melina Mercouri was still at the head of the ministry but "had suffered the fate of all legislative text."

Pangalos said that the bill would be given to the political parties, the Archdiocese and the Greek Archaeologists Association over the next few days for their input.

If passed the bill will cover all cultural items from the depths of antiquity to the present day, introduce distinctions between fixed and movable monuments and regulate all manner of cultural goods, including those that are within Greece and belong to other cultures.

It will also introduce tax relief for the cost of protecting monuments, the foundation of a marble-sculpture school on Tinos and introduce harsh penalties for crimes involving antiquities.

[08] Papadopoulos says 5,000 new jobs for hospital staff by mid-October

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

The new staff positions will be in administrative, medical and paramedical staff sectors, while some 250 of those to be hired will be specialized doctors.

Papadopoulos also said the draft law on upgrading the National Health System (ESY) will have been tabled in Parliament for ratification by the end of the year and that social dialogue is continuing, despite the fact agencies involved have not yet made any specific proposals.

[09] Government may cut fuel price for farmers

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

One possibility the government was examining was a cut in fuel tax by 50%-60%, sources said.

Simitis noted that there already existed special regulations on fuel for farmers under a European Union pact providing exemption from general agreements in force.

"Thus there are refunds for farmers' fuel oil. At this time we are examining, within budgetary limits, whether the measures in force need changing or not," he added.

"In Greece we have the lowest petrol tax within the EU, along with Spain. That is why we have lower petrol prices. In Great Britain - which is an oil producer, meaning that petrol should be cheaper - the price is higher, thus taxes are higher," Simitis said.

"It is a mistake to compare conditions in Greece to those in Great Britain and Germany. Conditions there are different, thus different measures need to be applied," he added.

ND cadres discuss oil crisis and repercussions for Greece: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis chaired a meeting of his party's department chiefs on Wednesday, focusing on the oil crisis, its repercussions for Greece and developments in the agricultural sector.

Agriculture party specialist George Voulgarakis said later the energy crisis proves the Greek economy's weaknesses and deadlocks and certifies the gap between nominal and real convergence.

Voulgarakis accused the government of sacrificing the decrease in the special consumption tax meaninglessly to achieve the criterion for inflation nominally, adding that the cost should not be shouldered by the financially weaker. The meeting also discussed the possibility of a ceiling being imposed on fuel prices. Participants expressed conflicting views, while Karamanlis said it is a temporary solution, which does not provide a final solution to existing problems. The government was also criticized for delaying the development of alternative sources of energy, such as natural gas, which could relieve low wage earners.

Oil-price hike drives up industrial output cost: Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) President L. Antonakos on Wednesday said that the worldwide increase in fuel prices, especially industrial diesel, had driven up the production cost of industrial goods by 10-15%.

Unions warn of strikes if prices rise sharply in wake of oil: Trade unions warned the government on Wednesday that they are likely to stage strikes if the continuing rise in oil prices leads to hikes in essential goods and services.

The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), a trade union umbrella group that represents nearly a million workers in the private and public sectors, made the warning in a letter to the national economy, development and labor ministers.

GSEE called on the government to take measures to protect working people from the impact of price rises.

It also said that a two-year collective wage agreement signed recently might have to be revised in the light of rising prices, along with sector pay deals.

[10] Greek government approves TVX Hellas' environmental study

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

The environmental impact study envisages the terms ensuring the protection of the natural and cultural environment in the area, and production procedure standards overwhelming both Greek and EU legislation.

A TVX Hellas statement hailed the decision by the ministry as "a landmark decision to complete the company's investment project".

The company's visibility study, completed in 1999, envisages that the gold mine will produce 254,000 ounces of gold annually in the first five years, 2.3 million ounces of silver, 21.540 tones of zinc and 22,500 tones of lead.

[11] Pantechniki acquires 50 pct of US firm

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

Atlanta-based Eurocon is currently taking part in a 25 million dollar tender for expansion of the US city's airport, Pantechniki said in a statement.

A consortium of 13 Greek-American businesses based in New York acquired the firms remaining 50 percent, it added.

Pantechniki also has a presence in Bulgaria.

[12] Macedonian Airlines gets world-ranking

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

The airline said in a statement on Wednesday that its net profits had jumped to more than one billion drachmas in 1999 from 14 million drachmas in 1997.

Earnings were expected to top 1.5 billion drachmas in 2000, the statement said.

Macedonian Airlines' fleet comprises four Boeing B737-400 aircraft.

[13] Greek stocks end lower on ASE

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

Traders said news of a further delay in presenting a draft bill by the government on the restructuring of the construction sector, combined with worries over rising oil prices, discouraged sentiment and dramatically reversed an early upward trend on the Athens bourse.

The general index ended at 4,103.01 points, down 1.47 percent, off the day's highs of 4,207.78 points, reflecting a 3.9 percent fall in Hellenic Telecoms' share price.

Turnover was a moderate 95.53 billion drachmas. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.48 percent lower at 2,348.16 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 1.41 percent to 534.93 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 8,262.49 -1.53% Leasing: 694.28 -1.50% Insurance: 2,207.54 +0.38% Investment: 1,661.24 -0.90% Construction: 2,100.00 -4.85% Industrials: 2,426.46 -0.20% Miscellaneous: 4,218.80 -1.22% Holding: 4,797.12 -2.12%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 3.69 percent lower at 630.83 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 254 to 82 with another 17 issues unchanged.

Hellenic Telecoms, Intracom, Alpha Bank, National Bank, Eurobank, Commercial Bank and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 15,520 Titan Cement (c): 14,400 Alpha Bank: 14,790 Hellenic Telecoms: 7,650 Commercial Bank: 19,730 Panafon: 3,650 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,080 Eurobank: 9,950 Attica Enterprises: 2,960 Piraeus Bank: 6,530 Intracom: 13,500 Lambrakis Press: 9,500 Minoan Lines: 3,480 Heracles Cement: 6,400

Hellenic Bottling: 4,310

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.48 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.41 percent lower.

Turnover was 20.1 billion drachmas.

A total of 3,076 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 14.72 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,480 contracts changed hands on turnover of 5.4 billion drachmas.

Bond prices nose up in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished higher in light trade with players buying into floating rate notes.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.092 percent from 6.09 percent in the last session.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 78 basis points from 77 basis points in the two previous trading days.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 54 billion drachmas from 200 billion drachmas in the session before.

Of the total, buy orders accounted for 40.0 billion drachmas of trade.

Drachma drops vs. euro, rampant dollar: The drachma on Wednesday ended lower against the euro and the surging US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 339.040 drachmas from 338.950 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 400.590 drachmas from 397.730 drachmas a trading day earlier.

[14] UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls for worldwide protest marches

Athens, 21/09/2000 (ANA)

"The Staff Council of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has called all UNHCR staff to convene worldwide marches of protest, as a reaction to the violent attacks of murder, physical assault and kidnap targeted against UNHCR and its personnel while in the line of duty," according to an announcement by the High Commissioner's branch office in Greece.

"The 21st of September 2000, Thursday, will be a day of mourning for the three UNHCR colleagues murdered on 6 September 2000 in West Timor and the one murdered on 17 September 2000 in Guinea. We still have no news as to the fate of our colleague kidnapped in Guinea on the 17th of September.

"The staff of UNHCR Branch Office Athens will keep an open e-mail line (great@unhcr.ch) and a fax line (6726 417) to receive expressions of solidarity and condolences on the recent events and the lack of security, the risks and the dangers unarmed humanitarian workers are forced to face within their commitment to the humanitarian causes," the announcement said.

[15] Clerides says UN led talks will continue into next week

NEW YORK, 21/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after Wednesday's meeting with the UN chief's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, which lasted for over an hour, the president said, "I don't know when we are finishing, we will be working next week".

He also said he had no fixed date for the next round as yet.

UN-led proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, began last December and a fourth round is underway in New York, aiming at paving the way for substantive negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in 1974.

President Clerides was due to attend, after the meeting, a lunch hosted by US Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash was set to meet de Soto lunchtime, on Tuesday he had a working lunch with US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus Alfred Moses.

Earlier on Tuesday, de Soto had separate meetings with representatives of the three guarantor powers of Cyprus' independence (Greece, Britain and Turkey) to discuss the issue of security, on which the Turkish side appears to have adopted a more conciliatory approach.

De Soto met with Greek Ambassador Alexandros Sandis, British envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hannay and Turkish Ambassador Haktami, who has been and continues to be actively engaged in the Cyprus question and the UN peace process.

As a senior diplomatic source told CNA, the talks could not have continued without yesterday's consultations between the UN and the three diplomats, who outlined their views on issues relating to security.

A member of the Turkish Cypriot delegation to the talks, Mumtaz Soysal, adviser to Denktash, has said the security issues will include guarantee agreements, demilitarization and the kind of a military power (UN peace forces, NATO forces, international forces) that will exist on the island. Soysal also said Turkish guarantees must continue.

His remarks appear to be more advanced that past positions on the issue of security, when the Turkish side insisted on the presence of Turkish troops and did not even consider discussing the possibility of a demilitarized Cyprus.

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