Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis urges public to remain calm on fuel oil price surge

[02] Papandreou briefs President on foreign policy developments in Cyprus issue, Turkish relations, Balkans

[03] Karamanlis outlines concerns on national issues, urges meeting of political leaders

[04] Government spokesman Reppas says laborious effort necessary to normalize Greek-Turkish relations

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

[06] MP send letter asking for Parliament's foreign affairs and defense committee to convene

[07] Beglitis says Cyprus press reports on Athens' handling of Cyprus issue are 'irresponsible'

[08] Parliamentary delegation may visit Belgrade to observe elections, Reppas says

[09] French Leclerc tank presented at special event in Athens

[10] Bill regulating national broadcasting council and broadcast media sector tabled in Parliament

[11] Ruling PASOK expels deputy from parliamentary group

[12] Greek stocks remain under pressure, end lower

[13] Karamanlis accuses government for problems in resolving labor relations' issues

[14] Greek Israeli conference on cooperation in telecommunications

[15] Cosmote to hold presentations in London, New York

[16] Banks to strike on Friday after talks collapse

[17] 'European Day Without Cars' to be observed in Greece on Friday

[18] Ioannidou proposed for the post of supervisor for Acropolis conservation agency

[19] Australian newspaper calls for repatriation of Parthenon Marbles

[20] Visiting Ukrainian First Lady meets Daphne Simitis

[21] Cyprus peace talks continue

[22] Cyprus Foreign Minister addresses UN General Assembly

[01] Simitis urges public to remain calm on fuel oil price surge

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of a cabinet committee to discuss the oil price issue, Simitis said the government was examining plans to take special measures to protect lower incomes if oil prices remained at such high levels for long.

"These measures will be taken in the framework of a new budget," he said.

The Prime Minister noted that the government would use all available means to avoid an over-increase in consumer goods' prices and to protect consumers and underlined that the government would be particularly strict in combatting profiteering and unfair competition practices.

Mr. Simitis said he expected a rise in oil prices to have a negative impact on the inflation in the medium-term in all European Union member-states if they remained at current high levels for long.

He noted that the Greek economy has shown resistance to oil pressures so far.

"Fuel taxes in Greece are at the lowest permitted levels in the EU," Simitis said.

He urged the Greek people to help in an effort to deal with overpricing phenomena in the market.

Coalition of Left calls on gov't to buffer fuel hike: The Coalition of the Left and Progress on Thursday called on the government to take measures that would ease the domestic impact of rising international fuel prices.

Responding to Prime Minister Costas Simitis' call earlier in the day for calm in the crisis, the party said in a statement that immediate tax relief and incomes support should be offered to the low-paid.

The government is currently contemplating the measures it will take.

[02] Papandreou briefs President on foreign policy developments in Cyprus issue, Turkish relations, Balkans

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

The subjects discussed included the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations and Yugoslavia.

In statements immediately after the meeting, Papandreou reiterated that Greece is following a policy of principle and has vital interests in the region that it is promoting in every way possible.

The foreign minister also used tough language to comment on articles in the Cypriot press that have asked for his resignation, and said that "nationalist circles" should not be allowed to poison relations between Greece and the Cyprus Republic. He also intimated that the same circles had precipitated the 1974 occupation by Turkey and the current situation "that we are now being called on to handle."

[03] Karamanlis outlines concerns on national issues, urges meeting of political leaders

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Emerging from the meeting, Karamanlis demanded that a meeting of all the political leaders chaired by the President of the Republic be called immediately, saying that "we must all stand united on the major national issues because there is a negative outlook for developments."

He also criticized the government's foreign policy across the board, in Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue and Balkan affairs, talking of amateurism, experimentation and actions taken on a personal level.

[04] Government spokesman Reppas says laborious effort necessary to normalize Greek-Turkish relations

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Reppas, who was referring to a statement by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on the issue in Thursday's edition of the French newspaper "Le Monde", said a laborious effort is necessary to normalize relations between the two countries on the basis of the principles and rules of international law. He said it would be a great success for both Greece and Turkey if this is achieved.

Reppas said Turkey is currently called on to win the wager, which has not responded so far and there is no evidence justifying great optimism.

He said such a development does not mean that Greece's policy should change. On the contrary, the country should continue to apply a policy of positions and principles in Greek-Turkish relations.

Symposium on Greek-Turkish affairs begins in Athens: A symposium entitled "The course the prospects of Greek-Turkish relations after Helsinki" organized by the European and International Cooperation Society, begun on Thursday evening at Zappeion Mansion in Athens.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou addressed the symposium, via a written statement, as he was unable to attend it, noting the marked contribution of scientists, social agencies, citizens, non-governmental organizations and journalists regarding the improvement of relations of the two countries.

On his part, Turkish Ambassador to Athens Ali Tinaz Tuygan noted all the moments that marked the relations between Greece and Turkey, since 1997, when his country was not judged as suitable to become a European Union candidate member-state, to the present following the acceptance of Turkey's candidacy.

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

ISTANBUL,, 22/09/2000 (ANA - E. Aretaios)

The conference was organized by the Thessaloniki, Greece, based Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeastern Europe and includes academics from Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Bosnia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) participating in panel discussion on the teaching of history in Greece and Turkey, as well as the heritage of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

"Our aim is not to rewrite history," Center Director Kostas Karras said, adding "what we are aiming for is to make history into a source of feelings of friendship of the others".

"Our work here aims to analyze current conditions for the creation of a framework within which one can succeed in bringing about improvements, we also aim to create a network of scientists, who will cooperate within this framework," he said.

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.

[06] MP send letter asking for Parliament's foreign affairs and defense committee to convene

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

20 New Democracy deputies sent identical letters and two Communist Party (KKE) deputies, who stressed that developments in the Cyprus issue and in Greek-Turkish relations, as well as events in Yugoslavia, were "causing intense concern to the Greek people."

A letter was also sent by Coalition of the Left and Progress deputy Maria Damanaki on Thursday, who asked that the committee be convened and briefed "on all crucial issues."

A similar request had been made last Monday by PASOK deputy Gerassimos Arsenis.

[07] Beglitis says Cyprus press reports on Athens' handling of Cyprus issue are 'irresponsible'

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Beglitis talked about a "crescendo of irresponsibility" and said the articles came at a difficult time and were not helping the efforts being made by the Greek and Cyprus governments, nor contributing to fruitful dialogue between the two countries.

The foreign ministry spokesman concluded by saying that neither the prime minister nor the foreign minister would justify themselves with regard to the Cyprus problem, and that Greece's positions are firm and clear and not open to misinterpretation.

[08] Parliamentary delegation may visit Belgrade to observe elections, Reppas says

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Papoulias has been personally invited by Yugoslavia to observe the election process in that country.

Reppas said a Parliamentary delegation may visit Belgrade in the event an agreement is reached on the presence of observers from European countries who, however, will not represent governments but democratic institutions.

Referring to the elections, Reppas expressed the hope that they will be conducted in a democratic manner and with rules applied in the other European countries to enable a new period to open for Yugoslavia in Europe.

[09] French Leclerc tank presented at special event in Athens

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Company representatives said the French tank has a crew of three, its cannon is loaded automatically and it has the smallest weight and dimensions compared to other tanks under consideration.

They also said that in the event the Leclerc tank is selected by the Greek military, various parts of it would be produced in Greece. The Greek companies to participate in joint production are, as they said, INTRACOM for wirings, the Hellenic Arms Industry (EBO) for ammunition and METKA for the production of the body and turret.

Offset benefits include the joint production of the FAMAS rifle produced by the same company. The French tank has also been proposed to Turkey for purchase. The Leclerc tank will be presented at the international exhibition Defendory, due to take place in Athens on October 3, and will be attended, as the representatives said, by the French defense minister.

Other tanks under consideration for purchase by Greece include the German tank Leopard-2, the US-built Abrams M1A2 and the British Challenger 2E.

[10] Bill regulating national broadcasting council and broadcast media sector tabled in Parliament

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

If passed, the bill will upgrade the ERS, giving the power to intervene when it perceives transgressions of radio and television broadcasting legislation and the power to impose penalties of an ethical nature, such as the cancellation or postponement of specific broadcasts.

It also makes the president of the council a permanent, full-time position, while the rest of its members will be obliged to declare their sources of income.

[11] Ruling PASOK expels deputy from parliamentary group

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Ruling PASOK President and Prime Minister Costas Simitis expelled Kedikoglou for his comments against long-time PASOK Eurodeputy and current MP Paraskevas Avgerinos, whom he called "Salome of PASOK", alluding to the practices of a New Testament princess.

The premier also called for the case to be sent to the party's disciplinary committee, calling for his expulsion from the PASOK as well.

"The accusations, the insinuations and the name calling in public by Vassilis Kedikoglou, regarding Paraskevas Avgerinos are baseless. Avgerinos is a cadre of high moral standing and his struggles marked the party's history," the press release said.

Kedikoglou, who is being re-elected continually since 1977 from the Evoia prefecture, was expelled from the party's parliamentary group two times in the past, once in 1992 and again in 1997.

[12] Greek stocks remain under pressure, end lower

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Traders said a negative climate in international markets led to waves of selling by foreign funds in blue chip stocks, like Commercial Bank. Hellenic Telecoms was particularly hit reflecting pressures in stocks in the telecommunications sector in other European markets.

The general index ended 1.52 percent lower at 4,040.61 points, off the day's lows of 4,010.33 points. Turnover was a moderate 104.397 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 2.33 percent lower at 2,293.39 and the FTSE/ASE 40 index eased 0.50 percent to 532.23 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 8,031.48 -2.80% Leasing: 678.55 -2.27% Insurance: 2,192.63 -0.68% Investment: 1,631.39 -1.80% Construction: 2,110.70 +0.51% Industrials: 2,406.08 -0.84% Miscellaneous: 4,184.94 -0.80% Holding: 4,945.71 +3.10%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 1.28 percent lower at 622.75 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 258 to 78 with another 15 issues unchanged.

Hellenic Telecoms, Viohalco, Panafon, Elval, Metka, Alpha Bank and Daios Plastics were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 15,010 Titan Cement (c): 14,010 Alpha Bank: 14,470 Hellenic Telecoms: 7,440 Commercial Bank: 18,995 Panafon: 3,615 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,100 Eurobank: 9,695 Attica Enterprises: 2,850 Piraeus Bank: 6,350 Intracom: 13,090 Lambrakis Press: 9,250 Minoan Lines: 3,290 Heracles Cement: 6,200 Hellenic Bottling: 4,280

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 2.33 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.50 percent lower.

Turnover was 22.2 billion drachmas.

A total of 3,596 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 16.8 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,503 contracts changed hands on turnover of 5.3 billion drachmas.

Bond prices dip in sell-off: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished lower in heavy trade with players selling off medium-term paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.071 percent from 6.092 percent in the last session.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 78-79 basis points from 78 basis points in the previous trading day.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 214 billion drachmas from 54 billion drachmas in the session before.

Of the total, sell orders accounted for 180.0 billion drachmas of trade.

Drachma down vs. euro, up vs. dollar: The drachma on Thursday ended lower against the euro and higher versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 339.080 drachmas from 339.040 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 398.650 drachmas from 400.590 drachmas a trading day earlier.

[13] Karamanlis accuses government for problems in resolving labor relations' issues

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Karamanlis said that the government was at fault for the impasse in the dialogue between employers and workers regarding the future of labor relations, because of its ineffective initiatives, following the announcement of the labor ministry proposals on the issue.

He also said that ND believed that labor relations' issues should be resolved via "an open and honest dialogue between the social partners, without governmental interventions and blackmailing timetables."

[14] Greek Israeli conference on cooperation in telecommunications

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Greek Transport Ministry's Telecommunication Secretary General Constantine Rovlias attended the conference and during his address elaborated on the Greek government's positions on the issue.

The Greek government is focusing "on the deregulation and development of telecommunications and is aimed at cooperating with other countries, such as Israel, to enable it to play a leading role in developments both in the Mediterranean and southeastern Europe," Rovlias said.

He added that deregulation of the telecommunications market and cooperation with private sector interests is a factor of convergence with European established practice and indeed at a time when Europe is racing to cover the distance with the United States in this sector.

The telecommunications sector, as well as developments in Greece and Israel, provide suitable ground for cooperation. Consequently, a special joint Greek-Israeli committee will examine possibilities in bilateral relations with the purpose of having a memorandum of cooperation in telecommunications signed between the two countries' relevant ministries in the near future.

According to reports, a memorandum will be signed by Greek Transport and Telecommunications Minister Christos Verelis during his visit to Israel's telecommunications exhibition, due to be held between November 6-9, 2000.

[15] Cosmote to hold presentations in London, New York

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Led by OTE chairman and managing director Nikos Manesis, the presentations will be held in the UK capital on Friday and in New York on Monday.

Cosmote's initial public offer is to be held on September 27-October 2.

[16] Banks to strike on Friday after talks collapse

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Union leaders met Labor and Social Security Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Thursday, who pledged that checks would be stepped up to ensure that banks were keeping to agreed opening hours.

The leaders rejected a proposal by Yiannitsis that negotiations for a shorter 35-hour working week should be linked to more flexible terms of employment.

[17] 'European Day Without Cars' to be observed in Greece on Friday

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Public transportation will be free of charge in Athens and the other 60 municipalities taking part in the initiative, environment, town planning and public works Minister Costas Laliotis said, while outdoor concerts and other cultural events will also be held in the participating municipalities on Thursday evening and throughout Friday.

The "European Day Without Cars" is a joint initiative of environment ministers from all 15 member-states of the Union.

The campaign was first initiated in France in 1998, with 33 municipalities participating. The following year France was joined by Italy, with 158 municipalities taking part - 66 in France and 92 in Italy.

This year, more than 700 municipalities in 13 European countries are taking part in the campaign.

The Greek environment, town planning and public works ministry's slogan for the initiative is "Red light for cars - Green light for citizens".

In Athens, the historic commercial center and main arteries in the center of the capital will be closed to all traffic, including taxis and motorcycles. Only public transport vehicles and supply vehicles will be allowed.

In several municipalities, free bicycles have been passed out to locals.

[18] Ioannidou proposed for the post of supervisor for Acropolis conservation agency

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos was expected to approve the proposal within the day.

Ioannidou has had a long tenure at the agency, where she begun her carrier during conservation work done at the temple of Herehtion located next to the Parthenon on the Acropolis and famed for its columns-statues of women the Caryatids.

[19] Australian newspaper calls for repatriation of Parthenon Marbles

MELBOURNE, 22/09/2000 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)

The article successfully argued against statements of British Culture Minister Chris Smith in an interview to the same newspaper, stating that Greece's request for the return of the marbles has no legal ground.

Smith reiterated the arguments of the British government regarding the marbles and denied that the Labor government under Tony Blair was indifferent toward culture.

The newspaper article called argument of the minister legalistic and anachronistic as it reminds of 19th century practices, when the British Empire controlled the world.

[20] Visiting Ukrainian First Lady meets Daphne Simitis

Athens, 22/09/2000 (ANA)

Lyudmila Kuchma, honorary chairwoman of the All-Ukraine Charity Fund of Hope and Kindness, is heading a Ukrainian delegation that arrived in Athens on Wednesday for a six-day visit to develop humanitarian cooperation.

Kuchma is due to meet with President Costis Stephanopoulos, the Athens mayor, members of the Greek government, artists, scientists and bankers, to discuss the prospect of medical treatment of sick children from Ukraine in Greece, an exchange of experiences and technologies in cancer diagnostics, the possibility of Greek investments and the opening of high-tech clinics in Ukraine.

After the meeting, Kuchma outlined the situation in Ukraine in the sectors of healthcare and environment, and focused on problems faced by children.

She thanked Daphne Simitis' for Greece's multi-faceted assistance in dealing with the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, including a financial contribution for the closure of the reactor and the hosting of children in Greece.

Daphne Simitis expressed hope for further cooperation between the two countries, and said she had accepted an invitation by Kuchma to visit Ukraine.

[21] Cyprus peace talks continue

NEW YORK, 22/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

De Soto was scheduled to meet later the same day with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

UN-led proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Clerides and 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.

Clerides sends letter to Security Council: President Glafcos Clerides has asked the Security Council to inform him of its intentions to act effectively to restore the status quo ante in the Strovilia area, in southeast Cyprus, where the Turkish occupation forces moved forward, violating the status quo.

In a letter to the President of the Security Council, Mali Ambassador Moctar Quane, President Clerides refers to a speech by Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem, at the UN and notes that he has waited long enough for the Security Council to take steps to restore the status quo ante. The president also says he wants an answer to his question before finalizing his decisions on the issue.

The letter, dated September 18, a copy of which CNA has secured, draws the attention of the Security Council to Cem's speech to the UN General Assembly on September 16.

Cem, the letter adds, said in his speech "to refer to some recent arrangements by TRNC (self-styled regime in Turkish occupied areas, recognized solely by Turkey) on her sovereign soil as an act strengthening the existing barriers is irrelevant for the 'walls to tumble down'. In Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot side must first free itself of its present frame of mind".

The president explains in his letter that the above extract is "a reference to certain fortifications made by the Turkish forces in the occupied area and includes the Turkish posts of Strovilia".

"For the purpose of this letter, I will not refer to certain threats emanating from Part V of the Turkish Foreign Minister's statement, i.e. that unless we ignore Security Council resolutions and accept the realities created by the Turkish forces on the ground, the barriers dividing our country will not be removed", the President says in the two-page letter.

"Instead, I will limit myself in simply asking the Security Council whether it intends to restore the status quo ante at Strovilia", he adds.

The president expresses the hope that the long patience he has displayed, because of the proximity talks, expecting the Security

Council "to take steps to restore the status quo ante, will be appreciated".

"It would be useful for me to have an answer to my question before finalizing my decisions on the Strovilia issue", he says and concludes that "this I will have to do after the end of this round of proximity talks and upon my return to Cyprus".

[22] Cyprus Foreign Minister addresses UN General Assembly

NEW YORK, 22/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Addressing the UN General Assembly here on Thursday, Kasoulides also called on the international community not to accept the so-called "realities" on the island, which are the result of Turkey's invasion in 1974, as such a move would set a precedent for the disintegration of small states in a world where the will of the mighty reigns supreme.

Referring to world affairs, the Minister said Cyprus was concerned about the increasing number of refugees and internally displaced persons around the globe, the illicit trafficking of small arms and the eradication of poverty, among other issues.

Kasoulides also welcomed the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, noting this complied with Security Council resolutions, expressed support for Council resolution 1244 calling for respect of the rights of the Kosovars and said he was encouraged by the positive climate between the North and South Korean leaders.

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