Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-11-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU-Turkey partnership document includes Greek-Turkish differences and Cyprus

[02] Gov't tables agreement over CBMs with Turkey

[03] Papazoi, Moscovici discuss EU affairs, Turkey and Cyprus in Paris meeting

[04] Greek FM comments on US presidential elections

[05] Greek-American Senators and members re-elected, except for one

[06] Recount in Florida State includes votes mailed by voters absent from Florida on election day

[07] Parliament passes amendment giving greater powers to National Broadcasting Council

[08] Greece says it will buy electricity for Yugoslavia from neighbors

[09] Gov't slams 'attempt to criminalize political life' following public prosecutor's report

[10] President Stephanopoulos attends celebrations for Air Force's patron Archangel Michael

[11] Gov't comments on proposed pilgrimage by pope to Greece

[12] Tsohatzopoulos to address event in German capital

[13] European public administration ministers meet in Strasbourg

[14] Deputy foreign minister gives working lunch for Parliament's Overseas Hellenism Committee

[15] Central bank chief sees inflation nosing up

[16] Indicative petrol prices slashed

[17] Greek stocks remain under pressure, end lower

[18] Greek wholesale prices jump 2.3 percent in September from August

[19] Bank of Cyprus makes trading debut on Athens bourse

[20] Ex-Commissioner Lord Brittan to give lecture on EU

[21] President visits "Greek gods and heroes" exhibition at National Gallery

[22] Public Order Ministry to start seminar on passport control

[23] US, Greek institutions sign agreement on sustainable agriculture

[24] Deputy labor minister says Olympic Village will be ready in time

[25] Panathinaikos Athens advances to second phase of Champions League

[26] Annan invites Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides to sixth round of talks in Geneva in January

[27] Outcome of US elections unlikely to have bearing on rhythm of Cyprus proximity talks

[01] EU-Turkey partnership document includes Greek-Turkish differences and Cyprus

BRUSSELS, 09/11/2000 (ANA - V. Demiris)

According to the document containing the EU-Turkish partnership relationship's basic principles, "a pre-accession strategy will apply for Turkey on encouraging and supporting its reforms.

This strategy includes a strengthened political dialogue with emphasis on progress on fulfilling accession political criteria, particularly with regard to the human rights issue and issues referring to paragraph 4 (a peaceful solution to border disputes) and paragraph 9a (solving the Cyprus problem) of the Helsinki European Council's conclusions."

The principles of the document specify that a solution to bilateral differences between Greece and Turkey should be sought with peaceful means, including resorting to the International Court at The Hague by 2004.

The document says that candidate countries participate in the accession process on equal terms, while the European Council mentioned that candidate countries should share the EU's values and aims and stressed the principle of a peaceful solution to be found for differences in accordance with the UN Charter, encouraging them to make every effort to resolve every pending border dispute and other similar issues.

The European Council, it was added, will re-examine the situation concerning every pending dispute, by the end of 2004 at the latest, particularly with regard to the repercussions of the accession process to promote their solution through the International Court.

In addition, Turkey is called on "in the framework of EU-Turkey political dialogue, to back the efforts of the UN Secretary General, in 2001, to bring the process of finding an overall settlement of the Cyprus issue to a favorable conclusion."

Cyprus' accession course progress: Over the past year, Cyprus has achieved substantive progress in various areas of the acquis communautaire and continues to fulfill the Copenhagen political criteria, the European Commission says in its Regular Report on Cyprus' progress towards accession to the European Union (EU) for the year 2000.

The Commission also says that in the fourth round of the UN-led proximity talks, aiming at reaching a settlement of the island's political problem, there were encouraging signs that the two sides were engaging in a substantive discussion.

It also points out that Cyprus is a functioning market economy and should be able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU.

Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory, started substantive accession negotiations with the EU in November 1998.

In its conclusions of the 110-page report, the Commission points out that "Cyprus continues to fulfill the Copenhagen political criteria", adding "the predominant political problem is the continued division of the island, but over the last year important efforts have been made in the search for a political settlement".

It says that "the Cyprus economy continues to grow strongly and is operating at full employment", noting that "some progress is being made in the areas of liberalization and structural reforms".

The European Commission says in its report that over the past year Cyprus "has achieved substantive progress in various areas of the acquis and continued with further harmonization measures", while "there has been progress in adopting legislation in key areas of the internal market".

It notes that Cyprus has achieved progress in the field of indirect taxation and in the adoption of legislation on asylum, and says that as regards alignment with the environment acquis "several laws and orders have been adopted, but the emphasis lays on preparatory work".

Referring to Cyprus' administrative capacity, the Commission says it has been further strengthened but the country "still has to set up regulatory authorities, and build institutions in the free movement of goods, agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and justice and home affairs".

It also says in its conclusions that "Cyprus has made progress in addressing the medium-term Accession Partnership priorities, and has partially fulfilled a number of them".

[02] Gov't tables agreement over CBMs with Turkey

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem agreed to a framework for discussing 17 CBMs on the sidelines of an Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA) general assembly in Budapest late last month. Five measures will be worked out by the two countries within the framework of the NATO alliance, while the remaining 12 will be discussed on a bilateral level.

In response to a tabled question by a Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy, Papandreou on Wednesday stressed that Athens continues to maneuver strictly within the framework of the 1988 Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum, a more-or-less groundbreaking set of principles then envisioned as a "road map" towards overcoming differences.

"Our goal is to reinforce the status quo and to consolidate specific rules of behavior by the two countries, in favor of tranquility, peace and trust," Papandreou said.

On his part, KKE MP Orestes Kolozov expressed concern over what he called the prospect of Greek sovereign rights being disputed. He said such rights are not guaranteed by NATO, giving as an example the alliance's recognition of only a six-mile limit for airspace.

"Merely the fact that NATO keeps equal distances from Greece and Turkey shows that, in fact, it disputes our sovereign rights," Kolozov said.

Papandreou clarified that procedures governing discussions over proposed CBMs and not the measures themselves have been agreed to with Ankara.

"Many new proposals have been made by our side, and if they are adopted by Ankara they will contribute to an improvement in our relations; they'll contribute to a more tranquil, logical and better neighborhood, while tension will be reduced," he said.

The foreign minister briefed the Greek premier, Costas Simitis, last week over the CBMs package and Papandreou's contacts with Cem in Budapest.

Five of the specific measures, termed "operational", will be discussed by the Greek and Turkish permanent representatives to

NATO, with the alliance's general secretary, George Robertson, acting more-or-less as an arbitrator.

Proposed CBMs include:

- A reduction in the number and scope of military maneuvers.

- Discussions over the EFF system.

- An exchange of information between staff at the Greece-based NATO sub headquarters at Larissa and the Turkish one at Eskisehir.

- Flights of unarmed warplanes by each country's air force.

- Mutual briefings over scheduled military exercises by each country.

The first meeting between the Greek and Turkish permanent representatives to NATO is scheduled for next week at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, and in the presence of Robertson.

The Greek and Turkish sides also decided to discuss 12 "non-operational" proposals for CBMs at the foreign ministry general secretary level.

Those proposals include, among others:

- An exchange of port calls by warships of each country.

- Direct communication lines for coastguard and harbor patrol authorities in the two countries.

- Joint cooperation around the Mediterranean under the auspices of NATO's "Partnership for Peace" (PfP) initiative.

- Allowing military observers from the other side at maneuvers.

- A summer moratorium for exercises in the Aegean.

- Ratification of four protocols pending since 1971 for the delineation of the Evros River that separates the two countries in Thrace, and,

- Implementation of a 1963 protocol for the management of joint water resources.

Finally, it was announced that Simitis called on Papandreou and Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos to submit their ministries' proposals for the creation of inter-ministerial coordinating to oversee foreign policy strategy. Those proposals will ostensibly be discussed at a Government Council on Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) meeting on Tuesday.

[03] Papazoi, Moscovici discuss EU affairs, Turkey and Cyprus in Paris meeting

PARIS, 09/11/2000 (ANA-O. Tsipyra)

The talks centered on the Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC), Turkey's relations with the EU and the course of Cyprus' membership negotiations with the 15-nation bloc.

"We had a lengthy, in-depth discussion," Moscovici said after the talks.

He said Greece and France believed that substantial progress had been achieved at the two-day EU informal summit in the French seaside resort of Biarritz in mid-October, at which talks were dominated by the Middle East crisis, developments in Yugoslavia and the institutional reforms of the European Union.

Moscovici said that substantial progress had been made on the two key issues of the reinforced majority vote and boosting cooperation.

He said Greece had made important moves on those two issues, at the same time maintaining specific demands, which were currently being examined.

On the other two remaining matters concerning the distribution of votes and the European Commission, he said he and Papazoi had exchanged views and was optimistic that everyone anticipated a good compromise at the EU summit in Nice next month marking the end of France's tenure in the presidency.

Referring to the issue of abolishing the current across-the-board unanimity requirement in decision-taking -- thus abolishing a member-states' ability to unilaterally veto a decision -- in a series of areas, Papazoi said that Greece had agreed to 41 of the list of 48 areas proposed by the French presidency for decision-taking by majority vote, adding that Greece was among the 4-5 countries that had made the greatest efforts in that field.

Papazoi also referred to Greece's "positive stance" on the issue of boosting cooperation.

On the issue of increasing the number of Commissioners, the Greek minister noted that the EU was separated into two divisions, one comprising the larger member countries that backed a ceiling on the number of Commissioners, and the other comprising the smaller member states that maintained it was necessary that there should be one Commissioner from every member state to ensure the democratic legality of the Commission.

"I hope that a solution is found at the Nice Summit so that we may prepare to receive the new (EU) members," Papazoi said.

Questioned by reporters on the issue of safety of sea-borne transports, Papazoi pointed out that Greece had put forward a proposal that was worked on by the French presidency, and there was now agreement on all points. "A big step forward was made on this issue during the French presidency," she added.

On Turkey's partner relationship with the EU, Moscovici said it was "necessary" to incorporate the Helsinki summit conclusions in that relationship.

"Ways must be found to recall the Helsinki conclusions in the partner relationship. We must see which ways, what position, and what form they will take. We are working on that and will seek to reach agreement by November 20, when the Ministerial Council will examine this matter. It should not be passed on (for resolution) to the Nice Summit," Moscovici said.

Papazoi said it was important that Turkey be clearly committed, via the partner relationship, to implementing the Helsinki conclusions. She said that Greece and France were not totally in agreement on this matter, not with respect to the content, but rather with respect to the degree of the commitment or the manner of implementation.

"I am certain that the French presidency will not want to carry this problem over to the Nice summit and will seek to find a way so that there will be satisfaction," she said.

On the Cyprus issue, Papazoi said that the Cyprus government was making a great effort so that a solution to the island's political problem could be found before Cyprus' accession to the EU, although such a solution was not a condition for membership. Turkey, she said, needed also to make such an effort, "but to date it has not given any indications in that direction".

[04] Greek FM comments on US presidential elections

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Commenting on the presidential elections in the United States, Papandreou also said that Greece expected a positive contribution by the US, based on the principles of International Law, the principles of peaceful resolution of differences and respect for the decisions of the United Nations.

"This was the message I gave to the staff of both candidates before the election," he concluded.

Earlier in the day, when asked to comment on the US elections, Press and Media Ministry Secretary General Nikos Athanassakis said "the final results will be positive. In any case the government is looking forward to continuing its cooperation with the USA, both on bilateral issues, as well as other issues regarding the region in general".

[05] Greek-American Senators and members re-elected, except for one

WASHINGTON, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

The two Greek-American Senators were re-elected to the U.S. Senate - Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) (with 63 percent of the vote) and Senator Olympia Snow (R-ME) (with 68 per cent of the vote).

There are now a total of three Greek-Americans in the U.S. House of Representatives: Congressman Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) (who ran unopposed); Congressman George Gekas (R-PA) (who won with 72 percent of the vote); and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV), who despite being listed as one of the most vulnerable incumbents, was re-elected 52 per cent to 44 per cent.

Greek-American John Vonglis (a Republican from NY), in his bid to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, was defeated (31 per cent to 67 per cent) by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), who has been a strong supporter of Hellenic issues for many years.

[06] Recount in Florida State includes votes mailed by voters absent from Florida on election day

WASHINGTON, 09/11/2000 (ANA - T. Ellis)

In the event one candidate wins a majority of popular votes and the other a majority of delegates, the latter is elected President.

In the improbable case of a 269-269 tie in delegates, the President is elected by the House of Representatives, which does not vote as 435 independent deputies but as 50 states. In other words, the majority of deputies in each state has one vote. At the same time, the majority of the 100 senators elects a Vice President. In both cases, the elections are held after January 6 and after the members of the two legislative bodies have been sworn in.

The states having the biggest number of delegates are California (54), New York (33), Texas (32), Florida (25), Pennsylvania (23), Illinois (22) and Michigan (18).

[07] Parliament passes amendment giving greater powers to National Broadcasting Council

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

The revised article gives the Council the authority to issue licenses for radio and television stations, whose legality will no longer be controlled by the press and media minister. The press and media minister, however, retains the right to issue the final decision.

Parliamentary deputies clarified that the minister would retain control of the legality of the Council's decisions until a new NBC had been appointed. Should the minister delay in making a decision by more than three months, the radio or television station in question had the right to appeal to the Council of State, which would judge whether there had been "an omission to carry out due legal action."

Prior to the debate on the amendment, there was a roll-call vote requested by main opposition New Democracy on the principle of the bill, followed by an exchange of views between ND leader Costas Karamanlis, Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas, honorary ND President Constantine Mitsotakis and Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos.

[08] Greece says it will buy electricity for Yugoslavia from neighbors

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Afterwards, Papandreou promised that Athens would purchase electricity for Yugoslavia from neighboring states, including Romania, Bulgaria and the Ukraine.

On his part, Djindjic, the leader of the Democratic Party and a backer of new Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica, said energy shortages faced by his country are enormous. As an example, he said a six-hour power outage is a daily occurrence.

He also expressed satisfaction for Greece's support, adding that Europe's economic aid is paramount if peace and stability are to be achieved in the region.

Asked about Belgrade's expectations prior to the upcoming EU-Balkan states summit meeting at the end of the month, Djindjic said "what we expect is for them to present us with clear and specific plans, as well as specific conditions that we must fulfill in our course towards Europe."

"We're expecting a clear plan for the economic future, not just of Serbia, but for the entire region," he added.

Papandreou noted that developments in Kosovo, Balkan reconstruction, Serbia-Montenegro relations as well as the upcoming summit meeting in Zagreb, Croatia were discussed.

[09] Gov't slams 'attempt to criminalize political life' following public prosecutor's report

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

The Piraeus public prosecutor had announced on Tuesday that he was pressing charges on harbor officials, merchant marine ministry officials and the owner of the shipwrecked 'Express Samina' ferry, Minoan Flying Dolphins, over shipping safety violations unrelated to the fateful September voyage in which 80 people lost their lives. The public prosecutor had also announced that he was handing the file on the investigation over to Parliament, so that it could look into possible criminal liabilities on the part of politicians. Greek parliamentarians enjoy immunity from prosecution until they lose their seat, which can only be reversed by Parliament.

Addressing the body, Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas said that "those who attempt to criminalize political life and politicize justice will get the answers they need."

Main opposition New Democracy, meanwhile, demanded that the government "do what needs to be done" and implied that ND would ask for an Parliamentary investigative committee to be set up if the government did not do so.

In reply, Reppas said that he was against the activities of judicial functionaries who effortlessly published reports without first gathering evidence. He referred to a similar case that involved himself, the Dogiakou case, where he said that a report was issued without any request for facts and evidence from the relevant departments in his ministry.

Acting government spokesman Nikos Athanassakis, the press and media ministry's general secretary, similarly slammed the way that the press had treated the public prosecutor's decision.

Reminding reporters that the report actually concerned a trip on July 18, prior to the fateful shipwreck, Athanassakis said that some papers had treated the story as if a conviction had already been made.

He also stressed that certain procedures had to be followed if the main opposition requested a Parliamentary inquiry, adding that the government had outlined its positions on such a course in Parliament on Tuesday.

He said that the government would give a "fitting answer" to such a request by the opposition parties, and reiterated its opposition to "politicizing justice and criminalizing political life."

He refused to say whether this statement also referred to the actions of the public prosecutor who passed the file on to Parliament, but said that the government would help the courts to clear up the 'Express Samina' affair, and that substantiated answers would be provided by Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis.

Meanwhile, the courts on Wednesday made the first ruling in favor of one of the shipwreck victims, 22-year-old Stathis Livieratos, granting his claim for the confiscation of Minoan Flying Dolphins' assets up to the sum of 100 million drachmas.

The shipping company plans to appeal the decision but is still obliged to deposit a cheque for the above amount in the mean time.

The total damages claimed by survivors and relatives exceed 13 billion drachmas.

[10] President Stephanopoulos attends celebrations for Air Force's patron Archangel Michael

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in a statement the Air Force and the armed forces in their entirety are implementing plans by which the country's military and defense capacity is being upgraded and at the same time its productive and economic potential is being strengthened.

During the celebration, Mirage-2000 and F-16 warplanes flew over the site of the ceremony.

[11] Gov't comments on proposed pilgrimage by pope to Greece

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Acting government spokesman Nikos Athanassakis made the statements during a regular press briefing on Wednesday in light of the Greek Church's discussion of such a likelihood on Tuesday.

The Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece's Holy Synod on Tuesday discussed the matter of acquiescing to a pilgrimage by the pope to Greece next spring, just after his visit to Damascus, Syria.

The Holy Synod's spokesman, Metropolitan of Sparta Efstathios, said a papal nuncio had recently visited Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos and conveyed the pope's request.

The Metropolitan noted that although several ecclesiastical leaders at the Holy Synod supported the Greek Church adopting a favorable position on the matter, certain major differences between the Orthodox and Catholic churches remain unresolved, including the divisive issue of the Uniate churches' proselytizing in former Soviet states.

A visit by a Roman Catholic pope to Greece, a predominately Orthodox country, would be the first-ever to the eastern Mediterranean country.

[12] Tsohatzopoulos to address event in German capital

BERLIN, 09/11/2000 (ANA-P. Stangos)

The Greek defense minister's address will focus on the importance of Greece as a NATO and European Union member, to an audience comprised mainly by Germany's social democrats.

He also expected to meet with Greek expatriates in Berlin, at the local PASOK party headquarters.

[13] European public administration ministers meet in Strasbourg

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Greece was represented by Public Administration general secretary Stavros Kampelis, accompanied by a special advisor to Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou, Panagiotis Karkatsoulis and the director of the Interior ministry's Human Resources Department, Mary Kotronia.

[14] Deputy foreign minister gives working lunch for Parliament's Overseas Hellenism Committee

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Various issues concerning overseas Hellenism were examined and it was agreed that special emphasis should be placed on small Greek communities. It was also added that Hellenism in the former Soviet Union, currently suffering from economic difficulties, must be handled with a special way.

Laiou reassured her interlocutors that the implementation of the World Hellenism Assembly is proceeding, adding that another issue going ahead is the creation of an Overseas Hellenism Registry to provide the legislative framework for registering overseas Greeks all over the world.

[15] Central bank chief sees inflation nosing up

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

At the same time, inflation would begin to decline in 2001, giving an annual average of 3.0 percent or above.

In October, core inflation was 2.7 percent year on year, Papademos said.

Creating uncertainty in inflation forecasts were the high price of oil and the US dollar's surge against the euro, Papademos added.

On its part, the Greek government announced the freezing of state enterprises' bills for the next six months and all their demands for price increases.

National Economy and Finance Minister, Yiannos Papantoniou, speaking to reporters said the measures were decided to avoid any new pressures on inflation in the coming months.

Papantoniou said a jump in the inflation rate in October (to 4.0 percent) did not alter the government's economic policy (incomes' policy and interest rates) because it was a result of foreign developments, such as high oil prices in international markets and a strengthening of the US dollar against the euro. However, both factors were showing signs of stabilization, he said.

Papantoniou predicted that the inflation rate in Greece would move within the government's forecasts in the next few months. The inflation rate is expected to fall by one percentage point in 2001 compared with the current year even if oil prices remained at 30 dollars per barrel, he said. "A fall of the oil price below that level (to 26-28 dollars per barrel) will offer even larger benefits to the country's inflation," he noted.

The government's economic team expects inflation to be around an average 2.3 percent next year.

Commenting on monetary policy, Papantoniou said that interest rates would fall in the last two months of the year to achieve the short-term interest rates convergence criterion before the country's formal entry in EMU by January 1, 2001.

Referring on EU efforts to reform Europe's social security system to deal with fiscal problems caused by an ageing population in the continent, Papantoniou said that the Greek government has hired a foreign consultant to draft a report on the country's social security system, to be used as a basis for a dialogue on reform with social partners. He pledged that the state would continue subsidizing social security funds under a new system.

Papantoniou said that Tuesday 2, January 2001 would be a holiday for banks and the stock market in Greece. This decision was taken, he said, to ensure that banks and the stock market were better prepared to converse their accounting systems from drachma to euro.

He said that the euro currency will begin circulating from January 1, 2002, in the country and would co-exist with the drachma for the first two months of the year. After that period the drachma currency would be withdrawn, he said.

[16] Indicative petrol prices slashed

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Specifically, super gasoline dropped by 17 drachmas per liter; unleaded by 10.2; diesel 12.4 and heating oil by 13.3 drachmas per liter.

In the greater Athens area and Thessaloniki prefecture, the indicative price for super now stands at 259.6; unleaded at 250.3; diesel 238.2 and heating oil at 137.6 drachmas per liter.

One US dollar equals roughly 395 drachmas.

[17] Greek stocks remain under pressure, end lower

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Traders said market sentiment was undermined by news of a more than expected jump in the inflation rate to 4.0 percent in October the previous day.

The general index ended 1.35 percent lower at 3,620.27 points, off the day's lows of 3,589.72 points, with turnover a low 59.16 billion drachmas.

Hellenic Telecoms' share price showed signs of stability following its plunge in the previous four days.

Bank of Cyprus showed its share price closing slightly higher on its debut in the market, despite a sharp drop in most other shares in the sector.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.46 percent lower at 2,084.49 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index eased 0.34 percent to 439.37 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,605.46 -2.20% Leasing: 547.24 -1.03% Insurance: 1,737.32 -1.12% Investment: 1,267.10 -1.48% Construction: 1,607.75 +2.25% Industrials: 2,161.53 -1.28% Miscellaneous: 3,249.64 -0.27% Holding: 4,264.91 +0.12%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 0.82 percent lower at 397.18 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 164 to 163 with another 28 issues unchanged.

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

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): Alpha Bank: 13,650 Eurobank: 9,980 Panafon: 3,120 Lambrakis Press: 6,785 National Bank: 14,110 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,710 Commercial Bank: 17,500 Attica Enterprises: 3,000 Heracles Cement: 4,900 Intracom: 10,330 Minoan Lines: 2,035 Hellenic Telecoms: 6,410 Piraeus Bank: 5,895 Titan Cement (c): 14,440 Hellenic Bottling: 5,240

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.46 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.34 percent lower.

Turnover was 23.8 billion drachmas.

A total of 4,576 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 19.3 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,532 contracts changed hands on turnover of 4.4 billion drachmas.

Bond prices end mixed: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished mixed in light to moderate trade with the spread over German bunds narrowing.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.955 percent from 5.945 percent a day earlier.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 70 basis points from 71 basis points for two sessions.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 72 billion drachmas from 60 billion drachmas in the trading day before.

Of the total, sell orders accounted for 38 billion drachmas of trade.

Greece-foreign exchange: A strong US dollar parity in international foreign exchange markets on Wednesday, pushing the euro/dollar rate below the 86 cents level, maintained pressure on the drachma.

The Greek currency fell to 397.350 drachmas per dollar at the day's fixing, up from 395.520 the previous day.

The drachma was unchanged against the euro currency at 340.050 drachmas.

[18] Greek wholesale prices jump 2.3 percent in September from August

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

The wholesale prices' index was up 1.0 percent in September 1999 on a monthly basis and up 2.3 percent on a year-on-year basis.

Wholesale inflation rose 7.6 percent in the first nine months of the year, reflecting pressures by a rising US dollar rate and higher oil prices.

Agricultural produce prices were 0.9 percent up, mining prices were 0.8 percent higher, tobacco prices jumped 5.8 percent, fur prices rose 2.3 percent, oil product prices soared 18.0 percent and electricity and natural gas prices rose 3.0 percent in September.

[19] Bank of Cyprus makes trading debut on Athens bourse

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Its stock gained 0.32 percent on the starting price of 3,100 drachmas to finish at 3,110 drachmas.

The bank had tapped investors in Greece for around 130 billion drachmas in a successful initial public offer.

It plans to use the funds to expand its Greek operations, aiming to secure 5.0 percent of the market in terms of assets.

[20] Ex-Commissioner Lord Brittan to give lecture on EU

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Lord Brittan's lecture, entitled "The European Union in the New Millennium: Can We Handle the Challenges that Face Us?" is expected to touch on his personal views regarding issues facing the Union in the age of globalization and pending enlargement.

The lecture is open to the public.

Lord Brittan was one of the British Commissioners at the EU from 1989 to 1999, first as Commissioner for competition policy and then as vice-president with the responsibility for external economic affairs and trade policy. Earlier, he served as a British cabinet minister from 1981 to 1986.

He is currently based in London as vice chairman of UBS Warburg, while he is also a distinguished visiting scholar at Yale.

Lord Brittan's lecture is part of the "Britain and Greece 2000" lecture series, organized by the British embassy in Athens and the British Council.

[21] President visits "Greek gods and heroes" exhibition at National Gallery

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

President Stephanopoulos expressed admiration for the wonderful works presented to him and asked for details of the history and work of each painter.

The exhibition will remain open until January 8 and then it will be presented at a museum in the Dutch city of Dordrecht from February 3 to May 6, 2001.

[22] Public Order Ministry to start seminar on passport control

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

The seminar, to be funded by the European Commission in the framework of the "Odysseus" common action plan, will analyze passport control on external borders to handle illegal immigration, cross-border crime and practical problems created, as well as ways of handling them.

[23] US, Greek institutions sign agreement on sustainable agriculture

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

"We are pleased to formalize our cooperation with the Goulandris Museum and the Gaia Center, two of the leading institutions in Greece in environmental conservation research. In addition, we are honored to have Professor John Doran, one of the winners of this year's Onassis awards and a distinguished soil scientist, here with us today," said US Ambassador to Greece R. Nicholas Burns.

The three organizations will soon launch several projects, including research on how to reduce the use of pesticides in olive groves, while ensuring the survival of the crop; on the use of satellite and digital technology for "precision agriculture" which will reduce expensive and hazardous reliance on pesticides; and on the non-food uses of agriculture, such as growing crops for the manufacture of latex and other materials.

Ms. Niki Goulandris, president of the Goulandris Natural History Museum, and Dr. Floyd Horn, Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, signed the memorandum for their respective institutions in a ceremony at the Gaia Center.

[24] Deputy labor minister says Olympic Village will be ready in time

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

"It has been proved once again today that what we say is observed in the framework we have set," Protopappas said.

He said the auctioning of the project, signed on Tuesday, will take place with international tendering and with processes anticipated by the Olympic Village's procurements and projects regulation.

He further reiterated that no appointment will be made and that construction will lie within the 125 billion drachmas budget.

Daskalaki expressed satisfaction over the course of the specific project and thanked relevant authorities for the special care they are showing to enable it to proceed.

[25] Panathinaikos Athens advances to second phase of Champions League

Athens, 09/11/2000 (ANA)

Panathinaikos qualified for the second round of the competition with Spain's Deportivo Coruna who came first in Group E.

Panathinaikos went into the lead with Paulo Sousa in the 6th minute and Juventus equalized with Filippo Inzaghi in the 23 minute.

Angelos Basinas put Panathinaikos ahead with a penalty in the 58th minute and Krzystof Warzycha made it 3-1 in the 66th minute.

Two Juventus players were sent off. Goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar was sent off in the 55th minute and Darko Kovacevic was dismissed in the 72nd minute.

Hamburg SV of Germany was the other team in Group E.

[26] Annan invites Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides to sixth round of talks in Geneva in January

GENEVA, 09/11/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Annan said he expects the two parties to study the assessment until the next round of talks in January next year, adding that the parties are still at the negotiating table, that the proximity talks his Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto conducts have got into the substance of the talks and that the parties are quite engaged, a development he described as "good progress".

The Secretary-General announced that he has asked de Soto to travel to Athens, Ankara and Cyprus later in November.

Speaking at a press conference here after separate meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Annan said "I have shared with them my assessment, where they stand, together with some thoughts on where they should go from here".

"I have given them some general observations on some issues of procedure and substance", he said but refused to go further than that, noting that he has asked the parties not to make his remarks public. Annan said he has asked the parties to reflect on what he had told them between now and the next meeting in Geneva in January, but that no date has been fixed.

He also said he has asked de Soto to travel to Ankara, Athens and Cyprus later this month.

"I hope that they will understand my words as an effort to take further steps in the direction of a comprehensive approach to a settlement", he said, pointing out that at the end of the day it is for the parties to agree on a comprehensive settlement.

"The UN is seeking to facilitate the parties' efforts to reach that goal and my observations are offered to them in this constructive spirit", he concluded.

Asked if he had identified any positive factors, he referred to positive factors in the sense that "we are still at the table, still talking, and as long as we are talking, I think the prospect for progress is there and we should be hopeful".

He also noted that recently the parties "got into the substance and it is not just procedural and we are really becoming quite engaged and I think that is a good progress".

Invited to say whether the parties had responded positively to his assessment and views, he explained that this kind of negotiations is a process where one puts forward ideas and suggestions and the parties have to go and reflect on it.

"You do not get immediate reaction in the room and I did not expect them to reflect on what I have said to them, not only in the next few days but between now and when we meet in January", he said.

Asked by CNA to say how he sees the talks moving on from this stage, he said the objective is to a reach a comprehensive peace agreement and "we are moving, that is the direction I want us to go".

The talks continue on Thursday with more meetings at the UN seat here and conclude Friday.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island.

UN-led proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Clerides and Denktash, began last December. A fifth round is underway in Geneva, aimed at preparing the ground for substantive negotiations, leading to a comprehensive settlement.

The talks underway are conducted by de Soto. Annan arrived in Geneva on Wednesday and leaves on Friday.

[27] Outcome of US elections unlikely to have bearing on rhythm of Cyprus proximity talks

GENEVA, 09/11/2000 (CNA/ANA)

He also thinks the UN will continue to enjoy the continuous support of the US and the other members of the Security Council.

Speaking after a half-hour long meeting here with President Glafcos Clerides at the latter's hotel, de Soto said the Secretary-General, who arrived here on Wednesday, "will be talking to the parties".

De Soto would not disclose anything about the content of his meeting with the president, which took place amid increasing speculation that Annan was poised to make some move at Wednesday's meetings with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The last time Annan made a statement to the parties, which was released afterwards, he encountered the wrath of the Greek Cypriot side because of a reference to the equal status of the parties, which must and should be reflected in the new partnership through a legally binding text.

De Soto was also scheduled to meet Denktash later in the day.

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