Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-03-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek, Bulgarian PMs rule out military mission to FYROM; Athens stresses solidarity

[02] Balkan water boards found union, discuss joint water management

[03] Foreign ministers of Greece, Armenia and Iran sign memorandum of understanding

[04] Greece, N. Korea establish diplomatic relations

[05] Date being sought for Papandreou-Powell meeting

[06] Papandreou flies to Cyprus Sunday for talks with government

[07] National defense minister and Greek Cypriot socialdemocrat leader discuss Balkans and Cyprus

[08] US Senators call on President Bush to back sale of Abrams tanks to Greece

[09] Greek, Albanian armed forces chiefs meet in Athens

[10] Simitis announces 1/3 quota for women candidates in Parliament

[11] Apostolakis responds to questions on training women army officers

[12] Parliament committee declines request for lifting the immunity of Muslim deputy

[13] Parliamentary ad hoc committee on narcotics formed

[14] Culture minister outlines government's sports policy over 2001-2004 period

[15] ATHOC head says IOC satisfied with preparations

[16] State pays Orthodox clergy as the church gave up property to the state, Church says

[17] Italian press gives extensive coverage to Pope pending visit to Greece

[18] New party established by Athens mayor appoints a woman for spokesperson

[19] Meeting on deregulating Greece's electricity market

[20] Airport operational on March 28, take-offs the next day

[21] Bank workers' union calls for 48-hour strike next week

[22] Gov't to subsidise air links to remote islands

[23] Greece to get 40 billion GRD for health-care infotech from 3rd CSF

[24] Investment center reports new projects

[25] Follie Follie opens two new outlets in Shanghai

[26] Bank of Greece reports 52 percent rise in net profits

[27] Capital Markets' Committee imposes fines on ASE listed companies

[28] Greek stocks soar on Morgan Stanley's positive report

[29] Greece seeks to buy Hellenistic treasures in Afghanistan threatened with destruction

[30] Greek-American author awarded by New York State in light of International Women's Month

[31] Second educational meeting of Balkan political officials on political and economic cooperation

[32] Stockbrokers make donation to state emergency services

[33] National Bank rejects 'unfounded comments' on case of Panayiotis Vasilellis

[34] Athens Mayor unveils bust of George Seferis in Zalokosta St.

[35] Cyprus FM welcomes statements by current EU presidency

[01] Greek, Bulgarian PMs rule out military mission to FYROM; Athens stresses solidarity

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov discussed the issue on Thursday during phone consultations between Athens and Sofia.

Both prime ministers reportedly agreed that no military action should be taken in FYROM by a neighboring country, but instead, attacks by the Kosovo rebels and accompanying destabilization should be dealt with through the United Nations.

According to an earlier ANA dispatch from Sofia, Bulgarias parliament has unanimously decided not to send troops, if requested, into FYROM to monitor the strife-torn FYROM-Yugoslav border.

However, the relevant motion pledged to strictly observe international commitments arising from UN Security Council decisions to guarantee peace and security in SE Europe, as well as condemning what Bulgarian deputies called "irresponsible actions of Albanian extremists that aim to trigger a new conflict in the area, obstructing efforts to normalize the situation in Kosovo."

Papandreou: On his part, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou stressed from Athens that the European Union, NATO, the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as well as governments in SE Europe thoroughly back FYROM's territorial integrity.

"No one doubts that there are problems and issues related to democracy, as well as participation by the Albanian populations in certain parts of the Balkans ... but these problems can be solved only through peaceful and democratic means," he said.

Greek foreign ministry: Meanwhile, Greece's foreign ministry announced on Thursday that FYROM's leadership has requested political and diplomatic support from Greece, its southern neighbor and an increasingly vocal ally.

A foreign ministry spokesman also noted that Greece's bilateral relations with its land-locked neighbor to the north are at their best level ever, adding that aid sent to FYROM falls within the parameters of an agreement signed last December by the two countries' defense ministers. Other press reports noted that Athens would dispatch telecommunications, medical supplies and a number of vehicles to the Skopje government.

Greek leadership has adamantly condemned Albanian rebel attacks and incursions on FYROM's northern frontier, while at the same time reiterating that the neighboring country's territorial integrity is of "vital importance". The incursions by ethnic Albanian on the FYROM border are eerily reminiscent of attacks on Yugoslav security forces in the Presevo valley in southern Serbia.

Finally, referring to Wednesday's telephone conversation between Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta and FM Papandreou, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said Tirana continues to follow a "prudent and detached" stance vis-a-vis the terrorist actions by various extremists.

Papandreou also discussed the same issue with his Albanian counterpart, Paskal Milo.

Communist party calls on gov't to end NATO's access to Balkans via Greece: NATO or US forces should not be allowed to use Greece as a staging point, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga said on Thursday, commenting on developments in the Balkans.

She stressed that Kosovo is not the only regional problem, saying that "the spark of violence and war is the problem that is spreading throughout the Balkans".

She called for an end to the NATO intervention in the Balkans and the return of Greek troops home, "leaving the people of the Balkans able to find the way to peaceful cohabitation and cooperation".

Communist Party to send delegation for talks with FYROM socialists: The Communist Party of Greece will be sending a delegation to Skopje on Monday, for talks with the local socialist party and other organizations in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Talks will focus on the crisis in the neighboring country on the FYROM-Kosovo border because of the actions of Albanian extremists and on developing join initiatives and reinforcing friendship and cooperation between the parties.

[02] Balkan water boards found union, discuss joint water management

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The Belgrade area apparently needs four sewage treatment plants, one for the center and three for outlying districts, and another 10 billion drachmas are needed to create a sewage treatment plant for the Savva River.

The greater Skopje area, meanwhile, needs to spend about 60 billion drachmas on developing water supply and sewage networks, while an additional six billion drachmas are needed for works in the town of Titov Veles.

With regard to a proposal for 120 billion drachmas to build sewage treatment plants for every town in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Thessaloniki Water Board Director Christos Tsogas said that priority would be given to the towns of Bitola and Titov Veles and that the specific project was being discussed in Brussels.

Immediately afterward, the water board directors met with Stability Pact bureau director Irene Lambraki, and were briefed on how projects for the development of Balkan countries could be funded through the Stability Pact.

[03] Foreign ministers of Greece, Armenia and Iran sign memorandum of understanding

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

Later, Papandreou said issues of cooperation in the tourism and energy sectors were discussed as well as infrastructure, telecommunications, transportation, industry and the prevention of technological and natural disasters.

Papandreou said issues discussed included the prospect of building the natural gas pipeline between Armenia and Iran and expressed hope that the three countries will soon be in a position to start the implementation of the study, which Greece has already prepared.

He added that Greece, being a European Union member-state, could contribute to the further development of the relations of Armenia and Iran with the EU.

Kharazi said he discussed with his counterparts certain other issues such as the idea of creating a business forum parallel to the next ministerial meeting in Tehran to also enable, as he said, the private sector to probe possibilities of cooperation, which will be beneficial for economic cooperation between the three countries.

Oskanyan said cooperation between the three countries is becoming deeper and more substantive and placed emphasis on the political dimension of cooperation, stressing that "the most substantive part of our cooperation is economic, but we could not have promoted economic cooperation without political contacts and political communication" and that "there are no political differences between the three countries which have common interests in the regions where they are located."

Oskanyan also said he briefed Papandreou earlier in the day on the situation in Nagorno Karabakh and the recent meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

[04] Greece, N. Korea establish diplomatic relations

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

In a joint communique issued on Thursday signed by officials of the Greek and the North Korean foreign ministries the Hellenic Republic and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations based on the Vienna conventions of 1961 and 1963.

[05] Date being sought for Papandreou-Powell meeting

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

Foreign ministry sources said the US State Department had proposed April 4 as the date for the Washington visit and meeting with Powell, but the Greek foreign ministry rejected that date as it coincided with an "Economist" international conference in Athens that will be attended by a number of prime ministers and foreign ministers from the wider region.

According to the conference program, Papandreou is scheduled to speak at a panel scheduled that day.

The ministry sources said Athens and Washington had agreed to seek a new date, after the Easter holidays, to schedule the Papandreou - Powell meeting.

[06] Papandreou flies to Cyprus Sunday for talks with government

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

According to Papandreou's itinerary, released Thursday, the foreign minister will hold separate meetings Sunday with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides, parliament president Spyros Kyprianou and the Cypriot political party leaders, before addressing an event organized by the Cypriot trade unions.

On Monday, Papandreou will meet with Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides to discuss developments in the Cyprus issue, and later with former president George Vassiliou, who heads the team negotiating Cyprus' accession to the European Union, to discuss the course of Cyprus' EU membership.

Also on Monday, Papandreou will be received Archbishop Chrysostomos before visiting the Andreas Papandreou airbase in the town of Paphos and talks with the local mayor. He will also be declared an honorary resident of Paphos.

On Tuesday, the Greek official will visit villages surrounding Paphos and the city of Limassol.

[07] National defense minister and Greek Cypriot socialdemocrat leader discuss Balkans and Cyprus

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

Referring to the situation in southern Serbia and FYROM's borders, Tsohatzopoulos spoke of the rejection of extremist attitudes and mentioned efforts being made on the international scene to promote security and stability in the region.

On the question of Cyprus's accession course to the EU, Tsohatzopoulos and Lyssarides will have the opportunity of discussing the initiatives, which the European socialists should undertake in the framework of the European Socialist Party's summit in two weeks' time.

On his part, Lyssarides spoke of a joint ideological and personal conception, which will help one to find the correct path on national issues.

[08] US Senators call on President Bush to back sale of Abrams tanks to Greece

WASHINGTON, 09/03/2001 (ANA-T. Ellis)

The group of Senators -- from both the Republican and Democratic parties -- sent a letter to Bush asking him "to support the procurement of M1A2 battle tanks to Greece in the context of the two billion dollar modernization program of its (Hellenic) armed forces".

"We believe that this sale would reinforce our national security as it functions supplementary to the requirement for modernization of the tanks of the American Army by reducing the cost their spare parts and maintenance," the letter said.

"In addition, it improves the bilateral security relations with Greece, an important NATO ally," the Senators said in their letter, informing Bush that the M1A2 is the only American tank being examined by the Greek government and was facing competition from similar tanks from Britain, France and Germany "which have the strong political support of their own governments".

The Senators further noted that since the time was approaching when Greece would make its final selection, "we urge you to convey your support for the M1A2 to the Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the other responsible Greek authorities as soon as possible".

General Dynamics recently presented its construction program-me for this tank to the correspondents of the Athens News Agency and other Greek media in the United States, who were given a tour of General Dynamics' main manufacturing unit in Ohio and observed the production process as well as performance tests on the M1A2.

General Dynamics says that the "combination of low cost and impeccable technical performance makes the M1A2 the best selection for the Hellenic Army", while it believes the chief "competitor" of the M1A2 is the German-made Leopard tank.

[09] Greek, Albanian armed forces chiefs meet in Athens

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The statement was made during his meeting with his Albanian counterpart Pellub Qazimi, in Athens.

[10] Simitis announces 1/3 quota for women candidates in Parliament

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

He said that the amendment in question, which was approved by the Cabinet on Thursday, would be included in an Interior Ministry bill on the residence of foreign nationals in Greece.

The amendment presented by Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou during the still ongoing meeting chaired by Simitis, calls for the number of women candidates fielded in local government elections to equal one third of the total number of candidates fielded for all parties and combinations.

The measure follows a recommendation by the European Union's Council to member-states for promoting the balanced participation of men and women in decision-making processes.

Equal participation and representation of the two sexes in the making of political decisions is a strategic goal in promoting equality of the sexes generally, as outlined in the European Commission's action plan "For the equality of the sexes 2001-2005." Meanwhile, International Women's Day was marked in Parliament on Thursday with a special session devoted to expatriate Greek women and their contribution to keeping ties to Greece alive in the next generation.

Opposition parties of the left, meanwhile, stressed the problems faced by women in the workplace, especially women immigrants in Greece.

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, particularly, stressed that foreign women in Greece were probably the most vulnerable social group in the country.

PASOK seminar to mark International Women's Day in Athens: A seminar organized by PASOK to celebrate International Women's Day was held at the Zappeion Hall on Thursday, with addresses by PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis, Equality General Secretary Efi Bekou and PASOK women's section general secretary and Euro-MP Anna Karamanou, who opened the seminar.

Entitled "Equality and Difference", the seminar was also attended by Deputy Development Minister Milena Apostolaki, Deputy Health Minister Christina Spyraki, Alternate Foreign Minister Elisavet Papazoi, the president of the Rom Solidarity Center and other government officials.

Many of the speakers stressed the need for greater participation by women in political decision-making, while stressing that women still fared worse than men overall, making up 80 per cent of political refugees and two thirds of the world's poor and illiterate.

[11] Apostolakis responds to questions on training women army officers

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

He was responding to a question by Coalition of the Left deputy for Athens Maria Damanaki.

According to Apostolakis, women first joined the Greek Armed Forces in 1977 and currently make up 10 per cent of the military. He noted, however, that it was difficult to strike a compromise between the biological differences of the two sexes, especially for certain combat skills such as operating aircraft, etc.

According to Apostolakis, the combat specialties were dangerous and physically demanding and women had to adapt to these. With regard to the Navy, he said that the older ships did not have living quarters for the two sexes. As regards the number of women entering officer-training academies, the minister said that the prospect of all-women classes, as a result of better results obtained by women, should be avoided.

Apostolakis claimed that the matter required careful consideration and not rushed decisions.

Damanaki countered by saying that the government had already fallen behind in carrying out a pledge made by Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos to let women attend officer-training schools in 2001.

Allowing women into the Ikaron Air force cadet school and the Navy Cadet Academy would be the greatest contribution to celebrating women's day, she concluded.

[12] Parliament committee declines request for lifting the immunity of Muslim deputy

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

Galip had written a statement in the visitor's book of the Mustafa Kemal "Ataturk's" mausoleum, which was officially translated upon request by the Turkish foreign ministry and found its way in a Greek weekly newspaper.

All parties except main opposition New Democracy (ND) proposed that the request for lifting the immunity of the deputy be declined. ND reserved the right to respond during discussion in the Parliament plenum, but did not support the request.

[13] Parliamentary ad hoc committee on narcotics formed

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The premier's proposal for the formation of a committee for the study and confrontation of the problem of narcotics, to replace a similar committee now defunct, was unanimously approved by the parliament plenary late last month.

The committee will submit proposals to parliament and the government on improving existing legislation and, where it felt it expedient, on the efficient confrontation of the problem. It will also submit a report on its work at the end of the present parliamentary session.

The ad hoc committee comprises ruling PASOK deputies Loukas Apostolidis, Fotini Gennimata, Dimitris Kremastinos, Stephanos Manikas, Stylianos Matzapetakis, Hector Nassiokas, Fraglinos Papadellis and Manolis Skoulakis, main opposition New Democracy MPs Apostolos Andreoulakos, Marietta Yiannakou, Constantine Kiltidis, Petros Tatoulis and Ioannis Homatas, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MP Panayotis Kosionis, and Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN) deputy Fotis Kouvelis.

[14] Culture minister outlines government's sports policy over 2001-2004 period

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

"We proposed the main axes of sports policy for 2001-2004 at today's cabinet meeting. We are satisfied by the support of the prime minister and the cabinet meeting. This period of Olympic preparation, which constitutes the first axis, is a crucial one. Federations and athletes will be supported," Venizelos said.

On the question of the new sports bill, Venizelos said the existing one will be supplemented by the new bill, adding that "in sports we are not clashing with persons but with situations."

Floridis disclosed that from now on clubs will not be relegated due to debts, adding that companies concluding radio and television contracts will not be allowed to have clubs as assets.

[15] ATHOC head says IOC satisfied with preparations

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

ATHOC president Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki told re-porters in Athens that "every effort has been made over the past few months to make up for the lost time," while noting that the scope of preparations for the upcoming Olympics is an "unprecedented undertaking for our country".

Asked whether a special "Olympics ministry" should be established, the outspoken ATHOC head simply noted that "this question should be directed to the head of the government. Some glitches are a given, of which some are to be expected and some created by the system. That's why we're talking about reforms."

Trade unions to work with 2004 Olympics organizers: Trade unions on Thursday signed a memorandum of under-standing with the organizers of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, pledging cooperation during the 17-day event.

The General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE), which represents nearly a million private and public sector workers, will help to publicize the Games and the work they entail to its members, and offer training where necessary.

Signing the agreement were Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, who heads the organizing committee, and GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos.

[16] State pays Orthodox clergy as the church gave up property to the state, Church says

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

His statement was made in answer to a question regarding the US State Department report on Greece and the role of the Greek Orthodox Church.

He added that the Church does not object to salaries being provided by the state for the clergy of other Christian denominations or other religions.

Efstathios also said that it was incorrectly being reported by the State Department that the Orthodox Church is the only one to have a special legal status as a "legal entity of public law" and not "a non-public organization", saying that the Muslim and the Jewish religious organizations also have the same legal standing as the Greek Orthodox Church.

[17] Italian press gives extensive coverage to Pope pending visit to Greece

ROME, 09/03/2001 (ANA - L. Hatzikiriakos)

Corriere della Sera newspaper had as its headline "The Orthodox Church opens Greece's doors to the Pope", and noted the importance of the visit.

Il Messaggero newspaper said that Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos neither said "yes" or "welcome", noting that "the decision was taken following pressure by President (Kostis) Stephanopoulos and the government who are concerned over the good picture of Greece in the world and of fear of unfavorable comments by other European countries.'

La Repubblica newspaper, referring to the positive answer by Christodoulos, had as its headline "Athens welcomes the Pope - The historic veto of the Orthodox Synod falls".

[18] New party established by Athens mayor appoints a woman for spokesperson

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The mayor chose to announce the appointment on the International Women's Day as he chose a woman to represent the new party.

Vozenberg-Vrionidis has been practicing law since 1982 and has been elected continuously since 1987 to the Athens Municipal Council.

[19] Meeting on deregulating Greece's electricity market

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The meeting, organized by Delos Communications, aims to inform agencies and consumers over the function of the electricity market in the aftermath of the deregulation of the market on February 19, 2001.

Professor Pantelis Kapros, head of a Energy Regulatory Authority, his counterparts from Italy and Ireland, Sergio Garribba and Tom Reeves, respectively, and Adrianos Papathanasiou, chief executive at the Hellenic Electricity Energy Tran-sport System, will address the meeting.

[20] Airport operational on March 28, take-offs the next day

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

Specifically, the new 800-billion-drachma Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport at Spata, east of the Greek capital, will begin operation at 3 p.m. on March 28, with only landings scheduled for planes set to take off the next day (March 29), and beginning at 6 a.m.

The current Athens airport at Hellenikon, a southeast Athens coastal district, ceases operation on March 28 at midnight.

The March 27 inauguration, delayed slightly from an initial March 1 target announced a few years ago, comes on the heels of criticism from inside and outside the country that crucial roadways to the new facility and testing are incomplete, charges the government has vociferously dismissed.

The government, as well as Prime Minister Costas Simitis personally, has promised to turn the land vacated by the decades-old Hellenikon Airport into a desperately needed park for the concrete-laden Greek capital. A handful of Olympic 2004-related events will also be hosted at the disused site in new portable venues and standing facilities, including a giant aircraft maintenance hanger.

On Wednesday, the government announced that the old airport would permanently shutdown all facilities in February 2002. Additionally, an adjacent air base would be transferred by February 2003. (?1 equals 340.75 drachmas)

[21] Bank workers' union calls for 48-hour strike next week

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

OTOE's chairman, Dimitris Kousselas, told a new conference that the banking sector's social security system "has reached zero time" and warned that in the next four to five years 5 special funds of the system could face survival problems if authorities did not take urgent and bold measures.

The union demands the creation of a single social security fund for bank employees - a precondition for accepting the transfer of all bank workers' pension rights under the Social Security Foundation's umbrella.

Kousselas rejected talk of plans to implement a self-insurance program in the banking sector and noted that the state budget owed to OTOE's funds a total of 1.88 billion drachmas since 1993.

[22] Gov't to subsidise air links to remote islands

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The links to receive funding are Athens to Astypalea, Ikaria, Leros, Milos and Skyros; Rhodes to Carpathos, Kasos and Kastelorizo; and Thessaloniki to Chios and Samos, the ministry said.

The European Union has been informed of the state subsidies program, which comes into effect on October 1, 2001, the statement added.

[23] Greece to get 40 billion GRD for health-care infotech from 3rd CSF

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

Papadopoulos was speaking at a conference in Thessaloniki entitled "Health - Online 2001" on the introduction and use of information technology in health care, which he said would be essential for the success of the health care system reforms being prepared by his ministry.

The ministry's main goals, he added, would be to use modern technology to support the attempted reforms by developing basic infrastructure, IT and telematics applications that would help improve health services for those resident in Greece.

"A basic parameter of the new policy for information technology in health care is the regional organization of infotech systems," he added.

He conceded that a fully decentralized system would be impossible to create, however, because of the totally centralized development of systems by the ministry so far.

In order for decentralization to succeed, he said, a "mixed" development model would be adopted, which retained central planning and control and gave greater autonomy and funds on a regional and local level. The transition from a fully centralized to decentralized system, he added, would take place gradually up to 2006.

Outlining planned reforms to the national health system in general, Papadopoulos listed the following goals:

Decentralizing administration and creating integrated health care systems on a regional level;

Reorganizing the management and operation of hospitals and increasing the services they offer;

Making primary health care and public health a major axis of the new system; Improving private and state health services and making better use of human resources and funds, as well as instituting more effective controls on public and private health services.

Speaking after Papadopoulos was Cyprus Health Minister Frixos Savvidis.

The two-day conference, attended by 500 delegates from countries throughout Europe, was organized by the European Union's "Information Society" directorate and Microsoft Healthcare User Group Europe and aims to assist companies, public bodies and research groups in developing healthcare systems and services.

Greek spending on pharmaceuticals at Dr 630.7 bln: Greek spending on pharmaceuticals in 2000 came to 630.7 billion drachmas in 2000 out of total health spending of 3.729 trillion drachmas, the Institute for Economic and Industrial Research said in a survey released on Thursday.

According to the survey, expenditure on pharmaceuticals in Greece represented 16.9 percent of the domestic health total, slightly lower than an average of 16 percent for countries of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the survey said.

The amount spent on pharmaceuticals represented 1.5 percent of Greece's gross domestic product against an OECD average of 1.3 percent, the IOBE added.

[24] Investment center reports new projects

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The largest project, worth 8.5 billion drachmas, is for the modernization of a meat production unit in Trikala, the center said in a statement.

[25] Follie Follie opens two new outlets in Shanghai

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

Still top priority for the company was expansion into markets abroad, Athens bourse quoted Folli Follie said in a statement.

[26] Bank of Greece reports 52 percent rise in net profits

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The central bank said in a statement that its board would seek approval from the bank's shareholders on a plan to pay 1,000 drachmas per share in dividend to shareholders, up from 700 drachmas in 1999.

[27] Capital Markets' Committee imposes fines on ASE listed companies

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The committee also approved a share capital increase plan in Vetanet SA with an initial public offering and listing of its shares on the parallel market of smaller capitalization stocks.

[28] Greek stocks soar on Morgan Stanley's positive report

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

Traders said buying spread this time to blue chip sectors, banks and telecommunications, which ended sharply higher, with textiles, wholesale, IT, insurance, investment and holdings attractive heavy demand and leasing suffering small losses.

The general index broke to the 3,200 level to end at 3,276.25 points, up 3.21 percent, or 102.04 points. Turnover was an improved 307.3 million euros, or 104.7 billion drachmas, of which 29.47 million were pre-agreed trades.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks jumped 2.98 percent to 1,861.5 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index soared 4.1 percent to 388.96 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,888.72 +2.14% Telecommunications: 1,076.59 +3.20% Insurance: 1,420.01 +4.82% Investment: 1,301.75 +4.25% Construction: 1,523.73 +3.47% Industrials: 2,043.15 +3.30% Miscellaneous: 2,374.42 +0.43% Holding: 3,644.64 +3.94% Base metals: 1,083.98 +3.33% Non-metal minerals: 1,056.05 +3.23% Publishing: 1,081.55 +3.62% Textiles: 1,169.54 +6.36% Retailing: 1,163.00 +3.61% IT: 1,174.53 +5.07% IT solutions: 1,174.53 +5.33%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 362.63 points, up 3.46 percent.

Broadly, advancers sharply led decliners by 351 to seven with another five issues unchanged.

Hellenic Telecoms, Folli-Follie, Alpha Bank, National Bank and Naoussa Spinning were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 40.18 Alpha Bank: 31.14 Commercial Bank: 49.92 Eurobank: 20.64 Piraeus Bank: 14.46 Lambrakis Press: 14.24 Intrasoft: 13.10 Titan Cement (c): 39.26 Hellenic Telecoms: 15.98 Panafon: 7.20 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.80 Attica Enterprises: 7.50 Intracom: 21.70 Mytilineos: 9.54 Minoan Lines: 5.00 Viohalco: 10.86 Coca Cola Hellas: 18.30

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 2.98 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 4.10 percent higher.

Turnover was 80.8 million euros on 12,992 contracts traded, the dealers said.

Bond prices nose up in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in heavy trade with players focusing on 15-year paper, dealers said.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.30 percent from 5.33 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 59 basis points from 57 basis points in the previous session

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.2 billion euros (408.9 billion drachmas) from 817 million euros (278.4 billion drachmas)in trade the day before.

Buy orders accounted for about 58 percent of turnover.

[29] Greece seeks to buy Hellenistic treasures in Afghanistan threatened with destruction

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday the ministry had instructed its ambassador to UNESCO, the acclaimed author Vassilis Vassilikos, to renew Greece's petition for the purchase of the Hellenistic Period treasures, which were threatened with destruction in Afghanistan.

The spokesman, Panos Beglitis, told a press briefing that the UNESCO secretary general was handling the developments in the region and the Greek ambassador in Islamabad was also monitoring the issue.

A UNESCO special envoy to the region has drafted a report depicting the conditions in the area in a negative light and focusing on the "negative" stance of the Afghan authorities.

Also, foreign minister George Papandreou was working with culture minister Evangelos Venizelos to advance the petition to save the monuments, but the situation was considered "very difficult", and this was corroborated by the information provided by Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi who was currently in Athens on an official visit and who met with Papandreou on Wednesday.

The Taliban, radical Muslims who rule most of Afghanistan, last week ordered the destruction of all pre-Islamic statues after the Afghan clergy declared them to be un-Islamic and the Taliban supreme court confirmed their religious edict.

[30] Greek-American author awarded by New York State in light of International Women's Month

NEW YORK, 09/03/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

The 90-year-old author recounted her memories and those of her mother "From a Death March in Turkey to a New Home in America, a Young Girl's True Story of Genocide and Survival", that took place in the 1910s and 1920s.

In a written announcement, Pataki condemned the crimes of the Turks, mentioning the "immense atrocity of the Turkish forces toward the Pontiac (Black Sea) Greek community".

More than 40,000 Pontian Greeks live in New York City today, part of a Greek-American community that measures hundreds of thousands of people in the largest city of the Eastern United States seaboard.

[31] Second educational meeting of Balkan political officials on political and economic cooperation

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The 25 personalities from Balkan countries participating in the educational seminar include the government spokesman of the government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), ministers of the Serbian and Turkish government, members of the Romanian Senate and advisers of the Bulgarian president and the Albanian and Greek prime ministers.

Deputy president Niki Tzavella and Petros Kokkalis represented the Kokkalis Foundation at the opening of the meeting.

[32] Stockbrokers make donation to state emergency services

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The stockbrokers trade group, the Association of Athens Stock Exchange Members, made the donation to Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis.

[33] National Bank rejects 'unfounded comments' on case of Panayiotis Vasilellis

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The bank said it had taken all necessary actions in time to resolve the problem of the "frozen", according to the law, account and took its own initiatives as well.

On November 23, the National Bank provided from its own funds 12 million drachmas for Panayiotis' family to enable the child and his parents to travel to England.

The amount was considered adequate by the family, which publicly expressed its gratitude to the National Bank for the contribution. Unfortunately, this amount was not utilized.

The bank also said that interest was incorporated in the account opened.

[34] Athens Mayor unveils bust of George Seferis in Zalokosta St.

Athens, 09/03/2001 (ANA)

The bust created by sculptor Theodoros Papayiannis has been set up on the pedestrian Zalokosta Street, between the two foreign ministry buildings and current and former members of the diplomatic corps and former Athens Mayor Dimitris Beis attended the unveiling ceremony.

As well as being a Nobel laureate poet, Seferis (real name Seferiadis) also served Greece loyally as a diplomat at the Greek embassies in Albania, Turkey, the Middle East and London.

[35] Cyprus FM welcomes statements by current EU presidency

NICOSIA, 09/03/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"We consider the statement made by Anna Lindh on behalf of the EU as very positive in the sense that the EU supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and is also reminding everybody that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not a precondition to the accession of Cyprus," Kasoulides told journalists here on Thursday.

Lindh told the press in Washington earlier this week that Cyprus could join the EU even if there is no solution of the political problem, adding though that it would be risky if the EU were to try and act as a mediator in the search for a settlement.

The minister said he agreed with Lindh that it is not the role of the EU to mediate in the efforts to solve the problem of Cyprus.

"We expect the EU to support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General under the aegis of whom the Cyprus problem should remain, for a solution consistent with UN resolutions, as the EU has repeatedly stated," he added. The role of the EU within this framework, he explained, is "to indicate what is not compatible with the acquis communautaire."

His comments on the matter were echoed by Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou who welcomed Lindh's statements and said her reference to the EU decision that other factors would be taken into consideration at the time of Cyprus' accession indicates that the EU will take into account the position of the different sides in the peace effort.

Commenting on Lindh's call to those who can influence Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to return to the negotiating table, Papapetrou said she is conveying a clear, albeit indirect, message to Turkey.

"This message is not without any significance and is not irrelevant to Ankara's obligations with regard to its accession partnership agreement with the EU," he added.

On the bimonthly report by US President George Bush on the situation in Cyprus, the foreign minister said his ministry was studying the report.

Asked to comment on the absence of any reference to Denktash's withdrawal from the UN proximity talks, Kasoulides said Denktash announced his withdrawal from the talks in November and this report covers the period December-January.

He explained that generally these reports are descriptive.

"We will have the chance to talk with the new US officials and I hope with Secretary of State Colin Powell in the not too distant future," Kasoulides said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

UN-led proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash, began in December 1999. Five rounds of proximity talks have taken place so far, but Denktash is refusing to participate in another round of separate meetings with the UN officials unless the illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus is recognized and there is a change in the procedure of the talks and their basis.

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