Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-03-31

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis sets New Democracy's agenda, policies in party congress

[02] Premier fields MP questions on EU summit, law enforcement bills

[03] Premier meets Interior minister, Greece's head ombudsman

[04] Genscher suggests heed to Greek Balkan policies, lauds Greek EU entry anniversary

[05] European Commission president arrives in Thessaloniki for events commemorating Greek EU accession

[06] Defense minister stresses need for country's security and defense policy to be applied on stable basis

[07] Public order minister tours border patrol stations in northeastern Greece

[08] Gov't stands on decision for 28 FM licenses for greater Athens area

[09] Papoutsis to make official visit to the US in May

[10] Greece to participate in

[11] Small scale Greek-Bulgarian exercise to be held on April 4

[12] Archbishop calls on Orthodox faithful not to organize rallies and demonstrations during Pope's visit

[13] Greek UN representative says violation of human rights in Cyprus continues to be very serious issue

[14] Athens bourse abolishes floor trade on Monday

[15] Commissioner Diamantopoulou addresses forum in Thessaloniki

[16] Star-studded cast at 'Economist' conference in Athens

[17] Gov’t seeks greener operation of manufacturing units in Attica

[18] Papoutsis: Thessaloniki port needs investment before sale

[19] Hellenic Railways says EU funds' absorption 95 percent

[20] Crete Plastics acquires Turkey's Senkroma Boyar Madde Sanayi ve Ticaret AS

[21] Greek fur industry shows signs of recovery

[22] Thessaloniki to host international sports trade fair in May

[23] Greek stocks reverse three-day decline on Friday

[24] Prof. Hammond will always be remembered, culture minister says

[25] Sparta symposium focuses on Europe's ancient cities

[26] ATHOC chief upbeat on 2004 Games in CNN TV-interview

[27] Foreign Minister meets US envoy ahead of Washington meeting with Powell

[01] Karamanlis sets New Democracy's agenda, policies in party congress

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

Karamanlis appealed to voters of all parties to vote for ND and called on party cadres and members to open the party to society, while maintaining the necessary unity within the party.

"We have the duty to open the way for society to escape the crisis that plagues it, to aid the manifestation of society's dynamism toward a new prospect and to bring it out of the present quagmire," he said.

He called on party cadres to discuss issues openly and with honesty, warning that parties have lost ground in the eyes of society, while stressing that ND would not follow the policy and the "ripe fruit" tactics, in winning the next election.

"We will not offer a lesser quagmire to confront the quagmire of the government," he said, adding that the adversaries of ND are the problems that citizens confront and the decadent phenomena of the established norms.

He stressed that the present party congress is not a party routine affair, but a bridge building affair toward society.

Karamanlis underlined that the party's strength among voters rose to 43 percent, because it did away with the dividing lines of the past, adding that ND is that part of the political spectrum where all modern currents of society converge.

Changing venues, Karamanlis accused the government and Prime Minister Costas Simitis personally, saying "society has become tired of the tired government and the tired prime minister, who transfers all responsibility to his tired colleagues".

"Enough of conservative attitudes," Karamanlis said, noting that education, culture and the everyday problems of citizens would be at the forefront of ND's government program.

"This other Greece, for which Mr. Simitis spoke of during the time of the 'Samina Express' shipwreck is the one that matters to ND and it is this Greece ND will deal with".

5th main opposition party congress opens with congress chairman's address: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) opened its 5th congress on Friday with the opening remarks of its leadership on this first day of the three-day event.

Tzannis Tzannetakis, chairman of the congress organizing committee, delivered the opening address, setting the tone and agenda, by saying that the democratic governance system may include many parties but only two kinds of attitudes.

He added that "the one that feeds on the elements of self-serving and cliquish interest and the other that is grown from within a clear choice, that of the interest of every citizen being the focus of political changes".

Tzannetakis, a former prime minister, said that ND oversteps the vague announcement of policy and dismisses dialogue as a mechanism for postponing and aborting the resolution of the problems citizens confront.

The aim of the 5th ND congress, he said, is to raise issues and prepare the party's organization and institutions, as well as its policies and ideological platform for the mission of governing the country "which we will be called to do in two to three years".

ND came a close second, in the last national election in April, gaining 42.73 per cent to PASOK's 43.79 percent. PASOK was reelected gaining 158 seats to the 300-member Parliament, while ND gained 125 seats.

Mitsotakis vehemently criticizes any prospect of Samaras return to ND: Former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis unleashed a stinging attack against the PASOK government on Friday while at the same time reiterating his vehement opposition to any prospect of his one-time FM-turned political rival returning to the party.

Mitsotakis spoke at the first day of a three-day main opposition New Democracy (ND) party congress being held in a seaside Athens indoor stadium. The congress is ND's fifth since its founding by late Greek statesman Constantine Karamanlis in 1974.

Mitsotakis, who is also the main opposition honorary president, predicted that ND would win the next general elections, while he charged that the government was not telling people the truth but simply maneuvering on the basis of projected political costs.

The former ND premier (1990-93) repeated his accusations against the foreign minister he sacked in early 1993, Antonis Samaras, claiming the latter "served economic interests" when he left New Democracy to form his own party prior to the November 1993 election.

In reference to a new party recently created by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, a former career diplomatic who was initially backed by ND in his municipal races, Mitsotakis said Greece "does not need (political) Messiahs, while the people and society continue to want stable governments."

Finally, the veteran political leader from Crete again touched on his ongoing feud of late with Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, saying that "(PASOK's) modernization as a movement is burning out in PASOK's interior, and the image is fading". He also accused Laliotis of engaging in dirty political tricks against opposition politicians.

Foreign leaders hail ND's European orientation at 5th party congress: European Union political leaders on Friday addressed the opening day event of the main opposition New Democracy 5th party congress and its leader Costas Karamanlis, either with messages sent and read or addresses made to the party's congress.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, in a message, expressed full support for Karamanlis's work and stressed satisfaction over the promotion by ND of a policy aimed at the dominance of the ideas and values of the political center, a center whose basic element is promoting a new spirit of cooperation for the implementation of changes in the direction of reform and the modernization of countries.

European Peoples' Party (EPP) President Wilfried Martens said in his address "the stability of New Democracy, its seriousness and the sense of responsibility are what Europe needs now, since we are entering a new cycle of ominous developments in the Balkans."

The President of the European Party's Parliamentary Group and of the European Democrats at the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering said that "thanks to Constantine Karamanlis (ND's founder) Greece is currently a key country in the heart of Europe."

In his message to the congress, Austrian Chancellor and Austria's Popular Party President Wolfgang Schuessel stressed that Costas Karamanlis is a great European and, as the Deputy President of the European Democratic Union, he has done excellent work.

European Parliament President Nicole Fontaine referred in her message to the 20th anniversary of Greece's accession to the European Union, adding that this accession belongs to all the Greek people, but particularly to ND due to the initiative by its founder Constantine Karamanlis.

[02] Premier fields MP questions on EU summit, law enforcement bills

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

According to Simitis, the conclusions of the Summit - which called for growth coupled with social protection - largely reflected the views of the Greek government.

He was responding to a question put by PASOK MP Loukas Apostolidis.

According to the premier, this would be implemented through national plans for development, employment and combatting poverty and social isolation.

He also stressed the need for life-long education, and said the government aimed to ensure full employment with greater prosperity and better working conditions.

Earlier in the Parliamentary session, Simitis had fielded questions put by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga regarding a bill on demonstrations and another to combat terrorism.

According to the KKE leader, both bills encroached on civil liberties and fostered the creation of a police state. She expressed concern over provisions such as videotaping political gatherings and the need to inform police authorities well in advance of one's intention to demonstrate.

Regarding the law on demonstrating, Simitis said that the "one person's freedom stops where that of another begins" and that the bill aimed to prevent the majority being held "hostage" by a handful of protestors.

"It is well known that the capital suffers when groups of 100 people block public transport and traffic," he pointed out, "and the public expects us to take action."

The so-called "anti-terrorism" bill, he added, was actually targeted at organized crime, "which has now taken on grave dimensions and cannot be dealt with through ordinary legislation."

In answer to Papariga's claims that the bill would be used to curtail people's right to struggle and her reference to the bad experiences of left-wing activists because of similar laws in the past - Simitis claimed that such abuses arose through the ethos within the police force, and would therefore not be repeated.

"I myself have had such experiences. The police force, however, is not what it was, there are no 'usual suspects' that are prosecuted on the pretext of another case. The majority sees that there is a democratic ethos in the security forces," he said.

"Autocracy is cultivated when there are incidents of abuse of rights. The public calls for a more dynamic and autocratic intervention and we don't want this. There must be a framework, the state must be effective and we want it to be effective," he added.

[03] Premier meets Interior minister, Greece's head ombudsman

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

According to Papandreou, these are to be discussed by Cabinet after Easter.

In response to questions, the minister denied rumored cutbacks to ministry and local government funds, saying only that these had to be used more effectively.

After his meeting with Papandreou, Simitis then received the Ombudsman Bureau's annual report for the year 2000 from chief Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamantouros, who declared himself satisfied with the results of this year's report.

Diamantouros said the report would be made public next Monday, during a scheduled press conference.

The head ombudsman then delivered copies of the report to Parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis and the interior minister, as is customary.

[04] Genscher suggests heed to Greek Balkan policies, lauds Greek EU entry anniversary

BERLIN, 31/03/2001 (ANA - P. Stangos)

Speaking to the Greek language program of the German radio station "Deutsche Welle", he congratulated Greece on the twentieth anniversary of its entry to the European Union and voiced the advice that "special attention should be paid to Greece's opinions" regarding developments in the Balkans.

He added "Greece has an extraordinary understanding of the conditions in its neighboring region", adding that the European Union summit message that the borders and territorial integrity of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) should be secured, was very important.

During the interview he lauded the efforts of Greek statesmen of the past that worked hard for Greece's accession to the EU, and called the entry to the Eurozone as the crowning of those efforts.

[05] European Commission president arrives in Thessaloniki for events commemorating Greek EU accession

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

Minister of Macedonia and Thrace George Paschalidis and Deputy Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi welcomed Prodi at Macedonia airport.

In a statement on arrival at the airport, Prodi praised Greece's contribution to the EU and expressed pleasure over his participation in the events.

On his part, Paschalidis expressed the hope that Cyprus will be a full EU member by 2003.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis will attend Saturdays events, while main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis will also be making an address.

[06] Defense minister stresses need for country's security and defense policy to be applied on stable basis

BRUSSELS, 31/03/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Speaking to reporters at the end of the session of the European Socialist Party's presidium, Tsohatzopoulos said the promotion of the European social model and European defense were among issues, which dominated the session.

Commenting once again on the issue of the decrease in the ministry's expenditures to facilitate the application of the government's social policy, he said that as he has repeatedly said "from the first day after the elections", social policy "constitutes a basic element of government commitments."

Tsohatzopoulos said the fact "we have reached the point today of ascertaining that an economic deficit exists for us to handle the implementation of this social policy has a significance", adding that "it is necessary for the problem to be tackled."

On the question of defense and security issues, Tsohatzopoulos said "they will not change" and that "the country's security and defense policy will remain stable."

[07] Public order minister tours border patrol stations in northeastern Greece

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

He met with local administration leaders, police and fire department officials in the Evros, Rodopi and Kavala prefectures, stressing the government's policies for securing the borders.

"Our aim is to secure our borders and the interior of our country against illegal immigration and to effectively confront the problems that arose over the past few years," he said, adding that the "law enforcement does not have anything to do simply with criminal activities, but mainly with the fact that those who enter Greece must come in a legal way."

[08] Gov't stands on decision for 28 FM licenses for greater Athens area

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

Government spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dimitris Reppas, at the center of contentious deliberations throughout the week, announced during a press conference that the issue of frequencies "isn't the product of a political decision, but a technical matter".

"That's why we're remaining at the number of 28 frequencies, just as relevant agencies have decided," he said.

Asked about press reports citing the possibility of a 35-frequency ceiling in the greater Athens area, Reppas said "no such proposal has been tabled with us because the press and mass media ministry isn't responsible. Any other study must be worked out by international agencies ... international coordination is necessary ... this occurred with the study, which led to a specific map-ping of the frequencies," he added.

The heated issue controlling the chaotic radio airwaves over the Greek capital was transferred to the floor of Parliament on Friday, only days after dozens of FM radio stations -- ranging from a few commercially robust stations to a large number of small and even "staff-less" operators - were shut down.

At odds are the government's attempts to regulate and finally legalize the FM band in the country versus stern criticism that cites favoritism, preferential status for the state-run radio network, a skewed technical study as well as a capricious and nebulous selection process.

Riot police-backed power company technicians began cutting electricity to radio transmitters atop Mt. Hymettus in the early morning hours on Monday and Tuesday. The action coincided with the inauguration of the new Athens international airport at the Spata site, one of the reasons cited by the government for the urgency in ending the unlicensed stations' broadcasts.

The government- and opposition-appointed National Radio-TV Council (ERS) through a point system-based tender process initially approved twenty radio stations for FM licenses in the greater Athens area. Conversely, another eight stations were later selected as eligible for a "transitional" license following a transport ministry-commissioned technical report upping the number of frequencies to 28. It was the last decision that triggered a high-profile reaction from a handful of radio station ownerships also active in the broadcast and press sector, along with bipartisan criticism in Parliament, by free speech advocates and even performers.

On his part, Reppas reiterated in Parliament on Friday that he had committed, beforehand, to granting the eight transitional licenses to radio stations selected by the ERS.

The minister also noted that the first legal motion to reconnect a station's power supply was dismissed by a local prosecutor, while stressing that broadcast journalists' employment cannot be met through illegal activities.

The independent deputy who tabled the question, one-time ND minister and high-profile cadre Giorgos Karatzaferis - himself a part-owner of a small Athens-based television station - criticized the selection process leading to the "transitional eight", while calling for a reduction in the number of frequencies allocated to state-run ERA so that more private stations be granted licenses.

Seven ruling PASOK deputies on Thursday requested information on why the number of FM stations was restricted to 28, while at the same time claiming that certain relevant government agencies and scientists allowed for a greater number of frequencies without risks for aviation or signal overlapping.

Station list: The 28 radio stations atop Mt. Hymettus granted licenses would continue broadcasting from the site - overlooking Athens from the east -- for probably another month, before being transferred several kilometers further west to Mt. Parnitha. As far as technical aspects, transmitters are further disallowed from exceeding 2.5 kW in power.

The 20 stations initially granted licenses include: 902, Antenna, Flash, Xenios, Klik FM, Church of Greece Radio, Galaxy, Jeronymo Groovy, Athina 9,84, Epikinonia, Nitro, Rock FM, Capital, Kanali 1, Stathmos, Kiss FM, Melodia, Status, Skai and Alpha News. The eight stations later tacked are: Peiraiki Ekklesia, Sfera, Sport FM, Ciao, Rhythmos, Love Radio, Profit and Planet.

Meanwhile, another eight stations ERS tentatively approved in case more frequencies were made available by the transport ministry - something that didn't materialize before the shut down, however - included: Chroma, Polis, Eva FM, DJ, Lampsi, Difono, Gold and En-lefko.

[09] Papoutsis to make official visit to the US in May

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

During his visit, Papoutsis will meet with the commander of the US Coast Guard, the head of the drug enforcement administration and other government officials, with whom he will discuss closer cooperation between Greece and the US in combatting the narcotics trade and cooperation between the Greek and US coast guards on shipping safety and dealing with emergencies.

A meeting to discuss the visit took place on Thursday between Papoutsis and the US Ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns.

[10] Greece to participate in

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

The purpose of the exercise is to develop cooperation between the engineers corps of participating countries, as well as the building of a road two kilometers long.

Greece will participate with an engineers company for peace missions, which will leave for Albania on April 2.

[11] Small scale Greek-Bulgarian exercise to be held on April 4

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

National Defense General Staff Chief Manoussos Paragioudakis, who will be accompanied by Army General Staff Chief George Antonakopoulos, will watch the exercise.

[12] Archbishop calls on Orthodox faithful not to organize rallies and demonstrations during Pope's visit

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

He said it is not compatible with Greek tradition, history and civilization to say no, adding once again that there will be no joint praying or officiating, but only what is anticipated by protocol.

Archbishop Christodoulos also appealed to the faithful who are opposed to the Pope's visit and reiterated that there should be no rallies and demonstrations because the press will show them to the entire world and they will say that the Orthodox believers are fanatical and intolerant.

[13] Greek UN representative says violation of human rights in Cyprus continues to be very serious issue

PARIS, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

He said "the persistent violation of Human Rights in Cyprus, continues to be an issue of grave concern. Despite numerous U.N. Security Council Resolutions, as well as Resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights, which have all been ignored by Turkey, 37 percent of the Cyprus Republic sovereign territory remains under Turkish military occupation since 1974."

"A systematic violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms has been carried out in the occupied territory by Turkey through the implementation of policies such as forcible eviction and displacement of persons from their homes and land, expulsion of the enclaved Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the occupied territories, systematic plundering of the Cypriot cultural heritage, colonization and obstruction in reaching a solution to the issue of missing persons," Karataidis also said.

[14] Athens bourse abolishes floor trade on Monday

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

A network of 15 back-up computer terminals has been set up in case brokers have any trouble with their connection to the bourse's electronic trading system.

Currently, around 90 percent of trades are conducted from brokers' offices, Athens bourse president Panayotis Alexakis said on the floor's last day of trade on Friday.

The trading floor in Sophocleous Street was established on December 19, 1934.

[15] Commissioner Diamantopoulou addresses forum in Thessaloniki

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

"The challenge called employment, is not just the decrease of unemployment. The decrease of unemployment is a numerical aim. The challenge of employment is a wider aim that includes qualitative characteristics as well," she said.

She added that the European Union is aiming to both reduce unemployment and also increase the quality of employment in more productive and better paying jobs.

[16] Star-studded cast at 'Economist' conference in Athens

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

With the participation of Serb Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, the conference could have easily doubled up as an informal Balkans mini-summit.

Additional weight is added, meanwhile, by speakers such as George Bush senior, the former US president, former Israeli premier Shimon Peres, former Russian premier Yevgeny Primakov and current EU High Commissioner for a common foreign and defense policy, Javier Solana.

Large multinational business interests will also be represented, through speakers as Stelios Hatziioannou, president of EasyGroup, the vice-president of Ericsson Western Europe and the president of Chrysler Europe, while Nobel-prize winning economist Robert Mundell is also participating.

Participants from Greece will include main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, former premier Constantine Mitsotakis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and the governor of the Bank of Greece, Loukas Papademos.

[17] Govt seeks greener operation of manufacturing units in Attica

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

According to sources, government ministries have already concluded talks with all related agencies and were planning to submit an amendment to an existing legislation to parliament within the next few days.

The new bill would allow increasing the horsepower capacity of businesses on the precondition that an environmental survey on possible impacts would have been made first showing that there were no dangers from higher emissions, source said.

The draft bill will also envisage incentives for relocation of heavy industries from urban areas with the use of funds from a Third Community Support Framework.

The government also plans to create an "emissions exchange" allowing businesses that were reducing emissions, by 100 points for example, through restructuring investments, to sell half of them (50) to another company under creation or expanding.

[18] Papoutsis: Thessaloniki port needs investment before sale

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

"A flotation cannot be held without a general vision of growth for Thessaloniki's port," Papoutsis told the Athens News Agency in Thessaloniki.

He was speaking after talks on the planned privatization with the port authority's management.

An investment plan would have to be in place before the flotation process began, in order to attract investors, the minister said.

A possible investment discussed with the port's management was the creation of a transit center aimed at trade to Balkan countries.

Another option was to create a modern passenger terminal in a building currently housing the customs department, which was slated for relocation. The proposal would be discussed with the finance ministry, Papoutsis said.

[19] Hellenic Railways says EU funds' absorption 95 percent

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

ERGOSE is currently implementing an ambitious program by Hellenic Railways envisaging a restructuring and expansion of the Greek railway system, including tunnel construction, electric-powered trains, high-speed network etc.

A Third Community Support Framework has earmarked 1.3 trillion drachmas for the project.

[20] Crete Plastics acquires Turkey's Senkroma Boyar Madde Sanayi ve Ticaret AS

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

Senkroma was founded in 1997 in Istanbul as a manufacturer of raw materials for paints and improving plastic products.

Crete Plastics aims to use the Turkish company as a base for its international expansion.

Senkroma's turnover totalled 620 million drachmas in 2000. Crete Plastics said sales could reach 2.5-3.0 billion drachmas in the next three years.

[21] Greek fur industry shows signs of recovery

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters ahead of the 26th International Fur Fair to be held in Kastoria, April 6-9, Fotiadis said in this year's event 52 enterprises would participate, from 30 in 2000, of which 40 were Greek and the remaining from Italy, Denmark, Canada, Finland and Germany.

The fair will be formally inaugurated on April 5 to be followed by a fur fashion show.

Fotiadis said the fur industry was recovering from a several-year slump as fur was gradually making a comeback in the world of fashion. Around 95 percent of the Greek fur product was exported, mainly to Russia.

He noted that old, traditional markets in Europe and the US were also showing signs of recovery and that China was showing signs of interest.

Fotiadis said that a prolonged slump in the fur industry, following an international financial crash at the end of the '80s, led to a gradual shrinkage of Greek fur manufacturers from 4,500-5,000 - employing around 14,000 workers - then, to less than half - employing less than 3,000 workers - currently.

Kastoria Furriers' Union hopes to secure funding from a Third Community Support Framework to finance necessary infrastructure projects for the industry's expansion.

[22] Thessaloniki to host international sports trade fair in May

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

This year's Sportexpo, organized by Helexpo, is focusing on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games with several special events scheduled to promote Olympic sports, not widely popular to the public, such as triathlon, hockey, softball, baseball, canoe-kayak, pentathlon, archery, body building, mountain bike, martial arts and aerobics.

[23] Greek stocks reverse three-day decline on Friday

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

Traders said buying interest focused on investment stocks following an ASE board decision to end a policy of readjusting a share price after dividend payment. The new measure will take effect from Monday, 2 April.

Traders said investment stocks were likely to benefit from the measure because they offered higher dividend returns.

Telecoms' shares also attracted buying interest with Hellenic Telecoms rising 2.99 percent.

The general index ended 1.03 percent higher at 3,044.55 points, off the day's highs of 3,050.22 points. Turnover was a low 156.24 million euros, or 53.24 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.6 percent up at 1,745.29 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index jumped 1.38 percent higher to 371,24 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,427.13 +0.25% Telecoms: 997.20 +2.25% Insurance: 1,459.51 +4.08% Investment: 1,181.09 +3.40% Construction: 1,471.08 +0.90% Industrials: 1,875.64 +0.55% Holding: 3,530.78 +1.55% Base metals: 991.04 +1.42% Minerals: 1,002.71 -0.22% Publishing: 987.29 +2.08% Textiles: 1,179.44 +0.24% Retailing: 1,104.32 +1.65% IT: 1,069.75 +0.44% IT solutions: 1,039.08 -0.32% Wholesale: 946.47 -0.24% Food and Beverage: 876.12 +0.18%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 0.65 percent higher at 332.30.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 181 to 136 with another 43 issues unchanged.

Despec, AS Company, Zampa, Fanco, Olympic Tech, Korfil, Interamerican Life, Mathios, VIS and Ergo Invest topped the list of the day's percentage gainers, while ANEK Lines, Mesohoritis, Boutaris, Kathimerini, Stabilton, Lanacam, Desmos, Galis, Aspis Invest and Alco Hellas suffered the heaviest losses.

Hellenic Telecoms, Alpha Bank, Intracom, Jumbo and Naoussa Spinning were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 38.56 Alpha Bank: 29.36 Commercial Bank: 50.20 Eurobank: 17.76 Piraeus Bank: 12.54 Lambrakis Press: 13.04 Altec: 7.28 Intrasoft: 11.68 Titan Cement (c): 37.86 Hellenic Telecoms: 15.18 Panafon: 6.10 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.10 Attica Enterprises: 7.86 Éntracom: 19.28 Ìytilineos: 7.92 Ìinoan Lines: 4.96 Viohalco: 10.64 Coca Cola HBC: 15.48

Bond prices drop in light turnover: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished lower in light trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.28 percent from 5.26 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 57 basis points from 58 basis points in the session before.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 560 million euros (190.8 billion drachmas) from 1.545 billion euros (526.4 billion drachmas) in the trading day before.

Sell orders accounted for 336 million euros of turnover.

Equity futures end up, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished higher on Friday, in line with the bourse indices on which they are based, traders said. The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.65 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.38 percent higher. Turnover was 34.6 million euros on 6,985 contracts traded, the dealers said.

[24] Prof. Hammond will always be remembered, culture minister says

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

"Nicholas Hammond linked his name and his international reputation with Greece and Greek history in every possible sense of the term," Venizelos said.

Hammond offered invaluable services to the Greek nation and Macedonia during World War II, when he served in Macedonia as Britain's liaison with resistance organizations.

At the end of the war, Dr. Hammond returned to Cambridge and assumed professorships at the universities of Bristol, Wisconsin, Ioannina and Auckland.

At Cambridge University, he was one of the professors of late Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos, who discovered the Vergina treasures.

Prof. Hammond also wrote many books on classic ancient times, mainly on Macedonia and Alexander the Great, including the three-volume "The History of Macedonia", which was translated into Greek in 1995.

He received numerous medals and decorations in Greece, including the Order of the Phoenix by the Greek government.

[25] Sparta symposium focuses on Europe's ancient cities

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

The symposium was organized by Sparta's municipality and the Greek branch of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in cooperation with the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) and the Sardinia-based Institute of Mediterranean Research (ISRON).

[26] ATHOC chief upbeat on 2004 Games in CNN TV-interview

Athens, 31/03/2001 (ANA)

Everyone was working hard, and Greece would be ready on time, Angelopoulos said in the interview on Riz Khan's "Q&A" program, during which she also answered questions sent in from around the world via Internet.

"I believe we will be ready on time. We still have sufficient time ahead of us, more than two-and-a-half years," said the president of the Athens 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC).

Preparing the Olympic Games was a "marathon preparation", and "we are running this marathon at the pace of a speed runner", she said.

"We are all working very hard, not only the organizing committee but also the government and the various organizations and private sector, and everyone, because we all feel that the Games are returning to their home. They are returning for the first time since 1896, when they were revived in Athens".

On the issue of Games security, Angelopoulos said a special plan was being carefully prepared for the duration of the Games, and ATHOC was closely collaborating with experts from other cities that had successfully organized past Olympics, such as Barcelona and Sydney.

"But the (Greek) government is also making a tremendous effort. Not only has it signed cooperation agreements with the US, Britain, Germany, Israel and other countries, it has also already drafted a 600-million-dollar budget for the safety of the Games and procurement of equipment" and was further collaborating closely with security experts from several countries.

"This issue (security of the Games) concerns all the cities. But it has occurred that cities that had no previous problem in the area of security ended up facing problems while others, which were considered problematic on security issues, ended up organizing impeccable Olympic Games," Angelopoulos pointed out.

Turning to infrastructure, the ATHOC chief noted that Athens now had two new Metro lines serving more than 800,000 commuters daily, a new airport that would initially serve 16 million passengers and was capable of accommodating 50 million, as well as new speedways, while a program was in progress to improve the infrastructure of the sports venues.

"Overall, we have 72 percent of the sports facilities ready," Angelopoulos added.

Regarding the sponsoring program, Angelopoulos said an estimated 200 million dollars would be forthcoming from domestic sponsors and another 200 million from international sponsors.

"The five biggest national sponsors have already signed, and this revenue is incorporated in the balanced budget. Thus, we expect a total of about 500 million dr. from sponsorships overall," she said.

On the importance of the Olympic Games for Athens and Greece, she stressed that the general climate was one of "anticipation", as the Games bring economic growth and at the same time offer incentives and inspiration.

"Greece will spend 1.6 billion dollars on infrastructure works and other activities, while our budget will be balanced and will reach 1.7 billion dollars, with total turnover at 6.5 billion dollars," Angelopoulos said.

She said the Games and their preparation were bringing a "big revolution in the sectors of telecommunications and information, in the tourism sector, almost everywhere".

On the uniqueness of the Games being held in Athens, Angelopoulos said: "Just imagine the marathon taking place along its original, classical route? The archery events taking place at Kallimarmaro (the Panathenian Stadium), the stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held at their revival in 1896? The cycling race in the center of Athens, around the Acropolis?"

She said there were so many elements contributing to making the Athens Games "unique and different".

"They will combine the uniqueness of their history with cultural elements and technical perfection in a wonderful country with its exquisite sun, incredible sea and wonderful people," Angelopoulos said.

[27] Foreign Minister meets US envoy ahead of Washington meeting with Powell

NICOSIA, 31/03/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Describing this meeting as "very important", Kasoulides noted it is taking place in the early days of the Bush administration and said it is proof of US firm interest in efforts to find a solution of the protracted Cyprus issue.

US Ambassador in Nicosia Donald Bandler, who met Kasoulides on Friday in Nicosia, said the US sees Cyprus not only as a problem but also as a country with which it wishes to enhance its ties and reiterated Washington's strong support for the UN-led proximity talks.

Referring to bicommunal (between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) projects, Kasoulides said the government backs such programs provided that they do not seek to offer any advantage to any side.

"I attach great importance to my visit to the US and at the center of discussions will be the efforts to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem and all the other issues that have to do with our bilateral relations and also the future membership (of Cyprus) to the EU," Kasoulides told the press.

He said arranging the meeting with Powell at such an early date since the Bush administration took over, "is a token of the interest of the American government which remains unchanged in the efforts to reach a settlement."

Asked if the meeting could help break the current deadlock in the UN peace effort, Kasoulides said he did not expect this to happen at the April meeting. "There will be a general briefing from each side. I would say intentions will be explored," he added.

The UN has been engaged with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides in proximity talks since December 1999. The last round of talks, scheduled for late January this year, did not materialize because Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, backed by Turkey, refused to attend and said he now wanted what he called "state-to-state" talks in a bid to gain recognition of his self-styled regime in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

Expressing Washington's pleasure at the forthcoming meeting, Bandler said it is taking place within the first 100 days of the Bush administration and will concentrate on the Cyprus problem.

"The Cyprus problem is important, we see Cyprus not only as a problem but also as a country with which we have broad relations which we wish to advance," the ambassador said.

Cyprus, he said, reiterating President Bush's words "is a priority to the administration and we have been strong supporters of the UN-led talks process."

Bandler said the Cyprus question would be at the center of discussions Powell will have with the Turkish and Greek foreign ministers as well.

Commenting on bicommunal projects, the Cypriot minister said the government supports all efforts for bicommunal projects that bring the two communities of Cyprus together within the spirit that in this country "we can live together."

"We support them because they are apolitical, they have nothing to do with politics and they are not trying or seeking through those meetings to offer political advantage or disadvantage to any side," Kasoulides said.

On the same issue, Bandler whose country has organized such projects said bicommunal programs are "useful and one of the ways in which the human dimension in Cyprus can move forward in a positive way."

He said American experts were on the island to train Greek and Turkish Cypriots to tackle emergency rescue efforts.

"Crossed trained people would be a very big asset for Cyprus and the region," he added, and noted the offer of assistance Cyprus extended to Turkey at the time of the devastating earthquake, which was rejected by Ankara.

Kasoulides leaves for the US on Tuesday.

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article