Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-04-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] US Secretary of State says US supports no change of borders in FYROM

[02] Greek foreign minister calls for close cooperation between EU, US and NATO

[03] Greek Defense Minister calls for int'l help to relieve Turkish financial crisis

[04] Simitis meets with parliament president, no statements made

[05] Commercial Bank, Credit Agricole announce bank assurance joint venture

[06] Intracom, Intrasoft seek merger deal

[07] Vernicos Yachts buys out 51 percent of Liberian Free Holdings Company

[08] Viohalko offers $100 ml for ailing Bulgarian smelter

[09] Stockbroker deals total Dr 10.2 billion euros in March

[10] ASE chairman urges for patience

[11] Greek stocks surge on technical buying

[12] Six regions of Greece faced with acute water shortage problem

[13] More flights recorded at new Athens airport, Easter exodus continues

[14] NYC exhibition focuses on Jewish community of Zakynthos

[15] Cyprus appeals to UN chief over abducted Greek Cypriot

[16] UNFICYP's Austrian contingent to leave Cyprus by end of August

[01] US Secretary of State says US supports no change of borders in FYROM

SKOPJE, 13/04/2001 (ANA - M. Vichou)

On the question of the dialogue between parties in FYROM, Powell said "the dialogue should be specific, it should take place as soon as possible and real issues should be included in it."

Powell said the US government is encouraging the Albanian leaders to participate in the dialogue, adding that FYROM's president and government should proceed with the dialogue to enable the removal of causes providing the actions of extremists with arguments.

He also said US President George W. Bush invited FYROM's president to visit the US on May 2 and termed the invitation as proof of the commitment of the US towards FYROM.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that at the meeting "the joint voice of the foreign ministers was heard on existing concerns and on positive prospects as well, provided that the principles of the inviolability of borders, avoidance of the use of force and respect for the rights of minorities are observed."

Papandreou added that he conveyed the European Union's message to the meeting by which the signing of the Association and Stabilization Agreement between FYROM and the EU is hailed and the conviction is expressed that the early results of the dialogue will be produced during the Gothenburg summit.

The message also refers to the need for cooperation between the EU and US on handling the crisis in FYROM.

[02] Greek foreign minister calls for close cooperation between EU, US and NATO

SKOPJE, 13/04/2001 (ANA - M. Vichou)

"There should be close cooperation between the European Union, the US and NATO and we believe the US wishes to stay in the region and facilitate the finding of a solution to problems," Papandreou said, after holding bilateral talks with his Romanian, Yugoslav, Turkish and Albanian counterparts.

He said the informal meeting of foreign ministers from countries in southeastern Europe should send the message of strengthening principles on respect for borders, the strengthening of multinational societies and the avoidance of the use of force in resolving problems.

On the question of the situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), he said dialogue has started and the EU is offering its support to enable the Albanian population to be incorporated in the state.

Papandreou said he held talks with Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh on Thursday morning and the message by the EU, whose presidency Sweden currently holds, is support for this meeting as well as support for the European integration of southeastern Europe.

He further said that the idea for an international conference on the issue of borders and minorities in the Balkans is being considered.

PASOK delegation to visit FYROM next week: A delegation of Greece's ruling PASOK party, headed by central committee secretary Costas Skandalidis, will visit FYROM next week at the invitation of the neighboring country's Social Democratic Union party.

The PASOK delegation, which arrives in Skopje on Tuesday for a three-day visit, will meet with Social Democratic Union leader Branko Crvenkovski, FYROM President Boris Trajkovski, Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, and Democratic Albanian Party leader Arben Xhaferi.

[03] Greek Defense Minister calls for int'l help to relieve Turkish financial crisis

Athens,13/04/2001 (ANA)

While calling for immediate international assistance towards Ankara, Tsohatzopoulos also warned that such crises harbor "dangers for the security and stability of all the peoples in the region".

He also cited a projected reduction in Turkey's defense expenditures as a byproduct of the severe economic difficulties in the neighboring country.

The Greek defense minister, who distanced himself from a government decision earlier this month to cut Greece's defense expenditures between the 2001-2004 period - including the postponement of the highly touted "Eurofighter" purchase contract - in favor of social spending, noted that his ministry is attempting to restructure the Greek armed forces through technological upgrades, manpower cuts and the slashing of operational costs.

In a related development, Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Wednesday evening hailed the same-day announcement by Turkey's general staff regarding the postponement of various weapons programs worth $19.5 billion, saying the decision contributes "to a further detente in bilateral relations" as well as to regional development and stability.

Papandreou, who was speaking to reporters after meeting with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, said Ankara's decision is an "important event" for the Turkish people at a time of great economic hardship.

He also expressed a hope that it "presages further detente", adding that "maybe later there will be a mutual decrease (in armaments) when conditions will permit this."

[04] Simitis meets with parliament president, no statements made

Athens, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

No statements were made after the 90-minute minute.

[05] Commercial Bank, Credit Agricole announce bank assurance joint venture

Athens, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

The new company will be named Commercial Bank assurance, it will have an initial equity capital of 3.5 million euros, and will be equally owned by Commercial Bank and the French bank.

The agreement was signed by Michel Vitatte, Predica's managing director (a Credit Agricole subsidiary) and Commercial Bank's chairman Yiannis Stournaras.

The two banks are currently working on a plan to create a money management company, with Commercial Bank holding an 80 percent equity stake and Indacom, a Credit Agricole subsidiary, the remaining 20 percent.

The new company is negotiating to take over the management of Social Security Foundation's funds.

Commercial Bank is also in talks with Sofinco, another Credit Agricole subsidiary, on a plan to expand joint activities in the domestic consumer credit sector.

[06] Intracom, Intrasoft seek merger deal

Athens, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

In a letter to the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday, the two companies said they planned to transform the balance sheets of Intracom and Intrasoft from April 30, 2001.

The merger deal, expected to be completed in six months, is under approval from their shareholders and competition authorities.

Intracom holds a 35.15 percent equity stake in Intrasoft, or 16,972,826 voting shares in a total of 48,289,500 shares.

The two companies hope to benefit from synergies, to increase shareholders' value and to better exploit any future investment opportunities.

Alpha Finance will act as a consultant to the deal.

[07] Vernicos Yachts buys out 51 percent of Liberian Free Holdings Company

Athens, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

Vernicos used past company profits for the acquisition.

[08] Viohalko offers $100 ml for ailing Bulgarian smelter

SOFIA, 13/04/2001 (ANA / B. Borisov)

Finance, Commerce and Tourism Minister Petar Zotev told reporters that the Greek firm's offer was the best hope for survival of the Stomana smelter, the country's second largest, which recently declared bankruptcy.

[09] Stockbroker deals total Dr 10.2 billion euros in March

Athens, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

Ranking top among stock brokerages in turnover including block trades were Alpha Brokerage (7.21 percent of the market), followed by Sigma Securities (6.66 percent), P&K Securities (5.18 percent), National Securities (4.99 percent), and EFG Eurobank Securities (4.73 percent).

[10] ASE chairman urges for patience

Athens, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to an audience of investors in Kavala, northern Greece, Alexakis said that the current confidence crisis in the market was attributed to lack of information and a hope by the majority of investors for quick and easy money.

He said that the Greek bourse was a reliable market with targets and a vision.

[11] Greek stocks surge on technical buying

Athens, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

Traders noted, however, that turnover remained low and stressed that with liquidity conditions so tight the market was vulnerable to short-term selling pressure next week.

Buying activity focused on banks and telecommunications.

The general index ended 2.35 percent higher at 3,159.47 points, near the day's highs of 3,176.60, with turnover a low 149.67 million euros, or 51 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 3.09 percent up to 1,840.38 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index rose 1.14 percent to 372.75 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,836.91

+3.55% Telecoms: 1,041.80 +1.88% Insurance: 1,450.77 +0.68% Investment: 1,152.04 +2.75% Construction: 1,462.41 +0.31% Industrials: 1,906.33 +1.79% Holding: 3,615.86 +1.28% Base metals: 996.10 +1.69% Minerals: 1,019.31 +1.40% Publishing: 1,002.27 +0.93% Textiles: 1,183.00 +2.30% Retailing: 1,134.22 +2.31% IT: 1,069.83 +0.72% IT solutions: 1,020.18 +1.05% Wholesale: 945.45 +1.21% Food and Beverage: 891.32 +1.79%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 326.31 points, up 0.93 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 235 to 87 with another 35 issues unchanged.

Doudos, Multirama, Daios Plastics, Piraeus Invest, VIS, Piraeus Bank, Fanco, Attica Publications, Lyberis and Texapret scored the biggest percentage gains, while Halyps Cement, Mohlos, Viosol, Sound & Vision, Lazaridis, Hellenic Sugar, Parnassos, European Credit, Metka and Sex Form suffered the heaviest losses.

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

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 41.56 Alpha Bank: 31.24 Commercial Bank: 53.12 Eurobank: 17.98 Piraeus Bank: 14.28 Lambrakis Press: 13.80 Altec: 7.04 Intrasoft: 12.00 Titan Cement (c): 38.68 Hellenic Telecoms: 15.18 Panafon: 7.04 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.20 Attica Enterprises: 8.44 Intracom: 21.00 Mytilineos: 8.28 Minoan Lines: 4.88 Viohalco: 10.78 Coca Cola HBC: 15.94

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 3.09 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.14 percent higher.

Traded in total were 10,805 contracts on turnover of 79.0 million euros.

Bond prices rise in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in moderate trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.39 percent.

The yield spread over German bunds was 54 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 865 million euros (294.8 billion drachmas).

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[12] Six regions of Greece faced with acute water shortage problem

Athens, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis said five billion drachmas would be provided for 123 projects, primarily in Komotini, Larissa, Arta, Kopaida and the islands.

According to information by the agriculture ministry, Crete is facing no problem, while many other islands do have a water supply problem.

Anomeritis said that, generally speaking, the situation is neither tragic nor easy. The new water resources management body, whose supervision has been undertaken by the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Ministry, will also have been activated by the end of May.

[13] More flights recorded at new Athens airport, Easter exodus continues

Athens, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

Most reports from the new airport, east of Athens, over the Easter week have included the word "normalization" in the story, as problems with flight delays and inconveniences for travelers have mostly subsided since the facility's opening two weeks ago.

On Wednesday, state-run Olympic Airways said it was adding an extra half-dozen flights over the upcoming Easter weekend, mainly to popular island destinations, after initially canceling several flights to stave-off more delays at the airport.

According to the airline's management, seat occupancy was running at above 85 percent, with domestic routes nearing the 99-percent mark. Olympic Airways and its subsidiary Olympic Aviation are the biggest clients at the new airport, managed by the German contractor Hochtief.

Meanwhile, urban residents continued to stream out of the cities on Thursday for the provinces in light of Easter, the most important holiday in the 11-million strong country.

Police patrols were stepped up on major highways in an attempt to deter reckless and drunk drivers, as holiday weekends, tragically, often coincide with dozens of traffic fatalities and injuries.

Increased traffic on both national motorways by nightfall: Traffic on the two Athens-Patras and Athens-Lamia motorways was increased by nightfall on Thursday as motorists continued their exodus from the capital in light of Sunday's Easter holiday.

Traffic police said the exodus has been great so far and is expected to exceed last year's levels when a total of 453,000 vehicles had used the two motorways in leaving Athens.

Traffic was on the increase during the day and traffic jams were created at times along the Athens-Corinth motorway, while traffic police expect the exodus to continue on Friday and Saturday.

Special measures have been scheduled for this reason with an extra lane being provided on the Athens-Corinth motorway and intercessions on both national motorways.

[14] NYC exhibition focuses on Jewish community of Zakynthos

NEW YORK, 13/04/2001 (ANA)

[15] Cyprus appeals to UN chief over abducted Greek Cypriot

NICOSIA,13/04/2001 (CNA/ANA)

In a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Republic's permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Sotos Zackheos appealed to Annan to use his influence and authority on Turkey for "the immediate release of Panicos Tziakourmas."

"I also kindly request that you inform all relevant human rights mechanisms about this flagrant violation of international law," he said.

Panicos Tziakourmas was abducted on 13 December as he waited in his car to collect Turkish Cypriot workers to drive them to their workplace. The abduction took place within the territory of one of two military bases Britain has maintained on the island since it gained its independence in 1960.

Tziakourmas was "charged" by an illegal court in occupied Cyprus with drug possession. A British police report said no traces of drugs were found in his possession. He is currently waiting the "court's verdict" on 26 April on the case.

The self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime had threatened in early December it would abduct Greek Cypriots, if a Turkish Cypriot, then in custody on drug related charges, was not released by a given deadline. The Turkish Cypriot was subsequently sentenced to ten years imprisonment.

[16] UNFICYP's Austrian contingent to leave Cyprus by end of August

NICOSIA, 17/04/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"The departure of the peace-keepers will take place in stages, starting in June and concluding in August," he told CNA, adding that Slovak peacekeepers will replace the outgoing Austrians.

The Austrian contingent comprises 236 men, 113 are Hungarians and 29 Slovenians. The Hungarians now serving with the force will also leave to be replaced by other Hungarians. The Slovenians are set to leave too.

UNFICYP has been in Cyprus since March 1964. The force now comprises some 1,200 men and women from about eight troop contributing countries. The largest contingent is the Argentine with the British taking second place.

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