Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-01-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Premier announces election campaign financing reforms

[02] Gov't spokesman comments on premiers visit to Washington

[03] FYROM FM begins visit in Greece, good bilateral relations emphasized

[04] Greek gov't spokesman responds to publication on Turkish FIR

[05] Deputy defense minister visits military units in light of festive season

[06] ND leader to visit Istanbul January 4-6

[07] Greek banks adapted quickly to the euro, Commission says

[08] First work day with euros in market goes smoothly

[09] Banks to work an hour more to facilitate currency conversion

[10] Money market funds seen falling further

[11] Greek stocks end off highs on ASE

[12] IOC president Rogge on Athens 2004 Olympic Games

[01] Premier announces election campaign financing reforms

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

The changes aim at averting interventions by economic forces and the mass media in the political process, Simitis said after the meeting.

The cabinet decided on the basic directions of legislative regulations which will affect the fundraising processes of political parties and the election spending of deputies and parties.

Simitis stressed that the main aim of the institutional changes was to establish transparency in the private and public funding of parties and candidate Parliamentary deputies, adding that there will be in-depth control, while stiff penalties will be determined for cases of violations of the new regulations.

Among the legislative regulations there are penalties that include the loss of the seat of a Parliamentarian who violates the regulations.

Simitis also stressed that there will be a drastic reduction in the election campaign funds of parties and strict regulations will be instituted to avert any funding from non-transparent sources.

He added that funding will be both public and private so that there will be no state-dependent parties nor parties which are organs of various interests.

According to the decisions taken by the inner cabinet, private funding by businesses should not be allowed and all private money should be donated from persons, while in the event that the donation exceeds 600 euros the recipient party would be obliged to report the name of the individual making the donation.

The premier also said that public funding for parties would be reduced to 0.00123 of the budget from the current 0.0017.

He stressed that the parties will be obliged to maintain accounting books just as businesses do, while 80 per cent of their incomes and expenses will have to be moved through bank accounts to achieve a more transparent system.

The premier also spoke of new regulations limiting the exposure of candidates by the mass media, along with spending for the parties' promotion.

Simitis stressed that one of the basic changes was that the Parliamentary Campaign Finance Committee will from now on include representatives from the Council of State, the Supreme Court and the Administrative Council.

Simitis also declined to clarify whether there will be any changes in the way Parliamentary deputies are elected.

Opposition parties reserved: Opposition parties on Thursday appeared reserved over announcements made by the prime minister on control concerning the management of political funds.

The main opposition New Democracy party, believing that the government is accepting its own proposals which, however, it had rejected during the debate on constitutional amendment, accused the government of political hypocrisy and irresponsibility.

ND further believes that the government's legislative initiative "is more reminiscent of a veil to cover the repulsive face of untransparency and vested interests characterizing the political works and days of the Simitis government."

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) believes the inner cabinet's decisions on party funding and election expenditures are "a monument of hypocrisy aimed at the political and social forces which are reacting to the pro-monopoly policy."

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) party leader Dimitris Tsovolas said "the problem of vested interests and the transparent functioning of parties cannot be handled with legislative settlements alone, or with the restriction of state subsidies to parties. It is handled with the substantive cutting of the umbilical cord between economic and publishing groups and the leader-ships of the major parties."

[02] Gov't spokesman comments on premiers visit to Washington

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

He noted that the prime minister's agenda for the meeting with the US president includes: the establishment of an international security system; the establishment of a general plan for the confrontation of crisis situations in sensitive regions; the need for the resolution of the Cyprus problem in the framework of the United Nations' resolutions; the current developments in the course of the European Union after the circulation of the euro; and the Euro-American and Greek-American relations.

Within this framework, Protopapas said that Simitis and Bush may discuss the Euro Force issue as well, while he added that Simitis did not intent to discuss the issue of the Olympic Games in Athens.

The government spokesman also said that Simitis will meet with Archbishop of America Dimitrios, will visit the site of the Twin Towers in New York and will meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

[03] FYROM FM begins visit in Greece, good bilateral relations emphasized

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

Casule arrived in Athens on the same day for the first ever official visit of a FYROM foreign minister to Greece. Papandreou and Casule gave an impromptu press conference after their meeting.

Speaking to journalists Papandreou noted that the two men discussed the current political conditions in FYROM, the Greek contribution for FYROM's rapprochement with the European Union and NATO and the issue of the name, which is discussed in talks under the auspices of the United Nations.

He also stressed the role of the economic cooperation of the two countries, which, as he said, created the necessary base for the positive relations between the two countries.

On his part, Casule noted that his country underwent a very difficult crisis, during which it had the full support of Greece, saying characteristically "thanks to the Greek people" and stressing that Greece is the number one investor in FYROM's economy.

He also stressed that the Balkans should play a stabilizing role, noting that his government is working in achieving that goal and said that his country hopes that Greece would be its most important partner in its accession to the Euro-Atlantic structures.

Speaking on the issue of the small republic's name that has been a thorn the relations of the two counties, Casule said that he and Papandreou "discussed" the issue and avoiding the word "negotiating", as this is mandated by the "friendly" relations of the two countries.

"Both governments aim at a solution that would be a victory for both countries," he said, adding that such a solution would prove that we are a part of European Union and will give new impetus in the bilateral relations.

"We are discussing the issue and we will show maturity in arriving at a decision," he noted, in response to a question over statements he made in the past that he would resign in case the constitutional name of his country was not accepted by the inter-national community and Greece. He also clarified that his statements were misrepresented, saying that his response at that time was made in connection to the possibility that a solution was found without him knowing about it.

Speaking on the same issue Papandreou said that talks under UN auspices continue independently from proposals tabled by international groups or other international organizations and reiterated that the two governments have the final say in the decisions to be made.

[04] Greek gov't spokesman responds to publication on Turkish FIR

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

Responding to report on the Notam that appeared on an Athens daily, Protopapas said the Notam had nothing to do with the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) or the so called gray zones.

He noted that in 1998 Turkey had once again issued a similar Notam, which was dealt with and the issue was resolved via talks between the two sides. He added that the current Notam will also be dealt with in the same way in due time.

Protopapas stressed that Turkey justified its action, to issue the Notam, calling on the air-navigation problems that arose in the Sept. 11 aftermath, as aircraft flying in the Athens FIR on their way to Cyprus enter for a brief period the Istanbul FIR.

The government spokesman also said that special attention should not be paid to this incident, to a great extent than that it deserves.

Responding to questions regarding Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou's statements that Greek-Turkish relations are turbulent, he said that the minister spoke of the recent multiple violations of Greek airspace by Turkish planes.

Foreign ministry says action taken on Turkish NOTAM: The Greek foreign ministry announced on Thursday that the Civil Aviation Service, in cooperation with the relevant foreign and defense ministry services, has done everything necessary with relevant international organizations, and ICAO in particular, in connection with the Turkish NOTAM issued on October 24 and concerning the use of specific air corridors for civil aviation flights.

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said it is a question of sensitive issues of a technical character and spoke of "political assessments which have nothing to do with reality", referring to a report in the Athens newspaper "Ethnos" on Thursday.

Beglitis further said the political assessment made by the newspaper through the specific report "creates an intense fearful feeling regarding Greece's relations with Turkey."

He said problems with Turkey are known and exist, adding that "we should stay with a specific framework in analyzing Greek-Turkish relations and we should not create scenarios having a strong confrontational character" which have nothing to do with reality.

Beglitis reiterated that the continuation of the policy of strengthening relations with Turkey through the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in all sectors, while at the same time taking all necessary measures to confront whatever provocation, is a steadfast conviction of the Greek government.

[05] Deputy defense minister visits military units in light of festive season

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

He visited outposts on the island of Tilos, Halki and Rhodes.

[06] ND leader to visit Istanbul January 4-6

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis will meet Vartholomeos at noon on Friday and attend a luncheon afterwards. He will also attend a church service at Saint George's Cathedral on Sunday on the occasion of Epiphany Day.

[07] Greek banks adapted quickly to the euro, Commission says

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

All bank transactions were made in euros on Thursday although queues remained large and bank customers suffered a very long time in waiting.

Bankers said that already a large quantity of drachma reserves have been withdrawn from bank cashiers and that all new money supplied in the market was euro currencies. "All salary and pension payments are made in euros," they said.

Customers' queues are expected to ease gradually in the next few days, bankers estimated. They said that in general, the introduction process was successful due to the correct and timely preparation of banks, their cooperation with the Greek Banks' Union, the Bank of Greece and government ministries.

The focus now was on the smooth transition in the euro environment of large and smaller enterprises in order to ensure the rapid success of the project.

Large enterprises have already secured their supplies with euro currency quantities and are expected to act as currency exchange shops in the first two months of 2002 before the official withdrawal of the drachma.

Bankers said they expected the drachma to have only limited transactions in the next two to three weeks.

The Bank of Greece and the European Central Bank do not seem to worry over phenomena of unjustified price increases in the eurozone, and said that any limited price increases were not likely to have a long-term impact on the economy.

[08] First work day with euros in market goes smoothly

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

Development ministry and economic crime squad officials made surprise checks in the market throughout the day to examine prices and receipts.

However, certain increases have been observed in the market, primarily in the services sector. Deputy Development Minister Christos Theodorou said during his visit to shops in downtown Athens that reports have been made which are being probed and urged consumers to notify the relevant authorities when they ascertain violations.

Theodorou said that the acceptance of the new currency was more than impressive and particularly by elderly citizens.

[09] Banks to work an hour more to facilitate currency conversion

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

Working hours for banks during the parallel circulation period (until February 28, 2002) will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays and from 8 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on Fridays.

OTOE in an announcement called on bank customers not to insist for other services during the overtime period of transactions, facilitating people visiting banks to convert drachmas into euros and employees carrying out their duties properly.

[10] Money market funds seen falling further

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

A first taste of low returns on domestic money market funds came in 2001 when average returns on the category totaled -23.97 percent from 6.37 percent a year earlier, the analysts said.

Foreign money market funds also lost ground in 2001 when average returns on the category totaled -11.78 percent, the analysts said.

[11] Greek stocks end off highs on ASE

Athens, 04/01/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.32 percent up at 2,635.75 points, with turnover a low Dr 44.6 billion or 131 million euros.

The Telecoms, Construction and Investment sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.63 percent, 1.10 percent and 0.73 percent, respectively), while the Insurance and Wholesale sectors suffered the heaviest losses. The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 0.65 percent off.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.26 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.05 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.60 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 188 to 118 with another 48 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Klostiria Naousis, Yiannousis, Panafon and Klonatex.

Bond Market Close: Prices drop in increased trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in increased trade than in the previous session focusing on ten-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.23 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 32 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled almost 2 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures end higher: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Thursday showed a slightly higher premium than in the previous session in a trading day that was marked by a small increase in volume, traders said.

Changing hands were 3,944 contracts a little higher that the previous session. Turnover was 23.7 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips rose by 0.26 percent; and the underlying

FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks gained 0.05 percent.

[12] IOC president Rogge on Athens 2004 Olympic Games

LONDON, 04/01/2002 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

In an interview with "The Times", Rogge said "if I said that there was no concern it would be an exaggeration." He added: "Yes, there are concerns but now I am more confident than I was a few months ago. Possibilities exist for us to have excellent Olympic Games in Athens but the organisers should not be complacent."

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