Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-11-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece will not accept obstacles in Cyprus' EU accession, Simitis says

[02] Cyprus problem solution at the focus of talks between Greek FM & UN envoy

[03] Foreign minister accuses Denktash of intransigency and stalling

[04] Gov't: Deadlines for Cyprus talks getting tighter

[05] Parliament's off-the-agenda debate on Cyprus issue set for December 17

[06] Holbrooke reiterates support for Cyprus' EU entry; Denktash criticism

[07] Greece condemns terrorist attacks in Kenya

[08] Alternate FM meets EuroParliament's Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs

[09] Skandalidis addresses PASOK party meeting

[10] FM Papandreou opens conference on 'The European Prospect of Balkan Countries'

[11] Conference for Euro-African Dialogue ends, Magriotis returns to Athens Saturday

[12] New EU directive on marital and child custody differences

[13] Deputy FM Magriotis to attend events in London projecting Cyprus' culture

[14] ND organizes the ''Center-Democrats International'', in Corfu over weekend

[15] Main opposition briefed on armed forces role in Olympics preparations

[16] Coalition leader's Cyprus trip postponed to December 9-10

[17] Central bank anxious about Greek inflation vs eurozone average

[18] Economic confidence in Greece up 0.3% in November month/month

[19] Five bids submitted in Olympic Airways sale tender

[20] Karamanlis attacks gov't economic policies; defense-related commissions

[21] Bank of Greece submits mid-year report to Parliament

[22] Household wealth rose in 1995-2001, central bank says

[23] Greek-Turkish business group to meet December 1-2 in Greece

[24] ATHOC announces two home rental program contracts

[25] EU internal affairs council focuses on immigration, external border issues

[26] 'N17' suspect Savvas Xiros back in hospital

[27] Nine-million-year-old elephant tusk discovered on Crete

[28] UN remains hopeful for foundation agreement on Cyprus by EU Summit

[29] Kasoulides says Cyprus to join EU even without solution

[30] British premier Blair says Cyprus will join EU in any event

[31] Turkey's National Security Council backs Denktash

[01] Greece will not accept obstacles in Cyprus' EU accession, Simitis says

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

Speaking at the second and final day of the meeting, Simitis stressed that Greece's ''no'' will be categorical in front of any procedural tactic, which will obstruct the accession of Cyprus, adding that ''the time has come to conduct with resolve the fight we prepared for the last few years''.

Simitis called the discussions that took place during the two days of the meeting as fertile, but responded to various positions expressed in the meeting according to which the UN Chief Kofi Annan's plan for a Cyprus solution was a solution of defeat, saying that the only policy of defeat is that which accepts the partition of the island republic, the one that leads to the partition of Cyprus.

''We will not follow that policy and we will not tear down all that we achieved the past few years,'' Simitis stressed.

In support of his position, Simitis spoke of a discussion he had with late alternate foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis, who is considered as the architect of the strategy of Cyprus' accession to the EU.

Simitis said that during that discussion Kranidiotis had said that partition is a bad solution, but worst than that would be the union of the possible two parts with Greece and Turkey respectively, which may come as a result of a partition.

''Today, Greece is asking for an end of the partition and can promote it with actions. Today, Turkey is in need to act in accordance with all that is expected by the international community and this is a result of the strategy followed by Greece after 1994,'' Simitis said.

Simitis also stressed that the current conditions are helping the Greek Cypriot side while, at the same time, they are exerting pressures on the Turkish Cypriot side, which is hesitant, but can not reject the Annan plan.

He said that Greece has achieved an international rally, which helps, but if the chance is lost, the support for the Greek side will also be lost.

Addressing all those who criticized negatively the UN plan, he reiterated the position held by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, according to whom, all those that speak positively or negatively of the Annan plan can only cause damage.

Simitis called on all to ''help Clerides to secure the forest,'' while he criticized those who stated or proposed solutions far from the center of the problem.

Responding to the question on whether a Cyprus settlement can conclude in Copenhagen, he said that if this can happen it would be the best outcome.

''If it does not happen, we will continue our effort after Copenhagen as well. What is of the outmost importance is the essence of the agreement and not haste,'' he said.

''We must see the future and not the past, and when we talk of a just and viable solution of the Cyprus issue, we should assess the present and see the future,'' he concluded.

Cyprus issue may be solved after EU summit in Copenhagen, FM Papandreou says: Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Friday said he believes probable the eventuality of a solution of the Cyprus issue to be given after the EU summit in Copenhagen in mid-December.

Addressing the ruling PASOK's joint Central Committee and Parliamentary Group, he said that in this case, ''we must create the prospects for a possible solution of the problem as soon as possible.''

Papandreou also said that if during the negotiations there are changes, which will offer a satisfactory solution, ''we must not be afraid to confront positively such a development.'' He called on the PASOK cadres to trust and support the government's handling.

The foreign minister stressed that the new Europe of 25 will make its first steps during Greece's EU presidency in the first half of 2003 and that in this course ''Cyprus will also be with us.'' He added that in April, with the signing of the EU enlargement, under the Acropolis, the partition of Europe in rival military camps would be finally overcome.

He said that with the settlement of the Cyprus issue, new priorities will develop and the forces will be provided in other sectors. At the same time, he said, the tension and problems in Greek-Turkish relations will be reduced. The minister cited as an example the issue of the continental shelf, reiterating that the solution of this issue will be a matter of time following the solution of the Cyprus problem. Replying to reservations expressed by deputy Yiannis Kapsis, Papandreou stressed that the exploratory contacts are not negotiations and that the extension of the territorial waters to 12 miles is the sovereign right of the country and an issue of political assessment of (any) the Greek government.

The foreign minister rejected the remaining versions on the Cyprus issue. He stressed that the solution of a 'double union' is no longer supported by anyone, as it would transfer in Cyprus the Greek-Turkish borders. He further rejected the position regarding partition, which in any case, he said, is not compatible with PASOK's ideological model. Papandreou also stressed that ''a non-solution'' is impossible as a solution, given that there is Turkey's course towards the European Union, which cannot exist without a settlement of the Cyprus issue.

Greece, the minister said, supports Turkey's European prospects and will strive to give a positive message in Copenhagen, even a date for the start of accession talks.

Papandreou also made mention of small or greater, but anyway, significant steps in Greek-Turkish relations these past few years and evaluated as important the fact that the winner of Turkey's general elections, Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the discussions he had in European capitals spoke of a road map for his country, which will fulfill the Copenhagen criteria.

PASOK MPs and party officials continue debate on Cyprus: A joint meeting of PASOK's Central Committee and Parliamentary Group continued on Friday, with speakers again focused primarily on the Cyprus issue and the set of proposals for its solution presented by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Speakers calling for the plan to be rejected on Friday included former minister Gerassimos Arsenis, who said the Annan plan was a deliberate attempt to once again link the Cyprus problem to the island republic's EU accession after the two had been separated at the EU summit in Helsinki.

Arsenis also stressed that the plan established the island's division and gave the Turkish-Cypriots power of veto on all issues, meaning that the resulting state would be controlled by powers and states outside the EU and would restrict the freedoms and laws that applied in the rest of the EU.

Government ministers Mihalis Chrysohoidis, Akis Tsohatzopoulos and George Drys, on the other hand, described the Annan plan as an historic opportunity for reuniting the island and as a basis for negotiations, though not in itself an acceptable solution. Other speakers supporting the plan as a basis for negotiations included MP Stefanos Manikas, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Environment minister Vasso Papandreou.

Former foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos, however, disagreed that this would be the last opportunity for Cyprus' reunification and he advised against a hurried acceptance of the UN plan, saying that time was working for Greek positions not against them.

Pangalos also tabled a resolution calling for support of the Greek government's efforts to achieve the most favorable outcome for Greek interests possible in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, insisting that Cyprus join the EU without any delays at Copenhagen with the immediate implementation of EU laws and regulations and stating that the steady reference points for negotiations within the framework of the Annan plan would be UN resolutions concerning the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

The resolution was hailed by Greek EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, who said that the Greek government would negotiate on the basis of the body of European laws and regulations and stressed that there would be repercussions on a European level if human rights were not being respected in the northern part of Cyprus.

[02] Cyprus problem solution at the focus of talks between Greek FM & UN envoy

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

''We had an honest and fertile discussion with Mr. de Soto on his contacts, as well as ours, the recent ones, concerning the Cyprus issue,'' Papandreou said.

''I want to thank again for his systematic effort and for the time he devotes for the resolution of the Cyprus issue and of course we wish him as always success for a just and viable solution,'' he added.

''We all believe that it would be preferable to have a solution by Copenhagen (EU Summit). Efforts are underway toward that effect and of course it is expected that the necessary negotiations would take place, so as to move forward with improving this plan (UN Chief Kofi Annan's blueprint for a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus issue)'' he said.

''I will be in Turkey next week. Of course, I will have the opportunity to discuss with the Turkish side also these developments,'' he noted.

''We are the guarantor powers, and the plan of Mr. Kofi Annan has issues that we should negotiate, discuss and decide,'' Papandreou said.

''Greece, of course, wants to maintain the dynamic for the resolution of the Cyprus issue after the Copenhagen (Summit) as well, if a resolution has not been found by then, something, of course, that the UN has set as target,'' Papandreou concluded.

On his part, de Soto said ''it is very important for us, at the United Nations, to be in contact with Greece and Turkey, since they play a significant role in the resolution of the Cyprus issue''.

The UN special representative also said that the plan ''aimed to cause a discussion, to encourage discussion on the issue and to present a framework, on the basis of which the negotiations will be concluded, and this is what is being done, according to what we hear from both sides''.

He added that the meeting the UN plan proposed between the two sides at the end of November did not happen due to Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash's illness.

''Then, four days ago the UN asked of the two leaders (Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash) to give us, that is to the UN, the possible amendments, changes, they want for the text, so as to speed up the process,'' he said.

''It is clear that the time is very short. We are, however, convinced that we will be able to secure a solution on the basic issues by the Copenhagen Summit. Of course there will be time after Copenhagen as well, and until March, when the referendums will take place, to resolve other issues,'' he concluded.

[03] Foreign minister accuses Denktash of intransigency and stalling

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

In statements as he emerged from a meeting between top echelons at the foreign ministry and Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Papandreou said that Denktash was refusing to come to negotiations and to deal with the central issues, while ignoring the desire of ordinary Turkish-Cypriots for a solution to the Cyprus problem and entry into the European Union.

The foreign minister also noted that the time until the Copenhagen summit was short and that alternative plans had to be devised to maintain the momentum for a solution to the Cyprus problem after the Copenhagen Summit.

The meeting had centered on the results of Papandreou's trip to the United States and a series of other issues related to the Cyprus problem, EU enlargement and the Greek presidency, he said.

[04] Gov't: Deadlines for Cyprus talks getting tighter

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

Speaking during a regular press briefing in the Greek capital, spokesman Christos Protopapas said Clerides was referring to the deadlines set in the recently tabled Annan peace plan for Cyprus, while stressing that such deadlines are tightening.

Additionally, the Greek spokesman again called on the Turkish Cypriot side to assume its responsibilities, underlining that “dialogue must start, and it can start”.

Finally, Protopapas said the prospect of negotiations being completed before the mid December EU summit in Copenhagen appeared difficult, before noting that “Cyprus’ (EU) accession is one thing, and the solution to the Cyprus problem is another”.

[05] Parliament's off-the-agenda debate on Cyprus issue set for December 17

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

According to a parliament announcement, the date was set after consultations between Kaklamanis and the leaders of the opposition parties in Parliament.

The announcement said that Simitis and Kaklamanis also discussed the progress of the government's legislative work until the Christmas holidays, particularly the vote on the 2003 state budget.

[06] Holbrooke reiterates support for Cyprus' EU entry; Denktash criticism

MELBOURNE 30/11/2002 (ANA – T. Ellis)

In a lengthy “op-ed” piece in the “Washington Post”, Holbrooke said Cyprus will be offered membership into the Union during the upcoming Copenhagen summit because it deserves it.

Moreover, the former special presidential envoy for Cyprus again sharply criticized Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, charging that the latter has maintained a negative stance for decades over the island republic’s political problem. He also charged that Denktash’s intransigence has not only damaged the 200,000 Turkish Cypriots but 70 million Turks as well.

[07] Greece condemns terrorist attacks in Kenya

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis expressed the Athens government's "sincere condolences to the governments of Kenya and Israel and the country's sympathy with the families of those killed and injured" in Thursday's suicide car bomb attack at a luxury hotel in Mombassa.

Beglitis said that the two attacks were "blatant criminal actions" that targeted innocent citizens and also aimed to create worry over the safety of air transports, and therefore "it is impossible to justify them on the basis of any purpose, as just as it may be".

"Greece, true to the principles of international law and the peaceful settlement of differences, is in solidarity with the struggle against terrorism and expresses its conviction that the solution to the Palestinian issue will be achieved via negotiations based on the relevant UN resolutions and the creation of a Palestinian state that will coexist peacefully with the state of Israel," Beglitis said.

[08] Alternate FM meets EuroParliament's Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

The Greek minister stressed that it is necessary for Turkey to receive the message that its relations with the European Union, will continue and will widen, but also that Turkey should increase its efforts of reforms aiming to achieve the Copenhagen criteria.

The meeting also dealt with the planned European military force and immigration issues, as well as the incorporation of immigrants now living in the EU.

The delegation is in Athens to prepare for the Greek presidency of the EU and the Copenhagen Summit in two weeks time, when EU leaders will ratify a decision to allow 10 new members into the Union.

[09] Skandalidis addresses PASOK party meeting

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

"Following the efforts of many years we managed to shake out of inertia our national issues, to bring again the Cyprus issue to the forefront of international interest. Time, since 1994, worked for us," he said.

"It will continue to work for us on condition that Cyprus will enter the European Union. The accession should be concluded without asterisks or footnotes. For the first time, in a long time, we have the initiative," Skandalidis underlined.

"We are not signing anything that will be out of the bounds of the basic preconditions for the resolution (of the Cyprus problem) we have set," he said.

[10] FM Papandreou opens conference on 'The European Prospect of Balkan Countries'

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

The conference is organized by the Balkan Political Club (BPC) in cooperation with the Hellenic Foundation of Defense and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP).

Papandreou termed as timely the conference's topic because at the EU Summit in Copenhagen in mid-December, with the EU enlargement, a reunification will take place on the essence of half-century long divided Europe and stressed that Greece will have the honor to host the signing ceremony of the accession of the new members to the EU.

He said Cyprus's accession was of particular importance for Greece and underlined that it would be a very positive development if a political solution to the Cyprus problem was also achieved.

The foreign minister further stressed that with the plan submitted by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, there exists a dynamic for a settlement of the Cyprus problem, stressing that if the political problem is not solved by December 12, due to the dynamic which this procedure has acquired, there will be a solution very soon.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) former president Kiro Gligorov and Romania's former president Emil Constantinescu are among the many notable guests from throughout the region.

[11] Conference for Euro-African Dialogue ends, Magriotis returns to Athens Saturday

The sessions of the Conference for Euro-African Dialogue, which was attended by representatives of European Union and African countries, ended here on Friday with an important decision concerning Africa's foreign debt.

On the sidelines of the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis, who represented Greece, following the contacts he had with African and European delegates, promoted Greece's candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2005-2006, distributing a special memorandum.

The Greek minister returns to Athens on Saturday.

The delegates at the conference discussed at length Africa's foreign debt and agreed on the formation of a four-member committee of experts, comprised of delegates from Nigeria, Senegal, France and The Netherlands, who will study the issue and make proposals for its solution at the Euro-African Summit in Lisbon in April 2003.

[12] New EU directive on marital and child custody differences

BRUSSELS 30/11/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and Deputy Public Order Minister Evangelos Malesios represented Greece in the meeting.

The ministers concluded on an agreement that will improve the cooperation between judicial authorities and central authorities of the member-states, which are called on to decide and enforce the rulings on such disputes, when they cross borders of member-states.

According to the draft of the directive, it will be the courts of the child's permanent residence that will be called upon to make the decisions on each case for the return of a child to a parent and not the courts of the place of flight.

[13] Deputy FM Magriotis to attend events in London projecting Cyprus' culture

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

During his stay in London, Magriotis will attend on Sunday evening at the London Palladium a concert by Greek singer George Dalaras and the Cyprus State Orchestra, which is organized by the foreign ministry and the General Secretariat for Greek Expatriates in cooperation with the education and culture ministry of Cyprus and the National Cypriot Federation of Great Britain.

On Monday, Magriotis will attend a luncheon given in his honor by Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain Grigorios, and also meet with London's academic community.

Referring to the political symbolism of the events, Magriotis said Greece stood by Cyprus' difficult EU accession course, stressing that ''Europe feels that with Cyprus' accession to the EU, a part of it returns to its natural position.''

[14] ND organizes the ''Center-Democrats International'', in Corfu over weekend

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis welcomed Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar at the island's airport.

This is the first time ND is participating in a conference of the ''center'' party and this is due to the good relations between Karamanlis and Aznar, as well as due to the decision the ND leader made to widen the scope of his party toward the center of the political spectrum.

The conference's title is ''The answer of the middle political space: international challenges, global solidarity''.

Representatives, many of them state leaders, from 35 countries will participate in the conference which will last through the weekend.

[15] Main opposition briefed on armed forces role in Olympics preparations

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

[16] Coalition leader's Cyprus trip postponed to December 9-10

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

Constantopoulos had originally scheduled the visit for Monday and Tuesday but the date was moved because of a meeting of Cyprus' National Council.

[17] Central bank anxious about Greek inflation vs eurozone average

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

In an interim report on monetary policy submitted to parliament, the Bank of Greece said that tackling inflationary pressures more effectively should be a prime concern of the government.

Inflation had remained above 3.0 percent for the third consecutive year, showing for the last two years a growing upward divergence from that of the eurozone, the report said.

''Under these conditions, the behavior of the social partners in wage negotiations will acquire especial significance, along with corporate pricing policy,'' the central bank warned.

The report set growth at a projected 3.4 percent for 2002, lower than a government forecast of 3.8 percent.

The government, employers and trade unions should bear in mind that their share of the responsibility had increased for improving competitiveness, which was a condition for maintaining and boosting current levels of employment.

The point should be borne in mind for 2003 wage deals that had yet to be forged, the central bank said.

The report cited quality indexes on competitiveness that gave Greece a low ranking worldwide in 43rd place.

In addition, Greece lagged in almost all structural indexes monitored by the European Union's executive Commission.

A low level of investment from abroad was reflected in a relatively low probability index for foreign investment inflows compiled by UNCTAD, the Bank of Greece said.

The report also indicated that a certain amount of fiscal relaxation was discernible.

''Fiscal management is less rapid than it was in the period of economic convergence. As a result, reduction of the deficit in 2000-2002 totalled 0.8 percent of gross domestic product against 2.3 percent, which was the original estimate; and the same applies to the general government's primary surplus'' the report noted.

The Bank of Greece recommended strengthening fiscal discipline in order to tackle inflationary pressures; lower the general government debt more swiftly; widen leeway in fiscal management to meet external turmoil; and facilitate financing for public spending on social insurance, which was expected to rise due an ageing population.

Finally, the central bank urged more action towards fiscal revitalization, and faster moves in dealing with structural weaknesses in the economy, coupled with as much social consensus as possible.

''These weaknesses are reflected in a high public debt, in a high level of unemployment, and in a widening current account deficit,'' the Bank of Greece said.

[18] Economic confidence in Greece up 0.3% in November month/month

BRUSSELS 30/11/2002 (ANA/B.Demiris)

The economic confidence index, which is computed for each of the EU's 15 member states, comprises separate indexes for industrial, consumer, construction and retail trade confidence, the Commission said in a statement.

[19] Five bids submitted in Olympic Airways sale tender

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

Bidding were Olympic Investors, Wexford of the US, New Wings (Vardinoyiannis), Chrysler Aviation of the US, and Gold Aviation (Restis), tender consultants said.

An Australian consortium which had taken part in an earlier privatization tender for OA through the IAS group requested an extension of the deadline by several days in order to bid.

Aegean Airlines submitted a non-binding expression of interest after the tender's mid-afternoon deadline.

The company said in a statement that the offer submitted by its main shareholders was accompanied by financial guarantees.

[20] Karamanlis attacks gov't economic policies; defense-related commissions

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

Speaking during a debate on several tabled questions put forth by the main opposition regarding the state budgets of recent years, Karamanlis stressed that the issue of defense contract commissions does not only affect the economy but society and national interests as well.

Moreover, he sharply criticized the government’s economic policies and Prime Minister Costas Simitis, saying the latter “surrounded himself with a myth of managerial excellence”.

Furthermore, he repeated ND’s charge that with today’s growth rates Greece will achieve real convergence with the rest of the European Union in 80 years, before claiming that the government is providing false data about the economy, “thereby consciously deceiving Parliament and the people”.

In continuing his attack, the ND leader said the government is a prisoner to “vested interests”, citing among others, the state-run telecoms utility’s (OTE) investments in the Balkans -- which he charged are being carried out with “procedures lacking transparency and conditions that serve the ‘preferential public sector supplier’.”

Turning to another example, as he said, Karamanlis cited delayed road and anti-flooding works on the recently problematic Kifissos River, the greater Athens area’s primary floodway.

He noted that the Kifissos project’s original budget totaled 55 billion drachmas, whereas 2000 was the completion deadline. However, he said costs have skyrocketed to more than 120 billion drachmas even though half the project is still not completed.

He also mentioned cost overruns in the Olympic 2004 budget, as he claimed, as well as fines slapped against Athens by the European Union over the “national land registry” project along with a proposed “one-time duty” for registering real estate.

“Can the country stand on its feet with such practices? Can development exist when everything is done in favor of half a dozen organized vested interests,” Karamanlis asked.

[21] Bank of Greece submits mid-year report to Parliament

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

On receiving the report, Kaklamanis said that the social impact of measures for economic austerity and fiscal discipline should be taken into account when these were implemented, particularly where unemployment was concerned.

Garganas pointed out that an increase in employment could only be achieved through structural reforms.

The report will be debated by the relevant parliamentary committee, while Garganas will be invited to attend.

[22] Household wealth rose in 1995-2001, central bank says

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

In 2001, total wealth topped 208.9 trillion drachmas, representing 468 percent of gross domestic product, the central bank said in a statement.

The figure comprises the value of real estate and shares owned by households, a factor that in part explains why a slump in the Athens Stock Exchange did not have a major impact on consumer behavior.

The lion's share of total wealth lay in the value of real estate at 193 trillion drachmas in 2001, with the value of shares only accounting for 6.6 percent of the total, the statement said.

[23] Greek-Turkish business group to meet December 1-2 in Greece

Athens, 30/11/2002 (ANA)

Opening the conference will be Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos.

The session's roughly 160 delegates work in the sectors of energy, tourism, banking, commerce, information technology and shipbuilding.

Among speakers at the conference, which is to be held under the aegis of the foreign ministry, is Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Athens Bourse Close: Stocks slip in edgy trade: The Athens bourse finished slightly lower on Friday, with blue-chip National Bank of Greece coming under heavy pressure to shed 2.50 percent, traders said.

The general share index lost 0.40 percent to end at 1,872.83 points. Turnover was high at 453.2 million euros due to block trades totalling 329 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.55 percent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.95 percent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities was flat from the previous session.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 181 to 125 with 58 issues remaining unchanged.

The market gained 0.75 percent on the week.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Football Pools Organization, National Bank of Greece, Panafon, and GEK

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 40.1 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: