Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-04-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis to ask President to call party leaders' meeting on Cyprus issue

[02] Strong US support for final Annan plan on Cyprus reiterated

[03] Bush refers to Cyprus during Greek Independence Day ceremony at White House

[04] Deputy FM says NATO enlargement seals end of an era

[05] Papandreou addresses PASOK National Council meeting, criticizes ND

[06] Archbishop Christodoulos and Coalition party leader discuss social issues

[07] Reactions to Istanbul Univ. rector's comments continues

[08] Construction sector to continue growing after Games, report

[09] New government sets bid for Expo 2008 as priority

[10] Hellas Flying Dolphins orders catamaran from Australian yard

[11] Cash lacking for Greek Balkan aid plan, government says

[12] Austria and Greece to cooperate on waste management issues

[13] PPC denies changes of monopoly in lignite mining

[14] Building activity rose in Jan-Nov 2003

[15] Greece announces 10-year bond re-issue

[16] Insurance companies say "no solvency problems" in the sector

[17] Retail sales value index up 6.7 pct in Jan, yr/yr

[18] Development ministry leadership to visit Thessaloniki

[19] EFG Eurobank Ergasias announces changes in top positions

[20] ADEX says turnover up 28 pct in March

[21] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise in high-cap buying

[22] Maradona expresses interest in holding Olympic Flame in Thessaloniki

[23] ATHOC, major sponsors confer over upcoming Games

[24] New gov't website for 2004 information, facts

[25] Olympic rower Lipa wishes to compete in Athens Games

[26] National Council to examine referendum issue

[27] Top UN envoy on Cyprus to brief Security Council

[28] EP urges Turkey to maintain constructive Cyprus attitude

[29] Blair welcomes developments in Cyprus

[30] Ahern commends UN for 'tireless efforts' in seeking Cyprus settlement

[01] PM Karamanlis to ask President to call party leaders' meeting on Cyprus issue

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

In an urgent, off-the-agenda discussion called by the premier to brief the 300-member unicameral parliament on the outcome of UN-led Cyprus talks in the Swiss town of Buergenstock, that ended Wednesday night without the two sides reaching agreement on the Annan plan, Karamanlis warned that ''in no instance is there room for danger-mongering'' and that ''outbursts and sentimentalities are of no benefit'', adding that ''constant effort, maturity and prudence are demanded by the circumstances''.

He called on all the Greek people and all the political forces for ''national unanimity'' and to ''join forces''.

Karamanlis reiterated that ''the final decision'' on the Annan plan belonged to the people of Cyprus.

''The Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, in separate referenda, will make their choice, with maturity, by weighing all the facts, and with foresightedness for the future,'' the premier said.

As for the Greek government's position on the Annan draft solution for Cyprus, numbering some 10,000 pages, Karamanlis said that the government would assess all the factors involved, and would announce its decisions ''at the appropriate time''.

Karamanlis further tabled, for the parliament minutes, the two texts submitted to the UN chief containing the Greek government's proposals on the security aspect and the compatibility of the Annan plan with the EU's acquis communautaire, as per the UN Secretary General's request to all the sides to submit their comments on his fourth (revised) plan. The premier explained that the Greek comments had been submitted to the UN chief in agreement with the Greek Cypriot side.

As for Annan's ''final text'' (fifth plan) itself, Karamanlis said it was being assessed in detail by the appropriate services. This final text, which would be put to the referenda, was ''basically the initial text, with amendments, and it is obvious that it is a compromise text with positive and difficult points for all the sides,'' the premier explained.

Karamanlis also described in detail the entire course of the deliberations on the Cyprus issue since New Democracy took over the government and up to the delivery of Anna's full plan to the political parties on Thursday morning, noting that the plan required ''detailed study, so that the citizens may bee informed precisely on the provisions of the plan'', and adding that he was at the disposal of the parties ''today and in the near future'' on the issue.

The Greek prime minister further explained that he had responded in the affirmative to Annan's personal invitation for him to attend the final stage of the Buergenstock negotiations ''so as to contribute to achieving a solution'', but also ''because I consider it my firm obligation to devoutly adhere to my country's obligations emanating from the New York agreement''.

Parliament-Cyprus developments-Party leaders: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou said Friday that his party would take a position on the fifth Annan plan ''with cool-headedness'', being fully aware that ''for the first time we are so close to a solution'', adding that ''in the framework of the EU, it is possible to expand the positive points of the plan''.

Papandreou also announced his acceptance of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' call for a meeting of the political party leaders chaired by President Costis Stephanopoulos to discuss the latest Cyprus developments.

The main opposition leader said he had no intention at this time to make any criticism on the government's handling of the Buergenstock negotiations, since ''it would be a mistake to create a climate of national defeatism...''. He did, however, point to his own contacts with the Irish presidency of the EU, with UN secretary general Kofi Annan, with EU enlargement commissioner Gunther Verheugen, EU High Representative for Security and Defense Policy Javier Solana, and Annan's special adviser on the Cyprus issue Alvaro de Soto, and defended the preceding PASOK governments' handlings, rejecting insinuations that the current Greek government had gone to Switzerland ''with its hands tied''.

''Turkey was dragged to the negotiations table. For the first time, we are so near to a solution. Faced with Turkey's feet-dragging policy, we managed to radically change the conditions within which the Cyprus issue was moving for so many years. We defended the strategy of internationalization of the problem and taking advantage of the prospect of Cyprus' EU accession. We took the Cyprus issue out of oblivion,'' Papandreou said.

He said that the New York talks in February were the result of Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos' initiative towards the UN chief, forcing Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkey to negotiate in the framework of a binding timetable, and therefore ''it is a mistake for anyone to talk about 'tied hands'. It was our initiative, and there were and are margins for us to move within''.

Equally mistaken, Papandreou continued, was the credo that ''Cyprus decides, Greece supports'', calling it a ''convenient, no-cost policy'' that did not meet Greece's obligations to Cyprus.

''Naturally we respect the view of independent Cyprus and the Cypriot people and Hellenism, but we, too, have an opinion. It is our duty, as a country, to analyze the Annan plan and formulate our own, Greek, position, within hiding behind convenient schemes,'' Papandreou continued.

He said that PASOK would frankly express its view, without consideration of the political cost, and would calmly brief the Greek people without sentimentalities and purposeless patriotic slogans.

''Assessment of the Annan plan must not be a static and arithmetic one, but one based on the common interest of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,'' Papandreou said.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga, in turn, described the Annan plan as ''unjust and dangerous'', adding that ''it is of no significance whether it will be viable''.

Papariga said that the Buergenstock process had not been anything new, but a procedure that sealed everything that had been taking place for many years, officially and unofficially.. She also said it did not constitute a ''negotiation'', adding that it was positive that the process had ended without a signature forthcoming from the Greek government and the Greek Cypriot parties.

Also, it was contradictory that on the one hand sobriety and avoidance of frayed tempers was being advised, while on the other hand ''extortionist quandaries are being thrown in the Greek Cypriots' faces that either they accept the plan, otherwise there will be chaos, destruction, war and isolation awaiting them''.

Regarding the positions of the two main parties of the country, she criticized prime minister Costas Karamanlis of finding himself in the face of ''faits accomplis'', noting that ''as the main opposition party (before it took over the government in March) it had the right to intervene''.

She also criticized current main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, claiming that ''during the PASOK term in office we were on the verge of finding a solution'', but the ''situation went awry'' with the Buergenstock procedure.

Papariga further said that regardless of the result of the referendum, the KKE would remain at the side of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots ''because Cyprus is a strategic island for the plans in the Middle East that have not been realized, and any positive or negative development would have immediate consequences for Greece and the wider region''.

Coalition of the Radical Left (SYN) leader Nikos Constantopoulos advised ''cool-headed study of the pros and cons'' of the final Annan plan, noting that ''SYN will have an opinion, taking also into consideration the positions of the Cypriot Left'', and adding that it was in favor of a ''functional, viable and just solution''.

He advised that what should be examined was whether the Annan plan was a ''springboard for improvements, or for snags''.

Constantopoulos said that the New York agreement had been a ''mistaken handling aimed at the Greek side not being credited with the weight of a prospective negative stance, with a wrong assessment of Denktash's stance (Turkish prime minister) Erdogan's decisions regarding Turkeys accession to the EU''.

Taking the podium again after the opposition party leaders, Karamanlis stressed that "the Cypriots have the first say", since it was they who were "called on to live with the new reality", commenting on Papandreou's criticism as to whether Greece should be supportive or a protagonist. "We neither want, nor can, impose views on them", he said, adding that Athens supported, actively participated, and undertook initiatives after conferring with Nicosia.

Karamanlis expressed his satisfaction with the level of the parliamentary discussion and the "lack of easy slogans", adding that although he welcomed criticism, "this should not occur during the critical stage of negotiations, nor when a prime is abroad".

He also reiterated his intention of meeting the demand for mutual briefing with the party leaders, adding that it would be correct to convene the Foreign Policy Council and that it was correct to satisfy the need for constant information and dialogue in parliament.

[02] Strong US support for final Annan plan on Cyprus reiterated

Washington 3/4/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Meanwhile, White House spokesman Scott McClellan echoed reports from the previous day, namely, that US President George W. Bush discussed the Cyprus issue and the final peace plan with UN chief Kofi Annan and with the Greek and Turkish prime ministers, Costas Karamanlis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, respectively.

According to the White House spokesman, both premiers agreed that the Annan plan presents a compromise whereby neither side received everything it wanted, while ensuring though, the primary interests of all sides.

State Department : On his part, Ereli added that on April 24, ''the people of Cyprus will have a historic opportunity to determine what their future is'', adding that US secretary of state Colin Powell had expressed the opinion on Tuesday that the Cypriot people ''will make that decision with the future of all Cypriots in mind''.

''We believe that the (UN) Secretary General's final settlement plan is a fair compromise, one that meets the core interest of all Cypriots and provides them a secure framework for a common future,'' Ereli said.

''It's important, I think, that the Cypriot voters know that the United States is committed to supporting the full implementation of the Secretary General's settlement plan. Specifically, we will participate in and make substantial contributions to the pre-donors conference, which is being organized by the European Commission. And we will certainly be helpful in other respects as well,'' he added.

Questioned on the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders' refusal to sign the Annan plan on-the-spot in the Swiss town of Buergenstock, where Anna-led negotiations failed to reach an agreed solution to the decades-long Cyprus problem, Ereli, nonetheless, insisted several times that ''the parties have agreed to accept the plan''.

Following a deluge of observations by press correspondents that the two sides had not accepted the plan, Ereli explained that ''the parties to this process have agreed to accept this plan for referenda, for the people of Cyprus...And that is what the people of Cyprus are going to vote on April 24th''.

Consequently, Ereli said, the US position was ''let the people of Cyprus decide, and that it is a historic opportunity and it is, as the (UN) Secretary General said, something that provides them real security''.

''I think what's important to underscore here is that this is a good settlement and one that obviously involves compromise, but offers the best deal for both sides and is something that should be supported, and it offers a solution to a problem that has bedeviled the international community for decades,'' Ereli continued.

The US, he added, ''will be working with the Secretary General and others to encourage support for this plan, but obviously it's up to the people of Cyprus''.

To another question, Ereli replied that ''we will continue to make it clear to the leaders of the Greek and Cypriot -- the Greek and Turkish community of Cyprus our firm belief that this plan is in their best interests''.

Asked what the US intended to do now, Ereli said: ''I really can't give you a concrete list of items that we are going to start doing between now and April 24th to see that this is passed. This is a referendum that the people are going to decide. We're going to continue our efforts with the parties, through Ambassador Weston, through the Secretary.''

''We'll continue our active diplomacy in support of a unified Cyprus, which can enter the European Union as a single entity on May 1st. That effort will continue,'' he explained.

''As I said at the beginning, ultimately, it's up to the Cypriot people to decide what they want and how their future is going to look like -- say what their future is going to look like. We can reiterate our view that a united Cyprus based on the Secretary General's plan is a more peaceful, more prosperous, more secure vision of the future than the divisiveness and conflict and rancor of the past. And that's what we'll do,'' Ereli continued.

''Our view is that this is a choice between the Secretary General's settlement plan and no plan at all, and that we believe that the choice is clear and we support the Secretary General's plan,'' the spokesman said.

[03] Bush refers to Cyprus during Greek Independence Day ceremony at White House

WASHINGTON 3/4/2004 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Bush referred to the strong bonds that comprise Greek-US friendship, the upcoming visit here of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, the Cyprus issue as well as Olympic Games of Athens and the Greek-American community's contributions.

He met separately before the ceremony with Skandalakis, with the latter saying that Cyprus came up repeatedly in the talks.

Moreover, the Greek Deputy FM reiterated that the US President noted that Washington wants to stand by and aid in the solution to the problem, without imposing a solution of its own. Skandalakis also mentioned that Bush said that it was up to the people of Cyprus decide what is in their best interests.

[04] Deputy FM says NATO enlargement seals end of an era

BRUSSELS 3/4/2004 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

Valinakis further said ''Greece welcomes seven new members in NATO today (Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), two of which are from our neighborhood (Bulgaria and Romania).''

NATO's foreign ministers examined a series of additional measures against terrorism which will be finalized at the impending session in Istanbul, Turkey, in June, as well as upgrading cooperation with the European Union and other international organizations.

The taking of all necessary measures to ensure safe Olympic Games in Athens this year was also decided, while US Secretary of State Colin Powell, speaking during a press conference, reassured that every effort will be made for NATO to respond to Greece's request for safe Olympic Games.

Valinakis said a long discussion on the Balkans was held during the meeting and the prevailing view was that events in Kosovo did not take place by chance but were prepared and coordinated.

NATO's ministers also reconfirmed their clear commitment not to accept political changes resulting from acts of violence and stated categorically that similar phenomena must not be repeated and that Serbia and Montenegro constitutes a ''key'' to developments in the region.

Valinakis had bilateral contacts with foreign ministers on the sidelines of the session, including Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, while Powell congratulated him on the assumption of his duties.

[05] Papandreou addresses PASOK National Council meeting, criticizes ND

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou expressed his concern on the manner with which ''the new government stands towards the responsibility which it has undertaken,'' particularly with regard to the Cyprus issue and the Olympic Games.

With regard the Cyprus problem, he said that the government maintained ''an embarrassing and almost neutral stance at the most critical and delicate moment of the final proposal and consequently of the negative developments on the Cyprus issue the day before yesterday.'' He added that this stance by the government ''is not the best omen'' on the national issue.

Referring to the government's stance on the issue of the Olympic Games, he said that an attempt was being made ''for domestic consumption'' to place in doubt the preparations for the Games, underlining that through this manner, the government raised ''unjustifiable dangers'' about their holding and run down the country internationally.

He further said ''the conservative party does not have an adequate national strategy for the objectives of Hellenism to be achieved.''

Papandreou also accused the government of ''inadequacy'', saying that ''the first perplex measures it has taken'' will be reflected in the course of the economy and the country's development.

The PASOK leader also said that ''we have a government which all the more, in order to cover up its weakness, will turn its sights backwards so as to allot responsibilities and rid itself of its obligations.''

The PASOK National Council meeting will continue on Saturday.

[06] Archbishop Christodoulos and Coalition party leader discuss social issues

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

''We had the opportunity of having a wide dialogue while I was presenting the activities of our Church, particularly in the social sector, to Mr. president,'' Archbishop Christodoulos said afterwards.

''I also want to say that this initiative of mine aims at a constructive dialogue between the Church and this party because we believe, both they and us, that even contrary views which might be set out in the framework of such a dialogue, can prove to be constructive for all of us. And this is what we are seeking and hoping for,'' he added.

''The discussion was constructive. The issues preoccupying us were the major social deficits existing today in Greece in 2004, the exploding of social problems and the need for shaping a society of solidarity with policies which will support real cohesion, protection and social justice to enable humanity to exist and for a dignified living to be secured for all,'' Constantopoulos said on his part.

''It was a visit which, as I believe, paves the way for the possibility of having a sober dialogue and mutual respect for the views of both sides and of different approaches existing on known issues distinguishing between the state and the Church,'' Constantopoulos further said.

[07] Reactions to Istanbul Univ. rector's comments continues

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

The comments by the state-appointed rector of Turkey's largest university, Prof. Kemal Alemdaroglu, a past Ipekci recipient, raised eyebrows on both sides of the Aegean during a crucial period just prior to UN-sponsored talks in Switzerland on a solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem.

"Mr. Alemdaroglu is a war-monger and a slanderer of the memory of Abdi Ipekci, a martyr for peace and Greek-Turkish friendship … We regret this university teacher's degradation, one who did not hesitate at hinting at the death of thousands of his compatriots as a sacrifice to his outrageous bravado," Kyrkos said in a statement representing the Ipekci awards secretariat.

[08] Construction sector to continue growing after Games, report

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

Presenting the report, IOBE's research director professor Theodore Palaskas said that the construction sector would continue expanding after the Olympic Games, although with slower growth rates, despite forecasts of a recession in the sector after the Games.

A Global Insight report showed that the domestic construction market would rise by 5.9 percent annually by 2012, totalling 37.4 billion US dollars, from 21 billion dollars in 2002. Demand for real estate is projected to rise by an annual 6.4 percent rate over the same period to 12.8 billion dollars in 2012 from 6.9 billion dollars in 2002. The report attributed the forecast for higher growth of demand to low mortgage rates and a traditional trend by Greeks to invest in real estate assets.

The tourism sector is also forecast to grow in the future, Mr Palaskas said. The IOBE report said that tourism accounted for 16.7 percent of Greek GDP in 2001 and employed 19.7 percent of total workforce, while tourist foreign exchange revenues accounted for 56 percent of the country's foreign exchange revenues. The report, however, stressed that advertising spending was only 18.7 percent of total national tourism organization's budget in Greece, compared with 35.7 percent in Italy and 83.7 percent in Portugal.

[09] New government sets bid for Expo 2008 as priority

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

''Thessaloniki's bid to host Expo 2008 is a national priority, of equal importance to the Olympic Games in Athens,'' Stylianidis, who is responsible for the country's economic diplomacy, told a news conference in the northern port city.

Delays had been noted in connection with the bid, and action would be taken immediately, he added.

Later in the day, ministers met in Thessaloniki to decide on a plan of action.

Macedonia-Thrace Minister Nikos Tsiartsionis told a news conference that the government would coordinate moves within the country and exercise effective economic diplomacy abroad.

''As the timescale is stifling, we all have to keep our focus on this major national goal. Succeeding in our goal would give new impetus for growth to Thessaloniki, and, in turn, for the whole of northern Greece,'' the minister said.

The first major event was on April 18 when senior officials of the Bureau of International Exhibitions would visit Greece to examine Thessaloniki's bid, Tsiartsionis added.

Among government officials taking part in the meeting were Stylianidis, Agricultural Development and Foodstuffs Minister Savvas Tsitouridis, and Deputy Finance Minister Christos Folias.

[10] Hellas Flying Dolphins orders catamaran from Australian yard

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

The Highspeed 5 will be a new additional to a series of four vessels built by Austal, Hellas said in a statement.

Delivery is expected in May 2005 for use on Cycladic island routes from early June of that year, the statement added.

[11] Cash lacking for Greek Balkan aid plan, government says

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

''The commitments that the country has undertaken under the Greek economic reconstruction plan for the Balkans are great, but there is no money,'' Stylianidis, whose portfolio includes economic diplomacy, told a news conference in Thessaloniki.

''Nevertheless, the government will make every effort to allow Greece to faithfully meet the commitments it has undertaken. The previous government failed to choose a co-financing arrangement for the plan's projects,'' he said.

Stylianidis said that co-financing was one of several funding options the foreign ministry would seek, working with the other ministries involved.

Little funding had been released so far, except in private sector investments, which had shown a satisfactory rate, he noted.

[12] Austria and Greece to cooperate on waste management issues

VIENNA 3/4/2004 (ANA/D.Dimitrakoudis)

Kossina will refer to Vienna's long tradition, excellent track record and advanced technology the city's municipality possesses in waste management as well as to the potential for cooperation between the two countries based on existing Greek-Austrian programs.

Vienna's waste management facilities are considered the most advanced in Europe and are able to manage waste without burdening the environment. The facility has been operating since the early 1960s.

Seventy experts from Austria and Greece will be attending the Symposium organized by the Municipality of Vienna, the South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO)in cooperation with the Greek financial newspaper Express and the Austrian publishing company Boehmann.

[13] PPC denies changes of monopoly in lignite mining

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

PPC said, in a statement, that it has not yet received any warning letter from the European Commission and presented a relative exchange of information between Greece's development ministry and Commission's agencies to support its case.

The Commission on Tuesday gave Greece two months to justify or end the exclusive rights status offered to PPC for the mining of lignite, which is used to product electricity in the country.

"Lignite mined at PPC's mines has no state support or any other form of subsidy," PPC said in a statement

[14] Building activity rose in Jan-Nov 2003

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

NSS said that the Crete, Southern Aegean and North Aegean regions recorded the biggest increase in license numbers over that period (7.8 pct, 6.8 pct and 3.3 pct, respectively).

Building activity fell 15.4 percent in November compared with the same month in 2002.

[15] Greece announces 10-year bond re-issue

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

The re-issue tender will be held on Tuesday, 6 April, and will include all primary bond dealers and private investors. The latter will be offered a tax-free return on the precondition that they will hold the bonds until their maturity.

[16] Insurance companies say "no solvency problems" in the sector

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Doukas Palaeologos, secretary-general of the Union, stressed those Greek consumers should not be worried since the ministry has issued solvency certificates for all insurance companies operating in the country.

Union officials noted that the industry was adopting policy increases in the car and health categories, while life insurance programs have remained stable.

Mr Papathanasiou earlier visited the Athens meat market in Rendi and pledged for an immediate start of works to upgrade facilities in the area.

[17] Retail sales value index up 6.7 pct in Jan, yr/yr

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

NSS, in its monthly report, attributed the rise to a 12.2 percent increase in super markets, an 11.3 percent rise in food-tobacco shops, an 11.3 percent increase in pharmaceutical and cosmetics shops and a 9.8 percent rise in department stores in the month.

The value of retail sales also rose in bookstores (4.9 percent) and furniture, electric appliances stores (3.7 percent).

[18] Development ministry leadership to visit Thessaloniki

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

The government ministers have planned meetings with Thessaloniki Prefect Panayiotis Psomiadis and the boards of Thessaloniki's Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Small- and Medium-sized enterprises and exporters.

Development ministry's new leadership is promoting a policy of continuous dialogue with all interested parties with the aim to find the maximum consensus on problems facing commerce and industry.

The ministry also seeks to support and upgrade activity in regional Greece.

[19] EFG Eurobank Ergasias announces changes in top positions

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

Constantinos Vousvounis, a former executive at Bank of America in Athens and London, will take over as chief executive at EFG Telesis Finance as of May 3.

[20] ADEX says turnover up 28 pct in March

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

ADEX, in its monthly report, said that the number of traded contracts totalled 1,277,426 in March from 861,776 in February, an increase of 48 percent.

The total value of trading in ADEX rose 42 percent in March from the previous month, exceeding an 8.0 percent rise in the value of trading in the Athens Stock Exchange over the same period (the value of trading in stocks included in the FTSE/ASE 20 index and FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 12 percent).

ADEX said that the number of new customer codes rose to 22,692 in March from 22,224 in the previous month, while active codes were 3,296 (or 14.5 percent of total), up from 2,808 in February.

[21] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise in high-cap buying

Athens 3/4/2004 (ANA)

The general share index gained 0.56 per cent to end at 2,372.77 points. Turnover was 102.5 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.57 per cent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.23 per cent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities gained 0.08 per cent.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 147 to 140 with 72 issues remaining unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 91.9 mln euros

Equity Index Futures: